Rainbow3fe

35 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

It does happen. We’ve had one cruise where there was no YWYW option. Of course, it could by a mistake on the tours PDF. But, if the reservation system isn’t showing a YWYW price quote next to tours, you are SOL.

       I spoke to Oceania and they said options were full price or Unlimited plus $$ for OS. 5 of the 6 excursions chose were OS .

      We'll only go on game drives that offer 4x4 open air vehicles.  We are taking this cruise in order to see the animals. 😎  If we have to pay extra, it's worth it for the experience.  I have no idea if we'll ever be able to return to Africa. 

It turns out that our  Oceana Capetown cruise does not have a 25% discount for X number of cruises. They are offering $779 per person unlimited and there's an upcharge when an OS excursion is booked.

  We decided to book this way because for good game viewing experiences, we need to be in a 4x4 open Jeep as opposed to a coach or van.

On 9/23/2021 at 10:13 PM, hotzej said:

I am on the 2023 HAL WC and have been doing some research on the African ports.  Here is what I have so far...

East London, South Africa.docx 15.95 kB · 15 downloads Durban, South Africa.docx 20.35 kB · 19 downloads Port Elizabeth, South Africa.docx 21.5 kB · 19 downloads Luderitz, Namibia.docx 18.2 kB · 16 downloads Walvis Bay, Nambia.docx 15.13 kB · 16 downloads

Hi,

    We are on Oceania Jan 2023 and are docking in some of the same ports.

   Has anyone been to these places and booked game drives?  Most of these tours aren't what I am trying to find.

Thanks 

On 1/3/2022 at 1:12 PM, susiesan said:

Why not fly to Windhoek after the cruise and do a safari in Namibia? I was there this past June 2021 for a 10 day private safari. It was wonderful. Namibia's landscapes are so different than the other African countries, a very unique and special place. Namibia safaris are very reasonably priced compared to kenya or Tanzania.

Our cruise does an overnight in Walvis Bay Namibia. Looking forward to going there.

56 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Don't let the 'excellent' destroy your chance to experience the 'good.'  We cancelled a Great Migration safari that would have been wonderful – because we felt our backs couldn't take the continuous pounding over rutted roads and outback.  We ended up with a smooth river safari that was very good (and very good to our backs) and one day in a jeep that confirmed our fear of the longer trip.  Figure out the best that you can do, and enjoy!

    That's wonderful advice. I know that although every experience may not be perfect, we'll still have a great time. The river safari must have been wonderful. 

     Same reason that we canceled our Ugandan Gorilla Treking safaris. We booked private tours and purchased our Ugandan Govt permits for 2020. Moved them to 2021and then totally canceled.  We don't think at our age that we have the stamina to climb uphill in the hot jungles for 3 hours. We still are hoping to go on a safari in 2024. Hopefully we will be strong enough to go.

    Enjoy 😎

Felice 

1 hour ago, Queen of DaNile said:

The game drives from the pier are definitely late AM because it takes a while to get to them. Don't remember the exact type at Tala but thinking it was an enclosed smaller vehicle. Hluhluwe Imfolzi was an open vehicle and def not like any of my visits to any zoo. Certainly not like a dedicated safari but not bad for a day trip.

Hu,

Happy New Year 

.    I appreciate your letting me know about the "game drives". Hopefully we'll meet in the future on another cruise. The Dec 3 Riviera cruise was relaxing but not exciting.  We loved listening to Tony at the piano every night. He's a gem. A delightful person and excellent entertainer. Made it to one show and it was awful.

Please let me know you think of anything else that's important. 

Stay safe 

Felice 

1 hour ago, Queen of DaNile said:

We did Hluhluwe Imfolzi from Richard's Bay and Tala from Durban. Not bad for day trips. Lots of white Rhino which was my objective.

Thanks for letting me know.  Glad you saw white rhinos. 

We can book them but I do have a few questions if you don't mind. 

     When you arrived at the preserve were you in transferred to jeeps/ open air off road vehicles? Ivan doesn't want to remain in a coach or van for animal viewing.

     Were the game drives in early mornings or kind of midday? I know best animal viewing is early morning or dusk.

Thanks again  

Felice 

6 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

I have come close to that situation on an O ship quite a few years ago in Central America. I cannot remember the specific port. But, there were both significant tide and traffic issues ticking the buffer clock down while a small bus load of one O tour was caught on the other side of a major fire crossing the main (only) passable road back to the port.

