mauibabes

@Torquer I saw this trip advertised and it is 27 days. It was a new release by Oceania about 2-3 weeks ago and announced in a Press Release about 4 new cruise offerings. Mauibabes

If I recall on a couple of our 20 plus day cruises, you get one reservation in each restaurant IN ADVANCE. You ARE eligible for three but the second and third round of reservations are made when on board Riviera. By the way, Do Not waste one of your Specialty Allocations for the first night because when you board in Barcelona, head straight to the Deck 5 Reservation Desk and the Staffer will give you any available restaurant reservation because there is NORMALLY a lot of availability in the Specialties that night. Depending on your Stateroom Category, you may pick up many more reservations based on availability and a willingness to share a table and dinner time flexibility. FYI, if in a PH or other Suites, your Butler can provide you with Course by Course Room Service from any of the Specialties. If you can’t get enough, you can always book an evening in Privee or La Reserve to assuage your pallet. We will be on the cruise before yours so we will make sure there are a few of our favorites left for you. Here you go with a few suggestions: Duck and Watermelon salad, Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass, DW loves her Teriyaki Beef (aka Filet Mignon), the Rack of Lamb in Red Ginger, anything from the Oil and Vinegar cart in Toscana and bread basket, Gramma’s Lasagne Bolognese, Dover Sole filleted at your table anywhere, the Sea Bass in a Philo dough for two, French Onion soup or Pumpkin soup in Jacques, and the BEAT GOES ON! It will be a tough 27 days but you can handle it 🙏🤞 Mauibabes

We were in 11073 on Vista, Miami to LA so we had the extended veranda and it was great. We did hear a bit of TV noise from 11071 but then our TV was on the same wall so perhaps they heard ours. It was not an issue however. The noise you will hear in 11071 or 11073 will be from your Room Stewards because their entrance to the Hallway is directly across from our doorways. They have to park their supply carts somewhere and for our trip it spent a lot of time between our rooms. Believe me, they did try to keep things as quiet as possible but anytime the crew had to enter the hallway, if you are noise sensitive, it might bother you. By far, the WORST room for noise, which was from above, was on Riviera, 11065 because it is below the below the doorways from the Terrace Cafe and Waves. The automatic doors can be noisy at 2:00 a.m. 🤬, especially if you are a light sleeper. Nothing is perfect and stuff happens so do your best to enjoy yourselves because the crews work very hard to make your trip a fantastic experience. Mauibabes

@Denverbri69 Look at the Deck Plans and what is above or below you in the PH1 or 2. Deck 11 can be under the pool deck or under the Terrace Cafe, or possibly under the Artists Loft or Cullinary Center if on Marina or Riviera. Be aware of what is above you, if for nothing more than noise. If your DW has motion issues, there are meds and bands, etc. to be used. Your best bet is probably as close to midship as possible. Most recently we were on Marina in Antarctica and sailed the Falklands and Drakes Passage and we had the 20-25+ foot waves and we were fine. Bounced off some walls walking the halls but no motion sickness. Our rooms were usually between the Forward and Aft elevators/stairwells. My DW will always sit in restaurants with her back to the windows so she is not seeing the waves at eye level which cause her to have remembrances of 50 mph winds and 40’ waves in an R Class ship GDR in the Shetland Islands. Go and ENJOY, Mauibabes

On O you will NOT be above a smoking area, there are no rooms there unless you might be in an Oceania Suite. Spend a little time looking as the Deck Plans on line, the floor your are interested in, the floor above and below to see how it all looks. We had a terrible PH room once, under the entrances to the Terrace Cafe and Waves. The doors open and close constantly during the night as staff are preparing for the day. Riviera , 11065, Bad because my DW is a LIGHT sleeper 🤬. Pay attention to the side of the ship you might prefer, traveling south or north or you want to see land and entrances to the ports, or what your view might be. Remember, food is to the back for the most part, Concierge and Executive Lounges are forward, locations of stairways and elevators and whether you might be concerned about foot traffic, also the location and entrance to the Laundry Rooms which are forward. If your TA has sailed the ship or the Oceania Rep, ask for their opinions. If you are a DIYer and settling in on a specific room option, share it on the Board and I am sure you will get many “free” opinions. 😇🤞 Just Enjoy, Mauibabes

