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We had 2 ports cancelled and 1 port of call reduced from an overnight to 1 day, all due to sea conditions. Our cruise insurance reimbursed us $100 per person, per port. $600 for wife and me. 

Our taxi trip from airport to hotel in Brickell area was $67, including tip. We used a van type of cab, which charges an extra 30%. Sat in traffic a lot. It was a Friday afternoon/evening. The trip from port to airport in a regular cab was about $50, including tip. Cabs use to charge by zone. Unfortunately they now are metered.

We stayed there in March. We had no complaints. We don't walk well, so didn't check out the area. Good breakfast included. They do have a company that provides transportation to the port for $15 per person with credit card or $12 cash. My suggestion is pay the extra $3 and DON'T do the cash thing. The guys on the bus, who didn't speak English very well got very confused about those who paid cash. They didn't know who paid, and who didn't. We were at the port within 30 minutes. Very easy.

We just got off the Vista on 3/27. Our penthouse suite, 10042, was adjacent to the forward elevators. We had NO issues with noise.

We are on the Vista, March 9-27. We procrastinated on excursions, and are now locked out of many. I was hoping to go to the Kennedy Space Center, but BOOKED! How do you get on the waitllist? Will there be private companies offering tours at the pier? Any info is appreciated.

We are cruising on the Vista in March. I need to rent a Rollator from Scootaround. Will the "walker" be delivered to the cabin? It was all screwed up the last time I did this. I thought it would be delivered to the cabin, but it was only delivered to the boarding area. Information is appreciated.

4 hours ago, jondfk said:

I’ll share our experience from last September on Regatta.

 

We were back to back in Los Angeles but the procedure is likely the same for all US ports.  A few days before the end of the first segment we received a letter which:  a) confirmed we were booked back to back. b) offered us a couple of tour options, a short list indeed. and c) asked whether we would like to dine in the GDR for lunch on turnaround day (which wasn’t an option for new joiners).

 

We were instructed to meet in the lower lobby at a particular time to be taken off as a group.  I don’t recall the exact time, something like 10:00.  There were about 25 of us, naturally there were two stragglers who held the group up.  We were led off to meet immigration face to face which was a quick efficient process.  Then, back through the metal detectors and back to the boarding lounge.  The port security staff were a bit confused (remember, not so long after the restart) with one asking us repeatedly to leave the building.  We all sat in place and eventually another officer arrived who cleared us to wait.  We were allowed back onboard about 11:00 we were again delayed because two or three pax tried to eek out every possible minute preventing the “zero count” which is required before boarding can start.

 

The process was easy enough and would have flowed more smoothly if everyone just complied with the provided instructions.

 

Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks for the helpful info. Will they give us our passports to show the immigration folk?

We are on an 18 day cruise on Vista from March 9-27. It's technically one cruise. 7 days in western Caribbean, stop back in Miami, and then 11 days to Bermuda, Norfolk, Charleston SC and Port Canaveral. It's my understanding that all passengers must get off in Miami during the turnaround. I checked for excursions in Miami. There are some, but when I logged into my account and went to that day (Miami), there were none available.  Any ideas?

Thank you.

My wife and I are taking our first post pandemic cruise. I have a few questions. First, can I assume that there is no pre-cruise Covid test to take? What is the muster procedure on Oceania? I've read/watched that on other ships you watch a video and then upon boarding you go to your muster station to check in. Is there a phone app, or is everything on their website?  One final question for now.  I've read that on other cruise lines you have to chose a time to board. Is this the case on Oceania, too?  Thank you in advance for any information you can share.

My wife and I are staying at this hotel next March for our Oceania cruise. Never stayed here before, but our first choice of the Hampton Inn Brickell was just too expensive. Tried searching info, but couldn't find anything.  I would appreciate any info anyone might have. One quick question, do they have shuttle service to the port?  Thanks!

Forgive me if this question has been asked already. I've just booked a cruise on the Vista in March 2024. Whenever I go on Oceania's website, after a few minutes, the website crashes. Tells me I'm denied access. Anybody have any info on this?  The last time it crashed this evening, I was logged in, and I'm concerned because I didn't sign out.

