THE SECRETS OF ELEVATING YOUR CRUISE EXPERIENCE WITH OCEANIA CRUISES

[golfguyhhi]

Aurora George,

 

I don't understand what you've posted here.  If you booked under Olife, do you mean you booked "Cruise Only" and that's why you say you won't get wine with lunch and dinner?

If you booked either OLife with Air, or Olife without air, your options include a choice of the House Select beverage package (wine, beer, sparkling wine, and port with lunch and dinner) or a certain number of excursions, or a certain amount of On Board (non-refundable) Credit.

[Sthrngary]

51 minutes ago, Aurora George said:

Thank you for this document. I am about to go on the 2024 Around The World 180 day cruise. Since I booked a year ago, I am under OLife and do not get wine with meals. I plan to buy wine in different ports and utilize an occasional happy hour. For the 180 days it would cost almost $8,000 per person to get that. I’ll buy my wine and have a pre dinner, (and maybe a post dinner), drink in the cabin. This my first Oceania cruise. I am definitely spoiled by Regent and am excited to go on Oceania. Wish me luck.

@Aurora George No luck needed.  You have a great plan.  It is so nice to be able to buy wine in different ports.  Just as nice to bring wine onboard with you.  It reminds me of the Old Days.  I can still remember that my wife and I would save money just to get the three bottle of wine package when we cruised.  Those were the days.  

 

I am so excited for your World Cruise.  Just a bit envious as well. It will be a true experience of a life time.  Please journal your experiences and share with us.  It will also allow you to relive the experience in a future date.  RSSC is the gold standard for "All-Inclusive Ultra-Luxury Cruises".  No question about that. You give up some of the amenities to go on Oceania.  However, I simply can't imagine the difference in investment to do the same cruise on RSSC.  Thank you for posting and commenting.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

 

 

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, Aurora George said:

Thank you for this document. I am about to go on the 2024 Around The World 180 day cruise. Since I booked a year ago, I am under OLife and do not get wine with meals. I plan to buy wine in different ports and utilize an occasional happy hour. For the 180 days it would cost almost $8,000 per person to get that. I’ll buy my wine and have a pre dinner, (and maybe a post dinner), drink in the cabin. This my first Oceania cruise. I am definitely spoiled by Regent and am excited to go on Oceania. Wish me luck.

I am sure on the World Cruise there will several opportunities for  free booze 

Make sure you read the daily CURRENTS   also  Happy Hour  is usually twice  daily

[mwf7501]

On 11/28/2023 at 12:00 PM, Sthrngary said:

@MEFIowa All great points, I will include below the NEW version #2 with pages #s.  That was 100% my mistake.  Your comments are excellent and those reading this stream will see your comments and make necessary's adjustment.  Thank you for taking the time to comment.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

The Secrets of Elevating your Cruise Experience with Oceania Cruises_VER2.pdf 664.72 kB · 136 downloads

Thank you very much for putting this together.   Very useful for this Oceania newbie.

Mark

[Sthrngary]

1 minute ago, mwf7501 said:

Thank you very much for putting this together.   Very useful for this Oceania newbie.

Mark

@mwf7501 My pleasure. Below is something else you might like to have. 

 

Oceania_Cruises_FAQ.pdf

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[Europeantraveler1]

I have an IPad and was wondering if there is ANY WAY I can download your document?  Maybe I’m doing something wrong in the process but I’ve attempted the download several times and…..with no luck.

Thank you ! 

[Sthrngary]

5 hours ago, Europeantraveler1 said:

I have an IPad and was wondering if there is ANY WAY I can download your document?  Maybe I’m doing something wrong in the process but I’ve attempted the download several times and…..with no luck.

Thank you ! 

@Europeantraveler1 It is a PDF and should work.  I know no secrets to downloading on an iPad.  So sorry.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment.

[Aggravation]

On 3/1/2024 at 2:27 AM, Europeantraveler1 said:

I have an IPad and was wondering if there is ANY WAY I can download your document?

Simply click the file, select download, then click the down arrow at top right of your page.  Now you can send it to fellow travelers, or to save for future reference, save to desktop, to books or whatever.  Apple makes life easy.

[scooter6139]

I am so glad I found this thread!  @Sthrngary was instrumental in making our Haven so much easier to figure out and deal with especially the patented "Butler Letter"!  

 

We just moved our 7-day NCL Haven Alaska cruise and replaced it with an Oceania 9-day Alaska cruise.  Both of us are looking forward to this cruise next year, but I keep finding small speed bumps that I am not used to in the mainstream market lines.  Hopefully, this thread will help a lot.

 

Now I need to read Gary's PDF book.  🤩

Edited Wednesday at 08:05 PM by scooter6139

[Sthrngary]

15 minutes ago, scooter6139 said:

I am so glad I found this thread!  @Sthrngary was instrumental in making our Haven so much easier to figure out and deal with especially the patented "Butler Letter"!  

