Solas36

Oceania Riviera has lovely outdoor eating area right outside the buffet restaurant. Going on 2nd HAL cruise in September, on Koningsdam this time, chosen for itinerary. Though we love Oceania Riviera, it's prices are probably making it unlikely choice for us now. But we are glass half full kind of people so sure we will enjoy Koningsdam too! 

Update.

As suggested by catl331, quick phone call and cabin swapped with no charge. Hopefully to a more peaceful location! 

Thanks everyone! 

Thanks for replies. We don't sail til September so hopefully it will be ok. 

Having booked a cruise on Koningsdam, I set about reading reviews. Find that there are a few negative comments re noise from BB King venue up to deck 4, which is 2 decks above BB Kings. What are my chances of getting a swap to another available cabin? 

Thanks. 

Anyone know if there are still shower curtains in some cabins on the Pursuit?

Thanks.

You make a very good point regarding the communications issue in “irregular situations.” The ship’s officers disappeared during our February 2016 early-terminated Riviera norovirus cruise.

I agree.

Had Sorrento cancelled a couple of years ago in favour of Naples. We could see that other ships were anchored in Sorrento from our dock in Naples. So no matter what the reason was, weather, cost, safety etc it could have been handled better with some information. First we officially knew was going to bed after show we saw it on next day's brochure. We had heard folk talking about cancelled excursions and wondered. Surely it could have been mentioned at end of show at least.

The lack of information fuels the disappointment and leads to disgruntled passengers. Maybe someone will come on and tell me that there is some reason it can't be publicised. I know that they don't need to tell us as we have it in conditions that ports can change due to unforeseen circumstances. But it would certainly be polite to offer some explanation.

Okay, did the Red Ginger menu change in the time when you were on the ship?

The menu is supposed to be Asian Fusion which is taking a lot of regular main stream food items and adding an "Asian" touch to them.

We are going on our first Oceania cruise on Nov 8th and were are looking forward to Red Ginger for something different than the regular cruise cuisine.

We hope that is at least worth a try???

Thank for your input,

We loved these dishes in Red Ginger. Duck and watermelon salad. Sea bass. Sticky prawns (forget name, but delicious).

We visited all 3 last year on Riviera.

Santorini can be very busy. You want to get up to the high area, Fira, early so it's donkey or cable car if you don't book a tour. Both can have queues especially if lots of cruise ships. Think we were one of four ships and mostly a good bit bigger than Riviera. Agree that views are breathtaking! But if on your own, leave plenty time for getting back in time. We met a couple who took donkey up but it decided it wouldn't go any further so they had to walk part of way. Personally not keen on using donkeys anyway. Try to get bus or taxi over to Oia, a village a few miles (?) away.

We loved Corfu and would go back! We just wandered around after getting the shuttle bus in. Discovered the music museum with helpful guide sharing the rich musical heritage of the island.

Katakolon is a very small town and is gateway to Olympia so you can book a tour or you will find lots of transport eager to get your business when you arrive. It has a few interesting shops/restaurants near to where ship docks run by locals who are keen to chat and get your business! But in a nice way. Bought some great leather handbags at bargain prices. Unless we missed it, there was not much more!

Enjoy!

I have certainly been on cruises where there have been port changes made due to weather and sea conditions. I will be sailing on the Riviera in November this year. Two years ago, I was in the Mediterranean in November and we had some terrible weather -- needed tugs to keep the ship against the dock in Civitavecchia. On that cruise line on port days, the Captain made his navigational update shortly after the all aboard. [but of course, you could turn that off in your stateroom.] The daily program was generally in print by that time -- cannot remember if there was further printed notification or not.

 

Thank you for this information. I suppose it's possible we missed an announcement but I am the sort of person who likes to listen to the captain's updates so am surprised if we did! I like to know all the details!

Not sure if some of these comments are meant for me!

I did mention that I realise no port is guaranteed! And I understand the reasons that things need to change.

My question was rather about whether this has happened on other occasions. If so, I was then going to ask how it was communicated to passengers. We were on a port intensive cruise so few passengers would have been on board to hear announcements during the previous day. We certainly were not. So how is it usually communicated to passengers before discovering it in Currents?

We were disappointed not to drop anchor at Sorrento in October on Riviera. Went to Naples instead. Not my favourite port. There was nothing to alert us to this change except seeing it in Currents in our room as we retired to bed. It just said Naples where we expected Sorrento. I think the lack of notice and indeed lack of any explanation, never mind apology was what niggled most. It could have been mentioned at end of show for example. Or an announcement as we set sail from previous port.

We could see Sorrento from Naples and it had at least one cruise ship at anchor. I realise no port is guaranteed but felt it was not handled well on this occasion.

I wonder if it has happened on other occasions?

I wasn't making a comment directly at you. If you think I was then I apologize./quote]

 

No problem!

Employees know what their pay is going to be before they accept a position. They must think it is a decent wage, whatever that is, or they wouldn't sign on.

 

If you don't want to give additional tips then don't. If you feel the employees are being underpaid then give generously.

I guess you missed the bit where I said I try to fit in with the local situation. It's not about avoiding what's due.

I am just voicing an opinion regarding the tipping philosophy in different areas. I might not like it, but I fall in line!

