RetiredFL

From our experience the atmosphere is also different from mass market lines. While they do have drink packages which would perhaps encourage being "over served", there are no crew walking around the decks with carts full of drinks trying to sell them and no buckets of beer for sale. Also few if any events that would encourage overindulging, no wet t-shirts contests or beer chugging contests, all of which we have seen on mass market lines.

Yes there is always the exception, either sober or drunk, of obnoxious behavior but it has been rare to absent on our Oceania cruises.

If memory serves me right, there is a little kit with maybe a few "Q-tips" but you would be well advised to bring your own supply. They are light weight and pack easily in a plastic bag so we always just pack them. Most discount stores have travel packs of "Q-tips" in a nice plastic case also.

So what is the plan then, Tanny?

We're just supposed to ask the Concierge (or whoever) to help us, week in and week out, all through the year, and none of us EVER tips for the extra consideration?

What need for extra consideration? We pay a higher fares than on other cruise lines for our cruises so that we get additional services. Since we are on an upper level line, or what ever you care to call it, we have paid for that service. Its not extra consideration, its them doing their job and they do it willingly and well.

I have never felt the need to tip extra for the services provided in the brochure and we have always had an enjoyable cruise. We do tip the butler for truly extra services but by having a butler we already pay a higher per day gratuity so I see no need to tip further for usual service. That being said our butlers have always gotten a small extra tip at the end of the cruise because of their service well beyond what we expected from them.

As much as I have no objection to it, we have never had to slip something to the manager. They have always been very cooperative as part of their job.

Those of us who have organized M&G are usually well organized which makes their job easier.

Usually all we need is an closed off area of Horizons, an extra waiter taking drink orders(their profit!) and a sign. Sometimes they have provided munchies, sometimes not. The Concierge has also always been helpful.

You really have to play it by ear depending on the personnel involved.

Most of all, don't lose sleep over it. Its a very informal affair and you are on the cruise to enjoy yourselves!

If you trust your packing abilities buy your booze wherever you like and put it in your hold luggage - that way you don't need to worry about the carry-on liquid rules or the high prices here in Canada.

 

Compare your local pricing for some favourite wines against the SAQ website listings to see what your savings would be. I would recommend that you pop into SAQ anyway though to grab some ice cider - a pretty much unique-to-Quebec product that offers less insipid sweetness than most of our comparably-priced ice wines and is IMO the best accompaniment ever to foie gras.

 

Edit: also just realised everyone has been (sensibly) quoting the Duty Free limits - you are allowed to bring in as much booze as you like to Canada, as long as you declare it and pay for any excess. I'm not familiar with the exact rates of duty levied in Quebec, but I believe we have the worst rates here in BC and any wine that costs c.US$30 a bottle is always worth paying the tax on - you still save money compared to local liquor store pricing.

 

Your cruise line may of course limit what you can bring on to drink as well so a couple of bottles per person might be plenty for you - but maybe you're huge boozehounds who want to bring a caseload apiece on for all I know;-)

Actually I have looked at their web site and for things like Bourbon/rye such as Canadian Club the prices are not bad. Obviously local products but luckily we are Bourbon/rye drinkers.

Hate to put bottles in the luggage as we have heard too many stories of broken bottles and clothes smelling of booze even after washing (some may like the smell:D)

There is also the weight restriction.

Anyway thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks for info.

Janet I think they mean that just like in the US some passengers are pulled out of line, whether randomly or due to "suspicions", and subject to a secondary, more through examination.

It always seem to happen to us when we are in a hurry to make a flight and they want us to turn on each electronic device, unpack our carry on completely, etc. Oh, the joys of traveling!!!

Unfortunately our flight to Montreal is from the domestic terminal in SFO so no duty free. There is a SAQ outlet near our hotel in Vieux Montreal but we will be there on May 18th which is Victoria day or Patriots Day. Will the liquor stores be closed?

Another dumb question and no insult meant to Canada but we are flying from

San Francisco to Montreal and want to buy duty free in SF. I presume that flight is considered an international flight and we can bring duty free but I know at some Canadian airports US customs screens passengers for flights to the US so I wanted to be sure.

That is what we had in a penthouse suite last time we sailed in July 2014.

We will see in two weeks.

Pardon my asking, but last I heard you were headed to......er...... greener pastures.......whatever happened to bring you back?

I have no idea what you are talking about but I bet it is sinister!

Can anyone tell me if the spa credit $$s can be used for other things on the ship?

We are not needing manicures, pedicures, etc and hate to waste the credit.

Massage doesn't look too enticing.

If we do do massage do they have masseurs for the men?

Thanks

Hey Baybear,

We are on your cruise and haven't even received our document/booklet yet. We did buy a cheap upgrade so maybe they are redoing things but although we have a cabin we have no paperwork.

