blacksmith

I was advised by Explora themselves that the website could not be used for booking any types of services. I set up an account with a password and profile (including one booked cruise) and downloaded their app, but the Explora agent told me that I needed to go through them or my TA to book or reserve anything. He also said that the app is only helpful once on the ship.

Like I said before, everything has gone smoothly in the booking process. It’s just different.

Just don’t screw up my Negroni when I’m on the ship 🍸

We just booked with Explora. The website is impossible to accomplish anything. You have to use your TA or call Explora for an assist. That includes restaurant, spa, excursion, and flight reservations. Even the check in has to be emailed to you to complete.

Having said all that, everything has gone smoothly. 
It’s just different, and perhaps the website will improve in time. 

Just returned from a Viking River cruise and had a very interesting experience. On the third day my wife fell ill so I performed a RAT on her and sure enough she had Covid. I called and spoke with the HM to advise him. He asked if she needed an ambulance and would be happy to arrange. I told him that she wasn’t sick enough to require hospitalization as her breathing was okay and no fever. He assisted me in locating a pharmacy where I was able to purchase Vicks, ibuprofen, additional RATs, vitamin C. She didn’t leave the room for the rest of the cruise but never got any worse. In conversation with the HM he told me that Covid is now treated like any other illness. 
We traveled through Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, returning to the USA. We both wore masks of coarse, but never encountered any obstacles related to Covid in our travels. I would add that Viking provided some of the best service we have ever had. Even though we were in a standard category every service was first class. Just an example: The hotel provided for our cruise extension in The Hague was 5 star (Hotel Des Indes). This was not requested or expected. The transfer to Amsterdam airport was a private Mercedes for ourselves and my sister in law. Arriving at the airport the driver contacted a Viking rep who greeted us, assisted with bags and even performed our kiosk entries. 
Our last SS cruise (a little less than a year ago) began with a no show by Blacklane picking us up at our house, a madhouse at Barbados airport and 3 star hotel . On the ship the spa was closed for the entire 20 days, 6 hr wait for the hotel room in Halifax, completely unorganized RATs provided prior to airport transfers. 
What a difference a year makes 🤗

We have just disembarked the Cloud in Halifax this morning. SS has arranged antigen testing at the SS hotel for this afternoon. A printed copy of results will be supplied at checkout.

1 hour ago, FauxNom said:

Thanks @blacksmith and @MHF for your impressions. So sorry to hear about the food and the lines!  The short-staffing is really unfortunate, too; I hope it wasn't because of quarantine.

 

Did you receive a backpack and water bottle on the cruise? Not that I need more of those, particularly , but I'm wondering if I need to bring them along when I cruise on the Wind this month.

The backpacks and water bottles are provided.

I agree with everything MHF is saying. I’m on the ship now having boarded in Barbados and continuing on to Halifax. 
Blacklane was a no show to pick us up. Sent an email 3 hrs prior to reserved time (made 3 weeks earlier). Unable to contact a real person with Blacklane, only a chat line. Chat person’s response was “your booking was unsuccessful “.

Called TA and SS. Too late for them to help. Had to scramble to get to the airport and make our flight.

Expedition staff has been great in my opinion, but the food and beverage performance has been abysmal. I’m encouraged that the reduction in passenger load on the next leg will help in that regard.

We’ll see🤷‍♂️

37 minutes ago, Stumblefoot said:

Actually, the Grill is also a specialty restaurant on the Whisper.  You will need a reservation to dine there in the evening, as well as La Terrazza.  
 

The Restaurant (i.e. main dining room), while shown in the venue booking request system, does not accept dining requests as it is an open-seating dining room, which means there are no assigned times, no assigned tables. You are free to arrive at your leisure and dine with whomever you choose.

I assume that the party you choose to dine with must agree with your wishes.🤗

12 minutes ago, Mayflower1 said:

I am afraid blacksmith, this is not the current situation as of 6 days ago.  SS confirm ( and is made plain on their Website ) that The Test must be no later than 24 Hours prior to Boarding to satisfy EU Regulations - it could well be different in other areas.

 

3 Days Prior is annoying but able to be achieved - 24 Hours is, in many Cases, very difficult to achieve, hence the concerns.

Sorry, you’re right as it applies to certain countries in the EU. I was referring to the general requirements on the website allowing 3 days.

Again, SS accepts a PCR/Antigen test taken within 3 days of embarkation if you are vaccinated and boosted. 

