BarbaraM

I found booking our complimentary cruise to be confusing. We had ours booked but needed to cancel due to health issues, within the cancellation timeline. We wanted to a take a short cruise 4 months later, but were told in no uncertain terms that would be our free cruise. Even though, it was less than 6 months in advance. They seem to bend the rules on the booking date, I would guess depending on the popularity of the cruise. They would not bend on having us pay for this cruise and use our credit for a later cruise when we had time to take a 14 day trip. We ended up waiting a year to take our complimentary cruise. You do make the Down payment and book the cruise as normal, and then close to final payment request the club benefit. I recommend talking to Oceania club directly, as it seems there are various scenarios where you could lose the benefit. And, it is a very nice benefit. We did receive our platinum pin and benefits on this cruise, but still listed as gold online.

Thanks for posting this Keith -- I keep learning what smart devices can do, and have cancelled my security service for this reason. I am most concerned about fire and pipes freezing than I am about break-ins in our neighborhood. The thermostats are pretty nice, as I can monitor them from overseas, and my daughter who lives much closer can get alerts. Now -- to install one of those cameras and smoke alarms!

I still find mail the most challenging -- though I rarely get important bills in the mail anymore. I have signed up for

a service to reduce junk mail about 9 months ago -- but it doesn't eliminate it. I still get junk mail in the names of my children, who haven't lived at home for 15 + years. I still have more to do -- trying to make it easier for someone to pick up the mail regularly. Other than having someone pick it up -- any suggestions? I found forwarding to my daughter who lives near, but not in the same town, to not work out well.

• We used ABC Kuala Lumpur 2 years ago abckualalumpur.com
  
• We will use them again -- great price for a private car/driver. We had booked them the year before also, and had to cancel , and there was no problem.
  

When we were there 2 years ago, we arranged a tour in advance, but we saw very many taxis and open air tour

vehicles on the tender dock, so many we had trouble walking to our driver!

-- we needed to pay in local currency, but our driver was very happy to stop at an ATM,

I suspect you won't have trouble finding taxi/tour if you say that you need to stop at an ATM as you have no local currency.

I made a couple mistakes on our 2016 WC that I won't repeat for our 2019.

I forgot to check auto payments and credit card expiration dates, I had an obscure yearly payment on an expired

card -- long story.

I didn't take enough clothes and shoes, if that is possible -- I didn't predict wear and tear on clothing, and the generally hatred of clothes and shoes that I had worn 2-3x a week for 6 months.

I had my home mail forwarded, which lead to multiple problems, missed mail, mail sent back to sender, and junk mail/flyers still delivered to my home. It didn't work the way I expected.

I

We bought too much on the trip -- souvenirs, etc. -- for family, that I am sure was only appreciated for the day they received them! Was more expensive to ship back (from our first return USA port) than the total price of the goods! I plan to get more specific about gifts next time! I did have fun shopping tho!

I took more "supplies" than I needed -- this time checking how long that shampoo, toothpaste, etc. lasts before we go.

I did't plan on how to spend nonrefundable OBC! We ended up scrambling to spend the $$ the last couple days.

I'm sure I'll add to this mistake list after our next WC, luckily no horror stories! We did have friends with medical and dental emergencies on board.

Oceania does have some itineraries like this, but usually from Somewhere like Singapore and goes west.

Was just on a Med sailing 100% EU, only gift shop and spa merchandise added the VAT.

All visa costs are included.

Jamie, we did the 2016 ATW 180 on Oceania. The laundry service was wonderful. Wash and press, definitely a perk I wasn’t expecting to be so good. Luggage delivery was also a big plus. In 6 months I used the free medical twice, which included meds and X-rays.

I only took private tours, so no comment on Oceania tours.. they seemed expensive. They are doing a major overhaul of the cabins, so no idea what they will be like then. The beds are definitely the best! High quality linens too. We are taking the 2019 also, repeat club perks are nice too, and given at the start of the cruise.

Viking is the only fully inclusive that I know of on your list. Oceania doesn’t offer alcoholic beverages or shore excursions. AFAIK, azamara has no world cruise. Regent cruise line offers a world cruise that is inclusive, I think.

I had the same problem, and someone recommended on another thread to delete cookies-- I have a MacBook -- I just deleted the history and all of the links on Oceania started working.

We found the La Bourgeoisie upon boarding & booked it. Simply the best meal on the ship. We also booked "Connoisseurs", but too many pax cancelled so they cancelled the dinner. I think you'll find the La Bourgeoisie on board. Once on board make your way up to La Reserve & see the meals they are offering & book the dinner of your choice(unless you do it online)

Although La Bourgeoisie isn't listed on our upcoming cruise on Riviera, it was able to be booked when I called Oceania directly. -- they claim it's not updated on the website. I wouldn't wait until on board to check if it is offered-- It might be available, but not available to book online.

Does anybody of you World Cruisers insure your trip against insolvency/bankruptcy of the cruiseline? Can you recommend a cover insurance that would cover that risk?

Ivi

It was included as part of the general insurance I purchased for our world cruise. Compare the plans on insuremytrip.com

Re: Jeans,

I love the newer high rise pull on jeans -- eliminates muffin top, as well as tucking in other areas. Technically not true jeans, as most don't have a real zipper, many have a wide stretchy waistband. I have a couple pair of the brand Liverpool, but there are others. I prefer to have tops that cover my butt as I buy the skinny type. Wow,this type of jean is comfortable. They can be called, leggings, jeggings, etc. I have tried on a pair that fit more loosely than the skinny types too. If you aren't sure about it, try Zappos, or another online store that offers free returns. FWIW, i'm a 60+ year old, so these aren't just for kids.

