Activities on board Marina, Rio - Papeete, Dec - Jan 2013

[Tansy Mews]

Just back from a "grand voyage" - Rio to Papeete on the Marina over the Christmas and New Year.

 

In the second itinerary - Valparaiso to Papeete, we had many many sea days. But Oceania kept us busy. I was pleasantly surprised because I had the impression that there wouldn't be much to do.

 

There were excellent bridge lessons on sea days, both beginner and intermediate with some specialist lessons thrown in for good measure. There were duplicate bridge games every sea day (hosted) as well as social bridge. I heard good comments about the art instruction. There were two lecturers on each of the two cruises and sessions were rebroadcast on the TV. There were cooking demonstrations by the chefs as well as the hands-on cooking classes (we took three and they were very good). There were dancing lessons by the assistant cruise director, sing alongs, karaoke, fitness classes, games, etc.

 

There were two events with the crew. I went to the "country fair" where each division hosted an activity. Great fun - and good prizes. Participating gave you a chance to win.

 

The evening entertainment was about average - not O's forte. However there were two local dance groups on the Rio to Valparaiso leg and one from Bora Bora on the second and they were super. Perhaps not as polished as the Marina dancers but the local flavour was very welcome.

 

We couldn't get ashore at Pitcairn Island but the islanders came to us. There were sales tables set up and people had a chance to buy (US dollars) and a chance to chat with islanders there and around the ship. A member of their council gave an excellent speech and answered questions in the Marina lounge (repeated again and then broadcast on TV). The day ended with a cruise around the island while the mayor pointed out the highlights. Oh, and if you paid a small fee, you could get your passport stamped! I sent postcards to a few people - to be mailed on Pitcairn - but I didn't realize that they must wait for the next supply ship - in April!

 

Someone had asked on CC about holiday food. There was roast goose and plum pudding, etc. Best of all, the chefs set up a gingerbread village on the fifth deck. They thoughtfully put a dish of individual cookies and sliced cake there for snacking. We all ooh'd and aah'd when we came out of the Marina lounge to see them setting up. There was quite a party New Year's Eve and a glass of complimentary bubbly, and hats and horns in all the bars.

 

We had a great time on board and of course, at our super ports of call. Time whizzed by.

[sparty1]

I couldn't have summed it up better! Food, service and acccommodations were excellent. Ports were great. Oceania has some fine-tuning in their entertainment area(the dancers and singers were good, and a couple of the guest entertainers were good, but the pre-cruise reviews in this area were pretty much on target) They also could use some help/education in the 'special diet' area(to their credit tho they do not have many passengers with special dietary needs and they do have 2 individuals who really took the extra steps)Overall, the trip was very worthwhile. So nice to have traveled with you folks. And fellow passengers always help to make a trip! Connie and Larry

 

 

Just back from a "grand voyage" - Rio to Papeete on the Marina over the Christmas and New Year.

 

In the second itinerary - Valparaiso to Papeete, we had many many sea days. But Oceania kept us busy. I was pleasantly surprised because I had the impression that there wouldn't be much to do.

 

There were excellent bridge lessons on sea days, both beginner and intermediate with some specialist lessons thrown in for good measure. There were duplicate bridge games every sea day (hosted) as well as social bridge. I heard good comments about the art instruction. There were two lecturers on each of the two cruises and sessions were rebroadcast on the TV. There were cooking demonstrations by the chefs as well as the hands-on cooking classes (we took three and they were very good). There were dancing lessons by the assistant cruise director, sing alongs, karaoke, fitness classes, games, etc.

 

There were two events with the crew. I went to the "country fair" where each division hosted an activity. Great fun - and good prizes. Participating gave you a chance to win.

 

The evening entertainment was about average - not O's forte. However there were two local dance groups on the Rio to Valparaiso leg and one from Bora Bora on the second and they were super. Perhaps not as polished as the Marina dancers but the local flavour was very welcome.

