Fam_Cruise

We heard the same from fellow passengers AND from TAXI Drivers (drumming up business) as we approached the train station. We decided if the trains weren't running we'd wing it and either hang out in Civitavecchia or take a taxi into Rome. We had purchased tickets back in early February on trainline.com for yesterdays trip into Rome; FB 8601 departing at 9:25AM and the return FB 8626 at 4:57PM. FWIW, our train was a couple minutes late, and there were quite a few other O passengers on board. Our return train was on time. There were other trains running and the schedule board didn't show any significant cancellations or delays. Roma Termini was very busy with lots of trains running.

On Vista right now in the middle of Atlantic and WiFi calling and texting works great. Talked with my boss for about 10 minutes yesterday and SIL for the same yesterday evening, and various calls the previous days. Airplane mode ON with WiFi and Bluetooth ON and WiFi calling ENABLED. Internet is excellent compared to previous cruises pre-Starlink, and all day long on all 3 sea days, so far. FWIW, provider is T-Mobile, but that shouldn't matter. Although I have neighbors who have Verizon and their WiFi calling doesn't seem to work that well from their home as they tend to break up quite a bit when I call them from next door. I'm surprised Riviera Starlink WiFi isn't the same; perhaps new installation/growing pains.

O just changed the preview date: Around the World 2026 – Vista New date | Opens for preview February 28, 2024

Here's more info:

This from O via my TA: Around the World 2026 – Vista: Open for preview March 6, 2024 I would guess that the Collection of Voyages 2025-2026 would be open for preview on or about April 11, 2023

Just got this info from O via my TA: Around the World 2026 – Vista: Open for bookings March 13, 2024 Collection of Voyages 2025-2026: Open for bookings April 17, 2024

Since I was unable to discern whether that was when the itinerary will be announced/available for viewing online or that is when bookings will open; do you have more information with regard to that info?

2026 RTW launch will be happening on March 13, 2024 and the 2026 RTW will be on Vista. An before anyone asks, that is the extent of my info. I do NOT know if that is when the itinerary will be announced and available for viewing online (but that would be my guess) or that is when bookings will open.

Yes, my traveling companion canceled Sep 2022 cruise on Riviera 5 days prior to departure and filed an insurance claim for a covered reason. Oceania did not charge me any additional amount and OBC and Shareholder benefit amounts that had been split between us was subsequently all included under my name and her name was removed from the reservation. FYI, if you have insurance you do not want to no-show as you need evidence that you canceled, hence the invoice reflecting the removal of the person who canceled.

The appeal of WhatsApp is that it's encrypted end-to-end so they, or anybody else, can't mine your communications; however, WhatsApp (Meta) does have information on who you're calling so they can use that info for marketing purposes if their TOS and privacy info allows that. It's very popular in Europe as European mobile plan users are charged for text messages and phone calls to US and other international phone numbers (outside the EU). If you're from the US and travel a lot, T-Mobile is the way to go IMO as they provide international roaming with free text messaging and data, and phone calls are only 25¢/minute. If you're planning on making lots of calls when abroad you can also purchase a daily, 15 day or 30 day international data plan for $5, $35 or $50 respectively that includes unlimited calling. Like other US mobile providers, neither their basic international roaming service nor their international data plans include data or calling whilst at sea via Cellular at Sea. BTW, WiFi calling works when in airplane mode and/or if you're only on WiFi. I, and my traveling companions, used it to call and text each other and to call friends/family back home on our October/November Med cruise when at sea. With T-Mobile if you use WiFi calling to a US/Canada (+1) phone number it is free; however, if you use WiFi calling to call an international number then with T-Mobile you will be charged 25¢/minute unless you've purchased one of their data plans that includes unlimited calling. This is when you would want to use WhatsApp via the ships WiFi if you didn't purchase the unlimited calling plan or would otherwise be charged (using other mobile providers) for international calls.

Oceania

Starting on December 1, 2023, booking transfers must be completed 14 days after a booking is made in order for the receiving agency to earn commission.

It occurred to me that my last post may be misconstrued. So below is clarification for anyone who may not have read my previous posts that would put it in proper context: I spoke with the IT guy on Riviera and he said Starlink will be installed on Riviera in December.

I spoke with the IT guy and he said Starlink will be installed in December.

OC, VS and OS 2 accounts with two devices logged on to each account at the same time. FWIW, this is the same as it's always been.