BigCheese1

Just been rung, only registered a few weeks ago. Offered 30% off Natural wonders of Iceland 4/7/25, 35% off Southern Spain and Morocco 23/7/25, 35% off Scenic  Scandinavia 11/9/25.

Decided they are not for us at the moment, we may regret this, but we haven’t even done our 1st Saga cruise, so maybe we might try this again for 2026 if we really think Saga is best value for us.

Lovely thanks

5 hours ago, Tothesunset said:

Reminds me of a bus ride in Hong Kong where the younger man opposite, a soldier from Sek Kong, was asking his father, who was visiting, how he liked Hong Kong. 

 

"It's fine," he said. "But too much foreign food." 

 

 

I lived at Sek Kong (RAF). Fab time trying all the ‘foreign food’.

First Saga cruise next year, looking forward to Khukuri, we had lots of Gurkha 

food whilst at Sek Kong, is this the slant in there? Looking forward to my cruise (Norway August).

Thanks to both Spryder and Mauibabes for interesting info.

On 2/9/2023 at 6:52 PM, LHT28 said:

If I have a belt loop on my shorts or pants  I hook around it

 but I have worn around my neck

if you choose not to wear one fine  bet  no need to look down at others that  do wear them

I do  not always have a pocket  & I am not carrying a purse around the ship

JMO

Agree. Didn’t realise wearing a lanyard was not the thing to do in polite society … (I don’t necessarily do what others recommend, just what suits me as long as no others are harmed)!

I'm sorry for the person who said lanyards reminded her of work.

I can do the ‘down my bra’ trick but don’t really think rummaging around in there is polite either (or hygienic ha ha).

On a recent cruise (pretty average/ poor I have to say) we had a medallion which we had in a silicon watch band - that worked (no so much the cruise itself, though). It may be better when O switches up to some sort of medallion.

In the  meantime, a lanyard it is, sorry if it offends you.

21 hours ago, GeezerCouple said:

 

When you write here "plain still water", could you be more precise?  You also then write "we have flavoured still water...".

I lived in the UK for a while ages ago, so I am well aware that what might seem to be "the same words" on both sides of the pond... doesn't always mean the exact same thing.  (I had several *very* funny experiences along those lines, and one rather embarrasing one...!)

 

So you want flavored still (not sparkling) water?  With *only* flavor, or also sweetened (and if the latter, natural/caloric sweetener or non/low-calorie sweetener).

Also, I thought Fresca was sparkling; do you care about the sparkling/still choice?

There should be plenty of choices of each type.

 

Where are you sailing from, which might affect Oceania's provisioning, and when, for timing.

 

In terms of photos of what is in the fridge/etc., what you might be requesting could be something different, so don't restrict yourself. 🙂

 

We hope you enjoy Oceania as much as we do!

 

GC

 

 

Oh my, how kind, who’ve thought this would end up with a big conversation!
Yes it’s very funny about the same  words meaning different thing on both sides of the Atlantic. I have quite a few tales to tell on that.

So we sail from Lima (Callao). I guess that Marina starts off in Florida and goes to

S America, the back from S America to Florida.

Yes  I prefer flavoured still  water but sparkling flavoured will suffice. Don’t like plain sparkling water. Not mad  about Cola but Sprite is OK. Trying to work out if there are any  choices on commonly available  soft drinks or might I get my TA to ask for  something  nice.

Yes with a sweetener content is fine, don’t mind which sort.

Don’t really drink alcohol, but my hubby does, so he has a beverage package.

Yes we are thinking Oceania will be lovely!

On 2/1/2023 at 5:36 AM, GeezerCouple said:

 

We requested to have lots of San Pellegrino sparkling water, which we drink lots of, at home and away.  We had a steady supply of those large glass bottles. 🙂 

 

GC

On 2/1/2023 at 4:58 AM, LHT28 said:

They have Vero water  or do you want a certain bottled water??

 

No I’m not meaning plain still water. In the UK we have flavoured still water (lime & lemon or blackberry & apple, say).  I’m thinking Fresca might suffice. Thanks for help.