Maybe Monday will be the lucky day.

We were told years ago to pronounce it Oceana but it is spelled with an "i"

to avoid conflict with the ship named Oceana

Never heard it pronounced with the "i" except by newbees:D

After 15 cruises on Oceania, mostly traveling with a friend who likes to play bridge, there was only one cruise she was able to get a table together. On all others no one was interested. There is so much else to do and most people seem to just like to relax around the pool and in a lounge.

We live in a retirement community and the bridge group is getting smaller and smaller. We hear there is too much "fighting" and disagreement among the players.

From what I have seen, Viking River cruises is probably the closest in ambiance and service to Oceania.

We are just about to leave on our 16th cruise on Oceania so are a bit biased but we find everything a bit better on Oceania. Our next cruise will be a Western Caribbean on Riviera which we have not been on but we have been on it sister ship Riviera.

As to food we love trying new things but there will always be "plainer" things if you want them. Every night in the GDR there is always Jacques roast chicken and a steak. Since everything is cooked to order the wait staff can usually request the chef modify the dish, leave a spicy sauce off or on the side, etc.

We made our decision some time ago that we would rather enjoy less cruises on an upscale line than more cruises on mainstream lines.

The Preismans have many photos of the interior of the ship and discussions of the staff if you read the whole post.

It is difficult to translate ones experience to others but Oceania is the only line we will consider except for the new Viking Ocean Cruises which is a new part of Viking River cruises and seems to have copied much of their ideas from Oceania. So far they look more expensive but more is included.

In a similar vein, local grocery stores ask EVERYONE if they want help out with their purchases. It is kind of funny when all you buy is a candy bar or a quart of milk but I was told it is not their job to decide who is too old or too feeble. They could be accused of violating the ADA law!!!

Who forgot to write common sense into the Constitution.:D

We have been upgrades several times, sometimes for free some times for a small payment, so there is hope. One cruise we were upgraded twice. I was busy changing cabin numbers on the luggage tags:p.

Just the luck of the draw and the marketing department.

Many shops ask for ID from everyone so not to "discriminate". Seems a bit silly for those us us clearly over 21 but they have more lawyers than we do.:D

Don't waste your time, no reservations of any kind are offered in the Terrace, the GDR, or Waves. All of the dining venues except for the Specialties are strictly first come, first served. ;)

I beg to disagree a bit.

On several cruises we have had a large party for a special night and we spoke to our butler the night before and a large corner table was reserved for our party. I think we could have done the same thing with the maitre d'. It was a specific table for a specific time.

Also after the first night if we find a table/server we like we always ask for that table by number. We have mentioned to our butler that we hope our favorite table was available and when we got to the GDR the maitre d' said he was holding it for us. Worked some times, other times the table was already occupied.

If we go directly to the GDR the maitre d' recognizes us and automatically gives us our favorite table, if available. It is amazing they remember. I should add we dine early and always at the same time which probably helps.

So we really don't have a "reservation" but it is amazing how accommodating the staff is.

I often buy the two for one wine at happy hour and take the second glass to the GDR. Never a problem and the waiter always takes the glass and carries it to the table for me on a tray. Same with the Club party. Others we know take their second happy hour drink to the GDR without problem.

We have never brought wine or drinks from the cabin, but on one occasion saw a couple bring a glass of wine to the GDR and halfway through their meal the wife took the empty glasses, left the dining room and returned a short time later with two full glasses, presumably from their cabin. Now that was tacky!

Considering the total cost of a cruise a $25 corkage fee in not that excessive especially since you can make the bottle last several nights (if you have will power).

Just saw on Seatrader Insider that Insignia will be out of service until March 22 and the world cruise will now begin in Singapore.

Lets see.

If Oceania only goes to ports in countries with full democracy they will have to cancel cruises to China, Viet Nam, Singapore, Russia, many African and possibly Central American countries as well as some questionable countries in Europe, Asia and South America.

They might even have to cancel stops at US ports.:eek:

We get a gift every year. This year bathrobes, last year a book about art on Marina and Riviera. We have also gotten a cheese board, food, wine stopper, etc.

We have never discovered exactly how they determine who they are sending gifts to. We are about to go on our 15th cruise so I am sure the number of cruises is a major part of the determining factor. I think we started getting gifts after our 10th cruise, but am not positive.

Some have said it is your travel agent and how much business they do with Oceania. I have also heard it is the top 100, 250, etc repeat cruisers but based on your history that seems unlikely.

In any event, enjoy the robes, no obligation comes with them.

or who you are or even if the plane is still flying!!!!

I have also found that, in talking with my TA, the web site is hopelessly out of date as far as cabins available. While it might be some indication of the status of the ship it is rarely if ever accurate.