ORV

No, this cruise is just getting started. Anyone else on this cruise that wants to add any observations or experiences feel free to add comments. We’re in Red Ginger again tonight. I’m going to miss most of the Chiefs game. Oh well, the outcome will be the same whether I watch it or not. Our room attendant went home yesterday. I’m sure this happens all the time that their contract ends mid cruise but I’ve never had it happen. Punte del Este Uruguay today. This is our first tender port.

They were definitely there when I got back, this time outside, yesterday was after the gangplank. I’ll Have to reflect on this.

I’m getting ready to get back on the ship in a few minutes and it’s 93 degrees F. I’ll look for them.

Maybe I’m getting senile or have somehow missed it but this is the first time in 15 years and 30 cruises I’ve seen the iced towels.

We did a tour of the town and then went to Juanico winery with a big pile of grilled meat 🥩 for lunch. Very nice place, and enjoyed the food. They just need to take it off the grill a little sooner. I liked Montevideo, it seemed much nicer than the areas we were in in Brazil 🇧🇷

That’s about right.

Just an FYI, Oceania has never had welcome bubbly, that’s Celebrity. Apparently quite a few things are different on Vista, as all those things you mentioned are still on Marina, except for the sewing kit. Yesterday when coming back on the ship they had iced towels at the gangway, which I’ve never seen on Oceania, but is a welcome touch in hot weather. It is something that Celebrity has done for years.

Haven’t been out of the ship yet.

A couple of days ago they wrapped the lower part of the food stations in Saran Wrap. It’s so tight you can barely see it. I don’t think there is a problem other than there are so many new people to Oceania that they don’t understand how it works. It’s almost comical seeing people trying to reach in and hitting the plastic. What is not comical is the center section with the desserts is open. Last night I saw a man reach in and touch the tart closest to him and tell the girl he wanted one. She gave him the one closest to her. I then asked her to throw away the one he touched. Should you really have to explain to people to not touch the food? Buenos Aires today, 13 million people here. It’s another beautiful day.

As I said I’ll check a little closer, it was early in the day and she talked fast, and I’m slow. Did yours expire in a year if you didn’t pick a cruise and could you cancel with no penalty in the first year?

Because they have one of the worst systems in existence and their job is to put as many obstacles in the way as possible?

Let me check the details a little closer. But I believe it’s from when you booked. I don’t think one change applies to FCC but I’ll check in to that.

Depends on where you’re at.

Y’all folks got to adjust your mindset if you’re going to move to Oceania.

Pet peeve People that don’t understand or don’t care that the front seats on the bus 🚌 are for those that are mobility impaired. Really!

Just spoke with the OCA, just to cut through the confusion of a couple of posts above. Currently if you book a named cruise while onboard you get $250 OBC to spend on this one or the one you select. You can change it once during the first 181 days with no penalty, after that standard penalties apply. If you cancel it altogether standard penalties apply and if you took the OBC on your current cruise then you will also have to repay it. If you buy a future cruise certificate the OBC is $100, for either this cruise or the one you pick. You have one year to select a cruise and it is fully refundable during the first year. Of course if you take the $100 on this cruise and then cancel that amount will come out of your refund. As always the Onboard Savings is dependent on cruise length and category. Concerning changing to a lower price later. Your onboard savings do not always combine with Special Pricing. But you would still get your OBC if you chose it for your future cruise. Hope this helps.

There seem to be more Germans on this cruise than any I’ve been on before. I’ll try to find the breakdown later. But they might outnumber the Aussies that are generally 4th.

I’ve noticed in the GDR they’ve sandwiched some 2 top tables into spots that didn’t use to have them there. Some almost in walkways. We sat at a couple of them in the last day or so. I’m sure this is due to post Covid concerns and increased requests. We won about $100 playing a couple of slots 🎰 yesterday. I’m sure they will get it back before the cruise is over. Yesterday was a sea day. I noticed around 10:30 there were still some loungers available. After that not so much. Wasn’t by there early enough to see if there were reserved spots. I’m sure there were. Montevideo today, looking like another glorious day.

I’m not ignoring you, I’ll get back to this when I have more time.

Someone reported that on another thread on another cruise recently but I’ve never seen it, including last night. We got anything we asked for. Either some people are intentionally reporting wrong information, are confused, or there is another Oceania ship operating under different rules. I have seen the menu changed out after Happy Hour so maybe they misunderstood what they are seeing. Celebrity has a list for the Elites but nothing like that on Oceania.

Ok yes, it was a SS and a change to SM at the same time. But I did get in lieu of added along with the saving. I’m pretty sure Mikey didn’t get that on any of his. Gotta have a TA for that. Meanwhile I did change a cruise in Aug to SM from Olife and saved $500, and it wasn’t on the Summer Sale.

It’s very hard to listen to any money and cruise advice from someone who doesn’t understand or even begin to listen about the value of using a good TA. And that’s all I’m saying about.

He is on for your cruise and is training a new CD. 💿 I enjoy his Trivia but can’t seem to do as well as with others. Maybe his questions are harder or maybe the booze is finally rotting my brain 🧠.

I actually had the Ultimate and changed to SM and it worked out better all around. Your’re an early riser.

Well only 4 days so far this year, but the year is just started. Last year was only 25 or so, but I had to work around medical treatments. We’ve got around 50 more days this year, so as you know we have a little experience on Oceania. No offense to the Xers and Zers that write these articles, they only know what the cruise lines official response is. But that information is not Puur—fect.