 

We couldn't get ashore at Pitcairn Island but the islanders came to us. There were sales tables set up and people had a chance to buy (US dollars) and a chance to chat with islanders there and around the ship. A member of their council gave an excellent speech and answered questions in the Marina lounge (repeated again and then broadcast on TV). The day ended with a cruise around the island while the mayor pointed out the highlights. Oh, and if you paid a small fee, you could get your passport stamped! I sent postcards to a few people - to be mailed on Pitcairn - but I didn't realize that they must wait for the next supply ship - in April!

 

Someone had asked on CC about holiday food. There was roast goose and plum pudding, etc. Best of all, the chefs set up a gingerbread village on the fifth deck. They thoughtfully put a dish of individual cookies and sliced cake there for snacking. We all ooh'd and aah'd when we came out of the Marina lounge to see them setting up. There was quite a party New Year's Eve and a glass of complimentary bubbly, and hats and horns in all the bars.

 

We had a great time on board and of course, at our super ports of call. Time whizzed by.

[Going Coastal]

Would really love to know about your stop for Easter Island.

Thanks so much.

 

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[Tansy Mews]

Would really love to know about your stop for Easter Island.

Thanks so much.

 

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Easter Island was great. We had two days there (Jan 4 and 5, 2013) and we had a 2-day tour arranged through CC. Tendering was a bit difficult but everyone was able to go. Staff were super, hauling us onto the tender!

 

Though our ship (Oceania Marina) isn't very big (about 1250 passengers) just about everyone who spoke English on the Island was guiding those days! Our guide was knowledgeable but didn't volunteer much information. We used Kia Koe - http://www.kiakoetour.cl/en/ . We did have to put a deposit down for the trip.

 

On the first day, we visited the most of the moai (statues) and the most important sights. We visited a row of moai ( statues ) overlooking the anchored ship. Colossal

statues standing on ahu (platforms). One had white eyes but the rest were

vacant. They stare inland, not out to sea. The statues are huge, most by the sea and are awe-inspiring. Amazing against the very blue sky. We visited a quarry site with partially completed statues. We stopped at Anakena beach to see more archeological sights and for a bite to eat and some swam. At the end of the day,we visited the Catholic church to see the religious art, a fascinating blend of Christian and local traditions. We were lucky enough to hear singing.

 

On the second day, we visited several national park areas with more moai, including some that face out to sea, to Polynesia. And we visited several lookouts including one that overlooked the bird island where until sometime in the 1700's, men would compete for "chief" by a hazardous swim. We also went to two overlooks over an extinct volcano crater about 200 metres deep with a lacy pattern of ponds - beautiful. Evidently women used to go down into the crater to do their laundry! We went to a quarry where different rock was dug - for the reddish hats on the moai.

 

We had a wonderful visit. So glad we could make it ashore. A few tips - ask your guide to pre-order your empanadas at the beach if you plan to stop there. They make tasty food but they are very slow! The government has strict rules about bringing food ashore but granola and energy bars are permitted. Wear sunscreen and bring lots of water. Or buy some at a grocery store - our guide stopped for us. There is quite a bit of walking involved in some sights - for example, getting to the viewpoint over the bird island. There were people with canes, etc. in our group but they are energetic days! Easy to buy souvenirs - stands near all major sites and they differ a bit depending on which site they are near.

 

If you have other questions, please ask and I will do my best.

[sparty1]

Hi again Frances,

 

You are doing such a nice, very relative job of describing our tours! I know you took notes, but it appears that you also kept a journal?:) GoingCoastal: If you do have specific questions, I would also be willing to try to answer. Connie

 

Easter Island was great. We had two days there (Jan 4 and 5, 2013) and we had a 2-day tour arranged through CC. Tendering was a bit difficult but everyone was able to go. Staff were super, hauling us onto the tender!

 

Though our ship (Oceania Marina) isn't very big (about 1250 passengers) just about everyone who spoke English on the Island was guiding those days! Our guide was knowledgeable but didn't volunteer much information. We used Kia Koe - http://www.kiakoetour.cl/en/ . We did have to put a deposit down for the trip.

