Ride-The-Waves

On 5/28/2023 at 6:22 PM, grifdoglover said:

Pinotlover “assisted living facility” 😂

I don't get it.  Why mock seniors?

Our one cruise on Marina resulted in "never again" on Oceania.  Too many people who believe they are "entitled" to do what ever they want anywhere on the ship.  This is  not "refined" cruising.  The alcohol policy provides for too much "lubrication" for enjoying dinner in a specialty restaurant.  One group of 2 couples came to dinner carrying three drinks each.  Not enjoyable sitting next to them.  Found many fellow passengers very critical of others.  Not a welcoming cruise line.

Viator and Trip Advisor are one and the same company.  Tour recommendations are the same.  Be very careful with both in following advice and bookings.

Agree that food is subjective.  We are NOT foodies by any stretch of the imagination.  What we do expect is a nice ambiance contributing to "fine dinning."  Did not find that on Marina.  Table in the specialty restaurants were so close together it was difficult to get to your chair.  The noise levels were so high that we could not hear each other sitting across the table.  Not enjoyable.  I wont mention the well lubricated couples next to us...   Similar experience in the buffet - tables so close to each other it was a challenge to carry food from the serving line to the table.  Crew was very helpful in helping carry items.  

21 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Perhaps I am being a bit anal about my concerns/critiques, but the entire travel/cruise industry has changed...post Covid.  In fact, we now ignore most reviews/comments from folks who base their posts upon pre-COVID trips/cruises.  Post COVID we have done a significant amount of cruising on Seabourn, MSC (Yacht Club), Princess and HAL (with upcoming cruises on the new Explora Journeys and Princess).  With the exception of Seabourn (which we found was quite similar to what we experienced pre-Covid) the other lines have changed....and not in a positive way.   My reading of "O" reviews and posts give me a lot of concern that "O" has also changed (in a negative way).

 

We think that the huge amount of debt accumulated by CCL, NCLH, and RCI are like a huge weight bringing down the quality of these 3 huge companies.  They must somehow generate enough revenue to make huge debt-service payments while also dealing with high fuel prices, ridiculous food prices, etc.  The reality is that MSC, and its new Explora Journeys luxury spin off, are the only major cruise line companies not being dragged down by debt service issues.  Perhaps the revamped Crystal Cruises (now owned by the A&K folks) is also in a good position (time will tell).  Lots of tough planning decisions for we frequent cruisers/travelers.

 

Hank

Astute observation.  The "luxury" lines appear to be doing well - passengers with no concerns over cost are well cared for.  From there on down the economic scale, and that includes Oceania, is a different story and cruise lines are struggling to balance the books and will be struggling for some time.  The nickel and diming has really gotten outrageous.  Pricing for basic fares as well.  Cutting corners can only go so far before the roof falls in.  Spouse has us booked on an RCI transatlantic in the Fall - not my choice.  I've long outgrown plastic party ships, but she has friends who convinced her to go.  Everything is extra and expensive.  Sad that many lines view this is the new norm.  Possibly in the end we will end up with high-end cruising and mass market party ships...

Recently cruised Oceania Marina (Transatlantic) and HAL Zaandam (Panama Canal), ships about the same passenger capacity.  No comparison.  The Zaandam cuisine was better, cabin nicer, public spaces more inviting, ship more spacious, the crew more inviting, especially the officers.  Remember, "the best cuisine at sea" is a trade mark, not a factual statement.  My experience?  First cruise as a youngster was 1949 and in the 1950s on SS United States, SS America, America Lines ships, and a host of HAL ships.  More recently Celebrity, Hurtigruten, Princess, Azamara (a favorite) and Royal.

We will not sail on Oceania again.  Over priced, snooty fellow passengers and crew.

...and its much more expensive.  "Nickel and Diming" are the trends.

6 hours ago, alyssamma said:

So, my real Q was OTHER than bragging rights is there much of a difference?

 

And I specifically made my car an RV so I wouldn't have to get out. We stocked up on potato chips and pop tarts before hitting the border so didn't need to get out, lol.

 

I have done either yet (drive by or expedition) so really am not qualified to speak...but I think for me personally I'll consider it done.

 

I think your NY example would be better if you, for instance, sailed up he Hudson from NYC into Canada and then out to Bermuda. I think I'd say you'd been to North America in that case.

 

Too late to edit my original reply...but add to this a helicopter ride over the grand canyon. I think that would count as visiting it.

My spouse's favorite analogy : as her parents drove Manhattan in the 1950s: "Look out the rear window to experience the Empire State Building."  NO - a driveway in NOT the same as experiencing Antarctica on land.  We did it on Hurtigruten Fram with landings south of the Antarctic Circle.  If you are spending the coin to get there, spend a few more and do landings.  We did 12 in different locations, ranging from rocky or volcanic ash to mooring pier side at a station.  Another good analogy: seeing a tulip in a flower pot and visiting Keukenhof in April.

