Ph suites on the marina

[DrJW]

Several questions:

 

Why to they refer the PH1, PH2 or PH 3 as 'suites' when it appears from all the photos I have seen that they are just a bigger room with extra seating area and extra window..but still ONE room. [ One room does not make a suite..does it? :rolleyes: ]

 

I've been told that the concierge lounge is small, little comfortable seating avalable and ALWAYS crowded and not much of a value...If ones Butlers in the PH categories can make all the speciality restaurant reservations for us...why do we need a concierge?:confused:

 

Is unpacking and free ironing available in the PH 1-3 categories?

 

Are the speciality restaurants only available for reservations only on a one time basis each cruise?

 

When Marina uses tenders [ we are going on the South America cruise] do they provide free transport to the center of town and return to the dock?

 

From what I can see most of the ports on this sailing..are very close to each other...so either the ship doesnt sail quiickly or just drops anchor at sea..and then proceeds the next day to the next port. True?

 

Lastly, since these cities other than BA are so small...do they tpyically have private taxis at each port offering private excursions for that day?

 

As we all know Oceania excursions are beyond ridiculously costly [ almost 100% more than some private tours !!!:eek:

 

One more question..any suggestions for private transportation from Valparaiso to Santiago....the cost that Ocania quotes is ludricous! :mad:

 

Many thanks for your responses!

 

DrJW

[newbie60]

I can address a few of your questions:

 

A PH suite is exactly what you observe - a very nice, large room w/ seating area. No separate room unless you go to to Oceania Suite or higher. The PH is extremely nice, very comfortable w/ a wonderful walk-in closet.

 

Those in a PH have access to the Executive Lounge - not the Concierge Lounge (they are different). Different people use the lounge for different things - coffee w/ the newspaper, snacks, etc. Personally we don't use it at all.

 

If you rely on your butler to get all your specialty restaurant reservations after you are on board, you will be very disappointed. You need to make your reservations online as soon as your category is available (think it's 75 days prior to boarding for PH). Your butler may be able to secure you additional reservations but you should book all your guaranteed yourself.

 

Depends on the length of your cruise as to how many guaranteed reservations you will get in each restaurant. Only you know the details of your cruise and the information about how many you are entitled to are on the Oceania website.

 

In our experience, Oceania has never provided free shuttles into town, anywhere. We have not been on every cruise, to every port, so this may not be completely accurate - just our experience.

 

The ship will go out and sail around....and around...and around....and dock at the appropriate time the next day.

 

You can nearly always get a taxi at the port (they know the ship is coming in). You should also utilize the roll call for your specific cruise to hook up with other CC people to share private tours.

 

Other's will provide more detail I'm sure.

[dorisis]

Several questions:

 

Why to they refer the PH1, PH2 or PH 3 as 'suites' when it appears from all the photos I have seen that they are just a bigger room with extra seating area and extra window..but still ONE room. [ One room does not make a suite..does it? :rolleyes: ]

 

I've been told that the concierge lounge is small, little comfortable seating avalable and ALWAYS crowded and not much of a value...If ones Butlers in the PH categories can make all the speciality restaurant reservations for us...why do we need a concierge?:confused:

 

Is unpacking and free ironing available in the PH 1-3 categories?

 

Are the speciality restaurants only available for reservations only on a one time basis each cruise?

 

When Marina uses tenders [ we are going on the South America cruise] do they provide free transport to the center of town and return to the dock?

 

From what I can see most of the ports on this sailing..are very close to each other...so either the ship doesnt sail quiickly or just drops anchor at sea..and then proceeds the next day to the next port. True?

 

Lastly, since these cities other than BA are so small...do they tpyically have private taxis at each port offering private excursions for that day?

 

As we all know Oceania excursions are beyond ridiculously costly [ almost 100% more than some private tours !!!:eek:

 

One more question..any suggestions for private transportation from Valparaiso to Santiago....the cost that Ocania quotes is ludricous! :mad:

 

Many thanks for your responses!

 

DrJW

 

Not only are they costly but we have found them to be poorly escorted by some of the onboard lecturers. Not experienced tour guides.

