CintiPam

5 hours ago, cruisingxpert said:

See if you can book an excursion to Jost Van Dyke from Tortola.  Gorgeous beach and Home of the famous Soggy Dollar Bar

 

Anyone who enjoys a lovely boat ride and a fantastic beach experience should check ASAP if Oceania is offering this excursion. I am a very picky Jersey Shore native sailing and beach enthusiast and assert that Jost Van Dyke is a top 3 Oceania Caribbean shore excursion in my experience. (I have enjoyed as many of those sailing and beach experiences as possible over the past ten years.) 

Political traveler spouse put Putinland on his personal no-go list about seven years ago, which is why we did our Norwegian exploration in 2016 on Azamara because Oceania’s primarily Norwegian itinerary includes Russian ports after North Cape such as Murmansk.
 

An embargo would not upset me at all. Cuba is no threat but still embargoed!

Any comments regarding your first port of Puerta Plata and its newly built and opened cruise terminal? Oceania has put this port on many of its Caribbean itineraries going forward. I have vacationed many times at AI resorts in Punta Cana on its splendid Bavaro Beach and was looking forward to checking out this new to Oceania port and its beaches.

So I am not the only one sensitive to these aft vibrations. It is the reason I will not book any cabin aft of the rear elevators and also why I refuse seating in those coveted aft window tables in the Grand Dining Room. Spouse is not at all sensitive to this but has learned never to sit down in the GDR until I approve the table assigned. (I request tables in the first half toward mid ships of the GDR but occasionally seating assignment mistakes do occur.)

The last time we actually tendered into Amalfi, six of us prearranged a charter of a small motorized boat with a captain and cruised up the coast with magnificent views up and then crossed to Capri, where our captain took us for a short sea tour around much of the island, including to the not famous grotto, docked for us to visit Capri for most of the day (five hours?),  then returned us to Amalfi.
 

BTW, we had done the famous drive on our first visit to this area on a private van tour from Sorrento organized by Oceania enthusiast and then frequent poster Jim (of StanandJim.) We had a magnificent lunch in Pantone (above Amalfi) on the way back from Ravello. As is said in my tradition, may Jim’s memory be for a blessing.

Thank you once again for your helpful postings. I truly feel that due to your efforts I vicariously was able to enjoy a taste of the Riviera cruise we cancelled last week which embarks in two days. I hope that other frequent posters on this Oceania board continue keeping us informed. 
 

Just curious: did you get off Riviera and go anywhere when the ship stopped in St. Maarten and Barbados? I recall you mentioning the delights of the private beach in the Bahamas but I do not recall those other two port stops. As a Jersey Shore native and beach enthusiast, I love to read about beach experiences for future planning. Also, reading about other sightseeing experiences, such as the delightful chocolate factory experience Lyn (LHT28) shared with us on Barbados several years ago. I clearly understand that your thread really is about the onboard experience right now so please pardon my insatiable curiosity.

One of my regrets regarding our cancellation is that I will not be able to thank you in person for your generosity in making these posts. Safe travels, Nymich!

9 minutes ago, jawsbad said:

DJust starting to pack for 1/14 cruise.  My husband wants to know if any of the men are wearing jackets to dinner in the main dining room or specialty restaurants?

Spouse packed his blue blazer for our very first Oceania cruise, Istanbul to Athens, in 2008; never packed one since then (12 Oceania cruises so far and wanting lucky #13 ASAP, although no longer booked for Riviera Caribbean departure this Friday.) He wears a long-sleeved dress shirt for all dinners. 

14 hours ago, gtaylor said:

This is Sint Eustatius. The peak on the right is the Quill, a dormant volcano. Also known as Statia, and it is Dutch.

 

gary

Thanks for this information, Gary. Now that we have cancelled our long-anticipated Riviera cruise embarking Friday morning, January 14, I am enjoying the only way I can tour the Caribbean this winter on Riviera, via Nymich’s wonderful informative thread.
 

And thanks to Nymich for making this past crummy week so much better for me mentally.