Thanks to all for replies. Helpful. Yes I hadn’t thought about quantities (18 day cruise).

I think where I’m struggling is what might be ‘normal’ sugar  free or diet drinks types. As you can see I’m a Brit so I may not know what might be available. One thing I do know is that Root Beer is not for me!

In the UK we have zero sugar flavoured still water in bottles and cans. Does that exist in the US? I think you Americans may have more choice of diet drinks than us. I guess Sprite Zero might be freely available.  A thing called Fresca came to mind, have I imagined that?

BTW we’ll be bringing our own tea bags, you know what us Brits are like for tea (not mad about Liptons if that is what is offered).  Also apparently we have to ask especially for clotted cream to go with our scones (not heavy/ whipping cream/ double cream)……

Getting excited now!

Oceania newbie here.

I can see you can ask (through your travel agent) that your cabin steward put soft drinks in your cabin fridge. I prefer diet or sugar free drinks (i keep the calories for yummy food). I have seen photos of the bar menu showing alcoholic drinks. Does anyone have a photo of soft drinks options (or recall them). 
I’m guessing diet Cola of course but maybe diet Sprite, anything else?

On 1/30/2023 at 4:49 AM, GeezerCouple said:

 

Oddly, we had that happen just one time... one couple just didn't show up for the large catamaran charter.  However, that was also the one time that we simply arranged to take a regular "catamaran tour" private, but with their regular itinerary, so the tour company collected the money up front.

The problem then was that we kept waiting for them, so that delayed/shortened the time the rest of us had on the actual excursion. 😡

 

All of the other times, we were on the hook for the payment, but everyone showed up.

 

It's worked out well thus far...

 

GD

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Yes self arranged  tours have always worked well, I think we used to try and arrange for  a quick meet-up coffee the day before, that worked.

We have done all ship-arranged excursions for our March O cruise. We didn’t fancy being deep in the rain forest (or wherever) in a minibus with a flat tyre and the ship sailing without us (not risk takers, I suppose).

We haven’t done many excursions  on the Caribbean side since we have done all of the stops multiple times.  That’s because we owned a house in FL for 17 years, being there for 6 months each year, and took advantage of pretty good deals going from FL ports.

Happy travels to you……

2 hours ago, Mura said:

Willing to try but I'm not sure I remember the exact dates.  It's definitely been a few years.

 

We started traveling on O around early 2003.  Before that we did 3 cruises on Renaissance.

 

Originally on O we would do a small number of ship's tours but usually set up (or join) small private tours.  Once Oceania set up the program of a number of "free" tours the numbers dropped off on wanting private tours.  That does NOT mean that they disappeared.  Not at all.  It's just can be harder to find the number of passengers you want.  If you are looking for a group of 8, my impression is that this is not so difficult.  Just not as easy as it used to be.

 

If you are looking for a larger group -- such as in 2006 (I think) when another CC member set up a tour to the Giant's Causeway in Belfast, we were 16.  He had no trouble getting that number.  What would happen today?  I am not sure.

 

Hope this helps!  Feel free to privately if you want more info. (My email appears down below my signature.)

 

Mura

 

 

 

 

Hi Mura thanks for the explanation.

sadly I have misunderstood! I thought you meant an on Board  ‘cabin crawl’ arranged by means of the Roll call. Some cruises I have been on those involved offered their own cabins to be seen by a pre-arranged bunch of people, say 4-6 different grades of cabins. It was very interesting to see a suite with a baby grand (have I imagined that?).

The prearranged CC meet up (hosted by the ship) was always very nice and friendly. We sometimes arranged to have a drink/ shared table for a meal  on another day with those we hit it off with.

yes I have also set up ‘private’ tours myself via the roll call with others (I remember once on the Azores ours was much better than the ship’s excursion since the big bus couldn’t get up some narrow lanes whilst our minivan could). Of course it a trust/risk thing… if others who say they will share don’t appear you are left with a bigger bill. That had never happened to us.

happy cruising!

18 hours ago, Mura said:

I am late to the game here but we have often used the Roll Call to set up dinner companions.  It's true that the Roll Calls seem to be less effective since Oceania instituted the free tours, etc., but it's always worth a try.