How does the price compare with a Marina Antarctic cruise that does sail byes? I am sure there is a huge difference in the number of guests aboard the two ships. We were on Marina last January and a friend on Seabourn and she felt the food and service was pretty comparable. Expedition cruises are different so you definitely had a great trip. So glad you enjoyed it, we loved our sail by trip and were not up to an expedition sailing. Mauibabes

If I may suggest, this is an easy answer. If I am in the GDR line and the couple ahead of us is chatty or answers the Maitre d in an audible voice their overheard room number when checking in could easily say Veranda or Concierge Veranda. The PH guest could also have had a two top reservation and that was why there was none available for the Veranda guests. Again, MHO. Now my two cents about the value of the Concierge Veranda category. We were on Marina years ago in the Med, preparing to visit Sorrento/Positano the next morning. The Captain announced weather was an issue and we would be docking in Naples. Oh “S….” as there were about 6 of us and we had a Private Tour booked. Hundreds of panicked guests descended on Destinations and we just walked into the Concierge Lounge and one of the two Concierge’s picked up a phone and called our Tour provider and rearranged our schedule for a Naples pick up. We were done and off to dinner in 10 minutes and when we finished dinner hours later we went by Destinations and there was still a long line of guests. From that day on, we have NEVER booked less than Concierge level. We have always gotten value from the Concierge’s for a myriad of requests, even Specialty dining, on past cruises. IMHO, it is always worth the couple hundred dollars extra to always get the needed assistance in a timely manner. I don’t do frustration well 😇👍. OK, that’s my story and I am sticking to it. Mauibabes

Did you add in the additional cost for two additional days, probably about $400 per day depending on Category. 4% for a cruise a year later is probably a good inflation hedge, especially based on oil costs and issues in the Middle East. JMHO 😇👍🤞. Mauibabes

While there is no La Reserve on Vista, the Wine Pairing La Reserve gourmet dinners are served in Privee and is limited to 8-10 as I recall. My last recollection is the price was about $195 and the Dom Perignon paired dinners about $375. There are private wine pairing dinners offered in Polo, Toscana and Red Ginger but did not see a semi-private room in Ember. these dinners were in the $100 range I believe. We did a Culinary Class and there is a room off the work area where we were told they offer or may be offering wine pairing or tastings but don’t hold me to this. You better confirm with your TA or directly with Oceania Special Services. I am sure there are CC posters currently on Vista who may read your post and provide an answer with more specific details. Mauibabes

Gary, You may be disappointed then, I think it is more of a nicely appointed area for smokers to go but I do not recall it being the Cigar Lounge as you described. It is a nice room and for the non smokers and those really effected by the walk past the normal smoking areas on the other ships in Horizons and starboard forward of the pool deck, the double glass doors helps a lot. DW has major issues with smoke and since there is only one way into Horizons on Vista and possibly on Allura, those doors are a GOD SEND. Mauibabes

And there are double glass doors to enter that Smoking Lounge. Mauibabes

I prefer a long sleeve button down shirt because if the restaurant is a bit cool, you might be more comfortable with sleeves. I can get multiple wearings out of a nicely pressed LS shirt and change it up by wearing a sweater vest another night or maybe a sweater if the restaurants have proven to be chillier than I remember. Consider the itinerary and the outside temperatures because that can impact the restaurants temperatures. It can also depend on the ship as on Vista on our Panama Canal trip, it was always cool in the public areas and occasionally in the Specialties. Everyone’s temperatures are different so do what makes you comfortable. Since we started sailing on Oceania over 15 years ago, I only brought along a sports coat once because we had been invited to dinner with an Oceania Executive while on the Vista Friends and Family cruise. No ties necessary but if that is what makes you feel properly dressed in a fine restaurant, by all means do “your” own thing. If my DW is dressed up, bling and all, there is no way she is going to let me accompany her in a golf shirt. Again, Happy Wife, Happy Life. Enjoy you cruise. Mauibabes

