Go-Bucks!

On 11/22/2019 at 12:37 PM, Matco said:

Back in October we revived a up-sell offer for out 5 day on the Royal to go from our Deluxe Balcony to a Mini Suite  for $139pp not worth it to me at the time but after seeing some of these other offers maybe $139pp wasn't so bad, but from what I can remember at the time of booking a mini suite was only maybe 100-150 more than the deluxe balcony 

Last month I took an upsell from deluxe balcony to a full aft suite (with huge wrap around balcony) on Regal for $85/pp/day. I was super happy and loved the perks! Only disappointment was that they have stopped giving the extra cruise credit for being in a suite, even though you have to pay for the upsell. 

Funny...this was the first cruise I've ever booked directly with Princess AND the first upsell offer I've ever received...coincidence??

On 11/20/2019 at 5:56 PM, Heidi13 said:

Affirmative, our OBC includes the $1,000 returning pax bonus and $500 from our TA. Based on per couple, the basic OBC was $6,000 then we received $2,000 returning pax bonus and $1,000 for our TA.

 

However, for later bookings the OBC was reduced by 50%.

I thought I remembered you saying that your amount was more than others would get.

In all fairness to those considering a world cruise, I would suggest that you state the amount of OBC that would have normally been given to all passengers instead of the extra that you personally got...just so no one has any mistaken ideas about your cruiseline. 😊

On 11/21/2019 at 11:55 PM, Clutj said:

I was confused by one poster who said that Nuku Hiva was small; it looks good-sized to me...

I was meaning that there are things to see and do near the port that are within walking distance. Sorry for the misunderstanding. 

On 11/16/2019 at 10:31 PM, LHT28 said:

I try to stay further back  in the C1's   closer to Reception  so never thought about the size of the window wells  in the C2 cabins 

I never book a connecting cabin  usually it is more noisy from neighbours  the regular cabins are bad enough  when people like to have their TV up load

I didn't get to choose my cabin...I booked it onboard as I extended for one more cruise and this was the VERY LAST cabin left on the entire ship...and I found out why! 😲  (After the world cruise I extended for 3 additional cruises).

Sorry if I'm violating your "no DIY rule", but Nuku Hiva is a small place that's easily walked, especially to the cute church and up on top of the hill over the port.

And on Rangiroa we rented a very tiny little "car" (basically an enclosed scooter) at the port and had a blast puttering down the one-and-only road to the little town at the end. Along the way we stopped at the black pearl place (and bought some gorgeous pearl jewelry), a small grocery store and talked with many locals.

Agree with Patrick in Bora Bora...one of the cruise highlights!

Enjoy...Polynesia is amazing!!

On 7/21/2019 at 4:36 PM, pinotlover said:

I wonder if those flying in a day early bring granola bars 

I take a protein bar and Crystal Light packet everywhere I go...especially on tours. Has come in very handy! In Japan, where most of the food is served raw, I ate lots of protein bars and Crystal Light. 😉

16 hours ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

Let's face it folks, as the expression goes, "your mileage may vary".  I doubt you'll find very many folks on Oceania OR Regent going barefoot anywhere but the pool deck.  Or putting their feet up on a coffee table.  Disparaging one or other set of pax will not really get us very far.  And I say this despite the fact that I have stated in the past that I prefer the pax on Regent.  But as usual, I'm comparing one O cruise with over a dozen R ones, so, see above!

You're right...you can always find an outlier anywhere. The vast majority of passengers on either cruiseline are going to be thoughtful and polite.

On 11/11/2019 at 8:11 PM, muggo11 said:

I can easily handle our own visas

 

Have you done this by yourself before?  India?? China?? It was a huge hassle even with the visa company helping!  I definitely wouldn't be dismissing the advantage of having a company helping with visas...we had 5-7 of them to apply for and provide documentation. 

 

we organize our own excursions 90% of the time

We had 90+ ports...even if you can find excursions that cost $50 each ($100/couple), that would cost $9,000! And not many good tours are that cheap.  The excursion benefit isn't a big deal for a short cruise, but definitely a huge help for a very long cruise.  And why else are you spending so much time and money to do a world cruise if you don't want to see the sights of the world and not just wander around a port?

