RetiredFL

For those who have returned to Miami from Cuba without any ports in between, was the immigration/customs process longer than normal and how much longer. I presume there was more paperwork than usual.

What additional paperwork was required and did the ship help out?

Thanks.

I just looked at our final invoice from Viking and on page 3 it says:

"A group Visa is obtained and provided for Viking Cruises guests on Viking Tour programs. For individual exploration Guests will need to obtain an individual visa prior to departure"

This apparently settles, at least for us, that we can get a visa and explore on our own within the parameters of the visa and the US state department.

From what I have seen on the news, etc I believe so far the administration is talking about voiding non tourist related things and the embassy will remain open etc. We won't know until it happens but I am sure the cruise lines, hotels, etc will lobby hard.

I think they disallowed that option last year but you can always ask

It was back last summer. Guess too many complaints per our TA.

We are booked on the 11/17 cruise to Cuba. Our payment is not due until May and the $100 crenelation is good until July so we are hoping by then the "government" may have figured out their position on Cuba.

We usually travel on Oceania which is going to Cuba in March but with final payment due at time of booking and stiff cancellation penalties already in force we felt it was better to let things shake out.

There can always be last minute changes but we feel more comfortable with a November cruise. I would not worry about a certificate. I am sure Viking will get one, every other line has had no problem that I know of.

You don't show where you live but last summer we took the $99 upgrade from San Francisco to Copenhagen. We were on SAS non stop and it was one of the best flights we have been on. More leg room, foot rests, free almost everything. Better quality of meal, 2 carry-ons, etc.

Ask your travel agent, assuming your are in the USA, to explore options. Don't know of you live elsewhere and your handle indicates you may be in Australia or New Zealand and I don't know the rules from there.

We did not go to Sao Paulo and many were disappointed. We were there on Sunday the 26th of Dec and everything was cancelled because of the holiday weekend.

Yes, although it was a struggle in some smaller ports to find something to do.

Rio was great, especially with a private van. If Sugarloaf and Corcovado are clear insist on doing them first. They often cloud over. The Escadaria Selaron and the old trolley there is great. Neighborhood much safer than the guidebook claims.

We enjoyed Punta del Este very much. We ditched the tour on the way back and walked through town which was fun and easy. The Railli museum is a must. In Montevideo there was not a lot to see except for the government building.

In BA we enjoyed a tour of the Delta by boat. Standing of Evita's balcony was also fun as was the tango area(Carmenito)

In short there was enough to make it a memorable trip.

We have done the same cruise although three years ago.

In Rio the security guards at the port want to see ALL documents before they will let you on the pier. Have all the printed documents from your e-mail from Oceania and also your booklet handy. Obviously we travel under two different last names and I only had my e-mailed document handy and the guard would not let Frank on until someone from the ship came down and vouched for him. Things may have changed but better safe and sorry.

We did a day tour with a private van in Rio and got to the pier about 5pm and there was no problem checking in.

You must be off the ship by 9am and as I remember customs was quick. However be aware that you cannot check in at the BA airport until two hours before the flight. So if you arrive at the airport four hours early you will have to sit with your luggage for two hours. They are very strict on this. There are also few sitting areas so most people end up on the floor.

I might also add that we have flown to Europe many times and arrived at a very early time, 7 or 8am and we could not check into our hotel until 2pm, 1pm if we were lucky.

Our choice was to sit in the lobby or leave our luggage with the hotel and go do something.

So how is Oceania's check in times policy different?

Mura,

The port web site shows us leaving from dock C177 which is at NDR-Toldbod which appears to be part of Langeline or vice versa.

The final, on line documents fro Oceania which arrived about a week ago show Langeline.

If you are taking a taxi, hopefully the driver will know.

Ed

I have been following this thread for some time and after 16 Oceania cruises I would point out that there is no actual definition of "dress jeans" so it is up to the Maitre d' to make the decision.

We have seen men and women turned away while wearing what I would consider dress jeans and another maitre d' let people in in torn jeans. I doubt corporate has given specific instructions ( How could they?)

