kibutzer

20 hours ago, gaeltrav said:

I heard from a friend on board they get on in Copenhagen in a few days

Terrific, so excited to see them on TA

Thanks for the info can anyone see if. Robbie , from Scotland, and  Casie were on staff and staying for TA ? THANKS

4 hours ago, PhD-iva said:

People on CC have expressed an opinion, that the reason why the restaurants do not open earlier is because many guests would be more likely to retire to their cabins even earlier than they already do. In order to attract new cruisers to Oceania (who are probably younger), O needs there to be a little bit more nightlife, not less nightlife.
This is the explanation that I have heard, just passing along the message 

Staff needs some kind of break between lunch and dinner 

57 minutes ago, cruisr said:

Friends of ours were just on a cruise on O around the British Isles on one of the smaller ships with just Toscana and Polo.  They were in Concierge but when they jumped online at midnight.01 they could not get any early times for either alternate restaurant.   They celebrated a special occasion onboard and ended up tipping the maitre’d a $20. and got a table.  They showed up when Polo opened and were told, sorry, no.  The husband slipped the maitre’d the cash and basically said, we will wait here just in case anything becomes available for two.  Five minutes later, a miracle, a two top became available.

 

In regard to dining, I was quite disappointed in two of the alternatives and was not crazy about the Terrace as I have seen cutbacks even since last year.  As food is subjective I fully expect others to disagree.  Each to their own, so to speak.

No need for the tip

 If you wait and people do not show up you get a table. 

On 9/3/2024 at 8:28 PM, bandp407 said:

Hello Fellow Cruisers, 

 

My husband & I (81 & 71) are seasoned cruisers. We have sailed primarily with Celebrity, but also with HAL, RCCL & Princess. We are considering Oceania, namely the Allura in the Caribbean for either November 2025 or early 2026. One of our biggest questions-will we have an opportunity for good music and some dancing after dinner and perhaps in the lounge pre dinner or show? We don’t expect they will have a club going till the wee small hours , but we don’t want to finish dinner and that’s it! Also, is it worth upgrading from a B2 or B3 to an A2 or A3? 
 

Would appreciate your feedback. Thank you in advance. 

The line is generally designed for quiet nights. There is a string quartet, and a show, and sometimes an event around 11 in Horizons. Hope this helps

Does anyone know who maybe the cruise director for Nov 3rd TA on Sirena? Also interested in GM and Food and Beverage director, love it when our cruising "family" are on board and we can reconnect. Thanks in advance

3 hours ago, ORV said:

As one poster pointed out, but should be stressed. The one thing that will make you stand out as a newbie is trying to serve yourself. Oddly enough the salad station at Waves grill is self serve. 
 

Usually the two sections on each side of the grill will be repeats, with the extreme ends being different. Think carving station on one end, pasta on the other. Or maybe sushi on one etc. 

 

Here’s one for my Razorback neighbors to the south. 

The salad station is never self serve even if there are utensils in bowls. Sadly many make this assumption.

16 hours ago, LSuzQ said:

Please share your insiders tips on how not to be immediately identified as a clueless newbie when dining at the Terrace Cafe or Waves Grill. Must I study the menu before arriving? Is there a different expectation for dinner vs. lunch? Thanks in advance!

Hi, 

First off do not serve yourself, wait for staff to serve things to you, even individually played items like appetizers and desserts. 

Second the Terrace always has a grill, go ordered you grilled items, they will give you a number and you can come back to pick up hot items. 

Please use hand sanitizer machines. 

If they have Aquamar cafe you can order and have it delivered to Cafe, they will give you a number and find you when it is done. 

Always check out grilled fish selection normally really good. 

11 hours ago, Libra10 said:

Agree with the Ember critics.  Very LOUD in there, unfocused menu, and just bad food.  Shopping mall restaurants do better.  We gave it three opportunities to convince us, but on our fourth trip on Vista, we canceled Ember.

Oceania, please bring back Jacques and some elegant and carefully crafted dining!

Food is subjective, for use Jacques no longer represents the French food of today. Yes it is classic culinary techniques but glad to see it go. As to Ember nice to have casual food that is served. Know it may not be everyone's choice. 

On 7/29/2024 at 2:54 PM, SbbquilterUT said:

Did get an answer from O - be on board no later than 3 hours before sailing so 1600 seems to be the cut off .

Being on board may be different than being checked in. Just be clear in your question 

On 8/13/2024 at 11:52 AM, jackdeb said:

MonikaV, no need to get dressed I have often seen people at Baristas when it opens in the provided robes and slippers. Do bring your insulated cup.