ORV, We had hot breakfasts on Vista in October but then we were in a PH. We all know, everything is subject to change especially as the cruise lines search for more revenue to pay off debt. Mauibabes

We travel with friends and they have a wine suitcase, holds 12 bottles. We take it on every trip and I fill half and they the other. It is for our fine dining experiences and bringing 6-12 aboard is not an issue. They are not going to confiscate your wine like other lines, and at each port you could bring on a bag with more wine or alcohol or beer, no issues. No one is counting. You are in Florida so it should be no big issue to load up a suitcase and carry it aboard yourself and drop it in your room first thing. Changing rooms, also no big deal, just load your bottles in a suitcase and your Stewards or Butler will move them to your new room. The published limit of 6 is the “party line” but it means nothing, take what you need and add to it along the way. All that is asked is that you drink your wine/alcohol/beer in your room and if you are taking wine to dinner, please pay the $25 Corkage Fee (even if screw top 🤪) so that we do not lose that privilege. Even if you are covered by SM, taking your own favorite wine can be quite a benefit and enjoyable. For us, taking a favorite $40-80 bottle from home ( we catch 30%+ off sales) is like drinking the $125 and UP wine on board. Just ENJOY. Mauibabes.

@PSahoy While that menu may not have had “hot” breakfast items, it would depend on your Stateroom level. Our last trip in a PH, DW had her Eggs Benedict and I an omelette. All delivered within minutes of the time window requested and hot. RS is a no charge item but my understanding is that tips are appreciated because the staff are not included in the daily Gratuity allocation. Enjoy, Mauibabes

@clojacks Yes, AF back in 71-74. The ANG unit was there and also a AF Reserve unit in the Twin Cities. We know your home area quite well. When we reported in on July 3, we wondered why the heat was on in the Visitors Quarters. By the morning of the 4th, we fully understood 🤪🙏. But at least it did not snow that night. I recall the A&W along the shore of Lake Superior had a sign that highlighted the arrival of Summer, all one day of it in July. Enjoy your cruise. Mauibabes

You read the “party line” Oceania OBBooking statement but what I find very helpful is being able to sit down and chat with the Ambassador, get their perspective on the cruise, what room location to select, stateroom category, and what your proper expectations should be and then add the cost benefits. Sometimes they may even have some extra dollars included in their OB promotion. They do have sales goals to meet 😇 so Miami could be adding extra for the sailing. Remember, 30 days prior to sailing you can also book and get the On Board Booking Discount and amenities. Sometimes the Representatives have not been able to make the booking system work with the discounts so we just visit with the Ambassador to ensure we have everything properly in place. Yes, there is that new pesky $150 Cancellation Fee but at least the OBB does allow for one free swap to a different cruise w/o a penalty. I personally like having a Future Cruise Certificate available that I can use if the Cancellation Fee is a concern. Just Enjoy yourselves. Mauibabes

A stocked refrigerator too and if there is a favorite soft drink or mixer you prefer, ask your TA or O directly if it can be provided. Coke products are the contract drinks but anything else can be provided if requested. If in a PH or other Suites, every day you can select from a “snack” menu of appetizers delivered, from veggies to nuts to chocolate covered strawberries and of course there is 24/7 Room Service included. You may also have numerous bottles of alcohol in the big suites. Need flower arrangements, they can be provided on sailing but $ extra. Depending on your Stateroom category, your Room Service could be from the GDR or from the Specialty Restaurants, served course by course by your Butler. They do aim to please 😇. Enjoy, Mauibabes

