itzfitz

On 5/12/2024 at 7:19 AM, cricketlover said:

On The Vista two weeks ago we were served Montaudon.

We were on Vista and were also served Moutaudon.

Fiddled around trying to get a decent picture.  It worked but when we arrived at the port, I saw the majority of passengers having to have another picture taken.  So, for what it's worth, just press "skip this" and let them take the photo they want at check-in.

Thank you all for your responses!

Asking for recommendation for transportation from port to Ritz-Carlton.  Are taxis available?  Uber?  We need to be at hotel by 9 to meet tour guide.

Thanks in advance.

Patty

On 4/23/2024 at 8:20 AM, Hlitner said:

And Good Greetings from Souda,

 

Souda is a bay and port on the island of Crete, where we are docked today.  Souda is about 3-4 miles from the much larger Chania, which is how most cruise lines list this port.  Yesterday we had some drama when the Captain increased our ship to top speed and announced that he was going to dock at Souda, several hours early (this turned out to be about 11pm last night) in order to disembark a medical emergency patient.  

 

This morning, we awoke to a warm day (highs in the 80s F) and very gusty winds (probably in the 30-35 MPH range.  The winds are trying to push the Vista away from its pier and this has caused issues.  We are tied-up with double lines and O is using two large tugboats (one forward and the other aft) to hold the ship against the pier.  We are also running our thrusters to help keep the ship docked.  The danger is that without the tugs the lines might snap and lead to all kinds of difficulties.  Around lunch time, it was announced that due to the high winds, passengers would no longer be allowed to go ashore....as using the gangway was dangerous.  I will speculate that if we had arrived this morning, as scheduled, we would not have been able to dock (because of high gusty winds) and ended up with a sea day.  Locals told us that this kind of wind is not normal.  

 

Fortunately, most passengers were able to get off the ship this morning for their excursions and DIY.  DW and I debarked about 10:30, but the free shuttle bus (to town) was full and there was still a queue of over 40 souls.  Since it was going to be at least 30 minutes until the free shuttle returned, the local authorities were able to bring in a city bus (for which we had to pay 1.60 Euros) for those of us who did not want to wait.  Ten minutes later we were in downtown Chania, which does have a large old town shopping district, a cute old harbor (with shops and restaurants, Maritime Museum, etc.).  DW and I spent about 1 1/2 hours walking in the nice part of town and then returned to the Vista for a late lunch in Waves.  I assume that many first-time visitors took excursions to the ruins at Knossos, which is something we recommend to those who have never visited this site.  

 

Talking to other passengers reinforced my thinking that O desperately needs a decent App.  Want to cancel or make a dinner reservation?  You must either queue up on deck 5 to get to the single reservations person or try to reach that person via phone (they seldom answer).  Most lines easily handle this kind of thing via App.  We finally managed to get through, on the phone, and cancel our Red Ginger reservation (mentioned in a previous post).  We decided to keep our Ember reservation (for tonight) since the GDR menu is not one of our favorites.  Perhaps the third time, in Ember, will be the charm.

 

Hank

Hank, we are signed-up for the same Boutari Winery excursion on the May 1 Vista.  Your experience certainly has me doubting whether we should take the excursion!  How was the meal? Was the wine tasting any good?  It is very expensive and sounded wonderful on paper but obviously not so in reality.  What did Oceania say to those who complained?  Was there any compensation?  Hope the remainder of your voyage has less wind and better excursions.

Patty

Who is the current Cruise Director?  What's your opinion of him/her?

Boarding when you are leaving.

Can you cancel an excursion once on board?

16 hours ago, LHT28 said:

You get one deal

Extraordinary Savings 

I think  it still includes  1 Olife choice Perk drink package  OR  excursions OR  OBC

Maybe someone who took that deal will comment

 

Pick the one that works best for you

 

Hi, we took the deal.  We lost the Ultimate but retained 1 OLife (you can choose, drink pkg, shore excursions or on board credit.  We saved $5000 and took the excursions as I had already booked 7 of them!  Hope this helps.

Had my TA call on Friday. Saved $5000 on my Riviera cruise in September.  Had to relinquish my ultimate OLife perks, just got 1 OLife.  It's amazing to me that they're offering to discount the fares so drastically. The itinerary must not be selling well but it sure worked out for us!

