1985rz1

Part 1: When SM came out, we asked our TA to price the new rates for 3 cruises booked under OLife, so we could compare $ for $ whether it made sense for us. We took into account the price of our OLife excursions, the cost of the basic beverage package included in SM and the cost of the second WiFi included with SM. We had some SBC included from O (not our TA's SBC) to fold into the calculation. Our TA found that in one case, we qualified for a new sale price, and the new price saved us several thousands of $, so we switched. In the cases of other 2, there was a loss, primarily because we would lose some bonus SBC from O, so we didn't switch. The important point here is our TA was a savvy agent who could lay out the difference. Part 2: I'm not sure exactly what you were trying to say, but under OLife you get a fixed number of included excursions which were included in the OLife fare and which were priced at $100 each above the cruise only fare. If you exceeded that number by enough to qualify to the 25% discount, it would apply to all. The ones selected for the OLife excursions counted towards the number needed for the discount. In the case of SM, you get a fixed $ amount to spend. If the number of excursions selected reach the minimum number, you would get a 25% discount on all selected. The fixed amount go towards the reduced total. Do that clarify it for you?

Horizons is a lounge and Terrace is the buffet.

When was the cruise?

Did you try to put your suitcases under the bed when they are opened and flat? Edit: I see @Woofa posted that solution and I missed it.

I don't like the way O counts club points either, but I do understand that O wants to even the playing field for those guests on one or the other segments. Booking are especially difficult on short cruises, and it would be a shame if the guests on the combined cruise filled up the slots on the first segment or vice-versa. Remember these are only pre-cruise reservations. So once on board, you should give the reservations desk a chance to get you what you want, since you aren't limited to the pre-cruise number.

Sorry if you misunderstood. I was simply saying that unlike the lounges, everyone does have access to the spa deck, but that there is a fee. You suggested that not all folks have access to the spa. It may be a pedantic subtlety, but yes, everyone pays one way or another for that access. This is different in that there is no option to pay for lounge access if you're not in a concierge or hight stateroom or suite. On the other hand that access isn't really much of a perk.

Correct on the lounges, but anyone can access the spa deck, with a fee that's included for the higher categories.

It flips to 2 points at 25 nights.

This has happened to us and once on board the excursion was changed to match the cruise schedule. But it may mean shortening the tour. As occurred in our case.

Then you know the drill: turn on airplane mode to avoid accidentally connecting to the cellular at sea network and then turn wifi back on.

In addition to WhatsApp, you can make/accept internet calls and send/receive texts using WiFi calling, if your phone and provider support it. It doesn't need the person you are calling or texting to have a separate app, as it's treated like a normal phone call/text.

I would assume so. I have to admit it's not a real problem in practice. It just a little tinkling that occurs in the back of my head when return times are close. If I don't see a guarantee listed, I assume they are hedging their bets.

Bordeaux has tide issues. That's why it sometimes has to move to a nearby port. I can't say I know any one has been caught in this situation, but O doesn't guarantee it will wait. They will try their best, though.

Unless the tides force it to. Rare, but it can happen.

When we get SBC (O's designation for OBC...purely semantics) instead of PPG (prepaid gratuities) from our TA, we use the SBC to pay the gratuities.

It's the weekend, and the site is usually undergoing maintenance. During this time, access is quite unreliable. You can keep trying to catch it when it's back to normal or wait until Sunday night or Monday.

Yes, self-serve laundry units are free, including ocean-safe detergent.

I'm thinking, as an observer, maybe not, depending...🙂

Have you had to transfer BOB to your TA post booking? When we' done BoB the Ambassador transfers it in real time at the time of booking, automatically, unless we say otherwise. He/she knows our agent from the booking of the current cruise.

Yep...90 days.

Usually the itineraries are released before bookings are open. Your TA should know when. Once they are published, have your TA ready to book as soon as the bookings open. Of course, you have to have a savvy TA who works with O.

Only if you upgrade to the Prestige package.

Yes, you need to upgrade to get the streaming ports opened. The upgrade only opens those ports, but does not have more bandwidth, so the speed is the same. Streaming eats up bandwidth, so O is trying to limit the number of streaming users with its upgrade policy.

As @mauibabes indicated, yes, you can ask your butler to do that, as well as have him bring you a hot or cold breakfast at a specified time.

Oops, missed that.