ORV

Not sure what you guys are talking about.

This was back in 2013, so it's been a while. I don't have my emails on that cruise for some reason. I think I started archiving them on the very next cruise, so I don't have a lot of information on it. I do have the company's card in case I ever go back. The name of the company is Anka Turizm. But, I have a memory of booking this through a third party company, but I don't think it was Viator. At any rate we had the option of booking a private tour, bus tour or group guaranteed to be 12 or less. We chose the 12 or less. It was our lucky day as when we met them to pick us up we were the only people on the tour. So, we had a driver and a guide and our own car. So this was like getting a private tour of Ephesus at group pricing. The guide's name was Gulcan Aydemir. She did a great job. Perhaps one of the reasons we didn't go to a rug shop was that there were only two of us.

On a cruise coming up in a few days I wanted to add one more excursion. We already had enough booked for the 25% discount so I put it in the cart and pushed go. I figured if it didn’t work right I could always call in. Lo and behold it worked great and gave me the discount on it. I almost fell out of my chair.

I was going to ask the same question. We generally always eat breakfast in the GDR unless our tour is very early. Nice quiet stress-free start of the day. I don't think I remember reading that Vista doesn't do breakfast in the GDR.

Just a FYI for those new to Oceania. There is generally only one show each evening. Usually at 9 or 9:30. Every once and a while there will be one at 5:30 or 6 for the late diners, but rarely.

You mean the one they send you 4 or 5 times in the two weeks leading up to your cruise? LOL

Oh Boy, this is most unfortunate. Most of the problem stems from dealing directly with Oceania and not having a knowledgeable TA to guide you through it. It's too late now but coming here and asking questions and advice earlier would have saved you a lot of trouble. Definitely a cautionary tale for those that think the Customer Service reps are any more than appointment sitters and cruise bookers. Good luck and hopefully you'll get your situation resolved to your satisfaction. Try not to let your problems mar your enjoyment of a great ship and cruiseline.

4 Nights? I've only heard of that for a special TA cruise or when things go wrong and many ports are cancelled. What's the details on this cruise?

I think it depends on which suites. I think only the Owner's, Oceania & Vista suite apply to this. So PH is considered a suite, but not what is called a "Named Suite" If you're in one of those Named suites then I'll get out the way and shut up.

Just one thought, looks like if you went on O you would turn Bronze, you would start getting some decent perks at that level.

Every Oceania cruise I've been on has had the heavy doors closed to the stateroom area until they are available. They are not locked, but they are closed. I have been on multiple B2B where we've had to open them to come and go. We've also been questioned by staff when we open them. Once you tell them you're on a B2B it's fine. But they definitely prefer that you not be in that area if you are just boarding, regardless of your opinion on the subject.

The R ships handle rough water quite well in my experience with them. When the weather is bad enough the size does not matter.

Just one point, if they didn't do enough research to know that typically Oceania only has one show a night, usually at 9:30 then they didn't know what they were getting in to. But frankly if they had all those issues then I'd say the problem is probably with them. There are multiple ATW cruisers that have repeated it since it started, so they must be doing something right. I personally would not do an ATW, primarily because the food and drink would probably kill me. As a friend of mine in college used to say, "Moderation is for monks."

I've missed Bermuda as many times as we've been able to make it. Twice due to weather and once due to not being allowed to dock due to Noro onboard. I've been there 3 times, twice on Oceania, once on Celebrity. Both times on Oceania we were scheduled for St George but only made it there once. The passage to get there is very narrow(well, so is the one to Hamilton, but not as much) and if it's windy they may not attempt it. Have you read any of the posters that do say the food meets the hype? Don't just read the negative stuff. Remember, an unhappy traveler is more likely to leave a review or comments than a happy one. I would say go with an open mind. Having been in multiple Celebrity specialty restaurants and most of the Oceania ones in my opinion there is no comparison. I'd say give it a go and see what you think, if you don't like it then you know.

I believe unless you are a member of that site then you can only see the weather for just a few days before you're at a port. On the other hand it'll probably be more accurate then.

Have you cruised on Oceania or just considering it?

This is a couple of times I've noticed the "ringing of doorbells" statement. Does the Vista have doorbells on all the rooms? I know on the other ships that most upper suites and some accessible rooms have them, but not the regular rooms.

One thing that some don't know is that you used to be able to get is Iberico de Belota pork chop in Polo & Jacques. That is also another thing that has quietly disappeared.

I've done this in the other direction. This is really easily done. The train station in Amsterdam is right next to the cruise port. If you're ok with handling your luggage a few blocks then it's a piece of cake. This is assuming your ship is going to dock in the downtown port. I don't think there's anyone to help with your luggage, but I could be wrong about that. It's not a long ride at all, I don't remember the scenery that much as we played cards with our traveling companions. We were there before I knew it. I think both places are part of the EU, so you don't have to worry about immigration. If I'm wrong hopefully someone will correct me. I think the train station you go into in Paris is Gard du Nord, at least that's the one we boarded at. I don't think there is any problem with taxis, although we only took one from our hotel to the train station. I'd recommend it. Everyone should go to Paris at least once. I think the train you want to look up online is Thalys, or something like that. Wasn't expensive at all, and it really wasn't too hard to deal with luggage, but we have really good luggage that rolls well or attaches to one that rolls. A good backpack also helps.

I had that wrong, it's considered the birthplace of country music. Bluegrass is the little town in KY where Bill Monroe is from, but, I guess it's not as simple as that. It's roots are England, Scotland, Italy, Ireland, Africa and I'm sure other places, that melded together in the Appalachian Mountains. I've always enjoyed the energy of it live, but not really something I'd sit around and listen to at home.

I didn't click the link but I do think Bristol is the birthplace of Bluegrass. I'll go check the link now to see.

I'm sure they made Franck's Mashed potatoes for years and surely they still have the recipe. Is it against the law to make them the same and just simply call them mashed potatoes? Or is more a Professional Courtesy thing?

As has been pointed out, these are not really hot tubs, the water is filled and drained after each use. They are more an outdoor whirlpool bathtub.

Actually what you've been saying and what she said are not the same.

I've never had the Swedish pancakes, they're not very good. 🤪 Lorimay, thanks for your review and insights. I would have to say, with all due respect, that I would have a hard time highly recommending a tour company that took me to a high pressure rug seller. We also had a private tour there and they didn't take us to any stores, just to Ephesus, with the Terrace Houses and back to the ship.