AMHuntFerry

The actual layout shows when doing a dummy-booking. Since the beds are not standard sizes anyway, I think a custom width bed (bigger than twin) that would allow a comfortable chair with a pull out foot rest under the reading light by the window would be a great addition. That window in 6030 is a great viewing location when the crew has a safety drill!

@Firstin87 You can see the complimentary laundry form and the regular laundry form at steamboats photo review in the photos of the penthouse suite. Marina is very similar to Riviera so you may find the entire review interesting. I have only used the self-serve laundry and hand washing in the bathroom since I am picky (nutty?) about how my laundry is done. There is a line in the bathroom to drip dry delicates, swimsuits, etc. into the tub/shower. https://www.cruisediary.de/marina-penthouse-suite-11077/

There were empty veranda cabins for quarantine purposes on our recent Regatta cruise (not used as far as I could tell). I seem to remember that O will move an ill person to a veranda cabin if they are booked in a C-category of below, but i can't confirm.

The T&Cs for O-Club benefits start with "All Oceania Club benefits listed are per stateroom, are based on double occupancy, can only be applied to one booking per voyage, have no cash value and are non-transferable." https://www.oceaniacruises.com/legal/promotion-terms/ So the OP's experience seems to agree with the T&Cs. Nice to know...I'd hate to leave the spouse behind if I earn a free cruise just because I took a few cruises with friends 😉

I'm just going to throw this out there for people reading this post in the future (or for the OP's future trips)... We like to fly to the nearest major airport (our alternative is an 8-10+ hour drive with no weather/traffic) then fly non-stop to a European city and sleep on the plane. Since the first couple of days are groggy-brain anyway, we book an airport hotel, stay awake as long as we can (try to make it to 9 pm) and then sleep. The next day we book a morning (not early) flight/train/other to wherever we're going and our brains are recovered enough from jet-lag to handle hiccups.

I am not a smoker, but a properly designed ventilation system (and an actual door or two on the O-ships) would keep the smoke particles away from the rest of the ship.

Oops! I'm used to not knowing what day it is, but I can usually quote the year correctly...didn't even notice the "2024". Now it's even more confusing. I hope you are able to sort it out with a pleasant ourcome. @thespiritmovesme the 2022 itinerary is back to normal now. Apparently the website editor also mixed up 2022 and 2024...glad I'm not the only one 😉

I thought you'd get a laugh from the current online descriptions. Anyone looking for a last minute November cruise will be terribly confused...🙃

Riviera will be in Singapore on March 10, 2025 after a Grand Voyage. Maybe Tahiti will be next, then California, then Alaska?

The prices shown online during the sale ARE the sale prices (i.e., after the "upgrade"); they will go up after the sale (usually) back to what they were before the sale (or possibly more). To figure out the price of the cruise WITH O-Life but NO airfare, take the cruise-only price (A3 is $9499) and add half of the O-Life credit amount per cabin (this cruise is $800, so add $400). The price per person during the sale is $9499+$400=$9899 for the cruise with O-Life. My TA says that you book your cruise and add/delete O-Life or airfare up to a certain point (maybe final payment? I book cruise-only so I don't know). I hope this makes it clearer.

Canada probably has more UK-like Strongbow (one of my pub drinks!). I believe they add sugar for the US market 🤮 Where is the Strongbow hiding from me on the ship? I've only seen Angry Orchard (again, the sugar). I do like trying different cocktails...very vacationy!

By the way, I do not get any drink package since we are cider (O does not do cider well) and spirit drinkers, but we don't drink enough to justify a package. I recommended it here to get the all-inclusive experience of the luxury lines.

