mauibabes

👍 ABSOLUTLY because STUFF happens. Mauibabes

@DrKoob Your buddy Mike is a great guy. We had the pleasure of dining with him and wife in Polo several years ago. We too did that tour to the AGB Museum, etc. just not with Dan but we will definitely keep him in mind for our Allura 2025 cruise in the Maritimes. For your O vs. V competition, I would like to offer my “dagger in the heart” of why I would never book V. I will not pay in full for my booking because we routinely book 18-24 months in advance. I will not be their Free or almost free 💰. I have talked about this with my TA owner and he is actually on my side and will not travel V either and he makes a living off them. Personal decisions 😇. Keep an open mind, IMHO, O will win your competition. V seems to own the River boat arena but we much prefer ocean cruising. V boats are too big for us so we prefer Tauck, Scenic or Uniworld. By the way, enjoy Vista and make sure you leave some goodies behind so when we get aboard in Miami, we can enjoy the “Finest Cuisine at Sea”. FYI, The only reason V is even in a ballpark with O on cuisine is because Franc Geringer took over as their Culinary Director but I understand it is still not even close from people who have experienced O and V. Waiting for more daily updates and enjoy your cruise. Mauibabes

@clojacks We hope you enjoy your Oceania cruise, wherever it is taking you and on whichever ship. We have sailed on O for over 15 years, upwards of 30 cruise credits for Loyalty purposes. Our experience is that we have not had ports cancelled unless it was for weather or governmental reasons, especially post Covid. Yes we see port arrival times adjusted but I am not a maritime professional so I can not tell you “Why” or form an informed opinion if it was a correct decision because I do not have the information to make a valid decision. I see the CC and Facebook posts share a lot of opinions and we all have them. Our experience is O does their best to deliver a quality product, ensure you are getting value for your dollar and they definitely want you back on another Oceania cruise. Returning guests are about 60+% on most Oceania cruises. That to me does not sound like a cruise line that wants to XXXX YOU OFF and drive you away. My experiences in a service related business is that customers are expensive and a challenge to get so you never want to see a “One and Done” cruiser. Enjoy, Mauibabes

That was the same article I had read after I heard we would transit the new locks. One thing we do know, “things change”. Bottom line, we are just excited to be sailing on Vista thru the PC. Mauibabes

@njhorsemanO did so we will see. I was a bit surprised as well as I expected the old locks. Come Oct 21 we will know for sure. Mauibabes

Yes, sail on Vista in 12 days. We did get a slight change to the itinerary yesterday from O sharing that we will arrive in Costa Rica two hours later. The confusion some may be concerned about is the two days shown previously for the PC transit for some reason just said, At Sea. Nothing else has changed about the cruise and since you have to transit the Canal to get to the Pacific Ocean and LA it remains a non issue. We have heard the Panama Canal Authority that runs the system has done a lot of things dealing with the water level issues, including raising prices, but that is Oceania’s issue. We have also heard that Vista will be transiting using the new canal which will be interesting for those of us who have gone through the original PC. Please do not panic and create unnecessary anxiety for the UN or ILL informed. We are looking forward to a fabulous Oceania adventure beginning the 16th. Enjoy, Mauibabes

Our Covid experience was last October on Ponant. Blew our noses a lot but tested positive and were quarantined. 🤬 We made a Vista cruise in May and it went perfect so we will 🙏. Had our flu shots and Covid shots so we will continue to hope for the best and stay away from the “coughing crowd”. It is definitely not an issue related only to O and we can only hope it does not erupt like in the past and have to shut down cruise travel. Vista, here we come. Mauibabes

