TKS

I'm not a smoker, and, yes, smoke bothers me. But I agree we must be a bit charitable to the smokers aboard. They are (most, anyway) aware they are looked down on, but they are so addicted they can't stop. I've always found simply controlling my breathing if I happen to forget and pass the areas where they smoke negates the issue. Holding my breath for about 10-15 seconds gets me out of range of the smoke smell, even cigars. And I train myself to simply not pass by/through the areas designated for smoking.

Frankly, I find the odors presented by those who douse themselves in perfume/cologne and the stinky kind of sunscreen to be just as offensive as the smoke. And I don't get close enough to the puffers to worry about the effects of second hand smoke, so I don't worry about that particular issue.

Would I say anything to any of the above-described folks? No! They are all within their rights to do whatever they choose. I simply try to stay far enough away that their habits don't impact me. As long as they have the right to smoke/wear strong perfume or sunscreen it's my responsibility to take charge of my own actions, not simply complain and expect the cruise line to "fix it." Now, the clueless/rude folks who smoke on their balconies or, worse yet, in their cabins are a different story. They are truly putting the rest of us at risk (fire).

So, let's try to keep life in perspective. Simply having to move a bit farther away under the overhang is a small concession for fellow passengers, rather than prohibiting smoking altogether, forcing addicted smokers to break the rules, smoke in their cabins, and possibly put us all in real danger.

I agree, our preferences for the specialty restaurants varies depending on the cruise - even on the same ship. Chefs, sous chefs and staff, location in the world (top quality beef is harder to get some places than others, same with seafood), time of year all affect the quality of the food.

We just try all the venues, pick our favorite for the current cruise and stick with it.

Interesting observation. I hadn't really thought about it, but you're absolutely right!

SweetPease, I just re-checked my final cruise documents, and none of the O-provided "perks" were listed in that document, only the OBC provided by our TA. And, like Jertom, when we boarded there was documentation in the cabin about the O-provided OBC and gratuities, but nothing about the free internet. A quick trip to the computer center (which we had to do to sign up for internet anyway) resulted in a positive answer.

I made sure I took along my TA's communication referencing all the "perks" just to have a basis for argument if I needed. Not needed, O did exactly as promised, but I felt better having the document in hand "just in case."

Dress during the day, even in GDR, is fairly casual. You will be fine in capris or a sundress.

About the only real "no-no" is swimming suit or muscle shirt. Most people are quite casual at breakfast and lunch, so don't worry to much unless you're a "sun bunny" who wears only a swimsuit during the day.

By the way, we enjoy Waves Grill for lunch rather than GDR most days. Give it a try. The Kobe burger and Surf/Turf sandwich (sliced lobster and filet) are so good, we seldom eat elsewhere at lunch. Maybe Terrace for dessert, if we're not interested in the ice cream station that day (the Smoothies and malts are really yummy!)

We had the corner port cabana for an entire 16-day Panama Canal cruise two years ago on Regatta, on the "open" side (the putting cage, green and shuffleboard are on the starboard side, leaving only the port side for additional loungers. Therefore, we had the opportunity to study the use of that portion of the deck relatively closely on our cruise.

There are loungers built for 2 in each cabana. One other cabana was used for the entire trip (two total) and two more for the Panama Canal crossing. Eight people on its busiest day. There are other loungers stacked up on the starboard side that deck, but they can't be laid out before you need them because of the possibility the wind would move them around. During the entire 16 days I say, maybe, a dozen people use the loungers up on that deck.

As I said before, the current configuration of that deck means it is underutilized. The cabanas-to-putting green change is no meaningful loss of seating, folks.

Frances,

In the "for what it's worth" category, I did the M&G on a recent Nautica cruise. Based on what I'd read on CC I didn't engage the concierge, and the planning was complete, including time/place, prior to embarkation. I simply told the manager of Horizons when we would be there to allow them to make any appropriate arrangements (there is seldom even a bartender in Horizons at that time of day).

We met at 2:00-3:00 in Horizons (after lunch, before tea), I provided name tags with first/last names (we had more than one of three first names), City and CC moniker. It was a very informal event. I simply asked everyone to stand and introduce them and their partner, then asked for those who were hosting pre-arranged tours to stand again so people could recognize them, and then opened the discussion for questions, comments (those looking for people to share rides in ports, etc.). The feedback from the ~50 people there was positive.

