tigerfan75

I’ve always had a VERY good experience with TMobile Magenta Plan internationally.  The “welcome” text as one enters each new country raises the visit’s anticipation.  Enjoy your cruise…

8 hours ago, Psoque said:

I called Oceania to do exactly what you are trying to do.  I’m not sure if this is a typical experience, but for me, I called Oceania guest services and was able to cancel one excursion and book something else for that same day, and the change was made correctly.

Yes, this is the only way to do it…call O.

4 hours ago, basor said:

Hi Barbara!    We just got off Vista and did the same with the onboard O ambassador.....looked at a Nautica Fall of 2025 cruise that could be booked as one 23 day cruise with 1 booking number, the GV discount and 2 deposits.  We ended up booking it as 2 separate bookings with 2 booking numbers thus receiving 2 cruise credits, B2B discount, 2 sets of loyalty perks, 2 AMEX OBC, 2 NCHL stock OBC, etc......we are money ahead as the double OBC perks with B2B discount is more $$$ that the GV discount..

My experience has always been that if the desired itinerary is also being sold as a multi-segment Grand Voyage, then one had no option to book the segments separately.

7 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

Am on Vista 2/28. 10 day Caribbean. Don't want to miss rack of lamb, prime rib and Lobster. Is the first night a good night?

You might consider the strategy used by many on CC.  Make your reservations on-line for other days.  Then when boarding, head directly to the Dining Reservations Desk to make an extra reservation for the evening of boarding, which I assume is "the first night" in your question.  Often, guests are tired, unpacking, etc., and choose not to dine in a Specialty that first night, so there is generally some availability if you can get to the Desk early.  Good Luck.

10 minutes ago, Iamthesea said:

Lyn - I am sorry to impose on your thread, but hope you do not mind and allow me to ask one more question.😊   Anyone can answer.

 

If DH and I make a booking without taking the O'Life, Simple Life or whatever the latest special option is, and just book a 'no thrills' stateroom, are the 4 specialty restaurants still included with our fare?  We have booked the last two Oceania cruises with O'Life, but for various reasons, do not think that the add-on's are worth the extra fare.  

Bookings for all rooms include specialty dining.

10 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

So, the Edition in Barcelona is not the place to stay? Please confirm. and Thank you. 

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Try the Marriott Cotton House.  A smaller boutique hotel that we very much enjoyed.  Outside courtyard dining, close proximity to HOHO busses.

YMMV…

2 hours ago, PinonNoir said:

I don't know if this was the CD's fault or just Oceania policy. He would announce all of the days activities that were listed in Currents, so there was no need for him to repeat those. At the end of every announcement he would spend about 30 seconds advising people to stay in their staterooms if they felt sick and to call 00, and then a reminder to always use the hand sanitizer while walking around the ship. It got quite tedious.  I would say there were at least 3-4 announcements a day, but then we were ashore in each port, so there might have been more.

I remember Mr. Clelford as CD only because IMO he is the worst CD I've encountered on O.  His style is much different than other CDs, so I am led to believe it is not corporate policy...

3 hours ago, ciasoonatsea said:

Can you book only a portion of a World Cruise if it is not a designated segment?

My experiences with ATW segments is that a booking segment-by-segment is required.  A defined disembarkation port has the necessary Customs and Immigration support.  However, I have inquired about “getting off the ship early”, and was told that it may be possible if arrangements shoreside could be arranged, but that I still must purchase the entire segment.  Perhaps speak to your cruise line about the possibility.  Good luck with your efforts.

7 minutes ago, aaaaa said:

"She gets hers in May and I think returns to sailing May 18."

 

This information doesn't seem correct, as Regatta is fully engaged in sailings during May (2024).  The next break in the sailing schedule for Regatta is March 30, 2025, to April 9, 2025.

I believe Mauibabes was referring to the Marina with his statement...

6 hours ago, akronmaid said:

About the refillable water stations. Is ice available?

No, just water.

2 minutes ago, Wheelhouse said:

The single ply toilet paper on this ship is about the worst I have ever encountered.  I’ll bring my own next time. 

But the single ply will not clog the system…

4 minutes ago, Snaefell3 said:

That's a "should I choose pistachio or chocolate ice cream?" question.  😉

 

The only non-usual thing I would mention is that the non-suite (category A to G) cabins on R-class ships (including Riviera) all have the same unexpectedly small bathrooms.  The showers, in particular, are a running topic of "they're very bad" vs "they're small but quite usable".

The Riviera is not R Class.  The bathrooms in A are nice..IMO. 😁

10 minutes ago, calicakes said:

We're experiencing very rough seas.  They've closed all the outside decks.  They removed the cushions from the balcony furniture.   Both Julie and I are feeling sick to our stomach.  We're wearing the sea sickness patch, I wonder how much worse it would be if we didn't have those on.   The captain says the weather will be this way for the remainder of the cruise.  Uggggg. 

