Flatbush Flyer

The available wines in both the basic and prestige packages are from a set list of items. There are no spritzers or wine coolers nor can you request anything other than what’s on that list of mostly mediocre wines.

Sorry but, the way you are going about this is relatively clueless. if space is important to you, look at the passenger/space ratios. And then there’s the crew ratios too. The physical size of the ship is far less important than its naval architecture and sea-worthiness. If you’re interested in items like unique itineraries, excellent food, value-laden inclusive fares and stellar service, you may want to look closer at Oceania ships (from the smaller 670 passenger R ships to the 1200 passenger O ships and new similarly sized A ships (e.g., Vista).

Looks can be deceiving.

Some cabin have sofa beds to accommodate more than two people. They should be identified on the deck plan. So, depending on your cabin pick for more than two folks, it will be available or waitlisted if it has the sofa bed and not available if it doesn’t accommodate more than 2 people.

Too much info. 😎

🤔 you may want to think about this before asking that question. Since the Manhattan Cruise Terminal is on the west side of Manhattan Island and you’re cruising FROM there, you’ll be headed South. As for best view(s) of NYC, only you can define what “best” means based on what you want to see. FWIW: a few days ago we finished an Oceania cruise from SF to NY. As we cruised north, most folks found themselves moving from one side of the ship to the other to see all of the key features and landmarks. Might I suggest that you look at a map of New York Harbor to decide for yourself what’s most important to you. Draw a line from the Westside Cruise Terminal (Pier 90 is at West 50th and 12th Avenue) southward to the center of the Verrazano Bridge. Look at the map labels for landmarks and you’ll know which side(s) is/are the one(s) for you.

OP: I always chuckle when someone on CC says “teens” won’t like “this” or “that” (as though they are all more similar than dissimilar). Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth. The same holds true when it come to some folks here on CC pigeonholing all sorts of passenger populations. For example, you’ll hear (erroneously) that only geezers cruise on premium/luxury lines. But, the truth is that itinerary, value and the quality of the onboard experience knows no age age barriers. Our preferred line is Oceania. We just today completed a three week San Francisco to New York cruise with a significant number of 30-40 year olds as well as several multi-generational families with school age children. That’s in line with the reality that we’ve been seeing more and more 30-50 year old O passengers (particularly on the non-Caribbean, non-Med dime-a-dozen itineraries. And when I ask them why they chose O and this itinerary, the usual answer was some combination of value pricing, small ship, the food and the wonderful itineraries. I’ve even queried the parents with kids aboard and got another common answer that had added “we’re trying to instill in them a tru appreciation for travel and a quality experience. That said, the first thing I suggest is that you find a well-respected cruise specialist travel agent and discuss your travel experiences, preferences and expectations. The resultant profile will help your TA and you narrow the field of possibilities for cruise lines. Note that you’ll hear some folks saying that “itinerary is everything and the ship doesn’t matter.” Of course, that’s silly since, for example, antiquities, select beaches, the beauty if nature are fixed elements while your home away from home (i.e., the ship) can vary significantly and do so in many ways. The problems you cited that have caused your hesitation at “another try” are not uncommon on large mass market ships. We, like many other regular cruisers, had similar experiences as we moved through different cruise industry segments looking for a “good fit” for our “travel profile.” And, like many of those others, we finally moved up to Oceania (or somewhat similar premium lines like Azamara). One final thought: we find the Caribbean to be rather boring. If you want “tropical paradise,” head to Polynesia. Do your homework and you will be rewarded.

You could try a line like Cunard but it would come at the cost of missing out on the far better food, crew and space ratios, and increased availability of unusual itineraries you’d find on contemporary premium/luxury lines like Oceania or Regent. FWIW: we prefer Oceania which promises “country club casual” decorum. Though you’d not find many gowns and tuxes at dinner, you will find folks dressed for dinner at higher end restaurants in SF or NY. Most importantly, however, you’ll not see the dinner time “wife beater” tee shirts, shorts, baseball caps, etc you’d have to contend with on many mass market ships where attempts at “prom nights” often fail.

