thepla

16 hours ago, TigerCruzin said:

I booked our cruise under this program in December 2021, for Oasis 1/5/23 sailing.

 

I could swear RCCL was offering $200 OBC for our Ocean View Balcony.  In addition for booking through Amex CPP, I expected to get the $200 OBC they offer.  

 

I'm being told that the only OBC I'm getting is the AMEX.  However, the T&C says this will be given while on the ship.  There is $200 OBC in my cruise planner, but Amex/RCCL is saying that is the AMEX credit and its all I will be getting.

 

Looking for data points on others who have booked with the Amex Cruise Privileges Program. What has been your experience with this OBC?

Many promos are not combinable with royal. When I get Amex one my experience is it shows up in planner. Have ta, or Amex travel, get confirmation if combinable.

On 7/8/2022 at 12:05 PM, JoePDX said:

Here is a picture of the Kobe Beef, Lobster Remoulade and Crab Cake Sliders from Polo Grill.   Photo taken on Nautica in April, 2017.   I am a big fan of Sliders, they were good, but very rich.

 

Joe

 

Just off Oceania. I asked for slider Kobe alone as an appetizer. Mine looked nothing like anything above. Have half to my son. To us just a small hamburger with no real taste. Everything else was great surf and turf at waves was a huge hit for my son.

1 hour ago, mauibabes said:

If I recall correctly, the replacement package is $25 so if you want it, make sure the Travel Agency steps up to the plate for you. The book is definitely a nice keepsake and memory jogger. 

Mauibabes

Thanks, I did just send email to hopefully get the packet. I leave July 5 but I keep so much stuff from all my cruises so my son will have it later in life. What bugs me is I broight this up weeks ago and they just did not care. New person seems great but hopefully her hands are not tied...

I'm checked in. I just thought it would be cool to check it out.

Hi I never received my pre cruise packet in mail. I read about it on cruise critic. It turns out Oceania sent to travel agent and my ta quit and works for another agency.

Original ta company screwed up and can't find packet. This went back and forth for weeks until now they said Oceania takes three weeks to recreate.

I'm told by ta , new company, that Oceania only sends out boarding passes in packet.

My question is what is in packet they send out?

Thanks

10 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

Don't want to get too specific here, but an annuity is an intermediate to long-term investment and most have pretty substantial penalties if redeemed prior to maturity.  A checking or money market is a much different situation.  The cash is liquid.

I am not only not licensed for advice or willing to go into it on a piblic forum. Not all Fixed rate ones risk capital but interest. All I was saying $695 in second year for free, Centurion, hotel status, minor Saks, Priority pass etc are a great value for road warriors plus OBC for several cruise lines. In my case I also have Business Plat so lots or redundencies. I plan on not renewing business one. Remember "free" one also requires $5000 monthly transfer into account, which can be transferred out shortly after.

My experience is when ta uses card you get refund. Plus my ta has website to 300 obc and wine tasting for any cabin type for Oceania.  Google Amex cruise privilege program.

6 hours ago, Stockjock said:

I work for one of the "big Wall Street firms" and it was on my house branded Amex Platinum.

BTW, there is a way to get the Amex Platinum, which is normally $695/year, for "free" (rebated).  While I am an employee, I qualify as a client.

Basically, the elements that get me the benefit are:

1. Minimum $25,000 in a "checking" type of balance in a cash management account

and

2a. At least $5,000/mo in direct deposit

or

2b. Social security direct deposited (any amount).

and

3. A brokerage relationship (to my knowledge, any amount).

Previously, at least $1,000,000 was required to get some of the perks, but they dropped that requirement.  I think it's a great deal.  The Amex Platinum perks are seemingly endless.  I like the access to first class lounges, the hotel benefits, and many of the special protections.  

They paid all of my expenses (about $350) when my Miami flight was cancelled and we had to stay overnight and grab a flight the next morning.  I had used frequent flyer mileage to book the flights, but because I put the taxes on my Amex Platinum, I was covered (had to be for weather or mechanical issues, which it was).

Let me also add that above and beyond the periodic Amex Offers (such at $250 off $800) if an Oceania cruise is booked through an Amex qualified travel agent (ask them), I believe you get the following regardless of what you book:

1. $300 OBC
2. A bottle of wine
3. In invitation to an onboard wine tasting event

To be clear, I'm writing this as a customer and just for informational purposes.

I have this one. It's Morgan Stanley version. Pretty easy to setup. Now with fixed rated annuities over 4 percent it might be better go get 1000 in interest vs 695, free authorized user and several other perks.

