AMHuntFerry

Just ignore that Unlimited exists since it is not available with SM. People who booked under OLife have access, but it was rarely a better deal than the 25% discount.

I tried my usual tricks but they don't appear to be available on O's site (or my TA's) yet.

Take a look at the Bar Menu for Horizons/Martinis on the Preisman's blog. That will give you an idea of what's available, although it may vary.

There are shelves behind the mirror, under the sink, and above the toilet. I don't remember any drawers.

Aquamar Kitchen is going in the space that used to host the La Reserve dinners. Is that what you are thinking of? (Sorry if I got restaurant names wrong...thinking before noon is a struggle)

I'm clutching my pearls!!

If you check with the staff (waiter or M-D), they likely have a solution/process for this situation which may include providing wrapped/boxed food before you leave or delivering it to you later.

@asnaleah It appears to be the equivalent of a last-minute sale. Most of the current offering are March-August with a couple later. The entry level fares are comparable to O's B-category on the ones I looked at and were not available for high-level suites.

It looks like Riviera is in Monte Carlo in August/September and is scheduled at the Hercules Port. You can find the port schedule and a map of the port (under the Company menu): https://www.ports-monaco.com/en/the-cruise/

I could be wrong...I've never seen it spelled out that bringing your own hair dryer is prohibited. Out of curiosity I looked through my most recent batch of Currents (no mention) and "blue book". The only vague reference is in the stateroom section, "Electrical Outlets: There are several electrical outlets located in each stateroom and bathroom. Available current is both 110v and 220v. You may use personal appliances from the U.S. without the need for electrical converters or transformers. For ship safety, cooking equipment and irons may not be used in your stateroom. Irons are available in the self-service launderettes." Ignoring that they called volts current (cringe), this seems like the perfect place to ban personal hair dryers and they didn't. I'll stick to the one provided though...it's kinder to my hair anyway 🙂

I'm pretty sure hair dryers are not allowed. Most are high power consumption (e.g., 1500 W) which may be hard on the electrical system (probably blow a circuit before starting an electrical fire, but you never know, and fire on a ship is horrible to say the least). Compare that to a curling iron (e.g., 90 W) which will not tax the electrical system, but could start a fire if placed too close to flammables. Edit: There is a hair dryer in the room. If you have specific attachments that you must have, pack them, although your cabin steward may be able to provide them if they are not already provided.

There is typically no noise in the reception area (a little when the string quartet is upstairs in the evening), and there are shut doors to the cabin hallways. The hall can get busy in the morning when tenders are used.

For the most part, yes. Be sure to get the shorex pdf about one year out as sometimes it will have shorex listed that isn't online (and the only way to book is to call O). You'll also want to check for shorex pdf updates if you want to check for any new shorex or new times that may not show online (how often you check is up to you). Sometimes there are last minute additions/changes/cancellations that will be in a printout in your cabin when you board. Even if you have confirmed shorex times (bring your shorex-pdf), when you go to your cabin (or sometime that day) be sure to check your tickets for the correct time and check the booklet for important requirements/alterations (like passport.or specific footwear required).

I have seen all of these happen at one time or another on our 4 post-pandemic cruises. I wouldn't say that they are likely (i.e., have a high probability) to happen though.

Until someone who actually knows chimes in, I'll guess away...It is likely possible since I know they have hot chocolate on some menus (like GDR breakfast, etc.), chocolate syrup for bar drinks, and chocolate for baking. Last year I speculated that they didn't have chai lattes, so of course someone ordered one on my next cruise and received it, so maybe there is a tub of chocolate hiding beneath the counter. Those O baristas are magicians!

Here were the September 2023 options for laundry, ironing, and dry cleaning:

I concur with the land tour option. When we travel, we prefer to use the "spoke" method...stay in one hotel and take day trips to surrounding areas...much better than packing up and moving every couple of days. If looking at group travel, my parents really liked the Rick Steves concept (my spouse and I tried one OAT small group tour and decided DIY was our thing).

The only requirement is that it be removed from the outlet when not in use (i.e., when not in the room). I leave mine out on the desk to cool, away from any flammables, if I need to leave the room before it's safe to store in the drawer.

For black tea, there is an Earl Grey decaf (Twinings). There are also some standard herbal blends...chamomile, mint, some others that are escaping me.

This reviewer didn't even know the specialty dining info, which is available on O's website. I'm not surprised they weren't aware of anything else. A little research can be a huge money/time saver.

This is a TA problem, not an O problem. Your only mistake was cancelling by phone...ALWAYS do a cancellation in writing so you have proof. Your TA, if decent, should eat the cancellation charge...probably will still come out in the green due to the second cruise, and charge it all up to a learning experience. Pressure the TA to take care of the problem, it's their job. If that doesn't work, there is the credit card dispute route and small claims court (if it meets the Max $$ criteria). Edit: Calls are fine, but ALWAYS follow up with an email.

Hold the presses...you're saying that having a TA can reap benefits? Who knew. (sarcasm font applied)

No bidding, but sometimes O will offer a higher level cabin for a flat fee which is first come, first served. Sometimes it's a deal, and other times it's just the regular price difference.

@Sthrngary I only know the following because I was corrected in a similar post: the heated tile loungers on Vista are on the card-controlled spa deck, while they are in the available-to-all area on Riviera and Marina.

The online shorex booking is a comedy of errors. I use the cart just to make communication with the O phone rep easier (I don't do well verbally, especially on the phone). I just did this (albeit with SM), and had some show as full price, some had the discount, and one was $0...never had that happen before. So, go ahead and use the cart if you want, but call to actually purchase the shorex. The 5 excursions to get the 25% discount can be any excursion from $50 kayaks to $900+ plane rides. "Executive Cars/Vans" are the only ones that I remember that do not get discounted. Sometimes 5 excursions can total up to less $$ than 3 or 4 excursions. Oh, and make sure to get the itemized pdf from the O-rep (or via your TA). I will show the full price, then the discounted price (e.g., $0 for OLife shorex). And to be clear, OLife shorex count toward your minimum for the discount.