chloemonkey

Onboard the Marina now and although the 6:30 seating at Polo was “overbooked” their words not mine…..the couple in front of us were able to obtain seating when they asked to have a table of four and were willing to share.

Similarly, we were first seating last night at Jacques…..and the place was half EMPTY until 7:30 seating…..at which time there STILL tables available…..

Bottom line is that at least on THIS trip…….there does not appear to be a shortage of the earlier time slots in the specialty restaurants……

29 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

Doing it quietly and discreetly may be one thing, while coming on CC and bragging about doing it may produce different outcomes.

I have NEVER done it myself!  I was merely stating that MANY people DO come on these boards and recommend this tactic in order to receive preferential treatment/outcomes......just for the record.....my comment was in regards to the immediate termination of Matre D's accepting a tip.....

Geez......

5 minutes ago, basor said:

I was on a B2B cruise and this occurred on the first cruise of the B2B - so it is not a "claim" but first hand knowledge of actual incident...we do not tip anyone onboard a cruise ship before a service is rendered and receive appropriate service anyway.  Bartenders/wine servers/waiters bring us our requested items in a timely manner.  Restaurant maitre d"s sit us at an appropriate table in a timely manner based upon our reservation.  We go with the flow and understand we are just one of 650/1250 other people onboard and are no more or less important than any of them.

Nor have we ever offered a gratuity to any service personnel - but have read many reports of those who have.  My "question" had more to do with the immediate termination claim - as again, we have read/heard numerous stories of this practice but this is the first that I have ever heard of the immediate termination being carried out.

And for the record?  We also "go with the flow" and do not ask or demand anything to which we are not entitled.  But until they change the rules?  Those in the highest level suites do enjoy the earlier booking opportunity and is one of the perks that we do take advantage of.  And maybe Oceania will change their protocols at some point?  And that will make some happier, others maybe not so much.....

But as many have said on these Boards....if you are patient enough and speak to the reservation desk people and are just a "bit" flexible.....things usually work out.  

Hubby has always been able to order it from the servers in the casino?  Which must mean that the bar staff are able to obtain it somewhere.

On 9/11/2024 at 5:21 PM, basor said:

Maitre'd s have been fired for accepting a cash "tip" for a table - hope no one saw or reports this as he/she will be gone!

This leads me to wonder if all of those bartenders that people tip on the "first" day as they are certain that it enables them to obtain better service....or the cabin personnel/Butlers who accept tips as they are offered...are also in jeopardy of immediate termination?  

Tipping has been around since forever....and I doubt very seriously that this practice is treated as severely as you claim.....could be wrong?  And we have seen it done......also DONE it ourselves!  and never noticed any repercussions......just our experience I guess?

I guess my feeling is that many of you spend SO much time and answer posts ensuring people that there is NO need to dress up....that they should not worry at ALL about other people....tennis shoes for dinner are FINE.....and I agree with all of that.  But I wish that there was a "bit" of the same acceptance to those of us that want to dress up a bit more and have more outfit options....

as it surely affects NONE of you?  So not sure why the judgements......but possible just a sign of the times.....(sigh).....

15 minutes ago, clo said:

You take more than FOUR checked bags???? Holey moley. And this is Oceania with no formal nights. Wow.

We are allowed 3 checked bags on the flight plus carry-ons.....and when we get to the port - choose to send one of the carry-ons along with the other luggage pieces.  Hence the "more than FOUR" bags.....I mean I LOVE doing laundry on a cruise as much as the next person....but also love having lots of options for wardrobe choices.......also - we cruise for 30+ to 60+ days......maybe that might make it more "acceptable" to you....

On 8/18/2024 at 5:38 AM, flviking said:

Thanks to all for sharing your experiences.  I was concerned the very limited usability of the balcony would be the case.  I very much use our balcony to relax on a sea day or in the evening so this would be a big miss for us.  Time to start stuffing the piggy bank for an owners suite.

Aren't the Oceania Suites aft?  They are cheaper than the Vista Suites and may suit your needs....I have just never seen the allure of that silly tiny room with an additional tv in it....might have been useful when we had to travel with young children....

My issue is that they only sent a total of four for DH and I....and we usually have more than four bags to check.  And I DO know that we can just get those paper add on ones at the dock....but personally?  I would have preferred the old paper wrap on ones that also came as a sheet of 4?  As our luggage came with matching tags and we have no need of these "colorful" ones.....just my two cents.

