farmerj

21 hours ago, cruisr said:

Are they still serving lobster tails at the dinner buffet?

Yes.  Just got off Insignia (9/28-10/5) and they are still serving lobster tails and steaks in the buffet; cooked to order.  (shrimp too)   But be aware, at least on Insignia, everything is overcooked.

Lobster tails overcooked & rubbery  (in all venus:  MDR, Buffet, Waves, Italian)

Steak overcooked too.  Ask for Med-Rare and its always well done.  (pinkless)

Wagyu burgers so overcooked.

After reading the comments on this thread, I have to agree that Oceania is cost cutting to the core.  I went on my first and last cruise with them.  I wanted to experience the great food, instead it was a disaster.  Food was bland and some was just terrible.  Tried all the venues and it was all the same.  Breakfasts were always the same stuff.  They were understaffed and when staffed; most didn't care.  Water glasses empty, not asked if you wanted other drinks.  Management was no where in sight, and the staff knew it.  (reading their phones, filling one glass at a table, never asking the guests if they needed or wanted anything)

There were definitely staff that went out of their way.  They made the trip enjoyable.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and information about embarkation times.

I would like to ask how everyone does their booking then.  As my first Oceania cruise, I was given the option to change flights to the day before but if I did, I could only use the hotels offered by Oceania.  If I didn't use the hotels by Oceania, i would have to pay a $150-$175/pp deviation fee; at which point it wasn't worth it.  

Cruise was booked directly with Oceania and then transferred to my TA.  TA confirmed the deviation fees with no other options.

Thanks edgee and Roccaforte for the great quick replies!

Here I was looking for limo tours around Miami to kill time and get us to the port.

Glad to hear that they are boarding as soon as 11a (PH), so +- a little, they should be accommodating.

Can't wait to experience Oceania.   Thanks Everyone!

-f

First time cruising with Oceania, embarkation in Miami, Veranda Room.

My paperwork states that boarding is at 1p.  We arrive at MIA at 11a.  Can I go straight to the port (~12p) or should I take a tour to kill time?

are they strick on boarding times?  I don't care when my luggage gets to the room.

Thanks everyone.  Looking forward to a GREAT trip!

Just returned from Cuba (Mach1) and no problems with bring out CUC.  

Even went to port exchange CUC to USD (1-1) and CUC to CUC (new bills) before reboarding the ship for the US.

Enjoy your trip!

Just returned from Cuba.  I didn't see any La Occidental Guayabita del Pinar Dulce to buy.

I asked our tour guide in Havana.  She told me that this is very hard to find anywhere outside of where its made.  Right now, only the dry is being made; as most cubans don't enjoy the sweet one.

If you go towards Pinar del Rio (3hrs from Havana), get some!

Some good advice we got from our tour guide:

"Buy it whenever you see it."

This is really good advice.  I'm really sorry that I didn't take that advice. 

Just returned (3/1) and we docked in 3 ports.  (Havana, Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba)

I figured that we could buy our souvenirs across all 3 ports.  We were wrong.  Buy most if not all in Havana.  Best selection.

Havana has everything that you'd wand to buy as a souvenir, unless you want Cienfuegos or Santiago de Cuba on it.

We even thought that the artwork had much more of a 'better' selection in Havana.

Rum & Cigars, buy from an official shop.

Cienfuegos:  very limited TShirt, keychains, frig magnets.  I didn't see any cigars.  Rum was VERY limited to Havana Club and prices were national standard.  The 4pack of Havana Rum sampler was only $12CUC, whereas I paid $20CUC in Havana at the Museum.

Santiago de Cuba:  almost no TShirts; very limited keychains & magnets.  Lots more wood carvings.  No rum or cigars.  Was able to buy some Crystal beer to bring home.  ($1 CUC/ea bottle)

Enjoy your trip!

Just returned on the Azamara Journey into Miami (3/1).

US Customs was quick, once you got to the front of the line.  Only 2 officers working.  Maybe 15min wait.

US Customs looked at our passports & said "welcome home".

No inquiry into declaring anything.

Enjoy your trip!

Norris,

Do you have pics of the food served at the WNP or in Discoveries coming soon?

Did you ever get your Lobster??

Thanks again for the pics & sharing your trip through Cuba.

We fly tomorrow to catch Azamara for Cuba, so we will miss your review of Santiago de Cuba and the end.

--f

Looking to buy some bottles of "La Occidental Guayabita del Pinar Dulce".

Where can I buy in Havana, Cienfuegos or Santiago de Cuba ?  Heard that it might be a little hard to find outside of where its produced.  (vinales?)

Thank you!

-f

Bimmer09,

Link?  I can't find a link to your review (unless its what's posted in this thread)

We are going on Azamara to Cuba in a few weeks.  Want to see and read your review so I know what to expect.

Thanks for your link help & reviews!

-f

agathasmum,

Thank you for your detailed review of your cuba trip!

The information in invaluable my upcoming trip and you have provided so many answers through your travels.  I've taken some notes and good insights to share with my traveling companions.

I really appreciate you taking the time to write your review. 

Thanks Tgg on the weather report.  Good to hear and to help me plan on what to be taking.

Yeah, wondering if I can plan on using the $40/laundry bag in my clothing allowance ...

--f

Perfect!

Thank you Phil!

Hi,

If someone could please post the latest laundry prices for the Journey.

We are going to Cuba, Feb 20 sailing and wanted to know the laundry prices as we think of what to pack.

I realize that there are free laundry machines on deck7, but would rather enjoy the cruise vs. doing laundry.

Also if anyone has sailed on the Journey to Cuba (10 day intensive), was there an offer for a bag of laundry?  If so, which day of the cruise was it offered?

Thank you everyon!

--f