kekilia

He barely has time to breathe let alone post to a board..everyone wants a piece of him now..but believe me Oceania is still his baby!!

Jancruz1

FDR built a nice cruise line up from the ashes after bankruptcy by finding a niche and nurturing it. But now, he's moving on to bigger and better business heights. You are kidding yourself if you believe that he actually cares about anything but the bottom line and keeping himself in the top tier of his industry! Ha! Give me a break, he's out to line his pockets. NCL just put a fee on all room service AND banned the taking of food from dining venues! Wake up and smell the coffee! And, don't drink the Kool aid!

I am not loyal to any line, I shop for good travel like I shop for anything else. I look for value. This time, Oceania had the value I was seeking - great itinerary, interesting ship activities with Jacques Pepin onboard and a fabulous ship being the newest mid-size ship out there. As for next year, I'm starting my industry wide search now.

IMHO, if cruisers would stop being such loyalists to each cruise line, the cruiselines would have to compete more for our business. But, that's just me...;)

Sounds like you need a better TA to me. JMHO

You may be right, but how will I ever find the good ones since this site won't let you mention any!:(

I find it very annoying that Oceania is reducing fare that far out & adding incentives that people may or may not be eligible for

What ever happened to the early bird gets the worm ...or those that book early should get the best prices & incentives :mad:

 

JMO

 

Lyn

I found out that Oceania added YWYW incentives of PPG, OSC and free unlimited internet to our cruise. I was already getting PPG and OSC, so I asked my TA to get me the unlimited free internet since I paid full fare for the OC suite. O said no because they raised the price of the OC suite since I purchased it, so I went to the website and did a new cruise search and found that, in fact, the fare was listed as $200 LESS than I paid.

I have contacted my TA and told him to push again with the new info. All I want is the internet, I don't care about the fare because I understand that I took the risk of early booking to get the cabin I wanted and it does make sense to drop fares for late booking - the late customer has to take what's available. But it seems cheap to me to not give someone who has paid full fare early booking in a top tier suite an Internet package. Makes me think twice about booking another O cruise.

The finest Portuguese wines are reds from the Douro but, because it is such a small area, many (most?) are not seen outside of Europe. Last year, we did Italian and French wineries but, in 2014, we did the Portuguese and, to a limited extent, Spanish wineries. Alentejo wines from the south are good but, in many cases, are mass produced and don't have the depth of their northern cousins. We spent about 6 weeks touring Iberian wineries and, without any hesitation, recommend the reds from Wine & Soul, Quinta do Passadouro, Quinta do Vallado, Quinta do Crasto, and Quinta de la Rosa. That said, there are many other excellent wineries that I am confident you would enjoy. Your best bet, if you can find them for a reasonable price, is to purchase 2011 Douro reds as this was a spectacular year. If I remember correctly, you mentioned something about the vinho verdes, which are white wines. If you're on a picnic or going to the beach, these are wonderful, effervescent, and - most importantly - extraordinarily cheap wines but are on par with Boone's Farm from the '60s. Good luck with your wine explorations and, if you have the opportunity, visit the Douro and Porto areas of Portugal!

Now this is what I call a recommendation! I am writing this down and I will seek out your recommended reds. Guess I will skip the vinho verses! Not my style. I just read somewhere that there was a great one from 2011. But you can keep your cheap Costco Yellowtail Grigio, if I'm going to the beach, I at least want a Hess Chardonnay!

Here are some pics posted previously. As ORV recommends, if you do a 'search this forum' you'll find loads more. I also found a diagram of the suite (which has been removed from Oceania's website for some reason) just by a general google search.

 

http://s1307.photobucket.com/user/orv07/media/europe13247_zps3373fdf2.jpg.html

A simple diagram like the one S&J posted. The ones I googled are those weird 3D diagrams that don't actually show everything because the walls get in the way!:rolleyes:

Okay, I get it!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

OMG! I did it! Thank you all, but after trying each suggestion, I am definitely going to be using Tapatalk. It is instant from my iPad to cc! Thanks, Brazil girl. Will now try to get pic from iCloud to post.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Another fail. I downloaded the cc app for iPad and there is a camera icon and a picture icon, but when I went to add a picture, I got a message "your forum has disabled this."

