AMHuntFerry

(Ducking while I say this) We like the Grand Bar, particularly when the string quartet is playing. (Yay! I just noticed the purple lamps are still there) Note to self: do not wear any above the knee dresses to the GDR...ouch!

We were on Regatta in September and ate almost every meal on the ship (except for San Francisco). All of our meals and snacks were excellent.

Isn't this the case for Riviera/Marina? On Regatta we could take the "library elevators/stairs" (deck 10 aft) then walk to Horizons (deck 10 forward) by dodging users on the fitness track (above the pool).

Sorry I can't since it would be against CC rules (i.e., it's on my TA's website, not on O's website). Check with your TA to get similar info.

The T&Cs (on O's website) for this promo are somewhat vague with respect to combinability with other offers. Here is additional info I found (check with your TA though just in case!): Promotion is NOT combinable with <an unnamed consortium to hopefully not break CC rules> amenities. Promotion is combinable with OLife Choice, Premium Economy Airfare, and Oceania Club Benefits, where applicable. Promotion may not be combinable with any other discount, fare, or promotion including but not limited to Hosted Voyages, Groups, Onboard Savings, Cruise Night Offers, AMEX CPP, Amex Gold Card, Casino promotions, past guest discounts, Single Specials, Holiday upgrade offers, Kids Sail Free, Travelzoo, Consumer Event promos and/or any unpublished fares or other special offers. Same place had "Promotion is valid for residents of the U.S. and Canada."

@Robjame It seems like the GDR is closed for lunch at most ports, but I recommend trying it out when they are open on a sea day. In addition to the regular lunch menu, they offer a special sampler focusing on a region/cuisine (like Lebanese) which I love since you get to taste a bunch of different items without getting (too) stuffed.

...and to continue this thought...according to my last Currents, "Regatta Today" was available all day long on channel 1. The shore excursions info was also available all day on channel 22. No need for the PA to be used except for unplanned (i.e., not in Currents) events.

@flyers You are not the first to mention Dottie's many sales-type announcements although some people like her overall style (there is a whole topic on CDs). I feel lucky to have been on Riviera with Paul and Regatta with Leslie in 2022. Both kept their PA presence to a minimum.

This is from Oceania's 2023 COLLECTION OF VOYAGES (https://www.oceaniacruises.com/request-brochure:

No chai...think more Italian-style, less American/Starbucks-style.

Hi BevK - If the cooking classes are available for your cruise, they should show up in the "Other Options" tab (where the beverage package selections are):

I snickered too. I can usually guess which itineraries from my "maybe" list will be on sale by looking at some key data (shhhh! secret, but not difficult to determine 😉 ).

The wines by the glass are exactly the same for both the House and Prestige package (in other words they are the same wine list). The only difference is WHEN they are included (House = lunch and dinner, Prestige = all day).

Ask to see Paul's socks each day 😄

@NewSalty Thank you! Yesterday I found a website that listed the itineraries, but not the sale perk. This is very helpful.

@shepherd really is your super awesome TA back? According to my google searches the sale starts January 16th...hoping for an email from O in the next day or two, but won't turn down a pdf-preview 😉 Oh, and I'm also curious if it can be combined with onboard booking perks.

We had slippers in our Regatta cabin in September, but I remember they were both size L 😅

There used to be a CC post but I can't find it. This youtube link is not a TA so hopefully will not get deleted: And of course since I said that, I found it...

Your sacrifices in pursuit of knowledge are greatly appreciated. Enjoy!

Sorry, not aimed at you 😉 The OP mentioned a coffee shop on the other ship so I was continuing your post instead of repeating what you said. Sorry for the implication since you are one of my favorite O-sources.

...and while it doesn't have a coffee shop, it has a coffee machine that will make regular or decaf espresso drinks (americano, latte, cappucino...not as good as Baristas) and hot water for tea/hot cocoa. I can't remember if there is cold water or soft drinks. The bar is also open in the evening, and afternoon tea (4 pm) is served in Horizons. It's a nice place to sit and enjoy the view.

The menus have had a 14 day rotation in the past. There are menu photos on this site and on the Preisman's blog (easier than searching CC) if you want to get an idea of the variety offered. My opinion is that you'll have plenty of variety on a TA (which the O-regulars (not me!) classify as a short cruise) since in addition to the rotating GDR menu, the Terrace also has special menus that focus on a country/region or type of food. My husband was a vegetarian for medical reasons, but now he can eat some unprocessed poultry and meat (still no fish/seafood...sigh), and he has no complaints about variety in the GDR/Terrace 🙂

Request it ahead of time and it may be ready when you arrive. It can't hurt to ask since they are very willing to please. If enough solos ask for a different configuration (like a slightly smaller bed in exchange for a decent chair) on the end of cruise survey, it wouldn't take much to make the change. Before autumn 2022 the beds needed space for two people, but that's no longer the case.

Lots of caffeine free stuff! The Vero water in your room can be still or fizzy (have to ask you cabin steward for the fizzy since still is the default). The cans in the frig are usually ginger ale, seltzer water, and tonic water. Also I think Sprite (or similar). If you want a caffeine free Coke/Pepsi you might want to request it ahead of time, although I think they usually have some in stock (just not in the frig by default). The brands vary depending on where you are sailing. Baristas has decaf espresso (but not for the frozen drinks) and all of the coffee machines (all restaraunts, Horizons, and Con/Exec lounges) have decaf versions of the coffee drinks.

It sounds like you are in a non-suite (cat. A-G) with a 45 day pre-embarkation dinner reservation window. It is generally recommended that you get online to do your reservations at midnight (12:01 am ET) on the first day if you want the best selection of times and days. You can see where the reservations will be by logging on to your account...there won't be anything there except a "not available yet" message, but you will know where to go later. Non-suite - check each day to see if extra reservations are available. If in A-Cat on a larger ship the concierge lounge concierge can help. In general (always an exception somewhere!) the first night is not busy in the specialties. We are odd in that we prefer the GDR to most of the specialties (the exception being Red Ginger). We are not big meat eaters and the specialties focus on meat which limits the menu for us. The GDR and Terrace/Waves are fantastic. The huge lines are at 6:30 for GDR, Terrace, Waves (again, in general). If you can wait until 7 or 7:30 you can probably walk up and get a 2-top if that's what you like. It used to be that we could say that all non-alcoholic drinks are included. However, they have recently added non-alcohol wine (and beer?) which apparently is not included. There are lots of yummy smoothies in Waves and GDR. There is no Frappucinno, but there are Illy frozen coffee drinks (premade in a swirling machine). On the large ships there are two...an espresso with cream and sugar, or espresso with sugar. They are evil! We like classic movies so can't comment on recent, but yes, all TV stuff is included. Awesome Bulgari toileties in individual bottles (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, shower gel, plus solid had soap and glycerin soap). If you don't like the scent just ask for a different one (usually blue, green, or white if no supply chain issues, and I've heard there are unscented versions). Room service menu is good and has a variety of items. There are typically no "last minute" style sales like other lines. Book the category you want at a price you're willing to pay. Then keep you eye out for the "Upgrade Sale" (Pres. Day, Mem. Day, Labor Day, Black Friday) - if you're lucky your itinerary and category will be included and you can either upgrade or get a lower price (but don't count on it). The other sales are the "Ultimate Sale" where you get all O-Life perks for the price of one (only on certain itineraries/categories) and once you have sailed with O once, you can take advantage of the O-Club 0% discount (again, limited itins...)