Do we want to upgrade to an A3 GTY

[Iamthesea]

We are first time Oceania cruisers. We have booked a B Veranda stateroom. We can upgrade to a Concierge for $700 more, total. However, this is a GTY stateroom category.

 

Is the upgrade really worth it? Yes, the Spa Terrace would be nice (it's a Caribbean cruise) and the free Internet will be really nice. ;) But... is the extra cost worth the upgrades and not knowing what stateroom we will end up with? The Suites are all on Waitlist, so the possibilities of getting one of those is near to zero.

 

Question: In a standard Veranda, can I use my own Ipad to connect to the Internet in the stateroom, or do I have to go to the Internet Café? I realize there will be a cost, versus no cost in a Concierge stateroom with a complimentary Laptop or Ipad. And even with those, could I use my own Ipad instead?

 

While I am asking questions, what do the majority of women wear in the evenings? Today I watched a video of the Riviera. The women are all dressed in cocktail dresses, high heels and pearls.

 

I do not wear dresses or high heels. In the evenings on our past cruises, I wear nice dressy jackets or tops, and slacks. Will I feel out of place?

[Travelcat2]

Generally, when upsell offers go out, you need to accept immediately or else someone else will pick it up. They are sold on a first come - first served basis. Your TA should be able to tell you the cabin that you will be in. I have not heard of an upsell to a "guarantee" cabin but I suppose it exists. In cases like this, we depend heavily upon our TA.

[Mura]

I wouldn't worry about the videos showing women in heels and cocktail dressses, etc. I haven't worn heels since my knee surgery 10 years ago. I do have a low-heeled sandal that I wear to dinner (as opposed to my Mephisto walking shoes!) but you shouldn't need to feel it necessary to match the videos in your attire. Country club casual MAY mean long skirts but they are of the casual variety.

 

I often wear palazzo pants with a dressy top and do NOT feel out of place at all.

 

You CAN connect your laptop or tablet to the internet in your room. Some locations seem to be slower than others, but we've been all over the ship in various rooms (on all of the ships except for Riviera) and haven't noticed a real problem. I NEVER go to the internet cafe to go on line.

 

Also, I never use the Oceania-provided laptop. It's useless for most purposes. It doesn't sound like you'll be in a room that provides one, but I'm not positive about that.

 

Mura

[CintiPam]

I personally never would accept an upsell without knowing the exact cabin location. I prefer mid-ships and lower decks because I am not a great sailor; the extra set of elevators fore is very handy over aft; I feel engine vibrations more aft; cabin is exact same size, etc.

 

Do not know the answer regarding iPad.

 

Regarding dress, woman definitely dress up far less on the Caribbean itineraries. Rarely see high heels, particularly in view of the demographic. I wear black or white slacks to every dinner with some dressy tops. I do not bring any cocktail dresses. However, I love my pearls and do often wear them at dinner! ;)

Edited January 21, 2016 by CintiPam

[Iamthesea]

Generally, when upsell offers go out, you need to accept immediately or else someone else will pick it up. They are sold on a first come - first served basis. Your TA should be able to tell you the cabin that you will be in. I have not heard of an upsell to a "guarantee" cabin but I suppose it exists. In cases like this, we depend heavily upon our TA.

 

This is NOT an Upsell. We would be doing the upgrade ourselves at the going rate. Perhaps I should call my TA and ask if Oceania would offer us a better deal, though. :cool:

 

I wouldn't worry about the videos showing women in heels and cocktail dressses, etc. I haven't worn heels since my knee surgery 10 years ago. I do have a low-heeled sandal that I wear to dinner (as opposed to my Mephisto walking shoes!) but you shouldn't need to feel it necessary to match the videos in your attire. Country club casual MAY mean long skirts but they are of the casual variety.

 

I often wear palazzo pants with a dressy top and do NOT feel out of place at all.

 

You CAN connect your laptop or tablet to the internet in your room. Some locations seem to be slower than others, but we've been all over the ship in various rooms (on all of the ships except for Riviera) and haven't noticed a real problem. I NEVER go to the internet cafe to go on line.

 

Also, I never use the Oceania-provided laptop. It's useless for most purposes. It doesn't sound like you'll be in a room that provides one, but I'm not positive about that.

 

Mura

 

I wear nice sandals, too. My Palazzo pants were going to be left at home because I thought they were a little dressy and usually what I wear on formal nights on Celebrity...with slightly higher heels (which I hate!) than my sandals. Perhaps I should bring them afterall?

