Harters

The North Wales town of Llandudno, is often "invaded" by goats which usually live on the nearby headland. They started coming in to town during the Covid lockdown when there were obviously very few people around. We visit the town fairly often but I've never seen a goat on the streets. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-66108809

True, in our experience. In three cruises, we've never had a problem getting a two-top around 8pm. Occasionally, not on the day we first thought of.

Although with O moving back to a time not only before Simply More but even before OLife, then maybe they should just put Jacques in, as it presumably appeals to the demographics of twenty years ago.

I've had goat a number of times, both in Spain and here in the UK (the latter both at home and in restaurants). It's sort of like lamb but with much more flavour. More mutton than lamb, I reckon, and all the better for it. For my taste, it lends itself more to stew type dishes. It's certainly more forgiving cooked that way. although chops and roasts are fine if you take good care not to overcook it. Pretty much the same as cooking mutton or hogget in that respect.

I havent but I'm unsurprised that it happens. Relatively poor crew members tell a story to relatively wealthy customers about how hard their lives are. Supported by the knowledge the world over in the hospitality industry that many Americans like to tip at a high level at pretty much any given opportunity. I used to play on a now defunct food forum where most contributors were American. Tipping threads regularly cropped up and it took quite a while to not be surprised at the things, in general life, that Americans are likely tip for and the level at which they'd do so. I believe it's a cultural thing as much as a practical thing and it makes folk feel good about themselves that they are in a position to do so.

Possibly because many customers from my part of the world would regard 8pm as "dinner time". Although, as we've got older, we now eat earlier at home at 7.30 and fairly often similar at restaurants But I accept that Oceania is an American line catering to the tastes and expectations of Americans. I know many Americans like to eat early and I recall a recentish thread where a goodly number of contributors expressed a wish that O's restaurants opened earlier than 6.30. I'd certainly agree with them opening as early as possible - it would better ensure I can get a reservation at a more appropriate later time. It's a bit similar to some restaurants I know in Spain. Turn up for a reservation at 8 and you'll see a few North Europeans already on dessert but most of us will be at an early stage of our meal or just arriving. By the time, we're getting to dessert, the locals start arriving.

I take principled stands about buying products. I'm now 74 and, throughout my adult life, I've not knowingly bought products from a particular country. Does it make a jot of difference? Probably not, but I feel better for it. Although, I also didnt buy South African goods during the apartheid boycott and I like to believe that it helped to bring it to an end. And maybe it actually did.

Not necessarily. Oceania's "sommeliers" are not sommeliers in the sense that the land based restaurant industry recognises them. In the main, these folk are just servers who serve alcoholic drinks in the ship's restaurants. They appear to have no particular skill or knowledge about the wines available. Most folk appear to just have glasses of wine, rather than bottles. I can't see any reason why the food servers cannot also pour the wine available by the glass.

What would you suggest would be a practical solution? There are only a limited number of tables and a limited number of hours. If you have more people than chairs wanting to eat at 6.30 then some folk are not going to get what they want. Maybe not have the staggered reservation days - so they just open up reservations to everyone, say, 45 days out and let everyone take their chances getting their choice. Or base access on when you booked the cruise, rather than level of cabin? By the by, when we first cruised, back in the late 80s and early 90s, with P & O, the line operated dinner at two sittings. You could state a preference but would not know your allocation till you got on board. If there was over demand, allocations were made by date you booked. That was fine until the third cruise which we had not booked very early. Found ourselves allocated to the first sitting which I think was 6.30. Much to early for us (almost still afternoon) and it was a major reason why we never cruised with them again and, in fact, didnt take another major cruise holiday till we discovered Oceania in 2017.

Our cruise isn't till next June but I'm starting to plan for it (it's the current miserable weather here that's making me look forward to next summer). We have an overnight in Bordeaux and it seems an ideal opportunity to sample some local food. That "ideal opportunity" would suggest an classic "old school" bistro/brasserie type place, rather than an upmarket tasting menu set-up or "small plates". Obviously gotta be French food. Any suggestions welcomed. TIA John

Our first cruise with O was in 2017. I've no recollection that "cruise only" was available to UK customers in the time we've been cruising with them. If it was, it was kept very well hidden. It was always OLife and then SM. Maybe yet another difference about how O treats its customers who are not North American.

