Qruzon

Last time, in the MDR, you could order lamb chops for breakfast.

FWIW, I live in Jacksonville(actually Neptune Beach)

Most likely, you will dock at the cruise port on the northside.

That is where the Carnival ship docks.

Yes, it is in the middle of nowhere so do not plan on walking.

My suggestion for the day is to visit the Jacksonville zoo and gardens.

It really is a good Zoo and the spring flowers are up about now.

Open from 9 to 5.

It is also on the north side, not too far from the port.

You can probably get an uber to take you there.

If you are a golfer, and have a hefty budget, try to play at the Player's club.

The Player's championship just ended and the course is pristine.

Plan on being on deck when you arrive or leave.

There is a longish river run from the sea to the port with lots to see on each side.

What to do??

Go to lunch.

On a cruise, abandon all eating restrictions and enjoy.

Deal with weight when you get home.

I think you can get lamb chops for breakfast in the dining room too.

Talk about misleading advertising.

Other cruise lines quote fares that does not include port and other taxes.  On O they are part of the fare.

To the question of $39/day for Beveridge package, it can be more($59?) if you include premium wines and liquors.   We do not drink that much, but like wine for dinner.  Onboard, you can buy a 7 bottle package @47 per bottle including gratuities.

 That serves us for most of the cruise.  By the glass is also available.

With Olife, if you can buy airfare cheaper or you want to pick details, O will give you a credit.

One plus with the Olife airfare is that if there is a problem, O will try to get you there in time.

The Olife credit might as well be a cash discount.

After we use it for gratuities and liquor, there may be enough left for a tour.

The Olife package is one that we most always take.

The key is that it includes air as well as the option of OBC,tours...

Air usually gets you there the day of the cruise and you do not get to pick the details.

We have yet to miss a departure.  If the first port was a week away, like a TA, then we would go on our own a day early.

If you want to travel before or stay after, that can be accommodated, but the price will be high.

If you want the olife package and want to buy your own airfare, O will give you a discount.

It amounts to what the cheapest airfare might be.

We usually pick the OBC.  It can be used onboard for tours, drinks and even for gratuities.

We will usually buy a 7 bottle wine package that amounts to $40 per bottle, including gratuities and they will store unfinished bottles for you.

The number of tours is by cabin, not by person.

The included tours are the very basic ones.  Think city bus tour for example.

The tours are considered to be expensive, more than what  you could arrange on your own.

If O can sell your cabin, they likely will offer you a better cabin, but you are not required to take it.

No doubt O reps can vary.

I have been dealing with the same rep for some time and am very satisfied.

If you want something done with Oceania, the in house rep has direct access to a supervisor that can authorize things.  You can find out what availability is, and you can get an early heads up on new itineraries.

I asked the rep if he/she got a commission, and the answer was NO.

Compensation came in the form of recognition for a job well done.

The smaller regatta class ships are some 30,000 tons.

Much will depend on what the itinerary will be.

We are booked from San francisco to miami April 22.

I expect relative smooth sailing since most of the trip is close to shore.

If you go trans atlantic,  sea conditions may well be a problem for you.

I have been on the similar sized sirena and do not recall issues when circumnavigating Cuba a few years ago.

The marina and riviera are more like 66000 tons and are quite stable.

As on any ship, to minimize motion, book a mid ship cabin low down.

Deck 3/4 have some.

The cabins will be on the small side so don't expect much.

There are some ocean view cabins on deck 6 that I would avoid. they are tiny.

There is a stage, not a real theater.

They will have enrichment lectures during the day.  How good will depend on the speaker.

Evening will be the usual dance/song performance, but necessarily not as lavish as on a larger ship.

Trivia has some very ardent players if you like that.

The big attraction is the food which is excellent.

We like to meet and talk with new people at dinner.

Hope the covid situation will allow that.

Also, there will be a string quartet that plays at afternoon tea and at other times.

Love the Guarantee option.

With wait list, or an assigned cabin, you may get exactly what you asked for.

With guarantee, you know what you will pay, but not what cabin you will be assigned to.

You may not know until you check in on the day of departure.

Usually, though you will know earlier.

What I like is the anticipation which is a fun part of preparing for a cruise.

And, if the ship is not full, you are likely to get a nice upgrade.

Hope springs eternal.

We always ask to share a table at the MDR or specialty restaurants.

A leisurely dinner and good conversation is what we like.

In the terrace cafe, you are usually sitting by yourself.

We buy the 7 bottle wine package.

Last price was $47.50 gratuity included.

The included wines vary each trip.

Here is a sample:

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/Documents/Menus/23779/WinebytheBottle-SampleSelection.pdf

I have always been pleased with the selection.

I just ask the sommelier to pick out a nice red one.

On Riviera and marina for lunch, they have a tasting menu for various parts of the world.

It is a sampler for two in a turntable.

If you are adventurous, try it.

We will be on sirena in April.

I see they have something similar.

It looks like this:

Our executive chef

invites you to enjoy the

FLAVORS OF SPAIN

ibérico de bellota cold cuts

beef albondigas

manchego tostada con tomate

gambas al ajillo

pulpo a la gallega

valencian spinach, orange salad