chloemonkey

4 hours ago, Vertygo said:

It appears from reading the article that the couple did not have travel insurance for medical incidents. If they had, a simple phone call to the company contact would have taken care of anything needed. Not just medical expense reimbursement, but arrangements for care or evacuation. Best to have it at any age, but especially at their ages.

We were on this cruise and actually had to wait for a tender as they were bringing the person affected from the ship.  And as I understood the current situation (I believe we received e mails to this effect pre-cruise) we were on our OWN so to speak when it came to Covid.  This is of course separate from the care onboard and quarantine assistance i.e bringing food, nurses etc. to the cabin.  At least this was my take on it all.  For the record, we do now take out insurance for all travel......

My main concern is that all of the people that we saw onboard and being offloaded....are now safely at home and recovered.  This did re-affirm the fact that it is worth the cost to pay for travel insurance....although from what I saw the personnel onboard did try to truly care for those affected....but at some point, people may need hospitalization.....which creates a whole other ballgame.

On 3/28/2023 at 9:43 AM, artlee said:

food is such a subjective thing. What I hate someone else loves, etc. We are currently on the TA to Trieste. This is day 7 of 23 for us. So far we find the food to be average at best. We sailed Riviera in Dec 21 and were generally pleased which encouraged us to take this cruise. So far we have only been in Toscano’s, Grand Dining Room, Waves, and Terrace Cafe. My wife liked her lobster dish in Toscano’s. My veal piccata was tasty but a bit tough. The Terrace Grill has had several Market takeovers where a theme took over the entire cafe — Indian, British Bermuda, etc. the British one ran 2 strait days. Again its personal taste, but not ours. I didn’t realize British food was a thing? We had mexican night, and asian lunch which were fine but nothing special. During Mexican night the grill at Terrace that had fixed steaks/fish/lobster/chicken was replaced with a Churro stand. My wife had had grilled shrimp and lobster there on another night and was looking forward to more but she would be disappointed. Two nights in the main dining room were fine but I can’t say memorable. Two nights we did not find anything on terrace or the main dining room that appealed to us so we had pizza at Waves which turns into a Pizzeria at night. It was excellent!! Today at lunch a passenger was hand feeding her dog in between her own eating. Not a dog owner so maybe this is ok? Overall, I am finding myself question whether the best cuisine at sea is actually pretty close to the standard fair from Princess/Holland/RCL/NCL/etc. I hope the balance of the trip changes our mind. I was going to book the next cruise while on board but having second thoughts. I’m sure others may have a different opinion and I totally get that, but this is ours so far.

art

So happy to hear that your experience is very similar to ours having disembarked the day your cruise began....we did two cruises B2B and the last week had resorted to nothing but Polo or Jacques, a few times at Toscano or PIZZA!  Thankfully we qualified for so many specialty options....as we had become pretty much over the Grand Dining Room or Terrace Cafe options.....but of course each time that I mentioned this - I received so many responses arguing.  As you said, food is subjective.  But although we love great food, Michelin Star options on occasion....we are truly happily satisfied with just regular food prepared well....which we found to be hard to find on our last three weeks onboard - with the exception of the specialty restaurants mentioned.  Not sure if I am quite as anxious to book that Around the World cruise right now....but of course love the service and suites on Oceania enough to give them another chance or two.

On 3/25/2023 at 12:22 PM, KimKM said:

 

That's great! I'm happy that it worked out for them. There was a lovely couple that we met, who were continuing on the cruise, and were hopeful that Bermuda would happen for them. I'm sure they enjoyed it.

 

I read about March being a bad time to visit Bermuda on legitimate weather and cruise sites (including this one). I'm not sure how my posting my experience on this cruise has opened me up to your particular criticism and, frankly, insults. I wasn't asking for O to refund a dime. I didn't want them to sail into unsafe waters. I wanted communication, a feeling of planning for this type of situation, and good food would have been nice. I didn't expect special treatment.

 

It's funny, I've been cruising since before my husband retired, and never had any occasion to post here, except to ask a small question early on. I love cruising. The first time that I post about a truly disappointing experience, I'm made to feel like a spoiled child. You don't have to approve, it's MY OPINION and experience. Amazingly, different people can have different opinions. It's possible!

 

I will cruise again, soon (this year), just not with O. I wish you all well in your cruising, and future travels.

