Debbers

Hi Debbers, so you have stayed in this suite... do you think a table for 4 would fit on the balcony - ?

Yes, I do. It certainly seemed huge to me!

We loved it. To compensate for the loss of room in the cabin, we asked that the chairs and table at the foot of the bed be removed (we found them rather silly anyway). I can't remember the closet situation, but it was more than adequate.

My question is this: Why do people love in-suite, course-by-course dining? We've been in PHs three times and haven't tried it, probably because we're outgoing and love to chat with tablemates. But I'd love to hear why others enjoy it.

We have six months to embarkation and no stateroom assignment yet. We booked the guarantee to get the category of choice (PH3); now that all PHs are waitlisted, I have no idea where we stand. But we are calm and confident that the stateroom we finally get will be lovely. In the meantime, I have an excuse for checking the website daily.

And we loved Polo. Toscana was disappointing (but we are very picky about Italian food). As for Red Ginger, the food was fine--nothing spectacular--but the atmosphere was uncomfortable for me. There are too many tables, too close together (unlike the other restos), and the noise level was deafening. But of course food is indeed subjective!

We have seen perhaps a half-dozen children (say, 10-16) on our three O cruises. Were they well-behaved? Very. Were they having fun? Could not tell, though they seemed happy enough playing golf and ping-pong. These were all transatlantics, when there are very few ports to offer diversions, and I did feel their parents could have offered a more kid-appropriate vacation.

My point is that well-behaved children are welcome, but not best served on this line. And--like adults--if any start being truly disruptive, they will be subjected to my famous Raised Eyebrow of Disapproval. (My own kids could tell you how effective that is.:cool:) If that doesn't work, I will complain to the staff.

The most efficient way is to roll the suit out on the deck, then sit down, take shoes off, and push your legs into it, stand up and push your arms into the sleeves.

Wait--we would have to STAND UP again? That's a problem for a lot of us!

Good gracious.

Honestly I can't remember much about the other toiletries, but I bring home the soaps, wrapped, to place in my linen closet. They make the towels smell very nice!

[if they rule the ship, then they are the "police" and they should ensure the rules are followed.

You are of course correct, and I wish the rules were enforced. However, staff in the business of pleasing the public really dislike being enforcers. They fear (correctly) being berated, not tipped, possibly physically abused. I can see why they shy away from confrontation.

We'll be in Bermuda on the 24th on our TA, and would love to catch a glimpse of the racers.

"Can people turn up for evening meal in my Bermuda shorts and t-shirts?"

Only if you lend out those items! Otherwise most people wear their own clothes. :o

The first few times we receive room service, we tipped our butler. Then he told us it wasn't necessary; we we wished, we could add something at the end of the cruise. That made life easier. So when we have a butler, that's what we do.

We spent a little over a week in Ireland two years ago. Dublin was interesting; Ring of Kerry and Dingle Peninsula are as beautiful as everyone says. And every cab driver wants to know: "Are you havin' a good time?" And we were! Be prepared to see framed photos of the Kennedys, too.

It's more complicated than that.

1. Ireland is a single island, situated next to Britain, but there are two countries on the island.

2. The Republic of Ireland makes up most of the island. It is an independent, sovereign state.

3. Northern Ireland makes up the northeastern part of the island. It is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

First, like many others, we are trying to make the best decision about whether to choose the "free" excursions or the $800 OBC. Of the four excursions we wish to take, only 3 would qualify for the "free" offer. The cost of the three qualifying excursions (x 2 passengers) is less than $800, making the OBC the better value for us.

Second, various posts have recommended buying the excursions well before the cruise, to make sure we get our first choices. Naturally we would like to use the $800 OBC to pay for those excursions. At least one post recommended the cancel-and-rebook strategy as a way to pay for the excursions using the OBC. It seems a reasonable plan to me, but of course I am asking for comments. Thank you all!

Many thanks to all those who have posted the ways to book and pay for O excursions. Based on what I have read, this is the strategy you recommend, correct?

First, using O's website, choose and purchase the minimum number of excursions (four in our case) to trigger the discount.

Second, phone O's offices to ask them to refund the difference between the standard cost and the YWC cost. The refund will be credited to our CC account.

Third, after boarding the ship, visit the excursions desk. Ask that booked excursions be cancelled and immediately rebooked using OBC. The money already paid will be returned as refundable OBC.

Do I have this all correct? (We will not opt for the free excursions because the one we want most is not included in that offer.)

We are planning our fourth O cruise, once again in a PH. Our TA included prepaid gratuities. If (more likely, when) we make an additional tip, what is the general range? I should know this after three cruises, so perhaps we have been grossly under- or over-tipping the butler and steward. :confused:

Could you please explain the disclaimer you were asked to sign? What does it say?

What a complicated and exhausting business. I am sorry you had to go through it.

Just to vent? Because there is nothing we can do about the issue.

Gosh, I hope they have some on our 15-day in June. I hate to hang out in/near the laundry room, but my inner miser hates to pay the regular prices for laundry.

It's been several years since our last cruise, but I see that "can I wear these jeans" questions still abound. The more things change, the more they stay the same! ;)

One of the top things we have loved on Oceania is their shrimp cocktail. It's something I would never bother with ashore, but O's shrimp were delicious and their sauce superb.

The Tuscan Steak menu shows that shrimp cocktail is served with amatriciana--which is a very nice pasta sauce, but not the horseradish-rich sauce we have craved between cruises. Can we ask for cocktail sauce to be served instead?

Once you have experienced a PH, you will be completely spoiled! We took one for an anniversary cruise and keep saying, next time we'll scale down to a balcony cabin, but haven't managed it yet. Congratulations on your anniversary, and enjoy your cruise.

No need to dress the chairs...just offer them for a light dinner., during regular Terrace dinner hours.

Hee hee! I know what you meant, but the idea of offering chairs for a light dinner tickled me. :p

We were disappointed in TotT on our first Regatta cruise. It seemed just a nice name for the terrace in the evening, with standard (though very good) buffet food. We did love the space, though. In good weather, a bottle of Cava and a nice plate of tapas would be a treat.