ORV

56 minutes ago, MEFIowa said:

Though I've walked the ships in many different ways, including starting on the lowest passenger deck (3) and working my way up hallway by hallway and stairs to get to deck 11. Enjoying the art.

Yes, in inclement weather on sea days we've walked the halls similar to what you do, but we tend to either walk before or shortly after breakfast. The problem with this is the steward's carts and people up and milling about. It's hard to keep up a good pace. We definitely like the walking track on the O ships much more than the R. 

Thanks for your review. It's nice to see reports when people enjoy their cruise. 

12 hours ago, Thought2go said:

If you can’t pick up on tongue in cheek humor- well…sad. 

The problem is it wasn't funny, and really didn't make any sense. 

1 hour ago, AMHuntFerry said:

I went to check the Vista owner's suite out on a prolific YouTube ship-video tour channel. There is a full-on butler's panty with not only an espresso machine (can't tell if it is true espresso or something akin to the self-serve machines), but a kitchenette with dishwasher, sink, frig, and cooking appliances.

I guess you could take a doggy bag with the leftover tomahawk steak and have it for a midnight snack. 

23 hours ago, ScottieM said:

The owner's Suite has an espresso machine, contrary to other answers you may have seen here

Curious how you know this. Have you seen it? Saw a video of it? I don't drink coffee nor will I be booking the Owner's Suite. Just never heard this before. 

56 minutes ago, basor said:

Actually, our room steward has brought us a vacuum that worked perfect for this...we had all of the bags packed and ready and it took about 5 minutes to compress everything...

I stand corrected. 

2 hours ago, Thought2go said:

I think I would be tempted to secure the premium drink package if that meant I could have an expresso machine in my Stateroom!!

I'm not sure what one has to do with the other?

6 hours ago, tarhoosier said:

I think (s)he means the bags which can be attached to a home vacuum to remove air making a tight, flat, and compressed package. Clothing in such a package will not move or rub against others so the wrinkling is reduced. Fabric-on-fabric is the thing that causes wrinkling in packing clothing.

I cover my good clothing in launderer plastic bags to reduce such contact. Not as compact as the vacuum process.

What I always wonder about is what do you use to compress them when packing on the ship. I'm pretty sure they're not going to get you a vacuum cleaner. 

3 hours ago, Robjame said:

We are only a month past final payment.

With a Dec 5 sailing date I think that puts you in the 50% penalty. 

5 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

It appears that there are numerous music sets around the ship in the evening hours. 

Well, not so much. You got a string quartet around 5-6. You have a piano player in Martinis, during part of happy hour, then a little later at night. You've got a band that plays in Horizons after tea and then later in the night. That's about it, not really any variation other than a few guest performers, but they're at the evening show. 

19 hours ago, Robjame said:

Our TA contacted Oceania and they have refunded the difference in cruise fare. As mentioned above this difference will be applied as a OBC to us, which is fine with us. 
For us, this is a combined cruise and the 5% combined cruise credit (b2b) had to be referred for credit, to a higher up. I will update when we hear back.

14 hours ago, jonthomas said:

yes got the difference in OBCs, 400 pp....thats how much the cruise went down...we were after final pay....

So being after final payment have either of your TAs mentioned the penalty schedule and whether it applies to you?

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

One of the very few foods I detest are BEETS... Yuck...   I think my distaste comes from my mother forcing me to eat them as a child.    Definitely won't be ordering that on.

 

I have a feeling that we may be able Try out Terrace Grill at some point.    Being an Alaska and Coastal cruise it may be too cool but will play it by ear.    When on Ponant they had a similar setup and served the same menu as the MDR but in a much more relaxed setting.  They did a mixed service with self service for salads and deserts but the al la carte dinner was waiter served.

They have an inside for when it’s cold. 

21 minutes ago, Robjame said:

We are booked and past final payment date,  on one of the 40 cruises included in the flash sale. We have contacted our agency. 
The difference is more than $1500. Has anyone had success or not in getting satisfaction after the final payment date. OBC would be fine.

Thanks for your help.

Let us know what your TA finds out please. 

Just an FYI, if you're past final payment take a look at the Cancellation Schedule. In the past I've heard of people getting OBC after final, but if you're cancelling and rebooking, which so many times to get the discount is what happens, then your penalty can and probably will be more than the savings. This seems to also be a reason or benefit to O for the new Cancellation Schedule they instituted a few months ago, along with the earlier time to make Final Payment for cruises less than 15 days. 

9 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

What levels get pins specifically at the event depends on how many are in the various categories. In the many events I have attended, I’ve seen Platinum and up as the most widely recognized.

Back in the old days before there were so many repeaters they used to call up and hand out pins to the lower levels. There was a letter in your room as to whether you wanted to just get the pins or have them give them to you at the party. Over the years with more club members it has changed to just the higher ones. On our free cruise they didn't present us with ours. I would have thought that recognizing cruisers on their free ones would be a motivation for those working their way toward one. Anymore I just hear them tell how many Platinums there are along with the Gold, Silver, etc. 

38 minutes ago, JDPCruisers said:

As do I so this is welcomed news. Oh, what brand of welcome Champagne do they have in the Suites and around the ship?