A prompt reply from Guest Services senior manager, covering the UK (and elsewhere). As expected, it pretty much just repeats what's been said in the company announcement. But, at least, O won't be able to say "no-one complained". Here's the reply Thank you for your email, and your feedback on our upcoming changes to our brand offering. We do appreciate your feedback and thank you for this. I can only apologise that you feel the upcoming changes are a step backward in a negative light. Overall, this is a move back (but not backwards) It is moving the brand back to one of our founding principles - which is the Oceania Cruises promise that guests can travel the world the way they like – Your World. Your Way. Many of our guests found simply MORE to be limiting in how they wished to enjoy their time both on board and ashore. Simply put, we were automatically including amenities that many guests would prefer to have the option to partake in. The inclusions of our beverage package and credit toward shore excursions were valued by some, whereas the inclusion of gratuities provides a value for all guests who enjoy passionate service. The move to roll this out globally will also ensure that all guests, regardless of the country they may reside in will enjoy the same Baseline inclusions and onboard experience. We will of course continue to offer additional amenities which guests can choose to add should they wish to do so, and this we believe will allow guest to truly tailor-make their Oceania experience to suit them, rather than have unwanted amenities forced upon them. Our Your World Included value promise, unlike simply MORE, is not a promotion but rather a cornerstone of our value foundation that helps define “ultra-premium” cruising. The embedded value of the Oceania Cruises experience contains amenities not typically included on other lines – specialty dining; specialty coffees, teas, Vero Water®, and sodas; hi-speed WiFi powered by Starlink; and gratuities for stateroom attendants, butlers, and dining waitstaff. With regards to pricing, Cruise fares and any related tactical promotions on or after October 1, 2024, will continue to be based on demand and how each sailing is performing relative to expectations. I would like to thank you again for taking the time to bring your thoughts to us. whilst I sincerely regret your disappointment, I do hope that you will find, as we move forward, that our new brand promise not only provides you with more options, but also that it continues to provide an experience that is fantastic value for our guests, regardless of which options they choose to add to their booking.

I works as you'd expect for a restaurant. Menu on the table. Server takes your order and brings your food. As with the Terrace, trying to get an alcoholic drink can be a bit of a trial.

Nothing really to choose between the two, IMO. But, if forced to choose, I'd probably go for #1. That's because (a) we visit Tenerife each year for three weeks so not much appeal of a day in port and (b) whilst we also visit Mallorca regularly, we stay in the north of the island and it's a while since we've had a day in Palma.

The Real Greek is a small national chain. It's recently opened a branch near me and we had a decent lunch there earlier in the year while out shopping (it's at the local mall). https://www.hungryonion.org/t/trafford-centre-greater-manchester-the-real-greek/37827

That is what I find so weird about the change. I recall the discussions here when SM was being introduced. Viking as a significant competitor was often mentioned as the reason behind O's move. To move away from that, and effectively move even further back in time is strange. Does it mean O has given up wanting to compete for that customer base and is content to work for the demographics of twenty years back? Well before my time, so I've no idea what that demographic actually was.

Yeah but I'm not holding my breath either.

I sent it to GuestServicesEMEA@OceaniaCruises.com which is on the UK version of O's website. I know from a recent thread that there's no equivalent email address on the US version of the site. But I presume the sentiments in your email would still get to the right place if you sent it to that address.

A British phrase, which I'm not going to post, comes to mind. But, to paraphrase for my compatriots (and possibly others), it seems they are unable to organise a social event in a beer making facility.

If that is the case, then it seriously calls into question their ability to market their company. Successful marketing requires time for things to bed in. Selling expensive holidays is not a business in which you can judge success or failure in a very short time. It calls into question the original planning for and commitment to more inclusive arrangements under Simply More. And then to scrap SM so quickly and replace it with Your World Included again calls things into question. Now if as you suggest, YWI may not last past the end of the year, it really does make you wonder what on earth the company is up to.

Good idea. I've just sent an email to Guest Services. "I am writing to express my disappointment at your recently revised offer "Your World Included". Or Simply Less as it would be better called. When you introduced Simply More, I regarded that as a very positive way forward. As the company indicated at the time, the right move was towards a more inclusive customer offer. But your new offer is an even more backward step than the previous OLife arrangements which is what attracted us to Oceania in the first place, almost completely unpicking any sense of inclusivity (gratuities excepted). My recollection is that, when Simply More was introduced, prices were increased to reflect the "extras" over OLife. I had no issue with that whatsoever. My understanding now is that the company is removing the excursion credit and the included drinks with meals, yet is going to maintain prices at the same level. Clearly this is now a proposal which is much less value for money. Call it just a big price increase or call it Simply Less. We have an Oceania cruise booked for 2025 and we will need to reflect very carefully as to whether it will be our last with your line. My guess, as at now, is that it will be and that competitors will prove to have a better offer. "

I hadnt previously but now you mention it................. 😀

I think that's the company we did the boat trip with. Photo of the boat seems familiar.

No personal experience, I'm afraid, but a "reliable source" suggests two places in the Ocean Village area, if that's any help: The Jetty - seafood Blue Jasmine - southeast Asian

Customs officers know the destinations where ordinary folk (not organised smuggling gangs) are likely to smuggle over the duty free limit. Tenerife, for example, has much cheaper cigarettes and booze than mainland Spain. And they'll be on the lookout for marijuana smuggling on flights from the Netherlands because of readily availability.