blambition

I will most likely make some phone calls before we take our trip, to a hotel like the Hyatt in Miami which is near the port. I have not been there in years, but as I recall they are very near the shopping center also. I will ask if it is possible to have them hold package at the front desk while using their restaurants. Not planning on taking a day room. I might check on trip advisor for suggestions.

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I am going to keep my later reservation, and when we get off the ship, I will call Southwest and see if they have room on the earlier flight if we feel we will make it to the airport on time! If they do not have room, I will most likely take an Uber to a local hotel for the day, where they can store our luggage at the front desk. We will have lunch and relax hopefully by their pool if the weather is nice, and then go to the airport early afternoon.

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I guess I should mention I am flying on Southwest, they do not fly in and out of MIA. I know for a fact that Uber does pick up at Fort Lauderdale airport, as I have friends that have used them for transportation to and from Fort Lauderdale airport without any problems whatsoever. We live in Colorado so we are coming in day prior, with a very watchful eye on weather. The good thing with Southwest, is you can easily change your air arrangements should we have a snowstorm! If need be I can always fly in more than one day prior. They do not charge for rearranging your air schedule, and I fly on points. I have actually had to do this in the past, and if I see a storm is going to be coming during the time that I want to fly I will use my points to rearrange my flight and go in an extra day or two earlier than planned, rather than worry about missing my cruise. We have another trip planned in April, and even then we could get a snowstorm. As they say living in Colorado, you are not really safe to plant a garden until after Mother's Day! So the same thing applies with airline reservations. I just take it upon myself to watch the weather reports. I do however really prefer to fly on nonstop flights.

I have an agreement with our housesitter, that they will stay longer if need be should weather prevent us from getting home on time.

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We are booked on the nonstop flight that leaves at 6:20 PM, I guess I was just rethinking it and dreading trying to spend the whole day in Fort Lauderdale with nothing really to do. The one that is at 11 AM is a flight that has one stop without a change of planes so I was considering changing the flight even though I would normally never book a. flight before noon. I guess I will stay with my original plans.

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For those that have taken a cruise that disembarks in Miami, would you say it is safe to book a return flight out of Fort Lauderdale that leaves at 11 AM? I am planning on using Uber to get from the port to the airport. Thinking I will be off the ship between 8 AM and 9 AM, and should be to the airport by 9:30 AM as it is a Wednesday. Please let me know if I should not book the flight that early. My next choice is going to be having to hang around all day and take a flight around 6 PM. If I do that I will probably go to a hotel for the day and then over to the airport much later.

TIA

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These are my everyday go to summer shoes, my version of a flip-flop. While I consider them wonderful for walking around town, going to the beach, or going into any restaurant for breakfast or lunch, I will not be wearing these for dinner. I do think it is possible to wear these with a sundress or skirt at Terraces. I have always felt that it is your vacation, and you should be comfortable, but still abide by the suggested rules of whatever Cruise Lines you are on. That also goes for dressing up if you feel like it! One huge draw for us to Oceania, is the fact that they do not have formal nights.

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Wondering if anyone has sailed on the Marina very recently, who the artist in residence was at the time? Also in what medium they worked?

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This will be our first time at Oceania, but I'm not sure that I see it any different from other lines. Most lines nowadays put your gratuities on your credit card automatically, or even possibly charge you prior to you even setting sail. On all of my cruises dating back to 1980, I have always given a cash tip to the people that have delivered room service, or, if available added it to the room charge. As I say it has always been completely up to the individual's discretion and not mandatory. I have never had the luxury of being in a cabin that included a butler, and don't foresee that in my future. However I would love to experience it!

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This would be the same as any other cruise line that you travel with possibly the exception of a completely other inclusive cruise line, I would always tip somebody that is delivering room service. Those that are not included in the standard gratuities have an added 18% gratuity automatically added to their bill, such as the bartenders and massage therapist. It is up to you to decide how much to tip for room service as there is no set charge for this service. I do think it is personal choice, however I always think it is nice to tip them as they are the ones that are bringing you your desired food. We always have cash on hand for this very reason. I like to order coffee in the morning, why my husband will go eat breakfast in one of the dining areas.

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This is like my asking for a steak sauce, or God forbid ketchup with a steak, LOL everyone is entitled to their own taste. I love lamb chops but, not mint jelly. I love anything with rosemary in it,but, I don't like curry. So I understand if my husband of 35 years is not willing to change. I have actually got him to try lamb, and just told he will like it! I nearly fainted one time in a restaurant years ago when he ordered a fish entrée. It has only happened once in 35 years. Once in a great while he will tell me I can make tuna salad at home[emoji4] I don't even try to reason why.

His comment to me was he could always get a hamburger if he didn't like the dinner. I told him not necessarily LOL I guess there is always room service after dinner, if he is still hungry. I am sure he will not go without food! I have total confidence that he will find many options on the menu that will suit him. On all our many cruises he has never starved yet.

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LHT28 my husband would eat an extra dessert before he would eat vegetables LOL, I'm sure it would be healthier for him if he would order the vegetables[emoji3]

I actually only heard about ordering extra dishes in Red Ginger to share not the other specialty restaurants. I may not have made myself clear, I meant to say that we like the idea of sharing the table to meet new people. I don't mind the idea of sharing dishes possibly in an Asian restaurant, but I don't expect to be sharing meals with people we just met. I do want us to share conversation, and really look forward to that LOL

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Thank you Pet Nit Noy, I did take a look at it online, and came to the conclusion that we would most likely enjoy the taste of it! I did notice that it was a marinade, when I was reading the recipes online. I'm glad you mentioned that it was similar to a teriyaki sauce. That gives me much more confidence. I'm sure as you mention, if we really do not like it they would replace it with something else. I just hate to be one of those people to order something and then, not eat it. I put us down to share our table in all of the specialty restaurants! From what I have read it seems especially nice to share at Red Ginger. We enjoy meeting new people, so a table for 4 to 6 would be wonderful.

