JMM99

BBC website says Saga have suspended all cruises until early May. 

In our experience the row of chairs is usually used for couples waiting for a ‘table for two’ to become available.  

4 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

With the exception of a few busy nights when the wine service was extremely slow, our overall service in the GDR has always been excellent. 

 

There is, of course, the philosophical difference of desired experiences which will never be resolved. We prefer to share and enjoy the company and conversation of fellow cruisers at dinner. Having lived in Europe, in the past, 1.5-2 hour dinners are wonderfully relaxing. Even had them go 4-5 hours. As long as we’re finished in time to make the 9:30 show, we’re happy. On the ship, we’re on vacation so it’s slow down and relax. Exhale!

 

The other side of that coin are those wanting a 2 top and never having to speak to anyone, often including their partner. They prefer to be quickly and promptly served and be out in 45 minutes or less. They are in agony if dinner last an hour.

 

Outside of opening a separate venue, it would be difficult to accommodate both groups in the same venue, imo. Always thought that the buffet line was for the latter group ! We’ve walked into the Terrace at 7:00 and meet people walking out that had already finished their meal. Duplicating that on a cruise ship with sit down service would be difficult!

 

 

This has become off topic but agree that expectations vary considerably. We are from the UK and expect a meal when we are on holiday to last at least 1.5 hours.  On Marina last month the initial taking of our order was perhaps a bit slow but the courses then appeared almost too quickly.  Occasionally we have asked for service to be slowed down. When in the US we have found everything much too fast - dishes cleared before other diners at the table have finished and bills put in front of us as soon as we have finished the last mouthful!

According to Crew Center Marina is in Ferrol Dry Dock (N W Spain) from 23rd to 30th April. 

I have not seen it mentioned but there was a small dog on the recent Code Red Marina cruise - Marseille to Barcelona. Saw it several times in restaurants, including Specialities.  

It even went on our tour to the Acropolis when the tour guide let it enter but told the owner never to put it on the ground. 

The port was definitely closed on Monday - apparently the 'floating' dock has limitations so the port authority is probably ultra cautious. We were lucky - we were embarking from Monte Carlo and had a well organised transfer. Went to the port about 10.15 am and were away in about 20 mins. Sorry for those who were not so lucky. 

Have thoroughly enjoyed your blog Cinnamon and have found it very informative.  Thank you,.  We are Oceania regulars but are finding the prices becoming more than our budget.  We were attracted to the new Saga ships and have booked a Norway cruise for next August on SOD.  Many of the points you raised have made us doubt our decision (we are active mid 70s) but hopefully a few of the niggles may have been ironed out by then.  If not, it is only 7 days, Norway is beautiful and, whatever, it will be better than being at home!

9 pm is way better than my pre 5 am alarm call this morning to make reservations from the UK!!

We live in the UK.  Yesterday morning we received an email regarding the Baltic Bliss cruise showing ‘all 3 for free’.  Ten hours later we received a ‘correction’ email changing it to ‘1 for free’.  Therefore the same as the US market.

Not quite ‘anything’. We were almost opposite a crew service door on Marina and annoyingly we could hear it banging everytime the crew used it. As there had been an item in Currents asking for passengers to show respect by not slamming their stateroom door I commented in the mid cruise questionnaire. We had a visit from a n Officer and the matter was addressed for most of the time - we did occasionally still hear it. JM

If you cannot make the amendment online telephone the Southampton office - number under ‘Contact Us’ on the UK Oceania website. We have always found them very helpful.

Goodness me British Betty you only asked a simple question in the first place but this thread has turned a bit. Have you found the US online agent yet?

I have just searched 'stateroom availability on Riviera' on my ipad and the site I use has come up near the top of the list. It does cover all cruise lines so you have to put in a fair bit of information before you find what you want. Good luck!

The UK site is different from that described above. I found a US online agent site by Googling 'How to check stateroom availability on Oceania cruises'. The prices are obviously wrong and it is a bit cumbersome but you can get the information you require.

Google the question. University of Maryland Alumni Association is arranging a cruise called 'Alaskan Falls and Frontiers' on Regatta on that date. Before our South Pacific cruise on Marina earlier this year we did a similar search as we were alarmed by posts on Cruise Critic that it was a popular destination for Alumni Groups. There was one on board. They were obvious but not too intrusive. The size of the ship may of course have been the reason for this. Regatta is rather smaller.

Just drive to the terminal building the ports will be there to take your bags

You may want to keep a small carry on with your meds & valuables

Then go drop your car off

 

Some care rentals have drop off locations near the port you may want to check with them

 

Enjoy

Lyn

Thank you Lyn. That will certainly make things easier. I am sure we will enjoy.

The cruise on Riviera departing Miami this coming Saturday will be our first experience of cruising. In view of the delayed embarkation we would be grateful to know if we can drop off our bags at the Terminal, say around 1pm, before we return our hire car to Miami Airport? Or do we have to stay with our luggage?