Yes Monika dressing is suggested. Bathrobes are not for public areas even though some folks think it is. 

2 hours ago, exeter_acres said:

Does that mean folks aren't allowed to simply voice an opinion that they would be nice?

 Just answering your question and stating current facts.   If you, or anyone  wants to offer suggestions send to corporate office, or put in mid cruise reviews. Might be best way to have them "see it"

42 minutes ago, exeter_acres said:

Correct...  but... that requires getting dressed and leaving the room... and carrying coffee back to the room... where a maker in the room would make it nice to just put on a robe..  grab coffee.. and sit on the balcony... and bring a cup to my wife still in bed......

 

Although no where near as good as Baristas, just order coffee from room service the night before. If you wanted a line that had coffee makers in room, this one is not for you. 

On 7/19/2024 at 3:22 PM, 2ndhoney said:

We stayed at Grandi Center Hotel last month for a few days. Great location, could walk to everything in town. The hotel was nice, breakfast was great, room decor is Scandinavian minimal (think Ikea furniture - open closet over refrigerator with desk attached). We actually enjoyed our time there except for issues we had with the room - they only have heat, no A/C (most hotels in Iceland don't have A/C we were told - Airport hotel didn't have it either) and it was actually warm (50 degrees or so) and the window barely opened (we were on floor 4) and we didn't keep it open because of street noise and midnight sun so it was very stuffy in the room. Observations of room - Sink for bathroom is actually in the room (not the bathroom), door for toilet is frosted glass door without a lock (door swings both ways, no catch). Oh, if you don't put the bath mat down on the floor when showering the water goes all over the bathroom. Door to room wouldn't lock unless you let the door slam shut. 

How did you get from airport to hotel? Thanks in advance for information.

Sadly it is when parents let kids roam because they are safe on a ship. Like any activity groups of kids feed off of each others energy. Hard for crew to do anything about it. 

There were three sets. Set up by CD staff of sea days , activity listed in Currents. Also there used to be a book in library on other ships to find other players.

On 12/10/2023 at 6:31 PM, Nashna said:

me too.  I’m a pool person.  I love to soak up the sun and find new floating friends.  

Put two floats in and there will be no room for others. Please remember this is not a mega ship line.

On 12/11/2023 at 6:45 AM, GrammieK said:

Apparently my “personal” floats don’t keep me afloat. I always bring a blow up noodle purchased on Amazon. It’s very easy to pack and butler or room Stewart will have it blown up. 😀🛳

Pool is really small.  Really ask your room steward to blow up? Personal floats although maybe welcome on mega ships strongly advise against on these. JMO.

Looking for feedback on tour operators for airport pick up and Blue Lagoon. Also for Godfoss , and other areas, maybe 6 hours?

We are going to two areas with limited tourist info. We are tendering in both, any suggestions? 

5 hours ago, travellerin1984 said:

Hi!

We are considering booking a transatlantic cruise on Sirena for next spring. We are curious about the entertainment and activities during the crossing. We are in our early and late forties and active. We enjoy good food and I like to listen to lectures and we like to walk on deck. How do you think cruising on Sirena could suit us? 

Ship is very sedate. Lots of reading time, bingo, and some lectures. There is a gym and small track for walking.

8 hours ago, Thought2go said:

Very surprised they are not quarantined from the public spaces.

And where would you put that many people, below deck? So impressed with the way Insignia is showing their humanity. 

8 hours ago, CaptainCook808 said:

This post is me doing my homework. Because I was surprised by the limited menu their website listed.

 

Their website shows the single menus with no mention of a rotation. I assumed they would list it if they offered more.

 

The speciality restaurants are available for additional nights - if space is available. I don’t want to go on a 2 week cruise assuming we can get additional nights in the steak restaurant when that is a maybe.

 

Finally I find it interesting that you think Oceania is substantially superior to Viking and Regent. You of course are entitled to your own opinion on this but I think most would agree with me that Viking is comparable to Oceania and Regent is superior.

Perhaps if you stated what you prefer, or can eat we can be more specfic in letting you know if these choices are available.  The Terrace Cafe is open for lunch and dinner has several salad and soup choices, at least one pasta, several entrees, veggie choices, apps, grilled fish, shellfish, meats, and sushi ever night. GDR generally has three to four app, salad choices,  4-5 entree choices, veggies and vegan and Veggie choices. If you want you could have pizza or pasta every night if that is your preference. 

18 hours ago, clairol said:

GM IS Yves Segres. CD is Dottie Kulasa. 

Thank you. Hope Dottie is with us in Iceland 

Curious can you find out name of CD, and GM?