mauibabes

I looked too because we are sailing from Tokyo on Riviera April 25. Got this off Google: Is it OK to visit Japan during Golden Week? Golden Week is one of the longest holiday periods on the Japanese calendar — many locals get time off work to enjoy the bank holidays. It's also a great time to visit Japan. Tourists can experience traditional festivals and even join in with the celebrations. sounds like winner to me. Mauibabes

@janelledocb We were in 11021 and I would consider 11015 to be in a great location as ours was not noisy. You would be under the Oceania Suites so guests above and below. We have sailed in similar rooms on Marina and Riviera and they have always been great. Go and enjoy. Mauibabes

I don’t really know the answer but we have heard him many times over the years and he is beyond tone deaf. Just sounds BAD so you are all Correct and he really does not have a KEY 🤪👍 JMHO, Mauibabes

@BillK400 I have not been in an Oceanview Stateroom but I believe it is 45 days from Embarkation. More than likely you will not get your first choices because other higher level categories start booking up to 75 days in advance. Take whatever restaurants and times that are available and be willing to “Share” a table. When you board in August, you can stop at the Reservation Desk and see what you can do to adjust restaurants and reservation times. Also, when you are at the Reservation Desk, ask about any availability the first night in any of the Specialty restaurants. If they have anything available, they will give it to you and it WON’T count against your Specialty restaurant allocation. Good Luck and enjoy Marina after her new “Refurb” that should be starting today or soon. Mauibabes

Starting in BA, definitely add some time to do a Pre tour to the Iguazu Falls. Far more impressive than Niagara Falls, JMHO. In Rio, we did private tours, check out Rio +Tours. A year ago January we flew down to SA from LAX and changed planes in DFW to get our PE seats. Oceania offered only Economy. I have been told it is pretty much the European cruises that have PE options. We are heading to Rome in the Fall and the airlines are hitting O up for $999 for the PE upgrade so that makes the cost $1699 pp each way. I have found PE flights, DIY cheaper than $1700. It’s not O, it is the airlines that are 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬✈️. Biz Class can easily be $3500-$5000 pp, each way. I initially made my reservation with the Air included and just cancelled them last week, that way I could spend some months 🙏for some decent fares that never came. Enjoy, Mauibabes

That is definitely one tour I would do as a Ship’s tour just for the added insurance of returning on time or to a dock with an Oceania ship waiting for me. Just joking. That could be a short and stressful tour day to see Paris for only a few hours. I would rather go back from Amsterdam and spend some days, too much to see and too beautiful to rush bye. Would it be possible to get in a tour to Normandy? That is pretty spectacular but then I do not know where Rouen is as I did not check a map before I started pecking away. Mauibabes

Ditto, never been allowed for us. We ended up going on board Crystal to meet up with friends. Must be the Suite life 😇 Mauibabes

Sorry, can’t make that comparison. Since Franc G is the Top chef with Explora, I can believe it would be very excellent. I will just “tough it out “ on O and call it good enough. Mauibabes

JMHO, our tastes are all different and some are more food adventurous than others. I do not “try” things even though I can on the ship. I order what I like and that is “my” decision. I must say however that after over 15 years of sailing on Oceania, I have NEVER gone hungry or walked away from the table in need of finding something to eat. I must say I do have my favorites so in Jacques, I go for the Pumpkin Soup, the Dover Sole, the Sea Bass in Puff Pastry. In Toscana I can not pass up the Oil and Balsamic trolly with the bread basket and focaccia, the Lasagne, the Dover Sole and virtually any Chef’s Pasta Special of the night and YES to me it makes a difference if the Chef is Italian. Red Ginger, it MUST be the Watermelon and Duck Salad, the Miso Glazed Chilean Sea Bass, the Rack of Lamb, DW loves the Teriyaki Beef. Polo, DW goes for the Filet Mignon, Waldorf Salad, various potato offerings and the Giant Shrimp Cocktail and also the Table made Caesar Salad. Ember, while not gourmet, all of the entrees have been very good. GDR, good meals but DW always orders Jacques Chicken to take a break from the meals served in the Specialties. Terrace Cafe, B L D there are always delicious offerings, best buffet dining we have ever had aboard any line. Well, that is my $0.03, Inflation you know. With this said, it’s time to “Drop” my mic and fade into the sunset. Mauibabes