There is no "Welcome Champagne" around the ship. Depending on the ship the Champagne available at lunch and dinner could be Heidseick Monopole Blue top or Germain. 

In the suites, Concierge & up it will vary. Usually the Heidseick or better. 

3 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

IMO, a day earlier (than embark) arrival is not enough of a potential problem buffer for intercontinental air with a connection.

 

The two looming challenges remain misplaced checked luggage and missed connections/delayed arrival.

 

With that in mind, our mantra is “minimum of two days arrival at embark port and no less than 3.5 hour layovers at major hubs for our preferred airline consortium (United and Star Alliance whenever possible.”

 

It was United that sent my bag to Anchorage, and only the 3rd time I've ever flown on them as they generally don't go in the right direction for connections from my home airport, until recently, now they have daily flights to IAH, they didn't then. In all fairness the guy checking in my bag was new and there was another person with my last name, (common) he was going to Anchorage. I'm sure he was as unhappy as I was when he got there. 

Usually fly Delta or AA and never had that problem. On the way home yes, missed connections delayed & cancelled flights, yes. For the most part we've been lucky, but we've spent plenty of nights at airport hotels that we'd rather not. I guess part of the equation if you travel. 

On 8/13/2024 at 1:43 AM, MonikaV said:

Dear fellow cruisers - this will be our first cruise with Oceania in while going through the webside I m unsure if they still offer breakfast in the cabins? I am a very early risern- my husband is not - and I normally enjoy a cup of coffee before he even opens his eyes. I know there are no coffee making facilities in the cabins but is it possible to get coffee somewhere this early (around 5.30 or 6:00)?

Thank you and happy sailing 😊 

Monika

Which ship are you on, it makes a difference.

DOH, nevermind, I see in the title you're on the Riviera. You have a lot of options, but as you said, the Concierge Lounge is probably your best bet. 

11 hours ago, clo said:

My husband traveled up to 85% of the time on business and together we've visited six continents. Not ONCE have we lost a bag. NOT ONCE.

There's lost, and then there's "it didn't show up when it was supposed to". I've had luggage misdirected, but show up, I've had luggage not make it to my home airport, but then they brought it to my house the next day, more than once. But, I've never had a bag completely lost. 

So, if it was not at your airport, and you were getting on the ship that day, but they know where it's at, they just can't get it there until the next day, then it might as well be lost. We traveled with an unfortunate fellow on a TA that kept being told by the front desk that his luggage would be at the next port. It finally was, when the next port was Miami. He had on the same T shirt a lot. 

Just another reason to go in a day early on cruises. I've never had a delay mess me up, well on the way home but that's another thing, but I was on a cruise that left out of San Diego and my luggage was in Anchorage AK, they got it there the next day before we left, but I did have to go back to the airport as they couldn't get it delivered to my hotel in time. 

There are a number of items that are neither spicy nor red meat. Depending on whether you like tempura or not there is an excellent vegetable tempura as an app, as well as a couple of shrimp dishes. Also Udon noodles and some rice dishes. I like most of what I've had there. We usually pass on the Edamame, the tea and chopstick dance as well as the broth. Just bring on the food. 

1. That Lisbon to Miami on Marina is looking really good. But I have a 20 day cruise starting on the 3rd of December. I'd have to spend a week in Miami, or go home for a couple of days and then head back. Probably aint happening. 

I think I know what is happening here. There are at least a couple of Travel Agencies that use an internet address that is almost identical to Oceania's actual internet address. Perhaps your husband actually booked through one of them. It doesn't make sense that if you booked directly through Oceania that they won't talk to you. 

Just a thought. 

13 minutes ago, funnyname said:

Riviera Info on converters and magnets would be appreciated.  On other lines we have had to bring magnets to hang necessary paperwork and hats, belts etc and of course bring converters and extension cords to plug in our multitude of electronics.  Any info on both would be appreciated.  Thanks. 

Since being updated a lot of the metal surfaces have been covered with soft material. There are still some metal surfaces, so bring some magnets and experiment. Riviera has USB plugs by the bed now, but I find it's always a good idea to bring some adaptors. A converter is another animal altogether. 

As far as extension cords go, you may or may not have them confiscated. I've seen it happen before. Best to request an extension cord from housekeeping. 

1 hour ago, MarkWiltonM said:

 

I suppose you could say it's a matter of opinion but it's also a matter of fact. I don't know when the current furnishings on Marina were installed but I imagine it was more than 10 years ago, probably longer (anyone know). It's interesting to me, just as a matter of curiosity, that some people who wouldn't dream of wearing clothing that has gone seriously out of fashion take umbrage when someone points out that an interior is, literally, dated. As for the scratches and dents, I'm glad your stateroom had been spared the ravages of time.  

Yes, but there are some interior styles that are considered "timeless or ageless" I'm not saying the original design of the Marina or Riviera are that, but the public spaces on the R ships would be in my opinion, and that's all that is, my opinion. Some folks don't care for the Classic dark wood look. 

7 hours ago, 1985rz1 said:

Boarded the Sirena last week, and had taken our pictures as part of the boarding pass process.  No new picture was taken at checkin and we could see the agent's screen had our submitted ones.

This was the same on my last cruise, but the one before that they retook them.