WESTEAST

FYI, found out that it is a 15/20minute walk all on level ground from the pier where ships dock to the bus stop. Information Office said if your ship is providing a shuttle bus it normally stops at our office and the bus stop is only a few minutes walk from there.

Received confirmation from tourist office that there's a local bus service from Killybegs to Donegal that takes approximately 35 minutes. Example: departs Killybegs at 9:55am and arrives in Donegal Town at 10:30am and bus returns to Killybegs at 13:00, 14:45 and 16:15. Link to the bus timetable: https://www.transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/293-Glencolmcille-to-Donegal-Town-July-2021.pdf

Like this proposal and perhaps with O offering the Ultimate last year, this year and 2024 on many cruises, the price margins for wine/beer and excursions (maybe SBC too) were conducive and filled the ship to capacity once offered? We will also watch for pricing impacts as we have a few cruises booked, not sure why a cruiser would opt out of this new offering other than the anticipated price adjustment.

Contacted by email, tourist offices in Killybegs and Donegal for information on transportation. Will post when received and if you find any information, would you be so kind to post here. Thank you.

Looking for recommendations for our Killbegs port stop. Considering going to Donegal Town which we understand is about a 25-30 minutes drive from the port. Seems like a quaint town to explore for a few hours. Appreciate information regarding shore excursion companies that would offer transport or, is it easy enough to get a local transportation bus or taxi from the cruise port? Thank you.

Read bits and pieces imbedded in other posts before but not all info e.g., for the release of Oceania Cruises’ 2024/25 seasons.

Per this site's article of May 8th, 2023, following are some excerpts regarding the pending dropping of the current OLife Choices: https://latteluxurynews.com/2023/05/08/oceania-cruises-to-sink-long-standing-olife-campaign/. - That strategy will see the OLife promotion dropped in favour of an “all in” offer. - “We’re taking that choice component out. We’re making it very easy because instead of making choices, you’re just gonna get it all,” Del Rio Jr said. - The new promotion will launch in mid-July, for the release of Oceania Cruises’ 2024/25 seasons. - During June, Oceania Cruises will start to educate and train travel advisors on the new ‘all in’ offer ahead of the July roll-out. - Guests will have the opportunity of staying with the promotion they have booked or moving to the new offer.

We've found using the WhatsApp with onboard Wi-Fi works perfect and we don't have to involve our cell phone provider (remember to put on airplane mode).

Thank you for the informative post. Did you find that you were rushed at Ember e.g., could you enjoy a glass of wine before dinner without staff by your table asking for dinner choices? What menu item did you enjoy the most?

Another vote for this site as we use it when researching a holiday be it on a cruise or by land.

FYI, in checking the Belfast Port Authority/Harbour site (https://cruise-belfast.co.uk/about-cruise-belfast/dedicated-cruise-facility) it states that the Cruise Terminal offers visitor information: Cruise visitor information centre Shore excursion coach parking Dedicated shuttle bus space Taxi rank Free Wifi Destination showcase video wall Gift shop Washroom facilities including disabled access WC Security desks Seating

My understanding is that there is a shuttle bus running from cruise port to Belfast City Centre and usually drop off/pick up beside the Belfast City Hall. Do not know frequency as will be finding out this summer when we visit! Would definitely research sights to see as leaving to the day of arrival could prove disappointing as most travellers book independent tours in advance or take cruise line shore excursions. You should check your Roll Call for your cruise as usually very helpful.

We've been sailing Oceania since 2012 and have been onboard Marina a few times though not since Covid. Appreciate that she may be in need of a refresh as has been done with the other ships. We did sail Regatta last year to see how service was post-Covid and must say the cruise continued to tick all of our boxes: itinerary, service and food. We sail Riviera again in August and are looking forward to both the renovations, itinerary, service and food. We do book a combination of O Shore Excursions and independent tours and have never experienced any significant problem with Destination Services - did have to cancel and rebook an excursion once while onboard and the Concierge took care of it to our satisfaction. That said, nothing is always perfect and we do bring forward to staff should we find food not up to par etc. and it is typically adjusted with apology. We've had to ask maitre d's to move us when seated beside very noisy tables and again never had a problem. Realize these are not major issues but thought to include from our perspective and how resolved. If the reviews you read give you doubt perhaps it is best to keep to cruise lines you are comfortable with.

It is our ship, the Riviera that will be in port on the 26th and thank you for alerting us to the fact that Balmoral is open only to the 16th. We will now look at Glamis or a return visit to St. Andrews.

Thank you for this information. Per post #3 Balmoral is closed as of August 17th and our cruise arrives in Dundee on the 26th so will now look at either Glamis or a return visit to St. Andrews.

We will be stopping at the Dundee port in August and are currently waitlisted on the ship's shore excursion to Balmoral Castle and have been researching independent tour operators out of Dundee who offer tours to Balmoral Castle and not having any luck. Appreciate if anyone can recommend a tour operator that may offer such a shore excursion.

Thank you for these wonderful photos - very professional! The ship is stunning.

Thank you. Yes know many do not proceed but was curious if anyone had experience specifically with a Free Land Program Waitlist. Our TA did his best to inquire how many were on the Waitlist but no info was available but will be following-up on our behalf,

There is a free land program on a March 2024 cruise we've booked. It is part of Oceania's Limited-Time Free Land Program offer. However, best Oceania can do is put us on a Waitlist as appears they need to find additional hotel rooms. Has anyone experience in clearing the Waitlist for such a program and if so, how long did you wait?

Thank you very much!

Yes Oceania offers transfers. We are booked on an August cruise that embarks/disembarks Portsmouth. It is easy to add an Oceania transfer from ship (Portsmouth) to airport (LHR) by asking your Travel Agent to add it to your booking or, call Oceania directly. Onboard, you will receive an Oceania disembarking form close to the end of your cruise and there is an option of purchasing a transfer at that time as well.

Thank you. Can you share name/website?

We did a Pacific Cruise last September onboard Regatta and stayed in touch with family back in Canada using WhatsApp. It can be used internationally so Ensenada shouldn't be a problem. You need to connect to O's Wi-Fi onboard and had no issues; keep your phone on Airplane Mode. One can place/receive calls or texts (with photos) providing the other party has WhatsApp; set up using your Canadian cell phone number. You could also use the application with free Wi-Fi onshore but we found time on board gave us plenty of opportunity to call/text.

Thank you for this info. Found out that our cruise line offers a free shuttle to city centre (close to City Hall). Furthermore, decided on a walking tour - Troubles in Belfast with Experience Belfast Tours. It is 2.5 hours and is £20 each and has good reviews. It also departs/ends at City Hall. Prefer walking versus driving around with a few stops in a shared cab.

Just checked their website and it states, "Directly from and to the cruise ship at Belfast Port, Northern Ireland (Please note, there is an additional charge of £20 each way for cruise ship pickup and drop off)". Find this surcharge on top of the tour price of £37 for 1 – 2 people very high and will continue researching alternate providers.