PinonNoir

A 1er Chablis for $30 is a great deal!  However, there is a good chance it will be over the hill at nearly 7 years old.  The wine prices overall seem very good.

We arrived in Quito on January 9th, the day the ***** hit the fan.  We ended up staying near the airport versus going into Colonial Quito that night.  After our Galapagos cruise, we did stay in Colonial Quito for one night, before we headed to Mashpi Lodge.  We didn't feel unsafe in any way, but it was a bit surreal to see the military presence in the city.  I live-blogged from the trip if you are the least bit curious.  Based on our experience, I think you are going to be fine in Quito.  We did not stay in Guayaquil, just flew in and out on the same plane, so I can't comment on that city.

Chris

3 hours ago, alliecat44 said:

Thanks so much, Chris! We are booked with Quasar on our preferred itinerary in September 2024–can’t wait! In the meantime, will be checking out your blog—thank you so much for sharing!!! 

If you can add Mashpi Lodge to the front or tail end of your trip, I highly recommend it.  It's not cheap, but it was worth every penny and then some!  Make sure you request Santiago as your guide...he was incredible!

Chris

We just visited the Galapagos last month.  We sailed with Quasar, and were quite happy with the experience.  The lead Naturalist advised they know the itinerary well in advance, so that they don't go to spots too often or overlap with other guests.  Quasar has been very easy to work with.  I would just call them (either Paul or Diane will assist you).  They have been to the Galapagos several times and know the area well.

We did see the blue footed boobie mating dance several times, but I only got a little on video.  I also live blogged from the yacht if you are curious (just a hobby, not a business).  Let me know if you have any questions!

Chris

2 hours ago, jazznruby said:

 Istanbul and Ephesus cancelled, replaced with 2 more stops in Greece (Gythion, Argostoli) and 2 in Croatia (Kotor, Dubrovnik).

Just a quick clarification.  Kotor is actually in Montenegro, not Croatia.  It is indeed beautiful, and the people are super friendly.

5 hours ago, Harry Lake said:

 And nine days at sea? That would be a nightmare for us.

Agreed. Our Southampton to Iceland cruise this past July ended up with two back-to-back sea days when they canceled a port, and I frankly didn't know what to do with myself!  I travel to see new parts of the world, not hang out in Baristas or walk around the pool 100 times.

Nine days of nothing...and you are paying for it.  I'd rather stay at my house.  At least I have excellent access to Pinot Noir there!

3 minutes ago, ToxM said:

Not making excuses for O, they are notorious for shortening times in port lately.

Yep, they have shortened times in port on both of my last two cruises, one this past July, and one just this month.  Interesting that they never add time to any port!  They do however show up early from time to time (twice on our cruise this month), but for those planning their own excursions, that isn't helpful.

30 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

Very disturbing. Lack if customer service. Might prefer Viking considering all this. Maybe they are in financial trouble. 

I think the overall number of people who immediately took advantage of the offered FCC freaked them out.  They were looking at a nearly empty ship with a full crew, and scrambled to stop the hemorrhaging.

21 minutes ago, Vertygo said:

I had a similar experience, also involving Allianz, after canceling an O cruise due to my husband’s advanced Alzheimer’s. Turns out they consider dementia to be a “mental condition” & not covered as pre-existing. Within a couple days after filing with CA Dept of Insurance I was notified they would pay since his physician’s letter stated he had a neurological condition.

 

Love your last paragraph PinonNoir. We didn’t get to where we are by being shrinking violets.

Who would have thought the California Department of Insurance would be so effective!?!

BTW, I sent my contact there a glowing "thank you" note and told her to please forward it to her supervisor.  I give a lot of grief to government employees,  but this incident impressed the hell out of me!

On 10/28/2023 at 9:06 AM, Rhett789 said:

Lesson learned:  1. Don't by air fare upgrades through the cruise company.  Buy your own airfare and make sure it is changeable for a little more money. I used to think you were protected when you purchased through the cruise company, apparently no so.  2. Do you think we will ever sail on Oceania again?????  Not me.

The airfare issue is an important lesson.  We have always purchased our own airfare after our first Oceania cruise in 2007.   While we purchased our airfare for that cruise, another couple we traveled with used Oceania for airfare and arrived in Venice about 4 hours before the cruise departed. Their departure from Rome was about 5 hours after the cruise arrived, and they were scrambling to get to the airport on time from Citivavecchia.  The last thing I want is "bookends of stress" on a cruise!

On 10/28/2023 at 8:21 AM, Harters said:

 Everywhere can be a risk. Even small towns like Lewiston, Maine. 

Agreed.  We've been in nearby Boothbay Harbor and there were quite a few businesses closed while that maniac was still at large.

On 7/30/2023 at 6:46 PM, 1985rz1 said:

Let us know the outcome.

I wanted to give an update on the claim I filed with my credit card regarding the $2000+ I lost on my Faroe Islands tour this past July.  The company Visa uses, eclaimsline.com, is run by Allianz Insurance.  My initial claim was denied, with eclaimsline stating that the guide I hired was not a common carrier.  I appealed based on info from the guide company, and was denied two more times before they stopped communicating with me entirely.  Emails to various folks at Allianz insurance went unanswered.

I then filed a claim with the California Department of Insurance, who surprisingly were on the case immediately.  I sent them all of my info, and they filed a claim for me with Allianz.  A few weeks later, a person higher up from Chubb Insurance (I guess they own Allianz?) again denied me, yet they ignored one of the emails I forwarded from Guide to Faroe Islands.  When I asked why they ignored that email, the claims agent with the state of California also asked for clarification and indicated it was part of their file.