Perhaps crew are hired with incentive of getting tips to make up a decent wage.

I admire your positive attitude, but the reality is that some cruise passengers so regularly "stiffed the hard working souls" that there are now entire Continents where the tips are required to be paid upfront and are entirely non-cancellable.

 

Those Passengers do " pay a higher price up front rather than worrying about the hassle of tips", but they are most definitely NOT happy about it .

 

There always are and there always will be those among us who see ANY WAY of legally getting off of the ship having spent less money to be a victory, and the anonymous angle of tipping feeds into that.

 

Don't judge everyone by your own values, they will always win. :halo:

I think you just made a very good case for advocating higher fares which include the tips. And therefore a decent wage for all.

Like many on this thread I still don't understand why this idea is so objectionable. We all like to be treated with pleasant, courteous service by those we encounter face to face but why do some feel this is dependent on tipping? Do you tip your dentist, shop assistants?

Guess I will never really understand the US approach but I will still, as in most things, try to fit in with what is expected in whichever country I visit. That includes (when at home) tipping in UK restaurants, in UK hairdressers etc. I do it but I would still rather pay more and be assured that the employee is in secure employment and getting a decent reliable wage.

Having done a couple of Mediterranean cruises in inside cabins on Riviera, I would say there was more than enough storage for us. Bear in mind these were warm weather cruises of 7 nights during Sep one time and then couple years later in October. So we had limited ourselves to mostly lightweight clothing and went home with some unworn clothes. Would book inside again on a port intensive warm weather cruise on Oceania.

Almost 2 years since we arrived in Copenhagen for a HAL Norwegian cruise. Taxi from airport to central Copenhagen hotel was 300 Danish kroner. On return it was 427 from dock to airport. These figures are per taxi.

Breakfast at Florian's?

Perfect! It opens at 9am.

Agree it's best to meet somewhere you all want to visit rather than wasting time going to a hotel which might not be central.

Love Venice! Enjoy!

I feel as if I know you Mura, having read so many wonderfully balanced, humourous, intelligent, well thought out replies to many postings on this board. I just wish you were on our upcoming cruise on the Riviera in July (Lisbon to Venice) as I would love to meet you. We have sailed on HAL, MSC, plus Tauck river boats, and the dress code varies in all of them. Sadly it has never put me off my food or drink. ;)

Thank you for the input and don't ever change!

I will second this! Thanks Mura!

Something to consider is how many sea days vs port days. And length of cruise. We have never bought package as we like to enjoy a drink when ashore on port days rather than onboard. We also find our ability/desire to drink alcohol wanes with time so although it seems good value to begin with, we would not get much benefit towards the end of the cruise.

Interesting.We have just returned from sailing The Royal Clipper around The Grenadines.2 children onboard,hardly seen and never heard.Who were the loud ones on that weeks sail? Adults..Nearly always from the same part of the world.Abusive and verbal at times,causing the captain to verbally warn 2 of them about an incorrect accusation they made shouting out loud on the deck.[/quote

 

Sorry to hear that. Glad some action taken.

 

I haven't experienced anything as bad. Just folk who like the sound of their own voice!

I would not choose to sail on Oceania with a small child.

However, I do want to mention that some adults could maybe consider how they behave in public, not just on Oceania, but certainly in my experience on Oceania. I have encountered adults who clearlily believe that everyone in their vicinity is interested in hearing their conversations. I totally agree that Oceania is a great place for a relaxing cruise free from the natural and expected distractions caused by kids. So please, adults, be considerate to those who are enjoying that peace and quiet! You can have interesting conversations in lounges, having dinner and elsewhere without being loud!

I always taught my kids that if the folk at the next table can hear you, you are too loud!

When I see it listed this way, I'm thinking only the priority specialty restaurants looks important. Is it difficult to get reservations once in board? We won't be on the ship much except at night. And probably to bed early!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Just to be clear, everyone gets to book specialty restaurants in advance of sailing. It's just that the number of bookings and how far in advance you can book depends on your cabin category. After everyone has had the opportunity to book by the rules it's each man for himself onboard!

Hoping I have that right. No doubt someone will chip in if not!

DenRus was great when we used them in St Petersburg 3 years ago. Excellent guide for 2 days with nine passengers in a mini bus. We seemed to get in to places avoiding queues too.

Since the last post in this thread is from 2013, I'm wondering if anyone has visited this port more recently. Where does the tender leave us? Are there any shore excursions you would particularly recommend? Where are the best areas to walk around?

Thanks

Our 2 October 2016 Riviera cruise was due to go to Sorrento but instead docked in Naples. We were disappointed in the way this was (or rather wasn't!) notified to us. Sorrento was just changed to Naples in our nightly booklet in cabin with no reason given. Turned out those with ship excursions were contacted the previous day. The weather was lovely in Naples but we are not great fans of that city. So just made the best of it and actually found some nice places on the hoho bus tour. We have spent several holidays in Sorrento and were looking forward to going back after 16 years. Guess it's a good reason for another holiday there!

So, as in all ports, you can't be sure the itinerary won't change without warning.

I was on the Riviera in early November and found everything up to Oceania standards. Though I really wasn`t looking for problems.

We were on in October and would agree with this comment.