Solas36

Are the emergency drill stations on the Eurodam outside on deck or at various locations inside? Do you carry life jacket with you? Thanks much.

We sailed on Eurodam recently. Our muster stations were on deck right next to lifeboats. No life jackets required for drill. Took a long time. Hands up (correct number) were required when cabin number called. Some folk, for whatever reason, arrived VERY late. Felt for elderly and infirm having to stand for what must have been 20 minutes.

Staff on deck were using radios to contact those indoors with cabin numbers not represented - so you can't hide in your cabin!

I will generalize. We have found the Russian passengers the worst offenders during shows as well as on shore excursions. In fact we see this all over when there are groups of Russian tourists. They are having a good time themselves, laughing and calling out to each other but very intrusive to everyone else sharing the space with them.

These folk were English speakers.

Yes, I have had this happen, and see it as merely another venue where the lessening of consideration for others has permeated society.

 

There was a time when people knew enough not to talk during shows, movies, concerts, etc. If they slipped, a simple glare, or finger to the lips, was sufficient to remind them.

Unfortunately, that hasn't been true for years. People are so used to talking in their living rooms when watching TV that they have moved those "new normal" manners to public places, too.

 

Now, the best you can do sometimes is whack them with a heavy purse. ;)

Brilliant! I would if I thought I could get away with it!

You are so right about lack of consideration. We brought our kids up to know that if the folk at the next table in a restaurant can hear them, then they are talking too loud!

The Silk Den for cocktails and the Tamarind Restaurant for dinner!!

I would second that!

Anyone found that people talking (loudly!!) all the way through a show had been a problem?

We were at one of the production team shows and I had to ask folks behind if they would please stop talking as it was really distracting. Lady nearby moved away. Guess that was her way of dealing with it. I felt I didn't want to cause further disturbance by moving. The people behind just continued to talk. At end I spoke to them and said I couldn't understand why they would do that especially knowing it was annoying others. The woman just said they were just enjoying themselves! And she wasn't going to get into an argument with me.

Just wonder what others think.

A call to HAL would likely sort things out- possibly something missing in online check-in or a problem on their end.

Unless there is some error with your screens (which doesn't make sense to me, since you can't move to the next screen when there is an error), or unless there is a deadline to have them completed, and you were past it, then I should think it would be possible to print them now.

"If you can't find an error, and they still can't be printed, I would check with my TA to find out what's wrong."

Thanks for help and advice. Called HAL Turns out payment has not come through to them from my TA so although it left my account 11 days ago I am not yet considered to have paid. Hopefully this will happen directly and I can print it off then. Many thanks again!

Thanks for replying so quickly!

Yes all completed last week. We booked 10 days ago. Could that be why?

Anyone help me please?

We are just over three weeks to sailing and it says "Online documents not ready to print"

When are they likely to be ready?

Thanks.

Yes, I imagine that "the help" feels the very same way :rolleyes:

Not sure how this reference to "the help" is meant to come over. Always difficult in this format.

But once again the difference in attitude to tipping in different countries and the difference in attitude of those being served towards the person giving the service is highlighted.

I prefer to know the person giving service is paid a decent wage so that a tip is an extra, and not something essential. This is not always the case and those visiting don't want to appear mean, but find it hard to adapt to a very different set up than at home.

Also, good service can be as simple as efficiently getting your order right! While others like to feel they are being pandered to. I, personally, don't need/want that but others do. Just depends on your background. No right answer and I doubt if anyone posting here is unhappy with service on Oceania! They just have a different tipping experience.

Lucca is a gem and much nearer to Livorno if you fancied making a trip there another time.

We had "done" Florence on a previous Italian holiday so decided to explore a new spot. Not got the big sights of Florence but nice way to spend a morning. Especially if, as when we were there on Riviera in Sep, it was very hot.

Italy seldom disappoints me!! Hope you have a great time!

I realise we have a different approach to tipping in UK. We do mostly tip in restaurants etc but maybe a standard 10% if happy with service.

We actually expect good service to be the norm- just like we expect our train driver, dentist, carpet fitter to do his/her job properly. Some of these folk seldom if ever get tipped. We simply pay them their due.

