1985rz1

???? This is an Oceania board.

Viking has that limit on their package.

If you have specific requests, have your TA notify O in advance and they can often make sure they are on board for you. But I think caffeine free is usually and option.

Advance dining reservation are made online on your account on the O site by accessing Manage My Cruise. You should do it as soon as possible once the window your assigned according to your stateroom category opens. If you are in a suite, PH or above, your butler can help you get additional reservations, depending on availability. You also check your self at the dining reservations desk or with the maitre d of the restaurant. I don't know the success rate as we've also been happy with our guaranteed reservations. But I understand you would have to be flexible...late times and/or sharing. We think the GDR is good and have no hesitation eating there. Some folks may not agree, but food is subjective. The menu rotates over 14 days, but there are some regular items. We've always been able to get a 2-top, although we sometimes had to wait 10 minutes. The GDR opens at 6:30 and folks are line up to get in. Some people prefer the Terrace for dinner but we prefer being served rather than going through a buffet line. Included drinks are in cans, and blended coffee drinks are available (also included). Movies are free, as to up to date, our experience is minimal. Perhaps someone who watched them can pipe up. Toiletries are upscale and in bottles, not pump jugs. We haven't used room service, except for a hot breakfast, and the selections are excellent. If you are in a PH or above, you can also order from the restaurant menus, including the specialities during meal times and your butler can serve you course by course, if you want. The is no upgrade bidding. I'm sure other will chime in if they have other experiences or want to expand on their views.

Answers to 3, 4, and 5: 3. There are no indoor pools. 4. Yes, that is correct. 5. https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005477653-How-many-dining-reservations-am-I-allowed-in-each-specialty-restaurant-

Technically, the beverage packages includes gratuities.

Having a knowledgeable TA, fluent in Oceania speak, and responds quickly to inquiries is indeed a treasure. Those with strong connections with Oceania have a dedicated, experienced contact who is knowledgeable and truthful. We've had ours for 12 years and never had a complaint. She usually responds with in hours (almost always within an hour even if it's only an acknowledgement of our inquiry and to let us know she's on it). If she is out of town, she always provides a contact, one of her colleagues, who also is quick to respond. I'm sorry yours doesn't seem to have this same professionalism and commitment to customer service.

Yes, $23 pp pd for a butler (PH and above); $18 pp pd for a Concierge Veranda and below.

That was what I was just going to post. You beat me to it. $18 pp pd is the standard stateroom gratuity without a butler.

Yes, some people always look for a negative interpretation, based on what they believe, not on any facts.

We've used our current TA since 2010, and through 2022 we booked 8 cruises through her...that is less than one per year. No, we do not book top suites. Even if you include what we reserved for 2023 and 2024 (some of which will likely be canceled) , it's just over an average of 1 per year. I'm sorry those others don’t have TAs that are as flexible as ours, but that's their choice. If what you are doing works for you, and you don’t see any advantage of a TA for you, then stick with what you are doing. I'm not trying to convince you to change, just responding to questions about our experiences.

I'm not edgee, but yes, our TA will reprice our booking for a sale. Also I sometimes book on board and have the ambassador on board transfer it to our agent who provides our perks.

The cruise only fare is the fare with no OLife and no air. There is no further reduction. The other fare listed includes OLife and air, and you can chose to opt out of either or both. If you chose OLife only, the cost is the pp cruise only fare plus the 1/2 the amount that is listed as onboard credit per cabin...i.e the pp onboard credit.

Yes.

yes.

Here is the US, we can separate functions: use a TA cruise specialist for the cruise to get benefits and an advocate if there is an issue with the cruise, and buy our own airline tickets directly.

You can include your friends when you book your specialty dining reservations on line, if they have paid in full, using their booking number. It will use one of their guaranteed reservations. Once on board you can also try to get additional reservations for the 4 of you, depending on availability. Your butler can help you get additional reservations, if they are available. I think you'll enjoy the suite. Happy sailing!

Haven't been on a Christmas cruise with Oceania, so I can contribute any insight there. However, I think the overwhelming consensus of O regulars is that you should purchase your own air if you are flying Business. Some even report O agents recommending that, as their business flights are no deal and you don't get credit for for any included air, if you choose the included air option.

Thanks. We make it work for us 🙂, splitting costs between Chase and our annual Allianz policy.

Doesn't the Chase Insurance have caps? I thought they were $20 K per trip ($10 K pp) and $40 K per year.

The package covers bar orders any time the bar is open, as well as in dining venues during mealtimes.

Yes, you will be out of the whole cruise fare if you cancel. Insurance would normally cover this situation, at least according to the details of our policy. Let's hope the tests have a positive outcome.

No. If you add a couple to your reservations, it uses theirs. You will need their booking number to add them.

I agree that saying something is important. if you don't, the Chef or the management may decide no body noticed, so gristle is OK.

Geeze. I don't see any sarcasm in @Host Jazzbeau's post, subtle or not. It was an attempt to make a joke, and it was about himself, not you. Lighten up.