basor

Gratuities are not included with SM - not sure where you got this idea....the change from OLife is that wine, beer and champagne are included during meals and you receive a certain amount of OBC to use for shore excursions, The only choice is to have SM with air or without....please post the marketing showing gratuities are included with all sailings on SM

nope - there are few places around the World that require cruise ships to add a VAT tax to any purchases that occur in their waters - Spain, Brazil come to mind.. we have had cruise staff remind us and suggest we wait a day or two to purchase something once we have left those areas.

That is on Princess not Oceania - ships are much smaller

we wait

No - the wine by the glass selection is the same for all beverage packages....it gives you alcoholic beverages any time from any bar, dining venue when open. There are a few upper end liquors that are not included

Not everyone's cruise price increased with the advent of SM... we had 3 cruises booked under OLife, 2 of the cruise prices went down by several hundred dollars per person and 1 went up $50.00 per person .

I believe they are onboard right now so I would say pretty recent. We were onboard , the last time, 2 months ago for 31 days B2B2B on Vista and brought a case of wine onboard at embarkation and liquor onboard at several ports.

I am speaking from 15 years experience sailing O and I have no idea where the person who posted this on cruise critic got their information....if you search you will find discussions on this ad naseum .

The ice cream area outside does close down with Waves and is not open in the evening when Waves changes into the pizzeria. The ice cream in Terrace is hand dipped too - often the same flavors as in Waves. I don't think I have seen ice cream anywhere on O that isn't hand dipped.

I believe that is correct but then ice cream is available in Terrace during evening hours

You can bring any form of alcohol onboard for consumption in your cabin . You may take your personal bottle of wine to a dining venue and pay $25.00 corkage fee.

There are few more perks for suites on O Complimentary laundry service – up to 3 bags per stateroom+ Priority 11 am ship embarkation with priority luggage delivery Exclusive card-only access to private Executive Lounge staffed by a dedicated Concierge featuring complimentary soft drinks, coffees and snacks throughout the day 24-hour Butler service Complimentary in-suite bar setup with 6 full-size bottles of premium spirits and wines from our suite beverage menu Complimentary welcome bottle of Champagne Fresh fruit basket replenished daily Priority online specialty restaurant reservations Unlimited access to Aquamar Spa Terrace Optional private in-suite embarkation day lunch from noon to 2 pm in Owner’s Suites Luxury bath amenities Choice of daily printed newspaper Complimentary Oceania Cruises logo tote bag and personalized stationery Cashmere lap blankets Choice of pillow from a luxurious selection Complimentary shoeshine service Complimentary pressing of garments upon embarkation++ In suite dining from the GDR or any of the specialty restaurants

The price is the same whether you upgrade before or onboard The $30.00 per person per day is for each day you have chosen to upgrade your package so if you upgrade on day 2 of a 7 day cruise than you would pay $30.00 per day for 6 days The $30.00 per person per day includes the gratuity so you will not pay anything additional once you have purchased the package.

that is correct

At this time, you must wait to upgrade until onboard. It is quick and easy - you go to Guest Services and they will charge your onboard account and give you a new card with the Prestige package noted.

Since everywhere except the specialty restaurants, meal time is open seating we have always been able to sit at a table for 2 when we desired. You may have to wait a bit if you come during the first hour of dinner in the GDR. The specially restaurants may be more difficult depending upon when you make your reservations. If you are unable to book a table for 2 when you reservations open, do not hesitate to speak with the dinner reservation person onboard to see if you can change.

From what I understand, Oceania was sued for "missing items" when items were removed from an unoccupied lounger ....I am sure their legal team had told them to not touch any item that does not belong to Oceania. I can't blame them

Agree with everything said except we also loved Aquamar - ate many lunch there. Liked the fact that we could customize their offerings to our liking! The avocado toast is addictive

Sorry - it could only be booked onboard but it was totally booked so only being able to book onboard wasn't killing it off

Barbara - our favorite loungers were outside the side doors into Barristas....in shade or sun, quick run inside to grad a bite to eat or drink from Barristas, bathrooms close and down the stars for Waves or Aquamar. But we don't need to be by the pool so doesn't work for everyone

On Vista La Reserve was offered only by booking online and was full for every offering so not killing off yet...they are replacing the separate La Reserve area with Aquamar which is better use of the space

There are plenty of loungers scattered around the ship on several decks - people who only want to sit by the pool in the shade then there is a problem. How do you have 1200 loungers in the shade around the pool on a ship the size of VISTA? This is the only way a cruise line can assure that everyone who wants a lounger in the shade around the pool will find one. We sat in loungers in the shade with no problem anytime we wanted but we were not by the pool which was fine with us. This is a separate issue then chair hogs...

On sea days, you may enjoy your wine, beer, etc. when you leave your lounger and go to one of the dining venues to enjoy your lunch. If you prefer to be served at your lounger than you pay for any alcoholic drink you order but all non-alcoholic drinks are free and readily provided

No just purchase them by the drink....the question was which mixed drinks are included in the simply more beverage package...

Simply more included beverage package includes beer, wine and champagne by the glass in dining venues during meal hours. There are no mixed drinks included in the package. You need to pay $30.00 per person per day to upgrade to the prestige package that includes mixed drinks and is available from any bar during open hours. There are a few times when mixed drinks are provided free of charge - Captains Welcome Party and Repeaters/First timers party. There also are happy hours in Martinis and Horizons each evening where drinks are 2 for 1 ...