MEFIowa

The "why" you end up with a B2B may make the difference. On our recent Med B2B on Riviera in which we met, I booked the first part in 2/2022 when the itinerary opened up. Then ADDED the 2nd part in 4/2022 under a sale. (Of course, I rebooked them both under later sales.) As for our upcoming B2B in the Baltic on Sirena, I booked what eventually became the 2nd part first, when itineraries opened in 5/2022. Then when I ran across a sale in 10/022, I rebooked this. Along came summer 2023 (a sale when SM introduced) and I ADDED the new 1st part. So, in neither case did I start with a B2B, but ended up with one due to sales. Always had separate booking numbers for both parts each time.

Things are what they are. I knew about this BEFORE we first sailed with O. Did my research here and elsewhere. Knew O didn't list separate port charge fees. One combined fee (though "cruise only" for us). We've sailed 40 nights on Oceania since 12/2021. Missed 1 port each on our first two 10-night cruises (Riviera-W Caribbean and Sirena-E. Caribbean), one due to weather and the other due to passenger medical emergency. BUT we did NOT completely miss any ports on our recent 20-night B2B Riviera in the Med, though weather forced us to exchange Livorno for La Spezia. (That's a change, not a complete lost port.) So that's just one Caribbean island and one private beach resort island in the Bahamas over 40 nights. Not too bad. We've got 22 more nights on Sirena scheduled for the Baltic later this year. AND you can buy travel insurance if this is your biggest issue.

And yet the person who claims Marina is the ship for him, hasn't raised the highly specific claim that you have. As if a bathtub in a specific B or A cabin is making all the difference. IF they want a bathtub, they can get one on Riviera, too. The post in question doesn't even mention B or A cabins. You're reading a lot into someone else's specific issue.

Not sure what bee is in your bonnet, but there are bathtubs in some veranda cabins on Riviera, contra your statement: "but they were taken out of Riviera". So that still begs the question, WHAT does Marina have that Riviera doesn't (or the vice versa if that is somehow important)? As I've said, Riviera does have the larger therapy pool on the spa deck forward. Very nice.

Doesn't appear to have a name, just an "Up to40% off" on 30 cruises: UP TO 40% OFF* plus simply MORE™ 2 for 1 Cruise Fares FREE Shore Excursions FREE Champagne, Wine & More FREE Gourmet Specialty Dining Savings | Oceania Cruises

They were NOT all removed on Riviera.

What does Marina have that Riviera doesn't? (Or the vice versa if that matters.) Riviera has the large therapy pool on the spa deck, for example that Marina doesn't. And Marina will get her modest refit, as opposed to Riviera's full refit.

Check out some videos and other graphic depictions of the sites. We did both--Ephesus & the house in the hills--off Riviera in 11/2023. For Ephesus, we came from the top and walked down. Didn't see any scooters or walkers. No way you'd be able to get around inside the ruins. As someone said, if you come in from the bottom you could see the theatre and get to the Library of Celsus. Then it goes uphill. For the house, there is a wheelchair-accessible ramp that would get you up to the house, but it is tiny and crowded. Don't think a wheelchair can get inside. Takes all of 1 minute to see the house inside. This is tied to a strange 19th century claim. Color me completely unimpressed with the claim. (And only the Turkish government puts a police station next to such a site, on top of a "mountain" where tourists go. They don't like it if you take pictures of them or go near them or their compound.)

And the Concierge & Executive Lounges have newspapers. On Riviera 11/2023 a variety of American, Canadian and UK.

I'm just glad Allura and Vista cheerleaders are willing to pay so much more for their cruises than I have on my 30 nights on Riviera since 12/2021. I'll take Jacques and the large therapy pool and the similar deck plans at a significantly less expensive price. Not having been on Marina, but having been on Riviera pre-refit, I think Marina will be fine, too. Just no big therapy pool. We preferred the decor/aesthetic on Riviera pre- rather than post-refit. Not a fan of what I see as Scandinavian Minimalism.

Riviera has a dedicated pizza station at night at Waves. Tried it once on our 20-night B2B in November. It was fine. Better than the lunch pizza, but I don't cruise to consider mundane pizza anything special. We eat that most every Friday night like tens of millions of Americans.

It would be fascinating to compare how many are eating each night in the TC versus the GDR. We've spent 40 nights on O since 12/2021 (both Riviera for 30 and Sirena for 10) and have NEVER once eaten in the GDR. We prefer the TC. One might argue that often the TC is too full. Certainly the grilling station is! If you want to get a good seat in the TC, your perfect one, wherever that might be, you might get there at 6:20 pm. We love to eat under the stars!

Though that "flexibility" likely means (1) sharing a table or (2) eating later. Of course, having a PH or a Suite may help in this regard too, certainly versus those in G-B cabins. O never shares their "specialty dining reservation/availability algorithm". Having done a B2B on Riviera 10-11/2023 first in an A3 and then in a B3, we dined a lot earlier with tables for 2 from our A3. The B3, it was 8:30 or later. And my wife makes the reservations the very minute they open for our cabin level.