@clojacks Every night is SPECIAL. We have found when new friends join us on a cruise, there just isn’t enough meals to be eaten to taste all the delicious presentations and I am not talking just dinners. We have one friend we call”Lobsterman” and he eats Lobster Every Dinner, no matter where they are dining. He says Jacques is his FAVORITE. if you are on Marina, Riviera or Vista, you will have Red Ginger to dine in and my personal FAVORITE. You must try the Duck and Watermelon Salad, the Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass and if you like Rack of Lamb, the best served on the ship is in RG. I get the Sea Bass, DW gets Teriyaki Beef, aka Filet Mignon, and we order the small rack for the table to share as a taster. So many other favorites there too so everyone has something different. Toscana, the Olive Oil and Balsamic cart full of options to supplement the wonderful bread basket is Special too. Try DW’s favorite, the Lasagne Bolognese, Grandma’s recipe that we have been eating for over 15 years ❤️. Bottom line, just go and enjoy. Northern Minnesota huh, we spent 3 years in the service in Duluth. Mauibabes

Major DITTO on the Soufflé of the Day. We were on Riviera after Covid when they rolled out the “daily” and had dinner with the F and B Director and she ensured we tried MANY of them. OMG, and it is January 24, hopefully you will not have to wait for 25. Enjoy, Mauibabes

IMHO, If you see a Suite and it is available, GRAB IT and forget “hoping” for a Sale. There are too few of the Oceania Suites, 14 as I recall so “Feeling Lucky”, then wait. we were on one X cruise in Aqua Class so that goes way back. At that time it was no comparison to our experience on Oceania so it was a one and done for us. In October 2022 we did a TAUCK trip that sailed on Ponant’s Le Bellot. Small ship, great service but the cuisine and dining options were miles apart from Oceania. When we were asked to compare P to O, there was NO comparison. Basically GDR dining with three entire menu items was beyond lacking, especially with a DW who does not eat sea food nor Vegetarian meals. It was like C+ or B- cuisine against the A of Oceania. That is not to say O is always an A but there is tremendous variety, the quality level did not compare and the P French Chefs were like apprentices compared to Oceania’s Executive Chef’s. You will love your trip and Oceania experience. Go Oceania Suite 😇👍🛳️🥂 Mauibabes

@Jim_Iain, Congratulations on your defection 😇, you are definitely not alone, LOTS of X Refugees on this Board. We have only sailed Concierge, Penthouse and Oceania Suites on an O Class ship and Vista is no different. We have visited with friends in Vista and Owners Suites but never stayed in them. For my 💰 I would go for the Oceania Suite. If none were available I would take a PH and Waitlist an Oceania Suite and hope by the Final Payment date something opens up. Make sure you are working with a good, Oceania Connoisseur Club connected TA and let them do the rest. We just booked a November 4 cruise on Riviera, Rome to Barcelona and went for the PH based on availability. Rooms are 440 sq. ft., great Butler service and more than adequate. Since I have no basis of comparison with your past accommodations on X and RoyalI can only share my experience and opinions. IMHO, You are making a good move to O and Vista is an amazing new ship. While you are looking around, take a look at future cruise opportunities for Allura when she debuts in 2025. Vista’s sister but with even more enhancements. We have sailed Vista twice and exceptional, again, IMHO. Welcome to the O family. Mauibabes

I am sure the simple answer is yes. However, in our case and that of friends with us, there was always a butt in a chair, even when we swapped out for lunch or potty break. We often shared with a caveat that a returnee had priority. Lots of photo ops for anyone and everyone from those front windows. Just hope they are all cleaned for good picture taking. You bet, the front facing camera will always be a great site source but it is always great to see things first hand. Enjoy, Mauibabes

We made the Miami to LA transit in October and planted ourselves in the front chairs of Horizons and it was great. Remember, the transit will take all day so you can even move around the ship to catch different viewing sites. I don’t know what your weather is like or will be like so that is a factor to consider. For us it was HOT AND HUMID so staying put in the air conditioning was #1 for me. The lecturer will be making their presentation and there will be quiet times as well. Really you are free to go anywhere you would like, even some time possibly outdoors in the Terrace Cafe could be interesting. Enjoy the transit, it was great. Mauibabes

Wherever you are, remember, it is 12:00 a.m. EST, aka Miami. It was really great when we were sitting on the lanai in Maui about 6:00 p.m. and making dinner reservations. Did not lose any sleep on those reservations. Sharing reservations are always easier to get than two tops but whatever you want, go for them. Mauibabes