ohmark

We are very fussy about our cabin choice and always book the first morning of the first day booking is open for our cruises. The one time we booked a b/ b later because of a change in plans we got our cabin for one cruise and the one across the hall for the second one. Our TA informed O that we want the one cabin for the whole time and they have it on their records if that cabin should become available. Use a good TA and you may have a chance to get your cabin in case of a cancellation.

Our T/A gave as the same answer as the Oceania agents. I would guess that a b/b situation would give you a leg up.

or you could ask if that particular penthouse is a favorite of the people who have it. If the one you have is on the same side of the ship and is in the same category, maybe the folks will take the one you've been assigned. Worth asking........

The penthouse(s) we like are unique. Whoever booked it, almost certainly deliberately chose it. But, of course, that doesn't mean that one's circumstances might not change. That's why we would at least like to be in a position of finding out if there ever is a cancellation for that cabin. But neither Oceania agents or our TA say that there is a way.

Ask to be W/L for that specific cabin should it become free before the cruise

Told by two Oceania agents that it's not possible. Said they don't waitlist for a specific cabin, only a category. By your post, do you have information to the contrary?

Wanted particular penthouse, but it was not available for our cruise in 2015. Booked another for the same cruise, but still would very much like the original one we had in mind. Wish there was some way of being notified if that stateroom was cancelled or be waitlisted for it. Looking it up on the website now is not possible as the entire class of room is showing "waitlist". Anybody have a suggestion other than calling and bothering somebody every few days? If the particular penthouse we want is cancelled, would it appear again as available on the website or would it just go to somebody on the waitlist?

Are there any arguments for verandas? Average February fahrenheit temperatures in Tokyo, Kyoto, Beijing, and Shanghai are: 48/36, 48/30, 43/21, and 46/36.

Princess is doing Japan/China in the summer months. They do Australia/New zealand in the Australian sumer . Then move to Asia in the spring before continuing on to Japan/China. Most cruises try to do Japan during the spring Cherry Time.

I just checked Princess website and noticed they do have spring cruises in 2014 that include both Japan and China, but nothing in the summer (June, July, August) that includes China at all. Their 2015 schedule is scant now, and I assume will fill out at a later date.

It seems like ocean-going cruise ships, including Oceania's, and with rare exception, only visit Japanese and Chinese ports in winter. Wonder why?

I could get into a long explanation of video driver conflicts, or copyright infringement bugs, but in the simplest terms, people tend to play with the settings when they cannot get their imported media to play.

 

Rather than employing IT staff sufficient to reformat the sets back to their original configuration during each cruise turn-around, and passing those costs on to us, Oceania has opted to ask that outside connections not be made.

 

I'm a video junkie myself, and would love to use those huge flat screens as my display, but I completely understand their position, and intend to respect it.

Oceania sets the rules and I have no problem either living with that or choosing another cruise line. (By way, just where does this rule appear?) But I have to tell you that Marriott has had it's video friendly policy in effect for years and the apparent effect is to please its customers and not to cause nervous breakdowns of its IT deparments. IMO, the concerns expressed in this thread by a couple of posters are way overblown. I would guess that most folks these days understand what the "input" button is for.

Just as the public is never permitted to download onto the provided computers in any library or hotel, Oceania has a prohibition against connecting third party electronics to the televisions.

 

A great deal of intricate programming and setup can easily be negated by such a connection, and the continuous basic operation of the television is seen as essential.

 

Although this may seem restrictive to some, avoiding the risk of corruption to the appliance must be seen as the greater good.

Don't get the analogy. Watching/listening to media on a televison does not involve any downloading whatsoever into or onto the television, unlike downloading materials onto a computer's harddrive, library or otherwise.

Many modern hotels, for example, specifically provide for and encourage guests to attach their laptops to the room television sets. In fact that is a standard at full service Marriott hotels, where almost every possible connection to the room television is provided for guests.

Out of curiousity, could you cite some example of the danger you mention? For example, how could attaching an Apple TV to an hdmi input cause "corruption to the appliance?"

As I am the OP from this ancient thread, I'll include this FYI: For our wonderful Med cruise last June/July on Riviera, I decided to bring along a speaker/charging dock for my IPad. Prior to departure, I filled the IPad with more than enough music (via Rhapsody) to enjoy for the cruise. A particular favorite we enjoyed listening to was an album of music played during a cruise on the Titanic. Caused our butler to giggle.

Sounds similar to "Vernors" ginger ale, a popular brand in the midwest U.S. and available nationally. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernor%27s_Ginger_Ale

Thanks, Bev. Hope you're having a great time.

I am on the Marina next week - I will get back to you on this one.

Bev

Thanks, Bev. Enjoy.

I always carry my little WD media player and HD with all my movies for the same reason. Plugs into any TV in all hotels Ive stayed in so hoping it will do the same on the ship. I think all modern TVs have an HDMI plug but not all have a built in media player.

As the Riviera is brand new, I'm assuming the televisions have hdmi inputs. But the question is whether they are accessible for, or usable by, guests. To use the wifi for any media playing would be outrageously expensive. To bring along a media player and end up with no accessible hdmi input would be a waste.

Thinking of taking IPad with entertainment on hard drive. Thought about taking Apple TV, but not interested in paying massive wifi fees necessary. If I take IPad HDMI cable (or IPad analog video/stereo cables) will I be able to access such inputs on the room television? (Penthouse) Thanks.