Waltershipman

22 minutes ago, harryw said:

Maybe the Cruise Director followed this thread…

I thought that as well as a 2nd announcement was made in pm.as well

On 1/21/2024 at 5:28 PM, clo said:

Whereas I loathe the sun (sand also) so I could give my allotment to anyone else.

On Vista now. At 930am CD announced to please not reseve loungers unless intended for use. At 1000am there were many unused and unreserved loungers both in sun and shade near pool

14 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

Any relationship to Ken Shipman?

Waltershipman is a pseudonym so no relation thanks

9 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

Why?

9 minutes ago, oskidunker said:

Why?

Ooops now people are in next room.and we can hear talking

9 minutes ago, Acrusa said:

In our cabin on deck 9 no noise from next. door. We watch the tv CC haven't heard any sounds 

If you cruise on Vista be sure to bring a clock LOL

We are on deck 7 now and there is no noise at all.and we are near an elevator 

Cruise well with gratitude 

17 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

I think they were providing 5% discount early on for on board bookings.  What usurped it was the poor future bookings and the need for the current 40% off sale which in many cases would supersede the discount.

 

The had planned to announce a loyalty program in 2024 but ???

They did give OBC (Experience Credits) for those in competitor loyalty programs in May/June 23...

However since I had booked in April they did not give me the match credit. Oh well loved EJ anyway a lot

1 minute ago, PrivateIdaho said:

Please do. Don’t think you’ll find lounge hogs on Explora. Have a great time. 

Thats correct be well 

23 minutes ago, Wheelhouse said:

We were on the Oceania Vista in October and are now seated on AA metal headed for Barbados and Explora 1. I will also try to make a comparison. 

Yes please do thanks

20 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

Thanks!

 

I will be curious to compare Explora to .... Explora!  Back later this winter but it appears that we will have almost double the passengers of the first time.

Will be interested to see how EJ is with a higher pax count

Enjoy I will report

9 minutes ago, Stickman1990 said:

Thank you - happy to help with info where possible 

 

Were on Crystal Serenity next month so I’ll no doubt be comparing the two lines 

Will love that comparison as well 

Enjoy

 And thanks 

14 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

Have a great trip - will be eager to hear all about it!

14 minutes ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

Have a great trip - will be eager to hear all about it!

Thank you so much I will report back

I enjoy your posts

13 minutes ago, Stickman1990 said:

Please come back and share your comparison of Explora 1 v Oceania Vista - definitely interesting in feedback on the two experiences 

Will do for sure. Will be an interesting experience to compare

Take care and thanks for all your posts and input

2 hours ago, JTor said:

Another vote for EJ based on your stated preferences.  

 

agree with BigCruiseGuy you will hopefully love EJ based on your stated interests.  Ship is gorgeous, food is the best at sea, it’s casual, the crowd is varied in age and origin and quite worldly.  Oceania may also suit you at a lower price point, less inclusions (especially if you don’t drink).  We found the Regent passengers quite non-diverse but perhaps that has changed.

SPOT ON sailed EJ in October and loved it and will be on thr new Oceania Vista this week. Lots to experience lots to compare. Certain to please 

2 minutes ago, clo said:

I wonder if their other food tastes are less 'wild and crazy.'

How bout foie gras Wagu beef sushi to stimulate the taste buds along with ice cream for dessert lol

10 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Most reviewers seem to agree they are a premium ice cream, and they use premium ingredients.

 

Why do you say they are not? (Personal taste is not an answer.)

It is known as a hig oremium product in San Francisco bay its origin

7 minutes ago, Stickman1990 said:

I believe you can get a lot of value from using an experienced TA - both in terms of advice and management if your booking as well as financially. All of that should not cost you one cent extra and using them should be a financial benefit to you 

 

I can’t think of a con

 

Not sure when you booked but if it was recently I suggest you consider contacting a TA who can get the booking transferred to them and then offer you all the benefits that come from using a good TA 

 

Note Cruise Critic rules prevent anyone posting the details of a TA here for you

Excellent wise and experienced advice

45 minutes ago, Redtravel said:

Love the croissants. Had one every morning. Breakfast pastry is good. Desserts aren’t my thing. I love cookies. Oceania needs better recipes for cookies.  My favorite cookies are Girl Scout thin mints.  

Agreed i can eat an entire box of Girl Scout thin mints soon after opening

1 minute ago, Tr1v1alCru1ser said:

We enjoyed all the flavours of HS ice cream we tried. 

Thank you will be eating some next week

8 minutes ago, clo said:

Those sound great! And SO San Francisco 🙂

 

Daughter used to live in San Francisco and worked in food industry and lives this ice cream

2 minutes ago, Waltershipman said:

Is Humphrey Slocum still the ice cream of Oceania

 

Very rich history 

Humphry Slocombe

On 3/1/2023 at 9:34 AM, cruisemom42 said:

What are some of the flavors offered?

Is Humphrey Slocum still the ice cream of Oceania

Very rich history 

3 minutes ago, islabahia said:

I have social anxiety so for me sharing a table is not an option.  When we hit our window (75 days) I will be booking as quickly as possible.  We prefer early and if we cannot get a two top we will dine in our suite.  

Get on the website at 1200pm EST

Good luck

1 minute ago, Hlitner said:

Not having yet been on the Vista, we do not have a first hand opinion about the sound insulation.  But we have cruised on more than 75 different cruise ships (16 cruise lines) and have had varying degrees of sound insulation.  There is no mystery to insulation on cruise ships and its just a matter of a line spending the extra money for extra insulation (and perhaps move space between the bulkheads.  So, if it is true that the Vista has awful soundproofing, than its on O and its architect.  Kind of sad for a "premium line."

 

Hank

I am bringing some ear plugs but hope they are not needed. Will know soon enough. Will keep you posted Hank

Be well

3 minutes ago, Iamthesea said:

Yes, if we want a table for only 2 persons, the only available times for the week were 8:30 and 9:00 for two out of the 7 nights.  9:00 for the rest of the week.  And these were just for Polo Grill and Ember.  The other two, Toscana and Red Ginger had no times available for tables of two.

 

As suggested, I am going ahead and booking the last two to sit with others (I am not sure if we can pick how many at a table) and then check when we are onboard.

An additional option maybe to call Oceania and request your alternative to two top table

We only got Toscana 2 top for 1st evening

Good luck 

26 minutes ago, Vallesan said:

Hlitner and Waltershipman

 

I’ve not sailed on the Vista but have sailed ‘R’ and ‘O’ class Oceania ships.  We’ve also sailed Seabourn and Silversea.

 

I agree with you both that SB passengers tend to be friendly, the staff go above and beyond and being ‘invited’ to dinner with crew members can be quite enjoyable. 

 

We loved Silversea as well but it was maybe slightly more ‘stuffy’, only a smidgeon, but we loved the butler and  champagne and caviar on tap.

 

Oceania is different. Firstly, Vista has double the number of passengers. The crew don’t interact in the same way as they do on SB. The general atmosphere is more relaxed.

 

We’ve  enjoyed all our Oceania cruises but they are ‘different’ to Silversea and Seabourn. Please go with an open mind and expect the experience to be ‘different’ but enjoyable, hopefully!

 

 

Absolutely agree  plus cruising  is the absolute BEST