 

CintiPam- Regarding dress, woman definitely dress up far less on the Caribbean itineraries. Rarely see high heels, particularly in view of the demographic. I wear black or white slacks to every dinner with some dressy tops. I do not bring any cocktail dresses. However, I love my pearls and do often wear them at dinner!

 

Sounds the same as my apparel. I feel better. ;) I have pearls, but have never taken my good jewelry on a cruise.

 

And thank you all for the Internet question. I thought if I had to go to the internet Café to do my correspondence and surfing, that the package definitely was not worth the upgrade price. And the description did say that a laptop is provided in the room and that an Ipad is available, though I have my own. Oh, and it's only 300 free minutes, which is plenty. I usually get 180 minutes on Celebrity and that has proven plenty for a 10 day cruise.

[Iamthesea]

Will they talk to me about an Upsell if my cruise was transferred to a big box TA?

[rallydave]

Will they talk to me about an Upsell if my cruise was transferred to a big box TA?

 

No, once in the hands of any TA, they will only talk thru the TA to you. You can't talk to O regarding changing your cabin or seeing if you can get an upsell.

[Iamthesea]

Thanks! I was going to call Oceania and get the drink package added. As long as I am calling, I might as well ask anyway. ;)

[Iamthesea]

Been sick, and we have had the SNOW issues, so we have not yet decided what to do about upgrading ourselves. :confused: But have to tell you that the spa deck is sounding better and better with this weeks weather and the way I have felt. :D

 

I have another question. And I may have asked this already on another thread, but cannot remember the answer. :o Are the bathrobes thick or thin waffle type? If thick Freite, can I request a thinner BR?

[tropicalkerry2002]

THICK and HOT!

Don't know if they have others.

[cruisingxpert]

Been sick, and we have had the SNOW issues, so we have not yet decided what to do about upgrading ourselves. :confused: But have to tell you that the spa deck is sounding better and better with this weeks weather and the way I have felt. :D

 

I have another question. And I may have asked this already on another thread, but cannot remember the answer. :o Are the bathrobes thick or thin waffle type? If thick Freite, can I request a thinner BR?

 

As Tropicalkerry said, they are thick - I don't think they have lighter ones. Owners suites might have something else.

 

As far as upsell to A3 or any Concierge cabins, they are now showing waitlist in all categories except B1 and B2. Bet they would make you an offer to move to another date. You could probably get a no cost increase to a Concierge or even maybe a Penthouse if you moved to our March 3rd date. It still seems pretty wide open. I saw some posts on the previous roll calls about move over offers.

[Iamthesea]

LOL I was feeling so bad (head cold) yesterday, that I don't even remember posting this. I do remember writing it, but then decided to go back and see if I had already asked the "robe" question...and I had! :D Thought I deleted the post. ;)

 

Guess we will be happy with our extended balcony, then. ;)

 

As to moving to the next cruise, we booked our own air, so unless we have a weather delay, it's going to be the 2/12 cruise. We picked it for the itinerary. :)

[Flatbush Flyer]

We are first time Oceania cruisers. We have booked a B Veranda stateroom. We can upgrade to a Concierge for $700 more, total. However, this is a GTY stateroom category.

 

 

 

Is the upgrade really worth it? Yes, the Spa Terrace would be nice (it's a Caribbean cruise) and the free Internet will be really nice. ;) But... is the extra cost worth the upgrades and not knowing what stateroom we will end up with? The Suites are all on Waitlist, so the possibilities of getting one of those is near to zero.

 

 

 

Question: In a standard Veranda, can I use my own Ipad to connect to the Internet in the stateroom, or do I have to go to the Internet Café? I realize there will be a cost, versus no cost in a Concierge stateroom with a complimentary Laptop or Ipad. And even with those, could I use my own Ipad instead?

 

 

 

While I am asking questions, what do the majority of women wear in the evenings? Today I watched a video of the Riviera. The women are all dressed in cocktail dresses, high heels and pearls.

 

 

 

I do not wear dresses or high heels. In the evenings on our past cruises, I wear nice dressy jackets or tops, and slacks. Will I feel out of place?

 

 

O Life gives everyone free internet (one account per stateroom). Use any device you want -just one connection at a time. If you're on Riviera or Marina, try to get a B3 extended veranda cabin. Twice the balcony at less cost than concierge level (which really only gets you extra pre-cruise dining reservations-we were just on Marina in B3 and ate in specialty restaurants 8 of 18 nights (our choice not to seek additional reservations which were readily available).

 

Some of the much older crowd dress a bit fancier. But, the general rule really is "country club casual" .

Edited January 27, 2016 by Flatbush Flyer

[LHT28]

O Life gives everyone free internet (one account per stateroom).

