basenji56

Try doing a transatlantic cruise You will need to find a matching time zone On my current TA, for one day, we were on Nuuk, Greenland time.

I have a fair amount of nonrefundable onboard credit on another cruise line. I plan to try to turn it to cash through the casino. My plan is to bet red and black on roulette to turn the promotional chips into cashable chips. Of course a hit on green ruins that strategy.

"No you don't. Card counting is very simple and just takes practice. Nothing changes with more decks except that it becomes more of a waste of time given how small your edge is." If you say so. I have trouble remembering what I had for dinner last night, let along trying to count cards. But, if you can do it, great.

You probably need an IQ of 160 plus to count that many cards enough to make a difference.

How many decks do they use for Blackjack on the ship?

Great. I am used to the buses that stop near the cathedral.

Does Oceania usually provide a bus from the port to the center of the town in Palma?

Yes as to first day. I believe the ship should have a Diamond lounge with a machine for lattes, etc.

It is always hard to compare the past with the present without comparing the menus. I wonder if some people have old and new menus to post? This wouldn't address the quality but would address the quantity of choices.

This "no salt" issue is a game changer. I guess I need to bring salt packets on the ship??

Grand Hyatt was very nice. $12 Uber ride to port.

I have an O life transatlantic cruise booked with the unlimited shore excursion package. Booked almost all of my excursions before the switchover to the new plan. Realized that I had forgotten one day's excursions in Seville. Tried to book that one and found it was $270 even with my unlimited package. Usually when I booked the more expensive excursions with the package, the upcharge was around $100. I booked it but plan to cancel and book through Spain Day Tours. Same excursion--$80.

The commercials are what turned me off. Seemed like it was Carnival for trust fund kids.

I booked through a travel agent I found. Part of the bar tab was because I am Elite on Celebrity

I am doing a cruise on VV over Christmas. The lack of children is a plus. I got an insane amount of sailor loot ($900) and a $600 bar tab. Competition is good. Celerity is in a race to downgrade the cruise experience as much as it can get away without losing inertia driven loyalists. Particularly suite customers.

Yes. Especially if wifi is not important

I have not sailed on VV (Although I have a cruise booked over Christmas). I had no idea that it didn't have comedy shows in the traditional sense.

It's a great cruise. But be prepared for cold drizzly days. Still worth it.

No comedians? I didn't realize that comedians were an "old people" form of entertainment?

Yes. I couldn't see how they could make you bet the cash chips rather than the promo chips. I would only bet the promo chips because I am not a gambler and am only doing this to prevent leaving money in my account--or spending it on things I don't need.

Hey, I resemble that remark! LOL.

I believe they take the promo chips away when you lose. So if you bet $20 on red and $20 on black, if it lands on red, you should keep your promo chips and get $20 in cashable chips. You would lose your $20 in black promo chips. You would keep your cashable chips and never bet them again. But I have never done this before so I am not sure if they only give you promo chips if you win.

I booked a float plane excursion on Regatta with Wings Air in Juneau. Outstanding. Five glaciers.

Another reason why the IV is a downgrade

I would like to see links to the negative reviews. I sailed on Riviera 18 months ago and thought it was Fabolous.