An O newby sails Regatta - April 6, 2022. Trans pacific, Papeete to Los Angeles

[ORV]

12 hours ago, Nodakboiler said:

We are scheduled to board the Regatta Sunday. Is a sports coat required for the MDR or the specialty restaurants? According to an email from Oceania, it seems required (or at least highly recommended). Thanks.

Could you cut and paste the wording from that email? 

[LHT28]

never mind

[Nodakboiler]

It's in the What to Pack for your cruise section - dated 6/18/18- maybe we received since this is our first O cruise. Also says women should have cocktail dresses or skirts and blouses for GDR- not happening for my wife!

[SophieM]

Not to worry!! I never wore a cocktail dress, although you’ll probably see some. I normally take black slacks and a few dressier tops. Husband doesn’t take a jacket or tie, just a few long sleeve shirts. You will literally see almost everything, so you can just wear what you normally wear to go out to a nicer restaurant for the GDR & specialties. Some do dress up more for the Captain’s party, but there was actually a fellow in shorts at it on our cruise last month. 😳 After 8 cruises on O, I think/hope I have finally figured out that no one really pays much attention. I am hopeful that will greatly reduce my tendency to overpack. My husband would appreciate that, too. 

[LHT28]

19 minutes ago, Nodakboiler said:

It's in the What to Pack for your cruise section - dated 6/18/18- maybe we received since this is our first O cruise. Also says women should have cocktail dresses or skirts and blouses for GDR- not happening for my wife!

Interesting  do not recall ever seeing this

[RetiredLifer]

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/oceania-experience/post/oceania-cruises/what-pack-your-cruise

WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR CRUISE 

Jun 18, 2018

Posted by Oceania Cruises in Oceania Cruises

You’ve booked your cruise and now it’s time to start thinking about what to pack. A little advance planning can go a long way to ensure a carefree voyage.

To help guide your packing, here is our Destination Specialists’ list of what to pack for your cruise. Note that it’s helpful to have booked your excursions beforehand so you have an idea of what you’ll be doing ashore.

Women’s Packing List

As you may know, Oceania Cruises has an elegant casual dress code. This simply means you should pack:

• Cocktail dresses or skirts and blouses for The Grand Dining Room and specialty restaurants • Blouses and nice shorts for evenings at Terrace Café • Sundresses – great for transitioning from day to evening with a wrap or cardigan • Casual shirts and tank tops to pair with shorts, capris or comfortable pants for excursions • A light cardigan, pashmina or wrap, especially for dining and ashore • Small clutch or crossbody bag

Men’s Packing List

Packing for men is even easier. Essentials include:

• Dress pants, collared shirts and a sports jacket or blazer for The Grand Dining Room and specialty restaurants • Khakis or nice shorts with cotton shirts for Terrace Café • Casual shorts or pants and lightweight tops for excursions – quick-drying shirts are great for the tropics

Packing List for Everyone

• A bathing suit and quick-drying cover-up (bring more than one if you plan on swimming a lot) • Sleepwear • Undergarments and socks • Variety of shoes: dress shoes, comfortable walking shoes, sneakers and sandals • Reef sandals or water shoes for the Caribbean and South Pacific • Light jacket or fleece • A waterproof jacket for Alaska and regions with changeable climates • Sun hat or visor • Sunglasses • Sunscreen • Workout attire • Daypack or comfortable tote for excursions ashore • Dry pack if planning on boating excursions or water activities • Mosquito repellent for tropical destinations

Packing Essentials 
These items may seem difficult to forget, but here are a few essential things that travelers sometimes leave behind.

• Passport • Driver’s License • Cash • Visas, if necessary • Credit cards – be sure to notify them of your travels • Cash – small bills are helpful • Copies of emergency numbers • Copies of important documents such as the front page of your passport, airline tickets and hotel confirmations • Medications • Toiletries • Necessary technology, like your phone and tablet • Charging cables for all devices • Portable phone charger • Camera, extra SD card and batteries

Have a packing tip? Share it in the comments below or on Facebook!

[jondfk]

If you’ve been reading along you’ll note that I’ve said little to nothing about Covid, a few words though are appropriate.  FP has relatively strict entry requirements including pre flight test and proof of vaccination.  O has similar requirements, some flew I close enough to boarding to have their pre flight tests within the O window. We unfortunately needed a second test in FP since we flew in a day too early, we did this additional test with EMed via proctor, this was entirely acceptable to O at the gangway.

 

We are Covid cautious and planned to wear masks when moving through public areas and crowed venues (like the serving line at Terrace Cafe).  Early on we were part of a tiny minority following similar protocols, this number has increased somewhat in recent days though still a small minority.  Last nigh two couples joined us in an elevator with all six wearing masks, one commented this was a first, I agreed.

