tigerfan75

1 hour ago, mfabz said:

Hoping to join friends on a Vista sailing end of October.  Anyone ever clear the waitlist?

Thanks

I suggest that your odds are significantly improved if you do a DEPOSITED waitlist.  And, yes, I have cleared a waitlist.  Of your cabin category selections, I hope you get your first choice. Good Luck...

We were on the 2024 ATW for about 40% of the sailing, LA to Bali.  It was the best O cruise we had ever experienced, even though it was an R ship. Great service, friendly passengers, great food.  Enjoyed the usual equatorial crossing ceremony, indoor Country Fair due to inclement weather, and Lectures.  Yes, the balcony stateroom bathroom is small.  Yes, the sailing had a missed Land Tour in New Zealand due to a hurricane coming north from Antarctica.  Not everything was perfect.  But an outstanding travel experience.

3 hours ago, Thought2go said:

Tigerfan- are your TA perks based on the cruise costs?? While mine offers 2 of those on your list- they don’t give them on every cruise booked. I wonder why?

I really need to talk to your TA- they sound amazing!🙃

Yes and no.  Obviously, the %rebate check is based off cruise fare.   However, there seems to be no calculable logic as to why some sailings garner a higher % than other’s.  OBC is typically equal to the TA’s current promo.  Gratuities are hit or miss, based upon consortium’s arrangements with O for the chosen sailing.  Not an exact science for the consumer, but I choose to trust and stay with the same TA, rather than shopping for the best perks from TA to TA.  But one could certainly do that to find the best deal…

1 hour ago, sunlover12 said:

In the U.S., TAs are not allowed because of legal reasons to give a discount off the fare.  I was just talking to my TA yesterday and this is what she told me. So this is a big difference between the countries. The perks will most likely be in the form of OBC.

 

It's hard to do an apples to apples comparison because of all the variations. 

As a US-based customer, I use a Travel Agency in a consortium that regularly provides OBC, occasional free gratuities (OCAPP), and a 5-10% post cruise rebate check on O.  The fare is never discounted, however.

13 hours ago, e&mcruise said:

It apparently became the Wagner hotel post covid but is now closed pending indefinite renovations.Would love to hear any other pre cruise NY hotels.

I have a QM2 departure from NYC later this year.  Although I have not stayed there, I have made reservations at "New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge", on Adams Street.  It was mentioned favorably in another thread for the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, so you might evaluate it.  Good Luck... 

Just now, e&mcruise said:

Do QM2 & Oceania leave from different ports?

Yes.  Oceania currently uses the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, while Cunard uses the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

I also have a connecting room, 9023, on the QM2.  I, too, am very interested in others' experiences in a QM2 connecting room.  I have always sought to avoid connecting rooms, but this is a "sold out" cruise...  Thanks.

2 hours ago, JRIH said:

Rubber Inflatable Boat.  

I think it may be rigid inflatable boat.  🙂

16 hours ago, RlyLvn said:

Thank you so much for your detailed responses.  This is very helpful and very much appreciated.  We do have an approved Travel Health Provider from our land trip to Africa a few years ago.

 

We have heard from others that they were very sick with the vaccine.  Glad to hear you didnt have any side effects Port Power.

 

tigerfan75 how did you tolerate the vaccine? 

 

Thanks again.

RlyLvn, I was age 59, and tolerated the YF vaccination as well as any other jab...Perhaps a sore arm like one would experience in a flu shot.

2 hours ago, RlyLvn said:

 

I have a question regarding Vacinations.  We have been to South Africa in the past so we have had all the usual vaccinations except the dreaded yellow fever which wasnt needed on that trip.

 

On he Viking World Cruise next year we are going to Kenya and Tanzania prior to South Africa.  South Africa requires a yellow fever cerificate fo anyone who has travelled through countries exposed to yellow fever, Kenya and Tanzania are two of those countries.

 

The Yellow Fever Vaccination is not recommended for anyone over 60 due to increase side effects, unless you live in those countries or have long term exposure.

 

I have asked Viking to clarify this and am waiting for a response.  From researching this it looks like you can get in with a Physician letter explaining you are high risk and therefore did not receive the vaccination.

 

Any past World Cruisers had this issue or have any information on this?

 

Thanks, D.  

 

I have had the Yellow Fever vaccination, while my wife did not.  She was deemed not able to safely receive the vaccine.  She received an "Immunization Exemption Letter for Yellow Fever" from the physician of the Travel Clinic, which MUST be written in a very specific manner as prescribed by WHO, and carried inside the "yellow card", i.e. International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis.  I would encourage you to contact a certified/approved Travel Health Provider for your personal needs.  There is CDC destination advice on their website, and I found our approved travel health clinic several years ago at www.travelhealthresource.com/clinics.  Good Luck...we have loved our land-based tours in Africa.

8 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Interesting. Regular cooking classes do appear on the prepurchased shorex PDF. 🤔

Wow!  I didn’t know.  I stand corrected.  😯

4 hours ago, AMHuntFerry said:

with $100 left over for an $89 cooking class if on a larger ship)

My understanding is that any unused SM excursion credit cannot be applied to any other activity; it is for excursions only.  However, if the "cooking class" is part of a Marketplace Excursion, then it would certainly be usable.