As we watched the not-too-distant blaze, an announcement was finally made that the ship could wait no longer than another approx. half hour and we were reassured that the port agent was already working on arrangements for the folks who might get stuck ashore.
Fortunately, the fire was finally brought under control and the “pier runner” bus did make it back.

 

    I appreciate your input. I know the ship has to move at a certain point even if an excursion group is late getting back. I really didn't think it through. 

     Now I'll research private group game drives from the ports in Durban and Richard's Bay.

    Any suggestions??

Thanks  

Felice 

On 1/2/2022 at 9:59 AM, RPen63 said:

We were booked on the 2020 version of this cruise, which obviously did not happen.  Instead, we pushed the booking to a 2022 Caribbean cruise.  However, we could not get Africa out of our mind, so we booked a land tour to Kenya last November to satisfy our dreams of Africa.

 

I subsequently looked at the ship tours offered on this voyage and cannot imagine how they could compare favourably with our land tour experience.  As an example, a 90 minute drive from airstrip to lodge took 3 hours so we could capitalize on animal viewing opportunities.  Our guide kept in touch with the lodge and our freshly prepared lunch was waiting for us when we eventually arrived.  Game viewing is highly unpredictable and the rigidity of a ship’s tour is not conducive to seeing much less observing behaviour.

 

A large group tour is also not conducive to seeing what you want to see.  We were watching a pride of lions along with a couple of other groups.  I saw 2 bull elephants fighting, which interested us but obviously not the other groups.  Our guide was happy to let us observe to our hearts content while the other groups chased their own interests. 

 

As far as my experience relates to yours, I suggest that you spend top dollar on the available tours and supplement with a pre- or post-cruise tour without the confines inherent in time limited day trips if time and finances permit. 

Hi,

   I appreciate your advice. My concerns are that if we book private excursions at these ports, we can possibly be delayed getting back to the ship. ( Flat tire, vehicle breakdown or other unexpected problem) I know that if we are on a ship's excursion, the ship must wait for us if there are mitigating circumstances. 

     Are any of the ship's excursions worthwhile? The OS ones are costly and are the only ones that sound exciting. I am so sad. 

     I really would like to know if anyone HAS USED a private company at these ports. In all European ports, there are great suggestions about reliable tour operators.  Also, in those ports it's easy enough to get a taxi in an emergency. 

     We are planning to go on a short Safari near Capetown after the cruise. This will be expensive but isn't much as far as animal viewing. 

     We have booked a Kenya and Tanzania Safari for late 2024 but wanted to squeeze in  this cruise just in case Covid or health issues prevent us from going. 

Thanks again  

Felice 

2 hours ago, RPen63 said:

We were booked on the 2020 version of this cruise, which obviously did not happen.  Instead, we pushed the booking to a 2022 Caribbean cruise.  However, we could not get Africa out of our mind, so we booked a land tour to Kenya last November to satisfy our dreams of Africa.

 

I subsequently looked at the ship tours offered on this voyage and cannot imagine how they could compare favourably with our land tour experience.  As an example, a 90 minute drive from airstrip to lodge took 3 hours so we could capitalize on animal viewing opportunities.  Our guide kept in touch with the lodge and our freshly prepared lunch was waiting for us when we eventually arrived.  Game viewing is highly unpredictable and the rigidity of a ship’s tour is not conducive to seeing much less observing behaviour.

 

A large group tour is also not conducive to seeing what you want to see.  We were watching a pride of lions along with a couple of other groups.  I saw 2 bull elephants fighting, which interested us but obviously not the other groups.  Our guide was happy to let us observe to our hearts content while the other groups chased their own interests. 

 

As far as my experience relates to yours, I suggest that you spend top dollar on the available tours and supplement with a pre- or post-cruise tour without the confines inherent in time limited day trips if time and finances permit. 

Hi,

   I totally appreciate your candor.  In 2015 we did an awesome 3 week safari through Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.  It was more exciting than we could imagine.  We subsequently canceled BTB safaris for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda  for 2020 and then 2021. Not knowing how Africa will recover from Covid,  we didn't rebook. 

     We booked the Oceania Capetown to Capetown just to " get back to Africa at least one more time". We will extend our trip and are researching a private tour from Capetown. Kruger is in the rainy season so that's out. Kenya and Tanzania will have to wait until.2024.

