YoPhilly

On 10/28/2023 at 4:09 PM, Cruzin Terri said:

Thaks.  I really think this would have worked had I been aware of the rules.

I just was not paying attention when I booked the airfare.  The funny thing is, I had enough AMEX points to pay for the airfare as well.  I would have been fully covered.

I am not going to fight with them when it is in black and white what the rules are.

I learned a hard lesson and wanted others to be aware to make sure they don't make the same mistake I did.

Terri

Thanks for the post.  Now I'm thanking my lucky stars that I booked our flights using AMEX points.😅

1 hour ago, Kozimoto1209 said:

Can I ask what you booked? We are there end of February also.

Thanks

We have tickets for Great Opera Hits.

On 9/25/2023 at 3:11 PM, gdlamberth said:

While I don't proclaim to be an expert, here's some things we've enjoyed in the past:

 

1. Try to catch a show (not a tour) at the Sydney Opera House.  We're seeing "Opera's Greatest Arias" in February 2024

Greg

We have tickets to the same show in February (2/25)!

I kept checking their website and they finally loaded some performances for my date (February).  Booked tickets and can't wait!

I'm finding very few options for Nuku Hiva shore excursions.  I've searched this forum for any reviews of Temarama Tours but found nothing.  Does anyone have any experience with this operator?

On 9/3/2023 at 1:04 AM, roscoe39 said:

Ponsonby, which is my suburb is the place to come for lunch - more restaurants bars and cafes than you can shake a stick at and apparently the shopping is pretty good as well.

Roscoe, is there public transit from CBD to Ponsonby?

38 minutes ago, Vineyard View said:

Makes sense for all the passengers who are fleeing one particular line. Thank you. I never read Celebrity’s boards as I have had no interest in that size of ship sailing. I wonder if the many passengers who left Celebrity have also tried other lines in the same segment as Oceania, or even the ‘luxury’ brands (I know johnthomas sailed V). Maybe there is just such a relieved sense of satisfaction with that specific change that most are happy to stick with O and not venture to others. Idk. It was just a curiosity thing. 

I really wanted to try Viking and booked a cruise with them. I canceled it when Viking asked for final payment a year in advance. It’s too bad but that’s a dealbreaker for me.

8 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

Exactly my point. That is what is why I just wonder why all the comparisons are between Celebrity and  Oceania. 

 

 

Maybe O is getting more refugees from X than other lines?  Taking that next step up.

8 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

We have never sailed Celebrity. Never had the desire, so can not compare, but I do find it interesting how many people compare celebrity with Oceania. I would not have thought to categorize Oceania with Celebrity as I have always thought they were maybe a bridge between Princess et all and O, V, and Az, who  seem to be a bridge between SB, SS, and Regent. As a result, I would expect that Oceania would be a step up from Celebrity, etc. Maybe I am missing something, but sincerely, I would never compare Oceania and Celebrity in expectations of experience. 

We left Princess for Celebrity after about 15 cruises, then left Celebrity for Oceania after about 10 cruises. I would categorize Celebrity as a bridge from Princess to Oceania. We just got tired of being charged for specialty restaurants, bottled water and a decently-made cup of coffee.  Oh, and those persistent photographers!!

Thanks to all of you for the helpful suggestions.  I'll look for a sturdy carry-all box at the wine store.

5 minutes ago, TheOldBear said:

My carry on is mostly wine bottles [750 & magnum] padded with socks.

I think 2 magnums & 4 750s [one of them bubbly]

Socks!  That's pretty clever! 😁

For the first time ever, I'm planning to bring a few bottles of wine onboard with me, and I'm wondering how most people transport the bottles.  I plan to buy them at my port of embarkation (Los Angeles).  For those of you who have done this, what do you do with the bottles - wrap them well and put in your luggage, or do you just leave them in the store's bag or box?  I don't have to hide the bottles...just wondering what people do with their wine.  Thanks!

7 hours ago, mauibabes said:

Ditto ORV,

Vineyard, we have not been on V or SB so NO comparisons. Perhaps set your level to V and let the chips fall. I refuse to sail Viking, ocean or river, due to their pricing and payment policies. We routinely book cruises upwards of two years out and there is no way I am paying for a cruise in full that early because “life happens”!  

