solosport

We were on the Nautica that ended in Jan 2020. The food in previous years was much better. The food on our cruise because it was from Dubai to India to Africa didn't have the food resources that you would have in Europe or the US so ingredients were missing and of course most everything is frozen on a long 30 day cruise. We were excited to hear about the fine food on Oceania since we just got off HAL Zaandam to South America that had mediocre food. But the food was very hit or miss on this ship, Nautica. First meal with lobster, the lobster must have had freezer burn because it was gray and tasted off. Steaks are like other people said - tough. Italian at the specialty was mainly good except again the lobster chunks or heavy dishes. Wait staff is fairly good but the ship apparently doesn't train new staff very well. Buffet food was beyond bad. Japanese food, sushi, Thai food, Pizza, Steaks, were below land-based restaurant quality and taste. Many people talked privately with the main dining room chef and food ordering officer, but little could be done except for passengers to continue to complain if something was not right. For example we complained that the Pad Thai was missing ingredients. The next time it was served they got it right. But it was missing bean sprouts and herbs since they couldn't get fresh ingredients in the Indian Ocean.  Can away very disappointed.  So the main thing is it depends on the Master Chef and also the area of the world you are in. PS. Jacque Pepin's cuisine was supposed to be featured, but there were probably only 3 items like Salmon or Roasted Chicken that were served every day from his selections.

Thanks for all your excellent replies. At the time I was booked on HAL for SE Asia. I've been to Thailand before. I was considering a Norwegian Jade cruise at the time to Spain and Portugal. Never been to most of the ports. I was worrying about which one to choose but finally booked both and bit the bullet mainly on costs. Spain in July and SE Asia in January 2021.  So I probably am going during the hot season in both (Heard Spain is unbearable in Summer)(SE Asia humid).  Maybe not the best idea but I will enjoy both no matter what.  Thanks again.

Has anyone been on a cruise to all of Spain (July) or cruise to Southeast Asia (Jan). Was there a preference between the two?

Spain and Portugal is on Norwegian Jade - Amsterdam, Bordeaux, Bilbao, La Coruna, Lisbon, Cadiz, malaga, Valencia, Barcelona. 10 days

Southeast Asia is on HAL Noordam - Hong Kong, Manila, Boracay, Puerto Princessa, Malaysia, Ho Chi Minh, Siem Riep(Side trip), Bangkok, Malaysia, Singapore. 13 days.

I've been to all of the starting and ending destinations and Bangkok already. Split on which trip will be most enjoyable.

I know these are both totally different vacation types but let me know your great experiences or bad ones.

Yes. I posted details about tour guides in Puerto Montt and Ushuaia on that area finally. This website is confusing so I finally found out about my particular ship. thanks

Antarctica.......You are in for a treat!

 

I’ve done SA twice and never made it in to PMontt due to weather, and only once to Ush. We booked both times with Edgardo (tourguidesushuaia.com) and our guide was waiting for us. On the cruise when we couldn’t make port due to high winds, he was waiting and emailing me up to the time we got canceled. Actually, he knew we were canceled before we got the announcement. It was a great tour.

Thanks. I signed up with Edgar at Tourguideushuaia.com because no other tour company would pick us up in Puerto Montt and Ushauia they will wait for a late arrival of noon on Christmas Day so that was nice. And I notice if the ship is cancelled in a port due to weather you can get mostly refunded. I just worried about his sliding scale depending on number of passengers but I figure with Holland America Zaandams medium size of ship there should be at least 10 people on the tour right?

I found the holland america ship tour to be reasonable for the city tour. Some people just walk around the city though.

Our Holland America Zaandam cruise arrives at noon on Dec 25, 2018. The company responded to my question about the National Park, city tour and Prison Museum. They will expect the ship at noon and pick us up at the gate when we get off the ship. So there is no problem with TourGuideUshuaia.com tour that day in case people have the same concern about Christmas Day. I would pay the reservation amount only. The balance you pay when you get there which is nice since for some reason they have a sliding scale depending on the number of people on the tour.

Has anyone been to cruise ports like puerto Montt or Ushuaia and did your tour pick you up or wait for you or are there various starting times? Ushuaia we arrive at noon and booking a viator tour to national park. The tours down there aren’t communicating the tour pickup information times. Holland America doesn’t have the tour we want so using outside tours

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