Barbados requires a Covid test to enter their country. They will accept an antigen test taken within 24 hours and SS will accept the same test taken within 3 days prior to embarkation. So for us, 1 test works.
The more stringent requirement for passengers not boosted is for folks less than 4 months from previous shot (not eligible for the booster). They are required to have the antigen test within 24hrs or the PCR test within 3 days. 
Obviously all of the above may be different for other countries. Isn’t traveling fun these days?😅

We booked a vista gty (sails in 3 weeks) and our cabin was assigned 4 months ago. We use a TA

We sail April 25th out of Barbados. Final documents stated that as long as you are vaccinated and boosted, an antigen or PCR test can be 3 days old. A previous notification stated that you would not be allowed to embark unless you were vaccinated and boosted. Not clear why SS also stated requirements (more stringent) for passengers that had not been boosted.

Got ours today 🤗

SS has us booked for the Hilton Barbados Resort  in April.Simply 

We are on the Cloud leaving out of Barbados in a few weeks. Our first SS cruise also. Haven’t received final documents yet but I’m assuming that a dark jacket (no tie) will be enough to satisfy requirements. 
I believe that Caribbean activities won’t be full blown “expedition” and the primary reason for being there is repositioning. 
Maybe a seasoned SS cruiser can offer some insight.

I’ve recently started having Japanese Ceremonial Matcha tea 🍵 on a daily basis. Does anyone know if Regent offers this type of tea?

2 hours ago, pattymckay said:

Hi Patti (from Patty), I'm enjoying your Live blog.  I'm going August 3, wondering if you might be able to share the current itinerary (seems they have dropped St. George's as a port and added a day in Dockyard and Hamilton instead....)     And also, for the excursions you had booked in St. George's, are they cancelled, or how are they being handled?  Thanks!

 

I’m not Patti but I can tell you that none of the St George excursions have been cancelled. In my opinion it’s a blessing that we don’t have to deal with tethering for St George. I guess all of the excursions are accessible from the other ports. 
Right now (sea day) we are moving at around 5 knots on a calm sea ( like a lake). 
Having a wonderful time and headed for Chefs Table (California Menu) in a few minutes. 
Very different cruise but we are loving it.

No white caps 

Our last cruise (so long ago) was in March 2020. We were in the lowest category V. I purchased a bottle of gin and scotch in San Juan and brought them onto the ship. I requested tonic from our cabin steward and never had a problem. Cheers 

I’m sure that Viking is taking a hard look at Brazil relative to Covid. It’s probably too far out for them to commit to excursions right now. It’s at least 4 or 5 months until reservations are allowed to be made, and by then I’d bet there will be a lot more to choose from. 
We were on the last Amazon cruise in 2020 ending March 12 when everything hit the fan. 
 

Same day results from Saguaro Bloom located in Scottsdale AZ. $279. 24 hr results (not guaranteed) $149.

Their website shows other locations around the country, but prices and timelines may be different.

I think you mean 6-22

Not sure what brand they are. They make expresso and regular coffee. 

Regent has coffee machines in most of their cabins. They are owned by the same parent company as Oceania. It would appear that the decision to not have them on Oceania ships isn’t driven by safety concerns. 
Anyone willing to pay large sums for this feature might consider Regent as an option. I estimate that the additional cost to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $800/day. 🤗
 

Our next cruise is with Viking in July . It originates and stays in Bermuda. Not everything is in writing, but here are some of the requirements:

1. All passengers and crew must provide proof of vaccination 14 days prior to sail date.

2. Must have negative Covid test within 3 days of arrival in Bermuda (required by Bermuda)

3. Mandatory Covid test on arrival to Bermuda.

4. Mandatory Covid test on day 4.

5. Not allowed to leave the ship except for authorized Viking excursions.

6. Face masks required in public spaces except while dining  or drinking.

7. Reservations required in the main dining room and specialty restaurants.

8. Buffet will change to table service.

9. Anyone observed having fun will be admonished and confined to their cabin (I added this one)🤗

I am sure that Oceania and others will be following these early cruises with intense interest. Hopefully, little by little we will get back to “normal” cruising.

One of my favorites was given by the captain of the Regatta several years ago. He retold his experience with pirates while cruising near Somalia. The pirates attempted to board the ship, and both the crew and the passengers took actions to thwart the threat.