1985rz1

No, the speed is the same, regardless of the package or total usage. There are no hotspot channels on-board. Everyone, regardless of package, competes for the same bandwidth...for a slice of the same pie. There is no upper limit to total usage, like you might have on a phone, where your speed is throttled. Bandwidth is not the same as total number of MB downloaded. Everyone is in the same boat (literally and figuratively), and shares the total bandwidth available to the ship. So speed of an individual connection depends on how many are competing for the same bandwidth. And the ship's total bandwidth isn't great. There is no advantage to the upgrade except for access to streaming channels. We all hope for WiFi upgrades on all of O's ships, but are not holding our breath.

That's the whole point of a guarantee: equal or better cabin. Who in management were you in touch with? And you got a PH, right? Seems like O lived up to the promise, so I think your projecting your anxiety.

Be aware that the paid upgrade only opens the streaming channels, which are not available on the standard WiFi. There is no increase in speed or bandwidth.

I think $10 is the right estimate for spirits and cocktails, but plus the automatic 20% gratuity to be safe.

I came across an article by the Points Guy on passport requirements, and it provided some information about which Caribbean ports are not participating in the WHTI. It's not complete, but the key paragraph says: "Yes. Even if you're on a closed-loop sailing, certain islands in the Caribbean – Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barts, Barbados and others -- require a passport for entry. It’s your responsibility (not your cruise line’s) to learn the requirements of each of the destinations you're visiting before you go." St Bart's is on our closed loop itinerary in February, so a passport is required with 6-month validity upon departure. (Neither Barbados nor Guadaloupe nor Martinique have the 6- month's requirement.) Since O sails to many of the the smaller ports in the Eastern Caribbean, and since the itineraries are often quite different from itinerary, to me, it makes sense that O should have a blanket 6-month policy for all their cruises. It would be a nightmare to fashion different requirements on a cruise by cruise basis, and a risk for an accidental screwup which could negatively impact passengers on the cruises. It's safer with the blanket requirement, especially since there can be mid-cruise port changes. I don't know for sure, but I would bet that the big lines such as NCL avoid those ports that have the passport requirement (6 months or not). And it's never a good idea to think that a major corporation could be flexible on it's requirements because some other company has different requirements since one exception could open the flood gates of troubles. Different Oars for Different Ships. Here's the Point's Guy's article: https://thepointsguy.com/guide/need-passport-cruise/

Thanks.

I haven't found any evidence of this, no matter what government sites I visit.

I think that option is problematic, since it involves moving walls.

Depends on ports being visited. Not all follow the NHTI.

You're from the Bay area. Did you know Paulchili?

It's called a business model. I think it's the TA that provides the reduced OBC. You don't lose, you just don't get double, just one free grat plus ana modest OBC. I used the amount of $250, but that was a place holder...it could be more. It's just not as much as the free grats...AFAIK Maybe someone who has actual experience can provide the real numbers...and maybe I'm totally off base. It's just what I remember from previous posts, but then my memory....

I think you answered your own question. Go with Oceania. That's been our analysis, unless there is a Regent itinerary that Oceania doesn't have.

Normally taking the OLife Excursions then adding the requisite number to reach the YWC level is much better since you can almost double the value of the OLife which is based on paying $100 per excursion. In your case your case, you are getting 4 OLife excursion at the nominal coat of $100 each. (that's what you are paying pp for OLife). That $100 "chit" per excursion can get excursions up to about $200. But if you're OLife qualifying trip are less than $100, the you lose the difference. You should cost out the price yourself if O won't do it or you're TA can't. If you do it per person, list all your excursions for one person and total them up. Take a 25% discount for meeting the YWC minimum. Subtract your $400 OBC from that amount and that's the extra you will have to pay for them all. Then assign the highest 4 of the OLife qualifying excursions a cost of $0. That's your OLife credit toward the OLife excursions. They should amount to much more than $400 if you chose wisely. Add up the cost rest of your excursions take a 25% discount. That's how much you will pay extra pp for all your excursions. Whichever is lower is your best choice. Hope that's not too confusing.

Not sure how it works, but I vaguely remember from the postings that it is not exactly 1 for 1, but rather you lose on the SBC if you get loyalty grats. I think O limits the amount that can be given. But I'm not entirely sure since the post describing the benefits was not mine.

I don't have the specific quote, but I think the TA gives a $250 SBC in lieu of gratuities, if your level benefit includes pre-paid gratuities. Or the other way around 🤔

Yep...oh, Ouch!

@ORV I don't know about your TA, but in addition to the above paragraph taken from the Oceania invoice, ours always includes in her accompanying email the statement: Please make sure your passports are valid at least 6 months beyond your return..." That includes our upcoming closed loop Caribbean cruise, as well as the other international cruises we have taken, past and present. Thanks for posting the verbiage from the Oceania invoice. It doesn't matter what NCL does. Oceania does sail to other Caribbean ports that may not abide by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (i.e their country, their rules).

Unfortunately, following legal rules is not like a game of horseshoes where being close counts.

@edgee I am tring to understand the WHTI, and can't see a document that says passports are not required for Caribbean travel. What I see seems to apply to re-entry to the US. The online document has this caveat: U.S. citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end at the same U.S. port) are able to enter the United States with a birth certificate and governmentissued photo ID. Please be aware that you may still be required to present a passport to enter the countries your cruise ship is visiting. Check with your cruise line to ensure you have the appropriate documents. Can you post I site I could learn more?

I look at each country on the Dept of State website, and 6 say a the 6 months rule. Where are you looking?

The itinerary is Dec 4 departure, Miami to Miami. I did research all the ports...it's not my job...but her is what Granada Embassy says: CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS 1701 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE., N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009 Cruise ship passengers of any nationality who intend to remain on the island of Grenada for less than twenty–four (24) hours do not require a visa to enter Grenada. You do, however, require a passport valid for at least six (6) months from your date of return to your country. If you will be in Grenada for more than twenty–four (24) hours or you will stay over night in Grenada you will need to check the “Who Needs a Visa” section of the website in order to determine whether or not nationals of your country require visas to enter Grenada.

Yes, but 5 of the 8 ports on this itinerary have the 6 months rule.

It could be a serious problem. The 6-month rule is clearly stated in the Important Information section of the Guest Statement sent you when you booked. It's not an Oceania rule, but rather a rule set up by most countries. Oceania could be fined if they don't check your passport for compliance. Although such a rule would not prevent you from re-entering the US, you could be denied entry to the ports. Oceania scans your passport on embarkation and they could catch it then. I wonder how Oceania would react if they determined you filed false information at check-in...information that Oceania has to provide to the foreign ports' immigration folks?

Yes, the House Select. Beer and wines that on the wines by the glass list at meals.

Page down on this list to the drinks menus and you'll be able to fine tune the cost of whatever drink you are interested in: https://www.thepreismans.com/riviera_21_menus.htm Remember to add the 20% autogratuity.