For those of us who enjoy running spreadsheets, the Ultimate shorex package rarely pays for itself. If I may offer another suggestion that I think is just as easy, look at the "Your World Collection" option for shorex (a.k.a YWC or YWYW). When you purchase a certain number of excursions (it varies, but for shorter cruises is often 1, maybe 2, more per person than the O-Life allotment) you receive a 25% discount off all shorex. This leaves you the flexibility to choose whichever shorex you like the best without having to check whether they qualify for O-Life. Once you have chosen your preferred shorex, you have the option to see if using the O-Life benefit would save you more money (i.e., did you choose enough O-Life qualifying shorex averaging > $133 to make it worth the time and bother?). I do it, but I have strange ideas of fun 😉 While I value getting my money's worth, I also value flexibility and paying more to get something I really want; I am willing to comparison shop, but at some point saving a bit more money becomes not-fun. If you want simplicity and flexibility combined with comfort, book a penthouse or above, buy the Premium beverage package, and book enough shorex to get the YWC 25% discount. Easy peasy and you're ready to sail! You can always change tactics on your next O-cruise (not that you'll get hooked...nooooo).

The green is nice. Blue was our first, so like another poster, that may be why I tend toward it (so far). Browsing the resellers, I found it amusing to see what else was in the same category. Apparently the complimentary toiletry kits in first/business class on one of the Saudi (I think) airlines are a hot commodity 😅

Note to self: if invited to a suite, look for red toiletries to sniff 😄 I know I could just go to a store that carries the perfume, but where's the adventure in that? Although maybe I'll cheat and see if they have it in an onboard shop.

Yeah, I found things like this on E-bay and other "listers" for others' items (this is not an actual Walmart product). I found no "dependable" retailers so these may be knock offs or "souvenirs". I even thought of buying the perfume and adding it to unscented lotion, but it wouldn't be the same. I guess I'll just have to keep taking cruises 😉 or my dad is practically in Canada (just south of the BC border) so maybe I'll check out your source some time.

It's so fun seeing everyone's favorite and why. Has anyone encountered the red on or off the ship? In my (failed) search for the lotion to purchase at a retailer, I discovered that the toiletries were initially produced as a gift set for customers of the jewellery. Maybe I'll find some lotion to purchase around the winter holidays (or on the ship?). I hope some trinkets find their way to you soon @Carolfay!

I've been wanting to ask what may be the silliest question on this forum, and a little fun seems appropriate, so here goes: What is your favorite Bulgari toiletry scent/color? I have only tried the blue and the green, and I lean toward blue. This is shocking to me since I usually buy almost everything fragrance free from my local hippy-friendly store, although I sometimes buy things like dish soap or hand soap with essential oils. I got addicted to the blue lotion and (gasp!) took my partially used bottle home. I was so disappointed to find out that this is not a product that is carried typically in stores. So, every once in a while, I go into the guest bathroom, flip open the blue lotion cap, and pretend I am sailing on Oceania...aaaahhhhhh!!!!!! I look forward to someday trying white and the elusive red. Please tell me about your favorite.

There was an electronic version on our TV. I didn't pry the controller out of my spouse's hand very often so I don't know which channel it was on.

Oh dear, that does not sound fun. I think you'll like Oceania. I overheard a name-dropper once at tea, but his partner kept trying to shush him 😉

I was being lazy. I thought I remembered someone saying there was better shade on the terraces...maybe it was more space? (they both start with "s" so bounce around in my brain together 😉 ) If you see someone laying the wrong way on a double lounger in complete shade, it may be me 😄

On larger ships: There are more laundry rooms. The smoking lounge by Horizons does not have a door (on O-class, not sure about A-class = Vista) so if smoke bothers you, use the other entrance. Some people like the spa terrace better (more shade, T-therapy pool on Riviera). Oh, and there is the executive lounge for suites and concierge lounge for A-category.

The sports deck on the larger ships has a paddle tennis court and a croquet/bocce area in addition to the shuffleboard and putting greens that are on all ships. This may seem trivial, but I really like the location of Baristas on the larger ships. While it is indoors, the large windows let in a lot of natural light, plus it is close to the library and game room.

If you seach for OLife (or O-Life or O Life in Titles only to limit the hits), you'll see a lot of opinions about this subject. Here is one: I don't guaranty that it is the best train but it probably has everything you ever wanted to know (and more 😉 ).

The list will vary depending on what is available. There is a sample list on O's website: https://www.oceaniacruises.com/value https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/23779/WinebytheBottle-SampleSelection.pdf