That was a waste of time.  None of the questions answered.

Considering a cruise that has an overnight in Amersterdam, which is the last stop.  If we have a 9:15 flight out from AMS airport, are we allowed to debark the ship early to catch our flight?

Had it on the 2/13-24 Edge but was held at the Club due to weather.  It is not very well publicized ahead of the cruise.  I had just read about it on Cruise Critic!

Just off the Edge and it was at almost full capacity.  Still a wonderful cruise with fantastic service. Entertainment was outstanding so the 9 pm show was always standing room only.  We love Celebrity!

Love your posts!  We will be getting on board when you are debarking!  Do you know if Capt. Taszos will still be on board or is he leaving the ship?

Wifi can be hit or miss.  As for charging outlets in the room, I felt there were plenty.  Each side of the bed, at the desk, in the bathroom.  I do feel their Wifi is in need of updating compared to other cruise lines.  Cumbersome to  switch from one device to another IMO.  Long line the first day with all kinds of folks trying to figure out how to get on line on their devices.  I do wish Oceania would develop an app like so many other cruise lines have done.  Did not like to have to look on the TV to find out menus for the evening when an app would provide that plus what was going on during the day.  Love Celebrity's app.

We just got off our first cruise on Oceania.  Guess what?  The same kind of things are going on there.  When we booked (over 18 mos. ago) we chose the Classic beverage pkg. as our O life perk.  To upgrade to  Premium would be $20 p/p per day for a 10 day cruise.  We figured we'd get on board (as you cannot do it before your board) and upgrade for $400.  Well, the day our cruise left, it was no longer $20 p/p per day but was now $30!  The drink prices also increased from $1 - $3 additional. The gratuities (which were included by our TA) also jumped from $160 to $180 per person for the cruise.  We opted not to upgrade our drinks package and spent a total of  $150 total to drink what we wanted.  I have to note that the Classic pkg. included wine and beer at lunch and dinner and they had a 2 for 1 happy hour daily.  The cruise lines are all having inflationary pressures as well as trying to recoup all of the monies lost during the Covid lockdown.  I do believe that demand will sort out all of these "extra" charges.   Some are definitely more palatable than others!  Next up, Panama Canal on the Edge.  

Just off Riviera and I did fill out the on-line survey.  It was too early to review dinner the last two nights but I did it anyway.  On the form I mentioned that our TA had advised them we were celebrating our 41st anniversary on January 9 but needless to say, O did nothing until I mentioned it on the survey.  So, on the last night at Jacques, we were surprised with a special cake and serenade!  I have to think that they read my remarks unless what we experienced was a usual practice to leave it until the last night of the cruise.

I have always used Amex Platinum paying for cruises.  The last one, on Oceania, I was told by my TA that since I was getting my gratuities paid for that they could not apply the $300 Amex credit!  Has anyone every been told that?

One last question before we board tomorrow, 1/4.  Where do you suggest is the best place for lunch upon boarding?

Thanks in advance.

Patty

Wow!  Thank you all for the wonderful "insider" tips.  I've copied and pasted them into a document to bring along with me.  Again, thank you so much.

Patty

We board Wednesday, Jan. 4 on Riviera.  We are in an A2 Concierge cabin. Looking for any info that first-time Oceania cruiser should know that is not widely known?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Patty

Does anyone notice a common vaccine/booster combo in all those getting Covid?  Just wondering.

We were just on the Edge on a TransAtlantic.  We did not eat in Le Petit Chef as we have done that twice on other Edge cruises.  If you haven't experienced it, it is a lot of fun. (only 2 menus to choose from) We loved Eden and Fine Cut Steakhouse.  I would suggest looking up the menus in the app and making your decision from that.  Sushi on Five rates a better place for lunch.

15 hours ago, Retired888 said:

Maybe true for buffets, but certainly not in a restaurant like Sushi on Five where fish is kept at safe/cold temperature.

Actually, they keep the fish frozen until ready to use.  It is not fresh fish.  We ate there and the sushi was good.  This information was from the restaurant manager.

In Sky Suite on Edge for TA.  Evian bottles restocked and not charged.  Same with the sodas.  I don't drink beer so I'm not certain but with Suite guests all having the Premium Drink pkg. I wouldn't see why they would charge for it.