MnDAL

StarLink is not on Riviera now. Scheduled “by end of the year”. I find current internet to be pretty slow on this Med cruise. I would suspect the additional logins via SimplyMore had not helped.

I am on Riviera also. Have been very comfortable in short sleeves since we arrived in Rome on the 17th. That could change by the time you get here.

The last entry here is over 18 months old. Can anyone confirm that the refillable water bottles are still the SAME now? Perhaps post an updated picture if you are onboard now? Thanks

Thanks so much for your post. We are on the Riviera in October and were wondering about the way Covid would be handled now. I have a couple of specific questions for you if I you don't mind: Did you ever find, or were you ever given, a complete document covering O's protocol? If so, could you share it? You mention "antiviral and antibiotic meds prescribed" - could you be specific? Was Paxlovid available? You say the medical team "check in daily" - did they, or anyone else, actually monitor/enforce your isolation? Any suggestions on things you wish you knew before and/or brought with you to make isolation more bearable? The insights you posted were most helpful. I encourage others to post their recent, specific experiences.

Has anyone experienced disembarkation in Trieste RECENTLY? I am in process of booking a private car to meet us. Just wondering: The earliest time you were offered to leave the ship. How much time it took from the gangway to the street (ie claiming luggage, clearing immigration/customs and exiting the building). How far is it from ship to the area where private transportation cars stage. I will be headed for Venice Island, so just looking for any kind of logistic info you can provide! Thanks in advance.

Has anyone recently purchased an Oceania pre or post hotel package using the St Regis (or another hotel on Venice Island) AND arrived or departed Trieste? I am specifically interested in how they handled the transfer between those two points. TIA

Just to be clear..... the ability to order from specialty restaurants when dine in your room only applies to Penthouse Suites and above.....correct?

Newbie question. Searched for answer - sorry if I missed it. My category says I can make 1 reservation at "each specialty restaurant". Does the website reservations page actually prohibit you from making more than one reservation at one restaurant if you stay within the 4 reservations total. (i.e 2 nights res at Polo and 2 nights res at Toscana)? Has anyone tried and failed or succeeded in doing this?

Although I have been to Venice 3 times before, I cannot bring myself to bypass a 4th time - when I will be so close - regardless of the "challenges". I hear my stool at Harry's Bar calling me now....

If you book excursions other than thru O for morning departures, can you disembark at the same time as O's AM excursions or how can you guarantee you will be able to meet your 3rd party excursion? Has anyone used Viators and be willing to share opinions? (I realize they act as a booking agent rather than an actual operator and that individual tours are going to vary.) I have a port that shows Positano/Amalfi (anchor). Anyone know a definitive way to determine where tender will put in? TIA

I think they are treating this differently than a "promotion" . More of a change in pricing structure. At any rate, I called just now to verify that I had the option to change from O'Life to SM on my 10/20/23 cruise that is ALL WAITLIST. The answer was yes. It does take a supervisor to do it, but agent said it was not a problem.

I am not sure if your definition is different than O's, but this is straight from the Simply More FAQ posted on the website: Is there a ‘Cruise Only’ option? Yes, if your clients want to secure their own flights, there is a Cruise Only option/price that does not include airfare.

Spoke with O on 7/1 - that was one of my questions. Answer: 2nd login only free for SM pax - others must pay upgrade (unless in cabin cat that already included 2).

Could you explain this comment for a newbie? Was this 20% mandatory on drinks without a package or do they charge a mandatory gratuity when you use a package (as you order)? Really enjoyed reading your posts. Looking forward to the Riviera in October!

Where did the bus leave you vs where they left your luggage - just 2 different areas of the airport terminal? If you walk with a trolley, you are still inside the enclosed "walkway to water transportation" dock - beside the moving sidewalk?

My booking is going to fall under the new Simply More pricing. That option to convert is going to put a new wrinkle in my decision. In the meantime, I am looking at the established shore excursion operators for alternatives. Thanks for all the feedback!

I left you with the wrong impression....I had the ability to choose one Olife option when I booked (cruise only). That's why ShoreEx seemed a no-brainer (with a possible $597pp value - $199 x 3 - for $300). It is when I hear so many negative comments about O's shoreEx that I began to look at alternatives. Thus the question: if it was possible to opt out of ShoreEx and change to bev package at this point.

When I first booked my October cruise, I looked at applying the OBC option to Shore Excursions vs a Beverage Package. It appeared to be a no-brainer to use for excursions. After doing so, I have read a lot of negative comments here regarding the value, quality and management of O's shore excursions. I am now questioning my decision. I have these requests: I would like your opinions - pro and con - of buying ShoreEx from O. Recommendations for companies that specialize in ShoreEx - comments pro/con. Will I have an issue cancelling the bookings I have made and reapplying the OBC option from there to the beverage package? Any input is appreciated. TIA!

Thanks for the pics, DFW neighbor! And those are PLASTIC?

I am curious as to what these look like. Could anyone post a picture? Also, how many are provided? Thanks

This is a GREAT review and pics. Has anyone seen a comprehensive post Riviera refit? I'd love to see that!

GREAT input. Will be in Trieste in October. To set transfers....about how long was the debarkation process from your assigned (or selected) time to being "kicked to the curb"? Is there an obvious pickup point for private transfers?

As a newbie, would love to hear other examples that we need to prepare for!

You folks are such a great resource - and so FAST! Thanks!

We have a regular A3 cabin booked. I noticed a "triple with sofa bed" is now available. To be clear, I don't need a 3rd bed! I am wondering if anyone knows if there are other benefits to a triple (better config, more room, more storage).....basically any reason I should consider a change?