Embarkation day question

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, MEFIowa said:

Those are phone calls. So the rest of the pax were clueless. Silly goose.

 

And in one port in the Caribbean off Sirena 11/2022 the passengers on the pool deck were shouting out to me, "Run, Forest, run." We laughed! As I walked back to the gangplank at 1630, the NLT.

How do you know they were not paging  you as well  ?

You were supposedly ashore  watching your watch to be last on board 🙄

[Flatbush Flyer]

2 hours ago, Snaefell3 said:

Let's play a game of "why?"

 

• Why not leave luggage in not-yet-ready cabins?

- It slows down the stewards, delaying everyone's full access to their cabins.

 

• Why "6 bottles" even if not normally enforced?

- It gives leverage when needing to deal with ...Carnival refugees 😉 

 

• Why prod people cutting all-aboard time closely?

- For the same reason I get to embarkation ports a day early.

Exactly.

[Snaefell3]

3 hours ago, clo said:

Pretty OT here but I've wondered why people are so 'hot to trot' to get on board. I know there are different kinds of ports but I generally seek out some restaurant whose menu sounds good and have lunch there before boarding, You'll have tons of the same food - albeit good - for the next 7/14/forever days.

Free food vs extra cost food is a minor reason for us.  Our major reason is that we run out of days before we run out of different lunches we want to try:  6 different ones in Waves alone, so Waves on Day #1 leaves just 5 more to shoehorn in somehow 😋.

[clo]

25 minutes ago, Snaefell3 said:

Free food vs extra cost food is a minor reason for us.  Our major reason is that we run out of days before we run out of different lunches we want to try:  6 different ones in Waves alone, so Waves on Day #1 leaves just 5 more to shoehorn in somehow 😋.

Good points. Thanks. (I'm a food nut so always going down some side street to find one more octopus or something 🙂 )

[ToxM]

I like to be aboard early because I love being on a ship. I don’t mind waiting for my cabin because there’s more chance of my bags also being there - my carry on has wheels and it’s not cumbersome, I grab my customary meal from the Terrace and then sit and relax somewhere pleasant. 

 

I’d never leave it to the last minute to be back onboard because I feel it is a little rude and it also leaves a chance for there to be a delay to your journey back to the ship. At some point I can imagine the luck running out. 

 

But we are all different, and if it is an annoyance to you that you may have to wait to get to your cabin then enjoy the first world problem and revel in the fact that things could easily be inestimably worse for you.

 

 

[m1k2s3]

We spend our whole lives following the rules, we teach our kids it’s important to follow the rules. Then suddenly you get on a cruise ship and somehow now it’s ok not to follow the rules??

[MEFIowa]

11 minutes ago, m1k2s3 said:

We spend our whole lives following the rules, we teach our kids it’s important to follow the rules. Then suddenly you get on a cruise ship and somehow now it’s ok not to follow the rules??

Though we're discussing O and its repeated FAILURE to publish and enforce its own rules! I don't know about you, but I taught my children that actual rules are enforced and have consequences.

 

Tell us, what is the actual ENFORCED RULE on alcohol on O ships?

[m1k2s3]

Just now, MEFIowa said:

Though we're discussing O and its repeated FAILURE to publish and enforce its own rules! I don't know about you, but I taught my children that actual rules are enforced and have consequences.

 

Tell us, what is the actual ENFORCED RULE on alcohol on O ships?

As adults, we shouldn’t have to have the rules enforced in order to follow them but I get it - usually in life, you break the rules there are consequences. But again, we’re adults and we have choices. 

[MEFIowa]

1 minute ago, m1k2s3 said:

As adults, we shouldn’t have to have the rules enforced in order to follow them but I get it - usually in life, you break the rules there are consequences. But again, we’re adults and we have choices. 

No, O essentially has LIED about its own "Alcohol Policy". We are allowed to BRING on board unlimited amounts of beer, hard liquor and wine. I do. Have done that on 4 cruises since 12/2021. And while I drink mine in my cabin, I have yet to read anyone suffering any consequences for drinking theirs outside their cabin.