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we don’t drink enough to make included liquor that valuable.

I don't drink either...Oceania isn't all inclusive...liquor isn't included so you aren't paying for others drinks.

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2K for Sanctuary,

 

Oceania is small and hardly anyone was out sunbathing...you'd have the deck to yourself, including a waiter for drinks. And the Waves grill is right there.

 

On 11/11/2019 at 6:20 PM, Heidi13 said:

However we have $4,500 OBC pp

But didn't you once say that this was some type of error on their part and others aren't going to get $9,000 obc per couple?

On 11/11/2019 at 3:41 PM, Aquadesiac said:

I know one of the O Life choices is an excursion in each port, but I'm not sure how often we'd be satisfied with the free excursion

It's not like some cruiselines that give you a free excursion and it's that or nothing...on Oceania you get to choose from all available tours in any ports you want.  And you can include any that are priced up to $199 each.  We got 36 for each of us, so they are theoretically worth up to $7,164.  The ones I took were very good...and when you have 90+ ports, paying for private tours can get really pricey!!

9 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

I think the last 3 cruises or so, we have not received the elite toiletry kit.  We even asked for one from a room steward and he said they were not giving those out anymore.

I was in a suite a couple weeks ago on the Regal and got them. I'm also Elite but my next cruise isn't in a suite...that's why I'm asking. If not, I'll just bring my own stuff.

Supposedly passengers in suites and Elites are to get the "upgraded" toiletries, which entail separate tubes of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and bar soap, instead of the bottles hooked to the wall of the shower. Will this be changing??

I use a clip-on device (that I used to keep my work badge on) that can clip to my clothing...top or bottom...or just be dropped into my pocket or purse. I actually didn't mind the medallion but it either seemed to open my cabin door when I was fairly far away or it wouldn't open it at all while I stood right in front of the door...guess it's not really developed properly yet.  But I still needed a regular "key card" to get into the Concierge Lounge as I was in a suite...kind of a pain to have to carry both.

21 hours ago, skynight said:

Here is some detailed information.

Back to Back Turn Around in Fort Lauderdale

There will be instructions delivered to your cabin. Be sure to fully read and follow the instructions exactly for turn around day.

You will have two choices:
a) Exit the ship anytime after disembarkation has begun up to the final call around 9:30/10:00am. Take you passport, cruise card(s) and intransit card with you. Return to the ship anytime after embarkation has begun, around 11:30am. With the intransit card you will get right on the ship. You will have to go through immigration on exit and security when you return.

b) Stay on the ship and report NO LATER THAN THE TIME INDICATED to the location indicated in the directions, usually the theater. Bring your passport and cruise card(s) with you. If you stay on the ship you must report, NO EXCEPTIONS. A staff member will guide you through immigration. Immigration authorities may come on the ship or you may have to go as a guided group into the terminal.

You do not have to go to a second muster drill.

If you are staying in the same cabin your cabin steward will prepare your cabin just like any other day. Nothing is removed. We normally advise the cabin steward to schedule our cabin last to provide more time to get cabins ready for the new passengers. Just a courtesy.

 

If you are changing cabins discuss with your cabin steward prior to turn around day. The cabin steward will arrange to move your belongings to the new cabin. Place as much on hangers as possible. They will be moved on hangers and hung in your new cabin. Other belongings should be placed in your suitcases for the move. You may wish to visit your new cabin steward before the move. You may also be able to place your valuables into the new cabin’s safe.

This is exactly the way it's been for every B2B I've done (4 of them). Easy peasy!  And I love the happy feeling that all the other people have to leave but I still get to have more fun!  I always take advantage of turn around day to go into the port and have another fun day...I never stay on the ship all day.

The 2 separate beds are narrower than a true "twin" bed. Two real twin beds, when pushed together, equals the width of a king sized bed. The Oceania beds, when pushed together, make the size a Queen bed.