They did in 2023. I created an OP that listed all the 2023 sales. One right after the other. Usually a month long, sometimes two. The current New Year Sale ends 2/29. I'd expect a new sale on 3/1.

Start by paying attention to posts here AND go to O's web site. A new sale should be starting March 1st and the New Year Sale ends 2/29. Then see if any cruise you like is on it or if a cruise you've booked is on it.

Of course! I enjoy some alcohol at night on the veranda before bed. In bed by 10-11 pm. I'm not into day drinking. Makes me tired. And I cruise for excursions. So we're up and off the ship as early as we can be for the new day.

No need for a drinks package. I've brought all my own alcohol on board at embarkation and at ports. Spent mere $85.00 or so to drink my own beer, hard liquor and wine on board. Including bringing home 3 bottles (Cretan Tsikoudia, Etna red fire water, and Turkish Raki). Could buy 3 bottles of mix & match Italian red or white in wine store for E5.00 and found a E1.49 bottle of Italian red for E1.49. Bought lots of inexpensive Montenegrin beer at E0.69 for 500 ml cans!

The more information you provide--ship, cabin, date, location--the better the response. Ship and cabin are critical! I've got 30 nights on Riviera since 12/2021 and 10 nights on Sirena 11/2022 with 22 more nights on Sirena coming up in late August. But NONE of this was or will be in a PH or higher. I'll have experience in F, C, B, and A cabins. Thus, for example, I met Southern Gary on Riviera back in November but much of what he wrote, his experiences in a Suite, have any applicability to my cabins. And trust me, there are huge differences in cabins on the same ship and even more importantly across ships. So many unique features, too. Compare the 2 specialty restaurants on 3 of the smaller Rs to Sirena, which is the only one to have Red Ginger on her. Or the unique large therapy pool on Riviera not shared on Marina. Etc.

A key lesson there is that for local PUBLIC transportation, try to find the official website for the actual public body. We had no problem taking the train from Venice to Trieste on 10/30/23 or using the Venice Pass for public transportation in and around Venice (Vaporetto and bus from Marco Polo Intl to Venice). That train ride cost us just E15.50 PP one way. On time. On schedule. Now we're doing the same in London, Copenhagen and Stockholm for our 22-night Baltic cruise in 2024. We had a blast during our 4 days in Istanbul last November off Riviera using their public transportation card. Just load it up at the kiosk and use. 15 TL or about 54 cents at the time to take the bus or metro. There is a metro station just outside of Galata Port. Took the #38 bus out 4 miles to see the old walls of Constantinople and mostly walk back. Talked to a man who paid $100 by taxi to do it. We paid 60 TL total to get out and back, a bit over $2 total for us both.

Obviously, one has to keep in mind 3 different times: 1. Arrival at your Terminal: Here you will wait! 2. Going onboard the ship: Right after you've cleared the Terminal check in. 3. Accessing your cabin room: As you hear on the intercom the rooms cleared.

Keep in mind 3 different times: 1. Arrival at your Terminal: Here you will wait! 2. Going onboard the ship: Right after you've cleared the Terminal check in. 3. Accessing your cabin room: As you hear on the intercom the rooms cleared. We did Terminal J for Riviera (12/2021, A4 cabin) and Sirena (11/2022, B2 cabin). Pretty much once you go in you go up to the lines. Haven't found O being too strict on your check-in/boarding time. Even when O was doing the COVID testing in the big tent next to J people just showed up. O is pretty poor at enforcing its own rules and policies. It doesn't ever want to tick anyone off. The biggest issue for your time in Terminal J is mainly WHAT CABIN LEVEL are you in? The G-Bs, the majority of cruisers, have ONE LONG LINE. The As get their own separate line. And separate lines for PH and also the Suites. They'll show you the lines. And you can't miss the huge SNAKE for the G-B line! You only worry about your cabin being ready once you've gone thru the lines and boarded the ship.

We did Terminal J for Riviera (12/2021, A4 cabin) and Sirena (11/2022, B2 cabin). Yes, there is some waiting area inside. Not a lot. Pretty much once you go in you go up to the lines. BUT...haven't found O being too strict on your boarding time. Even when O was doing the COVID testing in the big tent next to J people just showed up. O is pretty poor at enforcing its own rules and policies. It doesn't ever want to tick anyone off. The biggest issue for your time in Terminal J is mainly WHAT CABIN LEVEL are you in? The G-Bs, the majority of cruisers, have ONE LONG LINE. The As get their own separate line. And separate lines for PH and also the Suites. They'll show you the lines. And you can't miss the huge SNAKE for the G-B line! You only worry about your cabin being ready once you've gone thru the lines and boarded the ship.

Maybe they should perform at Farnham's Freehold?

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress and Stormship Troopers will always be moving around. 😉

Though best buy is relative and price dependent. See also the "big" Cs on the 4 R-class ships: 6004/6005 and 7006/7007. Less expensive, roomy, & for the 700Xs up higher with the A1s, A2s, and A3s. We've got 700x on Sirena for 10 nights in September.