Torquer

I also don't understand why they care. But several of the tour operators we used on a recent cruise said they wanted cash in US dollars and they had to be very clean with no marks on them. So before the cruise we spent 15 minutes with our very patient bank teller getting the exact denominations of bills we needed, since the tour operators can't give change, and trading back and forth bills to get clean looking ones. No tour operator or merchant on our trip to Chile, Argentina, or Uruguay refused any of our bills.

Back to the question that was asked about the HDMI port on the TV (not about streaming)...I had no success on a recent cruise on Marina. I travel prepared with my own small universal remote so that I can change the input source on hotel TVs when the supplied remote doesn't have the option. Although my universal remote could operate the Samsung TV, it would not change the source. So I looked on the back of the TV to get the model number and then found a PDF of the manual. It is a special hospitality model TV that runs its own operating system that displays all the Oceania menus (there is no external box); it is the TV itself doing the O GUI. In this mode, the source inputs are locked out. I found the remote control codes to take it out of this special hospitality mode and put the TV into normal mode, so that I could plug something into the HDMI port. However, I was reluctant to do it fearing I might not be able to get it back to the mode that runs the Oceania menus and info. BTW, the supplied remote control did not have one of the special buttons needed to enter this remote control code. So bottom line, if Vista is similar to Marina, it may be possible to use the HDMI ports, but it will take some work, knowledge, and probably your own universal remote control.

We have been on many HAL cruises over the years both pre- and post-covid, and just completed our first post-covid cruise with Oceania. It is embarrassing to say that they beat HAL by a mile in shipboard entertainment. And this is on a much smaller ship than most of HALs' with only 1,000 passengers. They have a wonderful string quartet that plays several sets in the evening. They also did their own interesting version of a string rock concert in the theater one evening. This really drove home to us how far HAL has regressed in terms of classical music, from Adagio, classical duets, LCS, and now mostly no classical music. In addition to the classical music Oceania ships have their own 10-person singing and dance company on the ship that performs with a live 7-piece band (like the HALcats years ago). In addition they had another band that performed dance tunes (similar to the Rolling Stones Rock Room, but not as good, in my opinion). Plus a piano bar singer. Although the Step One dancers are very good, it really made us miss the HAL onboard singers that used to perform with a live band.

There are also some items that are always available, even though they may not be on the menu every night. I know for a fact, since I often order it, that a fruit crisp is always available for dessert. I believe french onion soup is always available, though it has been a few years since I ordered it when it wasn't on the menu. I also believe a steak is available, but that is usually on the menu in some form every night. Other than that, I would not expect to be able to order anything you want, other than mixing and matching from the stated meals.

It's great to get a new question, rather than one repeatedly asked. Volendam is the only HAL ship we have not been on...I have only seen the quirky lanai cabins on the promenade deck in photos. Camp chairs are not on the prohibited list, so I would have to think it is allowed. But some things to consider: 1) how will you get them to the ship and 2) how will get them onto the ship. If you are flying, they can't go on carry on and you would have to check with the airline to see if you can check them. They are somewhat like a set of golf clubs, but the airlines might have rules. I would also be worried about them being damaged in checked baggage. Now obviously this doesn't apply if you plan to drive to the port of embarkation. But you have the same problem of how to get them on the ship, that they might get damaged. Did you ever see how they pack a load of suitcases on a pallet to move on and off the ship...I would be concerned about damage from the 3 suitcases that might get piled on top of your chairs.

Maybe you tried to have the hotel reserve a water taxi for you...that might be a problem since they might need a flight number to know when you are really ready to use the water taxi. But there is no need for a reservation. Just go to the water taxi desk at the airport. Tell them which hotel you are staying at and pay the bill. They will give you a ticket and you take the long walk to where the water taxis are waiting. You hand over your ticket and you will be directed to board your private water taxi. Very easy process. You will need to have good mobility to use the water taxis. There is a big step from the boat to the pier. And the boat driver may or may not help you with your luggage.

