cswhistler

We have been on board a few times at Christmas. Atmosphere is always very festive with decorated trees, gingerbread village and houses, along with cookies and other baking in the hallway. Once while entering the Grand Dining Room we and another couple were offered a specialty restaurant on Christmas day, we happily accepted till my husband found out there was no turkey meal! This was quite funny as it did not matter to me. (Ps Turkey is not a European tradition, I am originally from Sweden and we always had ham.) We enjoy both Christmas and New Years Eve on board, people dress up a touch more on those days. Have a great trip.

We have just booked a Regent cruise of 19 days switching from Oceania. We do love Oceania with 23 cruises so far. I wish they would count days as I wouldn't pack my bags for less than 14 days and usually sail 19-30 days. Seems you never get full credit for days spent, as an example cut off for 2 credits is 21 days, thus a 7 day cruise is hardly equal to 19 both receiving 1 credit. Any time updates are made the long time customer looses. We did enjoy our free cruise on O back in the day when even air was included as we had always purchased air ( that is no longer the case). We learn to adapt, choice is to go or not go.

We have been there twice on Oceania, there is a restaurant in the shade, (mostly drinks) a shop very pricey. Anchored out, a bit of a hill to walk up but nice and shady, very hot and you wander around the prison buildings. Interesting birds, flowering trees and little animals running around that I have never seen before. Enjoy. There are no tours.

If embarking in Stockholm you can check out location (map provided) on their site and prices on their site System Bolaget. It may be easier if yoy change language to English!

In May 2023 while on the Marina we were indeed lucky there was only one 300 passenger ship in at that time. Ten minute wait up, no wait down. A week or so later the Vista had huge crowds. Look on line to see who's in port. I enjoyed walking up to the church along the ocean side path while husband sat and watched the crowds. Good experience for us both.

We enjoyed our Vista Caribbean 19 days cruise, meals were great. Got off Feb 18. We find choosing the right dish is a big factor. At Embers (not a fan, lacks ambience ) but the scallops were good. Also enjoyed Aquamar for lunch a nice change. We did not find a big change in food, as a sample - rack of lamb, whole Maine steamed lobster, sea bass, filet mignon with lobster tail, Dover sole, Steak Diane, veal various prep, it was all very enjoyable. The voyage was 11 + 7 days and quite a change for the 7 day trip, a much younger and noisier crowd. Much better to be on board compared to the pouring rain at home! Until next time.

My husband showed up in one red boat shoe and one blue one for dinner (had another matching pair under the bed) the GDR staff had a great laugh at this. Only proved we are all human! All in good taste will work, no need to worry.

Cooking classes on board are under "other "category not excursions" can be bought with your onboard credit if you have any. You should see the number of dining reservations on your docs or on line as you book them. We are on Vista Jan29-Feb 18 and have them all booked. Good Luck

Once on board the menus are posted daily on your room TV so you can look to see if you want to go to the main dining room or Terraces for lunch or dinner. Chances are better if you share a table at the specialties and we have met wonderful people from all over the world that way. Some have even chosen later to visit us, what a bonus! Menu are posted outside each specialty restaurant but as mentioned they remain the same. TV also gives you an update on your account. That way we can see as we work down our cruise credit. Enjoy your trip.

Sorry never thought about gratuities as ours are included with our club status, so not an issue.

Willidc It has been a few years since our 20th but we did indeed get the extra credits added to our cruise a couple of days after being on board.

We use for bar services, massage, manicures and pedicures( even for men) shop purchases, excursions, if on Riviera, Marina or Vista cooking classes. Also certail special cocktail or scotch tastings. Lots of ways to use them.

Other-- refers to beer.

We booked in May on board for 18 day Caribbean cruise and will only get 1 cruise credit for this BB cruise. We could have booked 2 cruises to get 2 cruise credits but it would have cost us $1200 USD more, Not worth that as we are Platinum and at 23 cruise credits a long way from 40. This has been going on for a few years.

You normally have get off the ship by 9:30 or earlier, no staying on board as they have to do the count down. If you take their tour you would get off and I believe they drop you off by 3 or so at airport. One never knows for sure but this has been our experience in Miami.