40 minutes ago, POA1 said:

You are definitely correct that travel is up, but much of the backlog is that the government doesn't scale well. When the lines get too long at the grocery store, they call all the register-trained employees to the front and open additional check out lines. The government holds a meeting, then issues a statement blaming "unprecedented demand" while never actually solving the problem. It's nice to have a monopoly.

Presuming that a grocery store has a number of trained and qualified check out clerks "doing other jobs" may be a misconception, especially since these stores are focused on profit and not proving public services.  Government are usually very efficient and employees focused on customers up to the point of locals enabling services through revenue.  

Early on-set Type 2 Diabetes.  Check with you physician.

12 hours ago, RMLincoln said:

I carry my passport card ashore as my government ID. I leave my passport book, an extra credit card and my driver’s license in the room safe, along with essential medications. If I lose the passport card ashore, the copy of my passport on my phone and ship card will most likely get me back on the ship. 
If I miss the ship, I’m hopeful ship security will get my safe contents to the shore agent and to me. 

I need my driver’s license to get home from the port so I hate carrying it ashore. The passport card is not as essential to life for me. 

No system is perfect but I’m confident that with some help it will all work out. m—

 

Last renewal we ordered both the passport book and the passport card.  Carry the passport card with us off the ship along with a credit card.  Passport card is the best deal going.  While it doesn't;t replace the book, it facilitates obtaining a new book at the local embassy.

Rearranging the deck chairs...

It continues to amaze me that these corporate types couldn't care less about the product - the customer - and focus on caring about themselves.  

NEVER travel outside your country without a passport.  PERIOD.  We have both passports and a cruise card which is the same size as a driver's license.  Take both on cruises with the card being identification on/off ships if needed.  One never knows when an emergency will happen and the passport become the proof of citizenship. 

On 1/5/2023 at 9:46 PM, the more ports the better said:

I am CEO of my company and my husband is COO.  We make 10 times what our employees make and we pay our employees very well, most have PhD’s and the job market is competitive.  Our employees don’t have to work 365 days per year 12 hours per day or more and assume 100% of the risk, clear out their savings accounts, sign personal guarantees, and mortgage their houses when the business is getting its legs and times are tight.

 

My husband has also been CEO of two public companies, one small and one multi billion, he didn’t get there by not bringing an enormous amount of value into both those companies.  A great executive team makes a company succeed and is invaluable.  A poor executive team makes a company go bankrupt.

 

Also, tips show up on the books and are accounted for like any other income.

Cruise line contract employees' gratuities are NOT "on the books" of a cruise line.  One of the reasons cruise lines do this is to avoid paying taxes on gratuities.

On 11/22/2022 at 9:03 AM, Hlitner said:

We have a suggestion for those in high risk categories.  Before you cruise (or travel) ask your own family physician if he/she would advise you to take Paxlovid in the event you tested positive for COVID.  If so, simply explain you will be cruising/traveling and request a prescription.  We carry our own supply (for 2 persons) of Paxlovid along with several home testing kits.  For us, a big advantage of getting Paxlovid at home is that we have a prescription program that pays for the drug.  As very frequent international travelers we carry a pretty decent drug supply to handle most common issues.  

 

Hank

As discussed on other threads Paxlovid is a prescription medication that is prescribed for a specific instance and use.  Self-medicating using Paxlovid is not only dangerous, but likely illegal in  most places.  Doctors who prescribe it "just in case" need to be reported to state and federal medical authorities.  That said, most cruise ships carry it these days.

On 11/22/2022 at 9:03 AM, Hlitner said:

We have a suggestion for those in high risk categories.  Before you cruise (or travel) ask your own family physician if he/she would advise you to take Paxlovid in the event you tested positive for COVID.  If so, simply explain you will be cruising/traveling and request a prescription.  We carry our own supply (for 2 persons) of Paxlovid along with several home testing kits.  For us, a big advantage of getting Paxlovid at home is that we have a prescription program that pays for the drug.  As very frequent international travelers we carry a pretty decent drug supply to handle most common issues.  

 

Hank

As discussed on other threads Paxlovid is a prescription medication that is prescribed for a specific instance and use.  Self-medicating using Paxlovid is not only dangerous, but likely illegal in  most places.  Doctors who prescribe it "just in case" need to be reported to state and federal medical authorities.  That said, most cruise ships carry it these days.

On 12/20/2022 at 2:45 PM, LHT28 said:

I am sure it is a cheap option also  🤔

Likely the cruise lines will totally balloon the price above anything reasonable.

On 12/20/2022 at 12:18 PM, shepherd really said:

In all the discussions here on the internet service on remote voyages, never once did I hear someone suggest buying or renting a satellite phone, which would make the service provided by the cruise line irrelevant.

We sailed with Hurtigruten (Fram) to Antarctica and south of the Antarctic Circle with many stops to Zodiac ashore.  Great trip to include wonderful food.  And, great internet enabling the downloading of books for evening reading.  Have also had horrible totally unusable internet on Princess during a TA.  Its all in what the cruise line wants to provide it customers.

