question221

How do they compensate you if they do that? Airfare and other hotel expense would be out of pocket for example. Also, do they really discount future cruise? How do they make up for this.

we are looking at a cruise and want to book one of the available junior suites. It is a bit more expensive if we choose the room - and I am wondering if there are any of the junior suites that have obstructed views or are just that bad that we should pay the extra? The ship is the Voyager of the Seas. Seems like there are only a few suites left and they all seem about the same to me. Any help is appreciated.

A few of the people commented about overcrowding in the Terrace Cafe and that it was difficult to get a table at 7:30. And, another few people commented about "chair hogs". I had posted a question about the pool hours and depth. I have done river cruises on small ships. Very small indeed. But river cruises are a bit different. I have done ocean cruises that were bridge cruises - so our schedule and dining was pretty fixed. I have done one ocean cruise on a large mega ship in one of the grand suites - and it was wonderful. I would definitely do it again but it is hard to get the suites and the itinerary for this cruise sounds wonderful. I am an "excursion" person and would be expecting to do excursions every port day. Possibly save Santorini - which been there done that and not sure I would want to bother doing again. I certainly would not expect a lot of amenities compared to the large ships, but then I would not expect crowding as the number of clients is also smaller. So, I was in fact a bit shocked when people talked about the terrace closing at 8:30 and being too crowded to get a seat by 7:30. Could be that they just had a bad experience. Thanks for the input.

As long as people don't use words like childish or slob - I am not offended. I am not easily offended and travel to have a great time. We have been lucky enough to travel our entire lives - even when working. We are now retired. We can no longer do the really strenuous trips that we used to do (we used to take hiking trips and remote adventure trips) - and we have come to appreciate only unpacking once. So, we have one river cruise booked for summer, a relaxing cruse booked for early spring, and now we want to book 2 additional trips for late spring and early fall. Making a scene or arguing on board with anyone is NOT my idea of a good time.

Well - I had a genuine concern regarding dress code. Sorry if it offended you - but there does seem to be a genuine difference of opinion on nice jeans. I tried to ask without taking on a TONE. At this point, I am far more concerned with the hours of the pool and the hours at the casual dining. Also concerned that the pool area and the casual dining area sound overcrowded - with people worried about "chair hogs" and someone mentioned that there was no place to sit at the Terrace Cafe at 7:30 PM - the place closes at 8:30. Since a balcony on O is more than the grand suite on RC - I would simply expect more access. I have mild arthritis and would like to keep it mild. This requires exercise and the best time would be early evening. We all look for different things on vacation. I do my level best to not JUDGE other people. In spite of the great itinerary - this might not be a great fit. One of the things people have told me is that O has bridge on sea days - but since there are no sea days - that is not really an issue on this cruise. I will talk with the booking agent to get the actual rules and hours of the amenities.

wouldn't the same thing be true of "slacks"? Or pantsuit? Or sundress? Are all sundresses okay? All slacks? How about loud plaid slacks? How about purple or other bright colors? Polyester or silk? This can all be carried to extremes. Best to live and let live. As for the maitre de - don't they receive gratuities? Seems to me that they would love to keep everyone happy and not cause conflict. As for LCD - for me - LCD is more about behavior and being unpleasant or unfriendly. Best to relax and live and let live. It is a vacation after all. Not a work convention.

Thank you. I agree completely. Lots and lots of things have changed. Top resorts allow jeans everywhere I go. I do remember about 20 years ago staying at a resort the did not allow jeans - but upon returning about 10 years ago they had abandoned that rule. It was weird because it was near some of the best hiking trails in the country - and people typically don't dress up for hiking. The main thing is that people are polite, and interesting is always a big plus. I used to travel on land tours, and have been very lucky meeting some of the most interesting people on those tours. Some of them famous. Some of them very accomplished. And some of them just interesting without being either. The purpose is the experience. For the life of me, I could not tell you what any of them were wearing. One exception - on the cruise down the Nile, they had an Egyptian costume night - and I do remember what people wore for that. Great fun. We had a great group.

Thanks for sharing. . I am attracted to this itinerary on Vista and also have heard that Oceania is great for bridge games on board. This itinerary has no sea days, so bridge is less of an issue than it would be on a different voyage. I don't think nor have I ever been told that I look like a total slob because I am wearing jeans, a nice top, and a pleasant scarf to dinner. Once I am seated, you would have to look under the table to even know I am wearing jeans instead of a different fabric - and that is all it is about - fabric choice. I don't relish bumping into people while I am in the pool - and would be thrilled if no one else were using it at night when I would be using it. I would not appreciate anyone bumping into me while in the pool even if they are not splashing. Even if they are just walking. Or swimming. Or whatever. So, I do not anticipate a problem. That said, I am reading that the pool is open to 10, but dinner at the Terrace stops at 8:30. This is an issue if I want to use the pool before dinner but after an excursion.

