Iceberg 3

This might be of interest - new free laundry perk (3 bags/cabin)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2533506

The basic package is only while eating lunch and diner. Premium is all day anywhere a bar or room service is open.

This should kill the speculation

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6564

Red Ginger it is

I thought they get their water by desalination of sea water. Figured that was why there is no build up of mineral deposits or water spots anywhere on the ship.

We either purchased before going, or at embarkation. Although I don't know the actual meaning of BIB, DH refers to it a Booze In Bulk:D:D

BIA - Beverage Included, plan A (Beer and wine with meals)

BIB - Beverage Included, plan B (wine by the glass plus anything on bar menu, anytime)

Does anyone even look at the brochure price?

Only when explaining that we saved as much as we spent...therefore the net result is a free cruise

It would appear that Capt Brajcic is a good man to have around!

 

We were on board Regatta at the time of that pirates incident. We had a bridge tour the next day and our Captain showed us photos taken of the pirates.

 

I was glad to be on a more uneventful cruise!

 

Mura

I may be wrong here, but as I recall it, it was the Nautical that out ran the pirates.

We got on second day on a Papeete - Lima itinerary. No issues. Got a private brief by ship's safety officer after missing boat drill the day before.

Everything will be available March 4th

Jancruz1

I see the detailed itinerary and pricing now. Probably can't book until the 4th

I have received only 1 brochure in the past 4-6 mths

so it can happen;)

 

Just as long as they do not start sending us NCL brochures all is good :D

They are sending Oceania brochures to NCL customers...

The beds are really nice....true comfort. In suites you pick the pillows you like, what could be better.

Rick

+1

So nice that after the first cruise, we ordered one delivered to Hawaii. Best bed we have ever owned.

Dale

My favorite was virgin Scotch and water.

I did check the Oceania excursions & no tours were listed for this port

 

I guess those that booked the cruise assumed they would be able to go ashore

 

Thanks :rolleyes:

We had a tour in 2013... The Captain drove the ship around the island.

Grand Bar also has HH on the O class ships & probably the casino bar ...I hate the purple lights so do not go there

They can change the color of the lights...just ask the bar tender

Thank you for your very honest review. .

Not so sure about that

Our idea of comfort is not only the class of ticketing but also the easiest and shortest way we can get to our destination. Taking a six hour non-stop from HNL to PPT seems a lot easier and shorter than HNL-LAX-PPT. The money you paid for an upgrade from LAX to PPT plus credit from Oceania for doing your own air arrangement to Papeete should just about equal Hawaiian Business Class.

Your math is right. We did the HNL PPT on Hawaiian ... HawaiiDan's recommendation. Only draw back was late arrival dictated over night in hotel in Tahiti - and commuter flight to meet the ship the next day. Worked out very well for us, and would do it that way again.

LHT is correct. Let the onboard Oceania ambassador know that you are no longer using that TA and will notify them once you find a new TA.

Tried that, and didn't quite work as planned. Seems the original TA gets half the commission ("because they did half the work"). I was very displeased. If possible cancel and rebook with your new TA. I couldn't because my catagory was no longer available.

My family is booked in an Aft Facing Penthouse suite on the Sky. My wife has a bad back, and I am wondering if anyone can give me first hand experience with NCL suite mattresses. I have read the suite amenities on NCL's website and it tells me it is a Bliss Collection pillow top mattress, but I haven't read any reviews commenting on them. I am assuming they are a quality mattress, but if anyone can put my mind at ease I would appreciate it.

https://www.goodbed.com/mattress-line/pure-latexbliss-couture-collection/

Rated 8.8 out of 10

Disclaimer - I have never sailed in an NCL Haven suite.

I am sure that the suite (and the perks, food, etc) are very nice and priced well compared to Oceania's suites. However, unless you stay locked in your suite or within the haven space, you have to deal with the remainder of the ship good part of the time during your cruise, I would imagine.

It would that that part of the cruising experience that would not appeal to me, no matter how nice my Haven suite was.

JMO - maybe I will try it one day and see for myself ;).

Pricing for top Haven suits is not that much lower than O

Any chance we might see recipical acknowledgement of customer loyalty programs? A gold on O is treated as a gold on NCL and vice versa. I know O and Regent don't do that now, but I would be more inclined to bounce around if they did. Like the airline agreements between carriers on they frequent flyer programs.

First I used Oceania air HNL to Tahiti... saved thousands if I used miles or dollars. As a bonus the called 3 weeks prior and offered a business class seat for $699...... rather than the fare of $2300+ I flew back on miles from NY. Took it one way and got a 50% refund

 

Now when comparing the free air to the fare you will pay or the miles/points you will use beware. March 2015 is a BIG day when at least on UAL miles all disappear and are replaced by points. Earning points will be very difficult unless you are a top level premier. Example flying to HNL fro LAX you can get for about $450 and presently earn 5100 miles. Starting in 2015 you will only earn miles or points based on the fare...

which is $ x status level = points Using this NEW method a regular coach passenger would earn about2100 miles/points not 5100! A last min flight Palm Springs to Las Vegas 230 miles and selling for $450rt would earn the same points/miles as flying to Hawaii which is 10 times furthur

 

Flying first class presently for say $2500 get you 7500 miles now but new gets you 12,500 !

 

Check your program NOW Big change coming

Delta is doing the same thing starting next year

Just realized we didn't get ship pins from our 5 July Getaway cruise. Has that program been discontinued?

So excited! We finally took the plunge and booked our first Owner's suite! REALLY wanted to book the Garden Villa, but can't get my brother to commit on it yet, so booked the OS instead! If the GV is available when and if he says yes, we will just upgrade. :D.

 

But, for now, super excited about the OS! We will be on the Star out of Tampa, but not until November 2015. A very LOOOONG wait, but I am sure it will be worth it! So, while I start my research, does anyone have any recent pictures of the Star OS (the one with 2 balconies)? How about any recent experiences on the itinerary out of Tampa?

 

Thanks for sharing in my excitement!

 

Oh, and we are bringing my mom this time, to thank her for our fabulous time in the Getaway Haven (she paid). I sure hope the couch bed is good enough for her! I do not want her to be uncomfortable.

It's going to be hard to impossible to go back! Enjoy

"Yes you may, Waikele Ali'i must be referring to some other Cruise Line.

One adult in the cabin may take the Beverage Package while the other does not, although "sharing" is not condoned.

Oceania treats it's clients as responsible adults.....unless and until they prove otherwise.

__________________

Jim & Stan"

Yes - I got that screwed up. It was another cruise line. Sorry

Not if she is in the same cabin. All adults have to buy the package as do children have to buy the soda package.