If I would change anything, I would move the meeting up to 1:30 to allow more time for people to visit. Also, the waiter was waiting to set up the corner we commandeered for tea, but it was not a real problem for him, only about 8-10 tables.

Hope there is some grain of help for you in there somewhere.

Don't know whether there will be space to view or not. On Marina/Riviera the putting space is so close to the windscreens it is difficult to face forward standing upright without standing on the "greens".

I recently had the same issue on a Nautica cruise. Just be sure to check with your TA to make sure you DO have the perks. Mine never did all show up at the same time on the O docs (invoices or travel docs), but they were definitely there when we boarded.

Also, no one has mentioned, but you will need your passport to check in. They may keep it at that point, or it may be returned, depending on where you're travelling and the requirements they must follow.

Enjoy!

If you're comfortable with a map and can do moderate walking you'll be fine on your own. The city is nearly level, but be aware of the cobblestone streets and wear appropriate shoes. The old part of the city is somewhat circular in shape around the river and the canal system. The VanGogh and Rijksmuseum are only about 1-2 blocks apart, but for only one day I'd visit the Rijksmuseum because it offers more variety (but I loved the VanGogh too - few of his most famous paintings there, but it really shows the progression of both his work and his mental state through his life).

Since you'll be jetlagged, the canal boats are a beautiful way to see the city easily - I especially enjoyed seeing the variety and ingenuity of the permanently moored boat homes along the canal. That is also a wonderful way to get great photos, if that is an interest. It's also a way to catch a quick catnap if you need (I remember sitting in the boat thinking "I won't fall asleep, I won't fall asleep. . . . . . I just fell asleep")

And, yes, beware of the bicycle riders - they will even bump you if you don't move aside quickly enough when they come up behind you ringing their little bells. Depending on when you're there take time to walk the outdoor markets and have a bite to eat along the canals.

I agree the Redlight District is not worth the time in a 1-day visit, but it certainly is a unique experience if you're interested! It is something of a sensory overload.

Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful trip with us all! Enjoy the rest of your time, and have a safe trip home.

Also, please remember, if you have problems during the course of your flights, call the airline first, not O. Call your TA, if you have one, before O.

You are ultimately responsible for getting to your destination. O can act as an intermediary if you booked your air through them (deviated, or not), but when time is of the essence it is the slowest way of handling the problem.

Luxury? To me, luxury is being treated as a welcome, sometimes pampered, guest who is entitled to rest in comfortable surroundings, with excellent service in a congenial and comfortable atmosphere.

How about immaculately maintained and tastefully decorated cabins and public spaces, excellent and well presented food in a variety of un-crowded and unhurried venues with well travelled and generally very congenial fellow passengers for company, a genuinely friendly "can do" attitude by most crew members, privacy available when you want it, no "required" dining locations or times, phony dress expectations (we are on vacation half way around the world, after all), no smoking in most areas, few children, etc., etc.?

Oceania offers all these things. You are treated as a responsible adult, and, as in most things, you get what you give. If you give respect and friendliness, you will find it returned to you many fold. If you have unrealistic expectations of "luxury" your expectations may not all be met.

Billie5

So sorry you can no longer cruise!!! But know your experiences and knowledge will be a wonderful resource for your CC partners. You will certainly be with us all, in spirit, as we travel our cruise life paths, and I hope our reports will help you relive some of your wonderful experiences.

Good Luck!!!

Thanks for your work, Andy! It makes CC better for us all. Happy New Year!

We just returned from a Nautica (sister ship of Regatta) cruise and were on deck 10 the third cabin back from the bridge, just across from the front elevators/stairwell.

Now we were in the Med, not Alaska, but only one night did we experience any significant movement (and remember, movement is more pronounced the higher you get above the sea). We had been on Nautica mid-ship deck 7 in the Med the first time we sailed O and experienced fairly similar movement. So if you've sailed on an R ship before and were content, you will likely be ok this time too.

If you're still concerned, also be aware ginger and green apples are considered to help as well. Take the ginger with you when you board. The crew will see you get the green apples if you need them.

Bon Voyage.

Alexandra cruiser,

Sorry you are upset about your treatment, but let's be realistic here. O's (or any other cruise line, for that matter) best chance to get you to book another cruise is while you're still aboard, enjoying your current cruise. You are also relaxed and vulnerable to the sales pitch by their very professional and dedicated "cruise specialists," aka sales representatives. We listened to their offer aboard one time and counted it wasted time - no real "deals" there that weren't available at our pace of decision making, not theirs.

