mmssnb

Apparently it fell off the pile of luggage, bounced, the net pulled free from the dock side. The crew all saw it happen as they were at the cargo doors awaiting their bags.

Oceania has taken excellent care of us and we have zero complaints with how they have handled it once we were aware what had happened.

5 hours ago, LHT28 said:

OMG

Sorry to hear that

I also would see what they can clean for you & claim the rest on insurance

take photos of all the damaged items

 

Not sure Oceania had a hand in it

maybe you did not tip enough to the porter 🙂

 

Lol, no we definitely tipped the porter a more than reasonable amount for two bags since we had forgotten to get change prior to the ship ! I would think we would see lots more floating bags if tips were why they dropped it! 
We ,hopefully, don’t have huge monetary losses, it was an accident. That being said it was something we never could have imagined so will rethink our packing strategy and carry on items in the future for sure!

They are working very hard to make it right here on board. OBC to help get a few things replaced etc.

Thank your for the insurance tip. Haven’t quite processed what happened since so bizarre.  I am hoping we get some $$ or OBC at least to get what we need . Just sad it ruined most all of our Christmas presents 😞 

Here’s something I never thought I would have to take into consideration .... does my luggage float.

Embarked today promptly at 1100. one bag arrived quickly, the other did not. At 5, as we are getting ready to sail, I contact our butler and ask if I should be worried as our other suitcase is not here. A few minutes later he asks me to talk to reception... I go down to have security check my bag, only to find out...THE PORT of MIAMI had dropped it in the water! Luckily they were able to catch it before it sank...

Everything (toiletries, Christmas presents, etc) soaked/dripping . Clothes all wringing wet...

Oceania then gave me a toiletries bag.. that was Opened and missing items..like the toothbrush...

lets see how they help make this right. 
I highly suggest vacuum packing or dry packing all belongings in the future. We did have some items in zip locks but that wasn’t good enough.

When you are embarking they take a picture. As Cbb said, it is that photo they reference on their screen when scan on/off the ship and when you go to restaurants on board so they recognize you and can call you by name when you are there etc. on board you should have no problem. Enjoy your cruise!

We have always found the butlers quick to respond. If they go to break they hand off their phone or pager to another Butler. The only time we didn’t see our Butler as expected was after they announce a code medical....which turned out to be for our butler who was taken off the ship to a hospital. Missing our canapés was certainly a non issue.

@LHT28 Bitter lemon can be found in the US, but not everywhere. I’ve seen it at grocery stores but can’t remember which ones. Fever tree is available in grocery stores too, I have seen it in Safeway and others, multiple flavors. 

I requested fever tree from special services and they said they would try. They did say they stock Schweppes products so bitter lemon “should” be doable and the tonic is usually there.. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Fever Tree but will be bringing on my own Monkey 47 gin regardless...

The French onion soup at Jacques is better IMHO. According to the head butler, Polo and Jacques use different cheese toppings and bread. I can’t recall if the soup base is different. I had ordered it from Polo but he brought it from Jacques because he said it was better...and I had to agree...

Have you considered that there are many factors that may contribute to port time, such as tides and when the port can accommodate the ship movement etc, and if it changes at even one place it can domino things!? I know staff appreciates longer days so they can get off the ship, some ship tasks are easiest done in port as well.they also stand to have more revenue from more tours, not less. I’m pretty sure in all the “moving parts” of a port call private tours considerations are probably low on their list. 

I hope you can reschedule your tours and if they were Oceania tours another interesting option will be available.

We made the mistake of accepting an up sell a few cruises ago, and now are spoiled for anything else.

We have sailed in owners suite in both classes pre -recent refurb.

Why we like them...

-we use our rooms a lot . Dinners from specialties, and love watching water go by on veranda. We also like having the space to have butler bring in morning coffee while we sleep and it doesn’t disturb us. 

-owners suite can board any tender at any time directly, no need to wait for ticket

-drink much? You get 6 bottles of wine /liquor. Not a big deal but nice not to even worry about bringing much on

Enjoy your cruise and remember , no matter your room, we all eat the same food, see the same shows, and arrive at ports at the same time!

Found it..

I believe top boubon was along the lines of knob creek. Gin included Bombay and tanquary and a few others, none that I am a fan of, so we bring our own. I’ll see if I can find the liquor bar set up menu for top suites posting, I’m sure Stan posted it at some point...

but again, if you have a favorite , I would bring it...

Definitely tonic. We drink Gin and tonics every evening. If you have a penthouse or above you can ask your butler to bring fresh limes daily. Might even have a spare shaker :). Can’t say for sure about diet tonic... definite maybe? Also...why not bring both gin and boubon! One pre dinner cocktail one for after!

A few things to consider. Some places require the YF vaccine (think places like Kenya). Do they check when you enter? No necessarily, but it can be up to the individual checking and it would be sad to be stopped because you don’t have it.

also, if you decide to get it, plan ahead. There is currently a vaccine shortage so you may need to travel to get it or wait longer than you had planned...

To our butler Pritam (riviera 12/9-19). We wish you a speedy recovery and to see you again on a future cruise. Thank you for taking such wonderful care of us!- Mary and Stephen 

Is the refurbishment confirmed?

The in suite lunch is new and not on the website. Our butler said it is only the second week they were doing it.

On board insignia now. Butler confirmed dry dock in November. Also had an IT person in the room scanning signal strength and he said they were scanning entire ship and will be upgrading the system as well.

Also, off topic, but FYI as of the last 2 cruises, they are now doing an owners suite embarkation lunch in your suite. Unfortunately nobody talked to us ahead of time so we had already eaten, and didn't know our butler had been standing by the room since 11 waiting for us! (We went to the room when announcement was made that rooms were ready at 1)...

The Manhattahttps://www.nycruise.com/manhattan-terminal/embarkingdisembarking/

The Manhattan cruise terminal site has good information and pictures.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I am not so worried about signing the documents, as I have done that electronically in the past, I am more worried if I will be reachable in the event of any issues (which seems invariably happen) and if the documents will even open/download if the internet is not adequate.

Luckily much of this cruise has daily ports in the US so I can utilize my data when at port, but one property is in Hawaii and one in South Carolina, so throw in 6 hours of time difference, it leaves a small window at times!

Happy cruising to all

hello

I am wondering if I should also get an ATT cruise package in addition to the included internet on my upcoming Cruise on insignia (NY-July 25). Usually I look forward to being "unplugged" on a cruise but it seems I will be in the middle of selling and purchasing homes. My last cruise on riviera it was spotty Internet to say the least...

We will be in an owners suite if that makes any difference.

Does the ATT cruise package offer any better internet etc or should I just stick with the on included Internet ?

Thoughts!?

TIA

You can't carry onto an airplane . Tsa won't let you bring a bottle of water let alone wine, and many airlines prohibit alcohol. Bubble wrap should be fine.

Does any know if they offer non dairy milk options such as soy or almond milk?

Clorox bleach free hand sanitizer spray may work against noro some studies show... As a nurse we practice hand washing , and gel in /gel out of every room. If everyone did that we would all help reduce the risks.its everyone's responsibility to help prevent the spread of disease.

HI

We are excited for our first cruise in November, but am wondering if their very generous policy of case(s) of wine or 3 bottles of wine would include liquor. We aren't big wine drinkers but like a cocktail or 2. TIA