Robjame

I agree. Am trying to think of a circumstance where a contract would be opened to allow the seller more money. I spoke again yesterday to the head purser as to how they were going to handle this price increase since we will be in the middle of a contracted back to back. She said she has heard nothing from Head Office re. the implementation of this announcement. Will let you know if anything is revealed.

Good point and thank you for reminding me. I was a little disingenuous in my response. Perhaps my point would be better made that it is simple to support an increase for others if it does not affect you. NIMBY. We do not take Oceania excursions but I would never promote a cost increase for this reason. If there are justifiable reasons (and I contest this) for Oceania to transfer it’s labour costs to its client, why would they not transfer these to all their clients, not just the lowest - those below A category?

The sympathy and compassion of travellers has long been used as a very successful method of extorting money (or more money) from travellers. The generous nature of Americans and the accepted culture of tipping in the US makes it particularly easy. Baksheesh! There are simpler ways Oceania can get more money -fuel surcharge, cruise price increases - but few that would be accepted with less complaint and I note the number of Platinum+ Club members with prepaid gratuities who can get behind this increase. If you are Platinum+ don’t lecture the rest of us about begrudging “them” an increase to offset inflation.

Not true

Hmmmmm - maybe that’s the rub, hearing what you want to hear. The announcements I have heard say, ‘“Be back on board by 4:30.” Big difference.

Be sure to check out Baristas - it has really changed. 6:30 - extended continental breakfast - meat, cheese, tomatoes, toast, pastries, lox, cream cheese lunch - sandwiches and cakes, and cookies (some have mistaken this as the afternoon tea) 😆 6:00 -10:00 aperitivo - olives, nuts, tapas - wine (beverage package works) coffee drinks, grappa, brandy etc. hostess serving and assisting, carrying etc. JUST DONT TELL ANYONE ELSE _ VERY UNDER UTILIZED

Three ships in front of us.

Today we are in Barbados 8 - 5 we are at the far end of a narrow pier. Buses come to the ship, manoeuvre a 180 turn and pick up passengers who are waiting in a long line - tedious and slow. 10 am and the line is still long.

LOL Then we would really be the great unwashed masses Surely you were being facetious? What category do you travel in? “Oh they put us down below Where we’d be the first to go”

I should have put a 😉 in my reply. I think that would be hard to change.

Dave I fail to see the advantage of this as opposed to just rolling back your prepaid gratuities? except Oceania has your money as float. ‘The crew would get no more money by me prepaying than me making a simple adjustment at reception

I have an idea - all of us altruistic platinum Oceania club members - out of respect for inflation and the hard working employees …..let’s refuse the prepaid gratuities and insist on paying these gratuities ourselves! NIMBY JMO

And how do you square that with a cut in service when 2 a day service becomes 1 a day.

I asked reception that question and was told it depends how it is structured by your TA - a dollar amount in OBC ( the way our. TA did it) in which case anything more is my responsibility or prepaid gratuity in which case TA is on the hook

Our room steward is leaving Riviera.to join the staff of Vista. He is adamant that he sets sail for the first cruise on April 22

Things different (for us) on Riviera. - gong is gone from Red Ginger - Bouillabaisse in Jacques improved with additional seafood - expanded room service menu has some nice choices - you can go off it for certain items - even steerage - charges for wine events only apply if you show up - no penalty if you miss a booked event - expanded breakfast room service menu including hot items

This changes my understanding: When we boarded we were give this certificate, name on the top. We asked if we were still eligible for the 20% off as we had taken OLife Beverage and were upgrading to Prestige. (`all along I had believed NO, have to purchase House Select.) ‘We were told yes we get the 20% too. As we had purchased our La Reserve in advance, we asked if that was adjustable. NO - only on purchases after the upgrade. Couple of lessons here.

Just walked down to Riviera Reception and he said that his understanding is that it will be applied to all regardless of signed contract. He added to just come down and they’ll put them at the level you want and it will be adjusted. He added a lot of people set at 0 or any amount in between. Few set at higher.

Or do as I plan - wind it back down to the agreed on rate. The gratuity amount is still in your hands - 0, 16, 18 or more.

Tomorrow St Georges Grenada

Perspective is so difficult with a camera

Not good pictures but hopefully you get the idea.

Storage. There is a high counter with 4 drawers for storage. Above it is a “medicine cabinet” with shelves behind opaque glass doors. Very necessary and useful IMO.

So much better thank you - now I have 2 days of prestige beverage package to recover

Our hospital account showed up online. We pick up itemized bill anytime. Sandra - $537.30 Rob - $3275.78 Another use for OBC What do you think?