Dwtlion

Be aware there may be some unintended consequences when Regent goes to satellite internet as I posted the following on Oceania's CC blog last month: Currently on Vista on a B2B. While the internet is much faster, there is an issue, I believe, no one has mentioned. The issue is that the internet satellite servers are located in Spain. As a consequence many sites you select will either not respond or say in several different ways that because you are in a foreign location, the site’s server will not respond. For example, USA Today. Another “benefit” of the Spain location is that a lot of ads are in Spanish as well as some sites you select. Some Google sites are half English and half Spanish- go figure. Currently in Canada and the issue remains. The LYNC rep on board confirmed to me this issue. Hopefully, when we hit US waters the servers may switch. P.S. Switching to a phantom IP address (NORD VPN) did not solve the issue.

Per an NCL pax I met in Saint John today, NCL is anchoring, not docking, on Friday &. Saturday. Vista, on the other hand, will spend those 2 days at her usual NYC pier.

No issues with gmail. Incidentally the O site prices cruises in EurosEverybody is in MADRID per the server.

LYNC REP says VPN won’t solve issue.

Currently on Vista on a B2B. While the internet is much faster, there is an issue, I believe, no one has mentioned. The issue is that the internet satellite servers are located in Spain. As a consequence many sites you select will either not respond or say in several different ways that because you are in a foreign location, the site’s server will not respond. For example, USA Today. Another “benefit” of the Spain location is that a lot of ads are in Spanish as well as some sites you select. Some Google sites are half English and half Spanish- go figure. Currently in Canada and the issue remains. The LYNC rep on board confirmed to me this issue. Hopefully, when we hit US waters the server may switch.

Today's edition of Cruise Industry News, in an article about NCL's efforts to increase margins, had the following comment: "Mark Kempa, CEO, said cost reductions in the second quarter were driven by lower food costs and what he said were crew optimization efforts." I will let readers form their own opinions on the relevance of the above review to Mr. Kempa's comment.

Edinburgh, Scotland has extended their tram line so it now stops at both Newhaven & Leith terminals. Tram has several stops in central Edinburgh. Unlimited travel on a day ticket is 5 pounds.

Yes, you can use your OBC to purchase shore ex before you board the ship. In fact, you can do it on-line.

Simply stated, Oceana's accounting for passenger charges is archaic, confusing and designed to facilitate accounting by the various departments (shore ex, F&B, etc)- not the passenger. A classic example is shore excursions where dozens of passengers will inundate the shore ex department asking why charges they paid pre-cruise are now appearing as charges on their on-board statements. I have witnessed questioning numerous times. And unfortunately many of the shore excursion staff are incapable of explaining the accounting system which only adds to the confusion. Staff has to try and convince passengers to wait until the end of the cruise when credits magically appear that will zero out the charges reflected several days previously. The bottom line is Oceana's on board passenger accounting for shore excursions is a nightmare almost equal to trying to figure out voyage pricing with the Olife options.

I have not found anyone who likes the tortuous metal “bench” in the Riviera T pool. Had hoped it would be gone with the refit, but alas no such luck.

NCL has just announced that starting April 1 in-person muster is gone and E-muster is back. No more going to your muster station with a crowd and listing to a briefing most have seen on video before. When first enacted, NCL said in-person was for safety of pax & crew. Are we now less safe; or was NCL BS-ing? Will O follow NCL’s move to E-muster?

Please sent this picture to FDR. Maybe he can do an exorcism on the staff to get the hutzpah to enforce published policies.

Unless FDR has a lot of short people in his family, the only reason for the overly short legged chairs is safety. The lower the chair seat, the lower the center of gravity. With Horizons being in the front of the ship, it will have more movement in heavy seas than the rear. Lower chairs = safer seating- but tough to get out of!

Looking for travel guide recommendations for 2 days (overnight) in Safaga with the plan to overnight in Luxor. Thanks in advance.

I know there are both US & Euro plugs by the nightstand as I used them for my CPAP on Insignia last August.

Is you are cruising solo, the ultimate sale has a penalty of $400-$1,000 for single travelers in a double stateroom. Take the pp x 2 and the price for single occupancy is more in the 4 cruises I looked at. Huh???

Just to clarify, now there is no advantage to purchase in advance either beverage package. Whether pre cruise or on board the price is the same: $39.95 or $69.95 per day assuming one did NOT select the Olife beverage option. Correct??

If your cruise is 2 or more segments, do you get 3 bags/segment?

Amen! If management truly wanted ratings and high participation on the survey, they would make it convenient and easy to complete and respond. The current online survey is neither convenient nor easy to complete. I would bet they are getting a response rate well below 50%. An assistant cruise director told me the crew hates the current survey approach and they are lobbying Miami to kill the online approach.

Within the last few months I've had the opportunity to do a TA on both Regent and Oceania. In fact my cruise on Regent Splendor was completed just 2 weeks ago. This was my first Regent Cruise after approximately 8 cruises on O (latest in 9/22); and I was anxious to compare the menus and quality of food. I, as well as numerous other passengers on my Splendor Cruise, had the same observation- they were disappointed with Splendor's food. Many of those commenting were frequent Regent Cruisers and felt that there was a significant deterioration in the food quality on this transatlantic. Given our current worldwide economics and supply chain issues I'm not sure whether Regent' issues were caused by these or other factors. But clearly at least on this current Regent Cruise, Oceania's food won hands downs.

In my world, I would get passengers off FIRST , then crew. That way the cabin attendants and other crew can monitor guest compliance. Under this approach, guests would not have endured the above fiasco.

Not a new company; just extension of current relationship!

Just learned that there will be no bridge instructor or organized duplicate play on Riviera’s March 22, 2023 crossing to Trieste. This 23 day cruise has 8 sea days. Yet, Riviera’s August ‘23 Oslo-London 18 day cruise with only 3 sea days has bridge instruction & duplicate. This makes no sense. What am I missing, except the remote possibility O couldn’t find one.

The old rule was that casino could open if outside the 3 mile limit. Under a very recent change, the new rule is either 12 or 15 miles. Many itineraries do not go that far off shore; hence casino is closed while at sea to next port. On Splendor now and we have had several closed nights. Tomorrow we go from Livorno to La Spezia- no casino. I’m sure the revenue loss for RSSC isn’t great, but I’m sure the big boys (RCCL, Carnival, MCS, etc.) are not happy.