edgee

And we could not get extra reservations at Red Ginger....guess it depends on timing of when one inquires.

You noted that point in previous discussion. We were on 2nd half of your B2B and got a second reservation with multiple choice of times on a few hours notice. We were offered more on other nights which we did not accept. As previously pointed out, we liked Ember as an occasional alternative to GDR or Terrace, but find it disappointing as a really special place to dine like Jacque or Red Ginger.

You are one of the most informed contributors to this board, so I really accept your point. Wondering what factors contribute to their "delight." Would be surprised to hear it is rave reviews from guests.

Not sure what you mean by that. Ember is billed as a traditional American restaurant.

IME including recent multi week cruise on Vista with many sea days, no buffets in GDR.

Prejudice?😆 Or more likely guests tried it once and made their own decision not to return.

Very upscale Appleby's. Noisy atmosphere. Food is pretty good. Fine alternative to dining in GDR for a night or two, but NOT really a "special" specialty restaurant. Nowhere near a really neat experience one looks forward to like Jacque or Red Ginger. Clearly a mistake on Oceania's part.

Heineken zero...non alchohol beer is available on SM package with lunch or dinner. It is treated as a "pay for" item just like regular beer if you want it outside of lunch of dinner hours for SM guests or always a charge if you have old o life booking without an alchohol package.

Minimal tokenism to save money yet feel virtuous in the process. At least they offer takeaway containers. Regent offers nothing for takeaway except standard china coffee cups with saucers.

Or at the Waves Bar other side of ship and forward from the Waves restaurant.

I think we were on your same cruise...LA to Miami and we had the same experience most of the time. A few times, especially in the beginning of the cruise, the beverage server looked at our room cards, but did not bother to take them to run through the register.

No cocktails/liquor are included with Simply More. Only wine and beer. Non alcoholic drinks such as soft drinks, coffees, teas, Virgin Pina Coladas are included at all times for all passengers and have been for many years...including those whose bookings preceded the SM program. Oceania has recently come out with a menu of certain mocktails for which there is a charge.

The timing of the actual show is only part of the potential noise issue. Also need to be concerned about noise from rehearsals which on some ships are after the show and can run into the late hours. Sometimes they are in the afternoon and can interrupt nap time.

Well, I would hope the one they sell you is better than that!

Would be nice if they gave those away as an option to the worthless heavy Vero water containers.

Important further context to your point is that the $199 allows to pick and approve your own flights rather than risk being assigned potentially inconvenient or risky connections chosen by Oceania.

If you are looking for most any type of tour in or on the outskirts of BA, contact BAcultural Concierge: BA Cultural Concierge – Insightful Travel Experiences. It is run by Madi Lang an expat from Bethesda, Maryland. We spent a couple of days touring with her and her team several years ago. They have a U.S. phone number listed on their website if you want to call and see what they have to offer.

Yes, seems like choosing gratuities rather than AMEX $300 is always going to be a better deal unless you are on just a 7 night cruise...then roughly a break even.

Have not been on since refurb. Perhaps others can comment.

Just remember that on Serena and the other three "R" ships of Oceania, the bathrooms in all cabins below the suite level and especially the showers are REALLY tiny. Certainly not a deal-breaker for some, but after two cruises on these older ships...for us it is. We now confine our Oceania cruises to their newer, larger ships.

Helping with process of elimination here....Will not be Dottie Kulasa or Ray Carr. Dottie goes on vacation from Insignia in February and will be replaced on that ship by Ray Carr.

I was going to mention that. I am two for two in the loss category on that one, having moved to NY from Maryland where annual policies like Geo Blue are also not permitted. Narrow thinking insurance regulators think all health policies need to fit into their narrow version of what benefits all health coverage must contain...annual travel health policies do not fit...so they are not allowed for state residents.

I believe they do not consider it an insurable risk since a claim is initiated by choice, not an insurable event.

And some of us do not have the option to purchase CFAR...thank you NY Insurance regulators 🙄

We are on Splendor for return TA to Europe in late March....so curious. Has the ship had Starlink internet installed yet, and, if not, does anyone know when that is likely to happen? Thanks.