WESTEAST

We share your frustration in being Waitlisted and yes the one learning is to book our Oceania excursions as early as possible in the future and one can always cancel if you find an independent tour you prefer. On our last cruise, we were on the waitlist for months and would call Oceania to inquire often but they couldn't tell us anything. We made back-up plans to do our own DIY tour just in case. Luckily, the one excursion we wanted cleared and we were confirmed approximately 4 weeks prior to embarking. You can also check with Destination Services desk once onboard as found other excursions had availability due to passengers cancelling. Post-Covid, it appears that there is a shortage of tour guides in many countries - in Japan last month, one tour guide travelled from Tokyo to Kobe to be our guide as no local guides were available in Kobe area.

Based on our experience with Japan's strict customs and immigration, be prepared to go through each time you go ashore and upon your return to the ship (though when returning, we were often waived through). Line ups should be shorter going back out in the evening.

Oceania Cruises' Executive Culinary Director, Alexis Quaretti interviewed on CBS Saturday Morning's "The Dish" on Saturday, April 27th. Onboard Vista and in Ember restaurant: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/chef-works-to-bring-unique-flavors-to-over-30-cruise-ship-restaurants/

Thank you for your recommendation and we will definitely plan to visit.

We have been to Portland port twice and both times went to Weymouth. As noted, this is a secure port (naval bas) and everyone must exit via this shuttle or by a shore excursion. Both times we took the free shuttle to the lovely harbour town of Weymouth. We walked along the beach front promenade enjoying the sites and there are a few streets of shops (got our M&S fix), pubs etc. Last year, the shuttle stopped at the Museum on the return trip back to the ship so folks got off, toured and got on the next shuttle to the ship. Going to Weymouth no one wanted off at the Castle or Museum. These sites will be helpful https://www.portland-port.co.uk/welcome+to+portland+port https://www.portland-port.co.uk/public/files/2023 CRUISE/Walking Tour of Castletown V1_5.pdf

Our cruise will stop in St. Helier, Jersey and intrigued about touring sights of World War II five year German occupation of Jersey: Noirmont headlands for bunkers, observations towers, the War Tunnels complex underground known as Ho8. Curious to hear any feedback from anyone who has visited this part of Jersey. Thank you.

+1

@monkey@cruise you are correct we were onboard Oceania Riviera last month and embarked/disembarked at Shinko Pier Cruise Terminal, 2 Chome-5-1 Shinko Naka Ward, Yokohama.

They only provide when attaining your next level milestones and if memory serves right, these new Oceania swag of hats and bags only commenced a few years ago. That said we've always received pins. If you don't receive in November and are interested, drop by the FCC office/desk and inquire. On Riviera last month we inquired when we would receive our hats and bags and coincidentally, both appeared with pins that night when we returned from dinner! We use the ball caps but not keen on bags nor pins - have donated bags but not sure what to do about the pins that's why we asked. Like the bulletin board or world map ideas but have neither to pin 😀

Have recently read comments about Oceania Club member cap and tote bag received upon reaching a new level achievement e.g. Bronze to Silver, Silver to Gold, etc. Am curious what does everyone do with their Oceania Club membership pins given at each of these milestones? Nice velvet box but have never worn them and right now our collection is growing in our drawer. To date, have never seen anyone onboard wearing them - perhaps Oceania can save $ by removing them and just stay with ball caps (no bags).

Japan has very strict customs and immigration. Believe you mean you have one port of call in Japan and if that is the case yes, you will need to pass through customs and immigration departing the ship for an excursion/tour and then pass through again when returning to the ship. Not familiar for a one day Japan port call visit but expect there will be a line up. We were cruising in Japan for 11 days of a 12 day cruise and despite arriving in a Tokyo airport and passing through customs and immigration (including finger printing), we still had to show our passport getting off and then returning to the ship (you always carry your passport in Japan). Furthermore, departing Japan for South Korea, there was a very long line onboard to pass Japanese Customs and Immigration (including fingerprinting) and this was repeated returning to Japan from SK. Pack your patience.

