JoePDX

8 hours ago, Aloha 1 said:

 

 

 

FOOD

This is where it gets interesting. We’ve become big fans of Oceania and Regent and frankly, had not been impressed with Celebrity’s food in the past other than one or two specialty venues. Big shock! Every dinner we had in 4 different venues was outstanding and as good as O and R. We love fish and not once did we have an over or under cooked fish on The Edge. From Snapper, to Grouper, to Sea Bass, each was prepared perfectly. More on food comparisons as we go.

 

 

We were on the Edge inaugural transatlantic in May 2019.   I too was blown away by the food in the four main dining rooms.   With fish being great choices all around.   These spaces also felt intimate a la Oceania.

Joe

6 hours ago, mauibabes said:

FYI, 

I just tried to book Privee in January on Marina and reservations are not open yet as we are 180+ days out from sailing. Perhaps after Final Payment. We will just have to check next month. 
Mauibabes

Hi Mauibabes -

I had so many answers from Oceania on when I could book Privee.  I finally had my TA call and got the answer of final payment.   Then when I called, the Privee schedule hadn't been loaded to the cruise yet (which is two segments) and I had to wait until they got it loaded which took a few days.    I booked Privee on 5/19, final payment was processed 5/15.  

So looking forward to this cruise and to a lovely evening in Privee. 

Hope this helps.

Joe

23 minutes ago, lovetocruise17 said:

Joe,  when you went to Jerusalem   did you have a tour guide that you could recommend.  We will be there on Marina in Oct., 2022 and would prefer to stay in Jerusalem for a night or two so as to have more time to tour.  Any recommendations.  Thank you..  

Hi -

We did have a guide, Moki Schwartz.   Highly recommended.   He was just finishing up his PhD.   He handled the hotel reservations as well.   A wonderful two days.

https://www.mokitours.com/home

Joe

We stayed at the Harmony Hotel in 2017 on an overnight off Nautica.   Nice hotel and a nice central location with included breakfast and happy hour.    Their website says they have "parking nearby".   

https://www.atlas.co.il/heb/harmony-hotel-jerusalem

Joe

Here is a picture of the Kobe Beef, Lobster Remoulade and Crab Cake Sliders from Polo Grill.   Photo taken on Nautica in April, 2017.   I am a big fan of Sliders, they were good, but very rich.

Joe

28 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

Yes  I would  agree   but  sometime people that are NOT on that sailing DO post

 I have posted on some roll calls to ask info or give tour guide info

JMO

Totally agree, I have done the same…..

Joe

I would rely on what is on the Oceania website over any third party sites.   When in doubt call or have your TA call Oceania.

53 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

not correct

Anyone logged in to CC  as a member can post on any roll call

I think what Host Jazzbeau is trying to say is Cruise Critic user agreement states only those booked on a particular cruise “should” post to a particular Roll Call.

Joe

I have flown KLM Cityhopper on the Embraer 175 jets many times between Amsterdam and Toulouse.   I am 6'2" and find the leg room more than adequate, even comfortable.   I prefer these jets over the 737 for intra-Europe flights.     Not as much headroom on these jets when standing up, son may need to watch his head during boarding, but no issue when sitting down.

Joe

3 hours ago, qballer said:

Just got Turkish visas, took about 5mins to complete to visa apps and got backs confirmation 6 hrs later. Saves bout 50.00 from what Oceania wants.  Make sure you got to visiting countries website, there are other similar sites that charge more.

Here is the official Turkish site for the eVisa.    https://evisa.gov.tr/en/

As noted above, there are a ot of sites that offer to do the same for a higher price, or offer but don't deliver at all.

Joe

Generally these offers are not available on co-branded AMEX Cards.   Like my Delta Platinum and Delta Reserve cards.  😔

Joe

3 hours ago, JoePDX said:

You are not required to use Oceania's Visa service.   

 

The process to apply for an Indian visa is detailed and their website (at least when I did in in 2017 for an Oceania Cruise from Mumbai to Athens) was not the easiest to navigate.   But in the end, with about 2 hours invested, I was able to apply for both of our Visa's, get the applications overnighted and within 2 weeks we had our Passports back with the necessary visas.   

 

Best advice - don't wait until the last minute!

 

Joe

A couple other thoughts on the process.