We WERE on the same cruise and will sail Oceania again...but I do totally agree with your sentiment about the fact that the responses that you have received have been impolite at times.  But I have found this to be the case on this particular board on many occasions.  Best of you with your future cruises!

7 minutes ago, LuAnn said:

Capt Kate on Celebrity always has her cat on board..and is quite the celebrity!! 

That cat is "hairless" and considered allergy free....at least that is what I have been told.  One family member also has one of these unique creatures...

3 hours ago, KimKM said:

I can assure you that I didn't make anyone "miserable" on our cruise. I was grateful for the wonderful restaurant, bar and cabin staff. They were great. I was friendly and enjoyed the other cruisers that we met. I only shared our displeasure on the mid-cruise survey, which is what I thought I was supposed to do? When the head chef and the head bartender spoke to us, I was calm and respectful. I am an adult and I can be displeased by a situation without acting like a toddler. There was a women disembarking in front of us who yelled at the staff on the way out... that wasn't me, because I don't blame anyone but corporate. 

We were also disappointed in the revised itinerary....but were happy to have been on the cruise prior during  which we enjoyed perfect weather and sea conditions.    And we were also respectful in our responses when communicating our displeasure at the "new" ports after having lost both Bermuda and Great Stirrup Cay...and we also witnessed people actually yelling at the poor entertainment staff young lady who was merely at the front of the line expressing wishes for us all to have safe travels as we exited the ship.  I just had to shake my head in wonder as to what these people possible thought that they were going to achieve by yelling at this poor gal "NEVER AGAIN OCEANIA!"......She was dumbfounded and tried her best to be understanding.....people never cease to amaze and or disappoint me.  I felt that there were many on this trip who just could not resist wanting to be heard regarding their displeasure....and many of us who were also disappointed...were just forced to listen....

23 minutes ago, Betsycruiser2 said:

I am planning to use the New Orleans luggage delivery to airport next week. Where is you luggage delivered at the airport. Do you have to claim it and then check it in at the Southwest baggage checkin kiosk?

Not sure if your service will be the same....as this was a while ago.  But in Seattle - the bags were put outside of our cabin the night before but they were tagged with the appropriate flight info, etc.  We did not see them until baggage claim at our final destination.  So the service that we used was not the one that goes from door to door......

As we have now seen numerous passengers being transported by the “hazmat” staff and also seen the quarantined passengers staterooms being visited by gloved and masked nurses and staff, I was wondering what happens to these passengers who will not have completed the current five day quarantine period when it is time to disembark at the conclusion of the cruise?

As in do they just then allow quarantined passengers to join the rest of the group during disembarkation?  And while claiming luggage, customers etc?  
Hard as it would be to become Sick with Covid and miss a large portion of the cruise, it would also be an additional issue to be stuck at the end of the cruise in a hotel or something…..and I was just wondering how Oceania is handling this aspect after having seen so many people quarantined over the past few weeks.

9 hours ago, hmorrow said:

I’m from Jacksonville, and you don't really

want to wander around downtown!

 

Good  day trips would be to St Augustine, Fl, and Fernandina Beach…..

Figured that out today after our shuttle from the ship to downtown…..immediate drop off are was fine….just nothing to do?  But a couple of blocks over and we turned around really quickly….needless to say we will stay onboard and miss our SECOND day in Jacksonville……plus it is supposed to rain.  We can’t seem to catch a break weather wise…..

If you try to find strawberry jam in the Terrace Cafe or Waves….it has been OUT since Day -3?  We were happy to find it still is available in the dining room.  Now if they could just manage to make a proper eggs Benedict ANYWHERE on the ship!

As I have tried all venues.  Since when do you not toast 5e English muffins OR check the hollandaise for salt, etc?  Seems like even the things that used to be taken for granted are slipping.  Now I fear I sound like those that I hear in the Dinin Room, etc….complaining About everything….which I do not intend to do.  It just makes me a. It sad to find a lot of “little” things go downhill….which I fear will lead to a cntnued downward trend.  Fingers crossed that this is not the case.

On 3/13/2023 at 9:20 AM, ORV said:

Another change in the room lighting is the bathroom nightlight. It is a blue light that comes out from underneath the vanity. I don’t see a way to turn it off, but I don’t want to.

