Mareblu

Please report back🙏🏻

basor, AMHuntFerry, EJL2023 and 1985rz1: A message of gratitude to you all, and to our diligent TA, who refused to accept Oceania's directive that we were not eligible for the 25% discount on shorex without paying the premium to switch to Simply More. We have just received, via our TA, an apology from O, and the advice that $AUD785.00 will be deducted from our final payment, due in a few weeks, for our Vista cruise next April. This amount represents the discount now applied. O prefers to simply deduct the amount, rather than refunding our credit card. We are perfectly happy with that arrangement. You were all correct, and I salute you. When we booked, this cruise was advertised as a special offering, where we could choose either OBC, House Select package, or up to $1500 discount on shorex. We chose the drinks package, which we have now upgraded to the Premium package. I had assumed that the usual discount (YW) for a minimum number of shore excursions, which we had always received when enjoying many O cruises in the past, didn't apply in this case. The O rep our TA spoke to the other day was of the opinion that to receive the discount, we needed to pay approx. $900 each and switch to SM. Our TA actually included us in a 3-way call for this decision. After carefully scanning the T&C, she persisted, and Voila! On another note, a major glitch with O's website, when purchasing shorex, is one mentioned by at least one other CC contributor. I had originally purchased 9 tours, but then the following day purchased 1 more. The minimum on this 20-day cruise to trigger the 25% discount is 10. I suspect if I'd purchased the 10 at once, all the doubt may have been avoided, and the discount applied at the end of the purchase. In my case, and in others I've read about on CC, 9 plus 1 did not make 10. Anyway, all is now well, justice has been administered, and I'm very grateful for all your correct advice and assistance.

Thanks, basor. I have checked again to reassure myself, because that would make a huge diffeence. Unfortunately, we can't claim both the shorex discount and the drinks package. We had a choice of one or the other. Were we to switch to Simply More, as you have noted, we would indeed be eligible for both, but we would need to pay the extra $900 each. We would be in exactly the same $ spot. One thing to note: here in Australia, our booking conditions are usually not nearly as generous as those of the US. We are also cruising in Queens Grill on Cunard's Queen Anne after the O cruise, and had we booked in US, Cunard's drinks package is included for Queens Grill guests. Sadly, not for our Australian booking. Thank you for your much-appreciated post, though.

What a heartwarming post, Marion🥰

Yep, I bring the bones home, and make a long, slow minestrone with the bones added. I also add shin beef bones, similar to those used for osso buco. Italy, that’s called “minestre di brodo”. Before the beef falls completely from the bones, I remove the pieces and shred the meat. Next day, it makes a fantastic dish tossed through with lots of parsley, finely chopped onion, grated carrot (optional) a smidge (minuscule) of crushed garlic, evo, and a squeeze of lemon. Makes a refreshing spring/summer cold dish. I think we should be on “Meat Pies”, but maybe not?

Thanks, Marion, but it's for others to judge my cooking. I just love the creative satisfaction of producing fare made with good, fresh ingredients. Last night's chicken was tender and tasty (thanks to the brining and fresh rosemary, sage, bay leaves, thyme and oregano from my garden). Do you mean Canberra's Fyshwick markets? The chicken at the inside corner butchery at the western end sells wonderful chicken. Even better, and the best I've found in all Canberra, is Southlands Meats at Mawson (a Woden suburb). The guys there butterfly and debone the chicken when I ring and order it ahead. I confess it's much more expensive than Woolies or Coles, but the flavour is amazing, and it stretches much, much more than a supermarket offering, although your slow raised one could be similar. Let us know how it tastes😋

I was raised as a Methodist. I married a Catholic and converted. I can now drink, buy a lottery ticket and like most people my age, enjoyed the odd cigarette decades ago (but after conversion of course😉

This would be more relevant to you, Doc66610: We are sailing on Vista's 20-day "Grand Mediterranean Tour" next April, and booked under OLife. We opted for the House Select drinks package, with the intention of upgrading to Prestige once aboard. We sailed on Sirena last September, and also enjoyed the Prestige for that cruise, but couldn't recall whether we purchased pre-cruise or once aboard. Our TA consulted Oceania today, and to switch to Simply More in order to receive the 25% discount for shorex after purchasing the requisite number, we would need to pay approx. $AUD900.00 pp. Of course, we would then need to choose between the reduced shorex total and a House Select package. Honestly, horses for courses and swings and roundabouts. We are marginally better off doing exactly what we have locked in: Remaining with OLife, paying the full amount for shorex, and retaining the House Select drinks package. However, here's the important bit: We purchased the upgrade to Prestige Drinks Package this morning for $AUD870 each, because by pre-purchasing, we saved approx. $AUD17 per day, over upgrading once aboard. A no-brainer for us. Yes, martinis and just about every bar offering is covered with Prestige. At mealtimes, the wines are superior to the House Select. That is not to say, of course, that there is anything at all wrong with the House offerings. We are a tad fussy with wine, but not so much as to order Penfolds Grange with every meal (I wish). The few exceptions, not covered by Prestige, are a couple of very expensive drinks (high-end single malt, cognac and champagne) but all other high-quality single malts, cognacs and champagnes, and all cocktails not containing those few high-ends are included. No need to sign every time, which is the other big magnet for us. Hope all this helps.

Double tick, and both are superb after brining in buttermilk with fresh garden herbs. Tonight’s dinner (butterflied and deboned chicken). It will then serve in a salad for lunch tomorrow, and shredded in veg soup tomorrow night.

Sounds wonderful. Bravo!

Well, all the lawyers are in Phillip St😂 Good idea, Lyle. It’s divisive enough in Oz this week. Now for something completely different..,

Agreed. The issue is that it’s easier to parrot the media’s Canberra construct when it’s presented ad nauseum, unfortunately.

I totally, absolutely, indubitably agree!!!!

Correct

A brilliant movie; will always be a classic.

Did you ever try it, Les?😂

Most are, but some aren't. We each have our own (preferably private) opinion of who's who😉.

Or flash as a rat with a gold tooth.

It is Leigh. I love the way the landscape subtly embraces its elegant design. MGT: brilliant architectural vision.

Bravo👏👏👏

We’ve been watching Bathurst today as our magnificent Roulettes (Air Force) buzzed our house to acknowledge 35 years since nearby New Parliament House was opened.

Our demographics tell another story.

That's hilarious, Leigh. I guess Taswegians have felt they need to be assertive, or have become defensive over the years. I do love my aunt, she's delightful, but there's always a slight air of condescension hovering over our enjoyable cuppas when we meet up😉

My Tasmanian aunt would be far riskier: she’s just turned ninety, has all her faculties, and still says that all Australia’s intellectually gifted citizens reside there, because the mainland is populated by lesser beings. She’s been saying that, in all sincerity, ever since my wonderful uncle married her during a posting in the fifties. He got an early mark years ago, bless him. I miss him still.

Oh oh!!!