Orator

Currently on Viking Neptune. On January 4th I board Oceania Riviera and will see what’s a better fit for us. To this point Viking has been excellent.

My guess is that the importance of officers and crew is based on special relationships you've forged over the years. On Oceania I'm a new cruiser and really don't know anyone. I'm most certain that I will not be treated differently than any other passenger and that's fine. I've cruised more than 110 times over 20 years with another line and I've known many who have risen thought the ranks to their current positions as Captains, HD, RM, and CD. These relationships are important to us and we are treated more than special when we meet them. I've actually taken some cruises just to see special people. We communicated to them during Covid and they were concerned about us.

I booked Crystal through one of their agents. When Crystal declared bankruptcy their agency was closed and agents, including mine terminated. That left no-one to try to work on my behalf. The insurance purchased from a recommended online broker came up with many excuses not to return the money. I learned to only use a TA from a solid company and purchase an insurance policy that gives me protection.

My experience is mainly with Celebrity.The CD is in charge of all the entertainment.Some CDs can influence who the cruise invites to be on their ship. CDs may influence how you feel about the cruise experience. I don’t know the experience on Oceania, but excited to see for myself.

There are always new cruisers and new to Oceania cruisers who ask what to the OP is "the same questions". I am a new to Oceania cruiser who has taken more than 150 cruises on other lines. I still have questions about policies on Oceania that might be the same or different from other lines. If you don't like a question, just ignore. But understand that the question is usually important to the one who asked.

It is.

Booked 7008

I only drink bottled water. Is it free in my cabin or do I need a package?

Thanks to both of you. Real estate is very important on a ship.

Planning my first Oceania cruise and seeking information on what appears to be larger balconies. Would you take one or a conceirge cabin?

Deciding on my first Oceania cruise. It is for 10 days on Riviera and wondering at $300 pp. it will be worth the extra $.

Sometimes you can find a real bargain. Use internet to check prices. DW found a Furla bag for $200 that sold elsewhere for $1000. She also purchased a Bulgari watch for much less than they were selling it at Kirks. I also check eBay for what things actually sold. Check the "art". The prices on the ship are absurd.

The moral is to take a cruise on a ship that has there same shop and return it for a refund or replacement. Any excuse for another cruise is positive.

As soon as you buy "new"it is "used".

Show them the invoice from the cruise. If you don't have it call Celebrity and request the invoice that shows you bought it , where, and the price paid. I expect that they will give you your cash back or a replacement. They accepted my DW's without proof, but she is known to them. I expect that they will request you to get documentation and you should be prepared.

Been on both cruise and you can't go wrong with either. I prefer the itinerary on the Baltic, but the British Isles is a fine cruise. I would look at the ship and when it's going. As said: August might be less desirable and Berlin is a long bus ride from the port. It's just what you prefer and only you know the answer.

Go on another cruise and stop at the shop and show them the item. My DW did that and they offered a refund or replacement.

I was in Blu for the TA on Silhouette and my experience in Blu was truly outstanding. Great meals! The waiter was among the best I've experienced. I wish I could say the same for his assistant. Breakfast service was also excellent. The Maitre 'd was outstanding. The Blu experience varies from cruise to cruise, depending on staff ,so you might want to follow the advice of Cruise a holic to get a less expensive cabin and get a dining package. But I was pleased that I stayed in Aqua Class on my trip.

They will give you printed directions for the move. They usually have a meeting for those who are doing a B2B on the final day. Done it many, many times and you shouldn't be concerned.

On Silhouette TA and most Zeniths were in Suites. I was in Aqua Class so didn't meet them until there end of the cruise. Captain's Club Hostess treated us special and was available to do most of the tasks performed by the Retreat Concierge. It worked out better than I expected, but there was definitely a different feeling that I experienced.

The Beyond Burger served in Blu is plant based and has a lot of salt. Not really healthy. I understand for a former RM that the burger served in Luminae is lamb and not beef based. I could be wrong since you have more Suite experience.

It's good business to comp Blue Chip members since, according to the head of the loyalty program, they cover the cost of the cruise plus. I'm certain that the bean counters at Celebrity based their decisions on the contributions to the bottom line. Others do the same by encouraging people who spend the most to get benefits. That is true in casinos. The more you spend, or lose, the more you get. Park West at one time, perhaps currently, gave free cruisers to heavy spenders.

The growing group of new Zeniths appear to be Blue Chip members who get comp cruises as well as the points. At some point, it might have arrived, the “top cruiser” will be Suite guests who do not pay for the cruise. Have absolutely no problem with this. X can do whatever they want.

Little to no hope of getting a new level. They have been reducing benefits,

I do and it was! My money, my choice. What you decide to do it is up to you. What I decide to do is up to me. Why settle for less than I want? I've been to the specially restaurants many, many times and find the menus insufficient for my taste.