 

Hi Mura

So, so agree with sentiments, it’s the person that counts not any choices on orientation.

But  what I wanted to ask you (newbie on Oceania here, 1st trip due mid March). You say “ since Oceania instituted … tours”. Can you elucidate?

2 hours ago, LHT28 said:

The Concierge in the lounge  works  limited hours  but  sure ask them if you are there

I would just go to the  desk on deck 5  early  or even when you return to the ship after being ashore

It is  a crap shoot  whether you get extra slots or not  unless you are in a top suite (OS OC VS)

JMO

Hi LHT28. Thanks for response. Oh, I hadn’t realised it was tricky to get those spaces, I’m thinking that’s what you mean by “c**p shoot”! Ha ha English English vs Canadian English…….
Well,  we’ll do what we can. In any case we have the x4 reservations and I can see that the GDR will be pretty acceptable!  Or even the grill at the Terrace sounds smashing. On other lines we don’t normally do the Buffett for supper, but the Terrace sounds nice for a change. Thanks again.

On 1/19/2023 at 2:51 PM, LHT28 said:

You can only request  extra seating on the DAY  that  you want to dine   there

You may get a table if  space  is available

Go each morning  to the reservations desk & ask to be put on the list

 

Embarkation day booking   just ask what Restaurant   they have space  available  that evening

Hi

Oceania newbie here.

So, can you ask the concierge to do this for you? I know we are off the ship quite often at the times lots that concierge level (is it 11am to 1pm) can go to the reservations desk to  attempt to get an extra speciality night (I have already reserved my four).

As always, grateful for advice for this in the know.

On 1/18/2023 at 9:40 PM, LHT28 said:

the other option is Whip Cream  so do ask for the  Clotted cream

Yuck. No, sorry it has to be clotted with a scone! Yes I will ask then, thank you.

On 1/15/2023 at 9:54 AM, edinburgher said:

We are on Oceania but thanks for the thought. Love your phrase “not end well”, ha ha 😂

 

FlaMariner was actually giving you a warning about your personal safety around the Calleo port area with very good reason.

 

Read this recent thread and replies to see why. I expect there will be others if you use the CC  SEARCH option to find them, or search the internet in general. with something like "safety at Calleo port"

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2886479-callao-peru/#comment-64516058

 

Thanks, yes I know what he was saying and appreciate it very much. ‘Nuff said.

4 hours ago, ToxM said:

If we are going to macro level, for all the Brits about to travel on O I can sadly report that the HP sauce presented at breakfast (well done for trying O) is a US version relabelled as steak sauce - it’s not and tastes different to the manna from heaven that is our own HP sauce. I don’t remember the HP sauce being an imposter before - even in March on Sirena. 

 

I have never seen Marmite available on O - we take single servings for emergency use. 

 

For tea drinkers - the tea is Twinings (I don’t drink tea at all apart from on cruises so it matters not to me) but if you are particular, you may want to bring some Yorkshire tea or whatever you need in order to function properly - remember to ask for fresh hot water at Afternoon Tea or else you may devolve into a murderous rage. 

 

Scones are available - they keep them in a warmer, ask for them! Clotted cream is available but you have to ask, or else you will get the wrong stuff. 

 

Don’t even ask about the mushy peas that go with the fish and chips in The Terrace - my northerner Marital Unit wept at the state of it. he joked that the pea vichyssoise in Jacques was closer than the offering in The Terrace. 

 

They do however have malt vinegar for the chips.  

 

Thanks ToxM for the heads up.

I guess they/try ‘A1 steak sauce’ thinking it’ll do as HP?

Good to have the tip about the clotted cream rather than any pale (probably literally) substitute. Didn’t really expect proper mushy peas, mind!

looking forward to our March 23 Lima to Miami on Marina.

50 minutes ago, 1985rz1 said:

The price on the menu posted on this thread shows all the wines that are offered by the glass and lists the non-package price.  So, there are no red wines offered less than $14 per glass.  As you noted, there is an additional 20% gratuity added on to the listed prices.  That's the amount added to your onboard account.