I just breezed thru the results of the Best Of for the Mid Sized Lines and was very pleased to see Oceania CLEAN HOUSE. No one said O was perfect but Best Overall, Service, Dining and Accommodations suggests they are doing something right. I prefer to look at things from a positive perspective and not dwell, rant or rave about the negative. I share my experiences and humble opinions. When we have negative experiences, we share it with O; be it in meetings with Maitre d’s, Restaurant Managers or F&B Dir., ship surveys or even letters to the O executives. They can not fix what they do not know to be wrong and we find them to be committed to Excellence. Thank you to all the guests who have moved on from the mass market lines and found the Oceania niche and appreciate the value we get with each and every Oceania cruise. Congratulations Oceania, you deserve the accolades. Again, JMHO. Vista in two weeks, 🙏👍😇🤞🛳️❤️ Mauibabes

@Brad1185 Glad to hear you had a great start to your Oceania experience. We love our evenings in Red Ginger as well, my FAVORITE. DW loves Polo and Toscana even more though. 😇 It is definitely a bummer about the excursions, things are sometimes out of the hands of O and in the hands of their tour contractors. That said, have another conversation with Destinations Manager and if not satisfied, you will receive an early tour survey and you can unload on it to get your message across. The GM owns every aspect of the cruise, minus the Captain’s ship, and he needs to make it right and we know the Senior staff aboard and I assure you, THEY do aim to please. We have several friends aboard with you who have sailed on Vista with us in Europe and we know you will have a fantastic experience on Vista. We also received a great dinner review from them tonight. We will be boarding in Miami with a group of about 30 friends and since we have already sailed on Vista, we know we will be having a fantastic time on our Miami to LA, Panama Canal cruise. Enjoy your cruise and if something is not right, tell them, they need to know to make it right. Enjoy, Mauibabes

As I remember them from May trip on Vista. They were delicious. So good to hear because O has been quite the subject of cookie concerns 🤪. We are boarding her in Miami in 2+ weeks with a bunch of friends and “WE ARE READY”. Bye the way, how was Baristas Cafe with all its great delectable treats? We hung out there a lot. Thanks for the update for the Cookie Monster🙏👍 Mauibabes

@steve4031 Check out flying through LAX as Air Tahiti Nui does a lot of the flights there and back from the West Coast. Pre and Post O trips, they are priced per person so no, they are not inexpensive but we have had some outstanding tours with them. We have friends who spent some time in Papeete just as Covid was breaking and there were non over the water luxury experience hotels available. I can not even remember where we stayed years ago when we sailed Tahiti but it was not in a Lux hotel. You should have a wonderful trip, guessing it is on Regatta so one of the smaller R Class ships. JMHO. I see Pirate Shark’s post and he shares some good points. We too like the PH on the R ships, 50% larger and of course the benefits but it comes at a cost. Mauibabes

Let’s call this a faux pax by O because that gift set was only included in Oceania, Vista and Owners Suites and NOT Penthouses. Was in PH on Vista, no B Gift Set. Mauibabes

We have done it on O. Can’t say I recall hitting a bunch of shopping stops. Enjoyed the visit to Olympia and the tour. Mauibabes

You are in for a real treat 👍🛳️ as we sailed on her in May. Treat her well and get her to Miami safely and with plenty of food and drink aboard. We will be boarding in Miami heading to LA. It will be great to hear your impressions of Vista. We are aware of many couples sailing with you who will be remaining aboard for our Panama Canal transit as well. Our excitement is building so we know yours must be. Love your itinerary so we just booked the same one for Allura’s inaugural sailing in October 2025. Have a GREAT first Oceania adventure. Mauibabes

Inside vs. A Veranda, an easy one for me, just don’t develop Covid because the walls will close in on you 🤬👎. On a cruise last October we tested positive a few days into the it and were quarantined but at least we could get out of our room and breathe fresh air. 🤪😇🙏👍 You’re 💰your call but I am claustrophobic so I would have issues even touring an Inside stateroom, much less staying in one, even for a week. Enjoy your cruise. Mauibabes

@cruisingxpert We learn something new every day 🤪🙏👍🛳️ I guess IF I/We hit another milestone, we will have to remember this option. Our kids will appreciate O more now. Thank You. Mauibabes