That is truly unfortunate.  I get seasick, too.  Everyone has their own way to handle it, but I approach it two ways.  Firstly, I get a front chair in Horizons, and focus on the distant horizon while trying to engage in conversation.  Secondly, I find that the bed and movie channel are my friends...Good Luck.

2 hours ago, Gracie115 said:

I have tried to book an excursion on our Dec 11 Vista cruise.  I put the desired one in my cart and then when I go to the cart it states "Cart is Empty"  I have tried this repeatedly the last few days.  Does anyone know why this would happen?

I have found the online excursions booking engine wonky.  I now will only book O excursions by calling O directly.  My TA does not mind, and equally, it is one of the few things that O will allow a customer to do direct with them when you employ a TA.

12 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

 

Thanks.

If doing a B2B2B I assume after completing the 1st online check in that the following two are redundant and can be ignored ?

Yes, one can ignore the following boarding pass emails.

When boarding for your first segment, be sure to go to the Purser (Reception Desk) and have your keycard changed to reflect the full length of your cruise, if it is not already printed on it.

6 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

In order to complete online check in it mentions taking a photo on your device.

Is the photo essential in order to be issued an online boarding pass ?

Is an online boarding pass essential prior to arriving at the terminal for check in ?

Boarding port is Civitavecchia.

No, the photo is not essential to get the pass.  As I recall, one has an option to skip the photo when retrieving the online boarding pass.

Yes, it is advisable to have your boarding pass with you…just in case.

Two items to share about our recent 30-day Vista cruise:

a.  At the Captain’s Party, a fellow came in to the Horizons wearing shorts, a tee shirt, and a ball cap….went and stood at the bar.

b.  After staying awhile at the Captain’s Party, we went to the GDR for dinner.  The guy in the couple ahead of us was wearing a tight fitting body tee shirt, jeans, and flip flops.  The Maitre D came over to the couple to welcome them, and very chalantly leaned over to the man and whispered something in his ear.  The man waved his hands somewhat over his clothing, the Maitre D nodded, and then the guy nodded.  He was allowed to dine, but I supposed it was a “caution” …

While I prefer a larger O class shower, my wife actually prefers the smaller R class shower.😃. She says it helps her maintain balance, especially in rough seas…

12 hours ago, Ron&Sue said:

We have sailed many cruises with Oceania and never were woken by announcements. This cruise has announcements so loud that wakes us as early as 7AM. We talked to front desk and they suggested ear plugs. This is a deal breaker for us. Today while on a tender others were complaining about the early morning announcements. Anyone else experience this?

Yes, if announcements are for important tender/port activities.  Was on Vista with Paul for 30 days in August and September, and I did not find it unusual, but normal and expected.  But, of course, I am an early riser to get on the tenders first thing.

Just now, Mrs f. said:

We were just on Vista.   Where were the water filling stations?  I didn't notice any. 

I saw several…Atrium, TerraceCafe, near Vista Lounge….

7 minutes ago, basor said:

On our last O cruise, they were still offering the water bottles by the gangplank if you did not want to carry the provided or brought you own water bottle.  I will check it out if that has changed when we board VISTA in 12 days...which ever, you do not have to bring your own water onboard to have "free" water bottles/refills available.

Just got off a B2B Vista today.  No plastic water bottles provided in our segments.

She is a gorgeous ship; you will love it.

5 hours ago, lborne said:

Posted in Roll Call, but thought I'd share here too.  Just noticed our tour booked through Oceania in Izmir - Ancient Sardis - ends at 8:15pm but the ship is scheduled to depart at 7:00pm.  I know if you book excursions through the cruise line, they make sure you get back before the ship leaves, but something is not right here.  I called Oceania and they said yes, 7 is the departure time, not the all-on-board time and said they don’t know how to explain the discrepancy but that I should call back Monday when the tour department is open. I’m sure there is a simple explanation, but I’ve never seen this before.

This occurred several times on the B2B Vista cruise just ended today.  The tour times were adjusted to match the ship’s schedule.  Must review Currents newsletter itinerary port times upon boarding, and compare to excursions tickets printed times provided in stateroom.  Highly unlikely, but if you discover a discrepancy, speak with Destination Services.

20 minutes ago, basor said:

Unlike Celebrity, there is no need to bring your own plastic water bottles onboard as Oceania has water bottles, free, when you are departing the ship for excursions, etc.  Onboard, they provide each of you with a refillable water bottle and there are large bottles of still and/or sparkling water in your cabin that are refilled as ofter as you want.  There are also water filling stations around the ship for those bottles.  Some prefer to bring their own refillable water bottles onboard but Oceania provides you the water to refill those.

Actually, there are no plastic water bottles provided for going ashore.  One is expected to provide your own water.

Just now, Gracie115 said:

 

Thank you.  

Which of the Specialty Restaurants on Vista charge a fee? Or are they all included?

No fee for any Specialty.

22 minutes ago, Colorado Coasty said:

Is the lounge open 24 hours and will I be committing a major faux pas to show up (very early) in my robe to get a couple of coffees to go?

Always open.  Area may not have been recently serviced in the wee off hours.  Robes are seen in the hallways making the early trip…