1 hour ago, Nymich said:

When I went into this I thought about things like this and thought why not give them the documents I am getting and report the processes and what it's really like? I might be able to help a few people.  It makes me happy to read that it is helping.  You are most welcome 🙂 as I type this here is my view....

Is that Nevis?? We had a lovely Oceania excursion to Nevis on a huge catamaran from St. Kitts a few years ago. I walked in the steps of Alexander Hamilton! (Plus went to a lovely beach with real surf for this Jersey Shore native.)

2 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

It’s been awhile but still memorable.

Hey there, FF, “it’s deja vu all over again.” 😉 (See your post #2 above.)

3 hours ago, pilgrimage said:

Shouldn't have any problem unless the ports change their rules.  Shore time where we've been allowed is just like always, except with masks and *lots* of hand sanitizer.  Barbados had an interesting sanitizer dispenser when you enter the port shopping area - it dispenses a generous amount of liquid and takes your temperature at the same time.  Nobody there to do anything if you're spiking a fever however.

Thank you, pilgrimage. Sincere best wishes for the remainder of your cruise; the situation appears to be changing by the hour. 

1 hour ago, pilgrimage said:

 

Interesting that walking around Bridgetown today, the vast majority of locals are wearing masks, even outdoors.  That was not the case in Bonaire.  Both of those countries are level 4 hotspots, just different behavior.  Bridgetown much more crowded, however.

Hi, pilgrimage, thank you so much for your helpful updates. We are scheduled to board Riviera two weeks from tomorrow. Does this report mean that you were able to go ashore today without an Oceania shore excursion requirement? I inquire because I sail in the winter on Caribbean cruises for the beaches. (Husband enjoys the Riviera experience onboard so these cruises are our ideal winter vacation compromise.) I plan to taxi to nearby Carlisle Bay on our Bridgetown port day so I prefer to be on my own schedule. 
 

Keep enjoying your cruise. I have struggled this week to keep up my positive attitude but your posts really help me with that issue.

5 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

That's the (sad) packing time.  Would be very low attendance, and dispiriting for the entertainers.

That is current, sir; luggage out in hall by door by 10:00 pm.

22 hours ago, ak1004 said:

As our cruise comes to an end, it's time for some final thoughts. 

 

Great cruise overall with a few negatives.

 

First time after 15 cruises there was no single guest lecture and no show on the last night.

 

Entertainment not bad but not great. Daily activities very poor. Cruise director basically invisible. 

 

Otherwise a great experience. Fantastic food and service as expected.

 

Will be posting a full review when we are vack.

Thanks very much for posting your thoughts on your cruise, which I have found both helpful and reassuring. (Note that we never have had a show in the main lounge on the last night of any Oceania cruise we have taken; sometimes an early (pre-dinner) show in Horizons but not a 9:30 pm main event show.) Safe travels home and Happy New Year 2022.

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Called Oceania this morning.

(1) The minimum number of shorex to get the YWC [YWYW] discount is per person

(2)  You can change the O Life option from OBC to Shorex up to 8 days prior to cruise

Good info, thanks.
 

Right now, we have the opposite issue. We currently have reserved three (rather than the included four) O Life excursions because we generally prefer boating excursions in the Caribbean. When one of our ports changed and that port’s booked excursion (the lovely catamaran with lobster lunch!) disappeared, our next boating choices already were filled. (We are on a waiting list but have no experience whether that has any meaning.) I really would prefer NOT to “waste” my fourth on transportation to a beach when I arrive and depart on a schedule I have not chosen personally. (Yes, we are so fortunate that this is “ an issue” considering how close those tornados hit in my part of the US.) 

On 12/11/2021 at 1:37 PM, Homerody said:

Please let us know if you get a letter.  I suspect the wait is on.

Will do! Because both Flatbush Flyer and Host Jazzbeau are on the same January cruise, I am very optimistic that any such letter will be shared on the Oceania board. 😉

Although we have not sailed in any penthouse suites (yet!) on Oceania, we have sailed several times in cabins right by the stairs or elevators and never have experienced any noise issues. In fact, on our last Riviera cruise, in March 2020, although I was concerned about our cabin being located right by the Riviera aft elevators, it turned out to be very very convenient, particularly at meal times!

