A Knitter

3 minutes ago, Wynterwynd said:

I understand. I can carry your bags for half the price, lol!  But depending on how long you’re cruising and connections, etc., I can see where it would be an advantage, if it’s reliable.

LOL  Will let you know when our next cruise is.  For example, I went to Kenya many years ago and picked up a Oceania cruise from Rome which was cheaper than a flight home.  I used Luggage Forward for the first time and my Luggage went to the hotel in Rome before I took off from LAX.  I was hooked from then on. 

46 minutes ago, Wynterwynd said:

According to the full page ad in the Oceania cruise booklet I just received:
www.LuggageForward.com/Oceania

It says the service is available to/from more than 150 ports of call.

I have no experience with doing this.  For $2000 RT, we can carry our own bags (and know where they are!). That’s why luggage has wheels.

Well for us at our age, its worth it and we can afford it.

Luggage forward, not Luggage free (too many problems)  Also put an air tag in the luggage so you always know where it is especially during boarding.  No problems with Luggage Forward

Finally, however a travel authorization is still required for Bermuda.  Updated October 12, 2022

I tried to message you but that feature is disabled.  Would love to meet for lunch when you are in the Desert

On 9/4/2022 at 3:39 PM, tropicalkerry2002 said:

Hi A Knitter!

Used to see you a lot a few years ago on CC...nice to see you again, and thanks!

Didn't you have a cocker spaniel photo?

Thanks for thinking of me and yes. The cocker in the photo is now 8 years old.  Hubby and I crusing Montreal to Miami the end of the month. 

I traveled solo on Oceania for 9 years.  I got one reservation per specialty restaurant but always got more when requested.  

Travel insurance can be so frustrating.  I was quarantined for 3 days due to Gastroenteritis recently on a cruise to Alaska. .  I submitted 30 pages of medical information and other information requested by Allianz Insurance.  Now they want to know if I received a refund from Oceania.  To my knowledge Oceania will prorate and refund if you have Covid during the cruise only.  Has anyone else had a problem like this.  Thanks Maria  

On 7/22/2022 at 7:17 AM, Carolfay said:

I've used it probably four times for embarkation, and it has worked smoothly.  Bear in mind that they want your bag packed and ready for pickup eight to ten days before the ship sails, so wardrobe choices have to be made well in advance of departure.  Tracking notifications are sent, so you're aware when your bag arrives at the ship terminal.  (Actually, since I tend to procrastinate, it's probably good for me to have a deadline for choosing my clothes.)

We received our bags within hours of embarkation from Luggage Forward.  I also put a air tag in each bag.  One bag was delivered and the air tag led me to the other that was in front of another passengers cabin.   

Does anyone know how the travel insurance companies calculate trip interruption refund if quarantined for a few days due to other illness(s) other than Covid?

Thank you.  I was aware of the travel advisory for Canada.  According to my Agent they seem to be trying to work things out.  Fortunately we booked the cruise for next year in the event this one doesn't sail.  

Does anyone know if Oceania has canceled cruises to Canada or in the process of changing their itinerary for this sailing.  Canada has announced continued port closures for all cruise ship travel through February 2022

Canada Travel Restrictions

Thanks to all who replied

Can anyone currently on the Marina tell me who the Cruise Director is?  Thanks

We toured with Scott Ricketts at Your Sydney Guide and were extremely happy. He can customize anything in the Sydney area that you want (beaches, Blue Mountain, wine tours, etc).

Thank You. He has 153 excellent reviews out of 154. Just booked him.

Thank You. Emailed Robyn.

We will be sailing on O May 9, 2018 Sydney to Papeete. If anyone can provide recommended tour guides, it would be appreciated. Thanks

Spend the night & have a relaxing time.

That is exactly what we did as we were unable to get a non stop flight home the day of disembarkation. Enjoyed the day in London.

We are doing this cruise next summer where it is being called Northern Explorer, but exact same schedule as this cruise. Would love to hear a lot of details of your experiences.

 

Don't normally do O tours, but was considering them for the Russian ports. Will probably reconsider and set up private tours now. Adding bad attitudes to poor service and expensive pricing is not a winning combo!

Keep in mind that if you do either O or private tours, there is a great deal of strenuous uphill walking in Solovetsky, Russia. You should know which we were not advised of, the ride to Sekirnaja Mountain is a very rough ride. If you have back issues, this is not for you. Also. There are no porta potties. The forest is your restroom. Bring bug repellent. There is a Outdoor toilet at the Botanical Gardens which is a hole in the ground. At least here you have privacy. Bring toilet paper. Also. If your cruise to Solovetsky happens to fall on a Sunday, be sure to visit the large monastery where there are church services for the local residents. Something we missed because our tour was changed without our knowledge.

Does anyone know of a luggage transfer company in Southhampton, England. We are doing a post cruise 10 day land tour in Iceland and don't want to carry any extra baggage.

 

Ina

http://Www.luggageforward.com is another. My luggage arrived in Rome before I left the USA

We did Barcelona to Rio a few years back and an agent came onboard during one of our port stops to stamp the VAT. We completed the form and gave it to the the reception officer who collected all of the envelopes. We received our refund without any problems.

Like many others on this forum, I never got the pleasure of meeting Don but he assisted me on many occasions. Betsy, our deepest sympathy to you and your family.

I did Miami to Miami on the Regatta in 2008, 24days. Amazing journey.

We were on the same sailing and it was great overall. Only thing I disliked was the Windjammer, and it was tolerable. Ate a lot of roast beef and Cuban sandwiches at the Park Cafe. We only saw a few show from the guest entertainers, but they were good.

 

I worked with people with disabilities for 23 years and scooter folks are my kind of people. Ever notice how many ambulatory people simply jump in front of them for elevators? Many can walk some, and do so on occasion, but that doesn't mean they are not legitimate using scooters.

 

I thought the crew and staff were among the best we have had, and we have cruised a lot. Only exception was Natalie, and she is probably doing the best she can, so we give her some slack.

 

This cruise is simply a nice getaway and we hope to sail on the Grandeur out of B'More again.

 

Happy Sails to You

 

OOOEEE :D:D Bob and Phyl

I have been around many with disabilities and a caretaker. Obviously you were not present when they wheeled in Front of many waiting for the elevator who had waited way before them and those waiting had to wait for another elevator. Several times passengers scrambled to move out of their way and took the stairs instead. With almost 2,500 passengers you cannot be in the same place as we were or the same cruise. Natalie lied and did not do the best she could. Talking over our conversation like her opinion was worthy of listening is not idea of customer service. You are entitled to your opinion and so am I. Enjoy your future cruises with RCCL.

I'm on Grandeur OTS right now for the Thanksgiving week Bahamas sailing. This is our second time aboard Grandeur (last on July 2013, 1st sailing out after the fire). Last time, our toilet stopped working and we ended up switching cabins. On the current sailing, we are in day three ... I'll offer a complete review when we get home, but so far this cruise is "satisfactory" at best ... Our room steward is no where to be found, and generally have not found staff friendly or helpful. Expecting everything to get better in coming days. More to post when I get home.

 

 

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Keeping my fingers crossed!