LIVE from Sirena Oranjestad to Barcelona - March 20 through April 10, 2023

[LHT28]

1 minute ago, ak1004 said:

I guess for some people being so far forward could be an issue? This is why I see those cabins still available on couple random voyages that I checked.

not quite the full  balcony space  as the ship's hull narrows  up there

Yes the motion of the ocean  can affect  some people  & the noise form the anchor if you have tender ports can be a drawback

 

[JoePDX]

It is Thursday, so this must be Barbados.   😊 There is a point in every cruise where you forget the hustle of embarkation day and unpacking and the ahh moment takes over.  That happened to me as I was getting ready for the day.   We have 18 more nights on board.   And are about to start the crossing with six days at sea.   🛳️.  I love the feeling that there are so many more days to enjoy shipboard life and the ports we will visit.   We have met so many delightful people onboard.   A great experience so far.

 

Dinner last night in the GDR.   Expert service again and the food meeting all expectations.   The zucchini wrapped jumbo shrimp was just as good as I remembered.  For dessert I was forced to have the Limoncello Soufflé along with some Humphry Slocum Meyer Lemon Pound Cake Ice Cream.   Thanks to those on Cruise Critic who sang its praises..it really is that good. 😊 OK I will fess up, I had it at lunch too.   

 

Last nights show, Broadway Bound, used the cabaret style Sirena Lounge expertly.   The talent of the singers, which are all new to Sirena this voyage, is impressive.   Truly a memorable show.

 

I will end with some thoughts on the crew.   We are being pampered in every way.   Is everything totally perfect no, but pretty darn close.   And I would be an absolute nitpicker to mention the couple of “less than” experiences we have had.

 

Gary is the cruise director and handles those duties well.   There are just over 400 on this cruise so no where near capacity, but in no way does the ship feel empty.    Again last night the GDR was hopping full of happy diners.

 

Happy to answer questions.

 

Joe (with Jeff in tow)

Edited March 23, 2023 by JoePDX

[JoePDX]

Here are a couple pictures of stateroom 7006.   C1 Deluxe Oceanview

 

 

Edited March 23, 2023 by JoePDX

[JoePDX]

I forgot to give an update on a very important topic.

 

Sticky Buns.

 

Getting fluffier and stickier but still not an A+.   

 

I will soldier on trying them each morning.

 

Joe

[ToxM]

1 hour ago, JoePDX said:

I forgot to give an update on a very important topic.

 

Sticky Buns.

 

Getting fluffier and stickier but still not an A+.   

 

I will soldier on trying them each morning.

 

Joe

 

 

Keep taking hits for the team 🙂

 

We did the Sirena TA this time last year, I am very jealous 🙂

[ak1004]

2 hours ago, JoePDX said:

Here are a couple pictures of stateroom 7006.   C1 Deluxe Oceanview

 

 

 

Thanks for the photos!

 

Where is the extra space compared to regular OV? Probably between the sofa and the window?

 

Is the shower manageable? We sailed on R ship on Azamara in OV and it was tight.

[JoePDX]

1 hour ago, ak1004 said:

 

Thanks for the photos!

 

Where is the extra space compared to regular OV? Probably between the sofa and the window?

 

Is the shower manageable? We sailed on R ship on Azamara in OV and it was tight.

yes between desk and sofa and window:   Plus the window itself could almost be used as a window seat with a few pillows.

 

For me shower is manageable.   I am 6’2” and 240lbs.   It is tight for sure, but the glass doors are a really nice change.

 

Joe

Edited March 23, 2023 by JoePDX

[LouChamp]

Aloha. Enjoying your posts and pictures and your style of writing. Thank you so much!

[MEFIowa]

As for "Is the shower manageable? We sailed on R ship on Azamara in OV and it was tight....

 

Did 10 nights on Sirena 11/2022. I'm 6'2" 180 pounds. Once I figured out how to use the two swinging glass doors, I could use it effectively and efficiently. Yes, prefer the larger one on Riviera, but it is manageable.

[ncgolferette]

Thank you for posting the photos of the cabin.  I have 6005 booked on the Insignia and was hoping that the sofa and desk would be near the window like a balcony cabin and not the reverse like the other oceanview cabins. 

[JoePDX]

Good morning from our first sea day.  Currently 79 degrees with light clouds, winds at 35 knots, wave height 8.2 feet.  Currently traveling at 17.7 knots.  Sirena is handling these conditions well.

 

Last night was dinner in Tuscan Steak.   A good meal with nice service.  We had one of the two tops overlooking the aft.   I had the Dover Sole and Jeff had the Ribeye.   I ordered Key Lime Pie for Jeff and Tiramisu for me.   Since Jeff doesn’t eat dessert that meant I enjoyed both.   😂

 

Yesterday was first Trivia with Gary.   Our group came in second.   Our stats between Cruise Director trivia and Entertainment Staff trivia is one 1st Place and two 2nd Place finishes.   🏆

 

We slept in a little, then breakfast in Terrace Cafe.   Not many folks out and about today so far.   Suspect many are recovering from our recent port days.  Very few by the pool and I didn’t see any evidence of chair hogs.   😀

 

Sticky bun situation continues to give me concern.   Today pan was completely dry underneath the rolls, not one bit of syrupy goodness.   😢😢.  The couple at the table next to us said they were not worth the calories and that they will wait until the bottom of the pan is dripping with the good stuff.   
 

