JoePDX

When we were last in Rhodes we did a 3 hour tour by Segway.   It was fun, easy and gave us access to the back alleyways of Rhodes.   https://rhodesbysegway.com/   I love Rhodes!   Old Town Rhodes is also very walkable from the pier.   Highly recommend the Grand Masters Palace.   If you have interest in the Jewish History of Rhodes,  the Jewish Community of Rhodes offers walking tours - I had one planned for September of this year, but we couldn't dock that day.  I found them very helpful in arranging.

We were in Kavala in September of this year.  The ship docks right near the town center.   I didn't schedule a guide or tour in this port.    We walked to the Tobacco Museum and then up the castle.   Both interesting.

Joe

Just checked a Currents from our cruise in September/October on Riviera.

Waves Bar 9:00 am to Closing

Horizons 3:00 pm to Closing

Martinis 3:00 pm to Closing

Grand Bar 5:00 pm to Closing

So I would take "Closing" to mean until there are little to no customers.....

Joe

Thank you for sharing another great video - brings back memories of our own trip on Riviera.   Our first cruise on Riviera was in September & October and I watched your previous videos many times before that trip.  

Happy New Year!

Cheers,

Joe & Jeff

You "prepay" the $600 credit.   So it is not "free".   Then you are "forced" to spend it onboard.   Those who don't want to do private excursions will often say take the shore excursions as you can book excursions up to a certain dollar amount, which can be a substantial savings.

We always book cruise only fare.

Joe

Hi Patty -
 

The Virgin Pina Coladas from Waves Bar are amazingly good and no cost.   You can get them in Horizons too, but not nearly as good.  
 

On embarkation day it is usually easy to get a reservation in one of the specialty restaurants for that evenings dinner.  Just see the reservation desk.

Don’t miss the Taste of the World samplers at lunch in the Grand Dining Room.   Great as a shared appetizer or as a main.

Sticky buns!   🥰

Have a great cruise.  
 

Joe

On 12/10/2022 at 11:09 AM, pinotlover said:

I have a true food porn question:

 

For those that have been on cruises post the Covid restart, have any of the ships you’ve been on had the special big Sunday Brunch in the GDR ?

 

I will also ask about the extravaganza Tea they once occasionally had. Not the normal tea, but the over the top Tea with 50-60 items.

 

We had a Sunday sea day and I enquired with the hostess that acted as if she’d never even heard of the Sunday brunch.

We were on Riviera for 19 nights in September/October and no Brunch or Special Tea.   It was a very port intensive itinerary with originally only one sea day…with two more due to missed ports…

Joe

For our Riviera cruise this past September we did not receive any pre cruise “book” or luggage tags,   When I asked TA about it she called O and they said there was an error in printing addresses and it was to close to sailing to rectify.

So I made my own luggage tags.  I had some clear holders with metal loops I had bought on Amazon for an X cruise (which has print at home tags).  I printed up labels with O logo, ship and sailing date, stateroom number and our names.  Guy at the pier when he asked if we had tags, looked at them and said “these are the best tags I have ever seen”.  😃

They are sturdy and reusable, so I will do it again.

Here is what I ordered:   https://smile.amazon.com/Cruise-Luggage-Caribbean-Celebrity-Essentials/dp/B09Q94FLCC/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=72IRFHTK6ECQ&keywords=celebrity+cruise+luggage+tag+holder+2022&qid=1670093346&sprefix=Celebrity+cruise%2Caps%2C447&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzODE2RFRWVUROQ1U2JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTI3MzQzMzdHR0ZXWkxUTEVaTiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjA5NDYwMVhOMFg4Q0lQQkVITyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Joe

I just contacted the main Oceania number prior to our cruise in September 2022 and the agent put in the request for distilled water.   It was in the stateroom when we embarked.   We were on Riviera - no need for an extension cord as plug right there by the nightstand.   Didn't disclose to anyone other than request for water.  On Riviera I found that the air tube and mask fit nicely in the top drawer of the nightstand keeping it "out of the way" during the day.

Joe

On 10/17/2022 at 4:33 PM, Psoque said:

Thanks for this info.

I'm sure we can figure something out and find a reasonably priced hotel and a reliable transportation.

Hi -

Just stayed at the Romance Istanbul Hotel in Sultanahmet.  Great experience.  We were boarding in Istanbul and hotel arranged airport pickup and cruise transfer.   The hotel is within easy walking distance of Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia and also right on the streetcar line.  Really perfectly located.
 

As others have noted the new cruise terminal is hard to find and most taxi drivers do not know where it is or how to access the passenger drop off/pick up areas.   There were also NO porters available…meaning none!

All that said, I love Istanbul, one of my favorite cities.

Joe

Sending love and good thoughts for John and Laura.
 

Like Jan and Mura I have “known” Laura since the Renaissance group days. 

Joe

1 hour ago, roberts2005 said:

Joe, thank you for your posts.

 

my better half had a question about fresh fruit available in the mornings , specifically blue berries .

 

any chance you remember what was offered 

Hi roberts2005 -

Blueberries and blackberries were available daily.    Also strawberries although they were sliced in half.    Additionally watermelon, cantaloupe, honey dew, kiwi, grapefruit, orange, and I am sure more.   I had watermelon, cantaloupe and strawberries just about daily.   All perfectly fresh.

Joe

On 10/2/2022 at 2:39 AM, Mura said:

Joe, Glad you're having a good time (or HAD a good time) even with port changes ...but screaming at a butler because of port changes????? Geez, louise, that's crazy.

 

Starting to think about private tours for our end of August 2023 cruise on VISTA.

Hi Mura -

We had a great time.   Disembarked this morning-already seems like ages ago!    We met suck great people and so many amazing crew.

