PhD-iva

I was on a waitlist, saw an available stateroom in the category I wanted. I called my TA and she got it assigned to me. It pays to be proactive.

Regent has optional formal nights on cruises that are longer. I believe the cruises longer than 14 days will have more than one optional formal night. I went on a 16 day cruise on Regent Mariner, and it was fabulous in every way.

Here’s a thought. Assuming there’s no difference in cost if you upgrade before or after embarkation, then wait until you see how things work onboard. Don’t forget there’s an open bar during the Captain’s welcome (day after embarkation). So you’ll probably “squeek through” the first day or two while seeing what’s possible and what’s allowable. You can upgrade at any point during the cruise……

I think the passengers that purchase the South American itineraries are more itinerary-driven than ship/venue- driven. I agree that Vista is likely assigned to the Caribbean to entice those younger passengers to become Oceania regulars. Sensible strategy. JMO

Hi! I drink primarily cappuccinos, so I notice more of the Italian coffee bar type of drinks on the menu. I’m not sure if they have any froufrou Starbucks style coffee drinks, sorry that I don’t pay attention to that. So there would be any type of cappuccino, coffee latte, flat white, Americano, espresso. I’m sorry that I can’t remember if they have a wider selection than that. Perhaps someone else can add to my list. I will also add here that I am not impressed with the brewed coffee that is served in the main dining room. I have to say that universally on every cruise line except Uniworld I have found the brewed coffee to be just awful. Enjoy your cruise !

I love the Baristas coffee bar on O. On Princess we had to buy a “coffee card” and then we could get a set number of coffee drinks. I’m a coffee fiend, NEED COFFEE! So, a ration card didn’t work well for me. Food on O is much better than Princess, although the entertainment might be better on Princess. O will do more (I think) with guest lecturers who are NOT port shopping experts. I think you will like O, I do!

I’m usually an Oceania or Regent cruiser (upgraded from X years ago). Regent has some low single supplement fares, as low as 0% (20 cruises listed on website as of yesterday) and many more at 25%. Regent takes excellent care of solos! Hosted get togethers every night, dinners and breakfasts. Lovely passengers. Am browsing other cruiselines out of curiosity, hence my presence on Seabourn forum. Thx!

Mr. and/or Mrs. Fudge, I have read your previous threads and have enjoyed them IMMENSELY! Thx for posting!

OK, if that flight works most of the time, O will book pax on that flight. But if the “traffic gods” aren’t smiling that day and you miss your flight, then you’re the one inconvenienced. OP, How will you feel if you miss your flight? Even worse, will you have this worry in your head during the whole cruise? I wouldn’t accept that flight itin. OP, Enjoy your cruise!

My favorite Regent adviser sent me this link earlier today. You have to manually scan for the 0% SS. There are also many 25% SS, as well as 50%. https://www.rssc.com/specials/single-supplement-special-us?sortby=sortLatestDeparture&pageNumber=1 Enjoy your cruise!

The pedicure price is not far off the price I paid last year for a pedicure at the Away Spa in The W in Austin. I like to get a mani/pedi while on a cruise.

From my business days, the Alvear Palace hotel was the best hotel, only the top executives traveling to Buenos Aires were booked there. The rest of us plebes were assigned the Marriott or the Sheraton whatever hotel.

I’m just back from a 16 day cruise on Regent Mariner, and it was fabulous. While Oceania is my favorite cruise line, I have to admit that my experience on Regent was better. However, as I’ve said before, you pay for that. And the included wine was not that good. I prefer to not overpay for my drinks by bringing on board wine that I buy in port and pay a reasonable corkage fee or drink it in my stateroom. The included business class airfare is nice, and the onboard entertainment and guest lecturers on the Mariner was a lot more extensive than provided on my previous cruises on Oceania. I also like that I am able to find lower single supplements on Regent than I find on Oceania. I just feel better paying a lower “SS tax”

Thx for this. Not every observation or comment should be by default “offensive”.

Then you were lucky, I’m glad of that. Post covid air travel has been a cr@pshoot.

Jan, what recourse does a pax have if they arrive on the ship and O is unaware of any TA benefit? I’ve heard to always get it noted on the O invoice. I think FF has suggested that in the past……?

Mine is not in my online account, at least not as OBC.

Hopefully soon! Would you love to cruise w you both again!

Could make a difference. I’ve seen advice given that says make sure you have an invoice issued by Oceania that lists the OBC and carry the invoice with you in case there’s any question later. Look on page 3 of your Oceania invoice under amenities and gifts. I have AMEX platinum OBC and shareholder benefit listed there.

When I log into my online account, I can see (some of) my OBC prominently displayed in the middle of the screen. My shareholder benefit OBC does not show up online, but I see it on my final invoice (buried somewhere).

Follow-up to post 25 and 27, perhaps others………

When I booked my November 2023 Istanbul to Dubai 20-day cruise, the overland tours offered at Luxor & Jerusalem were not visible to me on the website or in my account online. My TA was able to send me a link to the Oceania descriptions of available land tours. Ask your TA for similar help.

I stayed in 11023 on a Riviera November 2021 transAtlantic from Rome to Miami. I was as close to the elevator as you could get without sleeping in it (!) and never heard any noise. Now, if somebody stands outside your doorway speaking in a loud voice, some of that noise will bleed into the room. But that’s not the typical passenger on Oceania.

Yes, I loved the free pressing of a few garments that emerged from my suitcase all wrinkled. 😎

Agree! The regulars on the X forum can be very caustic! I don’t miss them at all. Of course, this forum also has a few snarky posters, but somehow they are easier to “ignore”. Shorter (longer) itineraries will tend to have younger (older) pax demographic. Also, generally fewer kids than on X. I’m guessing Alaska will have more kids than on other O itins, although I could be mistaken…. I really loved my NOV 2021 TA on Riviera, but I enjoy playing bridge. There will be lots of opportunities to play bridge on every sea day, and I’m sure other options such as Mah Jong as well. Often there are very good guest lecturers, w lectures often scheduled on sea days. If you spend some time reviewing this forum, you’ll learn a lot about the intricacies on booking on O. Drinks packages, O Life packages, YWYW discounts, cruise only fare versus cruise w airfare included. It helps to use a TA that is very familiar w O! The BEST part of O is meeting and mingling w your fellow pax! They’re the best! Enjoy your cruise!