The last time we stayed there pre cruise was November 2018. At that time I had heard they offered a pre cruise rate. Couldn’t take advantage as I had booked a no change room rate. Does anyone know if they still have a similar offer?  Thank you. 

My wife and I are back into cruise mode following Covid. We're cruising out of Miami March 2024. The last time we cruised was 2018, again out of Miami. When I checked prices I almost fell out of my chair. YIKES!  I know March is prime season in south Florida, but could this be because it's so far in advance? We've stayed at the Hampton Inn-Brickell in the past, but they are now about $400/night. Actually, most hotels are in that range. I know this post is probably redundant, but would appreciate any information and suggestions.

I made a reservation at the Hampton Inn/Brickell a few months ago for our Nov. 2018 cruise. Made the mistake of purchasing the pay now rate of $250, assuming the prices would go up. Wrong!!! The rate now is under $175. When I called, I was basically told, too bad sucker. That’s the chance you take. So, buyer beware.

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We are mobility challenged. I will be renting a walker with a built in chair for my wife. I recently had hip replacement surgery, and had a complication. I may need to rent an aid as well, although our cruise is still 5 months away. We don't have a HC stateroom, nor do we intend to get one. Wondering if a regular A2 stateroom will accommodate an electric scooter. Is the stateroom door wide enough? Do you think there is room inside the cabin to store it? And finally, what about charging. What can you tell me about what you've seen onboard the Riviera or Marina. Or, if you have actual experience with one. Really interested in hearing what you have to say on this subject. Thanks a lot.

Just discovered another hotel in the Brickell area. It's the Homewood Suites. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Leaving out of Miami in November, post Thanksgiving. Haven't stayed in Miami before a cruise. Would appreciate opinions of these 3 hotels, please.

Hampton Inn-Brickell

Hilton Downtown

Marriott Biscayne Bay

Thanks.

I might have already asked this, but can’t find it nor can remember an answer. I have 2 options flying out of Miami, either 11:05 or 12:15. Traveling on Oceania. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Our cruise is over a year away. I like to plan early, though. Any suggestions on Car Services from the Oceania dock to the airport? Also, does anyone have an approx. cost? Thanks.

Not sure if this belongs here, but here I go. We will be going home from Miami on Oceania. Is a noon departure safe? Thank you.

I know we're not to request specific web agents, so I'll make this as generic as possible. We are planning an Oceania cruise in 2018. O has a generous list of benefits. Do the website agents offer more than Oceania? Should I consider them, or just book through the cruiseline? I would appreciate feedback. Thanks

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We are cruising from Ft. Lauderdale next March. I've started looking for a pre-cruise hotel for Saturday, March 12. Everything seems to be so expensive. I'm guessing it's spring break time, but would that explain the high prices?:confused:

Any info is appreciated.

We are planning a cruise on the Royal in 2016. We've done Princess in the past and have stayed on the Dolphin deck. As the Royal is quite a bit larger, I would appreciate some suggestions as to what deck to look at. Looking at something in the middle of the ship, but not quite sure what deck. Also, would like to hear opinions of the Deluxe Balcony.

Thanks.

We've done 2 Panama Canal cruises. One on Celebrity Summitt, and last May on the Regatta. Obviously all transits through the canal are daytime. The options you might be thinking of are whether you do a full transit, or a roundtrip from the Florida coast. That will take you through the first set of locks, stop in Lake Gatun, and then turn around and return to Florida. The 2 we've done were both full transits, from south Florida to the west coast, (California). We like this as it reduces to only 1 airline flight. We live in southern California.

Both ships we were on were comparable. The size of the locks dictates the ship size that will fit through them. The Princess ships, as an example, were built specifically with the Panama Canal in mind. Don't gush over doing this on an Oceania ship. It's the same as any other ship.

We stayed here in April. It is a simple and clean motel. We didn't eat in the restaurant. The parking is the greatest attraction to this motel! The price of the room includes 14 nights parking. They charge $7 per night over the 14. As was previously mentioned, make sure you fill out the parking documents correctly. While our car was parked outside the whole time, it was there and without incidents when we returned.

The shuttle to SFO is great. We needed to be there at 4 am, and were picked up at our room at 3:20, right on time, and we were not the only ones on the shuttle.

I would recommend this place in a heartbeat!:)