[Mr Luxury]

The separate seating area in the room makes it a suite.

That's how they get away with calling it a suite.

This happens on most lines.

[wiks]

With respect to "shuttle" service, in our experience, we have only seen Oceania provide it in various European ports.

 

Wiks

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[orchestrapal]

The separate seating area in the room makes it a suite.

That's how they get away with calling it a suite.

This happens on most lines.

 

It is now also happening in luxury hotels all over Europe. It always pays to ask if a " real" suite of two rooms is what you want. Suite has become any room larger than a jail cell.;)

[brian_uk]

We had a PH3 11007 on Marina in the Baltic last year and as a result have booked a PH2 for Lima to New York.

 

We were absolutely delighted both with the extra room and the reservation services for Dinner as provided by the Butler.

 

We were not interested in the unpacking service (I have never found anyone who uses it) and the ironing service is minimal. Maybe 2 items per person.

 

We liked the extra balcony space and separate shower in the bathroom.

 

If cost is your criteria, book a cabin or Suite at a price you are comfortable with.

 

We are going on our cruise for 16 nights and have booked our own tours in three places and will see what awaits us elsewhere. Have never known a Port where taxis were unavailable but no doubt someone will correct me (maybe Civitavecchia).

 

Finally we never prebook speciality restaurants and have always found that we can get in most nights somewhere.

 

Brian

[wripro]

Penthouses on Marina and Riviera are superb accommodations. Great bathroom, Great closet (you enter from the center rather than one end and there is a wall each for shoes.)

Yes, it's pone big room but it's spacious and comfortable.

[Andromeda93]

Despite the PH cabins being 'one big room' which is correct, the extra space is extremely welcome if you are going to be in the cabin for a good amount of time. The type of itinerary you are considering might make the difference.

 

On port-intensive itineraries where you have only one sea day, you may rarely be in the room and won't miss the space. On our recent TA cruise which included SIX sea days (two unplanned) we were very glad to have the extra elbow room.

 

No one's mentioned the table and chairs at the foot of the bed in a PH cabin yet, which we thought were really great. We ate breakfast in the cabin every day, delivered by the butler, at this little table. The coffee table that's in the standard cabins and the PH units is really too low to be seated at comfortably; the foot-of-bed table and chairs in the PH were wonderful for breakfasting by comparison.

 

We didn't make use of our butler except to have him bring and set up the breakfast each day - which was not inconsiderable. The walk-in closet was HEAVEN compared to the 'regular' bedside closet.

 

In contrast to Brian_UK, we did make our specialty dining reservations exactly 75 days out, and even so found that some of the best dates/times were already taken. Sea days tend to fill up faster. Whatever cabin category you choose, I HIGHLY recommend making as many reservations as you are permitted ahead of time. We found it was much easier to switch around an existing reservation than to try to get one 'from scratch.' Good luck.

[DOJO466]

Try Leonardo Cuzmar for transport Valpo to Santiago. Email is guideschile@gmail.com. We used him (or his other guide Leo) on three occasions as we stayed on in Santiago. He comes highly recommended.

[Mura]

For fellow cheapskates, when we left NCL's DREAM in January 2002 we spent the first night in Vina del Mar and then took the bus to Santiago. Back then the fare was $5pp. It included a movie on board ... of course, it was in Spanish but it was something to watch. The bus itself was very comfortable.

 

Then we just took a cab to our Santiago hotel.

 

Mura

[Hawaiidan]

Several questions:

 

Why to they refer the PH1, PH2 or PH 3 as 'suites' when it appears from all the photos I have seen that they are just a bigger room with extra seating area and extra window..but still ONE room. [ One room does not make a suite..does it? :rolleyes: ]

 

ITS CALLED MARKETING... FISH ON.

 

I've been told that the concierge lounge is small, little comfortable seating avalable and ALWAYS crowded and not much of a value...If ones Butlers in the PH categories can make all the speciality restaurant reservations for us...why do we need a concierge?:confused:

 

STATUS...ITS SOMETHING YOU CAN JUST AS EASILY DO YOURSELF... NO TRICK I FIND FOR THE MOST PART BUTLERS AND CONCIERGES USELESS AND CAN DO JUST AS GOOD OR BETTER MYSELF WITHOUT GOING THROUGH 3 PEOPLE...

