gbs1112

Hi, all. My husband and I will be boarding our first Oceania cruise on the Nautica this week. We are in a PH3 and our documents state that we may embark at 11 am. Will our suite be available at this time, or will we likely have to wait to access it? We are trying to decide whether it would be better to leave our luggage at pur hotel, tour Lisbon and arrive at the ship later in the day. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Penthouse suites become available about 1pm but you can board earlier and your luggage will be taken care of right away and you can include your carry-on luggage too or keep it with you. Free of as much luggage as you wish you can take a leasurely lunch in the Terrace Restaurant until the announce PH suites are available, around 1pm. I don't know where the ship will be located in Lisbon but if it is pretty central you could leave your luggage even earlier after you check out from your hotel and keep the taxi to carry on do your tour and check in and board later and have immediate access to your suite.

Hi!

We are booked on several upcoming Caribbean cruises on Riviera. Wondering if anyone had any suggestions on protecting yourself from being bitten by this new mosquito? I know about Deet. Any other sprays or chemicals that anyone can recommend?

Thanks.

Rhea

Chikangunya Fever

It is not a new mosquito, just the same old ones, but Chikangunya virus has spread into the Caribbean from Africa and India and is transmitted to humans by them. It has now been diagnosed in several states in the US. It is a very unpleasant illness and side effects can linger for a long time, in the elderly for a couple of years so best to take it seriously even if it is not likely to kill you. There is no specific treatment and prevention is the only action you can take. Unlike some forms of malaria where dusk to dawn is the mozzies favourite feeding time these mosquitoes are busy all day. The first line of protection is to consider long sleeves and long trousers to reduce the area of exposed skin. Mosquitoes can bite through very thin fabric so thin clothing can be pre-treated with repellant and the treatment will usually survive several washes. Camping and outdoor sports shops usually stock these.

Repellants are essential and forget any thoughts about 'natural agents like citronella'. Go for the chemicals. DEET works but there are good alternatives with a host of brand names.

I'll start by saying " I haven't a clue as to whether Oceania docks in/around Tokyo.

There are two possible locations in the Tokyo area where the ship may dock. Yokohama is often considered the main location but Harumi Pier in Tokyo itself is an alternative. Yokohama is a good 45 minute drive to Central Tokyo on a good day. There is an expressway for most of the distance. The drive from Harumi Pier into Central Tokyo can take thirty minutes as well so not a lot of change there. I have left a cruise from both Yokohama and Harumi and prefer Harumi.

There is a direct frequent rail service from Yokohama to Narita Airport. I have not taken that service which travels through Central Tokyo so am not too sure about the journey time but would estimate about ninety minutes.

The Airport Limousine bus also has a direct service from YCAT (Yokohama Central Air Terminal) to Narita, and this has a more direct route avoiding Central Tokyo.

Oceania brochures describing the Tokyo location do emphasise the things to be done on shore excursions there rather than those in Yokohama where there some in their own right such as their world famous Chinatown and one of the most famous gardens in the whole of Japan so it suggests that Harumi is their destination. I guess they will tell you if you ask.

What is to stop you booking for two, Mr and Mrs or whatever, and 'unfortunately' the second passenger had to drop out at the last minute.?

Can anyone tell me if Oceania allow passengers to invite guests on board for a meal. I can see no reference in Oceania's on-line material. Silversea were fine. What about Marina?

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I first posted this in the roll-call section, not the mist appropriate placing. I am gradually getting the hang of this.

I put in a cruise report a week ago. I think it was report no. 1. I would be interested in other people's opinions ad well. Apart from rather boring food and tepid tea and coffee it was a good ship to be on and we were well looked after albeit with some French lack of attention to detail. I

A taxi this month (June) from ship to airport was €45 including €6 on the meter for the phone call for the cab from the rank at P.Roma (bus and taxi station) to come collect us.

If cabs are waiting at the ship expect something between €35-€50max.

The bus is a good option but getting to P Roma is not a lot of fun, specially with baggage.

We're departing the Marina next February in Auckland. A few questions:

 

1. Where does the Marina dock, and how close to the main harbor area of town.

 

2. Hotel recommendations for downtown Auckland. We are taking a tour out to one of the islands, and would prefer to be near the harbor.

 

3. How far is it from the downtown to the airport and how long does it take to get there?

 

thanks for the help! :)

The drive from the City out to the airport is a good 40 minutes. The airport bus downtown terminal is very close to the Ocean terminal. Really too close to take a taxi, you can walk between them in about 5-10 minutes and it is flat all the way so easy to wheel baggage. There are hotels around the Ocean terminal, eg Hilton, but The Sky City Grand is another option to consider. It's a really good hotel and it has a collection of independent restaurants in the immediate vicinity that are amongst the best in New Zealand. It's up quite a stiff 500m climb from the Main Street (Queen Street) but there is a good bus service that passes it and stops at the door.