Jim_Iain

3 hours ago, D&N said:

 

I believe for the drinks shown in your post the mixers would be separate, but you should be able to order a small bottle or can. As soft drinks they're not subject to the 15 drinks a day limit.

 

Drinks over the limit are charged at full price plus 15% service, then discounted by 20% if you have the package.

 

Another thing to note is that measures, and possibly prices, have changed from 1oz and 2oz to 25ml and 50ml on recent price lists, which is about 16% less.

 

Thanks ---- That's rather sneaky that they shifted to 25/50 ML.  I'm sure most American's have no idea what that equates to .   

I'm not a drinker so really doesn't bother me much but.... Let me tell you, I would have cut my husband off well before hitting the 15 drinks in a day limit.

It could be any time from when you booked until when you show up at the Pier.  

Curious how Cunard handles drinks - 

I was looking at at Bar Menu - Compared to other lines the prices look very reasonable.   Do they also charger for mixers --e.g. tonic or is that included

If a drink is over the package $12.00 limit -  Do you just pay the difference like on Celebrity or do you have to pay the full amount? 

VAT in Spain.   Technically if you were to purchase a drink package VAT would be due at point of sale.    If however your ship has at least one non-EC port then they usually hold off processing the purchases until in international waters so they don't have to charge VAT. 

If i'm not mistaken Montenegro is not currently part of the EU so should be VAT free.

Looking forward to following along.   Have a wonderful trip.

1 minute ago, cruisestitch said:

If this happened on the ship, did they give you an opportunity to retrieve the non-offending adapters?

I have had them give me a power stip as well as an extension cord.    I'm sure there are limited power strips available.

I have used both bus and train to London.   Very easy.      The Bus station is much closer to down town but the train station is only about 1/2 hour walk from where the ship docks. 

22 hours ago, ggo85 said:

New menus aren't an enhancement.  Menus should change with some frequency.  New wines may or may not be better -- they could be cheaper and worse.  In some suites, you can order off of any menu (including specialty restaurants) for room service, so not an enhancement there either.  

 

When you hear "stocked mini bar," consider what that really means.  Currently on X, it's non-alcoholic drinks and beer.  No wine or hard liquor (you do get 2 bottles of wine but they are not replenished for free).  To be fair, even most luxury lines do not include hard liquor in the mini bar, though they do include wine.  Thus, don't assume you'll see anything more than what's available now.

The new menus are the ones they released in November and have finally been rolled out fleet wide.   Why it takes 6-7 months to roll out menus is just something I don't understand. 

Unfortunately many of my favorites disappeared and deserts went on Chocolate overload.

The main difference was they chaned one entree per day and swapped our Daniel B's menu to the one that includes the Chocolate Poop. 

On 8/7/2022 at 11:39 AM, Denny01 said:

Celebrity ships have their plugs depressed with a lip around them in many SRs and I don’t believe that would fit. 
 

to increase plug availability I bring EU adapters to use the EU plugs Celebrity has i believe in all SRs. 
 

den
 

den

I use a couple of those orange ones stacked to b able to use something like the OP's option.  On revoloutionized ships with the power box really limits direct access

I was of the opinion (which of course could be wrong) that the UK does not support price matching after the first 24 hours.   Has something to do with difference in law.

One other consideration is when you booked it and what perks you had.    I have a number of bookings that included gratuities and booking onboard credit.   If I adjusted the rate i would loose one or both.

10 hours ago, DENIE said:

We had just 3 prior cruises on Celebrity, then jumped post-Covid to Oceania.  One cruise on the Riviera (amazing!) and then this past January on Vista.  We LOVED the Vista!!  This style suits us better - small, more intimate ship, specialty restaurants included, etc.  Never found either ship to be over-crowded, even when getting off for excursions.  We have one more booked on Vista, and also a future cruise credit on a yet to be booked cruise.  Give it a try!

What benefits do you get for booking on board or purchasing a certificate to book  once home.

28 minutes ago, ScottC4746 said:

How does one sign up for this?

You would call either your Travel Agent or Celebrity.    In my case I had may agent handle it.

16 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

There are still many folks who booked upcoming future cruises before SM booking started. The pricing you see is for folks who still have O Life or Cruise Only. It doesn’t adjust specifically to your booking status. 

I realized that but in my humble opinion ---- - Is this anyway to run a company.   It doesn't take programming genius to have the correct amount for those booked under SM.   It is just they choose to put their head in the sand. 

I'm underwhelmed with Oceania Website.    Another example -- I had an excursion booked and they dropped the port.   There is not way to cancel an excursion online -   To cancel I had to call 2 times.   First time was told to wait 7-10 days and see if Oceania Cancels it automatically and if it doesn't --- call back .