I know it was done on Oceania -- one woman had her granddaughter for a segment, and her husband on a later segment. Another had her daughter for a segment. I never asked the logistics ,

Do you get the sense that solo travelers were welcomed on board Oceania? I realize that much of that is up to the individual and depends on how social and outgoing they are, but I am wondering if you have general perspective?

Just a couple things I noticed.

We happened to become good friends with several singles and couples, meeting them via the roll call prior to the cruise. I would suggest joining your roll call -- they often start up a year in advance of the cruise.

The entertainment staff hosted dinners for singles frequently. Those tables always seemed to be having fun, i'm sure the flowing wine helped!

Many singles joined the various activities -- whether it was trivia, ping pong, bridge, art classes or needlepoint-- a great way to meet others. There are quite a few couples who participate separately in those activities.

Eating in the MDR seems to be an easier way to meet others, as many like to share tables. The hostess will take your request for shared table, and sets it all up when you arrive at the dining room.

I would say that in general, the passengers are interested in meeting new people, and marital status doesn't matter.

Hiroshima -- near the Peace Memorial/Museum complex.

Don't forget to factor in inclusions in your comparisons. there will be a special package for those doing the full world cruises. Do they offer the visa service, luggage delivery, laundry, medical, gratuities, internet, free or fee specialty restaurants, shuttles in port cities, liquor, cost of non alcoholic drinks, etc., etc. Sometimes a cruise line that you thought may be out of your budget, ends up being very close. Check out dress code too -- open seating or fixed dining. Also, are there special events for world cruisers?

We based our first World Cruise on itinerary as well as port vs sea days. We didn't think about the ship that much, or the cruise line. What we ended up choosing was a very good fit for us.

I probably have spent more days being “homesick” for the ship since our ATW ended than I ever did missing my home while onboard!

For early risers, head to Horizon's-- you won't be alone at 5am. Sometimes the coffee machine would need a reset, and not be ready at that time, But staff is usually there by 6 to fix this and to set out juice and pastries. We would head there almost daily. It's a great place to read quietly, check your email (much faster this time of day) and watch the sunrise.

We also did the 180 with Wayne. The first month of the trip was very similar to another long cruise we had taken. By the end of the second month the trip became less of a typical cruise, as friendships with those taking the journey developed. We began to share life events: death, injuries, illnesses. We felt a connection to staff that we saw daily. There were over 100 of us taking the trip together, and the shared experience bonded us together. By the last couple months, the ship life became as much a part of experience as were the ports. We are not outgoing people, and on a typical 2 week cruise don't go out of our way to socialize. But we soon realized that the socialization was a very large part of the fun we had on the ATW. Others must have also felt that, as a large number of those cruisers have rebooked another 180 in 2019-- even though many of the ports on that cruise are repeats. Is every day perfect? no. Did we have a positive relationship with everyone? no. But, I would think that if you are a positive person who enjoys meeting people, the length of the cruise shouldn't scare you. If you tend to be critical, a long cruise that is likely to add up those less than perfect events, a long cruise may not be a good fit. You need to start with being honest with yourself -- I'm sure those I met on my trip who were in the "critical" group have a completely different account of how long the 180 days seemed to them.

Take both?? as long as you're in the "area" :D

We stayed in 6006 for an ATW. There is noise during rehearsal (around noon) for about an hour, as well as the shows. The show times are consistent-- no surprise or random noises other times at night. The noise level varied depending on the performers. I don't think any of the shows lasted past 10:30. If you were sensitive to noise, and wanted to be asleep before 10pm, it would not be a good spot on the ship. I do recall someone staying on the deck 7 C cabins also saying that they could hear the lounge noise, so this might be a little better, but not free from the sounds. Despite being early to bed people, the noise wasn't an issue for us.

Oceania had a deposit bin at the end of the cruise for those wishing to donate clothes and other items that went to the crew fund. Somewhere, in some port you could donate the clothing you don't want anymore, no need to pack it up to take home. We had excellent laundry service, but even so, there were items I didn't want to see again, not necessarily because they were damaged.

On Oceania, we put suitcases under the bed (not all of them) for storage of items not used. There are no drawers under the bed. I brought fabric under bed storage containers with me, but ended up not needing them. We had space under there to hold all of our purchases. In San Diego, we walked to a Fed Ex store, bought a couple of boxes, and returned after packing them to ship home. We were able to fit the boxes in a couple wheeled suitcases, to make it easier to return to the FED EX store. Fortunately, No customs to have to drag all of that through. The price was lower than what it would have been to pay the extra bag fee, and the boxes arrived at home shortly after we did. We did laugh however, when we figured out that all those treasures we bargained for were worth far less than the shipping fee! Some passengers went to a local Goodwill and bought old suitcases for their extras. We did bring a collapsible suitcase, but after 180 days, those little things you buy for the kids/grandkids do add up, and I am not a shopper! I do know of someone who shipped things home from Pago Pago. If you are on the 2018, hopefully you have a couple of west coast stops that you could find a way to mail those extras, just to avoid the hassle when arriving back in Miami.

An alternative, would be to pay Luggage Free for the extra bag delivery home, but I think you pay by the pound for that service.

It was amazing the last weeks of our ATW cruise to see everyone trying to decide what to do with all their "stuff"!! You are ahead of the game by thinking of this already!