ORV

On 6/6/2024 at 3:31 PM, edgee said:

No enforcement sadly. From the highest level of NCLH the word has come down, apparently from the legal department, that guests' stuff on chairs cannot be touched by crew members. So, for now, the pool anti chair hogging "rules" are really just a request. Has to do with a guest legal action against NCLH for crew damaging valuables left too long on a pool lounger. Was told this by a hotel manager on my last O cruise earlier this year.

39 minutes ago, Vertygo said:

Here’s O’s description & instructions re Vista’s pool deck that I’ve copied from brochure in my blue envelope for August cruise. Note that they state items will be removed by staff if passenger isn’t present. Now they just need to follow their own rules.

 

 

Somehow these two things are at loggerheads with each other. 

6 hours ago, TonicTraveler said:

Some countries do not allow Starlink.

Do you know why?

14 hours ago, clo said:

I hope you have or will write to Oceania and share this. It's really good. And thanks for sharing it here.

 

Cloris, you do realize that the decision makers at Oceania were well aware that some of their current customers have this mindset when they made the Simply More decision?

They weigh what they will lose vs what they will gain. They're not idiots operating in a vacuum. 

4 hours ago, mauibabes said:

In the past any of my credit balance could be used by Bonnie for other services but that is not how it is now, not even to buy products so “use it or lose it”

I think that is on a ship to ship basis. On Regatta recently they actually told us we she could use my leftover for her. Strictly for us, and I'm not promoting this, but if they wanted to adjust any of the Loyalty perks I'd be ok with this one going away. Most of the time, since they brought it back, we haven't used it. It went down from $260 per person to $150 per person, meanwhile there was a huge price increase on the services. As already mentioned the gratuities have to come out of your other OBC or your pocket, and products no longer can be purchased with the perk. 

To the OP, I actually have a price list from about a year ago, but it's almost too faint to read. I can't post it, but if you want to know any specific procedure's price I'd be happy to get a magnifying glass out and read it. 

It's ok, just thought I'd missed something. 

Maybe it's the timing of when I've cruised, but I've always had some type of mailed documents. From what I've read some in other countries haven't. 

FWIW, my January cruise on Marina had the Themed cover, while our April cruise on Regatta had the Blue envelope and the inserts described in the Press release. 

BUT, those of us that have cruised Oceania for the past 15 years or more know that the mailer has always been a part of what they send to you, along with the Final documents by email, which really have the important information in them. 

Perhaps there was a short time when they didn't send anything out, but obviously I didn't cruise in that time period. Just as a data point my last Oceania cruise pre covid was in Dec of 2019 and my next one after the restart was Sept of 2022, then again March 23 and Jun of 23. I got a pre cruise booklet on all of those. 

My point is I'm not sure exactly what this is all about. The only thing I can figure is the return of the Blue envelope and the NEW style luggage tags, which I posted about with pictures in March of this year. 

28 minutes ago, riversights said:

Perhaps we aren't looking in the right niche, but prices for spa services seem not readily available.  Does anyone have experience aboard Nautica?  We'll be sailing Baltic and North Sea waters in late July.  Thank you.

Yes, they are not easily found. They have them at the Spa. 

2 hours ago, DrHemlock said:

If so, then they're not responding to the OP's question re R-class.  One level up from the pool on an R-class ship is the walking track where it would be a tad too windy for ping-pong while underway, or even on a calm day in port where an errant volley would risk flying overboard.  Where the table is on A-class Vista is irrelevant to the OP.

Yes you are correct. They do tend to run together sometimes. They did say on some of the ships. On the Marina & Riviera those areas are called the Patio on the Starboard side and Sanctuary on Port. 

Looking at the itineraries for everything posted for that route I do see Devils Island, French Guiana. 

1 hour ago, MEFIowa said:

non-Spanish nations of S. America on the north coast (Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana).

I'm fairly sure you won't be on Oceania. Do any cruise lines go there?

1 hour ago, DrHemlock said:

Are you sure the ships you're referring to are R-class ships that the OP asked about?  The seating area you describe is -- or was? -- the smoking area, meaning that smokers would have been moved to someplace else.  But where?  Maybe nowhere...as in Oceania experimenting with going entirely non-smoking as most hotels have done?  Smokers were still starboard-side on our Insignia trip in March.  Anybody currently aboard an R ship who can comment?