I believe it varies slightly by the particular cruise. I know 9:15 and 9:30 are common. I seem to remember 9:00 too, but am not sure.

NS and PS only. Usually, the Neptune Lounge concierge will talk to you a few days before disembarkation to find what your plans are and when you want to leave the ship, and make appropriate arrangements.

I thought it was that you can disembark the ship whenever you want, and there is no need to wait for your number/color to be called. This applies to whether you are carrying your own luggage off or if HAL has done it for you. As someone else has stated, when staying in the Pinnacle Suite the concierge will sometimes escort you off the ship using the staff elevators to totally bypass any waiting lines.

In addition to the tote bag, beach bag and towels, we got the Bulgari gift set. I never remember it inside the beach bag...maybe you just packed it that way to take it home?

Although you got the shore excursion, let me add some info to future readers. We just did a cruise on Oceania with a stop at Laguna San Rafael. For our cruise, there were two catamaran tours scheduled for the day which were sold out a year in advance. About 2 months before sailing, they added a third tour which we were able to book. There is no actual tendering ashore so if you don't do the ship's catamaran excursion you will not get off the ship. The catamaran pulls up to the ship and you board it directly. It takes about 1.5 hours to get from the ship to the glacier, you spend about 45 minutes at the glacier, and then 1.5 hours to get back to the ship. There is not much to see on the way to and from the glacier. The catamaran has two large indoor rooms for the ride. However, it has very limited outdoor space at the bow and stern for viewing the glacier when you get there. It was extremely crowded outside and difficult to get good photos. The glacier itself is pretty impressive, but if you have seen others, for example in Alaska, I'm not sure if it is worth the $299 PP we paid for this excursion.

Some ports have both docking and tendering, so you really need to check for your specific cruise, but that is very easy. Go to the web page for the itinerary for your cruise. If it says "Water Shuttle Required" then it is a tender, otherwise you will be docked. For example, here is a random Princess cruise that I looked at the itinerary.

Contrary to what is written above, we just returned from a cruise ending in Argentina, and checked our credit card statement and am very disappointed in the rates. This was a Fidelity Visa card (which has no foreign transaction fee). For all of our charges, the rate was worse than 1.00 USD = 1,000 pessos. For example: 19,195 pessos - We pay $19.60 USD 12,000 pessos - We pay $12.25 USD 3,600 pessos - We pay $3.64 USD So the credit card exchange rate might be dependent on which credit card issuer you use, due to the weirdness with the Argentinian Peso right now. We had less than $200 dollars of total charges so I can't be too upset by it, but if we had spent a few days post cruise including hotels, it could be a large amount. Bottom line, if you are going to spend a lot in Argentina, check with your card's issuing bank to understand the exchange rate you will get.

We actually stayed in San Antonio before a recent cruise. We had a full-day tour of Santiago after our plane landed, and then our guide drove us to San Antonio to our hotel. There is only one hotel worth mentioning in San Antonio, the Enjoy Casino Hotel. The hotel is more like a typical 3-star European hotel....nothing special. However, the view and price is amazing. We had their best room on the 12th floor, which I think they called a junior suite. There are floor to ceiling windows and it was a corner room so we had sweeping views of the town and harbor. We woke up early the next morning to watch our O ship sail into the port, then went back to bed. The price was only $99 USD for the room which we considered an absolute steal (we were worried at first why it was so cheap). You could easily walk to the port terminal from the hotel for embarkation, but we had a lot of luggage so we took a cab. On the other hand, there is nothing to do in San Antonio the night before. We walked along the harbor and looked at all the vendors and fisherman selling there wares, and strolled the adjoining shopping mall. The only place to eat is at the hotel restaurant or the food court at the mall. I would not recommend any of the so-called restaurants in the town. You would definitely not want to stay in San Antonio for more than the one night before the cruise. So staying in San Antonio definitely has some pretty big pros and cons for staying there the night before a cruise. But we would do it again.

