PSahoy

As a higher tier passenger my understanding is one gets a discount on any new booking but I’m told for a cruise I’m considering it is not available. Has anyone had that experience? Thank you.

Anyone know when these will be listed?

Almost certainly the port for Kyoto will be Kobe which is relatively close to Kobe and Osaka and large enough to accommodate cruise ships (and commercial/cargo).

Have just returned from this year’s Insignia voyage (part of world cruise but not for me). We left from the new Tokyo Int’l cruise terminal : much preferred than traipsing to Yokohama. There is one main port in Kobe which serves Osaka and Kyoto. Easy to get to both via ship excursion, private tour or DIY via bullet trains.

The problem with O’s excursion to Kyoto is the buses are too big to go to the old part of the city. Your sightseeing is thus restricted to the biggest sites. Highly recommend using a private guide there.

Great posts to read as I embark Insignia in March for Tokyo Hong Kong segment of ATW. If any tips please advise. Spending 4 days Tokyo as pre. This trip was canceled 4 times over the last as many years and ships so happy to be finally going!

What great reviews! I board in Tokyo end March and my anticipation just went up 100X. Thanks for heads up and keep enjoying.

I prefer Seabourn for all the reasons OP stated but when I pick a region in which to sail Oceania’s are more interesting which is primary for me.

I’m booked on the Nautica Jan ‘25 18 day Papeete to Auckland. Dreaming about it on this cold Jan ‘24 day

The room service menu posted in #5 didn’t have any hot items in the breakfast section. I thought O had changed that?

Thanks for helpful, encouraging replies.

Anyone been on it lately? Sailing in March and can’t find any recent comments about her: ship shape? Dining? CD and crew? Thank you.

Any recommendations for private guide in Tokyo?

Make that soda…

…or just a fruit juice and club Sosa?

For me, itinerary is king but that being equal I’d go with Seabourn. The service is personal and exemplary anticipating nearly everything. Food imo is comparable. Cabin size/decor better. The difference in cost is often negligible (proportional to what I’m spending in the first place as a solo). But I really like O’s itineraries and the friendly, extensively well traveled passengers.

On 9/26/2023 at 1:30 PM, Gourmet Gal said:

I can recommend a private guide for Tokyo if needed.  Also highly recommend a Tokyo food tour with Culinary Back Streets.  

I much appreciate a recommendation for a Toyo guide.

On 9/2/2023 at 10:57 AM, Woodrowst said:

If you can do so without rolling your eyes, could you explain to those of us who are not digital natives why an app is important?  What would you want to do with it that cannot be done otherwise?  Inquiring minds want to know ☺️

I found the Seabourn app useful: it had my shore excursion bar codes, reminded me of the times, menus, activity times. Easier for me than walking around with the printed schedule. I would use if O decides to offer it. Don’t feel it’s either/or choice. Use what’s best for you.

Seas were not that rough but there were chilly/rainy days. We did miss one day of scenic cruising through a fjord b/c of weather …

In Hong Kong I relied on the hotel concierge for recos (Peninsula) who was spot on. Singapore was nothing fancy for me; a local dim sum favorite and a hawker food hall which is definitely not your style. Unfortunately didn’t retain info. But there are plenty of high end dining spots with fabulous views. Don’t miss the incredible nightly light show near the Marina Sands Hotel and the indoor botanical gardens. 

Thanks SLSD. Feelings mutual and hope our voyages intersect again. I particularly like the solo engagement on SB and the superb crew. But honestly I’d continue with SS if the itinerary were better. Everything about SS works well, dining on par with SB, but our cruise had such a friendly vibe that was particularly memorable. That said I took SS on the same itinerary you’re considering on Whisper. Fantastic! If they offer the mid cruise trip to Angkor Wat go for it! All the ports exciting and vibrant and HK and Singapore dining opportunities over the top. Say hi to the Mr.

Oh and with SB specialties they were almost always available when I spoke directly with relevant MD’s and would accept a few days out.

I just wish SB released its itineraries sooner than it does; its chief competitors release theirs over a year earlier. I’ve never had a problem on SS booking La Terazza last minute but never bothered trying the other rez necessary ones. Interestingly my highest points are with SS but given my most recent experience on SB I’d prefer it if itineraries were comparable: my most important criteria.

I would probably go O in that instance but with their new pricing structure theirs and SB will probably not be that different and I’d pay somewhat more for SB’s larger cabin and overall ambience, itinerary being the same.

Itinerary is how I took Oceania previously and doing so again next March. Before they instituted new pricing structure it was a bargain for me as both solo and non drinker. The main difference to me between them and SB is cabin size: O smaller by almost 100sq ft. Otherwise pretty comparable; or at least as much to get the itinerary I want. Between the two I’d stick with SB and especially now that O   no longer has a la carte pricing.