Stockjock

I wonder if you're on the MSC naughty list? Worst luck I've seen with respect to multiple GUAR bookings.

But what if in penalty phase?

We're booked under O-Life and I stripped all options from the booking, so no included drinks, excursions, air, etc. I will have a bit of OBC. If we book paid excursions using cash or OBC, which could be shore excursions or even their private island zip line, if we have inclement weather, or just a change of plans, can those excursions/activities be refunded to the original source of payment (cash and/or OBC)? Are there any reasons not to book in advance?

I don't think it's fair that I paid for ocean view and I'm not getting a suite, or at least, a butler!

You're touching a nerve here, as the overuse of the word "amazing" bugs the heck out of me. Very few things out there are truly amazing.

Another question. Once dining reservations open up for a particular sailing (45 days for me), it is based on midnight, local time? For example, I'm on the west coast, so would easterners get a 3 hour jump on me since they're 3 hours ahead, time-wise? Taking it a step further, let's say one was Italy or Spain, would they then get perhaps a 9 hour head start, since they'd hit midnight well before I do on the U.S. west coast?

I'm probably in the minority on this topic, but in my view, if you bid for a higher category and win the bid, then you should be credited the points that correspond with your new category. Not relevant to me if the cabin was or was not discounted. If you got a "free" upgrade, then no upgrade in points. At least that's how I see it.

Typically, what are the times of the shows? We do enjoy going to some of them. We've only been on the larger ships/cruise so not entirely sure what to expect from Oceania.

I'm going off on a slight tangent, but we'll be doing Oceania (Sirena) for the first time in a few months. We are in the top level (largest) non-suite, OV cabin (C1, I think). When traveling, we usually prefer to eat later, maybe 8 or so, and dine alone, so it sounds like we might not have too much trouble booking a table, true? Also, how exactly are specialty restaurant reservations handled? I think there are 2 on Sirena, correct? And you are allowed to reserve one night in each one, and maybe more if available? I'm not entirely clear on this.

To my knowledge, there was no Starbucks on World Europa. There was what looked to be a very nice in-house coffee shop, aka Coffee Emporium, but we didn't try it because it wasn't included with our Easy Plus drink package. However, those coffees were included with the premium package. MSC makes a nice cappuccino outside of Coffee Emporium, and that was good enough for us. As a side note, I'm not a big fan of Starbucks. I find that they often over roast their beans and I don't find most of their baristas to be particularly good.

The best method is telepathically. If that doesn't work, give them a call.

Undoubtedly so.

God help us when an actual usable PUP opportunity is finally offered. The number of posts will be off the charts!

FWIW, I did end up going with the later flight. Not worth having to rush to get to the plane, plus a layover in DFW increases the odds of a delay or bags getting lost. I'll take my time about getting to the plane and then visit the Amex Centurion Lounge 3 hours before flight time.

I won't name my company, even though I think I can, but here's how our "free" Amex Platinum works. I'll tell you why it was a great deal, and why it's now not such a great deal imo, even though I still do it personally. To get a credit that offsets the $695 annual fee, one must have: 1. At least $25k cash in a lower yielding checking account. 2. A premium cash management type of account, which is actually pretty good, imo. I like the nearly unlimited ATM rebates worldwide. 3. At least $5k per month direct deposit, or social security of any amount. Why it was a great deal... A few years ago, money markets and checking/savings accounts were paying next to nothing, so to have $25k in a very low yielding checking account was no biggie, as rates were lousy everywhere so you weren't giving up much. Also, until recently, the annual fee that was rebated was under $600, so no reporting of the credit of the annual fee to the IRS. Why it's now not nearly as good of a deal... Interest rates are much higher. Our preferred (new money) savings account is currently at 5%. So to have even $25k earning next to nothing, is a bigger deal. If rates remained at 5%, interest on $25k is $1,250/yr, so that's more interest credited than the benefit from the card. As mentioned, the checking account required to get a rebate of the fee pays close to nothing, interest-wise. Since AMEX increased the fee to over $600/yr ($695), the rebated fee is now reported to the IRS, which means most will pay tax on it. In other words, given where things stand today, and certainly they could change, but you'd potentially give up $1,250 in interest and pay tax on the $695 rebated fee, so indirectly you're paying more than the $695 rebated. Again, I still do it, and I like the fact I can get the GF an authorized user card for no extra cost. Once interest rates come down, the deal will probably look more attractive again. But I hate the fact that the credited fee must be reported to the IRS as taxable income!