NeedToChill

Some, but not all. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2874113-riveria-bathtub-updates/

Makes it much easier for those who shave their legs to lean over during the process.

Can you share links if these are public?

What cabin category are you in?

Pushing it off to the second half of 2024 would be nearly an extra year over the original plan. I suspect they would prefer to do it in the first half. But I bet the whole thing is driven 100% by cash flow projections given their pandemic recovery plan. If they have a strong end to this year and they actually hit 100% occupancy in the first half of next year, then look for the refit to be done in the first half of 2024. --Julian

Yes, I'm sure that there's a significant minority of their guests who simply don't have computer experience sufficient to complete the online check-in. So it can't possibly be truly mandatory. Just a guess! --Julian

Yes, looks like 2024. What I read was just speculation in this thread: "Moved up" was the interesting tidbit. But since that post, others have called as you said, got more info, etc.

I believe it has actually been moved up a few weeks in 2023. There were posts in another thread about this. --Julian

Dating myself, but... The original Royal Princess was built for Princess and launched in 1984, and was the first cruise ship to have only outside cabins, most with balconies. Still sailing today as the MV Artania: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Artania#Royal_Princess A real turning point in ship design. She's a very modern looking ship, compared to her contemporaries, like Song of America, two years older, built for RCCL, now RCI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Celestyal_Olympia or HAL's Nieuw Amsterdam: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Marella_Spirit --Julian

Change, exception, call it what you will. I'm sure they would have happily accommodated almost anything, if it were solely at their discretion. But these are government related immigration rules, and their ability to dock in certain ports will depend on them following these sort of rules. I can't imagine they would make a change or exception for anyone regarding passports, any more than they would make a change to food hygiene rules, or other policies imposed on them from outside. I sincerely hope you get your passport in time! I missed a flight once, in my extreme youth, when I woke up the morning of my early AM flight and realized my passport was still in the bank safety deposit box, which was not accessible until after take off. Had to rebook. Passports suck. Why can't they just trust us?? 😉 --Julian

Maybe they're making some cabins into "solo" cabins for singles, like on Vista?

Is there a standard discount scale for booking on board? Or do they make it up as they go along and just promise that it's the best deal you'll ever find?

Does look very good. Keep in mind, that thing in Riga was a culinary *excursion* not just a class. But I suspect their cooking classes alone are superior to other lines, since they have such dedicated staff and space for the classes.

Very good to know. I'll look into agents before we book again. --Julian

Interesting. Does that depend on your loyalty level? On the booking page they don't say they can be split: "With OLife Choice*, our limited-time inclusive package, enjoy 2 for 1 Cruise Fares, Roundtrip Airfare and Airport Transfers* plus choose one..." --Julian

Seems like a lot of people are used to being the smartest person in the room. 🤔 😉 To answer the original question directly, yes, you can use OBC for everything that is charged to your account, which includes gratuities. But I assume you gathered that. As for what's "best," your mileage may vary. In our case, the difference between the cruise only and Olife fare at the time of booking was barely more than the cost of airfare if we were to do it ourselves. Since Olife includes airfare, we took it, and OBC, because we don't drink and we're only interested in 2 or 3 excursions in 23 days. There's a reason it's called Olife *Choice*. Have a great time aboard! --Julian

Looking forward to my first Oceania cruise in March. So I'm not sure exactly what you mean here, but did they used to provide a leather card holder for use carrying your ship ID card around? --Julian