They finally acknowledged that email, stating that Guide to Faroe Islands is indeed a "Common Carrier", and overturned their denial three days ago, and have sent me a check.

It took three months of back and forth, but in the end it was worthwhile.  Bottom line, don't mess with retired people who have time on their hands.

On 10/25/2023 at 8:59 PM, brdgplay22 said:

These two ships were sailing identical itineraries from Istanbul to Dubai  in late November 2023.   19 day cruise. 

Due to the war in Israel, All the ports in the middle east were canceled and changed to greek islands instead then 9 sea days to Dubai.  At first they were offering

free cruise credit if you booked another cruise by Nov 30th.  Today they pulled the plug on that offer.  Executive decision we told.   Now. it is take the tour of the Greek islands in DECEMBER and then the 9 day repositioning cruise to Dubai or loose your money entirely.   NCL and Regent (same company) still going at a similar time frame with original ports.  Was told it was for our safety.  Obviously, they are not worried about passengers on NCL or Regent or that we will still be going thru the Suez canal and Red Sea.    Something is terribly wrong with this whole scenario.     They company has forever lost my business.  Be careful what you book.   

Can you post the initial offer they made, as well as the retraction? Curious.

3 hours ago, Jockocruiser said:

Glad to be one of the last off the ship whenever possible. Most of those folks are just going to be waiting at the airport longer.

Yep, we had a flight at 1155, so it was either relax on the ship, or wait at the airport. Being in Boston, the cruise terminal is literally just 10 minutes from the airport!  That was weird!

4 hours ago, LHT28 said:

We tip the day before  so as not to miss them 😉

Good idea!  I had a hard time tracking our butler down the morning of.

On our recent cruise on Insignia, Baristas was still open at 0900 when we headed toward the gangway.  Yes, there was a lot of money changing hands.  When we arrived on the disembarkation deck the line was quite long, and people were joining from multiple directions.  Rather than stand in that line we had a seat and waited it out.  It was about 0915 when the line disappeared, and we walked off.

As we sat there we saw a couple with their full sized luggage taking it off the ship, so if you want to take it off yourself in the morning it appears that isn't a problem.  Nobody was keeping track of the color codes they give you for disembarkation, so those codes appear to be more of a "suggestion".

7 hours ago, pinotlover said:

😂. Check the spelling! I believe he is Pinion as in Opinion! 🥂

The Dark Opinion! 🍷

To be honest, it was originally a typo when I first joined the board, as I was going for PinotNoir.  After a few posts I figured what the hell.

pinotlover, send me a note at pinot dot noir at Comcast dot net. I've gotta chat with you about wine.

Chris

1 minute ago, pinotlover said:

So isn’t that the question? Should Oceania just print the NZ policy in Currents ( many passengers never or rarely read Currents), make one announcement every day, or the constant reminders? Do constant reminders/announcements affect behavior of the Oblivious? Or, why waste your time on them?

The only way to get that message across is to ask them, very directly, at disembarkation. While the bulk of us read Currents, there are plenty who will always be in the dark. My wife was a middle school teacher, and no matter how many times she reiterated something, there was always that dense 10% who were completely clueless.

Let them pay the $300. Money may be the only way to wake them up.

One thing I didn't follow up on, I wore my jeans to every dinner on the ship. That's 4 nights in Toscana, 3 in Polo Grill, 2 in the GDR, and 2 in Terrace Cafe. Are my jeans "casual"?  I have no idea. If Oceania ever decides to define the term I'll let you know.

2 hours ago, ORV said:

Unless there has been a recent change this concept of piped in music is a bit overblown. I've heard music on the pool deck and in the restaurants during the day, but never very loud nor that annoying. But I like music.  I find worrying about it a non issue, the CD announcements on the other hand............

I can confirm I did not hear piped in music in the common spaces. If it was there is was so low as to not be noticed.

8 hours ago, pinotlover said:

We had a fellow passenger arrested at the port in Wellington. The dogs were on him immediately. He was carrying fruit ashore! Those continuing announcements went ignored as so many do.

That's interesting. If you watch a TV show called To Catch a Smuggler, there are several versions, but one of them focuses on New Zealand. They are HARD CORE when it comes to fruit!  If you come through the airport with undeclared fruit it's an automatic $300 charge!  No warnings, no second chances...pay the fine!  I respect their strictness.

15 hours ago, deck chair said:

Hi!    That is so awesome of you to share your thoughts about your Insignia cruise.  I will be on her for 40 days on a LA to Sydney passage in January.   I t typically sail on Cunard Line.  Announcements unless absolutely necessary are limited to the captain's noon report on Cunard ships.   Thank GOD!  I am wondering if the Insignia CD made incessant, intrusive and annoying announcements about events that are already in the program as if the passengers are blind or haven't learned to read yet.  If that is the case, it will mirror what I experienced on the Sirena for 20 days this past Winter.   I could never get a clear answer if this was corporate policy or left up to the CD.   Any thoughts?  Thanks again for your review.   Be well.

Deck Chair.

I don't know if this was the CD's fault or just Oceania policy. He would announce all of the days activities that were listed in Currents, so there was no need for him to repeat those. At the end of every announcement he would spend about 30 seconds advising people to stay in their staterooms if they felt sick and to call 00, and then a reminder to always use the hand sanitizer while walking around the ship. It got quite tedious.  I would say there were at least 3-4 announcements a day, but then we were ashore in each port, so there might have been more.

Moving this to the right place