AMHuntFerry

I can't picture the reservation page at the moment, but can you click the "sharing" button? It may be that all of the (currently) available 2-tops were booked by higher-level cabins.

Either a soundbar or wireless speakers in the bed/sitting area could help with the noise issue as long as the TV's speakers were disabled. A bonus would be optional headsets.

@KathyL2537 When comparing future O cruises to others, you might want to look at O's larger ships, if only because Barista is open until 10 pm 😉 (OK, there are other benefits too). I am fine with Regatta in Alaska, but I am soooo happy that Riviera is taking over that route in 2025.

O is not known for their fabulous website accuracy. I snickered because this type of error is common for O (i.e., I was snickering at O, not your post...sorry if that wasn't clear).

@mamaclark A quick comment on food quality and service on Regatta. We were on Regatta (Alaska) in Sep 2022, June 2023, and Sep 2023 (May 2024 is booked). We had no bad meals (but those cookies need butter!), but did notice some waitstaff (not cabin) service issues in 2023. My guess is they were either understaffed or had too many people in-training. The waitstaff were working hard, but sometimes things were slower than we'd experienced before. It didn't matter too us because we were never in a hurry and are patient, but it should be better than it was (I hate having to wave down a waiter to get something, especially when they are obviously rushing around with more than they can handle).

I'm after final payment on my May Alaska cruise so was given OBC. Before final payment, I would expect a fare credit/reduction.

I snickered and assumed that was a cut and paste error as it matches the regular T&Cs.

Follow-up to post 37: I received $300 per person in OBC due to the discount (checking on refundable vs. non-refundable). I didn't push getting an actual refund since I am confident it will be spent (sometimes I rue the day O upped their gin game!).

One more Alaska-specific observation: The June 28th cruise was part of the NY sale. It is no longer part of a sale on O's site, but the sale prices are still on multiple TA sites (which also reflect the new <=40% sale prices). No guarantees, but it may be worth checking with your TA even if a (previously on sale) cruise date is showing as not-on-sale.

I was holding off booking a May Alaska cruise until a possible conflict was scheduled, but that didn't happen so I went ahead and booked our first choice on Feb. 29th for $2999. It is part of the "<=40%" sale and is now $2699. I used a FCC to book which means I have a lowest-price-guarantee until day of sailing, so I already wrote to my TA to get the discount. This was my first time using a FCC and I'm sold...no risk since they are fully refundable (if refund request made within 1 year), and I get all of the onboard booking perks (although the bonus OBC is a little less). Oh, and just a combinability note...there was a consortium OBC for this cruise, but it was not combinable with the NY sale. I did a quick scan of other Alaska cruises that are part of the current sale. The ones I have looked at have gone down. I don't think the August 16th 12-day was part of the sale, but now it is (starting $900 lower than in Feb).

Cancellation rules are on the last page of your shorex pdf.

Page 15 of the brochure also lists free 1st class RT air: Also the ATW shoreside events are on p. 16 (no details though).

Most of the menus are posted on CC or the Preisman blog, but which night they are served is an unknown until that day (or a day before if you have dietary restrictions).

You are in a excellent position...worst case is you're in an A-cabin on a beautifully refurbed ship 🙂 When your TA returns, have her contact O and explain the situation...maybe they'll honor the sale price (if it goes up), maybe not (then watch the price, although your TA should get price drop notifications). Either way, you'll have a wonderful cabin in which to enjoy your cruise.

If I understand the way O does onboard accounting, I think you'll be OK paying now (and yes, one of the multi-decade regulars will have better advice 😉 ). I have not taken culinary classes, but when I have paid for other items (e.g., shorex) in advance there is a "credit" applied to my onboard account for any credit card payments, along with any TA/other OBC. Expenses are then added for shorex (even though pre-paid), drinks, standard-gratuities (usually don't show until a few days in), etc. We have always had a balance due at the end that we have charged to our registered credit card. I am guessing that if we had a credit (hahaha) that it would go back on the credit card that showed as a credit on day 1 (or the registered one).

Data to add to the analysis...today I received a brochure for the 2024 Bermuda and Canada/New England cruises. The prices are higher than the current sale, but the price-end-date is only 4-1-24...maybe a spring sale(?) if not right away, or maybe these cruises have sold enough to not need a sale. I'll break out the popcorn on Friday 🍿🥳

mauibabes answer applies. Here is the link with the reservation number: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/corporate#contact-us

Huh, that's the older model. They have the WMF 1500 S elsewhere (with espresso). So many reasons to be a tea drinker 😉 (my spouse is the espresso guy) So, just wondering...the computers in the internet-services area seem to be gone (maybe just monitors if the photos mean anything). Are there still actual computers on the lounges? I hate carting around a laptop on vacation and using the phone for email/surfing is annoying; real computers in the lounges may make them an appealing option.

Did they change out Riviera's lounge machine? I thought the options hot water, espresso (or americano using the hot water), cappucino, and latte (or the decaf version), but maybe I'm remembering a different location/ship. My most recent ship was Regatta and the machine in Horizons had an espresso option (along with the tiny cups)...very popular with crew.

Have you joined your rollcall? Other people may be organizing tours. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?type=forums_topic&search_and_or=or&search_in=titles&nodes=490&q=Mar March

Two.

That's what I just started re-reading!

I am so sorry your summer plans have been messed up! Riviera can't/won't go through the Suez canal, and the reroute around Africa takes quite a while to do, so some post-Suez itineraries had to be cancelled. Why not use your plane tickets and have a fun land vacation in Europe? There is a lot to see and do between Trieste and Barcelona! Or just stay in Italy and hop over to Barcelona for the flight home (or return from Italy if easier and/or cheaper). If you're not a seasoned traveler, a TA can help with accommodations, transport, etc. To see what others on your cruise are doing, here is your roll call where it is being discussed. You might find this other discussion interesting:

I miss Heinlein...rereading one if his books at the moment.

"Red Sea cruises: when will they resume?" My Answer: 2029 (please note that this answer is about as reliable as my sports picks, which reminds me...Go Wales/Cymru!!)