 

We just moved our 7-day NCL Haven Alaska cruise and replaced it with an Oceania 8-day Alaska cruise.  Both of us are looking forward to this cruise next year, but I keep finding small speed bumps that I am not used to in the mainstream market lines.  Hopefully, this thread will help a lot.

 

Now I need to read Gary's PDF book.  🤩

@scooter6139 I am here, ask me anything. If I don’t know the answer I’ll tell you where you can find it. If you don’t wanna read the book and you have a specific question, tag me and I’ll get back with you as soon as I can.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment
 

[scooter6139]

27 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

@scooter6139 I am here, ask me anything. If I don’t know the answer I’ll tell you where you can find it. If you don’t wanna read the book and you have a specific question, tag me and I’ll get back with you as soon as I can.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment
 

Thanks!  I feel stupid about this question but haven't found an answer via Google or these threads.  

I have paid the deposit and have the Final Payment date.  Can I NOT make payments towards that Final Payment?  I'm used to doing that with all our previous mainstream cruises, as I hate making a massive payment at one time. (The reason why I am so unhappy with Viking Ocean is that they want full payment a year and a half before sailing!)

FYI - I already figured out by asking that the V4 and A4 balcony cabins on Riviera still have the old tub and tiny shower combo, something a fluffy cruiser like the wife and I cannot use. I already had to upgrade from an A4 to an A3 Concierge just to get the larger shower and no tub.  

[Sthrngary]

1 hour ago, scooter6139 said:

Thanks!  I feel stupid about this question but haven't found an answer via Google or these threads.  

I have paid the deposit and have the Final Payment date.  Can I NOT make payments towards that Final Payment?  I'm used to doing that with all our previous mainstream cruises, as I hate making a massive payment at one time. (The reason why I am so unhappy with Viking Ocean is that they want full payment a year and a half before sailing!)

FYI - I already figured out by asking that the V4 and A4 balcony cabins on Riviera still have the old tub and tiny shower combo, something a fluffy cruiser like the wife and I cannot use. I already had to upgrade from an A4 to an A3 Concierge just to get the larger shower and no tub.  

@scooter6139 "Fluffy Cruiser", I resemble that remark.  On your original question, I can't answer it.  I can tell you, American Express had a special that if I paid up to $4,000.00 to Oceania, I would get 10X the reward points.  I called my Travel agent and paid $4,000.00 early.  So obviously they will accept money early.  It is a cruise company isn't it? They like the money and cash flow.  If your question was, can you do it online, that one I can't answer.  I would call Oceania or your travel agent. 

 

On the Viking thing.  They are not the only ones that do that.  Some brand say they give you a break for paying upfront.  One such brand is Explora Journeys.  Again, cash flow. 

 

The Concierge is a nice level and gains you a few perks.  I was on the Riviera in October doing a 10-day cruise to Mediterranean.  I really liked the ship.  The crew was also lovely.  You will have a nice time.  BTW, since you are both in the Concierge and going to Alaska; when the do Glassier Bay, you have access to the Thermal Outdoor Spa Area in the front of the ship.  Never crowded and perfect view when the ship is turning around so you can see the scenery.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[edgee]

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

BTW, since you are both in the Concierge and going to Alaska; when the do Glassier Bay, you have access to the Thermal Outdoor Spa Area in the front of the ship.

Oceania never ever does Glacier Bay. Only a couple of cruise lines have the needed federal approvals. AFAIK no NCLH cruise lines have the approvals. They, of course do visit other Glaciers, however. 

[FetaCheese]

On Regatta last September, we went to  Hubbard Glacier.  A breathtaking day of natural beauty.

 

A naturalist, Gloeta, was our guest lecturer for the entire voyage.  She made running commentary about Hubbard for the duration of our sailing that day.

[pinotlover]

One can make incremental payments as they choose, but must make complete payment by Final Payment date. If a cruise is booked after Final Payment date, full payment must be made at booking.

[1985rz1]

5 hours ago, scooter6139 said:

Thanks!  I feel stupid about this question but haven't found an answer via Google or these threads.  

I have paid the deposit and have the Final Payment date.  Can I NOT make payments towards that Final Payment?  I'm used to doing that with all our previous mainstream cruises, as I hate making a massive payment at one time. (The reason why I am so unhappy with Viking Ocean is that they want full payment a year and a half before sailing!)

FYI - I already figured out by asking that the V4 and A4 balcony cabins on Riviera still have the old tub and tiny shower combo, something a fluffy cruiser like the wife and I cannot use. I already had to upgrade from an A4 to an A3 Concierge just to get the larger shower and no tub.  

I don't know the answer if you book directly with O, but with our TA, you can make incremental payments anytime.  Call O and ask directly.

[JRIH]

59 minutes ago, 1985rz1 said:

I don't know the answer if you book directly with O, but with our TA, you can make incremental payments anytime.  Call O and ask directly.

You can make as many payments as you want, on the O website.