O Life Choices?

[LGW59]

we have three choices:  1. $200x2 OBC; 2. 2x2 Shore Exes & 3. House Select Bev Package.  The $400 OBC seems decent, assuming it can be used for anything on board?  The shore exes on this cruise we'd use 2 (Capri & SIcily) all of the other ports we will do on our own.  From what I have read the bev package includes only wine & beer with lunch/dinner and we do not drink alcohol at all.    So the question is, OBC is very clear, but are the standard excursions good deals/worth it?  It is hard and fast that bev package is ONLY wine/beer?  We are big coffee (specialty) tea and sparking water drinkers or do we have to use OBC (if we take that option) and if not and we take shore exes will we pay out-of-pocket for all other bevs?.  

[njhorseman]

26 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

we have three choices:  1. $200x2 OBC; 2. 2x2 Shore Exes & 3. House Select Bev Package.  The $400 OBC seems decent, assuming it can be used for anything on board?  The shore exes on this cruise we'd use 2 (Capri & SIcily) all of the other ports we will do on our own.  From what I have read the bev package includes only wine & beer with lunch/dinner and we do not drink alcohol at all.    So the question is, OBC is very clear, but are the standard excursions good deals/worth it?  It is hard and fast that bev package is ONLY wine/beer?  We are big coffee (specialty) tea and sparking water drinkers or do we have to use OBC (if we take that option) and if not and we take shore exes will we pay out-of-pocket for all other bevs?.  

You can opt out of the O life Choice altogether, in which case based on the information you've provided your fare will be $200 per person lower, which may be the best choice for you.

 

The O Life Choice beverage package is only wine and beer with lunch and dinner. 

 

There's no additional charge for specialty coffees, tea, sparkling or still waters and soda.

 

 

[GICNJC]

If not alcohol drinkers, avoid the alcohol OLife,  You are right it is for meals only.

 

If you have made plans for private excursions for all but 2, I would take the OBC.

 

OBC can be used for purchases onboard and advance payment for the excursions and other onboard activities including the very occasional drink.  Coffee is free perk as is still or sparking water.

[LGW59]

1 minute ago, GICNJC said:

If not alcohol drinkers, avoid the alcohol OLife,  You are right it is for meals only.

 

If you have made plans for private excursions for all but 2, I would take the OBC.

 

OBC can be used for purchases onboard and advance payment for the excursions and other onboard activities including the very occasional drink.  Coffee is free perk as is still or sparking water.

@GICNJCand @njhorsemanthank you both very much, this is very helpful information, much appreciated!

[1985rz1]

56 minutes ago, LGW59 said:

we have three choices:  1. $200x2 OBC; 2. 2x2 Shore Exes & 3. House Select Bev Package.  The $400 OBC seems decent, assuming it can be used for anything on board?  The shore exes on this cruise we'd use 2 (Capri & SIcily) all of the other ports we will do on our own.  From what I have read the bev package includes only wine & beer with lunch/dinner and we do not drink alcohol at all.    So the question is, OBC is very clear, but are the standard excursions good deals/worth it?  It is hard and fast that bev package is ONLY wine/beer?  We are big coffee (specialty) tea and sparking water drinkers or do we have to use OBC (if we take that option) and if not and we take shore exes will we pay out-of-pocket for all other bevs?.  

We have found that some of the included shore excursion to be quite good, but we avoid the panorama bus tours.  If you chose this option, you are effectively paying $100 per tour in the cost of Olife, but you can choose tours up to around $200, so that can be an advantage (Tours above $200, and those with special lettering like OE, OS, etc, are not among the included ones.) 

 

The beverage package is only wine and beer with dinner.  All non-alcoholic beverages are included in the cruise fare, without the need for any package.

 

The OBC can be used for any onboard charges that post to your account, but recognize that you are paying $200x2 for the OLife option, so there are no savings.  In essence you give Oceania $400 in advance for you to spend on board, but it is non-refundable if you don't: use it or lose it.  Some folks like the convenience, but it is a financial wash.

 

If you don't like Oceania's included tours,  the cruise only option (No-OLife) may be you best bet.

 

You may know that included air is not part of OLife, and you can have cruise only (no OLife or air), OLife without air, or air without OLife.  

Edited December 17, 2022 by 1985rz1

[LHT28]

I would  skip the O life perk if you do not want the excursions or the Beverage deal

You are essentially paying  for the OBC  yourself  & it is non refundable

If you know you will use that amount of money  onboard  then it is like having the onboard purchases covered  at least  up to the amount you paid

 The  best option is the excursions followed by the  Beverage package for those that drink  wine with their meals

Take the cruise only  fare

JMO

[LGW59]

15 minutes ago, 1985rz1 said:

We have found that some of the included shore excursion to be quite good, but we avoid the panorama bus tours.  If you chose this option, you are effectively paying $100 per tour in the cost of Olife, but you can choose tours up to around $200, so that can be an advantage (Tours above $200, and those with special lettering like OE, OS, etc, are not among the included ones.  

 

The beverage package is only wine and beer with dinner.  All non-alcoholic beverages are included in the cruise fare, without the need for any package.

 

The OBC can be used for any onboard charges that post to your account, but recognize that you are paying $200x2 for the OLife option, so there is no savings.  In essence you give Oceania $400 in advance for you to spend on board, but it is non-refundable if you don't: use it or lose it.  Some folks like the convenience, but it is a financial wash.

 

If you don't like Oceania's included tours, LH28's advice to go with the cruise only (No-Olife) may be you best bet.

 

You may know that included air is not part of OLife, and you can have cruise only (no OLife or air), OLife without air, or air without Olife.  

Thank you and yes, the air or not option was clear to me, the O Life not so much to this O newbie so thanks for the helpful info and clarification!  I'll need to look at the excursion options closely but it does seem NOT tsking ny O lIfe option may turn out to be best

[LGW59]

12 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

I would  skip the O life perk if you do not want the excursions or the Beverage deal

You are essentially paying  for the OBC  yourself  & it is non refundable

If you know you will use that amount of money  onboard  then it is like having the onboard purchases covered  at least  up to the amount you paid

 The  best option is the excursions followed by the  Beverage package for those that drink  wine with their meals

Take the cruise only  fare

JMO

Much appreciated, thank you!!

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, LGW59 said:

we have three choices:  1. $200x2 OBC; 2. 2x2 Shore Exes & 3. House Select Bev Package.  The $400 OBC seems decent, assuming it can be used for anything on board?  The shore exes on this cruise we'd use 2 (Capri & SIcily) all of the other ports we will do on our own.  From what I have read the bev package includes only wine & beer with lunch/dinner and we do not drink alcohol at all.    So the question is, OBC is very clear, but are the standard excursions good deals/worth it?  It is hard and fast that bev package is ONLY wine/beer?  We are big coffee (specialty) tea and sparking water drinkers or do we have to use OBC (if we take that option) and if not and we take shore exes will we pay out-of-pocket for all other bevs?.  

Use the search feature here on CC to find the zillion threads explaining O Life strategies. NEVER take the SBC. It’s a wash with what you paid extra for O Life. The booze is only worth it if you upgrade to Prestige (+$20 pp/day) and drink doubles of better booze. The wines-by-the-glass with either option are mediocre.

The best value is the excursions with a base value of $100 each that can be doubled up to $199 by picking the most expensive allowable ones.

 

If you do O Life, take the air credit and DIY - especially bizclass.

 

Again, search for the O Life threads with very detailed instructions. I and a few other regulars have posted very detailed strategy summaries.