DeanoNorthPerth

In November last year I used these people for transfer from port to Sultanahmet area-

https://www.viporttransfer.com/en

Recommend them highly.

4 minutes ago, Tranquility Base said:

Deano.

You're from WA.....you should have known that.

So Seattle’s now in Western Australia? I blame climate change.

Which port are we talking about?

Yes, we are, but I think most communications between guests are happening on Facebook. Just search for this cruise there.

On 1/11/2024 at 11:51 AM, banana51 said:

Go to Facebook and search Carnival Luminosa Alaska May9,2024

 

Searched May 16 and found the cruise. Thanks.

On 2/29/2024 at 12:31 AM, Gardyloo said:

What is your itinerary for returning to Oz?  The participating airlines in the Port Valet program are Alaska, American, Delta, Horizon, JetBlue, Southwest, and United, but I'm not certain at all that you can check bags all the way to Australia.  Airlines are required to do a passport and visa check (called a "Timatic" check) for international departures from the US, even if the first flight is a connecting one to some US airport where the long flight would begin.  I'm not certain you could use Port Valet in that circumstance. 

 

Here's a tour that's similar to what you're looking for.  Post Cruise City Tour | Seattle Express

 

 

We start with Alaska Air for SEA to SFO then fly Qantas from SFO back to PER via SYD. It's a long haul but Aussies are used to that. 😁

Hello all. Our group of 4 disembarks in Seattle from our Alaska cruise at about 8am on 23 May. We fly out of SEA at 6.05pm that day to start the long trek back to Australia. So I reckon we have about 6 or 7 hours to kill. Does anyone know of a tour guide who could pick us up at the pier, tour us around for the day then drop us at SEA? Or should we just get an airport hotel that does a day rate and hang out there.

All suggestions greatly appreciated.

11 minutes ago, mb777 said:

What is M&Ms ?

Looking down the Board there seems to be very little activity for Luminosa roll calls. I'm on the cruise after yours (Alaska from 16th to 23rd) and there seems very little point starting a roll call. Hope you enjoy your cruise.

On 12/31/2023 at 2:00 AM, gingerspike said:

Thanks, everyone, for the good advice. I will reach out via email to the Special Services group.

 

I did make this request to my TA a few weeks ago, but as usual, she has not responded. I find it takes 3 tries to get her to answer. I was going to give her until the new year but now will do it myself. Needless to say, this is our first and last cruise with her.

 

It's good to know that the tap water will work in a pinch. I will be sure to request the extension cord, too.

You need a new TA.

1 hour ago, Tranquility Base said:

Does anyone have the address for the port / dock which Oceania may use please ?

Something to use for our car service pick up point.

Thanks.

Car?? Is the helicopter in for service?

9 hours ago, chineplate said:

Ha tipping, that old chestnut. Easy solution.

1. Remove all automatic gratuities from on board account.

2. Cash tip individuals who give service above the expected norm.

My guess is with your policy, the guy who works in the bowels of the ship keeping the engine going so you can enjoy your cruise would never see a cent of any money tipped. Hardly seems fair.

Can't remember where I heard it but I was told by an Oceania crew member that all tips go into a type of crew benevolent fund to help out any that are struggling. I was told this years ago.

Thanks Psoque. Interesting read. My partner and I were also on this cruise with another couple who have never cruised before. Our experience was very different to yours. One of our meals (the last night we were in Polo) was slow but each of the other meals was served in a timely manner. We actually had a discussion today (we are staying in Istanbul for a few days) about how impressed we were with so many of the staff.

I certainly agree that the two large groups travelling together had a detrimental affect on the cruise. I really think Oceania needs to reconsider their strategy of entering new markets.
But the “newbies” we travelled with were so impressed they booked another cruise while onboard. My partner and I actually booked two.

If you are staying in Istanbul as we are, let’s hope this rain lets up. Safe travels home.

2 hours ago, Wheelhouse said:

You can get the onboard booking benefits 30 days PRIOR to your sailing.  

Is that for Americans only or for everyone? Never heard of that being available to Australians.

Is it just a one day sale? I board Riviera on the 19th and was looking at booking then.

9 hours ago, roberts2005 said:

In Kavala, just before the gate to go back to the ship are some restaurants.  Dont be put off by all the cats.  Food was very good.  A very interesting port if you haven't been.

I’ll be in Kavala in a couple of weeks. Did you do a tour or just wander around? Any specific tips apart from those restaurants and the bakeries?
 

Thanks in advance.

8 hours ago, WildWanderers said:

Hello DeanoNorthPerth,

 

We were booked in the same concierge level suite on back to back cruises in August.  Before leaving home for the cruise we contacted our Oceania representative to ask him the cost of an upgrade to a penthouse on the second leg, where there was availability.  He quoted $8,400 CAD for the upgrade, but said to contact him a couple of weeks later, while we were on the first leg, to see if he could get a better price.  We had notionally thought we could stretch to $4,000 CAD.  He was unable ultimately to do any better.

On the first of the two cruises we had some other reason to talk to the Executive Concierge, so I asked her about the possibility of upgrading to a penthouse on the next cruise.  She said she would put me on a list, and if there was a cancellation she would be able to offer me a penthouse for a fixed, non-negotiable amount.  The next day we had a letter from her offering us an available penthouse on the next cruise for $2,000 CAD!

On the transition day the room steward and our new butler had us moved to the penthouse by 9 a.m.

Hope this helps,

Greg from the WildWanderers, East of Perth (Ontario, Canada that is)

P.S.  We loved our trip to your Perth in February 2019.

Exactly the information I was after. Thanks so much.

4 hours ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

Is this the cruise on the Riviera from Barcelona? I'm curious because a couple of months ago (several months after we booked) I asked about something and was told the cruise was sold out! Thanks for your question and for the replies.

Yes it is.

I am sure I have seen discussion on this topic before but when I searched for it nothing came up. I am boarding a cruise on 19 November which seems to have a lot of availability at this stage. Not sure if that is a lack of popularity or people cancelling because after we disembark in Istanbul the ship continues on to the Middle East. Anyway, what I was hoping to find out is how I go about enquiring about an upgrade once I board the vessel. Who is it best to talk to?

Thanks.

1 minute ago, Psoque said:

This analogy only works if getting an electronic visa is completely optional.  That is not optional.  What Oceania is saying in the e-mail is that misleading their customers into thinking that paying Oceania/VisaCentral is the only advisable option to do so, instead of offering the official website for the visa as the first option.

I've received that exact same email many times in the last few months and at no time did I feel Oceania was hiding anything. I understood they were offering a service. I just went straight to the Turkish website and organised my eVisa.

No offence but I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill.

It's the equivalent of being asked "Would you like fries with that?". You can either say "You are trying to coerce me into also buying fries" or you can say "No thanks". I choose the latter.

Guest House Arco dei Tolomei was one of the nicest places we have ever stayed. Excellent service.

11 hours ago, bob brown said:

Favorite memory on Oceania?

Easily this…July 9, 2019 

Betsy and me on our wedding day aboard the Insignia…

 

Married by Ray Carr? That can only mean a marriage filled with laughter. Great choice!

Guggenheim, but use a tour guide. Can give you details of the one we used if you PM me.

Lunch at the food court in the Market next to the river in Old Town is lovely. Maybe catch the HOHO bus outside Guggenheim, get off at Market for lunch, then after lunch resume HOHO. You'll see all the sights that way.