 

O won't create or enforce clear rules on a plethora of topics because it does not want to upset anyone. They choose not to act like responsible adults in charge of their own cruise line. 

[ToxM]

I was once challenged by a waiter at the pool when he saw I was drinking a can of root beer (that I had requested be in my fridge in my cabin), I explained what it was and he was satisfied. 

[Snaefell3]

37 minutes ago, MEFIowa said:

No, O essentially has LIED about its own "Alcohol Policy".

 

Do the cops essentially lie about the speed limit if they don't pull over a car doing 38 in 35 zone? 

(and if they do, you know there is more to it than just "38" 😉)

[Torquer]

On 12/30/2023 at 7:40 PM, TinaM67 said:

I'm wondering if the staterooms are available to drop off carry-on items upon embarkation.  Or do we have to lug them around at lunch until the rooms are ready?

Going back to the original question that was asked, hopefully without creating any more controversy...is there a different policy for the top suites (OS, VS, OC)?  We have not cruised on O since before covid, and I don't ever recall having to wait to drop our carry-on bag in our suite, before going to lunch.  Just want to know what to expect on our upcoming cruise and not violate any rules; we are staying in an Oceania Suite on this cruise.

[babysteps]

Related question - usually when embarking on a cruise with a starting overnight in port, we get on about 3pm. June 19th we'll board Vista in Istanbul and won't leave the dock until the next day. Any downside (or best tips) to checking in on the early side, reporting to our Muster station and then heading back ashore? Basically using the ship as a left luggage service? 

[Snaefell3]

5 hours ago, Torquer said:

Going back to the original question that was asked, hopefully without creating any more controversy...is there a different policy for the top suites (OS, VS, OC)?  We have not cruised on O since before covid, and I don't ever recall having to wait to drop our carry-on bag in our suite, before going to lunch.  Just want to know what to expect on our upcoming cruise and not violate any rules; we are staying in an Oceania Suite on this cruise.

It may vary by port, ship, and specific embarkation day, but in May '23, on the Regatta, in LA, we boarded at 11am and the top suites were individually escorted past where we were turned loose on the ship -- presumably to their already-ready cabins because the first cabins-ready announcement was for PH.

 

Side note: If you ship your luggage, this whole lug-your-bags thing becomes trivial  😉

[Mareblu]

6 hours ago, Torquer said:

Going back to the original question that was asked, hopefully without creating any more controversy...is there a different policy for the top suites (OS, VS, OC)?  We have not cruised on O since before covid, and I don't ever recall having to wait to drop our carry-on bag in our suite, before going to lunch.  Just want to know what to expect on our upcoming cruise and not violate any rules; we are staying in an Oceania Suite on this cruise.

We were in a Sirena Vista Suite last September, and as on all previous sailings (always in PH1) we were happy to relax with our carry-ons in The Terrace for our "number" to be called.  They do call "stateroom ready" in hierarchical order, which TBH does make us feel a tad uncomfortable and conspicuous, although I can't recall ever hearing the Owner's Suite being called.  We wouldn't dream of disturbing the hard-working stewards to drop off luggage of any description.  They are on the clock as it is.  It's so lovely to simply enjoy the realisation that you're aboard your floating home, to nestle in and enjoy a refreshing drink or bite to eat (the lunch spread on embarkation day is always delicious) and to chat to fellow passengers.  I think I should leave it at that.

[clo]

11 hours ago, ToxM said:

I’d never leave it to the last minute to be back onboard

Oh, I'd never do that either. But a nice lunch with a glass of wine and then board around 3.

[Mareblu]

11 hours ago, MEFIowa said:

Though we're discussing O and its repeated FAILURE to publish and enforce its own rules! I don't know about you, but I taught my children that actual rules are enforced and have consequences.

 

Tell us, what is the actual ENFORCED RULE on alcohol on O ships?