8 hours ago, lj77346 said:

We’ve used the Walgreen’s NAAT test twice for cruises on Oceania in May 2022 and currently on the June 27, 2022 Regatta sailing and the results were accepted.

Did you do NAAT at 2 days or 3 days. Walgreens site says test is between anitigen and PCR.

3 minutes ago, CurlerRob said:

 

This question has come up on a number of boards, and is still missing a definitive answer as far as I know.

 

A PCR test is simply one form of a NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test). There are multiple other testing methods under the NAAT umbrella - from your CDC:

 

NAATs can use many different methods to amplify nucleic acids and detect the virus, including but not limited to:

 

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
Isothermal amplification including:
   Nicking endonuclease amplification reaction (NEAR)
   Transcription mediated amplification (TMA)
   Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)
   Helicase-dependent amplification (HDA)
   Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)
   Strand displacement amplification (SDA)

 

All NAATs for COVID detect viral RNA, whereas antigen tests detect the presence of a specific viral antigen - things produced by the virus' presence.

 

It is unclear whether the rapid (couple of hours) NAAT offered by Wallgreens is a PCR test, to conform with O's requirements. Walgreens web site is not definitive - it talks about a 48-hour PCR test (which would conform) as well as a rapid NAAT done in 2 hours, which is not defined. I'd guess that it might be a LAMP NAAT, common in point of care locations.

 

If you are still concerned, I'd reach out to Walgreens and ask what the testing mechanism is for the 2-hour NAAT, then get an acceptance from O in writing. 🍺🥌

Thanks for advice. I'd 1-2 day PCR but my concern is holiday and going to a lab vs. in house at Walgreens. If we take PCR on 2nd, results might not be done in time for flight on 4th and even cruise on 5th.

It seems Walgreens has Antigen (never avaialable), PCR 1-2 days and NAAT couple of hours. Since our cruise if 07/05 and we are commuting 07/04. With holiday best option is NAAT. IS that valid for Oceania? Oceania website is specific to antigen and PCR.

Does anyone have an experience with NAAT from walgreens?

29 minutes ago, ORV said:

It's a little confusing, but it all goes with this. You get one each and they are sliders, or little sandwiches. It's basically a baby hamburger. Having said that I've never ordered that entree. I generally go for the filet. 

 

Trilogy of Sliders with Allumettes Parmesan Fries

*Kobe Beef with Truffle Demi-Glace

*Lobster Remoulade

*Crab Cake Tartar 

Thanks. I'd agree seems like better options. I think in waves there would be something similar..

Is Kobe beef at polo grill more of a hamburger or steak?

Is it worth to choose for main course?

On 6/14/2022 at 4:29 PM, basor said:

Yes, there are sales that do exclude combining with other promotions.......the Ultimate Sale excludes NCL stock OBC but does allow AMEX cruise privelagers.....have had other sales that excludes both and others that allowed NCL stock and exclude AMEX cruise privelage.   It is in the fine print of the terms and conditons of the specific promotion/sale you were booked under.  If you have a copy of the terms and conditions of the promotion that you were booked under and it does not exclude NCL stock OBC, then you should be able to take that to reception or Oceania ambassador and get it applied.

I had 400 obc from ta company promo. Not sure of rule. What your saying is bring proof to ship and bring to reception they may be able to add 100 obc

I received emails directly to me about dinner reservations.

None for Bermuda $40 fee (I read other places and did pay)

None for itinerary

July 5 cruise.

Not sure if they were offering bids for upgrades.

4 hours ago, Rosroz said:

I do hope you get a table sorted and I’m sure you will , it’s sad that you feel you have to hide away , as far as I’m concerned 14 year olds are young adults , I’ve shared tables with much older people and believe you me not all of them are good company , my husband and I felt so uncomfortable one time that we left the table before we’d even ordered our food . Enjoy your holiday

Thanks.

There is a side of me that says share. We've had some great dinners in other cruise lines, never really a bad one. We've been on three since restart. Most times we all engage like nothing wrong with a 13 year old at time. Most seen to happy to include my son.

I brought it up here because I've read many Oceania posts that feel Oceania is for adults and want to avoid minors. I don't want other people to feel like we are a burden.

Thanks for replies.  I consider him to be well behaved, very high iq, over 160 and third in state for scholastic bowl. He clearly will fit in most conversations, if engaged.  He is fine with sharing or eating two dinners. One normal time, one at 9pm:)

Hi. At 45 days reservations opened up. Since I'm traveling with my 14 year old I reserved to have private table. I did this because so many negative comments about bringing a minor on Oceania..

