Vista - Sept 19 to 29th, NYC to Montreal

[jnap1210]

Going on the above, first time Oceania cruiser (20+ other cruises including Cunard, Celebrity, Viking (Ocean), Avalon (River), Royal Caribbean). Been hearing many good, some not so good. Looking for any recommendations/suggestions. In a Penthouse celebrating our 25th Anniversary. Want to make this special.

[LHT28]

First  join your roll call for the sailing 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2806774-september-18-to-29-2023-new-york-to-montreal/

Be sure to arrive  on the 18th  sailing day

 

Not sure what you are looking for

 Relax  & enjoy Oceania for  what it is & not what you have sailed on before

 

 They are not perfect   if you know  of a cruise line that is  let us know

 

[weston cruiser]

First time Oceania cruiser. Sailing Sept 29 on the Vista from Montreal.

 

What time are the production shows normally scheduled. 9:00 pm?

 

What are the specialty restaurant seating times?

 

I understand specialty dinners can take over 2+ hours and we prefer to enjoy the entertainment. Any suggestions to schedule specialty restaurants to avoid missing shows?

 

Former Cruises;

Celebrity(over 25)

Regent Explorer 2021

Azamara Quest 2022

[AMHuntFerry]

10 minutes ago, weston cruiser said:

First time Oceania cruiser. Sailing Sept 29 on the Vista from Montreal.

 

What time are the production shows normally scheduled. 9:00 pm?

 

What are the specialty restaurant seating times?

 

I understand specialty dinners can take over 2+ hours and we prefer to enjoy the entertainment. Any suggestions to schedule specialty restaurants to avoid missing shows?

 

Former Cruises;

Celebrity(over 25)

Regent Explorer 2021

Azamara Quest 2022

The usual show time is 9:30 pm, but occasionally it will vary slightly.

 

Specialty restaurant reservations are usually 6:30 to 9, but sometimes they will have 6 available too.

 

Having a suite means you get first pick at reservations (and you can have specialties for room service). Even a Concierge Veranda gives you better choices of times (but you may need to share depending on cruise length and other factors).
If you are willing to share, you are more likely to get earlier times. Sea days are the most popular (so hardest to get).

Log-on to your account right at midnight (or 12:01 am ET) on the day reservations open, and have a plan ready (1st choice, 2nd choice, etc). This is especially important if you are in a B-G cabin.

 

You can also tell your server and table-mates that you want to go to the show. I think it's fine if one couple wants to skip dessert and go to the show while the other couple stays to finish.

Edited July 27, 2023 by AMHuntFerry

[LHT28]

19 minutes ago, weston cruiser said:

I understand specialty dinners can take over 2+ hours and we prefer to enjoy the entertainment. Any suggestions to schedule specialty restaurants to avoid missing shows?

 

 

I would try for 6:30 or 7 pm  just tell them you would like to see the show  but I think you will be done by 9pm 

 

 Be sure to join the Roll call

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2802094-september-29-to-october-14-2023-colonial-america-montreal-to-miami/page/24/#comment-65792459

 

[mauibabes]

@jnap1210

Easy Peasy, you have already received valuable guidance as far as reservations bookings.  On Vista, they opened the Specialty Restaurants at 6:00 on our Founder’s Cruise. If you are dining alone, it would be easy to expedite your dinner, well under 2 hours. Now if dining with 4-6 guests, it will take longer and of course it could depend on how much wine you also consume, 🍷🤪🙏. It should be no problem to make a 9:30 Show Time if dining by 7:00. You have 4 Specialties to book and you will be booking your reservations 75 days before sailing. In addition, as a benefit for booking in a Penthouse, if you would like a Course by Course In Suite dinner served by your Butler, just arrange it with him in advance and savor a nice bottle of “something”.  😇👍

 

IMHO,  just focus on the positive and disregard the negative comments because YOU are the only people who get to decide what you like.  The staff aboard will do all they can to ensure you have a memorable special occasion. If you are using a TA, make sure they advise Oceania of any special needs or requirements, be it  Food, drink, refrigerator items by brand, special pillows, comforter weight, CPAP water needs if applicable, etc.  Your Room Stewards and Butler want you to be pampered so ask for what you want and enjoy becoming a member of their Oceania family, they appreciate us and we definitely appreciate them. Always a smile and they will be calling you by name almost immediately. 👍🤪

 

All the questions you could imagine to ask have been asked on this Board so”Read On” and don’t hesitate to ask your questions.  Forget yesterday’s Pre Covid cruises, no line has escaped unscathed from the effects of 18 months plus being out of business. ENJOY Oceania because it is NOT like any line you have sailed before and Vista is AMAZING. 

 

Mauibabes

[weston cruiser]

Thank you for your advice. Very helpful. We are travelling with another couple, so we will target 6:30 for our reservations for the specialty restaurants.

[JPGRAMI]

On 6/23/2023 at 1:26 PM, jnap1210 said:

Going on the above, first time Oceania cruiser (20+ other cruises including Cunard, Celebrity, Viking (Ocean), Avalon (River), Royal Caribbean). Been hearing many good, some not so good. Looking for any recommendations/suggestions. In a Penthouse celebrating our 25th Anniversary. Want to make this special.

Congrats on 25 years!  
With your PH Suite you will have access to the spa terrace, check it out in the afternoons, usually not busy and the pool and hot tubs should be nice in September.

When we had early excursions we ordered room service breakfast.  Your butler can get you items not on the breakfast menu including Swedish pancakes served in MDR.

We enjoy afternoon tea in Horizons at 4:00pm everyday.  

Enjoy!