A few questions about OBC and purchasing Beverage Package?

[Iamthesea]

1st Question:

Any recent cruises having visited Roatan and on Harvest Caye. Can OBC be used on the private beaches of Oceania? We can do this for the Disney, RCCL/Celebrity and HAL islands.

 

2nd -

I cannot find a place to purchase a Beverage Package online. I believe that I can call my travel agent and have it added. Or do I need to call Oceania direct or wait until we board?

 

3rd -

If a package can be purchased ahead of time, could we purchase the House Select, and then upgrade to the Prestige Package (using OBC) once onboard?

 

4th -

I realize that House Select is only Beer and Wine during lunch and dinner. Is this for dining in the MDR only, or anywhere that lunch and dinner are served and during the times they are served? And what are those times?

 

Thank you so much!

Edited January 9, 2017 by Iamthesea

[Travelcat2]

Regarding your first question, Oceania's sister cruise line Regent just made their first stop at Harvest Caye. Even though all drinks are inclusive on Regent, they had to pay for drinks on the island which was extremely surprising because on most private islands, they are able to set up food and beverages onshore. Apparently on Harvest Caye (NCL's island), you pay for almost everything.

Edited January 9, 2017 by Travelcat2

[JimandStan]

I realize that House Select is only Beer and Wine during lunch and dinner. Is this for dining in the MDR only, or anywhere that lunch and dinner are served and during the times they are served? And what are those times?

 

Anywhere that Luncheon or Dinner is served, including ones cabin, and at any hour which the passenger finds convenient, but only during the course of the actual food service, which must be a reasonable amount of time.

 

Read this to infer that Passengers are not permitted to remain "at the table" indefinately in order to stretch the Package.

[janecambridge]

 

 

I realize that House Select is only Beer and Wine during lunch and dinner. Is this for dining in the MDR only, or anywhere that lunch and dinner are served and during the times they are served? And what are those times?

 

Thank you so much!

 

Champagne is also included in the house select package.This package can be taken in any restaurant.I have read that you cannot get away with 'stretching' your meal to an all night affair for free drinks.!

We did find it hard to get glass refills in specialist restaurants.The sommelier seemed rather busy.

 

You could opt for the select package and then upgrade a day or two later if you feel it would work for you..

[RachelG]

If you want to use OBC, you have to purchase the package on the ship.

[Iamthesea]

Regarding your first question, Oceania's sister cruise line Regent just made their first stop at Harvest Caye. Even though all drinks are inclusive on Regent, they had to pay for drinks on the island which was extremely surprising because on most private islands, they are able to set up food and beverages onshore. Apparently on Harvest Caye (NCL's island), you pay for almost everything.

 

Thank you! That is odd, but somehow I am not surprised. That's one day that we plan to spend a good bit of time off the ship.

 

Anywhere that Luncheon or Dinner is served, including ones cabin, and at any hour which the passenger finds convenient, but only during the course of the actual food service, which must be a reasonable amount of time.

 

Read this to infer that Passengers are not permitted to remain "at the table" indefinately in order to stretch the Package.

 

Great explanation...thank you!

 

I like a relaxing meal, but despise having to stay any longer than necessary. Especially when I have to wait for DH to have his Bailey's and coffee. :rolleyes:

 

You could opt for the select package and then upgrade a day or two later if you feel it would work for you..

 

That's our plan. Plus we have some extra OBC that we want to use up, but not enough to purchase two packages while onboard. Thought we would go ahead and purchase the House Select ahead of time, plus avoid any taxes that we might incur before leaving port.

 

Please refresh my memory on the procedure to upgrade the package while onboard. Cost, taxes, etc.

 

If you want to use OBC, you have to purchase the package on the ship.

 

Yes, I realize this. ;)

Edited January 9, 2017 by Iamthesea

[Gardendog]

1st Question:

Any recent cruises having visited Roatan and on Harvest Caye. Can OBC be used on the private beaches of Oceania? We can do this for the Disney, RCCL/Celebrity and HAL islands.