 

What’s changed, unsurprisingly, there are cases on board.  O has said nothing officially, but folks report “missing their travel or drink buddies” to isolation.  Likewise, the string quartet last played Friday sailing into Honolulu, they have been isolating ever since.  Personally I would appreciate a bit more (read that as some) disclosure from O but that is unlikely, we faced similar issues on Princess in February with a similar (zero) level of information sharing.

 

Life on board continues as normal though as I say mask wearing has increased from near none to some.  Good wishes for speedy recovery to any affected.

[jondfk]

Last nights GDR menu:

 

[KatieBelle]

Jon, we have followed your postings and appreciate you taking time from your vacation to share with all of us.  But one thing is missing - DESSERT!  At least a look at the menu please.  -Katie

[jondfk]

27 minutes ago, KatieBelle said:

Jon, we have followed your postings and appreciate you taking time from your vacation to share with all of us.  But one thing is missing - DESSERT!  At least a look at the menu please.  -Katie

lets remedy that, for yesterday:

 

I’ll say that the desserts have been the least impressive part of the menu.  Very good, yes, but not as spectacular as some of the mains.

 

 

[ToxM]

On our Sirena TA we appeared to be doing exceptionally well covid wise but once we hit land we picked up some +ve’s. Similar to your experience it is only via WOM that one heard about anyone. It seemed to be a very small number. 

 

We also used masks at pinch points such as the serving line, but also found that later eating helped enormously. 

 

You sound like you are having a great time and I am glad you are - stay safe!

[ChadnKate]

15 hours ago, Nodakboiler said:

Thanks for the help about the suit coat question.

He may want a sport jacket for the Captain's reception but not requires. We live in Florida where it is always Country Club Casual so tend to be a bit dressy at dinner, but just as a change of pace. No "Formal Nights" as on other lines. 

[kibutzer]

1 hour ago, jondfk said:

If you’ve been reading along you’ll note that I’ve said little to nothing about Covid, a few words though are appropriate.  FP has relatively strict entry requirements including pre flight test and proof of vaccination.  O has similar requirements, some flew I close enough to boarding to have their pre flight tests within the O window. We unfortunately needed a second test in FP since we flew in a day too early, we did this additional test with EMed via proctor, this was entirely acceptable to O at the gangway.

 

We are Covid cautious and planned to wear masks when moving through public areas and crowed venues (like the serving line at Terrace Cafe).  Early on we were part of a tiny minority following similar protocols, this number has increased somewhat in recent days though still a small minority.  Last nigh two couples joined us in an elevator with all six wearing masks, one commented this was a first, I agreed.

 

What’s changed, unsurprisingly, there are cases on board.  O has said nothing officially, but folks report “missing their travel or drink buddies” to isolation.  Likewise, the string quartet last played Friday sailing into Honolulu, they have been isolating ever since.  Personally I would appreciate a bit more (read that as some) disclosure from O but that is unlikely, we faced similar issues on Princess in February with a similar (zero) level of information sharing.

 

Life on board continues as normal though as I say mask wearing has increased from near none to some.  Good wishes for speedy recovery to any affected.

Wondered what happened to the quartet. Sitting around pool it sounds like a pneumonia ward. Sadly people appear not to be getting tested, thinking they only have a cough or cold. Unfortunately  this impacts the staff,  as well as fellow passengers. I too have begun wearing mask in enclosed spaces and have attended shows since beginning of trip.

 

[jondfk]

49 minutes ago, kibutzer said:

Wondered what happened to the quartet. Sitting around pool it sounds like a pneumonia ward. Sadly people appear not to be getting tested, thinking they only have a cough or cold. Unfortunately  this impacts the staff,  as well as fellow passengers. I too have begun wearing mask in enclosed spaces and have attended shows since beginning of trip.

 

Yeah, I for one love “pool time” but one look at the loungers arranged shoulder to shoulder on day two and I decided maybe only on port days when the ship empties out.   We too have noticed the increases in coughs and sneezes though this does happen on every cruise of such length, one hopes folks are being responsible, for our part we brought Abbott tests and have taken one on day 6 and 12 (and again when we get home) but, who knows about everyone else. 

[Clutj]

Re COVID on board, report from one negative spouse whose partner tested positive and is in isolation: she was moved to another room and says several negative spouses have done the same, she was told that the total in isolation is around 40.

 

Re no information from management: I guess O has decided to accept more cases and rely on vaccinations to keep the cases in the mild range.

 

Re the controversial olive oil trolley in Toscana: last night, our waiter rolled it over, he pitched the most popular bottle without describing the others, my spouse asked for another one and he gave very short descriptions, and she chose another.

 

Update re COVID: my spouse just came back from (full) laundry room and everyone there was in masks and  talking about COVID.  Also, agree that lots more masks popping up as previously reported. 

