jill1349

Thanks again for all of the information - did not know about bringing on beer and wine and corkage fee and the 2 for 1 happy hour.  Learning a lot from this thread and thanks to all who contributed answers to my inquiry.

Jill

LHT28, wow that was a fast and helpful reply.   Thank you for information on the drink package and search feature.   Think we will skip the drink package and just buy drinks as we drink them.  I only have one glass of wine per day and my husband has a a few more but is not a heavy drinker.

Jill

I also am new to Oceania and we  will be taking our first cruise on May 4.   We have OBC and was thinking of getting the drink package for my husband.   This is a btb cruise so will be total of 14 days and it appears that price they are quoting me is for the full 14 days.   But then it says it breaks down to $19.99 per day which does not seem correct - normally drink packages are about $40 or more per day.   If it truly is $19.99 I am going to jump on it.   So my question is - How much is drink package normally.  This particular cruise is May 4 and 11 on the Regatta from LA.

I thought there was a search feature on cruise critic but I cannot locate it so I apologize if this question has been asked before.

Jill

Another question - does the PVP get a commission like a TA would or are they just paid a salary from Princess.    Thanks.

Pescado Amarillo, been reading along about G's travels and been hoping you would blog when you went on your trip.   Looking forward to it - thanks for blogging.

Jill

Glad I came across this thread because I have been wondering how PVPs work.   In my case I was working with a terrific TA.   But in last couple of years I have developed some health issues and many of the cruises she booked for me had to be cancelled.   I felt (and feel) bad that she did all of the upfront work and then had to do additional work to cancel them and never got a commission.   So while I would prefer to book with her decided it might be best to book direct with Princess so if I had to cancel I would not feel so guilty.    So just booked on-line but put hold on cabin since I needed funds transferred from a canceled cruise to the new cruise.    I was going to call Princess but was leery about the long wait times so remembered an email I had gotten with the name of a PVP.    I called him and he has been responsive although, unlike my TA, has not offered any OBC or perks.   My question:   What exactly is a PVP?   Are they just a TA that somehow works only with Princess.   Do they get some sort of commission or just get paid more by Princess than the reservation folks that answer the general Princess reservation number?    I do not want to have the same thing happen with this PVP - that is, he does the work but then I have to cancel and he does not get a commission.   If that is the case I may just go back to booking direct on-line and dealing with any issues by calling Princess direct (even if I may be on hold for hour or two).   And information on how PVPs are compensated would be much appreciated.

misguy, good information and thank you.   Much appreciated.

Jill

Hi Michelle (and Essiesmom) and thanks for the reply.    Yes, she can get in and out and I we have done some private tours before.   Not sure exactly what I am looking for - she is 97 years old and tires easily so ideally would be something that would last no more than two hours.   All in all probably best we just stay on the ship but would appreciate hearing what tours you took.   In PV we have taken cab to downtown and took her up the Malecon and in Mazatlan we took cab to the cathedral and back.  She does like to get off the ship and look around but as i say she tires easily so would have to be something close that does not require a lot of driving to get too.

Thanks.

Jill

Not sure this thread is still active but molly1riv (or others) I would be interested in your experience with a wheelchair tour in Mazatlan  and PV.   We will be traveling with my Mom on the Majestic in Feb, 2022 and very much interested in wheelchair tours.   

Thanks for any information - like you very disappointed Princess not offering any accessible tours.

Jill

Thanks for the information - will be on Majestic in February and also trying to decide on dining times.   About how long do the shows last?  I know they used to be about an hour but last couple of years seems they cut them back to 35 to 45 minutes.  Wondering if we could do the 7:30 show and then dinner but if shows last an hour would be late dinner for us.   

Jill

J, been looking forward to reading about your adventures on the Emerald - enjoyed your Alaska blog.

Have a great trip and thanks for taking us along.   Really been missing your blog.

Jill

Not sure this is helpful but this is our story.  We booked a future cruise in August while on the ship.  When we returned home got a call from woman saying she was assigned our booking and would be our point of contact.  She very nice and seemed helpful.   We were interested in making final payment by September 30 because the booking would be eligible for a 10 percent discount.  She said she could handle that and could also offer us additional OBC but would have to wait for her supervisor to return to do so.   