We always book the Vista Suite and the balcony is NOT usable 95% of the time when the ship is moving.  You do usually have time for a quick cocktail when sailing out of most ports - but that also depends on how close the port is to the open seas. And yes, the balcony furniture is always tied down at sail away time....although I "trained" my cabin attendants to come at the very last minute as that balcony is one of the reasons that we book that suite.  We have also been thrilled to be able to use it at sea a FEW times....but that was usually when we had been re-routed due to weather issues and were basically just putting around at sea at a low speed.  We still love the suite - but the fact that it is not usable when moving is one of the downsides.  The other is that at night you are instructed to keep the curtains drawn in order to not interfere with the bridge and their ability to see.

On 7/26/2024 at 1:14 PM, Cruisingagain2022 said:

We had a Vista Suite on deck 12

The bathroom was not renewed but to be honest it looked good and it still had a whirlpool tub which made the hubby happy.
I had brought an adapter with me which had USB ports. However there was one USB port next to the bed
We had sailed on Riviera prior the refurb so we knew USB ports were in short supply.

My expectation on the Marina redo was low but I was pleasantly surprised. Our suite was not refurbed. Yet it looked fresh and it was clean .

They did remove the Jaccuzi tub from the balcony. Not a major loss.

i would be happy to sail on Marina again if I can find a decent itinerary.

 

I am SO confused....as I thought that everything "above" a PH had been refurbished?  Sort of sucks to pay for VISTA Suite fares and not have a THING done during the refurbish?  Or am I missing something?   

We were there last year and took a private guide and driver all day....and they took us to many other places on the island that were extremely interesting....and the last was the crowded shopping area and dreaded cable car line......our guide warned us about the "timing" of the cable car and how NOT to try to get in that line for the "perfect" photo that draws thousands......so we went to one of the restaurants looking upon those wonderful views for lunch instead of braving the shops as it was TORTURE!  You could not even walk in or out of them without bumping into several people.  I do feel for the locals?  And do feel that they need to limit the number of ships per day as it is quickly becoming impossible to enjoy.  Needless to say we got into the cable car line at the time recommended by our guide (who had left us at the restaurant) and it was only about 30-45 minutes.  Still not totally "pleasant" in hot temps....but doable....

Hope that they figure something out in order that everyone has the opportunity to visit this amazing island soo in order to not be accosted by squirt guns.....

All in all I did feel a bit "cheated" as we did NOT get to enjoy the last stop/tour  (Oia? I believe?) but it was just not feasible....again.....hope that they figure out some sort of solution soon.....and for the record - our trip was September/October of 2023.

15 hours ago, ORV said:

I believe unless you are a member of that site then you can only see the weather for just a few days before you're at a port. On the other hand it'll probably be more accurate then. 

Sad thing is that I AM a member!  STILL couldn't remember the name of the site!  So thanks all for the help in reminding me.  Now......if I could only remember my user name and password....lol!  Just kidding......

I cannot seem to recall the site that I always use to see the weather reports that are shown according to each individual cruise....anyone want to help me handle this "senior" moment?

It is the one where you enter your exact cruise line, ship and date of departure....and it gives you the weather prediction complete for each and every port/sea day...

Thanks!

Have been on 10 Oceania cruises and 53 others....and would not be able to tell you ANY of their names.....but wishing Ray well.....whoever you are!

We have been on two cruises with Bermuda as the main attraction......on the first trip, we were not allowed to stop there due to weather.....on the second one (this past April) we were only able to stop for one day as opposed to the two that were on the schedule, again due to weather.  Thankfully both of our trips were B2Bs so we had the benefit of the previous two weeks being spent in the Caribbean....otherwise?  I would have been really disappointed as Charlston and the Port Caniveral were not favorites of ours...

On 7/29/2024 at 4:19 PM, Torquer said:

Thanks for the definitive update.  This is indeed unfortunate since it made O one of the very few cruise lines we cruise on.  We use the hot tub on the balcony nearly everyday of a cruise.  Just this March, I was in the outdoor hot tub while cruising past icebergs in Antarctica aboard Marina.

 

Our other favorite line Holland America still has balcony hot tubs in its Pinnacle Suites and we have a couple cruises booked in 2025 with them.  We will have to once again research this.  I know Celebrity has some...thanks for the pointer above about Princess.

We too are fans of the hot tubs on private balconies!  Makes you not have to worry about Chair Hogs!  As you have your own "pool"....lol  NCL also has some Owner's Suites on a couple of its Jewel Class suites?  The ones in the "smaller" Haven where you have to walk up the stairs to get to your suite....

I totally understand that Oceania is NOT an Adults Only Cruise line.....but for the past 8-10 years ago we were really surprised when we encountered children onboard.  We HAVE found a slight increase over the past year or two?  Nos sure what that trend indicates......And we too have travelled with extended family both on larger cruise lines and on the "cruise within a cruise" lines...and also during vacation time and on lines that DO offered Kid's Clubs/programs....

