LIVE Insignia NY to Bermuda 9/6-9/13

[osandomir]

3 hours ago, rxlowry said:

Another great dinner I’ll talk more about but one of our topics we discussed was what was the menu before the “cutbacks”.  Did they fill the pool with caviar?  Quality has been great to us.  I’ve wanted to nitpick them and I’m struggling.  I’m becoming a believer that they do spend more per passenger than any cruise line.  Day two and I’ve had lobster three time plus some great canapés and starters tonight.  And dessert…wow.  
Time for comedy with Cory Kahaney

I can answer your question about caviar. We’ve got exactly the same caviar offerings on all of our Oceania cruises pre- or post-covid. They used to have Sunday Brunches with pretty much unlimited caviar, but it’s been long time ago. With rare exceptions we always enjoyed the other food as well.

 

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[rxlowry]

The pool was the place to be yesterday after lunch.  We wanted to go but zero seats…sun or shade were open.  We did find loungers on deck five though which had a great view of the ocean. On the luxury lines, I’ve always found chairs by the pool, maybe not the best ones but a chair.  
 

[rxlowry]

Since it’s early and the internet is fast, let’s catch up.  
We were in the casino early and heard a woman yell.  She won 12 thousand. Since it wasn’t open yet, I told her friend to call for attendant. Big excitement!
The captain’s welcome party was well attended and we enjoyed the canapés and show band.  Did two dances and got quite a few compliments on the way to dinner. 
We enjoyed our first MDR dinner.  Gravalax, Serrano ham, and an awesome plant based salad!  I love seeing the plant based dressing at lunch and dinner since that’s how I cook at home.  On vacation, no rules.  
The show was also well attended.  The comedian was very good and got lots of laughs. 
Went up to Horizons for dancing with the show band.  
 

[rxlowry]

Chair hogs in effect today.  Tons of stuff but zero in hot tub and one in pool.  Saw the most tacky thing..a sleeve over the top saying “lounge saver” with we are in love or something else cringy.  Empty when we walked to breakfast and still empty after.  Wouldn’t expect to see that on an almost luxury cruise or luxury light. Seems like big ship nonsense 

[LHT28]

38 minutes ago, rxlowry said:

Chair hogs in effect today.  Tons of stuff but zero in hot tub and one in pool.  Saw the most tacky thing..a sleeve over the top saying “lounge saver” with we are in love or something else cringy.  Empty when we walked to breakfast and still empty after.  Wouldn’t expect to see that on an almost luxury cruise or luxury light. Seems like big ship nonsense 

just  ask the deck staff to  remove the items

 

They have their own signs for the "chair hogs"

 

[Vineyard View]

29 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

just  ask the deck staff to  remove the items

 

They have their own signs for the "chair hogs"

 

I would agree with this on any line. And I agree. It’s tacky. 

[rxlowry]

Bloody Mary bar at the buffet.  An excellent vegan power bowl

[BSR]

@rxlowry  Been enjoying your posts.  What is the Captain's Welcome Party? Does everyone get to attend?  Is there a special menu in the GDR that night?

[rxlowry]

Here’s a view of “the cut” to get to St George’s. Understandable why wind prevented them docking here last trip

[rxlowry]

3 minutes ago, BSR said:

@rxlowry  Been enjoying your posts.  What is the Captain's Welcome Party? Does everyone get to attend?  Is there a special menu in the GDR that night?

It was the second night.  The captain introduces various officers.  Free drinks and canapés. 
menu was very nice.  

[tropicalkerry2002]

Thanks for posting the menu! Would you mind posting each time you  eat in MDR? Wondering if it will be the same for us next week....wherever we are!

[LHT28]

57 minutes ago, BSR said:

@rxlowry  Been enjoying your posts.  What is the Captain's Welcome Party? Does everyone get to attend?  Is there a special menu in the GDR that night?

Yes open to all

Check the CURRENTS  for  date & Times

 Have not seen the special menus for  15+  years

[ORV]

51 minutes ago, BSR said:

@rxlowry  Been enjoying your posts.  What is the Captain's Welcome Party? Does everyone get to attend?  Is there a special menu in the GDR that night?

I don't think there is a special menu that night, but there might be, after 2 1/2 hours or so of free drinks I never remember what's on the menu. 

[Sthrngary]

4 hours ago, rxlowry said:

Chair hogs in effect today.

