oceansandseas

It has been quite a few years since we have had paper $1.00 and $2.00 bills. In Canada, $2.00 bills were used quite often. I know they were not used very much in the US.

Our loonie is a gold coloured $1.00 coin, and our toonie, our $2.00 coin' has a gold center and silver outside. They are very heavy. We use US money on the cruise. If we tipped in Canadian money, our luggage would be very overweight.

Before we leave Canada, we go to the bank and buy American money. This is probably what the Brits did.

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Final payment is coming up tomorrow for a section of World Cruise that we have booked on Queen Victoria. When we booked approximately 3 1/2 months ago we were waitlisted for early dining. Booked through Cunard (from Canada) and when the booking was going on, early dining was confirmed. After getting the email confirmation that said " late dining confirmed ", I phoned back. "Oooppps! I read it wrong" she said --" it is late dining. We will put you on the waitlist for early dining." I was hoping that we would have the early dining confirmed by the time final payment rolled around. But I am worried now.

At the time of booking when we found out that we did not have the definite early dining, we said that we would not make final payment unless first seating was confirmed. We would not like late dining at all. Just too late.

I phoned yesterday and we are still waitlisted quite far back. Which brings me to ask, is there anywhere on Cruise Personalizer where you can find the waitlist number. I do see where it says the time of your dining.

The questions are: How often have people been waitlisted when final payment is due but do get the early seating? This cruise is just about sold out.

I know there is the buffet for dinner. Are the foods different than for lunch? Are they like dinner menu in dining room?

There are also 4 restaurants that have a charge. I do not wish to pay the charge. Not sure of the names right now. French, Italian and Asian would be ok for me but not for Dear Husband. He likes meat, potatoes and the vegetables that I make him eat. Prime would be ok for the steaks but he does not like seafood. Also it would be quite a large dollar amount since this cruise is 48 days.

Then we would have to get the reservations. Does anyone know how many can be seated in the alternatve restaurants on Queen Victoria. I remember it as being a large area, but not sure how much of the area is used.

I guess I will have to make a decision by tomorrow. We did say that we would cancel if we did not get the early dining, but after thinking about the cruise for a few months now, want to go on the cruise.

Any answers or suggestions for me. Thanks in advance.

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We have been on B2B's with Oceania. There is one way that it is cheaper. Since Oceania prices include the air fare, when doing B2B you will get a credit for the air fare not used as there will only be 2 flights involved. When you add the cost of the 2 cruises and then subtract the air credit, it will be cheaper.

You have been given $100.00 per day OBC. Is that per person or for 2 people. That is a very large OBC.

Please let us know if they throw a drink package in. Then let us know how you accomplished it please.

Enjoy your cruise.

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We were in concierge on the Riviera last February. I thought that we should have breakfast in our room on one of the mornings. We put our order on the door knob the night before. It was brought in the morning but they put the tray on the bed and we ate at the "coffee" table. It was such a hassle that we never did it again.

I remember being in a concierge on one of the R ships a few years before and they took the table topper from behind the sofa and put the white tablecloth over it and set the table. It was enjoyable that time.

Check to see if there is a table topper against the wall behind the sofa.

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Would the balconies be windy? Would you feel the spray while sitting on the balcony?

Have always wondered about that. Never been in a forward cabin.

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We have been on R and O ships 10 times. Last one was Riviera in February 2014. We have NEVER had a menu delivered to our cabin.

OP - on the Riviera there is a desk near the Purser's desk. It is where you pick up the daily puzzles. That desk is where they prepare the menus to send to people who have requested special diets. They will give you one if you ask nicely. At least I imagine they will. You could try anyway. Actually I think that I saw some just sitting there at times and took a look.

We also sail on another line. The last night of every cruise we are presented with EVERY menu that we have used for the whole cruise. It can become large after a 34 day cruise. Just last week I read through some of them. Really enjoyed it, so I know how you feel.

Please let us know the outcome of your menu search.

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A few years ago DH and I went around Cape Horn. We thought that there would be rough waters. It was a bit rough and we were told over the speaker that "This is Cape Horn".

We then turned around and went through Beagle Strait and then up and through the strait of Magelan. It was so calm and peaceful gliding along during the day. We were surprised that it was so calm as we had heard for many years and from history in school that these waters were very rough.

Later we were disappointed when we saw on the map where we travelled as it was not in the rough waters on the west side of Cape Horn. We were later told that cruise ships did not go right around Cape Horn and into Drake Strait as they did not want anything to happen to their cruise ship or put their passengers in danger.

However, one never knows what the waters will be like from one minute to the next.

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Chili is very strict as it's livelihood depends on the fruit industry. When we got off the ship in Chili 3 or 4 years ago, we were directed to a building. Everyone was told to stand in a line. There were about 40 of us in the group. We were told to put our purse or anything that we were carrying on the floor and step back 3 paces. The dogs walked around sniffing. I was very upset as a dog walked over my purse and slobbered on it. New purse for the cruise. Could not say anything though. Then they walked around the people. No fruits was found I guess. We were then allowed to leave the building and enter the country.

I am surprised that all of the people getting off the ship are not searched in the same way as they want to make sure that no disease that might attack their fruit enters their country. Not sure which ship we were on.

When the meeting is for Friends of Dorothy, does that mean females. Just curious. Have always wondered.

Thanks in advance for answer.

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A previous poster mentioned that there were no flowers. When we were on Marina last January, I noticed that there were no flowers except for the white flowers at the bottom of the staircase. I often wondered if they were real or artificial. Could not get a close enough look at them, but could not see any water in the crystal vase. We travel on another cruise line and even in a regular balcony, have a single flower in the room.