In meantime I contacted a TA I used before.  She said she would offer us a rebate that was about 2 and half times more than the additional OBC the Seabourn rep would give us so we decided to go with her.  Now, tomorrow is final payment day so hopefully the figure she was given is the same as what SB told us it would be.

So trade off - we getting more with the TA rebate but perhaps if problem be easier to deal with SB.   But as tjcox9 says I think she is working from home and has to call supervisor in another location to deal with any issues.

I agree - was on Ovation two weeks ago and hair dryer worked very well by the little make up area between the closet and the bathroom - and was a mirror there.    We were in a V3 on Deck 7.

To add to the discussion I wore shorts all day every day - well, not at dinner.   Remember too they have free washers/dryers so if you staying for longer than a week you can always pop a load in the washer.  And do not believe whattsaunt - she had the legs for shorts.

We are in Surprise.   Just up the road from you.

wyattsaunt - agree with you about the flights.   Next time we should stay longer.   Hard to believe last Friday we were still on the ship.   Other thing is next time if flight that long thinking may break it up - in retrospect we should have spent night at JFK hotel.   

Just to add my two cents regarding hairdryer.   I thought it was very good - in fact I almost took a picture because I was thinking of buying one for home.   You will like it - use the space for something else.

PS - Hi, to wyattsaunt.   Wasn't that a great cruise?   Only bad thing was long flight home.   

Jill

I thought it said three days.   Hope so because we plan to get it at Athens airport around noon Wed and we do not board until 4 Saturday so be over by a few hours.  Be very upset if they denied boarding for few hours especially since this was a last minute requirement.   And I agree - why one three days ahead of time and then at pier.   

TV24, thanks for the update on the Athens air and glad it improved.   And you able to enjoy a nice dinner outside.   Looking forward to that.

Hank, thanks so much for the testing information and other information.   And thanks TV 24 for information on smoke smell in Athens.  We arrive Wed morning and hoping for some improvement - and lower temperatures.

Hank/Hlitner, thanks for all of the information you have been providing.   We will be getting on when you get off.   

You mention antigen test before going ashore in Nafplion.   I am interesting in what type of covid testing is being done at the port and on the ship.   Are you having to do the kind where they stick the swab way up your nose (like to your brain) or just the kind where they swirl it around in both nostrils without sticking it way up.   I have had both and the first is very uncomfortable for me whereas the second usually just sort of tickles with a bit of discomfort.   Just wanting to be prepared.

Thanks again for all of the information.   Will be in Athens 3 nights before boarding and hoping smoke and weather improve.

Oh good - happy to hear that.   Thanks for the report.

Jill

Fudgbud, thanks for information.   I have had five Covid tests and I would not describe them as a tickle.   I thought there were two kinds of tests - one is a nasal swab where they stick swab in both nostrils and twirl it around but swab stays just in the nose.   The other is the one where they only do one nostril but stick it up pretty far - like what frantic36 describes.   I would not describe this as a tickle.but then I am a wimp when it comes to pain.    So still not clear if it is the nasal swab kind or the deep one.   I have some numbing solution that I have been using for my tests (for procedures and not because have symptoms) which helps but still not pain free - may need to bring in.   Thanks for all of the information.

Covepointcruiser, thanks for the information and glad it was not uncomfortable - sounds like it was more the nose swab and not the one where they jab it up the nose to your brain which is not fun.   Hopefully the one on the ship is the same way.

Jill

I too would like to know the answer to that question.   Not that it changes anything but would like to know ahead of time.

Jill

fudgbug, thanks for all of the great information - really appreciate it.

Now, you say the testing is "easy peasy."   Does that mean painless?   Because of medical procedures I have had five Covid tests where the happy tester says they will be gentle and then proceeds to jab the swab half way to your brain - it is quite uncomfortable - actually painful.   I am hoping the Seabourn tests are more the gentle swab in the nose - are they????

Jill

Will be on Ovation starting August 14 so enjoy all of the on-site reports and information.   SLSD, you mention testing in a large tent.   Do we have to do a Covid test before boarding?   For some reason I did not think they were requiring it.   

We are new to Seabourn and reading about the Caviar in the Surf.   Will they do this on the Greece cruises or will we have to wait until we board to find out if it will be done.   Curious what island they might use.   

Jill