 

On the first day, we visited the most of the moai (statues) and the most important sights. We visited a row of moai ( statues ) overlooking the anchored ship. Colossal

statues standing on ahu (platforms). One had white eyes but the rest were

vacant. They stare inland, not out to sea. The statues are huge, most by the sea and are awe-inspiring. Amazing against the very blue sky. We visited a quarry site with partially completed statues. We stopped at Anakena beach to see more archeological sights and for a bite to eat and some swam. At the end of the day,we visited the Catholic church to see the religious art, a fascinating blend of Christian and local traditions. We were lucky enough to hear singing.

 

On the second day, we visited several national park areas with more moai, including some that face out to sea, to Polynesia. And we visited several lookouts including one that overlooked the bird island where until sometime in the 1700's, men would compete for "chief" by a hazardous swim. We also went to two overlooks over an extinct volcano crater about 200 metres deep with a lacy pattern of ponds - beautiful. Evidently women used to go down into the crater to do their laundry! We went to a quarry where different rock was dug - for the reddish hats on the moai.

 

We had a wonderful visit. So glad we could make it ashore. A few tips - ask your guide to pre-order your empanadas at the beach if you plan to stop there. They make tasty food but they are very slow! The government has strict rules about bringing food ashore but granola and energy bars are permitted. Wear sunscreen and bring lots of water. Or buy some at a grocery store - our guide stopped for us. There is quite a bit of walking involved in some sights - for example, getting to the viewpoint over the bird island. There were people with canes, etc. in our group but they are energetic days! Easy to buy souvenirs - stands near all major sites and they differ a bit depending on which site they are near.

 

If you have other questions, please ask and I will do my best.

[centsable]

Just back from a "grand voyage" - Rio to Papeete on the Marina over the Christmas and New Year.

 

In the second itinerary - Valparaiso to Papeete, we had many many sea days. But Oceania kept us busy. I was pleasantly surprised because I had the impression that there wouldn't be much to do.

 

There were excellent bridge lessons on sea days, both beginner and intermediate with some specialist lessons thrown in for good measure. There were duplicate bridge games every sea day (hosted) as well as social bridge. I heard good comments about the art instruction. There were two lecturers on each of the two cruises and sessions were rebroadcast on the TV. There were cooking demonstrations by the chefs as well as the hands-on cooking classes (we took three and they were very good). There were dancing lessons by the assistant cruise director, sing alongs, karaoke, fitness classes, games, etc.

 

There were two events with the crew. I went to the "country fair" where each division hosted an activity. Great fun - and good prizes. Participating gave you a chance to win.

 

The evening entertainment was about average - not O's forte. However there were two local dance groups on the Rio to Valparaiso leg and one from Bora Bora on the second and they were super. Perhaps not as polished as the Marina dancers but the local flavour was very welcome.

 

We couldn't get ashore at Pitcairn Island but the islanders came to us. There were sales tables set up and people had a chance to buy (US dollars) and a chance to chat with islanders there and around the ship. A member of their council gave an excellent speech and answered questions in the Marina lounge (repeated again and then broadcast on TV). The day ended with a cruise around the island while the mayor pointed out the highlights. Oh, and if you paid a small fee, you could get your passport stamped! I sent postcards to a few people - to be mailed on Pitcairn - but I didn't realize that they must wait for the next supply ship - in April!

 

Someone had asked on CC about holiday food. There was roast goose and plum pudding, etc. Best of all, the chefs set up a gingerbread village on the fifth deck. They thoughtfully put a dish of individual cookies and sliced cake there for snacking. We all ooh'd and aah'd when we came out of the Marina lounge to see them setting up. There was quite a party New Year's Eve and a glass of complimentary bubbly, and hats and horns in all the bars.

 

We had a great time on board and of course, at our super ports of call. Time whizzed by.

 

We are on The jewels of Pacific Cruise and now I know what to expect on the Marina. We will be aboard for Easter! travelling Sydney to Papeete March 14- April 7th. Great review!

[Going Coastal]

What a great description of your days on Easter Island. Thank you for taking the time to share.

We had been on Riviera In July- August to Istanbul via Egypt and Israel so I knew we would like Marina and am happy to hear that Pitcairn and Easter Islands were a success, too.

Thanks again.

 

 

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