All I do know is that we enjoy being treated well, be able to chat with staff and laugh together and get to know them over the term of the cruise. Wonderful people!  Long ago for a special occasion I opted for a PH and on occasion we had a Suite fall into our lap. 🤪, so the die was cast and I have not gotten her back into a Concierge level stateroom. My DW loves her Butlers, just great guys and attentive but she is not demanding, just keep her ice bucket full. We always travel with friends so our Butler gets to make extra dinner reservations for 4-6 and that has never been a problem. We do like to be called by name and that begins almost immediately.  If you are having a stateroom issue, mention it to your Room Steward, the “fix” begins with them. If you have a Concierge, talk with them. Get to know the Maitre D’s in the various restaurants and your servers, they are very friendly and can make some special things happen.  We had a dinner in Polo, Post Covid, and had a couple substandard Prime Filets. I called the Maitre D over and we had a quiet chat. From that night on, and yes the ship was only 1/3 full, he told us we had a table in his restaurant ANY night for 6. We took full advantage of his offer 😇🙏. The staff are very hard working and committed to serving you. Will they come up short on occasion, Yes.  The most important thing is if you have issues, tell them! 
 

Like ORV, we can sit and watch the world sail bye and be content. Give my DW a seat up front in Horizons with her Needlepoint project chatting with the other ladies and she is in “heaven”.  Me, I will play some games, meet guests and earn Big O Points. I can even be content sitting in the Laundry Room chatting with the ladies or guys, you’d be surprised about the topics 🤙.  The Artists Loft is great fun if so inclined. Oceania guests are not generally the mass market party hearty cruisers nor the Luxury cruiser, just people looking to travel in a bit of luxury and receive great value for their travel dollar.  
 

Just enjoy your cruise.

Mauibabes

What lovely comments. Mauibabes!  We feel the exact same way.  We enjoy the low-key vibe on O ships.  We are very content to read, to visit the library, to watch the ocean, to meet for coffee.  I'll often sit in a deck chair with some knitting.  We're very happy with O, after having made the switch from Princess to X to O.  We've found our home at-sea.

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

What is a hump cabin??

X ships have hump cabins that jut out from the side of the ship, resulting in larger balconies.

4 minutes ago, ORV said:

I got one of those at the Intercontinental quite a few years ago on either Hotwire or Priceline. Seems like it was under $150. It's a great property. I do find that I don't see as good of deals on those websites as much anymore. Of course part of that is that we get free rooms from Marriott and Hilton most of the time with the credit card plan. We have 3 Marriott cards that have a yearly fee of $99 each, each year there is a free night with each one up to 35k points. In January we had a free room at the Hilton Bentley at South Beach, $500 or more a night, and then a free night at the Gabriel Downtown Miami, right across the street from the port, this past March. Woke up and stepped out on the balcony and the Riviera was there waiting for us. 

 

All that to say maybe the reasons I don't see good deals on Priceline or Hotwire much anymore is that I don't use them as much as I used to.  Like the saying goes, free beats wholesale. 

Oh yeah!  I'm using points for the Marriott that sits right underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge - SCORE!!

Check deals on Hotwire.  We got a great deal at the Intercontinental.  Fabulous view of the port and just a $10 cab ride.

1 hour ago, hazmat1 said:

Glad to see other Philly peeps on here.  We are from south Philly currently in The Villages FL and will be on the Ovation for the transpacific in October.  
 

I am trying to figure out the transportation from the cruise port to the hotel and then to the airport.  

What hotel did you choose in Sydney?

1 minute ago, yarramar said:

That should work. Beachwise, Manly is better and also much easier to get to from the CBD by public transport (ferry vs train & bus) Manly is the best ferry ride. This may also be of interest https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Manly-Ferry-Audio-Commentary-Audiobook/B00FOEMLVI

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my very novice questions.  We're looking forward to our time there.  I'd love to do a month of travel around your beautiful country, but we'll already have been away from home for 7 weeks!  All good things must come to an end!  Thanks again for your suggestions. 😀

2 minutes ago, yarramar said:

They are both worlds apart and can't really be compared. Bundeena has the advantage of being within the 2nd oldest national park in the world and a truly beautiful unspoilt location. Manly is a short ferry ride from Sydney and is quite built up but a lovely day out nevertheless.