I have read (in the US) of passengers bringing or threatening legal actions being subsequently “blacklisted” from the cruise line.  The passengers were not allowed to book any future cruises.  Do not know if an urban legend or true…

8 hours ago, chloemonkey said:

I have done this several times before but am now drawing a BLANK!  How can I print a copy of ALL of the Shore Excursions offered for a voyage?

Thanks,....and yes...I will probably feel very silly when I am reminded.....but hubby and I like to read them "old" school style...

Request a pdf from O, and print it from the email O will send.  The contact with O regarding excursions is allowed (often encouraged) by O even if one has a TA.  I am “old school”, too.😃

6 hours ago, Janet&Carl said:

I think after months and months of debating, adding up new ports vs already been to ports, sea days vs port days we have almost very nearly 😉 made a decision to sail our WC with Azamara.  Lots of considerations including the ambience onboard, but the major one was the ports and not only the new ports we will visit but how long we spend in each port.  MSC was close because of the cost, they included drinks at meal times and shore excursions. Costa had very little time in port, HAL didnt have very many inclusions so everything was extra, Princess had good itinerary going places we want to go but their seaday port day ratio let them down.  Oceania didnt include drinks and Viking was booked out in the category we can afford so its Azamara.   We can no longer afford 2025 due to DH having the past 5 months unemployed and eating into our savings.  This will be a once in a lifetime deal for us so we are pleased to have made the decision.

"Oceania didn't include drinks".  Congrats on your big decision.  Just an FYI...Oceania does include wine, beer, and champagne at lunch and dinner.  Enjoy the WC.

4 hours ago, pettapil said:

Yes — same here - got the same offer for both Platinum and Reserve Amex card.  Pretty sweet deal. 

Not yet showing on my AmEx Delta Reserve card...😔

My faves…

Toscana:  Parmesan appetizer from the cheese wheel, Chef’s Special, Lasagne

Polo:  Always the Filet Minon, Onion Rings

Terrace Cafe:  Lamb lollipops, Humphrey Slocombe ice cream

Red Ginger:  Vegetable Tempura

In the U.S., typical travel insurance would reimburse expenses (up to a specified limit) for clothing due to lost or delayed luggage.  Perhaps this can be the back-up plan?

25 minutes ago, bandgbasset said:

Anyone else annoyed by phone calls from Oceania after looking at their website.  We haven’t cruised since cruising restarted.  I logged on a couple of weeks ago and the next day I had a phone call.  Last night I logged on again to check some cruises and this morning got another call.  
 

Princess is doing the same thing, although we are done with Princess.  Oceania is so much better in many ways.  Wish they sailed out of sfo :).

 

thank you.

The only times that I received a call from O was when I “saved” the cruise online.  I quickly learned never to do that.  Are you “saving” the cruise?  Thanks.

7 minutes ago, tigerfan75 said:

Yes, it has changed.  Two accounts per stateroom.

I probably miss-stated this.  It is two devices per stateroom.

Yes, it has changed.  Two accounts per stateroom.

30 minutes ago, Vineyard View said:

Quick question please. I am looking at an itinerary on Marina. Cabins starting aft at 9133 and 9126 respectively have symbols that I cannot locate on the legend. I do not see them on any other decks. They almost look like two waves…..not the same as the connecting cabin legend shows as an equal sign. 
Would someone please let me know what this designates?  Thank you

For a deck plan I found in a brochure of the Riviera, the notation refers to "Full-size Bathtub/Shower & Separate Shower".  I do not know if that will be applicable on the Marina after its refit.  

22 minutes ago, Rosroz said:

Just wear what you would when you go out to a restaurant, my husband wears jeans most nights with a fashionable shirt and good quality on trend shoes , I’ve seen people with “ smart “ clothes who can look like a pile of **** , I wear , dresses, coloured trousers, white jeans  , nice tops .

it’s sometimes not what you where but how you wear it.

So, to make sure I understand...you are advocating that one should NOT follow the dress guidelines regarding the casual jeans in the evening?  Thanks.

5 hours ago, Hambagahle said:

I had not heard of that ice cream until I saw it listed on a menu from Vista.  Is it really good?  Or just ice cream? 

As the saying goes, "Food is subjective".  I find the HS very good.  Love the different daily flavors.  Current flavor is in the Terrace Cafe, while yesterday's flavor is at Waves.  And from my too much time with the ice cream servers: one scoop is standard, and must ask for a second (or third) scoop.  🙂

3 minutes ago, CO 2000 said:

Does anyone know if there an alternative on Oceania to "Bulgari" amenities (for PH guests) such as "L'Occitane" (like on RSSC)? The scent on most of their products is rather strong😷 - or at least it is with the Emirates onboard amenity packs for both BC and FC passengers

We have never asked for a luxury alternative to Bulgari.  However, my wife has allergic reactions and is quite sensitive to regular bath amenities.  Through a request to O Special Services, O provides her doctor-recommended Vanicream products.  Sure makes it easier when one does not need to pack them all...