chloemonkey

I just noticed yet another of those bags complete with beach towels, etc. on our balcony….we too always feel so bad having to leave some behind….esp on B2Bs when you receive for each portion of the cruise! Hard to haul them all home…. Truly First World problems most of us in these Boards are dealing with, right?

I recall reading that they were having some sort of inspection and that embarkation was delayed……but of course now cannot find that e mail! I chose the earliest time as we had a horrible time in Amsterdam a few months ago as they would not let us board earlier than our boarding Passes indicated……and I had to argue that we were in a category that allows you to arrive at any time. So I might try to arrive early? But don’t be surprised if you are not allowed toward earlier than your paperwork indicates.

Thanks all! Now to tru yo find that e mail about late embarkation…,I’m a mess of disorganization this trip!

Thanks so much!

Thanks! At least I know where we are headed and what to tell the driver. We do NOT disembark until 3/27….so will double check while onboard as to disembarkation….

Just realized I have not found out the correct Terminal for out departure out of Miami tomorrow…we are on the Vista and although I have done this for a 100 times.:.i cannot seem like figure it out tonight…so don’t be mean…I am tired and getting old! lol

Our experience has been "yes" IF you booked the hotel through Oceania. We are met at baggage claim with personnel holding signs with our last name displayed. The help claim bags and then transported us to our hotel. They did NOT help with bags on the hotel end however....These services seem to be independent car service companies that Oceania routinely hire. It all went off without a hitch in all of our experiences.....numbering around 15 so far?

You all ROCK! Thanks so much~

Please remind me of the site where you can check the average monthly temperatures of ports/cities around the world......I am getting older by the minute and cannot for the life of me remember any of them! Thanks fellow cruisers!

I would also be interested as we will be onboard the VISTA on this date....so any information would be appreciated.

Do they have palapas or cabanas available on the beach?

My TA is an Oceania agent who as recently as this afternoon told me that "La Reserve" should absolutely be available to book online as we are within 75 days out.....so go figure. And I am not sure how I would assemble 8 passengers who want the same menu...to book Privee? I am just so over the people handling the reservations at Oceania not knowing what is going on.....as I was also told that the website was not offering shore excursion options for the private island Great Stirrup Key/Cay? as all shore excursions are handled by "third party vendors" and apparently there were none available for this port.......Yet I KNOW that this is one of NCL's private islands....and why would they not offer the Villas. cabanas etc? Just disappointing..... Thanks for your input though....and maybe it will be better to wait until onboard.....Appreciate all of your help...

So.....I am confused.....NO "La Reserve" on VIsta....but there ARE two of the original three La Reserve options being offered as "Privee?"....and if so, where online do you book these? As I have been told by two Oceania agents that they "La Reserve is available to book 75 days out for Vista Suite passengers..." SO CONFUSING! lol.... First world problems for certain....but I just wish that I had a better idea of what exactly is happening on this front....as I HATE to wait until onboard and prefer to have it all handled pre cruise....

Thanks for all the opinions! lol.....I handled the three issues with a phone call....and for the record all Le Reserve are now only being booked "onboard".....(thanks guys for letting me know this already!)...... Booked my Prestige Beverage Package....and both hubby and my Prepaid gratuities..... And I DO understand the reluctance to not prepay these items....but I just HATE all of the things that need to be handled once onboard - as I just then want to be on vacation. Also, to pay these things helps make my onboard final bill a "bit" more palatable as my casino charges make ALL of the other invoices look minute! lol! Thanks for all of your input....and by the way, while on the phone with Oceania, I managed to book yet another cruise! Only wish these agents that you reach at Oceania were a bit more friendly.....as I truly do HATE having to call in....which should NOT be the case when you are spending additional tens of thousands of dollars......but that has been my experience for the past couple of years.....sad......

Thanks so much! How about the prepaid gratuities?

Trying to complete some purchases for upcoming VISTA cruise.....and am not able to find where to book the Le Reserve dinners and to pre-pay gratuities.....I managed to get my hubby's in my cart a while back....wanted to add my beverage package and these other items too....but cannot find what tab they are under. If no one answers this, I will just call Oceania tomorrow....but wanted to go ahead and get this out of the way tonight.... Thanks! Debby

I can relate....and we always take out the trip insurance. Also - as a side note, we too had to cancel a cruise due to my diagnosis of inoperable Stage IV cancer.....this was five years ago! And after treatment and major surgery....I remain "NED" or "no evidence of disease".....and we have taken 5 cruises since then. So wishing you similar results! Hang in there....

I am trying not to think about a cruise with no Jacques......as it is surely one of our top choices when onboard. And of course we will try Ember....but it seems too close to a combination of a steak house (Polo) and the buffet grill that so many seem to think is haute cuisine.....trying to keep an open mind...but am already missing my Escargot, that salad with the poached egg?.....truly first world problems right? Happy to sail on Oceania no matter what...but do feel that we will miss Jacques. Of course it doesn't help that both he and his lovely daughter were on our last sailing two months ago!

From my experience, the answer is "NO"...you cannot do a survey after disembarking from your cruise. II personally find this to be ridiculous as I hate to take time out from my vacation to answer a survey on my cruise experience. I also find it embarrassing as I HAVE done the "halfway" through online surveys and have been embarrassed to have various personnel contact me to try to explain/rectify my issues...... If there was something truly important and timely, of course I would welcome the contact from hotel directors, etc....but what usually occurs has been that I receive phone messages stating that these "important" department heads will seek me out that coming evening....and NOTHING ever happens! lol.... Again, my cruises with Oceania have been pretty much problem free....which is why I would love the opportunity to just give my input for small changes or adjustments....that would make the experience even better. But this could be better accomplished after I am back at home....rather than the "grandstanding" by various department heads that posture in order to possible satisfy the higher ups scrutiny? And then do nothing......

We were on the same cruise as well as the one before and the total number of shore excursion participants on "regular" excursions was always well above this number. We always try to do the OE ones to ensure a smaller group of participants and did so on these two cruises BUT 80% of them were cancelled due to "lack of interest" as per Oceania. However, I do agree with the childish nature of most of the Oceania excursions along with the feeling of being "herded" like small children. At one point I even voiced my upset with the guide as we were given a total of 10 minutes to choose to either shop or use the restrooms! lol.... The shore excursions of Oceania are in desperate need of change.....and we had much more enjoyable times on the ones where we had previously planned for private tours/guides/drivers etc. We even did better at some of the 20+ ports just getting off of the ship and hiring someone at the dock!

Just off a month on the Riviera a week ago and we had a few female wine servers.

Now Now that you mention going ashore.....that is probably why WE also never took advantage! Old age and memory fades are "REAL! Thanks for that input.

Good to know! As we have been on 8-10 B2B's.....and always book Vista Suites.....so not sure how we missed this on so many opportunities.....will def inquire next week.

Not sure if I missed something....but I was under the impression that the Dining Room was not open for lunch on embarkation day? And maybe the cabin stewards are the one to "place" these letters/menus in the cabins? As I cannot imagine a Butler wanting to start out on such a sour note.....?

The Majestic is beautiful! Stayed there 3-4 times....