1. They will only accept one application per overnight envelope.   They point this out…just don’t think you can bypass.  My research at the time showed they would just send them back for you to resend.  

2.  Once they get the applications the website keeps you up to date on each step.   
 

3.  Purchase the outgoing and return overnight labels through the website. That ensures you get the updates I mention in point 2.   Plus I found their costs very reasonable.

Good luck!

Joe

2 minutes ago, sydneybound said:

Thanks very much . I am sure I can DIY for the visa. Just seems a big mark up to get Oceania to obtain for us. 

Yes, there is a big markup!     I just secured our Turkish Visas for our upcoming cruise.  Oceania wanted $99 per person, I got them through Turkey's eVisa website for $51.50 and about an hours time for both of us.   

Joe

You are not required to use Oceania's Visa service.   

The process to apply for an Indian visa is detailed and their website (at least when I did in in 2017 for an Oceania Cruise from Mumbai to Athens) was not the easiest to navigate.   But in the end, with about 2 hours invested, I was able to apply for both of our Visa's, get the applications overnighted and within 2 weeks we had our Passports back with the necessary visas.   

Best advice - don't wait until the last minute!

Joe

For refundable OBC you can always go to Guest Relations and request it paid out in cash, and then use that in the Casino.   Not sure if you can use directly without getting cash, as I am not a gambler.  🙂

Joe

Consider renting a car.   I just did a pricing via Kayak (Budget is car company) and a minivan is $132.  Pick up at BCN airport and drop off at Tarragona train station.  Roads in Spain are well marked and very well maintained.

I am using this transfer company when our cruise ends in Barcelona in October.    https://www.suntransfers.com/   A minibus with them is 160E - maybe you can find someone to do a share?

Joe

Thank you for the great review.

FYI - internet has been included in the cruise fare for some time now.  It did used to be included only if you opted for O-Life.   This is limited to one device logged in at one time per stateroom.

https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005488873-What-is-Wavenet-WiFi-

Joe

Nothing magical about it and definitely not too good to be true.   It has been Oceania’s pricing model since they were founded.  No one ever pays brochure rate for a cruise…and the 2 for 1 offer is based generally on brochure rate.  No expiration date….

What can make this confusing I guess is the rate you see on their website is a per person rate, that has been “discounted”.

Deposit depends on stateroom category and cruise length.   https://oceaniacruises.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360005305934-What-is-your-deposit-and-payment-policy-

That said.   We love Oceania.

Joe

I have used this clinic twice in Barcelona.   Usually have results in 2-3 hours.

https://turoparkmedical.com/covid-test-in-barcelona/

The actual collection site is Coll Garces Lab just a few steps from the Rocafort metro stop.

I logged on to results site and printed results in the business center of my  hotel.

Joe 

3 hours ago, LHT28 said:

I believe  on the R ships  the smoking room is enclosed  with a door  plus ventilation

I never smelled smoke in the rest of the lounge 

You can sit on the starboard side of the lounge  & will not have a problem

LHT28 is correct.   Smoking area is enclosed with good ventilation.   No smells in the Horizon Lounge.

Joe

7 hours ago, Aknayt3393 said:

And La Reserve tonight for dinner. Still a busy day but in a good way. 
 

 

I am anxiously awaiting your opinions on La Reserve.   

I had booked the Bourgeois menu a few months ago for our Riviera cruise in September/October.   After reading another review here on CC - I also booked the Odyssey menu.    It all just looks so amazing.  :-)

Joe

Hello Fellow Portlander!    Thank you for the postings.  We are anxiously following as we will be on Riviera in September.   It will be our third Oceania cruise, but first on the bigger ships.   

Have a great time!

Joe

Looking forward to your next installments BellaOnline. 
 

We will be on Riviera in September/October.   Our first cruise since May 2019.   
 

Joe

Love the Taste of the World samplers in the GDR at lunch.   My husband and I usually get one to share as our appetizer.   Morocco is our favorite!   Those carrots are amazing.    I think the other photo is Italian, but I'm not certain as I didn't label it.

Like you we never tire of being waited on for breakfast, lunch or dinner, so do as many meals in the GDR as we can.  😀

Joe

On 4/19/2022 at 1:41 PM, tinaincc said:

Thank you - $5000 is A LOT of $$$ so taking your lead and calling now to switch!  

You will love the deep traditional balconies in these staterooms too!   Enjoy!