@bob brown I recall reading your posts from the ATW. We have friends who hit the 20 and 40 milestones separately so what you are receiving is “Credit” for your Free trip. No you do not get to bring along someone else for free 😇. You need to discuss the booking with your TA because there are inclusions and exclusions. You are not limited to a 14 day cruise, we booked our Free one on a 20 day cruise segment that was part of a 46 day cruise vacation. Bottom line, we got about $6500 pp credit on that 20 day cruise and paid the difference because we upgraded our stateroom also. It is still a great loyalty perk. Love O. Enjoy, Mauibabes

Karen, Absolutely, do not miss the Falls. We took the Pre tour with Oceania in January and it was amazing. Everything about the tour although not cheap, was very special still HIGHLY recommend. Between the Falls and heading down to Antarctica, this trip hit our top 2 Oceania cruises with the other being the Amazon. Now we are trying to get to Victoria Falls on a future cruise to see the last of the big 3. If you can, spend a few days in Rio if you have not been there. Very interesting and beautiful but do tours as part of a group, private or ship, tourists can be targets as most everywhere. We spent days touring with Rio Plus Tours, outstanding. Enjoy, Mauibabes

If it concerns you, I would suggest you mention her footwear needs to your TA or an O Rep to have it included in your cruise profile and needs. My DW never gets out of her Fit Flop sandals, just wears the bling ones in the evening. FYI, if you have any specific needs in your Stateroom, ie., drinks in your refrigerator, ice a.m./p.m., a cooler Duvetcover, special pillows, Appetizers delivered daily, etc., let then know and it will be handled. They aim to please! 👍🤪🛳️ Enjoy, Mauibabes

We are in 11073 beginning October 16 so will confirm but we too have been told there are lounges and the usual two chairs. We have also booked the same room for a couple Allura Inaugural cruises in 2025. We better like that PH. We were on Vista in May for the Founder’s Cruise but was not able to get access to other PH rooms as the ship was sold out. Did get a walk thru in an Owners Suite, OVER THE TOP, HUGE. Enjoy, Mauibabes

In the past, my experience is it’s wonky for about 10 minutes, not just opens precisely at midnight. Sometimes I did not get my desired time so took what I could get, then called my Rep at O in the morning when they opened and she “adjusted “ them for me. Mauibabes

@kibutzer You may not be the only one with an arm in a sling, just heard a good friend suffered a fall. They will be boarding in Montreal and be on until LA. Of course there will be staff there to assist you in any of the restaurants, especially Waves and TC. Let’s just say they will see you coming 😇👍🛳️ See you at the M&G in Miami when we board, helping with check in so say hello. Mauibabes

@MikeandBobNC You may already know this but there is a 20 item per bag limit. Additionally, clothing comes back folded in the bag so they are NOT pressed, a bit wrinkled, so whatever works for you 😇. When I send out some casual long sleeve shirts, I know I will have to take them to the laundry and press them myself or send them separately to be cleaned and pressed and that is an extra charge. Same on dress Chinos, they will need a touch up by an iron. The bags usually take up to 3 days to be returned, maybe less but you can get expedited service, talk with your Butler. We normally do a combination for our laundry needs so anything we want back quickly or articles that we do not want shrinking or need to be handled with special care, we do those loads ourselves. DW also brings dryer sheets for the static cling, liquid soap is provided and washers and dryers are free. You know how it is on long cruises, all that hot water washing shrinks our clothes 😇🙏👍 Have a great cruise, we sail in a month 🤪👍 Mauibabes

Perhaps it is about trying to stay afloat, literally and figuratively. 👍🙏🛳️ Viking has always required payments quickly and the other lines are pushing the envelope but nowhere near V. Bummer but I guess we will survive with FP changes. Mauibabes

My Allura reservations FP date was set at 150 days. Guess that’s the way Allura sails 🤪👍🛳️ Enjoy, Mauibabes