Jim_Iain - Live from Oceania Regatta - September 14 Vancouver to Los Angeles

[Jim_Iain]

I'm Jim of Jim and Iain  (the Scottish version of Ian).   

 

This will be our first cruise on Oceania so will have a lot to learn as we go.    I have been posting a comparison between Celebrity Millennium and Oceania Regatta but wanted this thread to be 100% about Oceania.

 

We have sailed almost exclusively on Celebrity since 2000 almost exclusively in upper suites.  Obviously things have changed which pushed us to looking at different options.   Our first non-Celebrity cruise was last year on Ponant.   Ponant is a French line and mostly sail small ships that are much smaller than R Class ships.

 

We have also been a member of CC for about 20 years and I love the family of friends we have met on these boards.   My live posts have a tendency to be photo intensive and many of our followers love to see the daily menus and food porn. 

 

Iain and I have been together for 36 years and were among the first  Legal Gay Marriages in June of 2008.   We also have 3 kids and 5 Grandchildren.   We live in the middle of Silicon Valley (Sunnyvale, CA) and share our neighborhood with Apple, Google, LinkedIn as well as 1,000's of other high tech companies.  

 

Obviously we have a passion for cruising but are also avid walkers.   I usually walk 20,000 steps a day (about 10 miles) and Iain does about 1/2 that.   While on my walks, I am addicted to listening to Detective, Forensic and Mystery novels.   Iain on the other hand has a music background and use to play with the BBC in London.   He enjoys listening to all genre but I believe Classics are his passion. 

 

I really have no problem going off topic on my threads and love to hear from others with suggestions, insight and even references to great books that they would recommend.    It can also be fun if others on the same cruise jump in and contribute to the thread.  We all enjoy cruising differently.

 

Also---- Sine I'm a Virgin Oceania --- If I post anything incorrect please feel free to correcting me.  

[Jim_Iain]

I wanted to respect Oceania board members and have this thread exclusively devoted to a Live Report of Oceania Regatta and will try to stay on topic.  I have learned so much here and thank everyone for being so helpful and welcoming.

 

I will also be post a Live Comparison of Celebrity Millennium on the Celebrity Thread.  I have both listed in my signature.  

[calicakes]

wow, 20k steps a day?  Impressive. Thankfully, I can walk 10k steps again after my broken ankle in Feb 2024.   

 

Can you please post your itinerary? 

[FetaCheese]

Thanks for starting this live from.  Flying out tomorrow morning 6 AM Eastern. Ugh.  Looking forward to meeting you and lain and other pax.

Edited September 12 by FetaCheese

[Cruising Maryland]

I assume you are doing the Vancouver to LA cruise. Are you doing the 12 days or 19 days? I don't like to assume, but that is the only cruise on Regatta that leave on 9/14. The 19 day is a B2B cruise

[JazzyV]

Excited to follow along with your Live and also the comparison on the Celebrity Boards.

Vanessa

[mhdesno2]

I am looking forward to your Live post. I have been following you on the Celebrity forums for a few years and always enjoy your writing style, your dedication to answering/commenting almost everyone's posts, and, definitely not least, your beautiful pictures.

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, calicakes said:

wow, 20k steps a day?  Impressive. Thankfully, I can walk 10k steps again after my broken ankle in Feb 2024.   

 

Can you please post your itinerary? 

Just posted the itinerary --   it is a pretty interesting one.   Never been to a number of the ports - Klawock, Holkham Bay Glacier Fjord and Astoria.  

 

One thing amazing about Oceania is they can get into some ports that larger ships just couldn't even consider. 

 

I started walking right after I retired.   Partially to fill my day but mostly that I started packing on some pounds just sitting around watching Judge Judy.  

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, FetaCheese said:

Thanks for starting this live from.  Flying out tomorrow morning 6 AM Eastern. Ugh.  Looking forward to meeting you and lain and other pax.

 

How exciting.     I finally got around to do my packing today.    It was a pretty easy job as we rarely go away for less than a month.   Suitcase is only about 50% filled.... I"m thinking I should have purchased a smaller suitcase... oh well...

 

We fly out at 9:00 AM on Saturday and will not arrive YVR until 11:00 AM.   We are planning on grabbing SkyTrain from the airport.   We have done it a couple times and find it really convenient and quick.    The trip takes 26 minutes and runs every 15-20 minutes.

 

We will take it to Waterfront Station which is a 500 meter walk (about 5 minute)  to Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal.  

 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, FetaCheese said:

Thanks for starting this live from.  Flying out tomorrow morning 6 AM Eastern. Ugh.  Looking forward to meeting you and lain and other pax.