@rxlowry It seems this is a tradition for all cruises, cruise brands and levels of cruises.  I want to thank you for sharing and also for having a good attitude about this.  It is unacceptable behavior's by any guest, on any cruise, at any time.  We all have to expect it and not let it affect our long deserved vacations.  Great posts this and others so thank you again.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[Snaefell3]

1 hour ago, tropicalkerry2002 said:

Thanks for posting the menu! Would you mind posting each time you  eat in MDR? Wondering if it will be the same for us next week....wherever we are!

AIUI, O's ships run on a 14-day menu, and since they have so many back-to-back folks, they just let it run, fortnight by fortnight.

 

I'm not sure if non-Oceania URLs are welcome, but "asking for forgiveness rather than permission" 😉 here are two websites that have published most of the 14 days' menus:

• https://eatsleepcruise.com/oceania-cruises-restaurant-guide-with-menus/

• https://www.thepreismans.com/marina19_menus.htm#Grand

 

[rxlowry]

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@rxlowry It seems this is a tradition for all cruises, cruise brands and levels of cruises.  I want to thank you for sharing and also for having a good attitude about this.  It is unacceptable behavior's by any guest, on any cruise, at any time.  We all have to expect it and not let it affect our long deserved vacations.  Great posts this and others so thank you again.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

This is kinda next level.  If this product is sold on Amazon, I’m already thinking of my review.  This was the second set of this product.  The other ones didn’t even have a book.  Just the “lounge saver”
 

 

Edited September 8, 2023 by rxlowry

[rxlowry]

Here’s the first night’s menus 

[rxlowry]

Back from a nice walk and swim at our secret beach.  Just us and ond couple snorkeling.  I think we will walk it tomorrow morning as well.  Pics are on Chris’ phone so I’ll post some later.  
Now my big decision is where to have my pre dinner drink.  Only had half of that Bloody Mary so I’m thinking a martini might be in order this evening. 
 

[Sthrngary]

8 minutes ago, rxlowry said:

This is kinda next level.  If this product is sold on Amazon, I’m already thinking of my review.  This was the second set of this product.  The other ones didn’t even have a book.  Just the “lounge saver”
 

 

I once saw one that said, “This Lounge Chair is reserved for John Smith, do not remove”. Crazy stuff.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

[basor]

4 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

I once saw one that said, “This Lounge Chair is reserved for John Smith, do not remove”. Crazy stuff.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

And if John Smith didn't show up after 15 minutes or so, I would be having the pool attendants removing and placing on the table for such articles.....or maybe just put it around the dirty towel receptacle...that is soooo tacky!

[HilsTas]

3 minutes ago, rxlowry said:

Back from a nice walk and swim at our secret beach.  Just us and ond couple snorkeling.  I think we will walk it tomorrow morning as well.  Pics are on Chris’ phone so I’ll post some later.  
Now my big decision is where to have my pre dinner drink.  Only had half of that Bloody Mary so I’m thinking a martini might be in order this evening. 
 

Your review is great - thank you so much!  It is giving me a lot of pleasure.

 

I hope you have the very best martini this evening.😊

[tropicalkerry2002]

You shouldn't even have to ASK a pool attendant to remove those banners!

If an attendant sees someone put things on a chair, and heading off for a meal or whatever, the belongings should be taken away.

[ORV]

17 minutes ago, rxlowry said:

This is kinda next level.  If this product is sold on Amazon, I’m already thinking of my review.  This was the second set of this product.  The other ones didn’t even have a book.  Just the “lounge saver”
 

 

I'm thinking someone should need to have a talk with the GM and get an understanding of the way mid and upper level cruise lines operate. This is the kind of classless stuff you see at All Inclusive resorts. There is a certain mindset that simply doesn't realize this is not acceptable. They think it's the way things operate. No wonder everything is in such a mess. 

[calicakes]

Great review so far!!  Do you know how many passengers are onboard?

[rxlowry]

Still didn’t get a passenger count but I’ll try to remember.  Had a nice walk to the beach this morning.  Did a little shopping on the way back.  Had a great lunch at Waves Grill.  The Bangkok power bowl was great.  Had the surf and turf that while well done(instead of medium rare) still tender

tried and failed to get a lounger in the shade.  It’s very hot and I don’t want more sun after the walk.  Lots of stuff on chairs with maybe six people enjoying the water.  This for sure is the difference between premium and luxury lines.  I could move it but I would not want the confrontation.  Didn’t expect it to be this crowded on a port day.