jazznruby

+1...?

I agree that the 'benefits' of Cat. A fall short and dinner reservations would never be a factor for us; however, sometimes we book a particular category for one reason and one reason only (o.k. maybe two reasons)...location and space. Cases in point...the aft PH1s on Vista, Riviera, Marina with the big wraparound balconies. And O changing the beloved B3s with the extended, open on 2 sides balconies to A2s. Reason enough.

Been in effect since last year. Must accept O's itinerary. Choosing your own flights etc. and arriving/departing outside the 3 day window still requires deviation fee of $199/pp.

Yep, the beloved B3s will be A2s. A year ago I booked 7008 for 4/25/25 sailing. New cats. and prices not shown for it yet; but deck plan for next year is showing the change. Once the 'secret's' out, as was the case with aft facing cabins years ago, prices always change to reflect the demand.

Contrary to what most on CC will tell you, I've used O air (not biz class) with great success. I've paid the deviation fee to get exactly the itinerary that I wanted, rather than taking what O gives you. And in all cases, since we prefer to fly premium economy, we've saved $$ significantly. While it's true they don't ticket until closer to departure, I've always received a ticket locator number shortly after booking, which has allowed me to do seat selection. Not sure if booking conditions are different for the UK, or if paying the deviation fee has made the difference, but that's been my experience. I'm about to book O air through my TA for November cruise, and will see if the process is the same as in the past.

Thank you for this thread. My mantra for a very long time, especially with regard to cruising which we love and have been doing since 1995, is... just because you can, doesn't mean you should. We've been around the horn in South America (and yes, walked among the penguins) and loved it. We've been to Australia and New Zealand and loved it. We've sailed Alaska's beautiful Inside Passage. We've been to French Guiana and loved that too. But there'a a way to visit these more fragile areas without the ugly sense of entitlement that sometimes comes with the means to do it. The massive 'Monster of the Seas' and its ilk are abominations that should be avoided at all cost; but unfortunately will find their unwitting and uncaring audience. While the cruise industry has made inroads into being more friendly to the planet, they have a long way to go if these behemoth vessels are allowed to proliferate, unchecked. In the meantime, I applaud those cruise destinations as mentioned above, that have put a long needed stop to allowing their fragile environments to be further compromised and degraded. Do I feel conflicted sometimes about continuing to cruise, and travel at all, for that matter? You bet I do, but try to always do it without a sense of entitlement, and with careful thought and awareness of the consequences of my decisions and actions.

There ya go!

Well, I guess the term has never really been definitively defined in a measure of time away (20 minutes? 30 minutes? an hour?), but I think most who've chimed in here on the subject would agree that anyone who claims a chair and then leaves for any reason other than for a dip in the pool or a trip to the rest room or a quick trip to the bar to get a drink is a chair 🐷. And who eats breakfast or lunch in 20 minutes anyway?

You seem proud to be labeled a chair hog. 🐖

You both new around these parts? 🙃

We're on her end of the month for Carib. Not worried. 😎

Well, I guess 'anything of value' is subjective; but why would anyone leave 'anything of value' in the first place??

I'll take the latter.

CAN I ADD AIR TO MY RESERVATION? Updated June 29, 2018 Yes, you may add air to your reservation when you make your initial reservation or up to 30 days prior to sail date for existing reservations. A change fee of $150.00 per guest will be assessed for guests who wish to change a booking from cruise only to include cruise and air travel after final payment up to 30 days. Air requests within 60 days of your departure date may be requested but not guaranteed. From FAQ on the O site. There's no way to research air options on the site. Have to go through TA or call O. Or find what you want and request custom air deviation.

One can hope.

Huh?

Cheeseburger in Paradise?

Hard to tell if your comment's dripping with sarcasm; and dispensing with the old chestnut about 'assuming' anything, please assume again. 😜

Shhh, now a rush on those coveted spots! 🤣 Some folks like to see and be seen. My husband admits he enjoys the pool "show". I do too, for that matter, but perfectly happy to find one of your 'out of the way' locations rather than stress about finding a pool chair.

Yes, please see my post #186 above. And unfortunately, the phenomenon raises its ugly head on CC all too frequently.

We're hoping for same. We're on Vista end of next month. Always grateful to escape PN winters and for cruising in general.

I posted a similar sentiment/observation on another thread. We became O regulars 12 years ago, having migrated from Princess and Celebrity. But even back then, I don't remember such rude/antisocial behavior on the larger ships; and on O, it was almost unheard of. I do believe that the current state of affairs has to be directly related and attributable to the recent influx of refugees from other, larger ships. (Can only imagine what it's like on P and C now! 😲) Coinicidence? I don't think so. But then again, sadly, the world is a very different place now than it was then, in terms of common courtesy and just being kind to your fellow humans. Any setting with a gathering of said humans is nothing more than a microcosm of the world.

Agreed, but unfortunately, O shows no signs of willingness to do that. So...since husband and I are approaching a Carib sailing on Vista next month, we'll see for ourselves. Interesting that, in our past O warm weather cruises, it's never really been a problem. Seems that only since there've been so many Celebrity refugees (with some from other lines) has it become the problem it apparently is now. Just sayin. 🤔

Pay people a decent living wage, including on cruise ships, and it becomes more of a moot issue. Will there always be those who like to tip for exceptional service? Sure, and let them have at it. I don't disagree that, most often, it feels obligatory; and it shouldn't. But if I've received good or exceptional service, then obligatory or not, I'm going to tip accordingly. Service industries deserve to be and should be duly compensated...by the respective employer!

While I've not used any of the following guides yet, I've booked with all of them for 11/24. They are all highly rated and recommended... Dubrovnik - toursbylocals.com/Marijana S. Valletta - maltatours.com/Chris - he and his wife, Joan, maltatourguide.com, operate separately. She's very popular (and well known to others on CC). She was fully booked for our date, so I booked with Chris. Hope this helps.