mauibabes

@palakika 🤬Autocorrect, sorry Francie Mauibabes

@palakika Francine, You still receive the same great Oceania cruise experience as any other guest. You get the Amenities for a Concierge Veranda at a reduced rate but the room is designed for a single occupant. When I visited a friend in the room, I made the personal decision that it was not for me and that was why I suggested booking a lesser level Veranda for the additional space, IF stateroom space is an issue for anyone. Enjoy your cruise, wherever it takes you. Mauibabes

We have done a couple of Vista trips as well, both in PH’s. I am sure we might have heard some muffled noise from an adjacent room but nothing that would keep either of us awake and my DW is a VERY Light sleeper. We fortunately missed all the Oh dark 30 a.m. TV programs, loud talking or Screaming Matches that some posters have commented about. I just take along some ear plugs and plug in my CPAP machine and doze off, much to my DW’s chagrin. All I can say is plan ahead and if you need white noise or other RX’s to help your sleep, bring them along. Enjoy, Mauibabes

@ppanyan Misspoke a bit. We had no problem with the PH-3 stateroom and it really turned into a great location. Pop up to the Lounge, Artists Loft, Horizons, Spa, and an easy walk to the upper deck and a breathe of fresh air on my way to Baristas. Best thing since it is forward of the elevator, there is virtually no people traffic and the only ones who walk bye are those even closer to the front of Deck 10. ENJOY Mauibabes

I check in with an Oceania Rep routinely asking about the specific classes and their availability. Yes you can go through Manage Your Booking but I like to chat and make a friend in Miami. 😇👍 You never know when you might hear a tidbit about class opening dates. Mauibabes

We have been on Marina and Riviera and Vista forward of the elevators and there were no issues for us. My guess is that it is an issue of there has to be a place for PH 2 and 3’s to end and start. 3’s are for those PH’s farthest forward and aft. If you do not have any issues with the motion of the ocean, just enjoy a few hundred dollar savings and enjoy your cruise. We certainly did not. Mauibabes

We have always found a pull out line in every bathroom shower/tub we have been on when sailing O. You do not need magnetic hooks to hang under garments on. Mauibabes

Not available to Book I believe. The Unlimited Collection was available before the Simply More Program started in October. In past years we did purchase the Unlimited Collection a couple of times but most often when you crunched the numbers, the YW Program provided the best bang for the buck. The YW Discount of 25% appears to be the best way to maximize the value of the SM Excursion Credit when coupled with additional ship excursions. Combining these programs with some Private Tours can produce some great values. JMHO. Mauibabes

I recall the Laundry opened/unlocked at 7:30 officially. Liquid Soap is provided but if you normally use dryer sheets, bring some along with you in your luggage. Don’t send delicates or special clothing out in your bag. We use the bag as needed but normally do our own. Just drop in before heading to breakfast and then make a dash back to the Laundry to put them in the dryer and the load is done soon after we have finished breakfast, wherever we have eaten and of course a little extra time in Barista’s. The Laundry was often a great place to meet and chat with new members of our Oceania family. There are normally three washers and dryers, stacked in the Laundry. Enjoy your cruise. Mauibabes

Wow, in 17 years sailing O, we have never experienced an Across the Board price increase. Usually increases are Itinerary specific. Why raise the prices on Itineraries that are not selling out? We have heard there is the usual quarterly price increase coming so we will have to see how much it turns out to be. Mauibabes

@Sthrngary Et al, Here are a couple ideas. When on Riviera, DW loves the Artists Loft with Graham Denison so if you are sailing with he and Shuna, join his art class. Lots of fun and great people and we have even purchased something he did custom for us. Had dinner with them and some other Artists in the GDR, what a blast. IF you can book Privee for a private special dinner, go for it. So far our upcoming Riviera trip, Privee is not being offered yet, costs $300 for the night but great fun for us and friends and even invited the CD or Club Ambassadors or an officer to fill out the table for 10. Very enjoyable, especially if celebrating a SPECIAL Occasion. On Vista, Privee is where the La Reserve/Dom dinners are served so limited to 8-10. There are private dining rooms in Polo, Toscana and Red Ginger that are tied to Wine Pairing dinners for about 8 guests. We have not been able to book one of these yet but hope to soon. We did get an invite from the GM on Vista and dined in the Polo private dining room and had a wonderful dinner with him and his invited guests. Thanks for the Butler letter idea, we usually have a chat but the letter eliminates all my, “I forgot” excuses to my DW. Also, traveled with friends, she LOVED Polo’s Key Lime Pie. Hubby won points, had a Key Lime Pie delivered every night at 9:00 😇👍🙏❤️. ENJOY, Mauibabes

Maybe I should have said that yesterday’s pricing is irrelevant but “Sales are Good”! They have to continue to put people in staterooms so they need the Sales to focus interest on these slow moving itineraries. We definitely need those Cruise Bargain teasers to stimulate interest. 😇👍🛳️ Enjoy the Hunt! Mauibabes

@Sthrngary I loved the way you shared your thoughts on the sport of bargain hunting. We all catch a bargain now and then and we revel in our accomplishments. We have been sailing on O for quite awhile and what we paid in the “Old” days bears no relationship to today. Cruises Pre Covid, 2021, 2022, 2023, FCC, Canceled cruise credit, and the beat goes on but that was YESTERDAY. I remember an “Old” Chad and Jeremy song with the line, “That was yesterday and yesterday’s GONE”. Todays and Tomorrow’s cruise pricing, packages, Amenities, Deals, Sales, et al, is all that is relevant. The Cruise lines, for purposes of this Board, Oceania/NCLH, weathered Covid, Shut down of operations, A Financial Hurricane that left them with MASSIVE DEBT, Equipment shortages, supply shortages, staffing shortages, knowledge and experience shortages of employees at all levels and we too are weathering the remnants of that Mother of all Storms as cruisers on a line we happen to enjoy. I AGREE with you 100%, a Bargain price is not what makes a great cruise. Traveling with family and friends and staff that makes us feel valued is far more important than that Bargain price. OK, hopefully no one misinterprets my comments as I focus OUR travels on what today brings so I will “Drop the Mic”. Yesterday’s gone and with that, I love your closing line, so Cruise well and enjoy every moment! Mauibabes

