Treasure Hunter

We are on the Constellation in Greece in June and I was very dismayed at the age cut offs. We are travelling with family , three staterooms on my dime with ages from 14, 17, 44,45 to us 75 and 78. According to Celebrity we can't tour together. We booked private guides for Ephesus and Athens and Santorini but at some other ports we have to split up! The 'old folks' have to spend the day on a "panorama tour" bus. Why would I do a family trip again on Celebrity?

Ha! Yes I had to pay in full at booking but was willing to do it. They would not let me go higher than a regular mini

I was willing to upgrade to a suite when I initially made the reservation but the casino wouldn’t let me. The most they let me upgrade to was a mini ( not even club class. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to do it later. But you are right that the suites will probably be gone by then.

Got an email that we got a free balcony cabin plus $400 free play. Usually cruise club class mini or suite. Tried to upgrade but they would only do a regular mini. Figured we go ahead. Booked Emerald for fall. Love the Emerald. Tried to book excursions. No go. Kept coming up error with name. Called three times. Princess number transferred me to casino. They can’t figure it out. Now I’m waiting for someone higher up the food chain to figure it out. Can’t cancel as they’ll keep my deposit. Does anyone know if you can upgrade a casino cabin? If I’m stuck on the ship I’d like a suite!

Agree. Call main number and have them transfer you.

What! That’s terrible and very stressful. Why should lazy slugs get into shows before those that plan!😁

Yes, I am only comparing Haven to Oceania except for O’Sheehans Reuben

Yes our booking has my husband and I full freight, my daughter as third in the room and the two kids free. Some of the cabins are like clown cars.

The cruise critic reviews can be very helpful. You can even look at individual cabin types. Also just do a search on YouTube for ship and cabin to see exactly what you’re getting into.

Unlike Princess ( our favorite line since we started cruising in 1990) which has gone downhill since being acquired by Carnival we feel NCL has improved since they bought Oceania and Regent. NCL is more polished with better food. Interesting to us that they married up rather than dumbing down.

Sthrngary- Oceania Riviera was just voted one of the best cruise ships in the world by Conte Nast Traveler ( top 10). Tell your wife that!

Remember that on Oceania if you want to eat at the superior specialty restaurants like the Polo club you have to carefully watch the dates that your stateroom category allows. With a penthouse suite you can book earlier than most.

We are on the February 18 cruise on the Getaway out of NY. We have a two bedroom family suite in the Haven (5 of us) . This cruise has had multiple port changes so starting off a little wacky. Last time I was on this ship they had removed the lounges around the Haven pool in order to put over flow tables from the restaurant out there. This makes it uncomfortable to watch kids in the pool . While people are trying to eat. I expect the ship to be hopping. I think pre covid that vacation week had 1500 kids.

👍😁

Random thought. My father was in the Navy in WW 2. A radar operator on the destroyer escort USS Day in the South Pacific. Which is why I love the show Anything Goes. It has two of my favorite things. Sailors and tap dancing. Actually sailors who tap dance!

Also , we went to Cuba on Oceania from Miami. Three ports with an overnight in Havana ( which allowed us to see the Tropacana show). If they start doing it again I strongly recommend it. It was a wonderful cruise.

You know already about Trivia on Oceania (blood sport). There aren’t big Broadway type shows but the entertainment is very pleasant and the dancers and singers are good. The penthouse is a lovely stateroom. The bed is very very comfortable and the soft furnishings are the highest quality. We will be in the Med in June on the old Celebrity Constellation with our son’s family. We have three concierge cabins in a row ( not retreat) on my dime with help from the casino. I envy you. Our itinerary includes three days in Athens , Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Kotor, etc. ending in Ravenna ( with a long expensive car service to Venice). We have already been to most of the ports multiple times . The kids wanted to see the three Greek islands. When we went with Oceania we docked a 20 minute walk from St Marks square. Now we are two hours away. Your wife will love this cruise so much .

You still need to make reservations. Easily done in the Haven lounge pre boarding or shortly after boarding with the concierge. The section is on the left half way up the orchestra. But we prefer to meet the asst. concierge or our butler ( pre arranged) 45 minutes before the show and go down in the crew elevator through the secret passage and sit third row center. Ten minutes before the show, the reserved seats are released to those without reservations.

I have been on the Oceania Riviera in the Med the first summer it sailed. It is my favorite Oceania ship. You did good to pick her. One night eat dinner in the buffet. If it is still the same as when I sailed, they have a grill with prime steak and lobster tails. As many as you want. And of course boarding and leaving the ship for excursions is marvelous. But the entertainment will not come anywhere near NCL.

Choir of Man was great. Our son loved it so much that when they appeared in DC at the Kennedy Center he took his kids to see it again. It is a rousing good feeling magical night. Just my opinion.

Go on the Getaway and see Million Dollar Quartet. We saw the show when it opened in Chicago and then when it won the Tony on Broadway . The Getaway’s version is as good if not better! The cast does a Broadway Cabaret later in the cruise ( fantastic) . And by the way, Jersey Boys was very good too ( different ship). Six was entertaining but not memorable ( don’t throw tomatoes at me , I know a lot of people really like it. ) Kinky Boots was an excellent production but not appropriate for a family show( Thanksgiving sailing with tons of confused kids in the audience). There are many entertainment venues on NCL ships including the comedy club ( our favorite)

I’ve never cruised out of NOLA and in recent years just NY and Miami. We’ve never had a problem especially when we’re in the Haven. So I guess you have to adapt to the circumstances.

I’m so excited to cruise that I don’t mind waiting to board ( all checked in and done with security) just in case there’s a mud slide or flat tire on the way to the pier we leave super early ( yes I know I’m crazy)

We have sailed Haven many times out of New York. We get to the terminal at 9:30. Must taxis are old hand at this but there a re good signs. Drop checked luggage with the porters ( tip). The Porters are very helpful. There is a separate Haven security line. BUT YOU HAVE TO ASK REPEATEDLY. The Haven lounge is on the left side half the way down the terminal. A lady with a clipboard will be out front near the sign. Haven will board around 11 maybe earlier ( once at 10:30). But you will be comfortable, snacks, mini sandwiches, danish, coffee, water and chairs. Your will get a list of the shows with times and while you wait you can fill out your preferences and hand it in. You will find your confirmation in your suite after lunch. You are taken in a priority elevator to your muster station, then whisked back into the elevator to the Haven lounge where you will be given drinks and a little intro by the concierge then right into a delicious lunch. After lunch the rooms will be ready. It's all great.

We did the trip and our travel doctor did not give us a yellow fever shot. Unless we were going to Brazil, it wasn't necessary. However be very care about Mosquitos especially at dusk because of Malaria and other local diseases (we used Deet towelettes) . We did get the shot, which is hard to come by and expensive when we went to Kenya so now we are set for life.