So, are you willing to risk being sent back to the cabin to change after wearing the same jeans as two nights before? Each maitre d' sets his/her own standards. (same with specialty restaurants).

To me it is better to err on the side of no jeans.

There is a HOHO bus (only three stops!) but it goes to both lookouts and waits for picture taking before going on.

http://www.geirangerfjord.no/panoramic-bus-geiranger-2

Reasonable price and 90 min long.

I am going on Iceland and Greenland itinerary so going to be "up there" too. I found a simple down coat that is "stuffable" -- it has it's own bag about the size of a small folding umbrella-- and weights 8 ounces! I wore it for winter in Maryland and it was great

The type of jacket referred to is called a "puffer" and is apparently fairly new on the market. It really does compress down to almost nothing but ours does provide plenty of warmth. If you "google" "puffer jacket" you should find lots. I have been told the one made by Totes is very good.

Hi

I have been told that when you take wine on board the thing to do if you don't want a whole bottle with your meal is to pour a glass in your room and take it into the restaurant as if it's been purchased at the bar! (we've never tried it,haven't got the bottle!!!!!)

 

Sorry, but IMO that would be highly inappropriate. Same as leaving the table in a restaurant during the Captain's Open Bar evening and going to the bar to get a free drink and returning to the dinner table with it.

 

Agree. On one cruise we sat near people who brought glasses of wine from their cabin at each meal. The wife even went back to the cabin half way through the meal and refilled the glasses!:eek:

 

If you do order a drink at the bar during happy hour or a glass of wine and because of happy hour you get two we have been told it is permissible to take the second one to the DR. In fact the bar staff will usually take it there for you.

 

I think if you paid for it it is OK to take it/have it delivered to dinner but not from the cabin or freebees.

We will be in Copenhagen for a few days before our cruise also. It appears most supermarkets sell at a fair price.

If you "google" "buying wine in Copenhagen" there is lots of info as to where to buy. Just watch closing times and days.

When you fill out forms on line it will tell what you need and how payment is to be made. (Pay attention to accepted forms of payment)

If you have or can get extra passport photos be sure and take them with you.

Especially in Asia you will never know in advance if you will need one.

When we were going to Halong Bay and wanted to go overnight to Hanoi the government all of a sudden demanded we get a Vietnam visa and we needed a photo for it. The ship tried to convince them to accept the digital photos they took upon boarding but they said no. So many of us spent time in Saigon finding a place for photos. Not the ship's fault just "the authorities"

So now we travel with extra photos!!

When we got ours in SF we took the passport and forms in in the morning, went shopping and had lunch and they were ready that afternoon. If you get there when they open it will probably work.

You can fill out and print all the forms on line which helps. Be sure to answer the questions completely, the clerks are fastidious as only the Chinese can be.

how many people are transferring? The RER is about $12.00 pp and a door to door shuttle is not much more. A quick google indicate supper shuttle is about $40 for two. After a long flight we always give ourselves the luxury of door to door.

We are meeting friends who are flying separately from the USA and arriving at Terminal 2A.

Does anyone have experience/knowledge as to the best place to meet after exiting customs (red/green door). I know we can wait for them just outside the doors but would like to have an alternate meeting place if it is crowded. Perhaps a Starbucks, etc.

They may be revising.

Our TA warned us that the online are probably correct but the paper copy of the new cruises is probably wrong as it still shows Istanbul which has been dropped.

Bottom line, be sure before booking. In this current world things change fast including ports safe enough to visit.

As I remember our trip, they were quite strict as to nothing off the ship. I would talk to your tour person and see what can be done or have a few rubles and buy some fruit in town.

We have usually found it in the dining venues but Room Service/ Butler delivered food seems to not know what it is.

As a precaution I take a "baggie" supply as I also may want it for lunch on shore. It does not take that much room.

If you look at all the sailings for Marina in August you will also note that your cruise is part of a larger itinerary and so your cabins that show unsold may be sold for the longer cruise. The 30 day cruise which includes yours is shown as much more sold.

The Cruise Vacation Guide you received should show on page 4 the Embarkation Port Info.

I suspect they mean the Guest Registration Form. It is working fine for our cruise. No on-line check-in that I know of.