    I really appreciate your help. 

Felice 

14 hours ago, Queen of DaNile said:

If it's offered, do not waste your time with Aquila "Private Game Reserve". We did it as an included tour with our post cruise stay and yes, you'll see the Big 5 but in a totally unnatural environment. Looks like they offer a post cruise trips to Chobe/ Vic Falls or Kruger which you could do on your own for a lot less $$$ and customize it for your interests. JMHO

Thanks for letting me know about Aquila. After doing research, many agree with you that it's a Zoo environment.  We've been to both Chobe and Victoria Falls. Sadly, friends who live there said it will be rainy season in Kruger. 

Stay safe, 

Felice 

2 hours ago, Mrs f. said:

We were on the Nautica on a Capetown  to Singapore  cruise and stopped at several ports in South Africa. We used a private guide for the extra days we spent before the cruise.   It's too early to book anything  but you can spend time researching.

 

Robbin Island  is a popular day trip....rather than paying the Oceania price, many people book the tour directly with Robbin Island...they took Uber to the tour meeting place (nearby). The same boat takes everyone to the island and then the island people run the tour. 

 

There are also wonderful wineries around Capetown.

 

 

 

Hi 

   Thanks for the info. We spent a week in Capetown a few years ago and did enjoy wineries as well as wonderful sightseeing.  

    We are interested in visiting a game preserve for 3 or 4 nights after the cruise and also making the most of the game drives and private preserves that the ship offers.

   Sadly almost all of the great ship excursions are designated OS. If we book more than 4 each, can we get the 25% discount? Guess we will have to take SBC on this cruise.

     Anyone go to any of these parks??

Thanks  

Felice 

55 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Use the search feature on CC and look for Oceania “YWYW”. I’ve posted all the specifics many many (did I say “many”) times. Basically, your cruise’s tours PDF from O will tell you how many per person tours you must book to get 25%. Your O life freebies count toward that minimum which then gets you 25% off the cost of paid choices.

NO - you cannot pay the difference for OS, OE.

O Life is only “basic tours” usually no more than $199.

 

Take the time to do the search and my posts will have very specific instructions that will save you $$$.

 

Yes, raised in two Brooklyn neighborhoods: Flatbush and Red Hook (now the way-too-chic Carroll Gardens). Midwood HS and Brooklyn College. Summer?: Manhattan Beach in HS and Neponsit (Rockaway) in College. 

 

Thanks again.  I definitely will look at those posts. I appreciate your explaining the differences between the tour excursion designations. For Africa, I may have to pay for the excursions we really want to do. 

Wow! Certainly our neighborhoods. I went to Lincoln and Brooklyn College but both of our children went to Midwood. (walking distance from our house)

Our daughter and her husband just sold their condo in Cobble Hill. 

Looking forward to hearing from you again

Felice 

35 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Really too far in advance to suggest private vs ship tours for Africa. 
My suggestion: take the O Life tours perk and use the strategy I’ve often posted here on CC to choose which allowable ones have the best $$$ value, particularly as related to the 25% YWYW discount for added purchases. Add private tours that make the most sense. Then follow the Covid restrictions decisions throughout this year. Pay attention to the O tours cancel requirements and you could always change to the SBC O Life perk instead (as long as you adhere to any change/penalty deadlines.

Hi 

 Thanks for the info. I don't know if I ever heard about a 25% discount.  Please explain how to get it.

   Yes. I know we csn switch to SBC if we can't use the excursions that are offered.

    Do you know if we choose the excursion option and the tours we want are designated OS, can we pay the $$ difference?

    I wasn't necessarily asking if private tours are better than ship excursions but whether it's advisable to take them. I am concerned that the roads may not be great and there's a chance a vehicle could breakdown on the way back to the ship. In Europe I never worry about not getting back onboard in time but I'm a bit concerned in Africa. Maybe I am being overly cautious and need reassuring. 

     I really appreciate your help.  BTW if you're from Flatbush, we are Native Brooklynites who moved out to Rockaway Beach 3 years ago. 😎💥

    I look forward to hearing from you. 

Felice 

Hi,

.     We are excited that the shore excursions list for our Nautica January 2023 cruise will be available soon.