18 hours ago, RJB said:

Thanks for your comments..  Nice to hear that not everyone feels that the ship looks so bad. 

Marina does NOT "look bad."  Just fine, in fact.  Personally don't much care for chrome and glitz.  

On 12/13/2022 at 10:32 AM, shepherd really said:

Yes, not signing off when you are done is first cousin to trying to "reserve" a lounge chair by putting your belongings on it and then disappearing for hours.  

Thanks for the advice.  The actual time "away" was in seconds to minutes, not hours.  FYI - its not easy to finger-type on an iPad or other small mobile device, especially when the connection is "dropped."  Were there lounge chair hogs on Marina's last TA?  Didn't notice...

On 12/8/2022 at 2:46 PM, susiesan said:

I'll let you know, the last 2 days of this sailing are sea days. 

One of the problems with free wifi is people log on, check their email or a few things, and don't log off. They stay connected all day. When you get limited time you will log off and on so as to not waste your minutes. 

On the just completed Marina TA any wifi connection was terminated minutes following the last activity.  This required repeated logons which became very intrusive and frustrating.

The food is good.  The ambiance sometimes not so much.  We recently experienced Jacques and Red Ginger on Marina.  Jacques is stuffed with tables sitting on hardwood floors which amplify sound throughout the restaurant.  We were at a two-top and could bared hear each other across the table.  Ate in Red Ginger twice, first time was good with the ship maybe half full.  Second time a two couples sat at the table next to us came in well oiled with one carrying three drinks.  Unpleasant.  Dinning is more than food. Ambiance is important.

We also need to remember that the slogan "Finest Cuisine at Sea" is a registered trademark and not an actual evaluation by any independent organization.

3 minutes ago, jonthomas said:

 

 

agree with all that you say....but alas we have 6 more booked with O....and no other option that interests us.....

Going to give Azamara a serious look.  Sailed with them many times pre-Covid and before they were broken off from RCCL.  Always enjoyed the ships, ambiance, crews, and felt it was truly "like coming home" again.  We don't enjoy the mega ships and carnival atmosphere.

Not quite the worst cruise ever, but close.  NOT up to expectations.  Onboard Rome to Miami.  Toooo many days.

Immigration at San Juan was a real cluster and all Marina's fault.  Took the ship 2 hours and 45 minutes to get everyone off.  Scary when you think about safety and security.  I addressed the issue with one of the senior officers - and received a head shrug.  NOT the fault of immigration.  We processed through that in minutes.  The terminal did have chairs for sitting - thankfully.  Doors open and A/C at full blast resulted in a cold for both of us.  Management/leadership incompetence. 

Found the ship to be dated and in need of overhaul.  NOT a "near luxury" ship.  

Ate at specialty restaurants six times out of eight reservations.  Food was generally good, if served colder than expected.  Best of the restaurants was Polo.  The noise level in Jacques and Red Ginger was uncomfortably loud resulting from too many tables too close together.  Couple next to us in Red Ginger came in soused (carrying three drinks).  Disappointing.  We ate mostly in the Terrace Cafe which was also crowded with tables too close together (saw one lady trip and fall over a chair leg) - it was also impossible to get through to your table after selecting food from the buffet.

Crew was great.  Worked hard to please.  Can't say the same about leadership.

Guest lecturers were good and knowledgeable.  

Embarkation was a breeze in Civitavecchia.  Walked off in Miami (see immigration above) and in car at Miami international within one hour.

"Worst Internet at Sea" should be Oceania's moto.  Horrible connectivity.  First day tried logging on and received notification it would be $25/day for "basic (non existent)" Internet.  Had my mobile phone "on" while checking in and that counted as the only device allowed (reception grudgingly "fixed" it).  "Fast" Internet was $35/day.  No thanks.  Only good connection was last two days specifically for comments.

Everything on board appeared geared to nickel and dimming you from your money.  Boutique prices brought tears to my eyes they were so far above normal.  Why?  Who wants to pay over $120 for a polo shirt?  Nuts!

Cabin was nice and comfortable - "PH" on Deck 11.  HVAC worked well.  Great closet.

Looks like first and last time on Oceania for us.

We did Antartica on Hurtigruten's Fram making a dozen landings on islands and the continent itself, visited several research stations and were enthralled by the local wildlife, seals, whales, and of course penguins.  Hurtigruten provided the boots and jacket (got to keep the jacket) and we cruised the Antarctic Ocean from Ushuaia and back.  My spouse likens the difference to her experience as a teen driving through New York City: her father told her to look out the rear window to see the Empire State Building.  Stopping was not an option.  We have stepped on all 7 continents.  Africa safari with Tauck and Antarctica with Hurtigruten have been highlights of our travels.

Wearing a tux to 6pm dinner went out when waiters stopped calling people to dinner by walking the First Class passageways playing xylophones.