 

The wines listed are those that are available with or without the package;  there are no different wines by the glass offered in either case.

So that’s all I really needed to know all along “there are no red wines …. less than $14 per glass”. Very clear (at last)……. Thanks ever so.

1 hour ago, ShopperfiendTO said:

 

If I'm understanding your question, I think you are asking if on Oceania there is a "house"/standard red wine or white wine option at a "house" price that is lower than named/branded wines by the glass (which system is found at many shoreside European restaurants)? 

 

If that is your question, then the answer is no. The only wines by the glass options are those on the various wine lists that have been posted (which I agree are getting quite high with the gratuity being added on top, and is likely why people who drink are so interested in the drink packages).

Thank you, I think I’ve understood now. Maybe the other cruise lines I’ve been on which have say 2 levels of quality for drinks (say medium quality vs higher end) rather than 2 distinct timings regimes (just with meals or all the time) has confused me!

16 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

Check out the Sommelier wine packages that HAL sells before hauling wine around Lima.......the cost per bottle w/tip might be somewhere around $40 a bottle (others will have the exact costs) whereas bringing wine onboard to drink is $20 corkage.

 

...and yes, you do not want to leave the port gate in Lima/Callao looking for the local grocery store.....that will probably not end well.

 

 

We are on Oceania but thanks for the thought. Love your phrase “not end well”, ha ha 😂

17 hours ago, njhorseman said:

The port isn't actually in Lima, it's in Callao, a rough area that I would not recommend venturing into.

 

Assuming you're staying in Lima proper for a day or two prior to your cruise if you say where you're staying...Lima is a big city after all...someone may be able to help you.

Thanks for this, yes of course you’re right it’s not Lima itself. No, we fly in on embarkation day but the ship doesn’t sail until 5pm the next day. We have an excursion booked for the day we leave Lima (Callao) but only for a couple of hours in the morning.

It’ll  be a case of buy wine if we can safely, I think.

16 hours ago, Aloha 1 said:

Not Rob but yes, your math is correct. 

Sorry Aloha! All I can say is “Blimey”!

15 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Does he drink any spirits?

 If he only has wine with lunch & dinner  the House select would  work

If  he drinks more than 4 glasses or spirits   then Prestige package  would work

if  he only has 1 or 2 drinks per day then pay as you go

There is always Happy hour  5-6 pm & 10:30 to 11:30 pm   where it is 2 for one  

 

Of course he could  he could just buy some bottles of wine  to take onboard ..drink in the cabin  or pay the corkage fee to take to dinner/Lunch

 You have to work out the best option for  his needs/wants

 

No not really. The odd single malt but probably not on this cruise. Yes I think pay as you go will be best. Thanks for your maths. Yes,  I think he will try and bring some bottles on board and enjoy an odd glass on our veranda. He’ll have to buy those I. Lima and thereafter….. we won’t want to haul them from the UK!
yes just trying to think through what is best, always grateful for others thoughts.

16 hours ago, AMHuntFerry said:

The wines by the glass are exactly the same for both the House and Prestige package (in other words they are the same wine list). The only difference is WHEN they are included (House = lunch and dinner, Prestige = all day).

14 hours ago, ORV said:

You must have Oceania's package confused with some other cruise line. See the post below where she explained it perfectly. 

 

Both 

thanks for this, perhaps I’m asking the question badly. Or not understanding you replies!

I think my husband is NOT Interested in a package. I can see the price for both levels of packages, thanks and it’s interesting to note that the wines by the glass are the same for both grades of packages. I note it is just the timing that differs. Interesting.

what I really really want to know is the $ price (to be charged on your on board bill) of a ‘bog standard’ glass of red wine NOT being on any package.  I have  seen those priced at around $14-15 a glass. (plus gratuity, I know).

after this I give up on asking this question…..

1 minute ago, Aloha 1 said:

My opinion is if your DH imbibes 2-3 glasses of wine per cruise day, the basic package would be a bargain as the price includes the gratuity.Just book it before embarkation.

Hi Robjame, yes I see your point but I’m still trying to work out if the least expensive red wine is $14 + 20% = $16.80?