In an Oceania Suite and above, in addition to the blue tote bag mentioned above, you get the following: Large cloth zippered Oceania bag. It is filled with all of the following for you to keep: 2 large O beach towels 2 O baseball caps Kit of sunscreen products Our recent cruise was our first O cruise since covid, and we had forgotten about getting all this. We really had a hard time cramming it into our suitcases to take home since it is so large.

We booked our upcoming cruise at the cruise-only fare. This was before Simply More started. Our travel agency is giving us pre-paid gratuities as one of their perks. How does this show up on our Oceania account? I see nothing about it when I look at my account on Oceania's site. I see OBC from being an NCLH stockholder but nothing else. On our other favorite cruise line, TA pre-paid gratuities do show directly on that cruise line's account. Obviously, when I go to my TA's website it shows up, but I want to know if it is supposed to also be on O's account. This is the first time we had TA-provided gratuities on O, so I just don't know.

Those looking for sharing a ride, you probably should ask about that in your cruise's roll call forum. That is a much more targeted audience for those disembarking the same day as you, rather than in this general O forum.

As has been discussed in other threads, the Pinnacle Suite has features that are not available in other cabins and I'm not sure why. Some people claim it is due to the power consumption but that cannot be correct. Electric hair dryers are standard in all cabins and they consume the same amount of power (technically, draw the same amount of current) as things like microwave ovens, toasters, and electric tea kettles that are in the PS on most HAL ships. The only reasons that I can think of why they are prohibited are one of: HAL simply doesn't want to spend the money to provide them in all cabins They think most cabins are too small for them so they only allow them in some suites By limiting these items to a few suites, they limit the risk of a fire

Huh? Specifically which country in Europe are you talking about? Every European country I have been to has a vastly different attitude to tipping than the US and Canada, and I have traveled extensively in western Europe. In most European countries tips are not even expected and if you leave a couple Euros or round up the bill to an even 5 Euros (or pounds or whatever the currency is) the servers are very appreciative. Your comment makes me wonder if you have ever even been to Europe.

You do realize that if you turn off the daily service charge, then on HAL ships (don't know about other lines), the people you give your individual tips to are not permitted to keep them. Instead, they go into the same pool fund for the entire crew. So where the money is going is no different either way. You could obviously decide to give less overall than the daily service charge if you choose, and that is your prerogative (although I disagree with it). Just don't think that your money is going to just those crew members that you believe are giving you great service.

Which public room are you in that isn't crowded? Could be a useful tip for our upcoming cruise.

Wow...so sorry to hear this story. It sounds like the flight was booked with HAL's Flight Ease, although the OP didn't actually use those words. So HAL might indeed be legally on the hook here, since they effectively played the part of a travel agent in booking the flights. I certainly hope this can be resolved and you get all your money refunded without having to get a lawyer involved. I also hope you paid for all of this via your credit card, since a chargeback might work in this case.

@ORVThanks for the great info. We get on Marina on Feb. 14 in San Antonio as you are getting off. Earlier you mentioned O was offering laundry by the bag for $24.95. Was that offer really available while the ship was in Antarctic waters or was that for before you got there? We are in a suite so we get 3 free bags, but that won't be enough and it really complicates things if there is no laundry service or self-serv for 5 days in Antarctica. This is our first cruise that will have both really hot and really cold weather and we are struggling to figure out how all our clothes will fit in a reasonable number of suitcases so being able to get clothes washed on the ship throughout the cruise would help a lot.

You need to tell what category, and even better, the actual room number. Obviously, a suite is going to have several times as many as an inside cabin.

As far as I know that information is still correct from the URL you mention. However, is it really one 27-day cruise, or is two or more segments that you booked as a single cruise (in other words, a B2B)? Single 27-day cruises are pretty rare with O. If it is really two or more segments, then you would get the number of reservations for your class for each of those segments.