DeanoNorthPerth

On 5/20/2023 at 6:15 AM, kadey said:

Hello! We have overnight in Bilbao before our September cruise . Any suggestions for a hotel in the heart of Old Town? Open to all suggestions! TY!

Is there any particular reason you specify Old Town? We disembarked in Bilbao May 2nd and stayed a few nights at Hotel Catalonia Gran Via. Loved the place. Would certainly stay there again. Walking distance to Guggenheim and Old Town and Gran Via is a wonderful shopping strip. JMHO.

I still consider it one of my greatest honors in life (to be fair, my only honor) to be present the day the esteemed Mr. Carr joined The Friends Of Johnny Tokyo. The much revered Kissing Of The Ring ceremony was deeply moving. Everyone was in tears at the end. Mostly from laughing so much.

It is great news that Ray is back in the Oceania fold. He is the best for sure.

Last cruise: Oct-Nov 22 on Regatta 

Next cruise: Next week on Sirena! Cannot wait.

Those Adidas are a nice subtle shade of..........whatever colour that is. 😁

Thanks so much for your posts in this thread. I board Sirena on the 20th so have very much appreciated everything you have posted.

I’m with Jan.

On 3/24/2023 at 10:30 PM, JoePDX said:

Current on board booking benefits.

 

Jennie is the Oceania Club Ambassador.

 

Joe

 

 

Is the Jennie you refer to Jennifer Faust? If so, she really is the best of the Ambassadors.

25 minutes ago, ak1004 said:

Curious about 7006 room - only the room is bigger or the bathroom too? 

I've cruised in this cabin on another R class and it is the room which is bigger. Space which is where the balcony would have been (if big enough) is now part of room. Bathroom is the same size as other Deluxe Oceanviews.

Missing luggage doesn’t excuse wearing a sports cap inside, especially at a specialty restaurant.

You seem to have been triggered by this discussion @MEFIowa. Sorry about that. My comment was only directed towards those that do enjoy an alcoholic beverage but rather than enjoy said beverage at one of the ship's bars only imbibe in their cabins in order to save a few bucks. I still find that sad.

21 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

Works only if you mostly enjoy drinking alone with your SO in the solitude of your cabin. We, OTH, enjoy meeting fellow cruisers and sharing experiences along with adult beverages.

 

Almost never had a $0.00 bill. Even with a package I typically end up with corkage fees.

Agreed. I've always thought that after spending thousands on a cruise it seems a bit sad to drink in your cabin to save a few dollars rather than mix with your fellow passengers. But to each their own.

1 hour ago, rbtan said:

Jacket is not required. I think it looks a little nicer in the specialties. Temps on the Riviera tend to run pretty warm. My husband drives me nuts by dropping the thermostat to its lowest setting.I guess snuggling has its merits.

Why M'am, you make me blush!

21 hours ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

Thank for that church/temple Deano.  It sounds right up my alley, and does make me want to hire a car. And yes, I think you're definitely on my cruise.  I've been researching a lot, but still have a lot to do.  Have you joined the Cruise Critic Roll Call for your (our?) cruise?  It can be found under the "Boards" under Roll Call section. It's not highly active, but there are other people besides me signed up.  A couple people are looking for others to join tours. 

 

My disappointments so far (although few!) are that the "Mirroir" (pictured) in Bordeaux doesn't operate until we're gone, and that our Biarritz stop is on a national holiday - no car rental places open, and other things might be closed. And someone indicated the port (St Jean de Luz) is sometimes missed.  Of course missed ports DO occur.  My last cruise, however, had none in 12 days, so I was very happy.

 

We were in Perth pre-Covid start.  Met those furry friends on Rottnest!  Here's Mirroir....when operating is empty, then mist and water, then reflection.  Steve Rhodes, a Viking passenger, took the shot.

 

Yes I’ve signed up to the Roll Call but as you say, there is very little posted on it. I fear I’ve done less research than you but will start getting serious soon. If I find anything that may be of interest I’ll share it on the Roll Call.

I think we might be on the same cruise! Info on Gijon seems limited strangely but I did find this which intrigued me-

https://gijononline.org/century-old-asturian-church-becomes-kaos-temple/

Certainly something different. 25km from Gijon but if you are hiring a car it should be doable.

3 hours ago, shepherd really said:

So you're a travel agent?  Nevermind.

 Pretty nasty way to treat someone who has offered to help you.

4 hours ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

He was our favorite.  But now he's gone....I believe, anyway.

Was gone but I think he might be back and currently on Insignia. 🤞

Hello all. When I search this forum looking for hotel recommendations in Bilbao I get heaps of posts for Barcelona hotels but nothing for Bilbao. I am on a cruise which finishes in Bilbao in May and am thinking of sharing our post-cruise time in Bilbao and San Sebastian. I have found plenty of recommendations for the latter but nothing for Bilbao. Has anyone stayed there in a hotel they recommend? Appreciate any feedback.

I was in 6039 on Regatta last October/November for 19 days. The cabin was excellent for solo travel. I had some view between lifeboats so plenty of light. Would be happy to book that cabin again. The lack of a chair never bothered me. I sat on the bed if I wanted to read. I feel a chair and possibly a table would clutter the cabin too much. JMHO.

I’m surprised there is so much talk of favourite CDs with no mention of Ray Carr. He’s my favourite followed by Leslie. But as has been said, tastes differ on all things.

On 11/7/2022 at 1:45 AM, Ka Honu said:

Kinda depends on the butt or tramp involved.

 

Jus' sayin'...

It doesn't really.

Possibly but best to check with the cruise line.

9 hours ago, LHT28 said:

if you like  an afternoon nap or early to bed  prior to 11 pm   then I would not take one of those cabins

If they have  any C 1's  they are  pretty good  no noise  from above

Unfortunately they are the last two cabins available for this cruise. I think I know why.

So the question is, the one that’s as far forward as you can get or the one with the connecting door?

5 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

You mean that they are very close to the front of the ship.  4001 is directly under the show lounge and you will hear the music both at night during performances and in the daytime during rehearsals.  Early in the morning you will hear the bow thrusters (and in tender ports the anchor chains).  Both types of noise will be worse in 4001, so I would take 4008 from that choice and not worry about the connecting door.

 

[Azamara layout for decks 4 and 5 are same as Oceania, but there are no cabin reports for 4001 or 4008.  Some of the reports for all the 400x cabins, even further back than 4008, complain about these noises.]

Brain fade. Yes, bow not stern. D’oh!

I am booking a cruise on Sirena and as I travel solo, I'm just booking an Oceanview cabin (there are no solo cabins available). My choice is 4008 (which has a connecting door so possible noise problems) and 4001 (which may have impact from being so close to the stern). Which is better?

Any input would be appreciated.

15 hours ago, aussietwo said:

We have occupied those cabins on past cruises and really liked the layout of the cabin.  Due to the location of the bathroom, the floor space is surprisingly good.  There is lots of space to put things.  The best cabins are 6046 and 6049 & 6030 and 6033 as the windows are less obstructed by the lifeboats.   Great location on the ship - midship 6th floor.

I can also recommend 6039. You get a reasonable view between lifeboats.

This is all very interesting but so far no one has been able to answer the OP’s query. Apart, I suppose, from the general comment that there are supply issues everywhere.