 

Here’s a couple of pictures of the chairs in the GDR. I like how the color blends well with the filigree on the glass. That and the carpet seems to the only change there. Also as you can see there is no shortage today of jam. I’m also happy to report that the corned beef hash has not bee replaced with brisket. 

We are continuing on this cruise….and boy are people angry about the change in the itinerary!  If I had a dollar for every cranky person loudly saying “. We are going to demand a refund !  And Inlove in Florida!  Why in the world would I want to go to Jacksonville!  Guess they feel that the Oceania gods can control the weather?
Anyway….had a great 10 days before this and we are still happy to be onboard.  5e new carpet is nice - but again, I haven’t seen too many truly noticeable changes other than carpet.  I DO notice a decline is service however…..as when eating across ALL venues…..we are never asked if we would like a second soda, 5e are better at the water…..and I have had some pretty snarky waitresses….mainly at the Waves Grill.  Again, many times at. Real fast I have asked for more water and no one ever returns with it.  And I am more inclined to be understanding but when I see 3-4 or more Grill waiters standing in the end near the storage areas just talking for long periods of time - that does get on my nerves.  Again, truly first world problems, eh?
hope those joining us today will be more patient and agreeable about the new port situation…..but who knows?

Today on Riviera is Sweet Corn.  I passed….

Currently onboard and feel that the food is “spotty” as in some options seem even better than last October….others not so much.  Glad that Jacques has escargot back and available and it was great.  Sadly there still appears to be a shortage of strawberry jam.  Service also is hit and miss….as we have had many times where we have to ask 2-3 times for water….others when my glass was refilled At all times.

we are in a Vista Suite…have sailed on Carnival (25 years ago), NCL Haven, RCL suites only and Azamara also only Owners suites…for those that feel this may h

matter?  The remodel in our room consists of only new carpet, the hallway new wall coverings are already peeling at the seams…..but the staff say that the lower room categories are much improved.

of more concern to us at this point is the a,ont of Covid cases onboard….guests next door are on quarantine…..people in medical center are lined up and coughing….and upon boarding from port - we witnessed the second hazmat team escorting another passenger up to her stateroom…..

not sure if this is “normal” occurrence at this point of the disease- but we did NOT experience it on our last trip in October when Covid was more prevalent.  Also we’re walking down the hallway and one guest was openly in the hallway discussing the fact that both she and her husband had tested positive…..I was a bit upset that the cabin steward was. It asking he to step back into her room….but ,Anne she was ending her quarantine limit?  Just a bit of added worry for us as I am a cancer patient….but we are still enjoying the trip and wouldn’t think of cancelling our next 3 week one coming up in September….

inalso heard that the president of NCL is onboard?  So you would think all would be perfect, right?  Who knows…maybe he flew home from one of our stops.  .sirens was berthed next to us today….fun to see the crews having SO much fun reconnecting with old friends!  Ok….off to lunch outside! Lol…..and wondering if we should be the ones to start wearing masks again….as only 4-5 have been spotted so far the entire trip…

On 2/19/2023 at 7:56 AM, rbtan said:

Either remove the articles(which we've done with chair hogs) or get a pool attendant to do it.We had little hogging on our trip before yours, except for like you the last sea day. One woman did try it & actually tried to get me & my spouse to vacate our loungers.Really? She was from Germany. I told her you can't just reserve chairs & then go to lunch. We had the pool attendant remove her stuff from the ones she was reserving.

I thought that saving them for a quick trip to lunch was acceptable?  But maybe this goes back a while....Not for a LONG lunch of course....but I hate eating in the sun....hence like to leave my lounge to enjoy lunch in the shade or inside....

On 2/10/2023 at 8:34 AM, What A Market said:

The Oceania Suite and its interesting/weird TV room. And the Safety Video still required viewing in the room. (Only the third or fourth time I’ve watched, including online check in and various emails. Lol)

I have NEVER understood that room! lol....

Have recently had to resort to Youtube videos to view improvements to the Vista Suite on Riviera.  Sad to report that I did not see a THING that was different?  But then again....that Suite has been our fave for ages....so I guess that I got excited over nothing! lol.....We will enjoy the "new and improved" Vista Suite at the end of the month and later in the year.....but will NOT be expecting any earthshattering changes.