Why are you shouting?

[EJL2023]

9 hours ago, Mareblu said:

Why are you shouting?

I’m going with anger management issues???  Seems to be an ongoing issue. 

[WildWanderers]

Hi All,

 

I have observed a lot of passengers with large carry-on bags struggle at the port and then onto and on the ship before rooms are ready on embarkation day.  

 

Just because a bag was carry-on on the plane does not mean that it has to be at the port.  Why not use one of the Oceania luggage tags on bulky carry-on and keep your few valuables and important papers in a small easy-to-carry bag.

 

Our carry-on is so minimal that it is not a burden to have it with us until the rooms are ready.

 

On many occasions we have followed people up the gangway upon boarding, who are actually unable to carry their bulky heavy luggage, and when you add any mobility impairment to this...well, it's just easier to check it with a luggage tag.

 

Cheers,

Greg from the WildWanderers

 

 

 

 

[Nashna]

On 12/30/2023 at 7:45 PM, pinotlover said:

You will need to keep your possessions with you until your cabin deck is cleared and called. If PH, 1:00-1:30. Below that, anywhere out until 3:00 or 3:30.

 

Another reason we don’t board until 3:00 or after.

I have sailed on four different cruise lines since Covid.  The very latest we were allowed into our room was 2:00 pm.  If the poster is correct and room access could be as late as 3:30, I find that unacceptable...unless there is some mitigating issue, such as a late CG inspection.   

[Nashna]

On 12/30/2023 at 7:45 PM, pinotlover said:

You will need to keep your possessions with you until your cabin deck is cleared and called. If PH, 1:00-1:30. Below that, anywhere out until 3:00 or 3:30.

 

Another reason we don’t board until 3:00 or after.

I have sailed on four different cruise lines since Covid.  The very latest we were allowed into our room was 2:00 pm.  If the poster is correct and room access could be as late as 3:30, I find that unacceptable...unless there is some mitigating issue, such as a late CG inspection.   

[Nashna]

On 12/30/2023 at 7:45 PM, pinotlover said:

You will need to keep your possessions with you until your cabin deck is cleared and called. If PH, 1:00-1:30. Below that, anywhere out until 3:00 or 3:30.

 

Another reason we don’t board until 3:00 or after.

I have sailed on four different cruise lines since Covid.  The very latest we were allowed into our room was 2:00 pm.  If the poster is correct and room access could be as late as 3:30, I find that unacceptable...unless there is some mitigating issue, such as a late CG inspection.   

[ToxM]

9 minutes ago, Nashna said:

I have sailed on four different cruise lines since Covid.  The very latest we were allowed into our room was 2:00 pm.  If the poster is correct and room access could be as late as 3:30, I find that unacceptable...unless there is some mitigating issue, such as a late CG inspection.   

But it’s not going to ruin your cruise is it? I have to say that I find your use of unacceptable (all 3 of them) interesting. 

 

If memory serves the latest I have had access to a cabin on O (it was an oceanview, but I think the call was for all cabins below PH) was 2:45 - this was before covid (if that makes anything acceptable or not). 

 

It wasn’t an imposition at all, there are more than enough places to sit and relax 🙂

 

 

[clo]

17 minutes ago, Nashna said:

If the poster is correct and room access could be as late as 3:30, I find that unacceptable.

So does that mean you won't be traveling on that line?

[Nashna]

I will be traveling on O at the end of January.  If the rooms are not available before 3:00pm, I will question O. corporate why they have difficulty in providing the rooms in a timely manner while other cruise lines can open their staterooms before 2:00 pm.  On our Edge sailing last January our arrival time was 10:30 am.  We were on board the ship at 11:15 am.  The announcement that all rooms were ready was made at 1:00 pm.  

 

The delay in getting into my stateroom will not make or break a cruise for me.  This will be my 57th cruise.  I'm confident, I will enjoy the sailing as I have done on all but one...a disastrous Costa cruise.