Cape Hernlopen

Dear Fellow Cruisers: We received KN95 masks on our June 2023 Insignia cruise and on our November 2022 Regatta cruise. We used them in facilities with large headcounts (Horizons, GDR, show lounge and on tours). We did not catch covid or any other respiratory infection.

Dear Fellow Cruisers: We booked a May 18, 2024 Marina cruise under the "summer sale" in June. The current four category upgrade sale is $1,000 per person more for a Veranda 4,5 or 6. We were not permitted to use our $200 Gift Certificate from our just completed cruise. Joel Barry

Dear Calvin: I used U.S. one and five dollar bills for cabs, bottled water and tips for hotel doorman, maids and various others. Everyone thanked me many times. I tipped private guides either with a credit card or local currency. Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruisers: On our recent (2022 and 2023) cruises and land trips U.S. dollars were welcomed in Egypt, Cambodia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Figi and Samoa but were not accepted in Japan. Joel Barry

Dear Last Dance: In the United States it is called "Peking Duck" but in Bejing and elsewhere in Asia it is called "roast duck". It is a delicacy. Joel Barry

Dear S or S Question: We were on Marina in February 2020 (days before Covid struck) and chose to stay in Santos. We visited the "Coffee Museum" (outstanding with a great coffee shop), the Maritime Museum (fair) and walked along the beach (beautiful) and viewed the "leaning structures" suffering from saltwater intrusion. It was a very pleasant, low key day requiring three taxi rides and two admissions. Joel Barry

Dear Redtravel: We booked the Barcelona to Rome Cruise on Marina ( May 18- June 2) hoping that it was the first cruise after "drydock" even though we have been to many of the ports. The cruise is listed under the summer special sale and is priced $1500+ less per person for most available cabins. Joel Barry

We had shuttles from Ports in Japan (June 2023) to the following cities: Naha, Okinawa; Naze; Kobe; Hiroshima; Shimizu; and Tokyo. Several were provided by Oceania and others by the local Port Authority/tourism department. Joel Barry

Dear Ice Cream Lovers: We just finished our second cruise with HS ice cream (19 days on Insignia). My favorites were Regatta Royale, Meyer Lemon and Pound Cake, Chocolate Gardine, Coffee, Black Sessame, and Summer Corn. Coffee was a new flavor since our trip in November. Several others were O.K. but not special. The non-HS "Tutti Fruiti and Raspberry were very good. Joel Barry

Dear DC: We just finished a 19 day cruise in cabin 4054 and never heard any noise from the reception area. Only noise we ever heard was from the bands and dancers greeting us at most ports. Joel Barry

Dear FF: My advice on the Bangkok port was a quick read of the situation and not a definitive statement. Further, tours that include the Kong Toey market are never from Laem Chabang but from Klong Toey. A definitive statement. Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruisers: To find out which port Oceania is using you can check the list of tours for Bangkok . If there are tours to the Klong Toey market and that part of Bangkok you can ascertain that you will dock at Klong Toey; otherwise,you will dock approx. 2 hours from Bangkok. Good hunting. Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruisers: The simple "work around" if you do not have a "camera device" is to click on the "photo on file" option. Oceania will then print your Boarding Pass and at check in they will take a new photo, adding 30 seconds to the check in procedure. Joel Barry

Dear W: The simple answer to your question is No. ATM machines are everywhere in the Middle East and I am sure that your tour guide will be happy to point them out to you. Joel Barry

Dear S.R. In what language would the conversation take place? I am not conversant in either "dog" nor in "fish" but I do speak from experience! Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruisers: The menu for Embers appears ordinary but the fact that it is open for lunch and offers a sit down/service option is a strong positive. My major reservation is on quality ingredients and preparation since they exclaim that the "fish and chips" is made with Chilian Sea Bass. No Englishman would consider eating "fish and chips" that does not contain either cod or haddock. Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruisers: The current ESS promotion includes my upcoming Bangkok to Tokyo cruise (June 2-20). For the past month plus every cabin category has been "wait listed". If there is no cabin availability and a wait list for every category (and well past final payment) "how and why" would Oceania include the cruise in the ESS promotion? Would I be wasting my time by calling either Oceania or my TA? Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruisers: We recently received our "blue book" replacement for our June 2 cruise. It contained luggage tags and a general information booklet without any tours listed or reservation information. It listed our names, ship name and cabin number, and mentioned pre and post cruise hotel names. The package was so thin that we almost discarded it as a regular Oceania sales brochure. Joel Barry

Dear Sujormik: To add some additional information to your query regarding Shabbot Services I will relate my recent experience. Lay led (not staff) Shabbot Services are offered in the Library at 6:30 p. m. and detailed in Currents. Red and white Kosher wine and challah are provided along with a condensed prayer book. Since many cruises begin on Friday there is a service on embarkation day. Joel Barry

Dear Buckwheel: Thank you for the "shuttle" update. We will be on the Bangkok to Tokyo cruise in June 2023 and have a question regarding your Kyoto update. For our overnight Kyoto stop we are porting in Kobe. Did you port in Kobe or in Osaka during your cruise? Joel Barry

Dear "E": We were on Regatta for the Tahiti to Darwin cruise November 2022. The ship, food and staff were outstanding. We had a wonderful time even though a number of ports were changed or dropped. We considered the Regatta cruise that you are taking but it was too far off for us. Our cruise offers a similar itinerary and we do not purchase "green bananas". Joel Barry

Dear "E": If you are considering the June 2 2023 Bangkok to Tokyo cruise on Insignia please note that the regular (non-OS tour) Highlights of Kyoto tour and OS Highlights tour have been sold out and unavailable for the past 45+ days. Joel Barry

Dear DCGuy64: On our recent Regatta cruise (Nov. 2022) at least one and sometimes two non-seafood sushi "roll" was offered at the lunch Buffet and twice at dinner when that was my appetizer prior to the MDR main event. Joel Barry

Dear Sophie: In Rio we have stayed at Hilton Copacabana, most recently in February 2020 (just before Covid). The hotel is across the street from the beach and has excellent views from its upper floors. Many restaurants are within walking distance and the area is safe. Taxis are available all day and night from the hotel. The rooms are very comfortable and the service is first rate. We prefer Hilton Hotels. Joel Barry

Dear Golotans: Last October (on Regatta to Australia) when we accepted the chosen flights and paid the deviation fee we were told that we would be able to select and upgrade seats in two or three days. We had already made our final payment. Two days later when I checked we were able to select and upgrade our seats. I received an E-mail within minutes of the payment with an invoice and record locator. The record locator would not work until two days later. Joel Barry