ORV

I'm not familiar with the expanded room service menu. It used to be to get hot breakfast you had to stay in a Concierge or higher, but that has changed. It might be you can order from the GDR for dinner now. Someone that knows for sure might chime in. Keep in mind that the rooms on the larger ships are the same exact layout and size as the verandas.

In my opinion and experience the Club is not that big of a benefit. Other than the newspapers there is nothing there that isn't available to everyone on the ship no matter the level they are sailing in. Might not be as convenient, but not exclusive. There really is no difference in the Executive & Concierge lounges other than floor & design. The laundry & specialty restaurant earlier booking are decent benefits and worth taking into consideration. Another concierge benefit that appeals to some people is the access to the Spa Terrace area. As to your question on below Concierge, yes, it's pretty much whatever is left for reservations. The key to getting good times when you are at that level is being willing to share. Unfortunately, in the post covid sailing world many people are leery of that, and rightfully so.

Jon, perhaps some of it is because it might not be as prevalent as news sensationalism makes it out to be.

Well, it makes for a good story, but when they had the Blackout at ATL a few years ago and we sat on the Tarmac for almost 8 hours with one small cup of water is not my fondest memory. One guy faked a heart attack to get evacuated from the plane. Sent an ambulance out to the plane and they took him out through an exit in the tail of the plane. Once we finally got inside they only had aux power and no one seemed to be in charge. Scary that they were no more prepared for that at the busiest airport in the world. People were sleeping on the baggage carousels.

Is there a card other than the airline branded cards that covers baggage fees? Not everyone flies in First or Business, and if you travel much those fees are ridiculous. One trip will usually cover the yearly fee for most airline cards that cover bags and a few other perks.

That is the policy and that is what the rep knows. Many of them have never been on a cruise ship, they just work in a CSR center, some in Wichita, some in FL. My experience has been that you can upgrade any time up to the last day or so of the cruise. You will be charged for the remaining days. There are various reasons to wait to upgrade, one is that the Captain's Welcome(free drinks for 2 or 3 hours at various bars) is usually on the second evening. Ports vs sea days come into play. How much OBC you have, Whether you are a repeater or not etc. When you are dining in the past they have requested if you would like drink service to set your card on the table. Many times once they know who you are they don't always run the card. If you compare the price to Mass Market lines you'll see that it's a pretty good deal.

Unless the policy changes again you won’t need a test in Oct, depending on where your cruise is.

Yes, in the past that’s been a no no.

But the Tap beer is not on the menu there is it? Have you ever ordered tap beer while at Waves Grill? I haven't but I don't care for the beers on tap. It would be great if someone wanted to and could get it. I do know that it's been reported that when they have a special local beer in Terrace those weren't available with the package.

Not sure FB will work, but it might. I have no personal experience with it but I haven't heard good reports on the streaming. As I said, it's the same service, just unblocks the streaming.

My personal experience is that I wouldn't put the Concierge cabin in the mix. If I wasn't going for the PH I would drop down to a B3 extended balcony, (or are they B2 now?) Other than the laundry and the earlier booking for specialties(which is not a dealbreaker) I can't see the benefit of the Concierge level. Same exact cabin as B4-B1. The lounge is no real benefit. To the best of my knowledge on the Marina & Riviera there are no special(different) cabins. There are special cabins in the PH level and also in the B3. The special PH rooms I think are on deck 7 at the rear port & starboard. If you're ok doing your own laundry in the free laundry rooms, then I can't see a need for the Concierge room. Is there some reason you are considering it?

Any wine on the By the Glass menu, or beer that is on the Bar menu is available during lunch or dinner. Any restaurant, but not bars. Beer will generally be in bottles. The only tap beer is at Waves bar, which is generally not included in this package, but you're not missing much with what the offer. Last time I was on it was Heineken and Newcastle. There are some that have mentioned that they were able to get beer from there during lunch. This was pre covid, maybe someone with more recent experience can chime in.

