basor

I am on the VISTA B2B sailings so was one of the lucky ones to be invited to stay onboard during the 2 day/1 night sailing out of Miami. All of this information was given to me by my TA when she called O to confirm we would accept their offer. We were warned that we would not have free run of the ship due to the activities. We are fine with that as not having to pack up and then 2 days later return and unpack - staying in the same cabin for both cruises and the Miami interlude.

Generally it is just a few hours during turn around day. Since Vista is a brand new ship and first time in US, O is doing a few 2 day/1 night sailings to give VIPs a more in depth experience. Also, there will be several marketing presentations in the lounge/theater. The MIA sailing is going to their private island. The number of "clients" on board will be minimal and the invite indicated that venues/dining areas might be closed/booked during the 2 days so given fair warning..

It won't be just agents but O personnel from Miami HQ, media, travel bloggers, etc.

They are having several VIP "sailings" between segments of Vista's first time in port. They are doing it in Miami (14 - 16OCT) and LAX (01NOV - 03NOV) too. Those doing a B2B through Miami are able to stay onboard ( an invite was sent last April)...before the invite, we were planning on being off the ship for the 2 days in Miami. The VIPs onboard are assigned cabins and not sleeping "all over the ship".

With SM or House Select also with room service during dining hours when ordering a meal

There are 2 beverage packages - wine, beer and Champagne during meal times in dining areas or room service and the Prestige package that includes all alcoholic drinks (except some high end liquors) from any area that serves drinks while they are open.....so depends upon which beverage package you have.

Glad to hear your thoughts as we had good friends that were on the Great Lakes cruise this summer and said it was OK - loved the itinerary but the onboard not so much....they have also sailed on O.

Bottom line - Viking has pre-chosen the excursions included. and have "other" excursions you pay extra for......O gives you $$$ to use on any excursion you choose.

I agree - All Expedition ships have different excursions due to the landings in the Arctic and Antarctica but, since O does not have Expedition ships and the comparison was asked between O and Viking/Regent, the answer was for comparable ocean vessels...apples to apples

On Viking there is an included excursion in each port (often a bus or walking tour)..you have no choice on the tour you want. With SM on O, you have SBC that can be used on any excursion or combination of excursions... a big difference as the choice is yours not the cruise line.

One of my favorites!! also the crab cakes....

I understand all of that but when SM is totally onboard, they may make a change to the corkage fee - no one knows...we have been bringing wine and spirits on board for many years so know how it worked before. I was just saying that with SM and everyone has the included wine/beer perk with meals, they MAY change bringing your own wine to meals. With OLife, many did not have that perk so understandable about charging corkage fee.

OK - I will check it out when onboard the 01OCT....did not see that specifically addressed in SM

Since SM does not start until 01OCT and for almost 2 years there will be people sailing under the old OLife, no idea how O will handle corkage fees in the future....

Go to Carson's solo show and take some tissues.....really good!

And if John Smith didn't show up after 15 minutes or so, I would be having the pool attendants removing and placing on the table for such articles.....or maybe just put it around the dirty towel receptacle...that is soooo tacky!

O has masks available for anyone that want/needs one - a simple request of room steward/butler or guest services..

I agree but apparently on her cruise they are not enforcing that rule so not much the people entitled to use can do until O closes and locks the door....

Glad you found a acceptable solution.....

We are on the same sailing and had not seen that note but just received our docs and haven't studied too carefully. We have gratuities included to loyalty so would not have been looking for that. If you have OBC (not from booking under Simply More) than the credits can be used for anything (except gambling in the casino). I would recommend that you call your TA (travel agent) and ask them to clarify as you indicated. It should be a wonderful cruise as their Inaugural Panama sailing...see you onboard We embark in Montreal and will stay onboard for this one

The rules would state that she should be paying the $25.00 per day pass as she did not pay for the privilege of using the Spa Terrace.....if people bring a guest than there could not be room for those that paid for the privilege.

They have unscented toiletries available upon request..

O does not have a vast array of evening entertainment options....there will be a piano player in Martinis pre and post dinner, string quartet playing in the evenings in the atrium, there is 1 evening show, generally around 9:30PM in the lounge/theater and there is late evening up in Horizon with the band, DJ and music for dancing. The O ships are much smaller than the ships you are used to and do not have multiple entertainment venues nor a large entertainment staff. Part of this is due to their intensive port itinerary and so many are in bed early to be up and out early the next morning.

Generally you should be able to check in for the cruise without a long wait but there are some cruise terminals that will not allow you into the terminal until your stated boarding time. Hopefully someone who has recently boarded in NYC will answer on the terminal policy.

We have had both O beverage packages and on the upgraded beverage package, there was never a $$$ limit on the cost of the drinks. The SM beverage packages are no different than the OLife beverage packages. The wonderful thing about O is the price is the package price is the same whether you pre-purchase or purchase on board (upgrade from Select (now included with SM) must wait until onboard) and you can wait a few days to study the bar menus and your drinking habits to decide if it is worthwhile. You are only charged the upgrade fee from that day forward. Since there is no $$$ limit, then there is no "pay the difference" option. If you order a high end liquor not included in the Prestige package, you pay the listed price plus tip for the drink.