JVNYC

11 hours ago, Redtravel said:

We were in 7026 on Journey.  Great cabin. I would book it again. It is not that far forward. It is close to the forward elevators. It was a V3 when we were in it. In 2020, it is a higher category. My preference is deck 7. Deck 7 is between 2 decks of passenger cabins.....extra quiet. Deck 7 has the laundry room. I have stayed on deck 7 three times on the Journey. Either 7026 or 7028 are great cabins.

Was the bed to the right or to the left in 7026? 

Does anyone know which side the bed is on in 7028 and 7026?  I like a room with the bed to the right when you walk into the stateroom.  Any info is greatly appreciated!  Thanks.

Do you really think they are going to be knocking out walls and doing major construction? I would guess this is just a redo of furniture, carpeting, drapes....general decor. Consistent with the R ship refurb. Do you think this will be much more than that?

Looks like a refurbishment of Marina & Riviera to Oceania Next.....which means they will be even more beautiful and fantastic! I’m excited to hear!

Did anyone see any price increases for October 1? I didn't notice any.

Rachel explain it well. We had two issues on our first Oceania cruise (Riviera) that put us off - likely forever. I ordered a special of the day pasta dish that includes clams (or in this case, one clam). The person that was plating the dish wanted to put a clam on the top to make it look nice but the clam was obviously dead prior to cooking as it did not open. The guy was standing there trying to pry it open and serve it. I politely told him that I changed my mind.

 

When we tried it at night, we stood in the pasta line (I love pasta) while they "cooked" or reheated the pasta. The line was quite long and by the time I got close to the front I could see that the pasta was being "heated" in cold water - not sure what happened. I accepted the plate but found that the only pasta that was warm was the ones at the bottom that were sitting on the hot plate.

 

On Regent you place your order for pasta, a grilled item, eggs, etc. - give them your table number and it is delivered to your table. This alleviates the long lines.

 

There was very little that I liked about the buffet - not even the dining venue (the room was crowded - service spotty, etc.)

 

Like Rachel, we prefer to serve ourselves and are aware of touching handles that others touch. When I remember I use a small napkin to hold the utensils. Some posters on the Oceania board feel that having food served to you from the buffet will prevent the spread of illness. However, as you likely know, the Riviera has had many more cases of Norovirus than Regent ships so I can't see the advantage.

 

Have to mention that next to Regent's Explorer, the Riviera is most beautiful ship that we have sailed on.

Thanks Travelcat. Are there more food items? How is it bigger?

I do like being served, doesn’t bother me either way.

 

Also, in my opinion, while food is subjective, we find the food in Compass Rose (main dining room) far superior to Oceania. The buffet, while not as large as on Oceania’s larger ships, the quality is better on Regent. However, nothing can touch Jacques on Oceania. The steak and Italian restaurant are a toss up.

 

P.S. Explorer is our favorite ship!

Hey Travelcat. Is the Explorer buffet really smaller than Riviera’s? In what way? I’m a big Riviera Terrace fan and I’m considering the Splendor. I’m curious to hear your take on the buffet difference. Thanks!!

Do you really think the pricing is going up on Oct 1? They say this all the time - Book Now before prices go up - and it never changes! This time is different because FDR commented on it and I've never seen him say this before....so perhaps it's true. What do you all think?

Look at Jan 2020. San Diego to Guam

 

 

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Thanks. I want to do a Transatlantic and incorporate Europe to USA. I'm not interested in the Pacific. Thanks for the suggestion though. :)

My 2 cents. Book crystal. The on board activities on sea days are beyond compare.

 

 

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I did look at Crystal but they only have 1 in 2020 - Barcelona to Quebec and there aren't many sea days. Not a great one. Maybe 2021 will be better for Crystal.

I've never sailed on a Transatlantic cruise....it's always been on my mind and I'm thinking of booking my first one. I've sailed on Riviera and Marina (my preferred ships) many times but never on a Transatlantic. I'm looking at booking a westbound sailing in 2020.

I'm intrigued by the new Regent Splendor (wow what a ship) and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on sailing on Regent's newest and best vs. Oceania's O ships. I've never sailed Regent. A Transatlantic is the best way to really enjoy the ship experience....that's why I'm considering Splendor.

I know many of you have sailed both lines so your comments are much appreciated. :D

I've never sailed on Regent and I am amazed at how stunningly beautiful the Spendor looks! Wow, what a ship!!

I am a frequent Oceania cruiser, always on Riviera and Marina....my favorite ships. But Splendor looks like something very unique and ultra luxury and I'm very intrigued....so I'm thinking of booking my first Regent cruise on the Splendor Barcelona to Miami Transatlantic on 11/13/20. I've also never done a Transatlantic so I'm thinking if I'm going to have all these sea days why not have them on the most luxurious ship!