I do not think her cruise is part of the O Life deal

I could be wrong

[Iamthesea]

That is correct! And we already have the B3 7111 booked. :D

 

I did book the Beverage Packages yesterday. ;)

 

E-Docs came today, but I am still confused about what, if anything, I take for check-in because there was no paper to print out and sign. I dis already complete the online check-in. We received the huge booklet with our luggage tags a few weeks ago.

[LHT28]

That is correct! And we already have the B3 7111 booked. :D

 

I did book the Beverage Packages yesterday. ;)

 

E-Docs came today, but I am still confused about what, if anything, I take for check-in because there was no paper to print out and sign. I dis already complete the online check-in. We received the huge booklet with our luggage tags a few weeks ago.

If you are embarking in Miami take the booklet or at least pages 2 & 4 to show you are on that specific cruise

Most other ports do not need anything else to get to the check in desk

 

I usually take my final invoice as well it show are the OBC or perks we should get just in case there is a problem (none so far)

[ORV]

O Life gives everyone free internet (one account per stateroom). Use any device you want -just one connection at a time. If you're on Riviera or Marina, try to get a B3 extended veranda cabin. Twice the balcony at less cost than concierge level (which really only gets you extra pre-cruise dining reservations-we were just on Marina in B3 and ate in specialty restaurants 8 of 18 nights (our choice not to seek additional reservations which were readily available).

 

Some of the much older crowd dress a bit fancier. But, the general rule really is "country club casual" .

 

I could look it up but I'm pretty sure on the O ships that Concierge doesn't get additional specialty reservations, but I think you can book earlier.

[LHT28]

I could look it up but I'm pretty sure on the O ships that Concierge doesn't get additional specialty reservations, but I think you can book earlier.

Maybe they just scored extra reservations

 

On the O ships it is 1 per restaurant at least last May it was

[Iamthesea]

If you are embarking in Miami take the booklet or at least pages 2 & 4 to show you are on that specific cruise

Most other ports do not need anything else to get to the check in desk

 

I usually take my final invoice as well it show are the OBC or perks we should get just in case there is a problem (none so far)

 

Got it! I'll tear the pages out of the booklet. I also have papers from the TA with incentives, etc. No final invoice, though. My big box TA doesn't send one out. Irritating...I have asked. They say we have proof of payment by our CC statement.

[Hawaiidan]

Will they talk to me about an Upsell if my cruise was transferred to a big box TA?

 

They will make the offer to your agent as that is who you desiginated to be your rep... I doubt a"big Box" agent has much of a realtion or communication in any timely fashion

 

Moral: get a top tier agent in a top tier agency that works regulary with O.

[Iamthesea]

They will make the offer to your agent as that is who you desiginated to be your rep... I doubt a"big Box" agent has much of a realtion or communication in any timely fashion

 

Moral: get a top tier agent in a top tier agency that works regulary with O.

 

That's exactly who we have. :) My TA is a specialist with Oceania, within her top tier TA company. ;) But it's too late as the cruise is basically sold out.

Edited January 28, 2016 by Iamthesea

[Jayne E]

That is correct! And we already have the B3 7111 booked. :D

 

I did book the Beverage Packages yesterday. ;)

 

E-Docs came today, but I am still confused about what, if anything, I take for check-in because there was no paper to print out and sign. I dis already complete the online check-in. We received the huge booklet with our luggage tags a few weeks ago.

 

Best cabin. 1st extended and open on one side. Great views. Not good if you're shy....wave and say hi to those above who will see you. Have fun.

We were upgraded to an A1 on one cruise at no cost and put away their laptop and blanket, did not shine shoes or press pants, didn't use concierge room and took care of our own reservations as concierge always saying everything was booked. next cruise we turned down concierge upsell for $100 pp. Not giving up my verandah!!! Just my opinion though.

[Iamthesea]

I'd take an upgrade, but the ship is sold out. ;)

 

Looking forward to the balcony. No, it's not private at all. Those on the side can see us, too. Oh well, as my DH say, no one knows us from Adam. :D I may be wrong, but isn't there a small overhang that we can sit/hide under...is this correct?

[Jayne E]

I'd take an upgrade, but the ship is sold out. ;)

 

Looking forward to the balcony. No, it's not private at all. Those on the side can see us, too. Oh well, as my DH say, no one knows us from Adam. :D I may be wrong, but isn't there a small overhang that we can sit/hide under...is this correct?

 

Overhang is exactly the size of a standard verandah. Extended area open. Best of both worlds.

[Acrusa]

A3 veranda suite 7117 only has one neighbor on side