Trying to get the hours of operation for the pool on board the Vista in particular - and the Oceania ships in general. Also, does anyone know the depth of the pool on board? I understand that the pool is relatively small. I was able to find out that the fitness center is open until 10PM - and trying to find out if the pool is also open until 10. Thanks

LOL. I guess everyone's idea of a good time is different. "Hair Helmet" probably a bit more formal and all hung up on everything looking perfect. Must be tiring. I can only hope she was either joking or caught on a very bad day. We certainly enjoy good food and meeting people - but I think the Terrace Cafe might be our best option. We can eat anywhere at home. The cruise we are looking at has no sea days - and our reason for looking at it is the itinerary really fits the bill. 2.5 days in Istanbul - one of my favorite cities in the world. Most cruises only spend 1 day. And no overnight. Would actually love to see whirling dervishes again. And of course, the Blue Mosque. This cruise spends 2 nights in port. The other possibility is to do a cruise that begins or ends in Istanbul. On our last cruise we were supposed to go to Israel, but then October 7 happened and we were diverted. I don't dare book a cruise heading to Israel at this point - but by next spring/fall this could change.

LOL - The real problem is I actually can see this happening. We live in Phoenix and we are fortunate enough to have our own pool. I would much prefer to be able to use the community pools - BUT. I have been told that the lap pools are to be used ONLY for lap swimming - even if empty - and that splashing is not permitted - even if empty. There are non-lap pools where people walk in the water for therapy - and again - splashing in those pools is not permitted. So, the ONLY time splashing is permitted is when there is a water aerobics class being conducted - and then you must be doing that class. SOOOOOO - we pay to heat and maintain our own pool because I totally enjoy - and frankly need for my joints - doing my own water aerobics routine - which I have on an waterproof mp3 player and use waterproof headphones. I think at the very least, there would be hours during the day when you can splash to your hearts content - and if someone is that worried about their hair - use a shower cap or walk on land. Had I been her - I would not have had the nerve - and I cannot believe the pool is so small that should could not walk along the other edge. It is just a control issue. But telling someone else they are not swimming properly - that is another level. I did a cruise a few months back on a large ship and the pools were so very crowded- so I did not do my water aerobics for the duration of the cruise. I am easily intimidated. I could truly feel a difference in my hips and back and even my knees - even though I was getting plenty of land based exercise - primary on some excursions that involved a LOT of walking and stairs and "uneven" paths. Let's just say I was thrilled to get back in my pool upon return. When someone stated that they never saw anyone use the pool at night - I was thinking "great". I don't want the big 5 course 3 hour dinner anyway - I can go to the pool and do my thing which is very relaxing for me as well - takes about a 1.5 hours - change into my most casual and hopefully non-offensive outfit - head to the terrace cafe, and probably join my hubby who will have been sitting there eating for the prior hour. He does not use the pool - but he might choose to walk instead. It is all about priorities and what you do to relax and enjoy your vacation. Did your husband try swimming at all in the evening? Is it true that it is empty at night? We are going to verify the hours it is actually open. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be having the pool to myself in the evening under the stars on a ship:)

I am very curious about this. We are taking a cruise in April that has the same stops but on another cruise line, and I have heard nothing about this. I just googled and it sounded like a malaria vaccine is not even available in the US. In the past - I have taken anti malaria meds. Did not personally like the side effects. I also took doxycyline when in South Africa and surrounding countries - and I would likely go that route again. Talk to your doctor about all of the options. The downside I know about for doxycyline is exposure to the sunburn. If anyone has info about the malaria vaccine being available in the US - please post.

The comments are largely encouraging. This particular cruise has no sea days so we would be on excursion every day. Casual dining would work for us if we don't meet the standards for MDR. I am talking about jeans that meet the "business casual" standard. We can bring other pants. I would probably try to use the pool before eating dinner - especially if it the pool is not crowded. So casual dining would probably be more flexible for schedule as well.

HI - LOL - I play loud hip hop at the pool. just kidding. Yes - I have headphones and no one can hear anything but me. I have a WONDERFUL water aerobics workout that I have used for years. I have waterproof headphones and a waterproof mp3 player with the audio. I am lucky enough to have a private pool at home and I use it daily. As a matter of fact, I have 2 mp3 players that I switch off so that they can be fully charged. The only difficulty I have at public pools is that it involves jumping around and splashing - so frankly - if the pool is empty in the evening - I would pay extra for that:) When the pool area is crowded - I tend to just skip the workout and frankly, it is so great for my joints to do it that my body truly misses it. If I don't feel like I can do it - I guess I can at least use the t-pool to help make up for the loss.

we also trying to decide between concierge and regular veranda rooms. All the penthouse suites are wait list only.