I agree, since we get a couple of Complimentary spa treatments as our Oceania Club perk, and have for the last 7 or 8 cruises, neither I or my wife have been offered any upsells or extra products to buy.

Just don't expect too much from the internet. If you go the non-streaming route then don't expect to use FB, load/upload any pictures, videos etc. Large files on emails probably won't work. As Lyn said, basic email, basic websites and CC. Keep in mind if you purchase the higher package for internet it isn't any faster, it just unblocks streaming sites. Interestingly enough if you are on Celebrity and don't purchase the streaming internet then Cruise Critic doesn't work.

Not sure what you are saying here but your post #15 comes off as rather mean and judgmental.

Here you go, this is from a cruise on Riviera in Nov of 21. Thanks to Mike for his detailed info. Riviera Menus (thepreismans.com) There are a few beers there I could drink, but for the most part would prefer not to.

The problem is that the beer offerings are very basic. With the plethora of craft beers in the world today most people are looking for more interesting beers than what they offer. I personally only like one or two they carry. So someone might want to bring their own favorites on.

No, this is something that started much before Covid, companies have been cutting back on CSR's for many years. Started with all the Press # menus, just to increase wait time and stall you, plus making it hard to actually have a prompt to speak with a real person. It's past policies coming home to roost. To quote a famous Missourian, "The Buck Stops Here". Ultimately the CEO is responsible for what happens with the company they're running. Being an apologist for these policies only emboldens the behavior. Customer service by major companies is a lost art. It didn't use to be this way. Just where is that free money coming from these days? I'm pretty sure most of that has been cut. I don't see how people can exist ongoing without an income. Maybe these companies need to pay more for these jobs. I will agree that the Covid situation is not something that anyone could foresee, especially what it did to the cruise companies. Having to lay off many of their employees certainly has put them behind the 8-ball now. No easy answers.

I think their point is that if the website worked right and had correct information then there would be no need to be calling in.

Yes, I just went through this on my last cruise, there were 8 of us and I took care of the dining reservations. I had complete control over all aspects of their bookings. Fortunately they could trust me, but this is something that people should be aware of if you happen to make plans with someone from a Roll Call etc. This really is something that Celebrity should address, but when has their IT department ever done anything that makes sense from a customer's point of view?

Yes, I always do my best to remember that it's not the fault of the people answering the phones that I had to wait so long, it's the CEO's fault.

Can't speak to United but with Marriott it might be when and where you are trying to stay. I had no issue recently using free annual nights in San Diego & Vancouver and was able to use my Suite rewards upgrade for both visits. I just got notice this morning that our Suite upgrade went through for the Westin in St Louis next week (on another free room). I also rarely have an issue finding availability with points. I have read on the Marriott FB where people never seem to get the Suite awards upgrade (different than just being upgraded when you get there) and can't seem to use the annual free night. They do have a wonky website.

O.............k........ Hey, thanks for that info.

That is not what is on the Oceania website, perhaps it's all a moving target, perhaps each line has different guidelines, but right now what is on the Oceania website says this; also see this link as to what is currently on the Oceania website, notice the date; (of course that "SUBJECT TO UPDATES" is the key to all of it) sail-safe-program.pdf (oceaniacruises.com) FOR SAILINGS EMBARKING ON OR AFTER AUGUST 1, 2022, Oceania Cruises will no longer require guests to produce a negative covid test to embark their cruise, subject to local regulations. Please Note: Voyages embarking from Canada and Greece as well as those sailing to Bermuda, will still require a negative covid test at embarkation, until further notice

I haven't looked at the Regent website, but if they're like Oceania you better check again. Here is what is on the Oceania website. FOR SAILINGS EMBARKING ON OR AFTER AUGUST 1, 2022, Oceania Cruises will no longer require guests to produce a negative covid test to embark their cruise, subject to local regulations. Please Note: Voyages embarking from Canada and Greece as well as those sailing to Bermuda, will still require a negative covid test at embarkation, until further notice.