But at the risk of being chastised.....I would NEVER take my extended family (which does include children!) on an Oceania Cruise.  I think this would be asking for problems as there is just not enough for them to do.  And if the children booking Oceania increases substantially?  I will very likely switch to an adults only line.....as I have 17 grandchildren an enjoy travelling with them....but not ALL of the time and not on a ship with no kids activities.....

So please allow those of us our opinion/choice.....as long as Oceania allows children - the choice falls to us whether to continue booking with them or make a switch.....

35 minutes ago, 1985rz1 said:

Well, that is a new one for me.  They should have a bottle on the ready.  I hope it's one off, but I will find out as we leave in a week for an O Norway cruise.

Wishing you Bon Voyage....and as many "bubbly" as you desire!  I just am not good at standing up for myself.....which is why I order a TON of GOOD champagne to have in our cabin......and then I CAN make a Mimosa when I wish.....(or just drink champagne! lol!0

3 hours ago, 1985rz1 said:

Why not order a glass of champagne and a glass of orange juice with a wedge of lime, then grab an empty glass make it yourself?  That's what we've done

3 hours ago, 1985rz1 said:

Why not order a glass of champagne and a glass of orange juice with a wedge of lime, then grab an empty glass make it yourself?  That's what we've done

Well In Terrace Cafe during breakfast I would not have to "order" orange juice...as it is there as part of the buffet offerings.....It is the "champagne" part as in any bar order during breakfast seemed to STUMP the waiters.....

20 hours ago, tropicalkerry2002 said:

Has anyone on this cruise been successful in getting a Mimosa with breakfast? were you in the dining room or buffet?

We have not been on the Vista since April.....but I had a hard time getting Mimosas in Terrace Cafe....and the waiters seemed STUNNED the couple times that I tried to order one?  And then it took forever.....anyway, I was trying to get my money's worth from my Prestige Beverage Package!  I sort of chalked it up to the demographics of the group.....as most of us are on a ton of medications? lol....and probably lots have given up alcohol!  Not I!  I am going down with a champagne glass in my hand! lol....

On 7/15/2024 at 10:35 AM, basor said:

Having sailed on Vista, I would enjoy the addition of Aquamar and redoing Waves to add additional dining options for everyone onboard......these refits were not part of the original plan and Oceania made the choice to spend the time and money on these additions.  They did not save money by not doing a refit of the A cabins but spent the money on dining options for all onboard..

So....does that mean that the dining room has been upgraded?  As I saw a recent video that seemed to have "dated" chairs, etc. in the general dining room...not a big deal, just curious as to whether or not this space has been re-done.....

4 minutes ago, clo said:

What did y'all have? 

4 minutes ago, clo said:

What did y'all have? 

Well we could have LIVED off of those delicious rolls that they pass out!  Brioche I think?  The Crispy Shrimp appetizer was something we ate on several occasions.....I even enjoyed a Cobb Salad if I recall?  On one of those nights that I had just become overwhelmed with all the heavy dinners.....Fish and Chips were great.....sorry but cannot remember them all....but now I am hungry!

9 minutes ago, no fuss travel said:

Oh I had to laugh at this forum.  Frank Jr. is not known for always making the correct decisions.  We were on the Marina a few years ago sailing from Tahiti to Sydney.  Frank Jr.  had hired an older man who played the accordion and his son who played a violin to take the place of the string quartet.  They lasted till Auckland when they were replaced with a string quartet.  They were awful and the complaints too many to count.  No one was sitting in the bars so they could avoid listening to them. 

I agree with the Ember comments.  We went once and my husband could not convince me to got back.  The GDR food far surpassed that particular restaurant.  The only thing good was that the couple we were sharing the table with were very entertaining and made me forget that I didn't particularly like the food.  Just not my cup of tea.

We were dreading Ember after having read months of poor reviews.....and were actually THRILLED with most of its offerings!  And even managed to overlook the lack of a white tablecloth! lol.....to each his own one might say but hard when you are running a cruise line.  I think that I need to comment more when things go "right" as my fear is that the main things the people in charge hear are those things that cruisers are unhappy with....

On 5/18/2024 at 8:56 AM, Torquer said:

We love having a private whirlpool tub on our balcony when on a cruise, but there are only a very small number of cruise lines that have them.  Oceania was one of them that had them in their top suites, and the balcony tub is the main reason we are willing to spend the small fortune to stay in these suites.

 

We were devastated a while back when we learned that Riviera had removed them at it last refit.  So now the question is, did Marina retain her whirlpool tubs in her just-completed refit?  When we were in an OC on Marina a couple months ago we asked our butler, and he had not heard they were going to be removed, but we want a definitive answer from someone actually staying in OS, VS, or OC on Marina post-refit.

Following......but we were on the Riviera AFTER the refit and did still have the private whirlpool in the Vista Suite.