On 11/12/2019 at 4:13 PM, LHT28 said:

They were very good size on the C1 OV cabins

Not all...depends on which cabin you're in. I was in 4021, which is right above the gangway door and the under-window storage area was very shallow and narrow compared to the "average" C category cabin (plus, it was very noisy out in the hall and through the connecting door)...I will NEVER get this cabin, or its companion one on the other side, again.

I had a cabin on deck 3 (3025) and I loved it. It is the same size as the ones on deck 4 and I thought it had plenty of light. The hallway was extremely quiet...only drawback is that there's no direct access to the forward stairs/elevators. But I quickly figured out how to get around.

One more thing...there was lots of early morning noise and banging near both of those cabins when docking in a port. Woke me up every time.

Right now I'm having dinner in the buffet on the Regal...it's formal night and I'm having filet mignon with glazed carrots and a salad. The filet is delicious! No need to spend 2 hrs in a dining room.

10 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

After 6 months on Oceania, it must be a challenge going back to Princess. Worked & cruised with them for 35+ years, but after Viking Ocean🙂, we won't be returning to Princess.

Not at all...I enjoy Princess. I'm on the Regal right now...beautiful, good food (I'm not a food snob, though) and great crew. Only drawback  is too many passengers...never see anyone twice. I still love Oceania the best, but instead of only being able to sail once a year on O, I can sail 3 times/yr on Princess. And they have some great itineraries. I plan to sail on both, as well as try other lines.

2 hours ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

 

Not to contradict you, but surely there must be limits. Any kind of serious situation would have to be dealt with at the nearest port. Obviously the ship's med center can't be equipped to deal with tests more sophisticated than an xray or ecg, right?

As I said, once you're off the ship (and that can be the doctor's call), you are no longer covered for "free" care. But if the ship can take care of it, then it's included. And the medical center was very busy, with the demographics being so elderly.

I did the Oceania 2019 world cruise and what is included is all medical care onboard (unlimited)...not just doctor visits. No matter what care you need or how often, it's covered.

BUT...if you must go off the ship, then it's your responsibility!! So, obviously, you need a travel insurance policy! And not just for medical, but a comprehensive plan that covers evacuation, travel delays or cancellations, baggage loss or delays, and other situations. 

I used insuremytrip dot com...4 policies were available (I'm from the USA). The premium depends on your age and cost of the trip...mine was over $5K because I was in a suite, but if I needed it, it would be alot cheaper than losing all my cruisefare. 

I love Princess (I'm on the Regal currently and have 2 more booked on the Island next year), but I did the Oceania world cruise earlier this year...I suggest you check them out. They included so many necessary things that would have to be purchased separately on Princess that the total cost was very similar and Oceania is a cut above Princess. The value of the Oceania perks were $22K - 25K.

Years ago I got tired of dressing up and spending 1.5-2 hrs eating dinner so I eat the vast majority of my meals in the buffet. If someone asks me to join them in the MDR then I will, but that's it.

I'm currently on the Regal and their buffet is huge and good. I'm not a foodie but I have liked about 80% of the foods I've tried. There is lots of seating and the buffet is open 5am-11pm!

On 11/6/2019 at 7:48 AM, Darspurs said:

Even bigger one docked next to the Insignia in Puerto Rico today - Symphony of the Seas. 

Or as I lovingly call those ships...Behemoth of the Seas. Those are WAY to big for me.

12 hours ago, Caribe87 said:

Just got off the Regal Princess 10/26 5-night Canadian cruise out of New York. Didn't realize this group was aboard. Wow, what an "interesting" group of people...I still don't get it.

I was on it too (am still on the Regal now) and didn't understand what it was all about either. Several passengers I met tried to explain what they were doing but it didn't compute. Oh well...to each his own! I was just happy that we had great weather!!

4 hours ago, scubacruiserx2 said:

 

There are some photos at this link Gracie and it looks like the Baja and Dolphin have most overhang . We also booked this cabin for a April TA .

Correct...but the aft part is only half covered and the side portion is fully covered. I've had both C738 and D726...both were great, but the one on Dolphin was the best!!!