We have used TuGo for many years for our TC/TI insurance. Last year, we had our first experience with filing a claim. It was very simple, called the Company, they sent by email the required forms. Completed forms with all of the required back-up/proof for paid hotel costs were sent and we received 100% of the claim approximately two weeks later. They do have a 60 day stability period. We often take out our TC/TI policy for our airline bookings as we do this early to hopefully get good rates and then add on our cruise fare to the policy; in doing so, be mindful of when adding on, that the 60 day stability for medical reasons to cancel, starts over each time you add on to the policy.

Congratulations! Interesting as we had same experience on Riviera last month - after asking the FCC, Iwona Goodman when we would receive our hats and bags, both appeared that night when we returned from dinner! Hats are nice but not so sure about the bags.

You may want to post or search on this forum for Istanbul: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/149-other-mediterranean-and-black-sea-ports/ We embarked in Istanbul years ago and our TA arranged a private transfer from our hotel to the port. When in other ports (Copenhagen and Sydney), we have arranged with the hotel concierge to pick us up by private car at their cruise terminal and was never a problem.

We often purchase our TC/TI policy as soon as we have purchased/paid our air line tickets. Then, we add-on to our plan for the cruise final payment. Only caveat is the insurance company's 60 day stability for medical reasons (change in medication, etc.) starts over each time you add on to the policy.

Agree with @Northern Aurora, most sights require long walks, stairs (many very steep). We returned from a cruise (not Princess) last month where many passengers had canes, walkers and struggled on shore excursions - some cruise lines offer Accessible tours but don't recall seeing any on our Japan/South Korea cruise. We had a pre-cruise land tour in Tokyo and the sights also required long walks from designated parking areas.

Last month, we were on a Riviera cruise (Japan and South Korea). We enjoyed the pizza for dinner - placed our order in Waves and they served us in the Terrace. They made our pizza customized to our requested ingredients and it was delicious. A big improvement over what is served in the Terrace at lunch time.

Adherence to dress code is gradually slipping - recently, did see passengers wearing sweatshirts with jeans in Speciality restaurants which is a real stretch of the so called 'country club casual' dress code. Not sure how one defines 'nice ones' as price tags can equate to ripped nice jeans. O's website reads "...... for evening dining, elegant casual resort wear is suggested. We request that casual jeans, shorts, t-shirts, baseball caps, sandals, or tennis shoes not be worn in the restaurants after 6 PM. Baseball caps may be worn in the Terrace Café after 6 PM." Realize this subject has been beaten to death on various forums but on recent cruises we've noticed that the elegant casual resort wear is heading in the wrong direction IMO and unfortunately, Oceania is not enforcing.

Yes forgot about the TVs 🤣

Our next cruise is onboard Vista so will definitely be trying one (or two). Yes lobsters, Sea Bass in Red Ginger; we love the Escargot and Dover Sole in Jacques onboard Riviera and will miss it on Vista but open to trying the new Ember and the Dover Sole in Toscanas is excellent as well.

Cruised onboard Riviera last month and the Laundry definitely has a small sofa and table area for folding on all decks. On Deck 9, it is a few doors away from the Concierge Lounge. Can't speak for Vista but will in a few months.

We were on the Riviera in Japan last month and found the food and service excellent in all venues with a few exceptions (lamb in Red Ginger, steak in GDR). First time to have the pizza in Waves at dinner (served to us in the Terrace) and enjoyed it so much we went back a second time (p.s. they were open to customizing a pizza e.g. extra pepperoni, etc.). Taste is somewhat subjective and everyone has their personal likes and dislikes. We did not find the food tasteless and hope you enjoy your cruise and the cuisine.

Disappointing as we are those that enjoy the libraries (best still on the R ships IMO).

It is well worth it as Japan has many beautiful sights. People and culture are great.

Yes of course it is always the country rules that apply however, we were surprised that Japan was stricter than when we visited Russia in the pre-war era.