mamaclark

On 7/3/2023 at 9:47 AM, redraider1966 said:

Plus 1.  We base our tip on the amount before taxes, being careful about the charge for any alcohol purchases.  If the restaurant offers a "suggested" tip, presumably to make it easier on the customer to determine the appropriate amount, we look closely at the amount on which the "suggested" tip is based before accepting the "suggestion."

You are doing all this on TOP of the amount charged for gratuities by O?

On 7/15/2023 at 11:46 AM, Sny said:

Check Tours by Locals.  We've had nothing but good experiences with them.  Excellent communications.

I am happy to see this and would be interested to know where you have used them. We are booked in April 2024 Tokyo to Singapore. I am looking at them for Tokyo.

Just booked Tokyo-Singapore for April with SM. Thrilled! Special thanks to LHT28 for so patiently answering questions, including mine.

Fingers crossed ours is minimal, too! 

5 hours ago, Nashna said:

It's working now.  Wow!  My pricing went up by $200.00 for 2.  I had the cruise with O'Life.  Was $9598.00 now $9798.00.  I am happy! 

8 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

working for me  on the CAD site

I should have been more clear. The website allowed me to search, etc., but not look at a particular cruises for pricing or availability. Thanks you.

Just now, mamaclark said:

Thanks all. We have had a Tokyo-Singapore booked and cancelled four times since 2020. Perhaps Simply More will make it worth the wait! Meanwhile we are looking forward to our Alaska Cruise in August.

Ironically, Oceania's website is down today so I cannot check the price.

7 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

If you book today  you will get  SIMPLY MORE deal & pricing

 

Thanks all. We have had a Tokyo-Singapore booked and cancelled four times since 2020. Perhaps Simply More will make it worth the wait! Meanwhile we are looking forward to our Alaska Cruise in August.

Just now, LHT28 said:

If you have not booked yet 

You will be paying for the Simply More deal 

If booked today, I would bet the Simply More deal? 

Do I understand the process correctly? We were ready to book the April Tokyo-Singapore cruise. Do I need to have our TA wait until October 1 to take advantage take off the Simply More benefit? Thanks.

9 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Just a few words about Seabourn's formal nights.  For gentlemen, a jacket is required in The Restaurant (the MDR) but not in the other dining venues.  On our recent SB cruises, I would estimate that about 1/4 - 1/3 of the med had tuxes, another 1/3 wore jacket/tie, and the remainder just wore a jacket sans tie.  A basic Blazer is adequate, and you will not feel out of place.  

 

Hank

This gave me a chuckle! After 40+ years being cinched up in a suit and tie, my sweet hubby’s number one request is NOT to have to do that on vacation. He owns a tux, but there is no way in Hades he would bring it (or a suit/tie) on a cruise. He’s a good fellow so I understand. We love Oceania and it has just the right vibe for us.

We choose Oceania because it is destination centered. We have no desire to float around and overeat. Our times in port have been shortened as well. It makes planning particularly difficult in Alaska.

On 10/17/2022 at 9:30 AM, LHT28 said:

You could always pre book a private car service (if available ) then you will know the cost upfront

Contact the hotel & see if they can recommend  something

JMO

Excellent advice! We had a time of it in Istanbul trying to even find  taxi.

We feel more comfortable taking the excursion perk on some cruises, particularly if it is a long day. If O doesn't get us back to the ship, that's on them. If you are on a private excursion you are out of luck if  you miss the sail time. Also, I think it depends on where you are going; e.g., on a cruise from Tokyo to Singapore (since canceled), we chose the O excursion to Hiroshima because it was quite a distance from port. I think you need to trust your instincts! 

7 hours ago, BruceMuzz said:

In the nearly 30 days since Japan opened up to foreign visitors, the COVID infection numbers have sky-rocketed. The Japanese Government wants the tourist dollars, but the Japanese public does not want the high infection rates.

Since all Japanese wear masks always, it is very apparent when the American tourists (who speak very loudly always) are not wearing masks.

This is causing a lot of drama in Japan. The public is pushing to close the borders again.

Thank you, BruceMuzz. I have been emailing my Oceania travel expert for 3 weeks with  no response. Done.

On 10/27/2022 at 2:41 PM, escrick said:

I notice ripped jeans.  My take on them is that the wearers like whatever is trendy, and that they are signalling that they are into recycling whatever the cost.  Presumably, they can say they are environmentally friendly.  It baffles me, though.

 

 

I just have to jump on here on the ripped jean thing. I have seen this trendy item for $400, "dry clean only." 🤣

On 10/23/2022 at 4:08 PM, WESTEAST said:

We will be in Tokyo in early April and look forward to viewing the blossoms.  We are interested in a one to two day tour in Tokyo prior to boarding the cruise. Do you have any recommendations?

As I understand where things stand today, cruise ships are still not allowed to dock in Japan. Can someone help me out?

19 hours ago, Hawaiidan said:

There is a growing list of places that you could  better enjoy  several years ago than now   AND the list is getting shorter and shorter every year      Both in Africa, Aisia and Mid east..     

 Moral:     Do not delay today  what you want....Neither YOU or it may be available !!

Exactly! We did Oceania's Copenhagen to Stockholm Baltic cruise a few years ago. Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia and 3 days in glorious St. Petersburg. It was fabulous and the point I'm trying to make is if there's somewhere you want to see and it's safe to do it, go now! We have said so many times we are glad we did that one when we did, as well as Egypt and Turkey. Hoping we can get to Japan next year. 

I wonder if this is in response to the CDC raising the threat level today for cruises?

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/30/us-cdc-says-people-should-avoid-cruise-travel-regardless-of-vaccination-status.html

On 6/25/2021 at 2:58 PM, Jancruz said:

They were complimentary but bridge tours are out since 9/11... Galley tours ane few and far between it depends on who you know..

Jancruz1

We were very fortunate to receive a Bridge tour on our first Oceania cruise Athens to Istanbul September 2010. My husband made an inquiry and that night we had an invitation for a tour the next day! It was wonderful.

41 minutes ago, cbb said:

Would they be using the time instead for updating her?

That is precisely what my notification said. Nautica is going into “the drydock required to complete Nautica’s dramatic Re-inspiration, we unfortunately must cancel this voyage.”

On 5/26/2021 at 5:27 PM, Jancruz said:

Very true..thank Goodness for us these are the untrue ones..

Jancruz1

I am not concerned at all about who owns what ship. I AM concerned about the likelihood that my Oct. 28, 2021 cruise from Tokyo to Singapore is going to be cancelled. Happy to rebook in '22 but by the time O officially cancels, pickings will be slim.

Mask or no mask, I wish O would just go ahead and cancel the October 2021 cruises. Nowhere from Tokyo to Singapore is going to be open to cruises, so why make us wait. They have done such a great job and I have no complaints about my refunds, etc., it's just pretty obvious for my particular cruise (Tokyo-Singapore) that we'll either be floating around for two weeks or it's not happening. Anyone else feeling the same?

I am happy to see this thread appear as we wrestle with cancelling our Tokyo-Singapore cruise Oct. 28, '21. As of now, ports in Japan, Vietnam, China and Singapore are closed to tourism. The guessing game is nerve wracking, but I would rather know for certain to rebook now, rather than waiting.

On 4/4/2021 at 12:44 AM, cruiseaholic78 said:

Maybe you might want to try to book/waitlist a similar cruise with the Nautica for May 2022.

Rosalyn

Yes, checking into that.