Tom, we are looking forward to meeting you and Heidi on the ship!

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I have no idea what kind of sauce that is, but I am sure we will order it! Perhaps we can get the sauce on the side[emoji3]

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Thank you Sny I just moved our restaurant reservations for Jacques to the second night! Actually we are going to do a meet and greet with other passengers for sail away, which could turn into us dining with some of the passengers in the main dining room. I hadn't even thought of that idea! It would will be fun to meet some of our fellow passengers!

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I have looked at the menus, and have decided he will most likely never starve! I always feel badly when I don't see much in the way of appetizers that I could get him to order, especially when there are four or five that I would love, but not have room for! I can always count on him ordering a Caesar salad if it is on the menu. He does not eat fish at all or shellfish. Once in a blue moon he might order chicken, although he would eat skewered chicken in Red Ginger so that is good news. As long as he can get a plain steak in any of the venues, we will be good. He does not like sauces, but, actually something like a steak, possibly a pork chop, or turkey.

I personally am looking forward to things like lamb chops, lobster, and crab yum!!!

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I just booked our specialty dining times for our cruise on the Marina. The very first night we are booked to eat at Jacques, and I am already concerned that my husband might starve LOL Can he simply order a plain steak well done, with mashed potatoes as a main entrée? Yes he's one of those that wants everything cooked well done including an end Prime rib, he will order his steak cooked or as he might say massacred. I am more concerned for our dining in a French restaurant, and in Red Ginger. He has been a sport and told me to go ahead and make the dining reservations, saying he will find something to eat, but of course I want him to be happy. The only vegetables that would touch his plate would be a potato, or possibly a salad!

I on the other hand I am looking forward to trying many different items, I know it will be hard for me to decide what to order.

We actually already have a second Oceania cruise booked on the Regatta for about six weeks after we return from the cruise!

If nothing else I know I can fill him up during the day on milkshakes, hamburgers and fries![emoji4]

Hopefully I can get reassurance that he can get plain food, in the nice dining rooms for evening meals.

TIA

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The lowest point (floor level) and most midship, is the smoothest part on any ship. As was suggested in the post above, I actually would go with suggesting either over the counter Bonine, or prescription medication Compazine. I have had the patch many times for surgery, and the very first thing I asked them after coming out of surgery is to take it off. Can give you very dry mouth, and some people can even get blurred vision. If you want to go with the patch definitely try it before the cruise to see how you react. Obviously it's very convenient. Alaska really is one of the smoothest places to cruise, inside passage. I am sure you will have a wonderful time!

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Since it is prorated you might want to just wait and see how you do the first day of sailing. You can always buy it on your second day in the morning. Also, you can think about purchasing a bottle or two of wine while in port to bring onboard the ship and enjoy in your cabin. Don't forget, one of the evenings they will have the captain's party which will include a couple of hours of free drinks. Also beer is around seven dollars a drink, much less expensive than the wine and or mixed cocktails. Since I do not drink much, and my husband drinks vodka on the rocks, we will probably just bring a small bottle of vodka for our cabin. DH can enjoy one or two cocktails while getting ready for dinner. Since neither one of us drink while at home, I don't foresee us drinking that much during our seven day cruise. We will see you on the ship!

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The medical assistant that gave me my flu shot told me it was an intramuscular shot, and could be given in either spot. I chose my hip. Having been a medical assistant for over 15 years in my past life LOL, I don't really see why it wouldn't work, I just think people are used to getting it in their arm. Especially if you get it in a clinic setting. I certainly hope it works!

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After looking at bagstogo, I am thinking we might use that. It seems like a nice choice and then we could always take a shuttle to a convenient hotel and have a nice leisurely lunch possibly around the pool, and then take the shuttle back to the airport. May look into getting a day room. I'm not that interested in touring Fort Lauderdale.

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Thank you for the ideas! Looking at the tours, I flashed back on taking a city tour once after a redeye when all we wanted to do was go to sleep! This had to be about 30 years ago LOL, obviously I don't remember any of it.

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Our cruise ends in Miami, however we are flying out of Fort Lauderdale. By chance does Oceania have a program that you can check your luggage through to the airport? Our flight is not until 6 PM. Thanks in advance for any info.

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As a reminder it is time for flu shots, I just got mine a couple weeks ago. If you have not gotten yours yet and you intend to get one I have a good suggestion for you. I had my shot given to me in my hip, instead of my arm. I never felt a thing, and everyone that has had it in their arm, has said that their arm was sore for the next several days to one week! I have to admit this was the first time it was offered to me, as an option in my hip, but I'm glad I did it that way! Hope everyone stays very healthy!

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We will be sailing on the Marina, and are more than willing to share tables in the specialty dining rooms. Since we have not sailed in the past, if we do not want to eat at the very earliest time, what is usually the next time available? Just guessing that they have certain set times to allow people to eat their dinner, or do they stagger it? Our preference would be to eat around 7:15 to 7:30 PM

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