SeaWatch12

I am wondering if that was the sailing that returned to Miami on 1/19? When we got home that afternoon from the Vista, I tested Covid positive. Thankfully it was a mild case.

Oh no, not the library. The extensive bookcases and seating areas on Vista were wonderful.

Oceania posted this on their Instagram account yesterday. This would be a welcome addition to the new ship. Anyone know where it would be located? https://www.instagram.com/p/C3i5GVGLDSN/?igsh=Mm13YzQ4eXQ2YWRk

Okay, thanks. Was wondering about that as I have read on the Oceania posts in the past that butlers for suite passengers can get extra reservations. Maybe only for those sailing above PH. I'm certainly not paying for a higher end suite just to get an extra night in Red Ginger! For the first time ever on a cruise ship we went to dinner at the buffet. As it was just the 2 of us, we enjoyed the buffet better than the Grand dining room. Excellent service made the buffet an elevated experience!

I found going to the reservations desk on deck 5 of Vista to be useless when requesting a second experience in Red Ginger. The staff member there was very business like, by the book type. Verging towards being unfriendly. We stoped in Red Ginger just before they opened on day 7 of the 10 night sailing. The maitre d refused to consider us for a seating anytime before 8:30. We never have dinner that late. There was never any staff person in any specialty when I wandered in at various times of the day to take photos. I honestly gave up, was tired of being told "no". Maybe they weren't more receptive to us as we were not guests in a suite. Are they more willing to give those in suites additional specialty seatings at a reasonable time?

The total you will spend on the safety is about drill is 5-10 minutes. I think they show 4 hours and 45 minutes as that is the time span from first guest allowed on till they no longer let guests on the ship. I'm sure someone can explain the process more specifically.

Briefly, my two comparisons: The food and meals in the dining room and restaurants are much better on Oceania. The Terrace Cafe on the Vista is the only sailing I have had dinner in a buffet. Although, I prefer Cafe Al Bacio on Celebrity over Baristas and Bakery on Vista. The overall entertainment on Celebrity is better than Oceania. Productions shows on Vista were good. However, the Vista Lounge is severely lacking due to a low stage and poorly arranged seating. I appreciated the string quartet on Vista and listened to them quite often. It's always nice to experience different cruise products. It did take a bit of adjustment to get used to the smaller Oceania Vista which is beautifully decorated.

Since you mentioned the gym onboard, just be aware that it is smaller on the Vista than any Celebrity ship, which I see is your sailing history. The Fitness Center was very busy in the morning of sea days, and even in the afternoon of one of our sea days. Sorry, I don't have a photo to show you, that is one place on the Vista I didn't take a picture of. By the way, we enjoyed Aquamar for lunch and went there for half the days. They also serve breakfast but didn't try it.

A few things. The slope of the rows from front to back was not enough and the way the seats are staggered row to row caused severe blocking from many of the seats. For the first production show I was sitting in the center section there quarters of the way back and could not see what the performers were doing as there were several audience members heads in front of us. We actually got up and left after 15 minutes because it was so frustrating to see the show. Also, the stage is barely a foot off the floor which doesn't help the sight lines. I understand the low height of the room's ceiling but they could have configured the seats better. If sitting in one of the side sections, those seats face each other, not the performers space. I had a crick in my neck after sitting on the right side for one show. In order to get a good seat, in the first couple of rows, you have to get there 45 minutes before the show starts! The talented performers deserve a better space as well as the guests.

I was on the same Vista sailing as you that disembarked yesterday. I asked at the reception desk for an end-of-cruise survey at about 8 PM on the last night and was told to go to the Oceania site before the end of the night to complete it. There was nothing there to link me to a survey! I brought home all of the Currents and looked today for mention of how to complete a survey, but there was none. It appears they aren't interested in what guests have to say about the trip. I didn't get a chance to praise some crew members for their excellent work. I did submit the handwritten mid-cruise comment card with my thoughts on the terrible seating in the Vista Lounge but the General Manager's office didn't have the courtesy to reach out to me and there were plenty of days after to do so. The ship is beautiful, and the food and service are excellent, I just wish they would have given the opportunity to express it to them after the voyage.

