Jim_Iain - Live - comparison of Oceania Regatta - Vista Suite to Celebrity Millennium Royal Suite

[Oceangoer2]

1 hour ago, canderson said:

Surprising how many folks these days are in the "But it doesn't change how the food tastes" camp.  While true, presentation, as your chef observed, is part of the art of cooking.  Seems Oceania still believes it's a part of the experience worth preserving.  Liking this more and more as your posts continue.

 

You've got me looking at their 22 nt WB TA on Marina for 2025 now.  Super itinerary!

 

And YES, I remember well gooey, yummy, sticky buns of the past.  I think some spoilsport public official must have knocked them off the food pyramid  back in the 1980s!

Our local still sells them.  Enjoyed one last week...finger licking  good 😂 .

[chemmo]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Working in a French Restaurant the first thing Chef taught me was that 80% of the enjoyment and taste of a meal are the visuals the customer sees when the meal arrive. 

 

Attention to detail is very important as well as often in a drink like cognac is how it is served.   I guess that is the selling point of Ridel Glassware.   The proper glass is suppose to make all the difference.  

 

Are you able to ask for it to be served in the type glassware you enjoy?

Thank you for understanding what I was trying to say in my earlier post. It is a true gift you have, Jim, to express feelings/emotions as well as facts. 
 

Yes, on a few cruises I will ask for my cognac in a brandy glass but as I tend to savour a few sips then drown the remainder in sprite I don’t think I can justify being pretentious!!!

 

I do remember on one Equinox cruise as I entered Michael’s Club the wonderful bar staff would warm my brandy over hot water (balancing two glasses) to make sure it was at the correct drinking temperature….It was such an appreciated touch…

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

I guess I love to get nostalgic and love the days when Celebrity had Olympic which to me was the best dining at sea.   

 

One thing I do miss is you don't have the same wait staff for the entire cruise.

We also first cruised Celebrity at this time. Olympic and Normandy were worth cruising for! Loved the string quartet too…

 

It is a pity they don’t aim for some continuity of waitstaff…saves a lot of repetition!

 

Send my best wishes to Iain, he is very tolerant in allowing you to spend so much time on us avid CC followers…

[SSFrance69]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

We have mentioned that a number of time.   We go to Tuscana tonight for our first time.   BTW -  Specialty dining is unlimited and included for all passengers regardless of room.  The only difference is the upper  suites get earlier reservation access and 4 pre-cruise reservations.   Regular rooms get 2 pre-cruise reservations.    Once on the ship you can add more dependent on availability.

 

In both MDR and Specialty you can choose to dine at 2 Tops or shared Tables.   I understand shared tables in specialty are easy to obtain last minute while none shared are limited.

Just wanted to add that on the larger ships that have 4 specialty restaurants, regular rooms get 4 pre-cruise reservations. So you get one reservation for each restaurant and then you can book additional reservations once on board depending on availability. We prefer two tops, but found that being willing to share opened up more dining times and available reservations. 

 

Also just wanted to mention about the entertainers... you noticed them doing other stuff like Trivia. It's like that on the larger O ships as well. They were all doing the muster check ins when we boarded as well. We liked that the entertainers were accessible to chat and very friendly. I heard from another passenger that if you get along well with any of the entertainers, you can invite them to dine with you. I thought that was pretty neat. 

[Iamthesea]

On 9/15/2024 at 10:43 AM, Jim_Iain said:

I should know that my maternal side is From Eastern Tennessee.  

 

I grew up in South Carolina, but have lived in East TN for 41 years.   Only until the last few years have we had to tenderize chicken breast.  We now purchase Amish chicken and it is the best! No tenderizing needed.  It is also important that chicken is not overcooked, causing it to be tough.  

 

Growing up, the buttermilk technique in my home was for frying chicken.  My mother was raised in a small town near Chicago, but went to school in the South.  She didn't have a clue how to cook when she met my father, but soon learned with the help of a lady hired to cook for us.  My mother ended up making the best buttermilk fried chicken! 

On 9/15/2024 at 3:15 PM, Jim_Iain said:

 

I was telling Iain I was keeping the recipe for Creamed Spinach also.    It was really good.  What surprised me was how fast it was to make.   They key is to wilt the spinach to keep a bit of texture but some may prefer it cooked down.

 

I decided to make this dish for tomorrow nights dinner.  However, to save time, I am using the Stouffer's Creamed Spinach for the topping.  I love fresh spinach, but taking a shortcut this time.

[Jim_Iain]

6 hours ago, Gracie115 said:

 

Does Regatta have Starlink yet?

