416Muskokans
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Posts posted by 416Muskokans
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Our main disappointment was with the port information and excursions. Our only other ocean cruise was with Azamara in 2014 and they did a presentation before every port with photos and information plus what their excursions provided. They also used the cabin TV's to inform. I am sure others joined us in booking more ship excursions when they saw what was included. Regatta did very little and even when we wanted to book were not very helpful. Yes I had pre booked a couple of private tours and done quite some research but in this area it wasn't easy. There were usually local tourism people handing out maps and limited information as you left the ship but this did not allow much preplanning.
The 25% tax on any purchases( mainly drinks but the shop was very quiet!) made in Brazilian waters was a bit of a shock and we were there for nearly 2 weeks. It made a $6 beer cost nearly $10.
Thanks for your informative posting. I have several questions.
What private shore excursions did you book? Would you recommend them to others?
The 25% tax is a bit of a shock! We were in Brazil in 2007 and again in 2010 and did not experience this. They added 25% to your drinks on board? and your gift shop purchases on board? OUCH!!
Surprised to hear of the poor preparation for ports. This is different from our Oceania experience though we were on bigger ships.
To HAL and back.
in Oceania Cruises
Posted
If you are talking about the Prinsendam, then you might be in for a treat. Although I think she holds more like 750 cruisers. We sailed on her in 2008 through the Med and the Black Sea. It was very close to the O experience. We were in a Superior Suite that was great. Best cabin I have ever been in including top level suites on other ships. At that time the food was good and the service was also. We left HAL three years later after a cruise that almost everyone on board had GI problems. I complained to HAL management and got nothing in return and yet they continued to spend bundles of money mailing brochures to me. I don't miss HAL at all.