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I always have noted 2 things on my mid & end of cruise comments that I would like changed;

1) provide scent-free cleaning products to be used by the cabin attendants  (i always open the sliders when i come into the room after they've cleaned just to get rid of the scents-5 minutes or less usually works)

2)  lower the decibel level of the band in Horizons for HHour;  I like to be able to hear the person sitting next to me while having drinks at the end of another lovely day on board.  We have had staff stop by the table to say 'hi' and they have to go ask the band to turn down the volume so we can hear each other.  I love the band-- I  think they are awesome, and I enjoy their music choices.

I've even suggested that periodically the string quartet stay there for another hour after tea just to provide a quiet time place for HH drinks--maybe once a week?

i understand that the 'band shell wall' that was up there has been removed in the refit of the R ships.  That area immediately behind the wall was our go-to area to provide an acoustical barrier for us.

this is the itinerary that is immediately before the one OP liked;

invention of 'sliders' is brilliant; a taste or two of something without investing in a whole meal of 1 thing only!

yeah, i'm with you on memphis/Kansas City BBQ and it tastes a lot like Texas BBQ

eastern NC bbq has no tomatoes and is vinegar based--and is more of a 'wash' than a sauce; western aka Piedmont or Lexington Dip also has vinegar but has ketchup added (or sometimes tomato sauce). SCarolina adds mustard to their bbq sauce

much prefer the  old Kansas City style --tangy, thick, sweet...the kind where you don't bother with napkins --a roll of paper towels is part of the table settings! 

in NC 'sliders' often mean 3 mini sandwiches that you can order from several offerings:  pulled pork & slaw, bbq chicken, hamburger (or cheeseburger) brisket (usually bbq)with grilled onions, etc. 

You can have 2 of 1 kind, 1 of the other or 3 different ones.

btw, nobody in NC worries about your religion or your politics, but they DO take their BBQ (are you eastern or western--gawd forbid that you like Memphis-style) and their college basketball VERY seriously.  (I know students who rejected admissions to universities here simply based on their basketball team allegiance--medical, MBA, and law schools they relaxed their standards!!!)

The cruise immediately before yours, "Flourishing Fjords" June 25-July 7 is the Norwegian Fjord cruise is probably the one you're looking for. 

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/baltic-cruises/oslo-to-london-MNA210625/?sr=%2Fcruise-finder%2F%23sailDates%3D2021|07%2C2021|06%23destinations%3Dbalticandscandinavia%23ships%3DMNA

Perhaps you could add this cruise.  We just returned from these 2 itineraries on Nautica and highly rec'd them.  The ports are wonderful and most are easy to DIY. 

and Julie James is terrific.  Her "lounge act" is wonderful (great singer) and she's excellent at trivia! 

could be Peter Roberts although I'm sure I was told Leslie Jon by someone on board.  Perhaps that person was confused. 

I clearly remember thinking I could check out the trivia master's feet while I was racking my brain for an answer--hey, we all get our inspiration in different ways !!!

Anyway, I understand Mr. Jon has been with O for years so I imagine he's seen it all and heard it all!

Bob,

I've heard those same 2 are going to be onboard for ATW20. 

Had the pleasure of sailing with Ray and Andy Heath for ATW16 but we've never sailed with Leslie Jon.

I understand trivia is great with him too and his shoe collection is unbelievable!

On our cruise this summer Nautica had to dock "out" because it was Naval Day, a huge holiday for Russia, so the docks "in" were used for their ships.  (in the spirit of accuracy, it could have been "Navy Day" because we heard both terms used)

Apparently the goal on Naval Day is for everybody to get as drunk as possible.  And that was the description of the holiday from our guides!

Previously we had docked "in"  & used Alla (highly rec'd) for our visits there but this time we took shorex including the high speed train (itself a wonderful experience) to Moscow and saw the sights.  Highly rec'd this, too. 

Just returned from Nautica and there is still a book exchange in the library.  If you enter the library from Toscana side and immediately turn left, those shelves are the paperback exchange. 

agree with OP- we were on same cruises but on Nautica for 2 months.  One of our best ever and maybe #2 behind ATW16 although we did love Mumbai-Rome on Nautica last year which may also be #2! 

Looking forward to seeing and traveling on the 'new' Insignia for ATW20.  I was assured while on Nautica this year that we are going to love Insignia.   We know some of the staff that will be on with us! 

and yes the new policy is that you no longer take the life jackets to the muster station. 

They make it pretty easy to donate.  So far, not many people have contributed......

"amazon will deliver and you can send/receive fed ex while on the cruise.  i have done both.  arrange it with reception. "

to most international ports?  Cape Town perhaps; Walvis Bay maybe not! 

Good to know.  Thanks

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/corporate/hopestartshere/

OP

to answer your question, you will be responsible for your carry on when you board ship until your cabin category has been announced as being ready for occupation. 

the last thing the cabin attendants need while stripping beds and thoroughly cleaning your room is to try and work around dropped off luggage. 

So yes, you will wheel around your carry on stuff to Waves or Terrace or wherever you decide to stay until that all important announcement has been made.  (If it is a Carib cruise, I have been known to stick a swim suit and cover up in the carry on and go to the pool area until announcements have been made)

Delete

Delete

John Ekin one of the best people ever... nevermind CD title.♥️

see, this is what happens when I type comments using the cellphone rather than the laptop!  There is no CD "Bob" that I've ever had, and yes, I typed that Andy Heath is now on O ships...but somehow, the phone decided otherwise!  Sorry, all y'all.  (and Julie James is still with O--just checked that out yesterday)

had a CD tell me that he caught a guy on a trivia team using his phone to find answers and banned not only the guy but the group from participating for the duration of their cruise.....and subsequently told that story to everyone the first time trivia met for a cruise.

To date my faves are Ray Carr, Julie James,and new to me this summer, Shawn Carter. John Ekin is great and was promoted to CD last year.  Andy Heath is excellent and Bob is now on O class ships.

Ray Carr particularly good as CD on ATW.

Have you asked your Terrace waiter to send someone over for your drink order? Works every time for me.

Please stop telling everyone how great Terrace is; we have all our meals there with a few exceptions. That just encourages the rude ones to come.

I actually got shoved twice by the same woman so using the voice that nailed a generation of high schoolers said "stop. it .

now." Anyone who knows me knows that is extremely unusual. She did it to others-cultural I suppose.

Think of your TA as your consumer rep. Sometimes it is helpful to have a concierge class TA in discussions with O ( or any other company). He/ she is there for you.  We've needed ours for those situations.

Yesterday's was pineapple, tofu chunks which I pushed aside, small raw broccoli florets, marinated cabbage, red peppers ,green peppers, shredded carrots, rice, in a mango- orange dressing. The flavors all compliment the others. Each is presented in stand alone rather than mixed so the bowl is visually beautiful with the greens next to red,next to yellow, etc

If you opt for the sauce on the side you can control how much you put on each bite and the orange colored sauce added that much more color. No raw fish yesterday or today.

yes, thank you Paul.  I was adding additional info re: the online survey.  Firefox, Safari, etc refers to the browser  needed.  iPad 1 & 2 refers to the age of the device that cannot be used.

neither my husband or i used the internet to complete the survey; it is not necessary.

I'm enjoying the poke bowls and find the fresh ingredients and the various combinations of the veggies and fruits and dressings quite good. (one of the Terrace crew told me she and her friends put the dressings on the side and she was right!)

I asked about today's dressings and was told "Madam, it is quite spicy" so I declined and ate it without dressing and it was wonderful.