On 12/9/2021 at 10:23 PM, Flatbush Flyer said:

You may want to follow the more-than-several CC threads that continue to discuss the testing. Also, it’s important to keep apace of the constantly updating SailSafe FAQs on the O website.

 

That said, O has started sending out very specific instructions to upcoming cruisers. Here’s part of what was recently sent to folks on Marina, Riviera and Insignia cruises embarking in December (and before you possibly join the ranks of those who need to post that the test is only “recommended,” read the last paragraph).

 

PRE-EMBARKATION TESTING

All guests will undergo COVID-19 testing prior to embarkation. In addition, we strongly recommend that all guests consult with local government websites to determine the country-specific information for your port of embarkation as many countries require a negative COVID-19 PCR test that is not older than 48 or 72 hours prior to arrival in-country. Even if the country where your cruise embarks does not require a negative COVID-19 PCR test for entry, Oceania Cruises strongly recommends you obtain a PCR test not more than 72 hours prior to embarkation. If a PCR test is not readily available, then we encourage guests to at a minimum take a laboratory administered COVID-19 antigen test not more than 72 hours prior to embarkation. Guests that fail to test prior to departure or cannot provide proof of a negative laboratory supplied test result and subsequently test positive for COVID-19 upon embarkation will not be reimbursed for quarantine or return embarkation arrangements.

Thank you, FF; as a “recovering” attorney, I look forward to getting a letter directly from Oceania before my cruise. Combing through a multitude of threads on various subjects for the latest nuggets is very time consuming and also not always definitive. Of course, the SailSafe information is helpful as well your patient posts.

Perhaps relates to the ports of call for each cruise?

On 12/7/2021 at 12:16 PM, Flatbush Flyer said:

Read the current SailSafe FAQs (11/24/21) on the O website as well as your O Ticket Contract regarding pre-testing.  
Though pre-1/17/22 cruises will have mandatory testing at the pier provided by O, the “recommended” pretest during the 72 hr window is essential if you want O to cover Covid related costs should you be denied boarding at embarkation due to a positive Covid test at the pier.

FWIW: There’s a zillion posts across numerous O threads here on CC regarding this (e.g., the December 21, 2021 ATW cruise (and segments)). You may want to follow the SailSafe FAQs and CC O forums religiously before your cruise happens.

And does that “recommended” pretest need to be a PCR test? (I am thinking about timing issues regarding obtaining testing and results up here in Ohio before we board Riviera in Miami on 1/14/22.)

3 hours ago, Redtravel said:

Have never had any problem booking specialty dining until now.  I was online at midnight last night when my category opened for reservations.  We got our allotted 4 reservations. However, we had to pick times that were not our first choice.  We got 2 @ 6:30 and 2 @ 8.  Most of the tables for two were gone.  Previously, we liked dining with others.   With covid, we chose to dine at tables for two.  Looks like there were many others doing the same.  We were not surprised.  We are flexible.  

We ended up exactly the same as you last night, with two reservations at 6:30 and two at 8. I prefer leisurely dining and in the past enjoyed playing evening trivia before the nightly show. I was very happy with how fast and efficient the process went this time around after all the reports on this thread. The times available actually were a slight improvement on those we got on our last Riviera cruise that debarked in Miami on March 10, 2019.

@cayman09, we are in a B1.

We too prefer not to bring wine onboard. The bin end list definitely is worth a look see at your first dinner onboard.

Hoping that we indeed will be boarding her in 45 days.

My most useful source for information usually is my latest invoice from Oceania, which my excellent TA always emails to me when it is updated. It includes an extensive amount of information in one place. My booking online may be more up-to-date but requires a lot more hunting around, sometimes not so intuitively. JMO!

Historic Haarlem would be a nice place to visit from Ijmuiden if you prefer not to go all the way into the enormous hustle and bustle of Amsterdam. The Frans Hals Museum,  a lovely historic Grote Markt, St. Bavo Church, etc., all places that are lovely but not as overwhelming for a day’s visit.