AMHuntFerry

Is that the spring 2024 cruise that transits the Suez Canal? I'm guessing there have been a few cancellations.

The sales will typically appeal to people who are flexible with schedule and itinerary. The Extraordinary and Summer sales were an exception...so many amazing options at deep discounts. I am guessing O will try to avoid having such a sale again but who knows. As mentioned earlier, if you see something you like that is within your price range, book it. Keep an eye out for savings, but don't let it spoil your fun.

Yep, that was the one. I can't wait for Riviera to take over the Alaska runs since we like to use the ship as our floating mountain cabin 🏔️🛳️🌲

And Waves has easier to access ice cream/sorbet! But those caneles get me every time...my kryptonite. Oh, and I want a version of the crema with just cream, no sugar. The sugar version is just too sweet for me (I know, crazy!).

We cruise steerage and check in early; if we want to explore a port, we've already done it and I want my Baristas canele! Our recent embarkation experiences has been exceptions to the early check-in equals long lines rule. Between September 2022 and September 2023, there were no/minimal lines between 11 and noon in LA (San Pedro - minimal line of a few cabins), Seattle (zero line!), and Vancouver (almost zero line - no wait).

August was the Summer Sale (an extension of the Extraordinary Sale) which was comparable to a clearance sale (too much inventory in stock that needed to move), while the current sale is more like buying something at a regular Macy's sale.

Our first experience with this was our first ever cruise on Riviera in December 2021; I think this was before the facial recognition software was installed (don't know if it's at GDR entry anyway). As we walked toward the entry, we were greeted by name while still walking, and then asked to confirm our cabin number (she even knew that!)....amazing!

Basically, if the price is less than the initial fare (not the "Brochure Fare" which is like MSRP), then it is "on sale".

I think it is ~ 1 pm PH, ~2 pm A-category, and ~3 pm B-G category. A lady next to me at Baristas was having a fit last June because her PH was ready 15 minutes later than the expected time...not someone I would choose to hang out with. Did she want it clean or did she want it fast? Those are the options (well, not really since O will choose clean).

Ask your TA to send the "combinability" rules (and any other rules) for each of the promos you want to know about. They are usually clear about whether they can be combined with other sales or perks like OBC/PPG. If your TA won't send them, consider switching TAs.

The 25% is off the "regular price"; what you downloaded (16,618 AUD) was the Holiday Sale price not the regular price. The 2023 regular price can be found in the post #11 link, but it may have increased on January 1st.

Alaska = younger with (gasp) children during the summer but no kids in September.

Download the 2025 e-catalog (or the Allura one) to compare. I think the prices listed include the 5-10% early booking discount. https://www.oceaniacruises.com/request-brochure

or when you get a really good one, they call you by name then confirm your cabin number. People with that type of memory always amaze me.

That one is definitely bargain basement. My uncle would have been all over it for multiple reasons...me, probably not. I wonder if there is also a BYOW discount?

Here are some of the 2024 cruises I'm looking at (there are more, but these are my A-list): 10 and 11-day: no change in sale price, no change in SM credit ($600 per cabin); so these are a wash. 12-day: Sale price down $200 C-G and $300 A-B, SM credit down $800 to $600 per cabin; so this one is a cheaper. 7-day: no longer on sale (so price same as 2024 catalog), SM credit down $600 to $400; so this one is more expensive.

You are correct on holidays being at a premium (I'd also add summer to the list). However, Vista prices no longer have the new-ship prices (that's Allura's domain now). The cruises I've compared in late-2024 and 2025 (same region, same length) have the French balcony and the C-cabins priced about the same (same for higher levels too).

We seem to agree on this. Although I have a DP bottle that I keep thinking "I should bring this on a cruise", but when it comes down to actually bringing it, it's too much effort (I know, pretty sad). Luckily O has upped their gin game, so I'm happy.

Until the wave season sales hits and we can recoup our "losses" 🙂

I have not noticed cabin-class-matching happening, but we aren't asked to share in the GDR too often...only if it is super busy which doesn't happen as much (at least for us) if the 6:30 rush is avoided. The subject of cabin-class rarely comes up in the conversation though so I'd have to see a room card (or recognize them from down the hall) to know.

You are not breaking a rule since the 6 bottle policy is not a hard and fast rule. As a chaotic-good player, I am versed at understanding what is an actual rule (OK, it's actually because I used to write instructional documents, and knowing the difference between a Work Instruction and Guideline, or "shall" vs. "should", was important). The word "may" shows up all over the place. For example: From FAQ (updated in 2022): https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006547473-Can-I-purchase-bottles-of-wine-at-ports-of-call-and-bring-them-on-board- "Any additional purchases above and beyond the six bottles, made during the cruise at any of the ports may be held for you until the end of the cruise. " And from a September 2023 Ticket Contract: "Carrier reserves the right to prohibit and retain all liquor brought aboard the Ship. All liquor purchased ashore must remain in bond until disembarkation." "Reserves the right" does not mean they will confiscate booze, but that they can if they think it is a good idea (e.g., a group of partiers who are ruining the cruise for the other guests). The second sentence seems to imply that all booze will be placed in bond, but I think it is poor wording and should be interpreted as saying that IF O chooses to confiscate booze, then it will be placed in bond until disembarkation.

Well, I do wish I still had my '65 VW bug 🙂

The way this is worded sounds like you are paying a corkage fee for wine bought from O. The corkage fee is only for wine that you purchase elsewhere and brought onboard. Non-O wine bottles can be consumed in your room for no charge, or consumed in a dining room for a $25 corkage fee (paid once per bottle). Wine purchased from O is the price on the menu plus 20% gratuity. In general, if you are drinking inexpensive wine, the cost difference is small and the hassle of dragging around wine isn't worth it. If you are drinking expensive wine, bringing your own makes more sense fiscally.

Out of curiosity, I checked TA for Boise...#1 = The Melting Pot! 🤣 Now Boise isn't the gourmet mecca that some places are, but we do have some James Beard nominees (and a winner this year!), and some really good chef-run/owned and farm-to-table restaurants.

If you don't have shore excursion pdf, ask your TA to send it. It has the discount info and other important info (like cancellation policies).