Only 9 pm was open for both restaurants. When I select random table option many earlier times opened up.  It seemed I could add a third reservation (second for one restaurant) but I did not complete to see if it would complete.

My question is 9pm only option to dine at private table? I did do at exactly 45 days.

3 hours ago, S&DMOM said:

Hi- We are looking at Dubai cruise in June.  I had a few questions:

 

1.  So to understand you can do you Covid test at the airport prior to boarding?

2. Latest disembarkation in Dubai is 10:30am?

3. Would the wifi be able to accommodate online "EMED" testing for our return back to the USA?

 

Thanks!

 

 

The 72 hours rule in advance is not needed to board. We had issue with cvs results not being available in time.

Without 72 hours test you'll need to get results for either free airport one or paid 4 hour one at pier.

If you have 72 hours one you can board waiting for airport or pier one, or just wait in waiting area for results of pier or airport prior to boarding. I am 100 percent sure since this happened to us.

They put a little sticker on passport from airport or pier.

When arriving from Qatar for sort of two days at end in Dubai, you go to terminal and clear customs, where they stamp passport.   They take passport in Dubai, leaving and bring into cabin prior to arriving in Dubai.

After clearing customs you are free to leave anytime. We left at 3am and room taxi to airport for 7am flight.

This was from virtuosa leaving match 19 to March 26.

We just got off virtuosa. Had easy plus as part of WiFi and drinks promo.

Frozen drinks were included.

7 hours ago, 3113Timmy said:

Well I did the math, if I went on the MSC cruise I'd need to fly from Barcelona to Athens the same day that my Oceania cruise ends.

 

And MSC would make me do a PCR test in the 48 hours immediately before their departure. The logistics are just too unrealistic. Also my conscience will not allow me to have another week of cruise-related weight gain.

 

Maybe I'll have to save up for another Oceania cruise in the Greek Islands in future...... I'm only 42 so I've got many cruises left in me as long as I don't blow my bankroll.

I'm not sure they're is 48 hour rule if you need a negative PCR at ship again.

Just got off virtuosa and did to a technical issue with cvs in Chicago we had to wait to board until results of test taken at airport upon arrival. They also had way to take PCR test at port.

Rule was, in our case 72 hours not 48, prior to port and board waiting for airport in Dubai result (or at pier) to board   I have no idea if this cruise needs one at pier also before boarding 

On virtuosa now and they clearly asked for proof. My policy from travel insured, bought through insuremytrip sends out four page doc where last page says COVID-19 is treated like an illness.

Worked without a hitch 

On virtuosa now, was told 2800. Most places feel fairly empty. Great ship.

I am on virtuosa now. Here is how it works if you do not have negative PCR test 72 hours before arriving at pier.

We had glitch with cvs and no results prior to flight. Took home test, for ease of mind, just before going to O'Hare. 

No results from CVS until after on board.

No needed PCR while at O'Hare, we flew through Helsinki.

Took free PCR with cruise ticket, test was administered before imitation in same hall, very fast, 4 hour turnaround. Took taxi to port. 

Went to first checkin area without negative 72 hours PCR had to wait for free one from airport prior to boarding. That test for my son took 2.5 hours and mine 5. I panicked after 4 hours and wasted 70 for msc  one at port. After paying 70 my airport one came back and we boarded. After on ship my 70 did come back but not needed.

Bottom line you don't need negative prior to trip but can't board until a negative from free one at airport.

3 hours ago, FEDERICOGRUMP said:

I have just contacted MSC re PCR test requirements for boarding Virtuosa in Dubai on the 26th March. They have stated that for fully vaccinated passengers they require a PCR test 72 hours before embarkation , even though this is not required for entry to Dubai, and  then another PCR test on arrival at Dubai airport. 
Does anyone have experience of the actual requirements that were applied on a recent embarkation in Dubai. 
Thanks  

 

I have no experience and on same cruise. We are taking PCR test tomorrow and hopefully they give results in 1 or 2 days and not later or same day. I would rather be doing quick one here just to try my hardest to not be positive at pier. Not sure how they would actaully know if we took one prior and one at pier or upon arrival in Dubai. It would be rediculous to check both if we are negative at pier or at airport.

Only thing that comes to me as a reason is we can board with test at airport and no results with a sticker from airport. In theory we could be postive here at home and they would not know until we are on ship for a day or so.