cswhistler

We enjoyed our Vista Caribbean 19 days cruise, meals were great. Got off Feb 18. We find choosing the right dish is a big factor. At Embers (not a fan, lacks ambience ) but the scallops were good. Also enjoyed Aquamar for lunch a nice change. We did not find a big change in food, as a sample - rack of lamb, whole Maine steamed lobster, sea bass, filet mignon with lobster tail, Dover sole, Steak Diane, veal various prep, it was all very enjoyable. The voyage was 11 + 7 days and quite a change for the 7 day trip, a much younger and noisier crowd. Much better to be on board compared to the pouring rain at home! Until next time.

My husband showed up in one red boat shoe and one blue one for dinner (had another matching pair under the bed) the GDR staff had a great laugh at this. Only proved we are all human! All in good taste will work, no need to worry.

Cooking classes on board are under "other "category not excursions" can be bought with your onboard credit if you have any. You should see the number of dining reservations on your docs or on line as you book them. We are on Vista Jan29-Feb 18 and have them all booked. Good Luck

Once on board the menus are posted daily on your room TV so you can look to see if you want to go to the main dining room or Terraces for lunch or dinner. Chances are better if you share a table at the specialties and we have met wonderful people from all over the world that way. Some have even chosen later to visit us, what a bonus! Menu are posted outside each specialty restaurant but as mentioned they remain the same. TV also gives you an update on your account. That way we can see as we work down our cruise credit. Enjoy your trip.

Sorry never thought about gratuities as ours are included with our club status, so not an issue.

Willidc It has been a few years since our 20th but we did indeed get the extra credits added to our cruise a couple of days after being on board.

We use for bar services, massage, manicures and pedicures( even for men) shop purchases, excursions, if on Riviera, Marina or Vista cooking classes. Also certail special cocktail or scotch tastings. Lots of ways to use them.

Other-- refers to beer.

We booked in May on board for 18 day Caribbean cruise and will only get 1 cruise credit for this BB cruise. We could have booked 2 cruises to get 2 cruise credits but it would have cost us $1200 USD more, Not worth that as we are Platinum and at 23 cruise credits a long way from 40. This has been going on for a few years.

You normally have get off the ship by 9:30 or earlier, no staying on board as they have to do the count down. If you take their tour you would get off and I believe they drop you off by 3 or so at airport. One never knows for sure but this has been our experience in Miami.

Scones come with strawberry jam. Should you prefer something else there is great variety at breakfast in Terraces in little jars so you could bring your own. Afternoon tea is very civilized and I really enjoy the European style goodies as not so sweet as the cupcakes and cheesecakes. (originally fom Sweden) Hardest part is to refrain from ruining your appetite for dinner.

Those trips are offered on the disembarkation slip. Never offered on the regular excursions. You get your time slot as per your request. Should be no problem.

With the number of 30 day cruises my husband & I have taken we have spent more than most on O and the management crew acknowledge this every time we do cruise. We have spent more than 365 days on board in total and are happy to buy services. I may be 72 and retired but hopefully have years left to travel and enjoy on board. More probably in the future as we may have to sell our own yacht in a couple of years. I do not consider myself a low revenue client. Also always deal direct with O and usually take their air which has in my case been very satisfactory.

Agree with your comments. We had a med cruise Athens-Lisbon and excursions were great , we choose the excursions. However for our Caribbean 18 day cruise Jan 31st we do not need excursions as we have been there many times. Luckily we booked in May on board so we stayed with the old system. This works better as credit is good for everything including cocktails before dinner which we enjoy, the rest pay as we go. It will be a hard decision to book another Caribbean cruise. We are loyal clients (platinum level )with 23 cruises on O.

Some people like the convenience never mind cost. This is true of all visas offered by O. You can easily do most yourself.

The suitcases will fit if you lift up one corner of bed. ( done this on 23 O cruises) Plug in on both sides of bed great for CPAP my husband uses. US plugs. Night lights in bathroom. Water has been addressed. TV shows daily menu in each restaurant. Easy way to asses where you wish to go. No magnetic hooks but at least three hooks on the wall available for use. There is lots of storage and we seldom use it all. We do bring two large suitcases. Bathrobes & slippers supplied, hairdryer in drawer and umbrella in closet. Fridge is filled with non alcoholic drinks and they will refill with whatever you want. Enjoy your trip-- food is fabulous.

Both these gentlemen are fabulous and run a great ship! We have sailed with both of them many times and look forward to seeing either one Jan 31st. Enjoy your trip.

This was explained to me on board. If booking two separate cruises the price is higher and thus you actually pay more and get more cruise credits. My booking for Jan 31 24 for 18 days on Vista was going to cost $1200 more if booked separately. I don't like it. I think the only fair way would be to give you credit for each day on board. We have done a lot of long cruises and those days add up.

Sunday brunch as you speak of is not necessarily on a Sunday, any day of the week we have found in the past. A fabulous affair ordering off a small menu or eating at the buffet sites in GDR. Includes ice sculptures and nicely decorated stations.

We have done so in the past, wine or liquor and no questions asked. O believes we are sensible adults who will not overindulge and always know how to behave socially. Of course you can only drink your wine in your cabin or else you will have to pay the corkage fee. Exception is wine that may have been provided by the cruise line in the cabin, that can be brought to dinner without a corkage fee. We are doing Athens to Lisbon and look forward to meeting others at shared dinners or for cocktails. You will certainly find some good Spanish wines en route! Marianne & Dick Fairwinds Vancouver Island

We had 7001 on Riviera a few years ago, we enjoyed the extended longer balcony. It does make it a bit darker inside. Make sure you ask room staff for a lounger they will happily comply. We had friends who did not enjoy the cabin later on a trip. There were several days on their trip at anchor which woke them up earlier than they desired.

We have taken O air with the premium upgrade for an Athens to Lisbon trip May 3. We are now within the 75 day period for air and booked air to be 60-30 days in advance. Previously we choose our own flights with little cost differential. This time very high (we do not pay the $175 due to our Platinum Club status) What does the 75 day to 60 day period mean?? This 15 day period is questionable. Awaiting O rep to call back.

We once had a fabulous trade over to same ship departure later but a much longer trip. That was many years ago and we never expect that to happen again. That has along with great service made us a very loyal customer. ( 22 cruises with another 2 coming up) Never had a move down but have heard of it from others on board.

By our experience I would choose a 14 day Free trip. We did the 30 days around Australia but did not feel we got the benefits for the second half. This is the only time we have not been pleased with O, still they are our favourite cruise line. Enjoy the perk.

Yes they will want them in each separate cruise. At least that is what we found previously. this is to ensure everyone has a chance to book.However if cruise is not fully booked extra bookings may be available simply ask on board.