 

Is unpacking and free ironing available in the PH 1-3 categories?

 

I THINK SO....

 

Are the speciality restaurants only available for reservations only on a one time basis each cruise?

 

NO... YOU GET 2 GUARANTEED AT EACH BEFORE THE CRUISE, HOWEVER DURING THE CRUISE YOU CAN BOOK AS MANY MORE AS ARE AVAILABLE..NO LIMIT TO FUTURE REQUESTS

 

When Marina uses tenders [ we are going on the South America cruise] do they provide free transport to the center of town and return to the dock?

 

MOST TIMES NO.. THE PORTS ARE SMALL AND YOU JUST WALK OFF THE PIER OR END OF THE PIER ONLY SAW 1 AT Puerto MADRYN

 

From what I can see most of the ports on this sailing..are very close to each other...so either the ship doesnt sail quiickly or just drops anchor at sea..and then proceeds the next day to the next port. True?

 

THERE WILL BE NO DROPPING ANCHOR AND YOU WILL SAIL SLOWLY, IT IS A LOT FURTHER THAN YOU THINK LIKE mONTIVEDDO TO BUENOS AIRES ON RIO LA PLATA.

 

Lastly, since these cities other than BA are so small...do they tpyically have private taxis at each port offering private excursions for that day?

 

MANY TIME THEY WILL OR HAVE KIOSKS WHERE INDEPENDENT OPERATORS SELL TRIPS WATCH OUT IN BUENOS AIRS AND MONTIVEDO BAD CRIME AND TAXIS AMONG THEM

 

As we all know Oceania excursions are beyond ridiculously costly [ almost 100% more than some private tours !!!:eek: MAKE THAT 200%

 

One more question..any suggestions for private transportation from Valparaiso to Santiago....the cost that Ocania quotes is ludricous! :mad:

YOU CAN ARRANGE WITH YOUR HOTEL IN SANTIAGO TO BE PICKED UP I USED MARRIOTT... ALSO SEARCH FOR SHUTTLES THEY DO IT FOR ABOUT $50 PP US DOLLARS ACCEPTED AND THROW IN A TOUR OF VALPARISO..(NOT WORTH 30 MIN AT MOST..DIRTY ANDVERY RUNDOWN SHACKS ABOUND)

 

Many thanks for your responses!

 

DrJW

 

tOOK A 30 DAY CRUISE LAST YEAR and with few exceptions it was not a sox nocker. Ushuea, Puerto Mott were the standouts as was the fijords. Most disappointing Puerto Madryn, Buenos Aires, montivedo, ...very high crime and stress....

[RetiredFL]

We started out booking inside cabins on Oceania and then moved to a balcony.

Two cruises ago we were upgraded to a Penthouse which was a smart move on Oceania's part as we will not book anything else on future cruises unless we have to.

The extra space and seating for those days when we are both in the cabin makes it much more comfortable. The shower over tub is a great pleasure.

We also indulged in breakfast in the cabin most days and it was a wonderful treat.

We have not been in a Marina Penthouse as yet, but have one booked for the future. I suspect we will be very pleases especially as it is a transatlantic with a few sea days.

[DrJW]

why Puerto Madryn a disappointment? Also,where did you stay in BA that was such a high crime area. Everything I read says that the revitalized port area..is most safe...all night long!

"Ushuea, Puerto Mott were standouts'..Did you use private tours? Which ones? Thanks for reply!

[terry&mike]

Hubby and I spent 5 days over Christmas last year in BA, and loved the city, the energy, the food.

[orchestrapal]

Hubby and I spent 5 days over Christmas last year in BA, and loved the city, the energy, the food.

 

We have also spent a week in BA, never felt unsafe and loved the people,the food and especially the music.

[Tutuma]

Second vote for Leonardo Cuzman...he is terrific!