tropicalkerry2002

we did it in 2019, but TRUMP changed our itinerary!

On 9/25/2023 at 11:50 AM, CDNPolar said:

We watched PBS and saw Viking ads constantly.  We had never been on a cruise as a couple.

 

We went on our first Viking cruise and loved the experience and Viking would still be our only cruise line if there was not a problem with the launch of a new ship on the Nile, and our dates were canceled and we went on that cruise with Uniworld.

 

So - a whopping TWO, but in future we have booked two more with Viking.

 

I think we will have done 9 cruises with Viking with what is booked now.

 

I am one that if I like something, I will stick with it.  I don't need variety.

 

There are restaurants I have been to many times and only eaten the dish that I ordered on the first trip there, and never tried anything else.  Why spoil a good thing!

 

We love Viking and plan to stick with them.

A cruiser and diner just like me!

Here's my list:

Oceania x 13! Love it, and fits me!

At least they didn't change the name to Nassau Noshes!

On 8/20/2023 at 11:12 AM, Momnipotent said:

I'd be curious to hear your assessment of O after your next cruise. We are currently on our first cruise back since 2019. Our 15th O cruise. I used to sing their praises as best bang for your buck. I loved the food, the artist Loft, the Culinary Center, alcohol not included, no art auctions or photographer, no formal nights or specific meal times, etc. 

This time, we see a big change in the food. Not much change in the menus, lots of repetition and running out of things we like. The worst is all the coughing passengers, elevators and tenders are covid filled. We ended up sick after about two weeks and the Medical Center fees are exorbitant. No wonder the sick people don't go to the Medical Center, it's SO expensive. We've missed several ports to keep us "safe" but what about keeping us"healthy "?

I would say that the crew is still generally terrific. The Simply More program holds no benefit for us. 

We've decided to cancel a 2024 cruise we had booked. Just not interested anymore. It's a shame. 

Momnipotent:

I enjoyed my cruise very much, despite going to Nassau rather than Bermuda. Everything I ate was delicious, my medium filet mignon in Polo was perfect as all my previous cruises. I noticed a couple of things I love in Toscana were no longer on the menu, and the Carpaccio serving was much smaller than before. I found service in all restaurants started to bog down at 8PMish, as they filled, but wasn't bothered by it...I'm finished the main part of the meal by then. Ship looked great, housekeeping was perfect. So happy, that I booked the Bermuda cruise for Sept of 2024, and hope misfortune won't strike twice!

Well, there's not much I enjoy about British food, except roast beef with Yorkshire pudding(which they never seem to serve together!), and I'm not a seafood fan, so I felt I'd be let down. Didn't they have it on the cruise Set 6-13?

Sorry, I don't know, didn't go either night.

They did the same British Bermuda theme for 2 nights last week, also. And we didn't even get to Bermuda!

Thanks to everyone who posted menus, weather reports, chair hog gripes, and hits on your cruise! Hope disembarking is a breeze for you, and try not to be too jealous that you didn't get to Nassau...NOT!

all I can think is possible is to go way out east in the Atlantic, and approach Bermuda from the west, but dunno if they'd do that...

You shouldn't even have to ASK a pool attendant to remove those banners!

If an attendant sees someone put things on a chair, and heading off for a meal or whatever, the belongings should be taken away.

Thanks for posting the menu! Would you mind posting each time you  eat in MDR? Wondering if it will be the same for us next week....wherever we are!

I board one week from today, and woke to the news of Hurricane Lee probably affecting Bermuda next week. Seems you should miss it, lucky ducks!

Have a wonderful time, and looking forward to reading your experiences. If you could please let me know what the temp was like on your sea days, I'd appreciate it. Happy sails to all of you!

Thank you GrammieK, enjoy your cruise!

I am boarding Insignia for this cruise on Sept 13th. If anyone reading this thread is doing this cruise and could report here how WARM or COOL the sea days at the beginning and end of the cruise are/were, I would appreciate it very much! Thank you.

As if I wasn't excited enough to be getting on this ship 2 weeks from today!!!! Thanks so much!!!

Hi Momnipotent,

I am trying to steel myself for the changes I will find in 3 weeks. I felt in 2019 there changes with the food, and definitely less choice than in 2017. I am prepared to wear a mask a lot of the time, and carry hand sanitizer with me while on ship.

With all the changes O is announcing, I am becoming more and more sure that this will be my last O cruise, particularly as my financial circumstances have changed since I last cruised. It's sad to even think about letting go....

This will be my 12th with O, though there were 2 B2Bs, one 38 days long, so I have as much O experience as you.  I will do my best to remember to post here when I return....I have a good memory, but it's short.

My ex always had to ask for half and half, and sometimes it would come. Once he was brought whipping cream!

Thanks to all for the info! Can't wait to get on board!

for the best views of NYC?

I've never been on anything BUT Oceania and I'll tell you what I love. The peace. Not crowded. Not gaudy. Not noisy. Can find an empty space easily. Great food. Everything included except alcohol, except for a couple of REALLY special dinners. Cabins nicely furnished with real furniture, not built in. Wonderful dress code. Few kids. Great ports. Great perks. Lovely passengers (mostly). No silliness.

Finally sailing O again for the first time since 2019, in LESS THAN 3 MONTHS!

Jan, please let Oceania know that I will never say a bad word about the cookies again, if they keep "cruise only" as it is!

How did car services manage BEFORE cell phones??? We always were able to meet with the driver somehow! First time I used a cellphone for a car that I couldn't find, was at the port in LA in 2016.

My Canadianism is coming through very clearly!

Smoked meat is milder than pastrami, I believe, but I can certainly appreciate a great sandwich of either!

And don't worry...ship doesn't sail till 1700! There is time for lunch, since that will be all I get to experience of NYC!

Thanks for the car service recommendations, Princeton!

Car SERVICE that you recommend...would like to pre=arrange and not use data!