     Does anyone have insightful info about tours from these ports? We don't know whether private tours are a good idea since the interesting experiences are at least 90 minutes away from the port. What's your opinion?

    I really would appreciate hearing some ideas. 

Thanks, 

Felice 

On 1/6/2020 at 5:10 PM, Flatbush Flyer said:

OP: would you please post who is serving as the General Manager and as Cruise Director on Nautica right now?

Also, if you don't mind, please add who is the Executive Concierge and who is the Oceania Club Ambassador.

Captain's name would be great as well. But, I am most interested in the folks with whom we'll probably be dealing when we board in Cape Town on February 3.

THANKS in advance! 

Hi,

    We love Oceania and are looking forward to our January 2023 Nautica Capetown-Capetown.  

We are excited that the shore excursions list will be available soon.

     Does anyone have insightful info about tours from these ports? We don't know whether private tours are a good idea since the interesting experiences are at least 90 minutes away from the port. What's your opinion?

    I really would appreciate hearing some ideas. 

Thanks, 

Felice 

Looking for the most popular things to see in St Barts. Hopefully there's a link but I  can't find it. 

Thanks 

Felice 

On 10/29/2021 at 8:23 PM, madera1 said:

Does the piano player take requests or change up nightly selections?

    In our experience it really depends on the piano player.

     On one O cruise the young man who only played what was in the book that Oceania provided.  He didn't know Broadway tunes or popular favorites.  

   On our last TA Oct 2019 we had an amazingly talented piano player who improvised and did singalongs. We ended up with a large group of groupies who gathered for drinks every night. 

     Wait and see how the experience makes you feel. 

Felice 

Anyone on The Riviera recall whether there are USB charging ports on the desk? If so, how many? Thinking about bringing a charging station but it adds weight to the luggage.

Thanks 

Felice 

1 hour ago, shepherd really said:

I apologize.  If with we ever get to cruise together on Oceania I'll buy you a lobster and a soft drink to make up for my comment.

Not insulted. Don't do soft drinks but a Vigin Pina Colada costs the same. 😜

     Quality food , comfort and service are why we do O cruises.  Lobsters and striped bass are among our favorites.🥂🎉💥😇🔥

1 hour ago, shepherd really said:

Virtually impossible to find except in all the food venues. 🙂 

Ok. make fun of me you guys. I was trying to answer a first timer question.😜😎🌊

On 11/4/2021 at 3:17 PM, USNA 72 said:

All that and specialty coffees included.  I don't really know about the virgin Frozen Mudslide but you can get a virgin frozen mango daiquiri😁

Virgin Bloody Marys and Virgin Pina Coladas are also fun. I don't like drinking alcohol in the sun anyway.

On 10/13/2021 at 9:36 PM, AMHuntFerry said:

Two and a half hours until my first O specialties reservation...sooooo excited!! I know, silly 🙂
I have a very unimportant question if anyone happens to stop in...my husband is almost always a vegetarian (and no seafood/fish = severe pain), so we will be skipping Polo. Should I reserve Polo and "trade" it later for a more veg-friendly specialty, or should I just not make a Polo reservation (that someone else may want)? I'm leaning toward the latter.

Doesn't work that way.  Never heard of trading. Just speak to Maitre D st restaurant of your choice one morning about availability that night 

On 10/11/2021 at 2:36 PM, itzfitz said:

Hope this hasn't been asked, but on Nov. 4, I can make reservations in the specialty restaurants on Riviera.  This is my first Oceania cruise.  For those of you experienced Oceania cruisers, how should I prioritize my reservations?  Please rate them in order of preference.  Is there one I absolutely can't miss?  We like virtually all types of cuisines so that's not an issue.  All recommendation will be much appreciated.  Thank you all in advance!

Patty

We love Red Ginger best and then Toscana.  It's best to try all 4 and make your own decision.  Ask around to find out which night is Lobster Night in the GDR so you don't miss it. 

On 10/19/2021 at 4:19 AM, espmass said:

Thanks and I we plan to try both the Terrace Cafe and Waves.  Obviously we wouldn't go with wet swim suits.  We will plan for Waves while sitting at the pool and save the Terrace Cafe for when dressed. 

Terrace Cafe is interestingly fun for a casual dinner. They spruce it up so it looks like a real restaurant. Great ocean views. We love Tuscana and Red Ginger but once a cruise we choose to go up to The Terrace Cafe for sushi.