I believe they're talking one level up. Don't get too excited, I doubt the smoking policy is changing anytime soon. 

2 hours ago, BarbaraM said:

We used the National bus from Heathrow to ship last year— the bus was delayed leaving by 30 minutes, it was October 80+ degreees, no AC— and the fan stopped working every time the bus stopped. It took a long time due to all the stops. Will book a car service next time!

Definitely not a good endorsement for the National Bus option. 

I'm pretty sure one of the car services would be better than this. Maybe Blacklane or another there. Check the Ports of Call, which I'm sure you probably have. 

We were on over Easter once and they put a basket in our room complete with a chocolate bunny. And yes, I did eat the ears first. 

Don't over think this, in the grand scheme of things this isn't an issue. More importantly you want to keep away from being under Waves Grill and the entrance area to the Terrace. Some folks that think smoke drifts down also don't want to be on the starboard side across from there. 

1 hour ago, clo said:

But isn't page three of the wine menu the wines by the glass that are included by SM? I don't know if the wine servers know if enough to help with pairings but I - the last thing from an oenophile - would be able to do a little research and DIY my own pairings.

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/1695/Grand-Dining-Wine-list.pdf

On the left side of the menu each evening is a pairing menu. They recommend the wines to go with the courses, not all of them are on the Wine by The Glass menu, some are. 

12 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

That's the point tho', It's not just around the pool.

The extra tipping I and others witnessed was in the Terrace Cafe, food being brought from the buffet to the table, which is wonderful. Tipping with bills was just not necessary. Other staff are witness to this and of course also feel they are deserving.

We were at a loss as to what to do, so we did nothing.

Can't see how O can enforce the no tipping at pool area, Terrace Cafe etc without enforcing ALL extra tipping. 

The EXTRA tipping is a fairly recent phenomena, yes even for cabin attendants. It was definitely not as prevalent as it is now.

Now all attendants get the automatic and feel slighted if not given extra.

All other staff in all  departments are influenced and I can't blame them.

 

I think you're comparing apples and oranges. 

I wouldn't get all wound up that it's the norm due to one report. I personally don't hang around the pool, so I don't care, other than if there is a policy that's affecting other people, then it should be followed. Otherwise, if it becomes a situation where you can pay an attendant and have it reserved, it's really no different than the special treatment that the upper suites get on the mass market lines. 

3 hours ago, njhorseman said:

The 2017 expansion of the room service menu for concierge veranda cabins was to allow ordering from the GDR menu during lunch and dinner...there was never a mention of breakfast. 

I don't remember when it changed, might have been at the same time, but you used to have to be in at least a Concierge room to get hot breakfast. Now it's available in all categories. 

While I love the daily souffle offering I haven't seen the Green Apple. Just the thought of it kind of would make me wary. Interesting. 

Keep up the reporting. Nice to hear that you're enjoying the cruise. 

3 hours ago, EJL2023 said:

And I know that Riviera was misspelled in my post above,

Ouch, and I'm usually such a good speller. Must have been drinking that day. 🍸

10 hours ago, mauibabes said:

In the past, Destination Services has included a short day tour transfer as a part of the Disembarkation process. Bags are with you or stored in a box truck and then delivered to the Airport with your arrival. I think it was $69-79 range pp and it worked out great. Any tour beats sitting at MIA for HOURS. We will be testing this out again in November when we return to Miami on Marina. 
Mauibabes

We did this once with a Hop On Hop Off tour. Worked just the way you say. We did return to the Bayside area to collect luggage and then went to the airport in smaller vans. 

10 minutes ago, roberts2005 said:

Not sure it matters about the spa terrace access.  On our recent 21 day Regatta cruise, no one checked cards or cabin numbers when going.

And on the Regatta there is no card reader to open the door. I'm not sure about the other R ships. I'm pretty sure the O ships have card readers on the door. 

Although things have changed over the years I'm thinking that's a fairly new perk for that level to try to make it more attractive. 

Is it necessary to book the 1 category? What's the savings to go to an A3 as opposed to an A1? 

To me the rooms are all the same, with a few exceptions that you have to know about. We're one of those that are ok anywhere on the ship, so I can't see paying more for the next number up unless there are no other options.