ORV

I've been in both situations. More frequently with nice conversation but a couple of misses. Once with a Mother and Daughter that any conversation was like pulling teeth, and then those that the conversation they wanted to have wasn't exactly what I would prefer.

I do remember. I think we had dinner in Red Ginger, or one of the other restaurants.

When you say new, is this different from the one they had a few years ago? We stopped there for a tasting I think back in 17 or so. Had a great time. What picture are you referring to?

Ok,

Not sure what you're saying. You mean you don't understand? It's not real hard.

Are you aware that you can get onboard booking perks 30 days prior to your cruise? Ask your TA about this.

Next up, I've seen it mentioned multiple times about going by the restaurant and seeing empty seats. I really shouldn't have to explain this, but I'll try. For those that have trouble with seeing empty tables when they happen to go by and think they have openings, mull this concept over. Let's say there are 25 tables in Polo, if they fill all those tables at the 6:30 slot and the average dining time is approximately 90 minutes where are they going to seat those that have a 7pm, 7:30pm or 8pm reservation?

Here's some reading as to their processes and procedures, it's plain as day that they tell you right up front, SPEND MORE, GET MORE. As far as being deliberately lied to, I have no idea what you're going on about with that. I don't understand your beef. Owner’s Suite, Vista Suite and Oceania Suite Advance reservations may be made on the date final payment is due and has been received until 7 days prior to sailing, which varies between 90 and 150 days, depending on length of sailing. Penthouse Suite Reservations may be made 75-7 days prior to sailing, if the booking is paid in full. Concierge Level Veranda Reservations may be made 60-7 days prior to sailing, if the booking is paid in full Marina, Riviera, Vista and Allura Owner’s Suite, Vista Suite, and Oceania Suite Cruises 7 days or less: 1 reservation at each restaurant Cruises 8-17 days: 2 reservations at each restaurant Cruises 18 days or more: 3 reservations at each restaurant Penthouse Suite Cruises 17 days or less: 1 reservation at each restaurant Cruises 18 days or more: 2 reservations at each restaurant Concierge Level Veranda, Veranda, Ocean View, and Inside Stateroom All cruises: 1 reservation at each restaurant Insignia, Nautica, Regatta and Sirena Concierge Level Veranda and above Cruises 7 days or less: 1 reservation at each restaurant Cruises 8-17 days: 2 reservations at each restaurant Cruises 18 days or more: 3 reservations at each restaurant All other categories Cruises 17 days or less: 1 reservation at each restaurant Cruises 18 days or more: 2 reservations at each restauran

Well, that's the way you see it, unfortunately for you that's not the way it works. I personally have no problem with that concept. If I want more I'll spend more, but I'm ok with spending less and getting what I get. Reminds me of the old saying; "Life is like a poop sandwich, the more bread you have the easier it is to eat", or something like that.

I did check the Private option and all were 9pm. Good luck with that. I'm thinking the early 2 tops on the R ships go to the Owner's, Vista, and a few lucky PH's. Certainly more chance on the O ships, but more people in front of you to.

Was this a TA inclusion? Sounds like a nice bonus.

Yes, but, Med cruises are definitely outliers for the age of the cruisers on Oceania, especially in the summer. So being the Baltic in the summer chances are that yes it will skew younger than normal. I think it will all depend on the daughters desires for activities.

I wasn't referring to you necessarily. Just people in general. In all fairness I just checked my upcoming cruise and it has 11 ports, and the car/van, half day/full day options are only offered on 2 of them. So it's understandable that they are not on all itineraries.

So in the light of day I've figured out that not allowing the last 3 days was my mistake, or a silly design of the way it works. I had to advance the calendar manually, I thought for sure if you chose the dining segment of 9/5 -9/10 it would display those dates automatically. Not so much. So now I've made it better by instead of only 2 days between my last two reservations I've pushed the last out from the 7th to the 9th. Still 6:30 and still sharing.

As has been pointed out they are on many listings, and have been for quite a while. They have been on my last 4 cruises, and probably a few before that. They are also quite pricey, but it's better than paying for the SM and then complaining that there's nothing but big bus tours that you won't go on. There are options.

I just booked my dining reservations for our Aug/September cruise and the system works a little differently than it has in the past, the past being as recent as our cruise this last April. This is an 18 day cruise, which was never marketed as less, although it was as a segment of a longer cruise. But when trying to book the reservations it's broke down into two segments, but doesn't allow for the last 3 days of the cruise. Not user friendly at all. I can imagine someone coming from another cruise line would this is a very poor website. Also came up against a message along the lines of "You've used up your allotted amount in this time slot. Never saw that before. Bottom line I did get 3 at 6:30 and one at 7:30, by sharing. It wasn't perfect times, but it works. We'll see if we can't get it adjusted a little better later. FYI, I'm in an Oceanview, so this is the bottom of the barrel choices, but it is midnight on the first day.

I can't tell how old people are anymore, they're either young or old. Young is from 18-45, normal is my age range, 45-75, everyone past that is old. But I can usually enjoy most people's company. One of our best friends is 80, if you didn't know it you'd think he was in his mid 60s. But getting back to the OP, there probably won't be many singles in your daughters age group. If she goes hopefully she likes to read.

That certainly clears things up. It wasn't making sense before, now it does.

No, that's not the way it works. No matter what level you're at you can't make Specialty reservations until you've made final payment.

Perhaps it would help if you told us what you are considering "dated". You might be confusing the style of the R ships and your personal preference for dated.

Actually they do give a clue to the size of the excursions. Look at the excursions marked, OS, OE & OC. I think these are the designations. Many of these are for 16 or less. You can also get a car or van for a half day or full day and pick your own excursion. There are options to not let the Simply More SBC go to waste.

I see in another post you mentioned you are in an A1 for a 50 day cruise. Have you actually booked your reservations? That would seem odd as here is the breakdown as to when you can actually book. Perhaps when you book a Grand Voyage one of the perks is being able to book your Specialties once final payment is made. According to the chart below you shouldn't be able to book them until Oct 7th. Having said that there is a ton of stuff I don't know about special cases and Grand Voyages. Somewhere I've seen a chart of all the additional things you get when you book these. Owner’s Suite, Vista Suite and Oceania Suite Advance reservations may be made on the date final payment is due and has been received until 7 days prior to sailing, which varies between 90 and 150 days, depending on length of sailing. Penthouse Suite Reservations may be made 75-7 days prior to sailing, if the booking is paid in full. Concierge Level Veranda Reservations may be made 60-7 days prior to sailing, if the booking is paid in full.

SM started less than a year ago. Were you on a ATW cruise? I'd love to know the details of how you can go on two free cruises in less than 10 months.

Question for your Travel Agent.

I agree.