Mura

Wow, Ruby Sue, isn't that a bit harsh?! I for one have never thought that way ... perhaps because when we boarded Regatta back in Nov '05 I'd just blown out my knee and ended up having to use a wheelchair to get to the restaurant and back to our stateroom. I could walk, yes, but not well. (The waiters always asked me if could get to my seat the table by myself, and I could.) I certainly never thought of going to the head of the line because I was temporarily handicapped!

As for the OP, my sympathies are with him. I see the problems from the cruiseline's perspective as well. We have never seen a service dog on board any ship, and hadn't thought about it at all. When we were on QE2 we knew that there was a kennel, but while owners could visit their pets, the pets could not leave the kennel area.

There are practical reasons for banning dogs on a ship -- where do you walk them? Some people are just terrified of dogs of any size. But for me people who need service animals should be allowed to have them. Yes, in NYC there have been newspaper articles about people who take advantage of the law. "I 'need' my pet for my emotional well being." That's a bit different from a disabled person who truly needs the animal, whether it's a seeing eye dog or an animal that can predict a seizure is coming on.

At the same time as I say that, if it is true that in non-U.S. ports the cruise line has a plethora of paper work to go through (and I have no reason to think that is incorrect), it's understandable that the cruiseline really cannot do that.

I also thank the OP for his service. He would not be in this position of needing his dog if he had stayed home.

Mura

I don't think I'm being redundant here ... Lyn pretty well covered it. But I will babble for a while ...

NO reservations for the GDR. They aren't necessary. If you come at a crowded time, you might have to wait a few minutes but you should NOT have to wait for a table for two. And there are more than enough tables for two. (We've had the opposite experience -- we wanted to share a table but every so often we've had to have dinner with ourselves alone. Shudder ...:D)

If you go to Terrace you can have a wonderful buffet and find a table for two as well.

You asked about "special" nights in the MDR. Generally that's not the case. BUT:

You can check the menu before hand every day to make your decision. The difference with the MDR is that there are a number of courses available that change every day. The specialty restaurants have set menus that rarely change. That is one reason why we tend to prefer the GDR. (Lots of people will disagree with us but we almost always have had wonderful meals there ... and we've had off evenings in the specialty restaurants as well, and we haven't been the only ones.)

What might happen on your cruise is if you have a sea day on a Sunday, in which case the GDR often has a fabulous brunch. Just check the Daily Currents.

If you're tired after a day of touring, Terrace is a good option since you don't have to change out of your grungy clothes unless you want to!

Also, don't forget Waves if you get back late from a tour (after the restaurants have closed, usually 2pm) but you didn't get lunch.

When we took my mother on a cruise 10 years ago she converted us to breakfast in the GDR which we have done ever since, unless we have an early tour departure in which case we order breakfast in our cabin. It's a lovely leisurely meal with lots of choices. And I tend to eat less than when I'm at the buffet in Terrace! Lunch there is also nice.

We tend to check menus at both venues for lunch especially, and decide where to go when we see what looks more enticing.

Boarding times do tend to be flexible -- depending on who has shown up. Also look at the ship departure time ... if it's not due to sail until late at night (which has happened to us a couple of times), you might be able to board earlier than your assigned time, just because others are going to come to the ship later. But don't count on that!

It's really a question of who is there at the time ... we usually have early boarding times but often want to spend time in town touring before we come to the ship. If there are significant numbers of people who do the same, you could certainly board earlier ... although you wouldn't have immediate access to your cabin.

Hope I haven't confused you ...

Welcome to Oceania.

Mura

Mura

Actually, we never even tried to have dinner for TWO in one of the "R" ships (PH level). We did have breakfast often, and it was fine. I would say that unless they can bring in a table topper, it won't work for three. They can always bring in an extra chair, I wouldn't think that that's the problem. But space on the table is.

Our last cruise was in an Oceania Suite on Marina and I would say that even THAT table wasn't really adequate for three people. It probably could have been better managed than the table in the PH, but even so with all the plates and such we found it tight for just two.

The table in the VS on Marina (and no doubt in the OS) are sufficient for four people.

Best to ask your butler if something can be arranged. If it can be, he will be the person to take care of it for you.

Mura

Just a minute ago I was listening to a feature report on 20/20. They said that the bags most at risk are those checked in more than 90 minutes in advance. That often the airlines aren't set up to collect baggage checked in earlier anyway. (They also had a number of horror stories about lost baggage, stolen items, etc.)

We've been pretty lucky over the years with our baggage -- once or twice it was late. Once music I needed for my debut recital in NYC was totally lost but AA brought it to my home a day or two later. Even with unlocked luggage, nothing has been taken. Then again, we generally don't have anything anyone would want to take anyway.

In your case, Dan, I'd find an airline hotel and schlep my bags back and forth.

Mura

Actually, Hawaii Dan is right. As I recall several months ago some people were banned for doing just that, but in their case they were booking numbers of room on numbers of cruises. I don't think individuals who book one cabin per cruise, and then change their mind, would suffer the extreme penalty.

After all, when you book a year or more in advance things CAN come up that you didn't anticipate.

Mura

Okay, the offer will remain open!

Mura

Maybe that's the danger of having a big suite! An ordinary cabin doesn't give the impression of a lounge, but an Owner's or Vista suite might!

But there's always that front door ...

