We booked this cruise based on a recommendation from friends who had travelled the previous year. We successfully booked through our travel agent & then contacted Oceania Australia (OA) directly in regard to the La Reserve dinners & beverage package - this was when the problems started.
We asked OA to make reservations for the La Reserve dinners. Even though the menus & cost of the dinners were not available until we were onboard, OA made reservations & then without our approval, charged our credit card an additional AUD520. It took them over a month for this amount to be refunded.
At the same time, we purchased the "Prestige Select Beverage" package from OA at an additional cost of AUD2558 (for 2). Oceania described this package as "unlimited premium spirits, champagne, wine and beer” & we queried & received prior confirmation from OA that "the wine sampling onboard will be complimentary with the Prestige beverage package”. Once onboard however, we were advised that the package did not cover the wine, whiskey or sake tastings. Further, the use of the word “premium” is misleading as the package is limited to a only subset of the wine selections available on board.
The penthouse suite was spacious & comfortable with a small balcony.
However, compared with suites on other cruise lines, it was not worth the significantly extra cost (AUD16000 for 2) plus the exorbitant prices charged for "extras" (shore excursions, gym & spa services, La Reserve dinners, wine tastings etc.)
The included "butler" was useless & a waste of time.