[kibutzer]

Spoke to covid testing team, they said they are doing a brisk business. They did say most are asymptomatic or mild cough cold symptoms. You can see CDC site to show percentage positive.  Just more interaction without masks in crowded venues, casino, bars, etc. Try to make a mini pod around pool..... 

[drkitkat123]

7 hours ago, Clutj said:

Re COVID on board, report from one negative spouse whose partner tested positive and is in isolation: she was moved to another room and says several negative spouses have done the same, she was told that the total in isolation is around 40.

 

Re no information from management: I guess O has decided to accept more cases and rely on vaccinations to keep the cases in the mild range.

 

Re the controversial olive oil trolley in Toscana: last night, our waiter rolled it over, he pitched the most popular bottle without describing the others, my spouse asked for another one and he gave very short descriptions, and she chose another.

 

Update re COVID: my spouse just came back from (full) laundry room and everyone there was in masks and  talking about COVID.  Also, agree that lots more masks popping up as previously reported. 

 that's 40 out of how many passengers on board?

Although I have not had COVID yet, and am fully boosted, I am resigned to getting it at some stage but the last thing I would want is to get it on a cruise and be confined to a cabin for a significant period. Not sure I am ready to cruise yet..

[jondfk]

As for pax onboard I’ve heard varying reports around 550, so about 80%.

 

Weather is definitely cooler now day by day as we get closer to the west coast.  The string quartet returns today following an isolation period that appears to have been about 5 days, they were lovely at the start of the cruise, looking forward to listening again.

 

Only a day or two ago I discovered the Taste the World corner of the GDR lunch menu.  This is a small bites sampler of a country or region, I tried Lebanon and found it perhaps the best lunch of the trip.  It’s possible to get an individual taste, for example, stuffed grape leaves, but for the real experience envisioned by the chef take the whole plate.

 

 End of voyage Covid testing has been announced for the final sea day.  Optional, mainly oriented towards those with international flight requirements.  Masking fraction continues to grow, now about 35% by my informal observation.

 

Last evening dinner menu including dessert:

The Terrace cafe is increasingly popular in the evening probably lots of folks starting to tire of served meals (though we never do).  Terrace cafe menus typically closely mirror the GDR so little, other than intention, is lost.

 

[Jancruz]

The taste of the world has always been my favorite lunch..the only one I skip is Mexican as I am from California and have enough of that at home..

My favorite is Greece.. and Sunday when we get on..TURKEY..yea!!

Jancruz1

[ToxM]

10 minutes ago, Jancruz said:

The taste of the world has always been my favorite lunch..the only one I skip is Mexican as I am from California and have enough of that at home..

My favorite is Greece.. and Sunday when we get on..TURKEY..yea!!

Jancruz1

I always enjoy turkey on embarkation day!!

[Jancruz]

11 minutes ago, ToxM said:

I always enjoy turkey on embarkation day!!

So rare that you get the opportunity to get a while fresh turkey cut in front of you..

I think the first night we will eat in our cabin from Polo..and relax..my favorite thing to do...

Jancruz1

[jondfk]

1 hour ago, ToxM said:

I always enjoy turkey on embarkation day!!

We didn’t partake of the turkey in Terrace on embarkation day, just too hot in Papeete for such fare, a salad felt more appropriate.  For dinner though I had the stuffed turkey breast and it was one of my favorite meals the whole trip, clearly the happy leftovers from the lunch carving.

 

Taste the world today is …. Lebanon again, yeah!

[tiptwo2]

1 hour ago, jondfk said:

We didn’t partake of the turkey in Terrace on embarkation day, just too hot in Papeete for such fare, a salad felt more appropriate.  For dinner though I had the stuffed turkey breast and it was one of my favorite meals the whole trip, clearly the happy leftovers from the lunch carving.

 

Taste the world today is …. Lebanon again, yeah!

We also enjoy dinner in the Terrace. It’s more than a buffet - you may have grilled steaks, lobster, grilled lamb chops (my fav). I recommend you try it one night. 

[JoePDX]

Love the Taste of the World samplers in the GDR at lunch.   My husband and I usually get one to share as our appetizer.   Morocco is our favorite!   Those carrots are amazing.    I think the other photo is Italian, but I'm not certain as I didn't label it.

 

Like you we never tire of being waited on for breakfast, lunch or dinner, so do as many meals in the GDR as we can.  😀

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

Edited April 21, 2022 by JoePDX

[ORV]

6 hours ago, jondfk said:

Only a day or two ago I discovered the Taste the World corner of the GDR lunch menu.  This is a small bites sampler of a country or region, I tried Lebanon and found it perhaps the best lunch of the trip.  It’s possible to get an individual taste, for example, stuffed grape leaves, but for the real experience envisioned by the chef take the whole plate.

Ditto what others have said about Taste of the World. One of our favorites for lunch.