 

So my understanding is from reading here on CC that you have to pay for drinks etc while at Harvest Caye. My question is, will I be able to use my ship card to pay for it, or will it be only hard cash?

 

We have OBC like so many others, and that would be a great way to spend it. I read that there are kayaks and other boats for hour long rentals, is that put on the card OR is it cash only?

 

Anybody here that has been to Harvest Caye with Oceania?

[YoHoHo]

Harvest Caye is pretty new so you might not get get many responses here yet. There is quite a bit of discussion on the NCL board. You might want to check over there. We will be stopping there as well on O in April so I have been trying to get a little information from that board. It seems that Harvest Caye is NCLH's it is run differently than NCL's Great Stirrup Caye. And an intention in the development of Harvest Caye is that it would not be exclusive to NCL (or O or Regent...) but open to other cruise lines as well.

 

This is from CC info page:

 

"Harvest Caye, a $50 million purpose-built island developed by Norwegian Cruise Line for its Western Caribbean itineraries, is a 75-acre eco-friendly port comprising two adjoining islands in the Stann Creek and Toledo districts of southern Belize."

and

"So what does this mean for cruisers? When visiting Harvest Caye, they'll feel like they're actually in Belize instead of a bubble devoid of cultural experiences.

 

What's also interesting is that Norwegian has created a hybrid that's part port of call and part private island. For example, Norwegian plans to open the island to other cruise lines eventually, and a day on Harvest Caye isn't necessarily an extension of the onboard experience: passengers will have to pay for food and most activities, and they'll find locals manning the island, rather than ship crew. On the other hand, visitors can still use their Norwegian cruise keycards for purchases ashore, and the only shore excursions offered are those booked through a cruise line.

 

 

Regardless of how you choose to classify it, Harvest Caye is a clean, easy-to-navigate and beautifully designed island."

 

So it looks like NCL pax, may be O too? Will be able to use their ship key card (and so your OBC) but shipboard beverage packages won't apply.

Edited January 10, 2017 by YoHoHo

[Iamthesea]

Thanks! I will check on the NCL forum. Good idea!

 

I knew the island was brand new, but thought that at least one of the Oceania ships had stopped there recently.

 

I guess the best way to get an answer about using our cards/account/OBC on the island is to call Oceania direct or have my TA get the answer. ;)

 

So about question #2...anyone?

[LHT28]

So about question #2...anyone?

 

You cannot buy it online

call Oceania or get your TA to do it for you

[Iamthesea]

;) I will do just that!

[Gardendog]

Very good information.

I had tried to find the information on the Belize cc board. Now I will be off to th NCL board.

 

I will report back from our trip on February 18.

[Travelcat2]

Keep in mind that what is offered (or not) to NCL passengers may not be the same as for Oceania passengers. When Regent stopped there last week, some of the water "toys" were available to Regent passengers as part of their "included excursions". Assuming this would not be the case for Oceania. However, to have a "cabana" for the day was $300 per cabana and included a butler. Still wondering what a butler can do other than serve beverages (alcoholic or not) for a price plus his tip.

 

IMO, Belize has so much to offer once you get out of Belize City that it is a shame to waste a day on a island that has been created for tourists. Private tours are reasonable and very good (especially rafting through black caves).

[Gardendog]

I am looking forward to spending the day on the beach, with plenty of chairs and within walking distance from the ship. For excitement, we might try one of the water sports.

 

We went to Belize before, with Regent, when Regent did not include excursions in the cruise fare and scheduled a wonderful day cave tubing and driving ATVs in the jungle. It was a private tour and it was just DH and me in the group, and even in the caves we did not see any other people. We really enjoyed doing that but don't feel the need to do it again.

 

So I for one look forward to having a lazy beach day, have to load up my kindle with some good books.

[Mura]

We were in Belize 20 years ago but not on a cruise, so I don't know where the ship docks ... but if you have time (and you may not) -- and if you are NOT beach people! --there are wonderful Mayan sites not that far from Belize City. We were there for 12 days which allowed us a 3 day visit to Tikal and other Mayan sites.

 

We did have one day snorkeling from Belize City which was delightful, and we are not beach people ...

 

Mura