So...should I book it??!! :D

Where is Pearl in August, 2019? There are no itineraries listed between August 8 - September 9, 2019. ??

Does anyone know why the new 2019 Pearl Northern Europe itineraries have not been posted on NCL? I thought they were on sale today, July 31? Thanks!

I'm hoping for an alternating 14 day from Amsterdam that would possibly include some Bay of Biscay ports....head down to Bordeaux and Bilbao and maybe even over to Porto and Lisbon and some other interesting ports in between. Such a great itinerary.....but I'm thinking this likely won't happen....it will be the same old UK and Norway ports.....

The information that the OP posted is from the port schedules. There is (as far as I know) nothing official from NCL at this time.

 

https://www.ptamsterdam.nl/en/cruises-portal

Thanks. I'm very interested in seeing these full itineraries!

Where are you seeing these new itineraries for Pearl in 2019? NCL is not showing these on their website.

I literally laughed out loud at the new promo and prices that started yesterday. $9,000 Canadian for a basic balcony on an off season 7 day Spain Cruise. Hmmmm NO. Or even better $11,600 for 7 days in May from Barcelona to Rome with ports so close together you could drive it. Oceania wants $7,000 for a very similar itinerary on Rivera which has far superior staterooms.

I agree with you completely. Prices are waaaayyy too high in the US with this new promotion....they jacked up the prices considerably. I had 2 cruises on hold a few months ago and I just re-priced them and they went up between $700-900 per person. No doubt would I book Riviera or even Seabourn at these prices.

Appreciate this nice follow-up from our NYC "neighbor". Agree, we would have liked doing the newer "O" ships, but this itinerary featuring the Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, the Middle East was so great that it forced us to "compromise" from the ideal "perfect" situation. But, we are going with good friends and it should all work out very well. We will not starve or go homeless during this period.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 233,991 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474[/url]

Indeed, that does sound like a wonderful itinerary....and you will most definitely enjoy it! I hope you do a live report....your photos and commentary are always fantastic!

Money people and the NY stock market are viewing this move as a "WIN" for Royal Caribbean. In checking the Wall Street Journal a few minutes ago, their stock value is up by a decent margin today. Of course, a win for Wall Street, does not always equal the best news for Silversea customers. Right or wrong??!!

 

In November, we will be doing Nov. 16-Dec. 5, 2018, our first sailing with Oceania on their Nautica ship from Athens to Dubai. This 20-day cruise will include our first visits to the Holy Lands, Egypt, Middle East, etc. Oceania is part of the mass-market NCL group. Should we worry or avoid them? But Oceania has a decent reputation, especially for its food. NCL also owns and seems to do well with its Regent Seven Seas luxury brand. Being part of a BIG corporate group could be good or bad. How well will it work for the new and larger RCL?? Wall Street has voted thumbs up.

 

Full stock details at:

https://quotes.wsj.com/RCL

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting, dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 39,519 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

 

For the past twelve months, here has been the downward slide for RCL, but then the quick upswing today with their stock value due to purchasing Silversea.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!)

It's a shame you aren't sailing on the Riviera or Marina "O" ships for your first experience on Oceania. It has way better dining options and the staterooms are much better than their older ships.

And why do we need a host? :confused:

I was just thinking the same exact thing. What does the host do??!! I mean, if this person was an employee of Oceania I could see the benefit.

Don’t rethink it. It’s a fantastic itinerary and the Spirit is a great ship.

 

 

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Thanks....I agree!

I assume you mean August 2019.

 

Which one are you doing? We are on Southampton to Stockholm, but the other way is looking more popular.

 

 

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I booked the Stockholm to Southampton. I much prefer starting in beautiful Stockholm for a few days versus London and then traveling to Southampton. I also like that it includes Oslo, which is not offered on the Southampton to Stockholm.

January 2020

Where did you hear this? My cruise is August, 2019.....the ship may not be in great shape by then. Hmmm, rethinking this......

Yes, we have booked NCL.

 

I was planning on doing Norway, but there isn’t one which fits our times. However, the Spirit Baltic itineraries are exceptional, in my opinion.

 

I had a look at other lines to compare itineraries and prices. Nothing is as good for us as goes itinerary and, for all the grumbling about prices on here, I found that the NCL price was about the same as other lines for three of us (although it does look higher for a couple).

 

 

 

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I completely agree!! I'm booked on the Stockholm to London cruise on Aug 17. The itinerary is the best I have seen on every cruise line.