AMHuntFerry

Beverages that would usually have alcohol, but by current magic do not contain significant alcohol (~0% Beer/wine, Lyre spirits), are indeed included in the drink packages. No drink package? There is an additional cost. Beverages that are no cost for anyone on O...water, soda pop (or soda or pop), juice, virgin cocktail, coffee/espresso drinks, tea...did I forget anything?

That reminds me to lose 5 pounds so I can gain it back in May. 😉

"Idaho dreamer" = brought here unwillingly at the age of 10. Left in 1993 for 20 years and came groveling back to the land of nice, kind people 😉

That has not been our experience on our three Regatta cruises in 2022-2023, but we tend to arrive between 7 and 8 pm. We have been asked if we will share although it is rare (maybe 10%?).

It's pretty straightforward in most venues (the specialty restaurants can get tricky since things like sake by the glass are not included). For example, in Horizons there is a "Bar Menu"...gold hardcover book; everything in it is included. The same goes for the Waves Bar Menu, etc. Some bars also have some luxury selections (e.g., higher end whisky) on a separate menu. Google the Preisman blog and you'll find the bar menus from a recent Vista cruise. There are also sample menus on the O site.

This was from June 2023: If you are on a longer cruise segment, there may be a mid-cruise offer of about $25-30/bag of 20 items (not sure cut-off, no on 10 day, yes on recent 12 day). Also, there are the laundry rooms with washers, dryers, ironing boards, and (I think all ships have) a sink.

Sorry...misread the "irrelevant" intention...I need to regrow my thicker skin 😉

Which is fine for you, but not for me. My actual point was that you don't need a super secret connected TA to get sales, not whether internet or in-person TAs are better. I have always disliked anything but in-person communication even before cells/internet (i.e., I hate any phone, wired or otherwise). It's a personal flaw that is not uncommon. I don't trust people I can't see in person, so local is my preference. Please refrain from making fun of my issues, and I won't make fun of yours.

I do not use one of the Oceania Connoisseur Club TAs (and certainly not the top 20 Elite version) as there are no OCC TAs in my area. My TA is a local, family-owned, full-service agency with a brick and mortar presence that has been around for decades; they still have access to spiffy (silent and not so silent) sales and other perks. If you want to google for a better-connected-to-O TA, have at it, but it's not required to access sales.

In addition to Torquer's info, other names/titles: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/corporate

Until someone with firsthand experience comes along...the only activity that happens in the Upper Hall is the string quartet (usually over in the half-circle across from the stairs on the deck plan). If the cabin is near one of the lifeboats/tenders being raised/lowered there may be some noise. I can't think of anything else since being near elevators/stairs is typically not a noise issue.

@PrivateIdaho Please share the cabin categories that you are considering. Qualities that you find important will also help with relevant suggestions.

If the August 3, 2024 10-day Riviera sailing in the French riviera region is of interest, you might want to check with your TA to see if you can get the $1600 Veranda price that I can see. There is also a new 50% off second guest (=25% off cabin) sale that just appeared on a bunch of itins, but I haven't heard back from my TA yet.

A prolific not-to-be-named Youtuber posted an Aft Penthouse video 5 months ago.

They are quite large...just shy of 800 ml.

That cruise were heavy on the words/trivia, low on the math/logic...so annoying and not much fun.

So, to avoid TA IDs, can you give some examples...date, ship, price of lowest veranda cabin.

Ask for the "Pre-Purchased Shore excursions and Onboard Items" pdf. It will have each shorex line item with retail price, discounts, and final price, then a total for each column.

I love the libraries on O! However, combining the books with the puzzles/games and also computers (now just monitors?) seems like compatible activities (although a soundproof room may be needed for mahjong).

I knew I was forgetting something in the vanity kit! Yes, I think 3 cotton swabs, 3 cotton balls, and a small nail file are in the vanity kit. You can ask for more (or more just appear). I don't know if they have makeup removal pads though. I like the lotion. Usually I'm a scent-free or essential oils fan, but I like the Bulgari scents (and so does my spouse). I get dry skin in the winter and the lotion worked for me, but someone else will need to comment on how good it is for very dry skin.

Off the top of my head: shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, face soap, lotion, vanity kit (nail file, cotton balls), shower cap.

On our last cruise I found a nice pair of earrings on one of the bathroom floors by the sink. Now I feel bad for turning them in to lost-and-found since someone was obviously saving that sink for future use. 😉

Truffles = chocolate to me. Loooovvvveee a good truffle.

@oskidunker Here are the menus with the costs on the Preisman blog (from I think November): https://www.thepreismans.com/vista23_menus.htm#privee

It sounds like you can either use the services of a good travel agent or if you want to DIY you probably want to join your rollcall to see what others are doing: Iceland is really easy to get around, but everything is expensive so just expect prices to be high (food, lodging, transport). Take a bus day-tour to see the top draws; we usually avoid group tours, but we had 3 days in Iceland so needed to be efficient (and really enjoyed the bus tour to sites near Reykjavik). You may also find the Northern Europe forum useful: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/116-northern-europe-amp-baltic-sea/