We were in Ember also last night. The only issue was the lobster meat in the lobster Mac and cheese was not good, wasn't prepared as well as it was the first night in the lobster pad Thai in Red Ginger. The scallops on Ember were excellent. We were sitting at a two top by the window so it was wasn't as noisy as the main part of the room.

Arrived yesterday at the terminal curb at 12:25. Yes, had to wait in line at security and check in but stepped on the ship at 1:30 which was perfect for the announcement that concierge level rooms were now available. So didn't have to schlep our carry on around the ship, went right to the room and dropped them off. Had a relaxing lunch in Aquamare. Wonderful dinner in Red Ginger. The Vista is absolutely beautiful!

Excellent video and photos. Reminded me why I have always enjoyed my trips on M class ships. Unfortunately, haven't had the opportunity to go on one in a long time.

I'll try to get on here in 10 days to report when we ultimately arrived and how the process went. In the meantime, Happy New Year! Mark

I found it in the FAQ section on their website. Also recall seeing it when I booked the cruise.

I am hoping Port of Miami will be a smooth experience. They have plenty of experience! My issue is with Oceania as they always tout noon but I guess it's a sales gimmick and not guaranteed.

Thanks for the "or" scenarios for the relaxed vs more hectic situations. We either get a ride from a friend or use a car service especially when it's Port of Miami and not Port Everglades and like to have a light lunch on the ship so will probably attempt to arrive in time to do so.

Isn't the boarding time for Concierge Verandas 12:00PM? That is what is indicated on the Oceania site. The cruise booklet indicates 1:00 and my boarding pass shows 1:30, that was the earliest time available when I did the online check-in. Would there be any issues if we show up at the Vista in Miami at 12:00? Thank you and Happy New Year! Mark

IMHO, I feel we should tip whatever crew member we believe deserves above the preset gratuities. Crew in any department we wish to give extra thanks to. Handing it to them directly will show the extra appreciation for what they do. What happens after that is both theirs and their employers decision. If they are required to share it, so be it. They might wind up sharing it with other crew members we would never have the opportunity to give extra to but still deserve it. It may also depend on what department they work in as to them sharing it. It's entirely a HR concern that I don't think the cruise line would officially share with guests.

In an early review of Vista, I found this mention of the library: "Happily, I found my own shipboard zen for no additional fee in Vista’s impressively curated library, spanning several small rooms with cozy nooks for settling in alongside hundreds of loaner tomes that ranged from self-help books and murder mysteries to classics like Don Quixote and an impressive travel section that only served to further stoke my wanderlust." if you are interested, the full article: https://www.afar.com/magazine/review-a-first-look-at-oceanias-new-vista-cruise-ship

Exactly 5 years and 1 day from when the EDGE first sailed into Port Everglades. There was a big celebration on land opposite the pier, to welcome the first Edge class ship on 11/20/18.

I feel that just because the server doesn't physically take your card and swipe it at the computer that the consumption of the wine is not recorded. When they look at your card, the server can find the necessary info to be able to manually input how many glasses were ordered at that meal. As long as everything is accurate, I don't mind that they don't take my card to their closest register.

Thank you, that is good to hear.

Is there a maximum price for drinks on the Prestige Beverage Package? MVPinBoynton posted Vista drink menus on his website and the Founders Bar shows Bulliet is $14, Whistlepig is $22, and Woodford Reserve is $25. The cruise lines we usually sail on charge extra if you go over a certain dollar amount of a drink not included in the package. We booked the Vista with OLife for the OBC and kept it instead of switching to Simply More, therefore we don't have the House Select package. I am trying to determine if purchasing the Prestige package will be worth it for us. We have the OLife OBC (already used some to cover the gratuities) and some OBC from our travel agent to apply towards drinks. Thanks for any information. Mark

Perhaps there is someplace on the ship to get a later breakfast type of meal after 9:00 or 9:30 on the mornings you wish to sleep in. I would think they don't serve after those times in order to give the hard working staff a short break period before they have to report to another venue for lunchtime. I would see the CO hostess in the buffet at lunch. On sea days some of the CO team is probably assigned to the dining room. They work such long hours, they deserve a break.