JDPCruisers

For those recently or currently on Connie, have there been any night parties at the pool?

Thanks for this information and glad it's working well for you. We'll be on Connie Sunday and I will try to report our experience. What ship are you on?

Good to know, thanks.

Thanks for the info. Curious if you know, is there a Retreat area and if the Concierges are there?

We have never had any issues but have anything we bring in my wife's tote bag on top of the lounge chair while we step away for a few minutes. We're never gone for more than 5 mins to get a drink from the bar, what with less servers than in days of yore.

Thanks for continuing to answer by questions!

Thanks. So, who do you request from the head butler, the concierges (or are they Retreat Hosts now), or the room attendant?

Yes, thanks.

Thanks for the additional info. I lived in Tampa off and on for a number of years but haven't been for about 20 yrs so not sure how much I will recognize nowadays. Going to the Columbia in Ybor for dinner so I know I'll recognize that again! Is there a Retreat area in the terminal for boarding? If so, are the Retreat Host/Concierges there to meet and great? This will be the first time back on X since the changes so not sure what to expect other than the great feedback we've read on CC.

Thanks for the info. We are flying in so no need for the parking garages this time around.

We'll be cruising on Sunday for the first time since the changes in Sky Suites and something I'm still confused about, are the Retreat Hosts what was called the Concierges? Who is the individual that you use to make any requests, the Head Butler, and did you meet them, or the Retreat Hosts or Room Attendant?

As with others, we find this quite annoying no matter where it happens, and it seems to happen just about anywhere. Oblivious people or likely they just don't care about anyone else around them. Sign of the times, I guess.

We're boarding this weekend for our first time on Connie and sailing out of Tampa, and unclear on what terminal does she sail out of? Thanks.

Thanks for sharing your experience so far. We are seriously looking at Vista for our first Oceania cruise in 2025 having been Royal and Celebrity cruisers but considering a change to a smaller more exclusive experience and services. Will continue to follow along for your thoughts.

Yes, very helpful. We're very close to booking the Vista for 2025 to the Caribbean, Canel crossing, and the Americas with some ports we've been to and some we have not with a nice mix of sea days but need to do a little more research, sold on the ship but not sure about some of the ports for things to see and do.

Ok, thanks!

Thanks for the review and photos. Whole local fish in OVC, that's a move in the right direction! I'm with you on the stair decorations, seems little risky. But, good to hear they are starting to decorate for the holiday's and we look forward to seeing next week. Oh, how has the pizza been?

We found them much closer in Blu than in Luminae. With booking a suite I feel I'm already paying for Blu/Luminae, if not in a suite I would not likely pay anymore and just go with specialty dining package depending on the ship.

Have you met the head butler? Are you able to request certain services such as canapes in the early evening before dinner, ice bucket replenished daily, extra towels if needed, things along those lines that were standard place in SS before the changes?

Thanks for the positive review of your current sailing. Read with interest as we are on shortly for the first time on Connie and not sure with the recent changes what the service will be like but appears by your experience all is well if a little slow.

One thing I'm not clear on is the real difference between PH1, 2 and 3? Location on the ship? Or? We have yet to be on the Beyond but are booked on her next April. Have been on Apex and Edge and have thoroughly enjoyed them, and all our Celebrity cruises, but with the recent changes to previous services, such as no longer offering a dedicated butler in certain suites, and interested in exploring the smaller premium lines to what they can offer. We're thinking smaller and more exclusive may be more for us at this point.

A word of thanks for providing this cruise experience document. We are looking at Oceania for the first time and will definitely use your information.

Thanks for continuing to answer my questions. Looking forward to our first time on Connie and the the pizza and pasta stations again and hopefully will be able to go to Blu if we can get in, though we have always enjoyed Luminae which has been our go-to. As we always do, will go to Michaels Club do meet the concierges so thanks for their, and the bartenders, names. How was the crowd in the Solarium plenty of room as with the pool?

Thanks so much for the name of the Head Butler for SS. Continues to sound like other's experiences, invisible head butler and overworked/undertrained stewards, so we're expecting to be the same for us when we're on the 10th but if it does turn out that way, we won't let it affect our having the best time possible. Quite an unfortunate situation created by X leadership. Good to hear food in Luminae was to your liking, we have had the opportunity in the past to order from MDR and Blu menus and have enjoyed the option.

I'll add my thanks for your excellent honest balanced review! I read with interest as a Royal and Celebrity suite cruiser looking to potentially try other cruise lines as the Royal ships are too geared towards families for our age and liking and Celebrity has changed their suite product with decreasing inclusions, though we still have upcoming cruises booked on both. We will be considering Oceania for 2025 or 2026. So, eagerly looking forward to your Oceania VIP experience document.