Not yet.   It is scheduled to be installed by the end of the year.   There have been some reports that by the end of October.   I sure miss it. 

[Jim_Iain]

5 hours ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Hey....easy on the 'grandparents' 😉.....We're that!  😇.  I find the table setting formal in an 'old' way, as you say, but charming, especially the lamp. Even though I'm not 'young' in that sense I do like upscale 'everything', and the pics I've seen online of cabin furniture, carpets, etc are of a past life.....  Stuffy and dark comes to mind.  Have to remember some of O ships are renovated but not totally and keep that certain ambience which is palatable to some.  I'm wondering about Allura and Vista...they would be lighter and airier in most respects?

 

I'm also already waiting for our turn on Vista.    The pictures look very modern.   Remember Regatta was built around 2000 ---but went through a remodel.  

 

Even on some of Celebrity ships that didn't make it to the Revolution have the same old wood panel and older feeling.    Most ships I notice little things like that hit you when you first board but quickly just become the norm.

[Jim_Iain]

4 hours ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 We've never been in a Celebrity Cabin with an alarm clock provided by the ship.  Does such at thing even exist.  We get our ship's time from the TV.  We get our alarm from setting up a wake up call on the telephone, or from my iPad alarm clock 🙂 

 

 

I've never seen an alarm clock on Celebrity - even in the Penthouse.   I usually have to rely on my watch or the telephone. 

 

Having said that I broke my Fitbit on the way to the airport.   The front came off.... maybe I can fix it but will have to wait until I get home.    I really miss it....

[abbydancer2003]

On 9/15/2024 at 8:04 AM, Jim_Iain said:

We may get a bit further off topic.   I'm not sure if any of you make yogurt but I make it all the time.   Just take your milk and bring to a simmer and then turn off -   Just add a Tablespoon of Live Yogurt like Activa.   Leave on counter overnight.   Next morning you have Yogurt.    Now if you like Greek Yogurt like I do -   Just strain in a muslin towel or a Large Coffee filter.  It will slowly drip off the whey until to the thickness you like

When we got our Instant Pot, Glen used it to turn yogurt into more yogurt.  

And, if you strain the greek yogurt one more time, you get Labne cheese.  (I think originally an Israeli cheese)

[Jim_Iain]

4 hours ago, Oceangoer2 said:

I think the age group goes with the decor....our long time O cruising friends at our golf course are in their 80s and love everything about the line; they've been on all R ships many times over the years but do really like the new Vista.  BTW...said course had very similar furniture and coloring until this April....we paid for a major reno and it's so light and white and modern now while being comfortable .  The difference is stunning.  They still have lamps on dining tables but they're the battery type not plug ins.  Also, thanks for the info re 'scooters'....my DH has a mobility problem and will use one for the first time this Nov.  Considering O but maybe the new ships have addressed that with the auto door opening feature.  Enjoying following along....made 'our' chicken recipe yesterday....loved it!  Found it online and it's word for word your post.  Sorry to jam in an answer to some of the topics you've covered, but just catching up.

 

I was noting to Iain yesterday when I had to help two ladies who were not frail but found it impossible to open the door due to the winds.    It would have been impossible in a scooter.    To reduce the wind flow you are suppose to open the first door walk in an area about 3 foot deep and then open the next door.      If both doors are opened in shoots a wind tunnel down the Cafe.  

[awhfy]

22 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

In MDR Oceania puts Luminae to shame

 

First Dinnerware. 
 

 

By guess who?  
 

 

Also instead of twinkle candles and silver plated s/p

 

 

now this is amazing. - Space between tables. 
 

 

When we first arrived the area we were seated in was full but noise level was low.  

I love a properly dressed table. I was a protocol officer for 35 years & taught Dine Like a Diplomat. Good memories!!

Edited Monday at 11:00 PM by awhfy

[Jim_Iain]

Just noticed the current CC survey results on the right hand side of the screen.

 

We have just been talking about decor ---hmmm    Seems like a whopping 44% like the Nautical and Classic.    Some of you that like the more modern should go over and vote for your preference.  

 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, Oceangoer2 said:

Our local still sells them.  Enjoyed one last week...finger licking  good 😂 .

 

I was just thinking one thing I have really enjoyed so far are the pastries.   They not only look good they taste good.   So many of the pastries on Celebrity look incredible but when you eat them you kinda just shrug your shoulders.     I'm thinking of some of the treats at Al Bacio.  

 

I hope to post some pictures later the reception is so bad at Wards cover that we can't even get live TV.   