Last night I found I can get tickets to a performance at Sydney Opera House while we're in town, and this "beach" day would be a shortened day.  Here's my inexperienced thinking: Skip the crowds at Bondi; take the easy ferry to Manly for a relaxing few hours of swimming, walking and lunch.  Back into Sydney by around 4PM for a nap, shower and light dinner before the opera.  Is Manly "good enough" for a scenic ferry ride and experience?

3 minutes ago, yarramar said:

Scenic World also has 2 other "rides" besides the scenic skyway and is worth spending a couple of hours as well as to get access down into the rainforest where you can walk for miles. It has become a little cheesy with it's emphasis on dinosaurs but I would still recommend visiting it as it really is quite unique.

My husband and I love trains, so I was wondering about the Scenic World train.  Where does it go, and what would we see there?

29 minutes ago, yarramar said:

You could also look at the train to Cronulla, which is a beach suburb with a beautiful stretch of beaches. From there you can catch a ferry to Bundeena which is a coastal village surrounded by the Royal National Park.  

http://bundeenainfo.com/

Thanks for the link, which I just explored.  It looks charming.  For a beach experience, I'm leaning toward the ferry to Manly, which I understand has a relaxing vibe with cafes, beaches and a popular walking path.  How would you compare Manly to Bundeena?

14 minutes ago, yarramar said:

The train to Katoomba for the Blue Mountains is a good day trip.

I've been researching the train to Katoomba, but reached a dead end when arriving in the town.  Can you help with these questions?  From the Katoomba train station, is it walkable to any of the lookout points (like Echo Point), and/or are the views of the Jamison Valley and Three Sisters seen from just about anywhere in Katoomba?  We're not interested in taking the Scenic World cable car over the valley....if DIY by train to Katoomba, what would you recommend doing/seeing/eating, etc.?  I've also read that Leura is a charming town; would you recommend spending an hour or two there as well?  One last question, are taxis or Ubers readily available in Katoomba and Leura?  Thanks so much for your assistance.😁

We'll be in Sydney for almost 5 full days after our cruise, and we'd like to see something of Australia's diverse scenery before flying home.  I'm thinking day trips to Blue Mountains and/or the Southern Highlands.  We're not comfortable driving on the left, and I only see expensive private tours to the Southern Highlands.  A couple of questions...1) what would be your top sightseeing destinations outside of Sydney?  2) Is there a way to do Southern Highlands day trip by bus or rail - if so, recommended or not?

If you have other thoughts/suggestions for things to see or do, please feel free to comment.  We're both in our silver years so not into strenuous activities.  I know 5 days is NOTHING to experience Australia, but we'd love to make the most of it.  We'll definitely tour the Opera House, spend an afternoon/evening at The Rocks, 1/2 day at Manly or Bondi Beach.  Maybe a DIY train trip to Blue Mountains.  Then what?  Please help!

On 8/4/2023 at 3:10 AM, roscoe39 said:

hi yo Philly,

don't panic if the excursions to Russell have sold out. There will be a free bus from the jetty at Waitangi where the tenders should berth into Paihia and you will be dropped off at the wharf. It's a short ferry ride across to Russell from there....about 20 minutes, You can easily walk the town and visit all the sites while eating an ice cream and for a bit of excercise walk up to the top of the hill to the flagstaff and view the stunning bay from there. any questions just ask - I was bought up in the Bay and even though I live in Auckland I know it pretty well.

 

ps...there is plenty to do there, from the Hole in the Rock boat trip to visiting Waitangi treaty grounds and Marae which is a short walk from the jetty., there's a beautiful Kauri Forest and some good restaurants. Paihia is a beautiful beach town.

Thanks very much for your help.  I've made a note of your suggestion.

On 8/8/2023 at 4:54 PM, LHT28 said:

If there is just 2 of us I have to ask them to remove the bread basket  or will not have room for anything else 

YUMMM

I admire your restraint!