Thanks for the simple and clear instructions for iPad. I will be trying both post and reply tests soon.

I tried to post reply with pic. Fail. I see in the reply box an icon of a picture, but why I select it, it takes me to the iPad menu tiles. I went to photos and selected one and hit the upload button for the iCloud, but it didn't get here??:confused:

Using the CC app (on iPhone or iPad), either create a "new post" (e.g., click top right corner) in the Oceania directory) or select an existing post (such as one of your previous posts). For replies, click on the chosen post and you get the opportunity to include the "quote" in your reply. Select "quote" and a small tool bar with "camera" and "picture" icons appear (along with the keyboard).

Choose "camera" icon to take a picture and insert it in your reply OR choose "picture" icon to load a picture from one of the albums on the iPad or iPhone. For new posts the icons appear along with the keyboard.

 

Remember you can also add pictures to your iPhone or iPad albums directly from websites ("save image" command) or e-mail attachments (open and "save"). Newer digital cameras can also send photos to your device and then they are available for posting as described above.

Thanks for the simple and clear instructions for iPad. I will be trying both post and reply tests soon.

I have searched and found only a thread related to uploading photos from Windows. Well, first of all, I have a Windows laptop, but I hate Windows. I do almost everything these days with my iPad (and the cloud). I have the DropShots app for iPad, but I don't know how to navigate Cruise Critic to post my photos, from the iPad and my camera uploaded to DropShots.

I would like to do a live blog on cc while on the cruise. Can anyone out there explain the steps in simple English. I am not a computer whiz, but I know my around most computer processes.

Thanks in advance!:)

well then -- back to repack all the stuff I unpacked :)

Don't do it! Save yourself!:D

When we were onboard the Marina last December, there were many folks that came down with the flu and colds. The staff did not start to stress use of the hand wipes until many people were sick. I recall that on Celebrity, use of the hand wipes was encouraged from day one of the cruise.

Flu and colds??? Please see the above post. Flu and colds are not bacterial, they cannot be controlled by using hand sanitizers or wipes! They can be controlled by wearing face masks such as are commonly seen now in hospital ER waiting rooms or by following a common protocol of sneezing into your elbow! Please, people, educate yourselves. Antibacterials are not a magic bullet!

Do you have a diagram for the OC on Deck 12? How about one of those panoramic pics of the master bath, too? Your photos are the bomb!:D

I am the one you see with the porter and three full sized suitcases for two people. That is paired down. It used to be four.

That used to be me! Especially on Celebrity with formal nights! I once took two formal gowns for a 7 night cruise! Not anymore. For me, it was too much trouble to keep track of it all - I would lose something in my suitcase and spend two hours looking for it, then have to repack it all! I have found a happy medium, I believe. On this upcoming 10 night cruise, I have something unique to wear to dinner each night, a fancy cocktail dress for La Reserve, and that little black dress for Red Ginger!:D

my biggest tip is to cross pack, if checking luggage. Some clothes for each of you in each suitcase, so that if one suitcase gets lost, you both still have clothes.

Also in the roll aboards, we each have a dinner outfit, a couple of day outfits, and pjs, so if both checked pieces get lost, we can still function!

+ 1 !

Tis the season...HAL Maasendam reported in the news had to turn around and go back to Miami due to serious outbreak of Noro. Please people, wash your hands with hot water and soap! Antibacterial soaps and gels are simply breeding resistant strains, rely on hand washing, not just gel sanitizers. Have you ever seen a surgeon scrub? Think about it!! Only 140 degree Fahrenheit temperature can kill viruses and bacteria.

My plan for an O cruise in the Med in summer is simple because on O ships there are no formal nights and the atmosphere is casual.

* for daytime I take cotton short sleeve shirts for both me and my DH, with shorts for non church tours and capris and pants for tours to churches, which require shoulders and knees to be covered. I take around 5 shirts, 2 shorts, and 2 capris in white, black and khaki. I also take a pair of shorts in fun colors for shipboard. I take same amount of shirts and shorts for DH, but also light khaki pants. For footwear, I recommend cross trainers for touring and light sandals for pool.