On 1/17/2023 at 3:00 PM, TWA bluesy said:

I'm looking at an Oceania cruise where almost the entire  stateroom options are "wait listed" and wondering what that means.  I'm under the understanding that when you waitlist, if a better cabin becomes available, I would get the better cabin for the price of a cabin I would take.

 

However, with almost every cabin wait listed, does this mean I might not get ANY cabin on the cruise?

My experience has been favorable on wait lists BUT on the "PAID" wait list....where you actually make a deposit.  I have recently cleared and rec'd the actual suite that I wanted within a few hours.  I believe that it does make a difference.  Not always going to work but much better odds when you actually put some money in the equation.

I contacted our Oceania Rep and gave her two dates in 2023....as I was beginning to panic in not having any additional cruises booked.  But nothing was available.  Within 24 hours, I had CLEARED the Wait List for a September cruise in Europe.  I had specified Vista Suite or above.....and I DID put down a $500 per passenger deposit.  

Not sure if I just got lucky?  But I am a happy camper!

18 hours ago, espmass said:

First time on a ship that I was able to use theirs and pack mine away.  I don't recall the brand but great force and heat.   

Agreed!

I LOVE my VISTA Suites....and cannot imagine them being any more beautiful.  But we shall see as we are on the Riviera once again in February 2023.  Hoping that they have not "undone" a good thing.....

We enjoyed the Intercontinental hotel post cruise.....short ride from the Galapaport which is where we docked.  Great views from the restaurant/bar located on the top floor of the hotel.....good food as well.  Our only issue was the loud music coming from bars/clubs around the hotel.  Istanbul IS a party town for sure.  And not sure that there is a way around the crowds.....as we experienced them day and night for all three days we were there...both while on the ship and staying in the hotel.

On 10/16/2022 at 8:57 AM, Ladys Mom said:

We have found if you will the bottles with ice most of the way from the ice bucket in your room, it will stay cold many hours.  For the condensation problem, take a plastic bag from home and place the bottle in the bag.  Hope this helps.  We have been doing this on Regent since the Fall of 2021.

I am not sure that I have plastic bags from home that would even be large enough for these bottles....and just wondering if these plastic bags might also be of some problem when it comes to being "green" or whatever the current term is with regards to not harming the environment?

And I am not trying to be more of a problem....but sometimes I am at a loss at how these things are truly to be handled and what the correct process and plans should be.  Surely those more knowledgeable than I should chime in.

13 hours ago, Psoque said:

Thanks for your info.

I’m hoping there is a way to get a reasonably priced and reliable transportation from the ship to our hotel when we disembark.

The reason I do not find the hotel through the cruise line, or paying for transfer through the cruise line is because we end up overpaying for them.

Everyone have his/her way of looking at the same realities, but for me, being ripped off by a taxi driver or the cruise line are both unacceptable.  Ideally, I prefer finding a hotel in a reasonable location for a fair price, as well as transportation to it from the ship at a reasonable price.

 

 

I guess that your position makes sense....BUT it is also nice as was the case with us a couple of weeks ago - was the complete package that Oceania provided us.  We enjoyed a good quality bus from the terminal to the hotel - complete with a guide.  We also enjoyed early check in due to our "relationship" with Oceania.  There was a designated Oceania representative in the hotel which was extremely helpful in keeping us informed on our transportation to the airport, tours......etc.

It is not that I don't "get it" that it is entirely possible to do the logistic planning independently - but it is also really NICE to have it all handled and to have Oceania stand by all of the transfers, hotel reservations etc.  Certainly I acknowledge all of you that make independent arrangements.....but I also enjoy the simplicity of having it all handled.  Thankfully there is a place for us all to make our own decisions as to whether or not we enjoy the ease of booking with Oceania  for these reservations.

I agree....as both with Owner's Suites and Vista Suites - the sailaway as well as docking can certainly cause vibration and noise......I got used to it however as it helped wake me up from my after excursion nap and helped me wake up to start getting ready for dinner! lol....

It in no way occurs nonstop throughout the cruise....

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

Perhaps Oceania should follow the lead of its corporate sibling NCL and have water in single use recyclable cartons available in place of single use plastic bottles. The cartons can be just as easily taken ashore as single use plastic bottles.

But they would not stay cool as well....Don't get me wrong as I am not the biggest fan of the metal ones that Oceania is handing out these days as the condensation issue is real - and can ruin other stuff in your bag that you are taking ashore.  But I think that it is a step in the right direction.