bob brown

We were able to use Apple’s Face Time for making wifi calls. If we are calling someone that has an Android phone, we have used the What’sApp app on wifi. Sorry, can’t answer about Google Voice…

You were fortunate. I suppose there is nothing wrong with using that site, if you carefully research the chosen offer’s reputation, before taking it…

I believe I used that site a few years ago, to get competing offers from various agents for my first world cruise. In the past, I always booked directly with the cruise lines myself, since I did extensive research, and felt that I knew as much, or more, than an agent would, of what I wanted. Besides, cruise lines were generally more reachable for questions and perhaps modifications then most agents were, and if you did book thru an agent, the cruise line would refer you back to that agent if you did. For my first ATW cruise, the lure of getting back additional benefits, beyond what the cruise line offered, made me decide to try using an agent. So after getting about 8 different offers, I chose the one offering the most refundable shipboard credit…in my case $6,000., which was out of her commission. That’s a lot, but she did not have to work hard to earn her commission, as I did the booking, and simply turned it over to her. Anyway, as it turned out, she never gave me the final $1,000. Went back and forth with emails for about 7 months with her promising to “ look in” to what happened to it, until I finally gave up, and decided it was not worth pursuing further. I later went back to that site, and asked for more bids on some long future cruises, and guess who bid? Right… she did. I answered her bid, and asked her if she thought I would ever use her again, after my last experience with her. She had the nerve to say, she would add that $1,000. to what she would give me on my next cruise. I answered, “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me”… She lost a whole lot more than that thousand dollars, in future bookings I have since made. That said, I have learned from shipmates, who the really good agents for Oceania were, and chose accordingly, rather then gamble with unknowns from the competing bids site.

i'll drin...err...eat, to that!🙂

I have been on some other lines (HAL in particular), when there were very large groups on board, that tended to dominate the facilities. It really annoyed and disappointed me when popular venues, such as the "Crow's Nest" (observation lounge), were often closed for "private events"... I can see how some "segmenter's" might share that feeling....

No, they do not, unfortunately. I have mixed feelings about this… While it is certainly a nice perk for full ATW passengers, that with the huge fare they are paying, Oceania recognises that, and tries to reward them accordingly, on the other hand, it could make those excluded feel resentful, and treated like “second class citizens”. This is not nearly as much a problem, when just a small portion of passengers receive special perks, such as suite passengers having access to exclusive areas or events on some ships, but when half the ship (or more) get to participate and the remainder do not…well I can see how it could be.

On the Around The World cruises, they have a few special brunch buffets for the ATW passenger's. They make a big production out of it, starting in the theater, then they escort everyone back to the Grand Dining Room, past a line on both sides of the passageway of the cooks and waiters applauding the passenger's, as they pass by. Naturally, the passenger's respond in kind...

Good points. I recall visiting my friend's cabin on a recent Baltic cruise on the NCL Dawn. She had one of those nice forward view balcony's, but the regular door to the balcony, was backed up by a strong water tight type door....

Haha...have to agree, especially about chocolate chip cookies...Oceania should learn how their mainstream sibling, NCL makes those. I am only interested, however, in not all things different about Princess, but specifically only the extra perks they offer their full world cruiser's, regardless of their loyalty perks, or cabin status, both of which are a separate consideration...

I guess there is some benefit of occupying an Inside Cabin....

Okay, thanks for those responses. I was trying to find out for my friends, Hope and Ron, who will be on this year's full world cruise, on the Island Princess. And to compare what Princess offers versus what Oceania does for their full world cruise passenger's.

I was wondering what, if any, extra perks might be given by Princess to those doing a full world cruise?

But besides that....how well did his procedure go for you? Did he help you, or hurt you? Or neither? Not that I would likely have that done, but just curious if you were satisfied with his work...

Cruise Critic just published my review, here... https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=692593

My experience on the Insignia on the 2019 ATW cruise, was that the ship “goes to bed early”. Since Oceania cruises are all about the itinerary and touring, you will not find the “party hardy” experience found on mainstream lines such as NCL with late night revelers, and 24 hour eateries. On the Insignia, there were usually only a dozen or so patrons at the Horizon lounge most evenings after the main show was over, and some of those were off duty staff…

It was great. I’ll do a full CC review soon.

One thing that the wording on the Disney Cruises website didn't make clear to me was if the posted limit for carryon was total per cabin, or for each person over 21 years old in the cabin. A call to their office confirmed the latter.

I just did. Thanks for your suggestion.

Those are kind of nice, IMHO. Too bad the 'R' Class can't offer similar, on a smaller scale...

I've been in them on Royal but not for Celebrity...I just assumed Celebrity would have what Royal had, since they do offer some loyalty reciprocity between certain of their loyalty levels. Thanks for the clarification.

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have lounges for their top level loyalty members, in addition to those paying for suites. I have been in those, and they are quite nice, as they include drinks and nice hors d'oeuvres during "cocktail hours". They are a very nice and welcome perk for their loyalty members...

Perhaps Oceania's new ships should add a lounge for top Oceania Club level's? Or just include access to one or both of the existing lounges?

Interesting...did not know that. The Insignia was my only Oceania ship, and it didn't have any exclusive card accessed lounges.

So, does that mean there are two exclusive lounges? One for Concierge level, and another for suites??🤔

If I understand correctly, those occupying "Concierge Level" Veranda cabins, and all suites....