PhD-iva

My “drive-by” itinerary does not go to any of these ports. It is not an expedition cruise……

OP please let us know on which ship you are sailing. Responses can be more specific, thx!

Oh yes, there are activities even on port days, maybe just not as many as on a sea day. With O’s pax profile, many will stay on board from time to time. Perhaps to take a break from long excursions or perhaps to skip a port they’ve previously visited. The spa will have some good specials if you’re so inclined, although the prices have gone up quite a bit!

I just don’t get the allure of a “drive by.” Okay, maybe if its an expedition cruise, landing on shore (which I have no desire to do) but what’s the point of 3 days sailing way, far away off the coast of Antartica? My Regent Voyager itinerary has 3 sea days “cruising the Antartica peninsula“. What’s the point?

Oh yes, many sea day activities. I generally play bridge and go to bridge lessons, so I’m not the best resource on other options. Trivia comes to mind, and not just on sea days….. You’ll get some good responses soon! Enjoy your cruise!

You will get some good responses to your question from experienced O cruisers. I’ll just jump in and say that you will get better, more customized response if you can include more information: the date of your sailing, how many days and your state room category. To summarize, the shorter your itinerary, the less opportunity there is for everyone to get their minimum number of reservations and therefore less openings for you to sneak in an extra resy. The higher your statement category, the more pull you have when you make a request, and of course, if there are fewer pax sailing on your itinerary, then there is less demand for the specialties and more room for you. Also, embarkation day tends to have less demand for the specialty restaurants, so see if you can pick up an extra reservation as soon as you get on board. Enjoy your cruise!

I think the staff will have no trouble handling who has a drinks package and who doesn’t. In the beginning, you’ll be showing some servers your room card, but they have good memories and the word spreads. This is their industry and they are very good at it..

I like to wait a day or two before pulling the trigger if I decide to upgrade my drinks package. Probably on the first full day or soon thereafter there will be the Captain’s welcome party and an open bar. Also, there are events early in the cruise for repeaters. Both of these are free drink opportunities. Also, I believe embarkation day is counted as a full day for the drinks package, although you might not get on board until the afternoon.

They compare favorably to the bathrooms on EU river cruises! I’ve done Emerald and Uniworld and I’ll bet the river boat bathrooms are MUCH smaller. Had a blast on the EU river cruises, and had a blast on Sirena! Enjoy your cruise!

O has been my favorite cruiseline (until recently?). I’ve been on 3 O cruises and have several more booked. My only Regent cruise so far (Mariner) was OVER THE TOP fabulous in every way, but you pay for that. On my budget, I’d rather arrange private tours which until recently was not bundled into the price of Oceania fares. Also, I can save some money on O by bringing onboard wine and spirits to consume in my stateroom or pay a corkage fee to drink wine with a meal. Along w a cocktail at HH and I’m all set. I was booked on your ill-fated itinerary but canceled early to instead vacation in August with friends. Lucky me. I’m not happy how O handled things, to say the least. Those same friends were booked on Regent for a Holylands cruise, and they were shafted by Regent as well. They canceled and were not happy they were only offered 25% FCC. So, am searching for a new home - just not sure I can afford to cruise solo on Regent. Am hoping to find a companionable female to share costs since hubby no longer wishes to travel. I’m looking forward to my next Regent cruise on Voyager in February! Enjoy your cruise!

No, that means you and your traveling companion are the “best in the bar!”🙃

This is the point. This was handled so poorly. In the end, the company will probably be providing FCC, and/or refunds to many or most of the dissatisfied passengers, at least I hope they do. However, it will be much harder to erase the bad will they created.

??? Not sure to what your comment refers…..?

Then I think you would pay the “all-inclusive fare” plus the “all-inclusive cruise only fare”. Basically you only pay for airfare once, but double the room charge. It would be good to work w a knowledgeable TA.

Here is the link to Regent itineraries with a reduced single supplement, as low as 0%. Ranges from 60% to 0%. https://www.rssc.com/specials/single-supplement-special-us Regent does a GREAT JOB with solo travelers! Pre-dinner cocktails every night, and interested solos can then have dinner together if they don’t have other plans. Lots of interaction with crew and staff! I had A BLAST! Booked again in February, can’t wait!

Without needing to go back and read all the posts in this thread, could somebody remind me if this noise issue is primarily on the new build Vista? I avoid the new ships anyway because they are more expensive, and the older flotilla is good enough for me.

Its the same wine/beer that is currently available under the standard beverage package. Wine is served by the glass. Probably includes a discount if you buy a bottle of wine. Only difference is bundling/marketing under “Simply More.”

You make a good point!

I am glad that you are very happy with your itinerary. Many other people have posted that they were not happy w their flights. I’m glad it worked out for you. The smart money deviates at a very early date. Nothing snarky about that.

Mdina is SO INCREDIBLE! Rich history, interesting church(es). I would love to go back.

Thank you so much. Can you share names and contact information of the private guides? I have a cruise booked in April 2025. Arigato!

My father always did this! Great idea. As for me, I wrap a colorful (sturdy) scarf around the handles.

Might have just gotten a “credit” that has to be used before a certain time period……

Thx for your update! I wonder how difficult it will be to book speakers to travel through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.

My friends were booked on a Regent cruise with stops in Israel that was scheduled to embark mid October, shortly after things “kicked off.” Last I heard, no refund no FCC.