Mura

Our first time in Cadiz was courtesy of Renaissance and we overnighted there, so no problem getting back from Seville no longer what method you used for transport. It also gave us most of the second day to visit Cadiz.

Our second time, we spent the day in Jerez. But that was a short day (departure at 4pm) and we used a private guide.

Our third time we again devoted our time to Cadiz itself.

If Oceania were going to ask me my druthers, it would be to have two days there. But I'm not holding my breath ...

Mura

Don,

If you want any help on the May M&G I'd be happy to help out. I can always make up name tags if nothing else.

Mura

On our first Renaissance cruise there was a couple on our cruise who took the train to Seville. They felt that they saw what they wanted to in the time they had.

I agree, two hours each way is a lot of time. Then again, we took the ship's tour to Seville and as I recall it took about that long on the bus (by the time you had the obligatory half hour rest stop).

Mura

Yes indeed. But recent rule changes have made that more difficult. You used to get a full refund if you cancelled 90 days prior.

Not true anymore.

Mura

Not to argue to much with Hawaii Dan here but while we aren't big Caribbean fans, we did do two cruises to the area (one on Regatta and one on QE2) -- most recently in 2004 so our experience isn't recent. But if you haven't been there before, I'd say it's worth trying and it's closer than Tahiti!

We DID have a huge crowd in St. Thomas the last time we were there. We very much enjoyed St. Lucia and Barbados. It does depend on your itinerary.

In general we either walked around on our own or bargained with a van driver to give us a tour. It's not essential to take a ship's tour unless you prefer the security of being on one.

I have been told that those huge behemoths spend more time at sea than in a port but I don't know that such really is the case.

Mura

Are you talking about the liquor set-up in the top suites or liquor you purchased and brought on board? It never occurred to me to take away unused liquor that the ship gave me but I have taken home wine or liquor that I myself purchased and didn't drink. I doubt they'd search your luggage, though. I gave my unused liquor set-up to friends we'd met on the cruise who were staying on for the next cruise.

Mura

My recollection regarding the liquor set-up in the top suites is that when it was first started the party line was that no substitutions could be made. But relatively early on it was stated here that you could -- through the butler, I think. And certainly that's the case now.

Mura

Oh I love the seeds/powder, especially in Indian cuisine, but the leaves (depending on dose) can swell up my mouth! About half of our family is like that too, half can't understand the other...

 

Do you think you email them about it?

 

PS Mura I love your cat. Reminds me of our old cat's brother, my mum's cat, who died last year. Now mum is running after a little thuderbolt of a kitten :)

Whiskers is a sweetheart. We adopted him when Mechante was elderly and failing, and he was so good to her. I'd love to have a companion for him but DH is reluctant, so I'm waiting for a knock on the door.

As to coriander leaves, you're best off notifying Oceania that this is a problem. For myself, I've never been aware of fresh coriander (and it does depend on the itinerary). But if there is a real problem, the ship should know about it.

They are very cooperative about dealing with these situations. After all, they don't want you to get sick while you are on board!

Lyn's comments are also spot on.

Mura

So are you happy now???

We took a last minute cruise on NCL a few years ago (NYC to Venice) because it left from our home town and because it was very cost effective.

But when they told me I couldn't take liquor on board, I of course had to defeat them.

I did! But you don't need to do so on Oceania.

Mura

I looked at your question again ...

Practically speaking, avoiding an ingredient like coriander -- or thyme or oregano or fill in the blank -- could be really difficult for the ship.

Is there a medical reason for avoiding coriander, or is it just something you dislike? That could be important!

If the ship were to have to eliminate this ingredient or that ingredient just because someone dislikes it, that could be very difficult for the kitchen.

If you have an allergy, that's something else.

Mura

I've seen lots of questions about gluten-free and other-free menus but not about coriander-free!

I happen to love coriander ...

But I think the general advice is to notify Oceania well in advance of departure that you have a problem with certain foods or ingredients. They will adapt menus, and if necessary, will notify you of various choices.

But you need to notify Oceania WELL in advance of your cruise. They will do their best to accommodate you.

My guess is that coriander is not a typical problem ... This is an herb that is always in my kitchen, but I question whether it is always in Oceania's kitchens. I could be wrong! It's well worth asking if you have a problem with it.

Mura

Okay, it's so long since November that I may well have forgotten! But my sign in was indeed name and room number, but I also remember creating a password.

Maybe I didn't ...

Anyway, it's a pretty simple process as long as you know your name ... which I did not. At least, not immediately.

Mura

That's interesting ... on November 20th I created my own password ...

Mura

Well, if you're like me and drinking the bottle by myself I prefer to nurse my wine so that I can keep my costs down a little! If we are 3-4 sharing a bottle, nope, there's nothing left over!

Mura

Per bottle, and only charged when it is opened. If you save the remainder for another meal there won't be another charge.

Mura

You may also bring on alcohol. No problem.

Mura

I believe there is a technical limit of three bottles, but as far as I know it's never been enforced. Others on CC have mentioned bringing on a case or more.

It's more an out for the cruiseline to shut you down if you abuse the privilege (I mean in terms of drunken behavior). I've never heard of anything like that happening. Then again, I haven't been on all the ships all the time!

Mura

Dimitris Flokos is on the Regatta

Jancruz1

I know that now ... Denise wrote to me!

Mura