It’s easy, peasy because the Room Stewards handle it for you. They will move all your hanging items and put them in the same place in your new room. You will pack your suitcases and bathroom stuff, safe, and everything else and it will be on your bed when you arrive from your excursion. You will need to get a new key card and follow any directions the Front Desk requires but B2B’s are easy on O. Enjoy, Mauibabes

October we stayed at Marriott Biscayne Bay, nice and had all the amenities. Stayed there with our Bonvoy Credits so “Free” was good 😇👍 5-10 minutes to the Port. Be careful when heading to the ship, the location can be changed on a moments notice and your driver can spend a lot of time finding your ship. Mauibabes

We travel with a 25” and a 19” carry on each that fit under the bed and we also keep some less used pieces of clothing in them to swap out as needed. DW takes day and night wear for 10 days, always mix and match to stretch the wardrobe. Besides, it is not like you can’t buy something on board or in port if you need it. Any DW has to have shopping time in every port. The Reference to the 50# limit is valid unless you fly to/from Bus or First Class, then it would be 70#. We bought the 25” suitcases specially to help keep our travels under the weight limit. We only push the limit if I add bottles of wine 👍🙏 or alcohol and we press the Oceania blue bag or one we bring along to haul extra stuff home if we have exceeded the limits. Our packing style has worked great, whether 10, 20, 35 or 46 days and we wash clothes regularly to stretch our wardrobe. The laundry is free and depending on your stateroom category, you do get three bags (20items) of laundry done by the staff for no cost in Concierge and above. Anything else you will pay for if you want things pressed. Bottom line, you can fit everything you need for your trip in your room and under your bed or you can ask your Room Steward to stow your suitcases and create extra storage under your bed with some creative planning and Amazon acquisitions. Mauibabes

You did not mention the itinerary or ship you were booking but if Alaska, they do have things for the kids. We were on a Rio to Miami cruise and had one 9 year old so she had about 200 grandparents interacting with her. She was adopted by the Entertainment team and she saw parts of the ship that none of us saw. She had a fabulous time and she was a delight for her grandparents that she was traveling with as her parents were teachers and had a different holiday schedule. If the kids are busy with you on tours, they will survive fine and the internet will also provide some entertainment. They will eat well, no cost for their drinks or drink packages required. Bring them on and plan to have a great trip on a special itinerary. My wife read a FB post and the family was bringing 11 kids with them and 32 all totaled for a 50th Anniversary cruise. Talk to your travel agent and Oceania about the specific activities they might enjoy on your cruise. Mauibabes

Often times we just misread others intentions. Could it be that O was doing some targeted research from guests at specific levels to see what they valued? Any chance with the necessary price increases they are considering some enhancements to the Loyalty Program to make up for the increases? I certainly do not know but I did submit the Survey providing input for their consideration. Thanks for your input Jan 👍🙏 Mauibabes

@basor @EJL2023 Ditto with your approach. I believe the offer begins April 1 so maybe the sleuths can capture some rates of those specific cruises mentioned and then Monday when the Promotion hits, Tada, we will hear the results posted on CC. We have booked into an Oceania hotel for a pre night several times on our own and it was cheaper to do it ourselves but not in a ginormous way, depends on city and hotels. We have had friends use the Pre night hotel because it was a part of their total Oceania package, they were picked up at the airport and the next day delivered to the ship and they got a VERY nice room. Yes, we pay for convenience 🤪👍. We all build our travel packages in a way that suits us. When we have traveled on a Tauck Tour, they include a Pre/Post night stay and that is the only company who I have seen that actually includes their Gift of Time without charge. IF you are an eligible traveler, of course. IF you are paying, be prepared 😇💰. Just maybe, there is no Free Breakfast OR Free Lunch. Basor, testing my memory, are you on Riviera Nov. 4-14, Rome to Barcelona as part of an upcoming B2B2B trip? If so, see you on board 🛳️🍷 Mahalo, Mauibabes