Picked up the current cruise brochures and pouring over them for our next adventure.   I am really considering a South Pacific sailing from Australia to the west coast.   Sounds completely leisurely!  And only one long flight to endure.

 

On our first cruise back in 2001 I really didn’t like that we had a sea day on the itinerary.   Oh how that has changed in my requirements.  Sea days are the best.  Such a luxury.

 

Now off to the cooking demonstration in Sirena Lounge, then first Enrichment lecture.

 

Attaching a couple photos that may be of interest.

 

Wishing you all a great day.   Happy to answer questions.

 

Joe with Jeff in tow 
 

 

 

Edited March 24, 2023 by JoePDX

[JoePDX]

Current on board booking benefits.

 

Jennie is the Oceania Club Ambassador.

 

Joe

 

 

[susiesan]

6 hours ago, ncgolferette said:

Thank you for posting the photos of the cabin.  I have 6005 booked on the Insignia and was hoping that the sofa and desk would be near the window like a balcony cabin and not the reverse like the other oceanview cabins. 

Maybe you can push the sofa over closer to the window.

[jackdeb]

Joe you are so right, those sticky buns are definitely not sticky enough 🥲

What are those foreign red and orange things on the plate? OMG😂

[JoePDX]

49 minutes ago, jackdeb said:

Joe you are so right, those sticky buns are definitely not sticky enough 🥲

What are those foreign red and orange things on the plate? OMG😂

@jackdeb

 

That is fruit…it makes the Sticky Buns heathy.   Even when the Sticky Buns are not sticky and ooey gooey!

 

😂😂😂

Edited March 24, 2023 by JoePDX

[JoePDX]

Our trivia team the “Universals” got a perfect score of 18 this afternoon.   
 

🏆🏆🏆

 

So far we have two 2nd Place finishes and two 1st Place finishes.

 

Joe

[RetiredLifer]

49 minutes ago, JoePDX said:

Our trivia team the “Universals” got a perfect score of 18 this afternoon.   
 

🏆🏆🏆

 

So far we have two 2nd Place finishes and two 1st Place finishes.

 

Joe

As CD Gary says:

”All right, all right, all right!!”

[LuAnn]

JoePDX  How did you fly to Aruba? Sorry searched to see if you had mentioned that but came up empty. Thanks!! 

[DOJO466]

1 hour ago, LuAnn said:

JoePDX  How did you fly to Aruba? Sorry searched to see if you had mentioned that but came up empty. Thanks!! 

By plane Luann.......I'm sorry could not resist.

[JoePDX]

2 hours ago, LuAnn said:

JoePDX  How did you fly to Aruba? Sorry searched to see if you had mentioned that but came up empty. Thanks!! 

Hi @LuAnn
 

We flew on Delta - Seattle to Atlanta to Oranjestad.

 

Joe

[ToxM]

The sticky buns are approaching abomination stage. 

 

it is time for an intervention with the executive chef!

 

So a serious question. The pizza man in The Terrace is a magician of the highest order, and I told him this - I hope he is still performing his beautiful spells at lunchtime? 

 

I am jealous for your sea days and jealous you are on Sirena, but happy for you (apart from the sticky bun situation).

 

Enjoy enjoy enjoy!

[JoePDX]

3 hours ago, ToxM said:

The sticky buns are approaching abomination stage. 

 

it is time for an intervention with the executive chef!

 

So a serious question. The pizza man in The Terrace is a magician of the highest order, and I told him this - I hope he is still performing his beautiful spells at lunchtime? 

 

I am jealous for your sea days and jealous you are on Sirena, but happy for you (apart from the sticky bun situation).

 

Enjoy enjoy enjoy!

Thank you @ToxM.   Sirena is beautiful filled with an amazing crew.   ❤️

 

We have not done buffet for lunch yet, but I will take a closer look at the pizza station today.

 

Enjoying every minute of these sea days.   They are so special to us.

 

Joe

Edited March 25, 2023 by JoePDX

[JoePDX]

Important update.

 

The Sticky Buns were fairly sticky today.   Not ooey gooey but definitely better than the past few days.    🎉

 

Joe

 

 

[alaskaca]

23 hours ago, JoePDX said:

Picked up the current cruise brochures and pouring over them for our next adventure.   I am really considering a South Pacific sailing from Australia to the west coast.   Sounds completely leisurely!  And only one long flight to endure.

 

Joe with Jeff in tow 
 

 

 

 

Highly recommend!!!  We did this back in 2018, Sydney to LA.  It was a segment of the world cruise.  We flew into Sydney, stayed at the Intercontinental for just under a week.  Between the ferries and the bus system we were able to go everywhere we wanted.  It is on our repeater cruise list.  The combination of sea days and days in port were just perfect.....relaxing!!

Edited March 25, 2023 by alaskaca

[catgirl411]

33 minutes ago, JoePDX said:

Important update.

 

The Sticky Buns were fairly sticky today.   Not ooey gooey but definitely better than the past few days.    🎉

 

Joe

 

 

Perhaps the sticky bun specialist is back on duty