 

BTW - Feel free to join in on the conversation and post pictures.   I know some have previously said they would love to hear and see different accommodations and food choices.

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, Cruising Maryland said:

I assume you are doing the Vancouver to LA cruise. Are you doing the 12 days or 19 days? I don't like to assume, but that is the only cruise on Regatta that leave on 9/14. The 19 day is a B2B cruise

 

We are doing the 12 day cruise.     The 19 day cruise includes a 7 day  LA Mexican Rivera cruise returning to LA.    That one can also be purchased separately. 

 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, JazzyV said:

Excited to follow along with your Live and also the comparison on the Celebrity Boards.

Vanessa

Vanessa -

 

The comparison will be on the Celebrity Board  (link in my signature) and I will try to keep this one focused on Oceania.   I'm sure I will be dropping tidbits here and there.    I am so excited to be sailing Oceania for our first time.     It feels like going out on ones first date after breaking up from a long term relationship.

 

 

Edited September 13 by Jim_Iain

[lj77346]

We will be on the Regatta Sept. 14 cruise as well.  If we have anything to contribute to the discussion, we will join in.  We were on the Regatta's repositioning cruise from San Pedro to Vancouver early this May as well as another Regatta Alaska cruise in late June - early July.  (We're on the other side of the spectrum as we've taken 35+ Oceania Cruises.)

 

Looking forward to meeting you onboard.  I was going to describe us as being in our early 70's, etc., but realized that would be a good portion of the passengers.   Wishing you safe travels.  Cheers!

[bbqoug]

We are also on this cruise.

We fly out at 11:00 AM Mountain Time tomorrow for a short 2-1/2 hour flight to Vancouver.

We look forward to meeting people on the cruise & will contribute to this thread from time to time.

[Cruising Maryland]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

We are doing the 12 day cruise.     The 19 day cruise includes a 7 day  LA Mexican Rivera cruise returning to LA.    That one can also be purchased separately. 

 

Interesting, I just looked at the Regatta schedule and there are 2 Vancouver to LA cruises, 1 is 12 days and 1 is 19, both on Regatta and they both start on 9/14. 

[Jancruz]

6 hours ago, FetaCheese said:

Thanks for starting this live from.  Flying out tomorrow morning 6 AM Eastern. Ugh.  Looking forward to meeting you and lain and other pax.

Have fun..I will be getting on when you are getting off..

Say hi to everyone for me!!

Jancruz1

Edited September 13 by Jancruz

[Jancruz]

4 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

We are doing the 12 day cruise.     The 19 day cruise includes a 7 day  LA Mexican Rivera cruise returning to LA.    That one can also be purchased separately. 

 

The 7 day is a coastal RT from LA to SFO not Mexico..

Jancruz1

[Kandtcruisers]

We’ve also been exclusive Celebrity cruisers but will be celebrating our retirement and 60th birthdays on our first Oceania cruise - Insignia November 8.  You are a wonderful reviewer/poster and I’m very happy to follow along.  

[FetaCheese]

6 hours ago, Jancruz said:

Have fun..I will be getting on when you are getting off..

Say hi to everyone for me!!

Jancruz1

Thank you, nice to hear from you.  Enjoy your cruise!

[FetaCheese]

11 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

How exciting.     I finally got around to do my packing today.    It was a pretty easy job as we rarely go away for less than a month.   Suitcase is only about 50% filled.... I"m thinking I should have purchased a smaller suitcase... oh well...

 

We fly out at 9:00 AM on Saturday and will not arrive YVR until 11:00 AM.   We are planning on grabbing SkyTrain from the airport.   We have done it a couple times and find it really convenient and quick.    The trip takes 26 minutes and runs every 15-20 minutes.

 

We will take it to Waterfront Station which is a 500 meter walk (about 5 minute)  to Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal.  

 

Thanks, good info on Sky train.  Staying in Richmond, so will take Uber to term.

 

Yes, I'll be posting, our daughter asked if I'd be doing a live from, and told her about yours. She really likes to follow along.

[ncgolferette]

So looking forward to reading your reports and seeing what your thoughts are about Oceania. If you can, and it’s offered, do the bear tour in Prince Rupert.  Absolutely wonderful tour into the wilderness.

[JDPCruisers]

I, too, am onboard for Jim and Ian always interesting and informative reviews/pictures. We will be Oceania virgins in Jan/Feb next year on Vista so particularly interested in their first cruise impressions here. Safe travels!

[cluso]

Arrived to beautiful Vancouver weather on Wednesday.  Lots of walking and retracing visits from years ago.  Looking forward to our Regatta adventure tomorrow.

[Cruisedreamer1]

We are looking forward to your impressions! Please include entertainment,shop and lido deck thoughts.