And free internet and gratuities do amount to a substantial amount of money. On our recent Nautica cruise they amounted to nearly $1,500 at a PH level cabin. Not all cruises now offer such generous perks.

If you're not satisfied with the deal you got, cancel. You can always rebook later if you find something that suits you better.

Our theory is we book when we believe we have received a fair deal, in a location and cabin level where we are happy. If anything better happens to fall in our lap (think the "upgrade fairy" here) we thank our lucky stars. If not, we are still content with our decision. We also depend on our very competent TA to assist with our decision making process and save us from making bad decisions - help you can't avail yourself of in onboard booking. Therefore, the onboard booking desk, which, incidentally, lies very near the onboard "art" auction display area on the R ships (don't know on the O ships - haven't sailed them since the art auctions were reinstituted), are two areas of the ship we don't even slow down.

Good luck, whatever your decide.

Lyn, I asked about what made it so luscious. Among other things (yogurt, ginger, etc.) it included their hand-made ice cream. I thought I had found Nirvana until then - and I realized why. The cold soup was part soup, part dessert! That's probably why I enjoyed it so much!:p

Most cruises do not include the free gratuities, free internet and level of OBC as the last.

As HawaiiDan is wont to say - "there is no free lunch." This likely is at least part of the reason for the price change.

Our recent Nautica cruise included a grand buffet, and it included the best dish I had from the entire cruise, a cold strawberry soup. Wish I could have gotten the recipe in an amount I could have prepared at home!

The perks may, or may not continue. We certainly enjoyed them on our recent Nautica adventure.

One must remember O has an additional 684 berths to fill come May (?) when Insignia returns to service. The attraction of the perks may bump people to book that extra capacity, thereby smoothing O's transition from 4 to 5 ships. Yes, the round-the-world trip was a brilliant move, but there are 684 VERY loyal O folks who won't be available for other cruises for that six months, so their loss to the other ships must be accounted for. Perks may attract those on the fence, maybe some who have never sailed O before, giving the company the opportunity to gain new, hopefully loyal customers.

So, we'll just have to wait and see if the perks continue. Only time will tell.

Not sure it was smokers' abuse in the 1960's, before the effects of smoking were commonly known. But it certainly could be looked at as that today, when the effects of second hand smoke (not to mention first hand smoke) are well known, advertised and documented. The addictive impact the weed has on people is amazing to me - in Turkey on our last cruise the stacks and stacks of cigarette cartons in the duty free shop had emblazoned on one whole side "SMOKING WILL KILL YOU". I just don't understand why anyone would start smoking today, or not do everything they could to quit. :confused:

I understand, and agree with some of HawaiiDan's discussion about the changes over the last 50 years. However, that being said, I still don't want to be stuck for any period of time next to smokers, those over-indulging in perfume/cologne, strong hand lotion, etc. Would I say anything? No, absolutely not - that would be rude. Do I think less of them? No. But I would find some way to get far enough away from them that it didn't bother me if I possibly could. That is not always possible in an airplane, sitting at a concert, etc. Therefore, I simply wish people would respect others' personal space, in ALL manner of things.

We booked a cabana for a Panama Canal cruise two years ago, and enjoyed it immensely.

That being said, the entire deck appears to be under-utilized. I seldom see anyone playing shuffleboard, using the golf cage, etc. Since it is the highest point on the ship, the views are very good, but the area is often very windy when the ship is sailing, making it truly an area where one can "chill," depending on the itinerary. I find it to be a great area to stargaze. On our Suez Canal cruise we had a great time responding to the friendly whistles from the folks ashore and waving at the children. Seems those folks enjoy watching the tourists and ships float by.

The deck is the width of the cabin and about 4-5' deep. Wide enough for two to enjoy reading and enjoying a glass of wine on the verandah.

Enjoy your cruise!

The Port of Miami can hold up the show by failing to clear the ship in a timely manner. I've experienced it one out of the last three times we disembarked there, and others on these threads have also complained about it from time to time too.

If you have concerns, what is 2-3 hours time versus unnecessary worrying at the end of your vacation? Unless you have problems with connections, my personal choice would be the later flight.