orchestrapal

5 hours ago, Bob++ said:

No dispute there from me, but if they only have two or three days, and it's their first time, I guess London is the place to go.

London certainly is the place to go and go back to many many times..

In addition experienced travelers avoid one night stays as much as possible.

Husband would not take a Tux on any cruise.

Fortunately most lines no longer have formal🤮nights.

10 hours ago, JayRich65 said:

Following, also hoping for feedback.  Their website looks nice and the tours look reasonable, hoping for some positive feedback and I'll probably book on of their tours for July.

 

try TRIPADVISOR where there are over 2200 reviews....

11 hours ago, diamondintn said:

After a bout with melanoma I am 3 years cancer free. I know how to properly protect my skin from sun exposure using sunscreen, floppy hats, appropriate clothing, shade. Because I am SO white I am considering a spray tan for an upcoming cruise.  Anyone ever done this?

Cheers! Lisa 

This is a Medical question, why not ask your doctor...

1 hour ago, clo said:

There was something about Toscana that we can't quite put a finger on. Everyone was certainly nice but it felt somehow stiff. I don't know if that's the right word.

Agree, the olive oil shtick is pompous for sure.

Total waste of paper and postage!

8 minutes ago, deec said:

Thank you SpeedyJane.  We have booked!  Did you pre-booked transportation from airport to hotel or take a taxi?  We don't want to deal with public transport with luggage.

Book a car as a taxi will be twice the price.

Southampton Harbour Hotel and Spa is right on the harbor with beautiful views, great service and lovely restaurant. It is a five star for many reasons.

11 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Hmmm, it seems from experiences reported that there is some inconsistency in the lecturers.  Definitely something to think about.

Oceania is NOT known for it’s enrichment. We only had one  fantastic lecturer on O for Alaska who was borrowed from Regent. She was a PHD and an outstandingly knowable, super well prepared and fun to be with.

For an outstanding experience with fantastic enrichment try Crystal where there are many lecturers on each cruise so always someone who will interest you. 

Very well put.
Service, service, service is what has us loving Crystal while still also

shopping Oceania . The butler service deteriorated when the European

butlers were no longer serving on O in our opinion. 

9 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Just Google "Oceania NEXT photos" for pix and videos.

BTW, the italicized font you're using is almost unreadable on the mobile friendly version of CC.

9 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Just Google "Oceania NEXT photos" for pix and videos.

BTW, the italicized font you're using is almost unreadable on the mobile friendly version of CC.

Yes please use normal black non-script font if you want your postings read.

There are hundreds of pictures of Oceania’s redesign as well as of food and maybe even your type of cabin on Google,

Enjoy your cruise.

2 hours ago, roger b said:

Last night's  offering in the MDR was truly  uninspiring  the 5 entrees  were a grilled swordfish fish ,a steak, 2 vegetarian  dishes and a pasta dish,

  This seems to be the norm .I think Oceania are trying to be trendy and cater for a younger crowd who are switching to a vegan diet .  

Sadly  the guests  on this cruise  are an older crowd and not Vegans. 

 

 

 

 

Very sad!
Why oh why would Oceania want to cater to fad diets?

Great news for London. The additional cars not only totally messed up the traffic patterns in the GREAT CITY they also took business from the Black Taxies.  Back to drivers with the  “knowledge” who we never left for Uber even though we use them at home and elsewhere.

On 11/20/2019 at 12:34 PM, Heidi13 said:

The other ridiculous price for London excursions is the 700+ year old nightly Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. The price is listed at CAN $234 pp.

 

This ceremony takes place every night and is Free. We booked it last time in London and the ceremony is free, but it did cost UKP 1.00 to complete the booking. Therefore, the only cost is transport from Greenwich to Tower Hill - river ferry & DLR are both readily available.

 

How can Viking justify charging $234 pp?? Both of us could attend the ceremony using our TFL day pass for < 20 quid. This just doesn't pass the red face test.

You are so right and Uber round trip is under 20£ with a taxi slightly more...

1 hour ago, mrsturkelton said:

I searched and couldn't find this anywhere, but what do you use for packing your jewelry?  I don't plan on taking any expensive items, but do like to change my earrings daily.  I want something to keep them from being damaged in my suitcase or becoming loose and winding up poking holes in my undies!

Although I don’t wear any costume jewelry I have seen many many jewelry rolls on

Amazon which would probably work for travel.

8 hours ago, deec said:

yes, just trying all available wisdom!  I thought Paris was expensive this fall but London seems even higher...maybe because it is Summer.

In this case it’s not just summer But Wimbledon when every hotel room will be booked.

After 44 long London theatre based stays we still rely on Londontheater.co.uk for all our information.

We avoid musicals for dramas and an occasional comedy.

We would definitely recommend anything James McAvoy takes the stage in.

3 hours ago, pacruise804 said:

 

I like the idea of your post and take it as dreaming/thinking out loud, not necessarily what I should expect to find 🙂 My husband and I have only sailed mainstream lines so far, but are upgrading to Viking.While not NO smoking, my understanding of Viking Ocean is no smoking in interior spaces or on balconies and only a very small outside smoking area.

You are correct about the smoking and you need never go up to the top deck where the area is.👍

The service is very good on Viking while not as professional or as “invisible“ as it is on some luxury lines.

Enjoy your cruise on Viking.

3 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Crystal  have  several locations for smoking  not just  a couple like Oceania

All easily avoidable.

On 11/10/2019 at 4:35 PM, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

Honesty I hope they do follow suit. Walking down a cruise hallway should not feel like walking through a college dorm with message boards and door decorations.

 DITTO! 

Just now, LHT28 said:

What luxury line is that?

 Crystal for LUXURY and not to be mentioned Viking and Oceania in the premium category.

4 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Is there  a cruise line with NO smoking??

Maybe not none but extremely limited and some have only one enclosed indoors and very limited outdoors in areas easily avoided.

For us luxury is defined by great food, butlers, beautiful suites, good  lectures, few or no children and some
fresh flowers in suite. 
 No SMOKING and wonderful service is everything. 

2 hours ago, moatenote said:

 

It's only money, right??  lol  The grandkids don't need a big inheritance!

Right!!!

May the last check I write bounce...( shame I no longer write checks)

1 hour ago, bluemarble said:

I take one black suit jacket for the gala evenings and two sport courts to alternate on the smart attire evenings.

SMART! Why let the cruise kind dictate what you wear.