You can get the book onboard price for a new future cruise booking within 30 days prior to embarkation on your current cruise OR you (or your TA) can also do it once onboard. Anything else older than that 30 day window start would need to be cancelled/rebooked for the BonB deal (which may not be worthwhile if the original booking was long ago at a far better price than the current one.

If you search here first, you’ll find about a zillion threads that answer your question and add details you never thought to ask.

Just don’t buy booze in a “duty free” at airport or cruise terminal: majorly inflated prices.

It’s NorCal sparkling wine. (Can’t use the term champagne. But it’s a quite good daily drinker that retails at home for about $30+\- per bottle). FWIW: I’d take NorCal sparklers over most French champagne any day. One of my favorites is Martin Ray’s sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir.

There may occasionally be a second/third sparkling option like Prosecco. On rare occasions, I’ve seen Shramsberg Mirabelle, which would be far better. I’ve also occasionally seen Mirabelle on the “bin end” list or the now discontinued “7 bottle” program (where, if on a long cruise, I’d buy 7 bottles of that one wine at less than 100% markup).

OOPS! Trying to read it upside down (which sometimes happens on photo add to iPhone CC). In any case, room service is considered a dining venue (Though basic booze is limited to same hours as the restaurants).

Apparently, it still is just a bit complicated: Perhaps you forgot that the basic program works for room service anytime the bars are open. Here’s what’s on the ship’s tv today:

Germaine

Perhaps you are unaware that missed/changed ports cost O $ expenses not passed on to passengers. In addition to man-hours for renavigation and possible added fuel costs, there are the expenses associated with logistical changes (some $ commitments for a missed port must still be honored) and then there are the added cost of the new port (tugs, longshoremen, etc). Remember too the unanticipated costs of extra F&B service when the ship misses a port. None of those costs are passed on to you. No ship’s Master or Chief Engineer wants any itinerary change.

Straightforward review with some excellent points. FWIW: We’re currently on the last segment of the ATW (SF-NY) and I agree that the food service can have an occasional hiccup which I find is more an issue with newer staff. As for the wifi dropping someone’s connection “on purpose,” that’s usually intentional and due to a set inactivity limit (or possibly when you move from one “repeater” to another). IMO, it’s a good traffic monitor. The dinner time “dress code” has gotten a touch lax (perhaps due to some ATW folks no longer seeing “specialty restaurants as “special”). And I wish they’d be a bit more consistent in enforcing some reasonable decorum. For men, a collared shirt and, at least, dockers and deck shoes wouldn’t kill anyone in terms of requiring them at dinner. I agree with the Schott Zwiesel comment. That’s what we use at home.

Terrace Café is not “self serve” and it has bar service.

Lots of uninformed answers above. if you receive any communication regarding a YF vaccine “requirement” or recommendation from a cruise line or, better still, you proactively consult the country-in-question’s own public health website for clarification, you should, at the very least, obtain the WHO YF vaccination card with an exemption notation entered by an MD. If you live in/near and major metro city, that government should have some sort of “travel clinic” or there should be a medical school/county health/etc “infectious diseases unit” that regularly issues the WHO “Yellow” card.

Actually, even the cabin stewards can get you whatever supplies you need. Just ask nicely or (better still) add the bar items to the list of fridge items you (and/or your TA) request a month pre-embark.

There was a time years ago, when cabin glassware was different than bar glassware and maitre d’s were more consistent in issuing gentle reminders. In any case, with SM, this will soon become mostly a non-issue since all will be paying for the basic booze package.

😎

That’s the online visa application, which requires you to send them your passport. Perhaps, that’s why your finding so many questions. Compare that application to the one for which I posted the above SF PRC Consulate link and you’ll see a significant difference. Of course, in part because I have close access in SF to consulates of many countries, I don’t have to risk sending a passport in the USPS Mail (and getting it back). Nonetheless I still recommend “in person” even if it requires a flight to a “nearby” city (e.g., we’d need to go to L.A. for some foreign consulates.

IMO, big mistake to lose a wonderful experience because of a cumbersome visa process.