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, chemmo said:

We also first cruised Celebrity at this time. Olympic and Normandy were worth cruising for! Loved the string quartet too…

 

 

That was indeed something  I doubt we will ever experience again.  It was outrageously priced at $25 but they recommended you plan on 3 hours for your dinner experience    One cruise the Ships Captain was aboard and she would play Harp music at dinner time.  

 

It was little things... remember if a lady got up to use the powder room the MD would come over and take her arm and escort her to the door.   Was it formal and stuffy --- you bet but I love it.

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, SSFrance69 said:

Just wanted to add that on the larger ships that have 4 specialty restaurants, regular rooms get 4 pre-cruise reservations. So you get one reservation for each restaurant and then you can book additional reservations once on board depending on availability. We prefer two tops, but found that being willing to share opened up more dining times and available reservations. 

 

Also just wanted to mention about the entertainers... you noticed them doing other stuff like Trivia. It's like that on the larger O ships as well. They were all doing the muster check ins when we boarded as well. We liked that the entertainers were accessible to chat and very friendly. I heard from another passenger that if you get along well with any of the entertainers, you can invite them to dine with you. I thought that was pretty neat. 

 

Will have our first specialty dining experience tonight at Tuscana.   Will be interesting to see the difference of the MDR.

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, Iamthesea said:

 

I grew up in South Carolina, but have lived in East TN for 41 years.   Only until the last few years have we had to tenderize chicken breast.  We now purchase Amish chicken and it is the best! No tenderizing needed.  It is also important that chicken is not overcooked, causing it to be tough.  

 

Growing up, the buttermilk technique in my home was for frying chicken.  My mother was raised in a small town near Chicago, but went to school in the South.  She didn't have a clue how to cook when she met my father, but soon learned with the help of a lady hired to cook for us.  My mother ended up making the best buttermilk fried chicken! 

 

I decided to make this dish for tomorrow nights dinner.  However, to save time, I am using the Stouffer's Creamed Spinach for the topping.  I love fresh spinach, but taking a shortcut this time.

 

What part of Eastern TN.    My ancestors moved to Blount / Sevier County right after the revolution and pretty much stayed there until after WW2.    The last of my direct relatives have now passed.   

[Jim_Iain]

25 minutes ago, abbydancer2003 said:

When we got our Instant Pot, Glen used it to turn yogurt into more yogurt.  

And, if you strain the greek yogurt one more time, you get Labne cheese.  (I think originally an Israeli cheese)

 

It is so easy to make but I haven't made it in a couple years.  

[DaKahuna]

59 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

Having said that I broke my Fitbit on the way to the airport.   The front came off.... maybe I can fix it but will have to wait until I get home.    I really miss it....

 

 I assume there is nothing available through the shops on board? 

 

[NMTraveller]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Having said that I broke my Fitbit on the way to the airport.   The front came off.... maybe I can fix it but will have to wait until I get home.    I really miss it....

Perhaps consider an IWatch?  A bit bulkier, but they do a lot more...  I will likely upgrade my DWs with the latest one coming out.

Edited Tuesday at 12:24 AM by NMTraveller

[SSFrance69]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Will have our first specialty dining experience tonight at Tuscana.   Will be interesting to see the difference of the MDR.

We loved Toscana! The Carbonara floored us! 

[Iamthesea]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

What part of Eastern TN.    My ancestors moved to Blount / Sevier County right after the revolution and pretty much stayed there until after WW2.    The last of my direct relatives have now passed.   

 

We are about an hour and a half from Sevierville.  Sorry that I left out North from my East TN.  Hadn't realized that I had done that.  We are near the border of N.C., near Asheville.

[Jim_Iain]

42 minutes ago, SSFrance69 said:

We loved Toscana! The Carbonara floored us! 

I hope in a good way.   I love Carbonara and after the lump of starch served in Luminae on Edge was cautious of ordering it.   I make a great Carbonars.

[Jim_Iain]

Another win for Oceania.   They have an afternoon Canapés menu.   We didn’t order anything but our butler brought us potato chips and a big bowl of mixed nuts.  
 

The nuts are also plain salted not like those spiced nuts Celebrity has in Luminae’s self service table. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

Today was our first port of call. 
 

 

Photo dump on Oceania Board. 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

 

Terrace Cafe (Buffet) posts a menu at entrance daily. 
 

 

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, DaKahuna said:

 

 I assume there is nothing available through the shops on board? 

 

No.  
 

Celebrity wins hands down on shopping.  On Regatta there is no Cigarette or Liquor Duty Free. They have one with Jewelry and one Logo Wear and stuff.