AMHuntFerry

We were in Regatta 6030 right before they switched to solo. I agree that 6030 and 6033 are the best due to the least obstruction (I believe it is the emergency/rescue boat). When I was researching I think that 6046/6049 were next best but would need to search to confirm. The space/storage was plenty big for two people who don't mind "cozy" (think Tokyo business hotel or small RV) so should be good for a single. The advice about keeping curtains closed is good (I almost got caught by the window washer!); however, if you enjoy watching the crew do drills and raise/lower tenders you will have an excellent viewpoint (I know...geeky). I agree that the lack of seating is a drawback; I thought they might replace the (~Queen size) bed with a smaller (~full size) bed plus a reading chair by the window below the reading light (keeping 2 side tables)...maybe next full-scale redesign?

Well there goes my hope that we would see more overnights in port (to save rushing from one port to another)

Dining preference varies massively. That said, we are in the "love Red Ginger" camp, and don't really care for Polo or Toscana (to us rank about equal to the GDR due to the menus...heavy meat and carbs are not our thing), so the R-ships (except Serena) have more limited dining. We are perfectly happy to eat in the GDR or Terrace/Waves every day (short trips) though so this is not a deal breaker. Major advantage is the agility of the smaller ships to get in the nooks and crannies...not as good as a kayak, but better than the larger ships. The smoking room in Horizons has a door on the R-ships. If mobility is an issue, the distance between things is smaller. No. All of the smaller ships have had recent overhauls so are all in good shape.

Does that mean they are 2 for 1 during happy hour now? I think you need to test that too 😉

The spa was 18% in September, but that was before the price increase. I think you may be right about it increasing on the new menu. Now where was that new spa menu posted....?

Our bar tabs have 20% added.

I think it's a programming error. My guess is they are planning to automate prepaying gratuities (housekeeping/meals, not bevvies) and this one was accidentally included with the drink packages. My crystal ball says that we will see another option in the "Other Options" tab for Gratuities along with Beverage Packages and Culinary Classes.

It can be found under the Other Options tab (in same general place as the Shore Excursions)...

Thanks for posting. I can't wait to try some of the new cocktails!

The video I'm watching has two vertical grab bars near the valve and shower head (one on each wall), plus I think I see a long angled bar on the wall across from the valve, but it's at the edge of the frame so I'm not sure. There is no seat, but I would definitely arrange for one well in advance if you can.

I don't think there are any (at least none show on the deck plan). Do you need room for a wheelchair? If not, the PH may work. There are great youtube videos of the different staterooms on Regatta (small ship) and Riviera (large ship). Search Youtube for "Oceania Regatta Penthouse" and you can see if it will work for you (limit the search to in the last year so you don't get pre-refurb hits).

You can do 1) cruise only or 2) add air or 3) add O-Life (a whole nother kettle o' fish) or 4) add air and O-Life You can add/subtract until final payment, so get cruise only and you can decide about O-Life later. Instead of calling O, find a travel agent with O experience (so they have a clue about O-Life mostly, but also for additional perks). Enjoy!

Eagle, Idaho!?! I lived there when the only school was Eagle Elementary. Hi! There should be someone near the baggage pick-up with a sign for Oceania. Transfers are included with same day air through O (and some other circumstances); it should say that on your guest statement....ah, found mine....Below the Cruise Fare items, there is "Air Arrangements" and the "Land Arrangements" (all = $0) where is says "Air Transfer Airpot to Ship". Enjoy!

A few years ago my spouse had been given a $2 as change. He used it to pay for some coffee and the young cashier thought it was "funny money"...seriously, they thought it was a joke until the manager explained it was actual money 😅

I am not aware of anyone that has been held to their check in time. Early or late doesn't seem to matter as long as the check-in desks are open.

Just running the numbers...the penthouse has 1.5+ times the square footage as the (concierge or regular) verandas. The price of a penthouse (PH1) on a random sailing is 1.3 times an A1, so I'm guessing the price of the penthouse is more about square footage than (butler) service. The default gratuity for penthouse is more than for lower categories, but you can raise or lower it as you like. Another (not terribly relevant rambling) thought...the owner's and other suites are significantly larger than the penthouses (and have an extra bathroom) so take longer to clean, but the default gratuity is the same.

For those trying to decide whether to bring something and are concerned about weight...Metal bottle weight is 180 g or 6.3 oz empty (minus 6 g if the caribiner is removed). I don't have much plastic around but I found an old biking bottle about the same size for comparison...2.8 oz or 81 g (it's pretty thick plastic though). I like measuring things...thanks for the excuse 🙂 (Anyone read "A Shortage of Engineers"? 😆)

Here are the metal and glass bottles for reference: The metal hold 750 ml.

Stop by the spa to check out the fitness center and get the fitness class schedule for the week (typically includes yoga/stretch plus maybe pilates or spinning or ??). The spa will have a drawing for spa credit on embarkation day, but you have to be present and I keep forgetting to go back 🤪 There used to be a self-guided tour of the ship's art collection. Check with Reception to see if they still have it. If not, there is also a "treasure hunt" of the art that appears a few days in. If you like brain puzzles, pick up the Mensa quiz and sudoku/crossword on deck 5 (I think behind the concierge desk on Riviera starting on day 2). You can get O-points (trade in for O-swag) if you attend the Mensa quiz answers after trivia.

I was just joking!! My BIL said they were making a butter board for a party, and I was like "a what?"...had to look it up. It's like an "air fryer"...oh, you mean a convection oven? Marketing shmarketing. I gave up trendy in my teens, but it keeps following me. 😉 Yes, it's a cutting board or a whatever-else-you-are-using-it-for board.

I believe the current lingo is "butter board"...at least that's what my SFO BIL and partner have at this year's parties 😋 (they are super trendy while we are luddites)

Hurray! The successful treatment of strokes these days is nothing short of amazing. I hope he has a full recovery soon.

There are credit cards that include a small amount of travel insurance (some require the card to be used for the entire purchase, so deposit + final payment). My credit unions offer $2k and a $3k per person coverage. Larger banks (like Chase) may have larger coverage amounts. I switched to one of these cards (2021?) when none of my cards covered rental car insurance any more. For trips more than the max I either self insure or get travel insurance (usually Alliance). If you are taking multiple trips per year, a yearly travel insurance policy may be a better deal than buying for each trip. Edit: ^ just do what FF said! I do recommend the credit card option though for minimal coverage.

🤣O's new tagline? 🙃

Found it...https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005475473-What-Not-To-Bring-On-Board Actually, it just says no satellite phones. Maybe satellite messengers would be OK, but I would check before bringing/using one. Just don't hit the SOS button if someone is blocking the buffet 😉