I believe that Oceania has never been big on flowers. The lady with the most cruise days was presented with a bouquet of flowers though.

Therefore it is not something that has been dropped, but I believe something that Oceania was not big on from the start.

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I was just on Cunard web site to see if the cruise that I want is still sold out of the cabins that I might want. Nothing available. I will keep looking.

But, when I was there I noticed that it said "Book on line and save the credit card fee". Does that mean that if I book by calling Cunard they will charge me an extra fee for using my credit card. I want to talk to someone when I book. I will book directly with Cunard as last time the TA I used messed up on something and does not give me any OBC or any other perks, so I might as well book it myself.

If Cunard charges a credit card fee, can we send them a cheque? Has this happened to anyone. By the way, I live in Canada. We have a different price to reflect the difference in exchange rate of our dollars. I am not talking about this, I know that we must pay this.

Has this happened to anyone?

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Why would they offer an OBC? I can not understand why they would offer an OBC. Actually just give you money. If the price has not dropped then there might be a full ship.

Please let us know what type of OBC you got. Thanks.

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They do not have all flavours and only a few brands on the ship. Not sure as I do not drink soda. Someone else might let you know what flavours the ship carries. Find out if they have your favourite brand before you go.

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Post #13 - A gratuity for gift shop purchases. I have never heard of this! Do people actually tip the people who work in the gift shops?

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I thought he was very good. Do not do trivia though. As another poster said, he is really visible around the ship and is also approachable.

DreadPirateRobert - you just got off the Marina where he is now CD. Could I ask who the assistant CD was. Is she/he new and does she/he do a show.

Thanks for any information.

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DH and I were on Riviera in January. We had the short ribs at lunch. I remember that we sat outside. I usually like all food served, but was also a bit disappointed with the short ribs. Fatty and the sauce was bland. Both of us were really disappointing since they looked so good. I must say that all of the other food was delicious.

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Do men wear a tux or just a dark suit on formal nights. My DH looks so handsome in his tux. I tell him so, so I guess that is why he likes wearing it. Do men usually wear suits to dinner on regular nights.

I am just looking into taking a Holland America cruise next year.

Thanks

but

when my DH and I go to a club where there is dancing and we do not order an alcoholic drink, would we be served a glass of water without being charged. Would we be served a glass of juice complimentary. It is nice to have a drink sitting at the table when we are dancing so that we will still have the table when we return.

Also is there a lot of dancing (waltz, fox trot, two step or samba) on the ships. We are looking at Neuw Amsterdam for next year to try Holland America.

While I am here I might as well ask about ice cream. Is there hard ice cream as I can not eat soft ice cream. Is it served throughout the day and would it be complimentary?

thanks

DH and I were on Riviera in January 2014 and were in 8034. Nice location. Great room. They all are.

The only thing that I noticed was that at night, the last person to leave did not always close the door even though there is a sign to that effect. I heard it making a noise the first night. Put on bath robe and closed it. Make sure that you take your key card. From then on I would check that it was closed when we came back to our room in the evening. Most nights it wasn't.

Wish I was in that room tonight.

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The new summer 2015 cruises are offering prepaid gratuities. Does anyone know if there is any compensation for those of us who have more than 10 cruises on Oceania?

Worked my way up to 10 cruises and now everything is prepaid gratuities rather than on board credit.

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DH and I were on the B2B Jan 23rd and Feb 2nd on Riviera. Our documents showed Roy as CD. I knew Roy from a cruise a few years back when he gave the enjoyable spanish lessons but I am not sure of his other responsibilities, but he was not the CD.

When I got on board and talked to David Peterson I asked why Roy was not the CD as per documents. David said that he was going to Head Office but was asked to be CD for a few more cruises as Roy had been working straight for 8 months and had not had a break. That is the reason that Roy was not CD for the last few cruises.

I hope this is correct. It is what David Peterson told me directly.

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DH and I took the transatlantic in 2012 that ended in Barcelona. They were doing a random luggage search. This is done all of the time, but not noticed if you are not the one delayed. Both DH and I had our suitcases hand searched and it seemed to take a long time. Our Oceania transfer had left when we got out of the terminal.

So, you never know.

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DH and I are just back from B2B on Riviera. We booked a GTY about a year ahead. We did not know the cabin number until we were on the ship. Do not worry. Every cabin is good. We did get a few categories upgrade. Never asked TA or Oceania what cabin we were getting, just waited until we got to the ship.

This has probably been covered, but could not find anything doing a search.

A few months ago a man posted that his wife thought very highly to one of the stylists in the hair salon on the Riviera. He also mentioned that many others felt the same way. Do not remember the name of the stylist and as it was not a common name, not sure if it is male or female.

Does anyone remember this stylist and what was the opinion of most of the people. Subjective, but what did people think. Were they really happy with their hair?

Not sure if I should have new style and cut before I go or have in done on board. I imagine that one could use OBC in the salon.

Does anyone remember the cost of a style and cut. What is the common amount for a tip. Is it added on and paid out of the OBC or paid in cash at the time.

Any comment would be helpful. Thanks.

Also, would someone be able to estimate the cost of taking a taxi from Miami airport to the Esplendor Hotel Breakwater South Beach (Ocean Drive and 10th Street). Also approximate cost from the hotel to Port of Miami. Also does anyone know if this is a good choice for hotel. Booked already but just wondering.

And another question, does anyone from Miami know the cost of the municipal bus (while we are in Miami for a few days) - cost for senior and also cost for adult. Anything like a card for multiple use during our stay? Maybe I should start a new thread for this.

Thanks.