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Our Bush & Beach tour before the cruise. Where we stopped did not take credit card and only New Zealand Dollars. Also on one of the tours to a sheep farm they were selling a few items, cash only. We used New Zealand dollars for tips on the New Zealand tours.

#1 Rule: If you cannot handle your own bag then you have really over packed. #2 Rule: pack at least 1 change of clothes in your carry on. We take 1 carry on and 1 backpack with a change of clothes in each. Also all the meds go into 1 of the carry ons. We also check 1 bag for liquids, curling iron, toiletry kit, dawn dish detergent for spots and sink washing & dryer sheets for sink wash items and clothes. The smaller the bag, the less you overpack.

We had the SSBP on our Great Lakes cruise. I would not purchase again. The wine by the glass price is cheaper that I can get at a local restaurant. We have also requested a different red or white wine that the "wine of the Day". I suggest you check the wine menu before going to the World Cafe or dinner. We found if we do not name a wine, they would go to a bar to get a wine menu taking up a lot of time.

We did a tour with https://bushandbeach.co.nz that took us to a Nature preserve. Our 2 guides were very knowledgeable about the plants & animals. They picked us up at our hotel (Hilton at the Harbor) in a 15 passenger mini van. Stop for us to pick up "lunch" pies for our lunch. Most have New Zealand dollars to make the purchase. Also at one of the other tours while on the ship you needed New Zealand Dollars (CASH no Credit Card) for purchases.

Viking Laundry cost are reasonable, much cheaper that other cruise lines. Viking offers laundry service as a convenient to guest on the ship. It is not a profit center for the company. I carry a small travel bottle (I fill at home) of Dove dish detergent. It is an excellent spot treatment and also for doing some items in the sink.

Packing for a cruise: Limit the colors in your clothes. Take only washable items. (free launderettes on board). For our 2 Alaskan cruises I packed the following:. 2 pairs of trekking quick dry pants, 1 set of silk "thermals" to layer on colder days/trips, 1 pair of "dressy pants. 3 casual tops, 2 dressy tops, 1 pair black leather shoes for touring or dinner, and rain/wind jacket. I wear black jeans, casual top, black shirt jacket that I can wear to dinner), vest, and walking/hiking shoes when traveling. Make sure you can easily get your rain jacket if you need it when you arrive. Also packed gloves, hat and thermal scarf for touring. Do not get to "dressy" for the evening and enjoy your cruise.

What we had we brewed on our Great Lakes cruise with Viking. Several times I had to get a extra glass of ice for my "iced" tea. We enjoyed the cruise. There is limited seating in the Main Dining Room, you need to make a reservation or just check about 30 minutes after dinner begins. The grill had great food and did a great job grilling fish and beef. Do not miss the "Rolled Ice Cream in the buffet area in the evening. If we eat in the Main Dining Room we went for "rolled ice" for dessert. Enjoy your cruise.

Charges by the Medical center may have been covered by any trip insurance especially if purchased from Viking when you booked the cruise. We also always carry over the counter meds and Amoxicillin, mole skin, bandages, & elastic wrap. All shops on board are closed when the ship is in port.

We completed Oceania Cruise #5 in March; around Japan. 1. NO Quite Boxes. On a bus of 24 or 26 guest you cannot hear the tour guide, speaking softly at the front of the line if there are more that 2 persons in front of you. 2. Many tour guides lacked the ability to understand questions in English. Many of the "tour guides" read from a type written script. (At dinner a woman told us how the bus driver was translating for the "tour Guide" 3 Meals: Breakfast good, Lunch and Dinner the beef dishes were tough and the chicken dishes were dry and tough. The fish entree I had one night was dry and over cooked. Vegetable of the Day for lunch and dinner was always Steamed Cauliflower and Broccoli. With 1 entree the green peas were hard Red Ginger had excellent food. DH has stated No More Oceania, and stay with cruise tours using Quite Boxes.

Does the FLORA Royal suite shower have a seat or can you request a shower seat? Can a shower seat be used in the Sky Suites Showers on the Flora?

On the Voyager are the Penthouse and the Concierge showers the same size? Will a shower stool or Shower chair fit easily in the showers? Thanks for the information on these showers or other cabin info.

We arrived at Haneda airport Mar 17, 2024 for our Oceania pre-stay & Riviera cruise. Very long line for passport control with each person completing a form; then long line for customs declarations (1 per family) After clearing customs we had to find Ocenia/Regent Rep. They were standing behind most of the others waiting for guest. We were escorted to bus for the hotel. When we arrived at the hotel we had to get our luggage and carry it inside to check in desk. After we checked in we are given an envelope with "letter" from Oceania that Oceania desk would be open 9-1 the following day. We were then directed to the elevator bank to get to our rooms. I was surprised that Oceania did not have a rep on the bus or waiting at the hotel. Also Oceania did not do anything to get luggage from bus to our rooms.It was interesting to talk with people on the Regents cruise that arrived on March 17. The Regent guest had luggage taken from their bus and delivered to their rooms. This must be another example of reduced services provided by Oceania.

Because of medical reasons my DH must avoid all caffeine. Is Decaf TEA available on Riviera?

We are booked on the Riviera, Tokyo to Tokyo cruise. What are the evening show times? What type of shows are in the evenings? Thanks for any info

Are there restrictions on what the "Milestone" ship board credit can be used? Can SBC be used for gratuities?

Thank you. My DH must avoid caffeine for medical reasons.

Is Decaf coffee available in Baristas?

We are booked in a penthouse suite and will be on our 5th Oceania cruise. Will we get a tote? Any other goodies? Thanks for the info.

What type of nuts Almond, Filberts, etc? Thanks for the info.

Do the snacks in the lounges include nuts, such as almonds, peanuts, etc> Also are there any type of nuts in the cabin mini-frigs?

Because of medical advice, my DH must avoid all caffeine. We would like Caffeine-Free Diet sodas on board. If these is wheat you prefer, please contact Viking by tellus@vikingcruises.com. If more people request caffeine-free diet soda, maybe Viking will begin to stock these sodas on board. We end up looking for caffeine-free diet sodas before we board or in ports.

On many of these Maga sized ships the major objective is to make money on on-board sales; the pictures, all the drinks, the entertainment (Ziplines, Skating, etc) and food (restaurants, ice cream, room service). The fewer ports of call, the more time "guest" are on board to spend money. It works for many families and multi-generation groups. We prefer the smaller ships, with few sea days and more inclusive pricing.

And the heat bath floor.

I also suggest you pay as you go. On our cruise in Oct 2023, wine or beer by the glass was $8 with no other fees added. I don't know of a restaurant where you can get a glass of wine for $8. We have also carried wine on board. NO CORKAGE fee. Enjoy the cruise.

The showers in the JR penthouse suites and above are much larger than the other showers. A shower seat fits nicely in the shower. We book with JR penthouse for the larger shower. We also use the "free" unlimited laundry service. Thanks for the chart.