We have not had much luck with Alaska whale watches, over three trips and in July, August and September. . We just got back from Maui and the Humpbacks are over there (well over 1,000) delivering calf’s. They leave Alaska and head 2000 miles to the warm weather birthing grounds in Mexico and Hawaii. Do a little more research about whales in Alaska in September. Orcas and other whales may still be there in sufficient quantity. The Humpbacks in Maui are pretty spectacular and the weather is A LOT BETTER. Mauibabes

I could not get magnets to stick on the walls and we were in PH’s on both Vista cruises. I found the front door to be the best for placing magnetic clips. Mauibabes

@skinny1 if you are flying from Seattle to CPT, ABSOLUTELY you should fly in early, even more than one day. That is a significant series of flights and lots of opportunities for failure, especially in Europe. When we were booked on a similar CPT cruise, we were flying in up to a week early to: get some sleep, see some of the Winelands, insider a Safari or other Pre cruise tour opportunities. Also, on our last trip into Europe in May, the airline dropped our flight and wanted to fly us in hours before we were to sail. NO WAY! We were fortunate to be able to get a flight another day early and it all worked out for the best. IMHO, I won’t even chance flying across the US for a same day Embarkation, and that includes Miami. Too much anxiety when Mother Nature teases the airlines 🤪 and trashes all their schedules because you will be the loser. Hotel options, there are lots in CPT. You could even consider booking into the Oceania contract hotel and try to get a transfer to the port with the guests that have been on a Pre tour or just an early overnight arrival. Sometimes that can be accomplished with Tour staff at the hotel the day before Embarkation. Smiles and pleading work wonders😇🙏👍 Enjoy your trip. Mauibabes

@DebandBrian You go girl! 😇👍 Glad you took that leap and made your own decisions. I find all the “ comparison shopping”a challenging process because there are no apples to compare to apples with cruise lines, maybe apples to oranges. What is included, what is not in the calculation. Cruise fare but what about flights, insurance, excursions, Specialty dining, and the list of inclusions can go on. I guess I take a more simplistic route, I love sale prices but once we select a specific cruise, select the room we are satisfied with and if the number fits, we book. When we have booked any future trips on board Oceania, they come with a Best Price Guarantee so we pay attention and enjoy our trip planning. So Deb, I am sure you will LOVE your first cruise Sooo, when you are aboard, sit down with the Club Ambassador and book a future cruise that provides discounts and Amenities and the Best Price Guarantee. You get to swap it one time for a different cruise without the $150 pp Fee so don’t be concerned if you change your mind or something comes up. Again, Congratulations on your Upgrade and your Amazing adventures. We did your similar cruise, Awesome. Mauibabes

@DebandBrian Congratulations and that is one heck of a 🎂 present. You made a great decision and we will all be interested in your Post on this Board when you return from your cruise. We want to hear the rest of the story. 😇👍 We have done the Great Britain cruise on an R ship and sailed in and out of Southampton on O Class ships and you are definitely in for a treat. So glad your TA came thru for you. Now you can start planning for your Specialty dinner nights. Definitely read @Sthrngary treatise on maxing your Oceania experience, Gary did an amazing job. Lots of other references to absorb to prepare you for what is to come. Enjoy, Mauibabes

You absolutely can get additional reservations, it is always based on AVAILABILITY. Also, don’t waste a reservation on Embarkation Day unless you have a specific need. It is historically a light night for reservations in all the Specialty restaurants so just go to the Reservation Desk on Deck 5 when you board and ask for any restaurant availability. If you are flexible, you should have no problem getting one that night AND if does not count against your allocation. Enjoy, Mauibabes

We had a PH with an extended veranda on Vista in October and we absolutely had lounges. I would definitely book them again. Mauibabes

And we Americans have the audacity to complain about prices. Just kidding. We are fortunate and know a good thing when we see it. Mauibabes

Opens at 7:30 a.m.

You will have some laundry room traffic but not too bad since only 12 days. Go ahead and grab it and put your name on a Waitlist for a PH 2 or 1 in a better mid ship location. You ca’t WL a 3 because you would be in a 3. Try a Scopalomine patch if you are concerned about the motion of the ocean. have a FABULOUS tirst Oceania adventure. Remember your Butler can serve you Course by Course Room Service Dinners from any Specialty restaurant. Mauibabes

The answers to your questions can be Yes or Maybe or it could even go up with a price increase. I am guessing you will be in the Mediterranean, early in the season. Have you talked to your Agent or Oceania Reservations Rep to see what PH’s and locations are available? Once you know your options I think you can make that final decision. The trip is a milestone and you suggest you could/would do it. All I have learned over the last 50 years, Happy Wife, Happy Life. Marina will be positively beautiful with her updates and life in a PH with your 50% more space, Butler, early access to Specialty Dinner reservations, etc., why not because it is YOUR decision. We have sailed Marina and Riviera many times in PH’s and you will love it. IMHO, go for the gusto and don’t look back 😇👍❤️ Mauibabes