* For dinner and evening jersey knit dresses, palazzo pants and interchangeable jersey knit tops (3 dresses, 1 black pants, 3 tops maximum!) including the little black dress! To change the look, I take pashminas or wraps that go with different jewelry and only one pair of black evening sandals. The DH gets 3 resort shirts (think Cubavera or Tommy Bahama), 2 long sleeve dress shirts, one black pant, one light tan linen blend pant and one lightweight pair of black shoes (Clarks lace up type). I also take one cardigan sweater in black.

* I live in Hawaii where it is hot and humid and I highly recommend that for the Med which is similar in the summer, that you take breathable fabrics like jersey rayon or cotton, NOT polyester or you will be dripping and your makeup will run. I prefer jerseys for evening because they don't wrinkle and are very light to pack. Cottons during the day or dri fit or climalite performance wear. I will take 2 of these for workout wear and days that are extremely warm.

* Unmentionables;), 7 undies a piece is my rule, including socks, drawers and 3 bras. I would rather have laundry done than lug around heavy bags.

All of this along with toiletries, electronics, jewelry, camera and accessories fits into a carryon sized piece of luggage and two under seat luggage carryons (I like Travelpro). I will be taking this exact list on my 30 day trip to Europe, including a 10 day cruise, a week in Italy and a week in Scotland. Carry an all purpose jacket onto the plane.

Found the link to Riviera, but it doesn't show which Terminal. I guess I'll just have to wing it!

http://www.portodelisboa.pt/portal/page/portal/PORTAL_PORTO_LISBOA_ING/CRUZEIROS is the port website. On the right you'll see "Ships in Port" and also "Expected Arrivals." There's also a port diagram, I believe. Last year we docked at Santa Apolonia, which has a metro station nearby, buses and usually cabs. It is close to Alfama and right across from the Maritime Museum.

 

This, however, doesn't mean you'll dock there. Assignments are made by the port.

 

Enjoy. We loved Lisbon. The sail in and out was great, too!

I went to the link, but it is very confusing. Couldn't find a calendar of port activity or even a schedule for each port. Very bad website. Have you navigated this link and perhaps can give me some guidance?:confused:

We are wondering if anyone knows which cruise ship terminal Riviera will use for the July 7 embarkation of Iberian Inspirations? Hope to be precruise nearby.:)

I think it is a little hard to say without knowing what kind of wine you like. I'm not a fan of the heavy Napa cabs or the Santa Barbara pinot noirs, whereas I like an "old school" type Corison Napa cab or Oregon pinot noirs. So what is "good" is pretty subjective. With that disclaimer out of the way...

 

Spain: If you like sweet wines, you might like a Pedro Ximenez (often abbreviated "PX"). It's kind of like a sherry. I second Albarino (a white), and I also really like white Rioja. There is a rose from the Basque region of Spain called Txakolina (choc-lee-nah) that is different (in a good way, I think). For reds, the newer tempranillos remind me of Napa cabs, but I am a fan of the Bodega Numanthia label. I also like the garnacha (grenache) and monastrell (mourvedre). And a good quality cava, too!

 

Portugal: Port, of course. I like ruby over tawny, but your mileage may vary. Vinho verde is a good hot weather white. I don't have much depth in Portuguese wines. Sorry.

I once thought I was pretty savvy, having lived for 30 years within 30 minutes of the Napa/Sonoma wine region, but i now realize there's a whole different world out there to discover. I'm taking notes and I will report back with the results of my personal survey of regional wines!

Reading between "her" lines... there are no good Portuguese wines. :p

 

http://catavino.net/top-50-portuguese-wines-according-to-julia-harding-of-jancisrobinson-com/

Why do you say that? Thanks anyway for the link. Great list!

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Here is an inexpensive Spanish Albariño and a Portuguese tinto (also inexpensive), which were recommended by Odd Lots Wine in the SF East Bay Area. The shop carries only European wines, many of which have noteworthy acclaim but none of which are more than $20! The Albariño was quite good. The Tinto was decent.

Thank you for the posts. I'll have to note the names of these. Dan, you'll probably be tasting my selection onboard!