10 hours ago, JDPCruisers said:

I truly appreciate all of the feedback! While we do not focus on the negative posts (have had plenty of those over at Celebrity, too, but our experiences have been overwhelmingly positive.) but seems to be a number of them on CC for Oceania so all of your positive comments are helpful.

 

We're thinking to begin on one the larger ships (Vista) in order to test the water to see if we enjoy the experience. 

 

Does Oceania offer beverage packages (alcohol) in addition to simply MORE, I can't see to find that on their website? 

They have an upgrade beverage package.    At least for me the prices are incorrect on their website  and told I need to call in to book or wait and book once on board.

Upgrade from the House Select beverage package included with our simply MORE offer to enjoy unlimited premium spirits, Champagne, wine and beer wherever and whenever you wish for $30.00

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/value  Choose - Drink Packages

When I log onto Manage my account they show the pre-Simply More pricing even though I booked with Simply More

1 hour ago, travel1light said:

That email bounced…address couldn’t be found.

That's because she goes by Laura Hodges  

8 hours ago, ScottC4746 said:

Do you also get suite seating at the shows in the theater and priority embarkation/disembarkation?

 

If this is really a thing, I hope they keep it very hush hush and limited.  If they suddenly allow the retreat to become overrun with non-retreat passengers, they are going have some upset guests.

It is very limited and number per cruise is strictly limited.   They also get Priority Embarkation/disembarkationa and Suite Seating.

On 5/19/2024 at 5:32 PM, Northern Aurora said:

 

 

Jim:  Hiking or not -- Ward Cove is in a lousy location.  And in September, particularly in Ketchikan, be prepared for heavy rain and be eternally thankful if you have decent weather that date.  

I had much the same feeling.... maybe we will just stay on the ship.

Quebec City is a very easy city to tour on your own.    The ships park at the lower part of the city and you can either climb the steps or take a tram to the upper city.  

1 hour ago, EJL2023 said:

One thing I noted is both of Regents and Norwegian’s loyalty programs are based on number of nights instead of number of cruises. 

To me that makes much more sense.    Also Cabin Class and Days to me make the most sense.

3 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Common practice among TA's and a good one IMO.  They always want to process final payment early in case there is a system or credit card issue to have ample time to be resolved without jeopardizing your cruise.  We have also gotten into the same practice on the occasion when we don't use a TA and typically process final payment a couple of days ahead of the due date on our own.

When we get in striking range I often schedule the payment right after my credit card billing cycle. 

An alternative you may pursue is the Suite Guest Program.  They have a limited number of participants.   You basically pay $100 pp per day and they get Suite Benefits including Luminae and retreat.

Your experience is one of the many reasons I use a TA.    Mine usually starts sending me reminders 15 days prior to final  payment date.  

The retreat has a number of events throughout the cruise.   They have included everything from Silent Disco, Classic Music, Senior Officer Meet and Greet, guest lecturers etc.  

The events are generally for about a standard 50 minute set.    The remainder of the time it is usually very quiet and peaceful.  When there is an event the Club fills to often standing room only but an hour later empty

2 minutes ago, clo said:

I'd like to think/hope that it was a one-off event. It took 20 or 30 minutes to get a menu (the couple at the next table had the same experience) and each course was painfully slow also. And we don't like to be rushed either. But it seems from reading here that our experience wasn't typical. With four meals at specialities and we got a extra at one and our love of the Terrace Cafe we just weren't inspired to return to the GDR. This upcoming trip is a B2B close to three weeks so we'll have more opportunity.

 

Look forward to hearing about your cruise.   My anticipation of our first Oceania cruise is really growing.

21 hours ago, clo said:

We will be back on O in July and will try GDR again. The only other time we ate there the service was so slow/bad I can't even remember the food. Also, to tell you the truth, the 'ambiance' of the GDR is just too-too. Ah well. I'll avert my eyes.

Curious when you say slow/bad.    Could you elaborate --- just trying to get my mind prepared to what we might experience.   We generally enjoy a slower relaxed dinner than being rushed with  main dropping almost as fast as you put a spoon down from the appetizer.

26 minutes ago, piper28 said:

2 a week, you're barely scratching the surface.  Heck, I've gotten multiple brochures in a single day from Oceania.  If I didn't get Oceania marketing stuff, I'm not sure I'd actually get mail every day.  Too lazy to go in and find the spot to turn it off, and not sure I believe it would stop even if I did.  

 

I'm sure somewhere some bean counter at least has some stats to justify the number of brochures they mail out, although I have to wonder if those numbers are like a lot of statistics, and open to interpretation in favor of the way you want them to be.  

I am similar and receive many brochures.   I pick up the mail coming through the garage and they usually end in the Paper Recycle Bin before even making it into the house - let alone even opened.