Joe

On 10/2/2022 at 3:45 AM, osandomir said:

Does it mean they don’t offer onboard booking discount of the cruise fare anymore? Or $300 OBC is additional to the fare discount.

 

Have a safe flight home.

Cruise discount offered too.   In our case $500 off each cruise based on the Oceanview category we picked and both being over 20 nights.    
 

I took the OBCs for the current cruise and we actually received $500 OBC for each cruise booking.   Plus one of the cruises qualified for pre paid gratuities.   Once I transfer to TA we will get a rebate from her agency as well.

I am very pleased.

Joe

Tomorrow is our last day on board.  Palma de Mallorca.  We arrive at 1:00, 2 hours later than originally planned due to all the itinerary changes. 
 

Packing started tonight. ☹️
 

Jeff and I both retire next year.  🎉🎉🎉

So I booked a spring east bound (21 nights) and a fall west bound (25 nights) transatlantic both on Sirena.   Current bonus is $300 OBC per booking for current or the booked cruise.

Only two more times to see how terrible the sticky buns are.   And no, I have not yet exploded.

Departure delayed tonight by 45 minutes as two passengers failed to show up on time for their facial recognition.  Talked to Captain in the elevator and he said they got on the wrong boat…I guess he meant tender as we were only ship at anchor…. 😳

A great cruise.   Exceptional crew providing overall outstanding service.   
 

Life has been good on Riviera.   
 

Joe

6 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Let us know which comes first:  (a) the sticky buns get better 😉; (b) you explode 🤣

I will persevere.   😀

Hi All -

Sorry been having too much fun to post.   
 

We missed Rhodes and Livorno due to weather.   ☹️ Also due to weather we are heading to Marseille tomorrow which was originally scheduled for 10/1. We should have been in Villefranche which was subbed for Monaco.    According to Captain, tendering in Villefranche would have been too dangerous with 3-6 foot sea rises.   We are supposed to go the Villefranche on 10/1.   We will arrive Marseille tomorrow at 11 and depart at 8pm.   There will be no ships tours…and limited shuttles so not sure what most will do.  We had a private tour for Marseille with another couple on the ship - he is trying to get it rescheduled to tomorrow.

My husband witnessed a passenger screaming at her Butler in the hallway about the changes…I know it  can be disappointing but really!!!  

Food has been very good to excellent.  Service really great..the crew are so amazing.

Some random things:

Olive oil cart presented in Toscana without asking.

The sticky buns have been so terrible I have had to try them every day.   
 

Red Ginger has been our favorite.

We have done all private tours.   I will post details of guides when I get home.   Some have been superb!

Riviera is in good shape.   I am sure you can n find wear and tear but nothing glaring.

Fabulous is on board for those who may have sailed with her.

A tip:   The virgin Pina Coladas at the pool bar are AMAZING!

Some amazing crew to mention:   Natalia, Barbara, Evo, Ronnie, Luzele, Byron, Ian.   And so many more.  We are pampered everywhere.

Joe

51 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

I thought they installed them  next to the bed??

 

No USB by the desk or the bed.

Joe

On 9/26/2022 at 8:04 PM, tubmon said:

Hi Joe, we're on the next cruise out of Barcelona and could use some planning help. Are the staterooms equipped with USB charging ports? Is the basic included internet good enough to attend a Zoom call? Thanks for your help!

No USB charging ports….  You will need a plug.   Suspect this will be rectified during the refit in November.

Joe

18 hours ago, LHT28 said:

Do they have the hands on culinary classes  ?

 

Thank you

They do.  Most were sold out before we boarded, however talked to a couple from the roll call and their class for tomorrow’s sea day was cancelled.   No reason given.

Joe

Oceania Club party this evening.   ~560 return guests out of the 1035 on board.   Longest cruiser over 1000 days with two couples in the 600 day range.
 

A nice day at sea despite not being the original  plan.   The crew really shined in all areas.

Had all three meals in the GDR.   Husband raved about the Banana Oat Pancakes.   The other three made sure the sticky buns were still edible.   They are.  😊.  Dinner we all had the Dover Sole - no complaints.

Nicola Ward featured singer tonight.   Her first time on Oceania.   She has a broad range from Adele to Leonard Cohen to Queen to Tina Turner.  Very enjoyable.

Tomorrow Santorini which we will do on our own with public buses.

Joe

I will sign off with pictures of Tea and an Aegean Sunset.    All is good on Riviera. 🇬🇷

Yes, Rhodes is a gem (we were there in 2017 on Nautica) and we were looking forward to returning.  We are already plotting a future trip…

Joe

2 hours ago, ORV said:

Number 1 in lights is in stateroom I think. The purple rock one I think is in the grand hall. 

Hi ORV-

Close on number one - it is from the hallways on the stateroom decks…

Correct on the amazing purple rock lamps - Grand Bar/Grand Hall.

Joe

Our call in Rhodes, Greece was just cancelled due to high winds.   We are disappointed as this was a top stop for us to explore with our friends da whose Great Grandfather left Rhodes for America.   😕

Joe

Nice day in Antalya, Turkey.    A very nice seaside city with a horseshoe shaped bay.   
 

First kiss in the GDR last night.  Chilled shrimp were inedible.   Not sure how you mess up shrimp like this.  It is very rare that I send something back.   I consoled myself with some ice cream to go with my chocolate mousse crème brûlée cake.   
 

Horizons band is Music Station from the Philippines.   Very talented with a very diverse music catalog.   We h e enjoyed them immensely.

Joe

Any Riviera or Marina experts out there?   Can you identify the location of these ship lights?

Joe. 😊