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@Adele-Kiah @lorac77 @serialcruiserman You'll really have more luck on the Roll Call for this cruise.

Yes, you can switch perks...I'm not sure if the deadline is before final payment or before 14 days out. I think it's 14 days out, for switching, and pre-final payment if you want to opt out completely. My memory fails. Your TA is your best source for this question. In principle, O will keep track of your excursions and do the YWC discount when it applies. However, I've experienced some hiccups in this principle and had to have my TA fix it. Again, use your TA for these purchases, if the cart looks screwy or if you have problems getting the YWC after an original selection. Or just have your TA book them for you whenever.. Remember your OLife excursions selections count toward the the YWC minimum

You beat me to it ....

Glad you posted this. I was searching for an article that spoke to the extensive refurbishment, but didn't find this one.

Our Allianz annual policy covers trip cancelation up to $15,000 per year. Not per person.

That's what he said in a sarcastic way.

Yep...the devil is in the details, so it may not always be a savings on an earlier booking. That's why we always have our TA do a price comparison before we jump.

Guess I was thinking of Viking's Silver Spirits Beverage Package...the Recency Effect. 🍸

That I haven't tried, so I don't know. Hopefully someone else can chime in with their experience. Yes...Happy Cruising!!!

I'll give this a shot (Some answers from experience, other from discussions here on the O Board): 1. Specialties are included. 2. I think all drinks that are $15 or less are included, including the wines by the glass. 3. Correct. 4. The gratuities, whether pre paid or paid at the end of the cruise include the butler. There is an addition charge for the butler that is added on to the basic gratuities, and the amount you see on your invoice includes that. 5. I think you have to purchase on board if you took the OLife basic drinks package.

The Riviera goes into dry dock this month for the NEXT upgrade, and the Marina goes in next year. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for any major improvement on the internet capabilities.

How do you eat booze? Maybe it's something I should try, since I usually drink it. 😉

I should have added: prior to final payment or any penalty period.

Yes. Our TA has done this for us. But have your TA do a preliminary pricing and do a comparison of bottom lines, including any changes to TA perks due to a change in commisionable fares before committing.

Yes, the gratuities include the butler and and the steward/assistant. If you don't have a beverage package, an automatic 20% gratuity is added on to the bill. There is wide divergence about adding additional gratuities for the butler, the room attendants, and the bar staff. Some do it regardless, others reward staff for above and beyond, and other who don't request any thing out of the ordinary don't add more. It's a personal preference.

Is there a minimum number of people required for the independent tours?

Yes, that's the complexity, but seemed to have figured it out. $103 pp is pretty inexpensive, but it also matters whether you like the tours or just settling for them. The cost per private tour probably depends on how many are on the private tours. It's always a challenge.

🤣

To add on to Maiubabes, if you choose widely, the 8 excursions (4 per person) can have a potential value of up to almost $1600 ($800 per person). The SBC of $800 has a value of $800 for which you pay $800 ($400 per person) when you choose OLife.

Wait...we need to wear clothes? 🥸

Different or weird 🙃😁😉

Did you change when you went out to dinner at a nice restaurant, or did you go in sweat pants?

Even when I could only afford a cruise one a year or, more often, fewer, my TA fowarded me the advance releases of new cruises (before they are open for booking), and if I found a cruise to my liking, I would ask her to pre-book it with my specific staterom request. She did it. If I had reservations in place when sales come out and if my sailing is included, I would ask her to price the difference for me. She would read the fine print and sometimes the sale would be advantageous and sometimes not. If it was advantageous, she would rebook with the sale price. She does not travel with us. In all cases, we received refundable SBC, free gratuities, or both. You seem set on not using a TA. So I would recommend you do it your way and move on.

Yes, I agree. O's itineraries are generally better, for our tastes, although we've found a few itineraries on Regent that O doesn't do.

We've sailed both, although Regent was a long time ago. Both are nice, but I prefer the flexibilty Oceania offers with it's non-inclusive pricing. We don't drink enough booze to justify the all-inclusive Regent (or an Oceania drink package), and prefer to have our options open for excursions. Oceania's itineraries are typically longer and we prefer 14-21 day cruises. We think the food is better on Oceania, but it's been a long time since we cruised Regent, so it's not a fair comparison Our preference on Oceania are the larger Marina and Riveria because the excellent 4 specialty restaurants, but in the end it's the itinerary that seals the deal.