I don't like to feel that some crew members on a cruise are so poorly paid by Oceania, or any other cruise line for that matter, that they feel they are having to "work like slaves" to get a tip that allows them to earn a decent wage.

I would much prefer staff paid appropriately for a job well done - but through their wages. All paid for as part of the price of a cruise. There is always an option to tip further. But we only see some of the great service. Some crew we never see to tip but our enjoyment might depend on each and every one. So a slightly higher fare would be my preference so long as all those doing a decent job get a decent wage.

Would highly recommend Denrus. We were in a group of nine in total in a comfortable mini bus. Guide was very knowledgeable and managed to get us in to all the places of interest without having to queue, including the Hermitage. She would hear by phone, from other guides I think, how the queues were, and we did some places in a slightly different order over the two days to ensure we had as much time as possible actually enjoying the visits when there were less people around. In addition to the main palaces, churches, gardens etc, she also took us on the subway to show us some of the beautiful stations and the included lunches were excellent. We thought we might never be back there again so felt it was worth every penny.

We did Aix the last time and Cassis. I am thinking one time the "little train", and I am trying to find something relatively close. The traffic, as you know, is horrible. Of all places to be twice!

We visited Marseille for first time from a Riviera cruise in Sep. Took free shuttle from ship. Queue for little train was enormous so we started walking around the old port and discovered a hop on hop off, open top bus starting just beyond the train. So took that instead. Traffic was heavy but gave us time to take some nice pictures. And maybe being higher up helped too. Goes up to cathedral. Used rest of time to watch world go by from a cafe near town hall where two weddings were taking place! Next time I would like to investigate further afield so glad to hear all these suggestions!

Not for the first time, inaccurate advice has been posted by a seasoned traveller who others respect for their often helpful comments.

When you get it wrong, please be gracious enough to admit it and not leave up posts which are confusing.

I find so many helpful facts posted on this forum. While we can all make mistakes, I do get irritated when so-called experts give misleading comments but, even when corrected, refuse to acknowledge they got it wrong.

The final responsibility is on the traveller to check the facts, but this forum seeks to be helpful, so please don't post if you are unsure. And if you are sure, double check! But mostly be big enough to apologise when you get it wrong.

It does somehow leave a bitter taste when this happens to you. And inexplicable that there should be one rule for USA Clients and another less favourable for the rest.

 

Brian

I agree. Though some posters on here don't like to acknowledge this.

+1000

 

I wonder if people realize how much they turn off others to the cruise line because of their attitudes and treatment of other posters. Belittlement isn't too strong a word. It happens to an extent on all the forums here, but I have to say the Oceania forum has it in spades. And yes, I know it's not all of you. Thank you to those who do 'speak' up."

 

Totally agree. Booked our first O cruise and looked at CC posts and wondered how we would get on. In reality, without exception, everyone we met was gracious, interesting and helped to make our cruise experience the best yet. I think if folk stuck to posting facts it would be more helpful to those who are genuinely asking for information.

Pinotlover -

Many of those things are already part of the deal on airlines in Europe and if you are not aware of them you can end up with a hefty fee for not having checked in online and/or having carry on luggage which is too heavy or large. So the message is - read the small print or the cheap flight might end up not quite so cheap!

If you're traveling with luggage that has to be checked, and would have to go to the ticket counter at the Airport anyway, I don't believe that you are correct.

Like I said, this might be news to folk who are not familiar with European airlines but sadly it is true!

"The Ryanair fee that the most people fall foul of. Everyone who flies with Ryanair has to check in online. That's right: everyone. You. Must. Check. In. Online. Lots of people forget and are forced to pay a 'boarding pass reprint fee'. Oh yeah, did I tell you? Check in online!"

Oh for heavens sake, these people need to shift themselves into the new century.

 

There is absolutely no value to checking in online, or in printing a boarding pass in advance if you will be arriving at the airport with luggage which needs to be checked.

Actually there might well be. Some budget airlines make a charge at luggage check in if you have not printed off your boarding pass or have not downloaded it onto e.g. your phone. They often don't allow you to do this more than seven days in advance so you probably can't do it before leaving home.

I realise this is probably not on the radar of those travelling on a long haul flight but budget airlines are very popular in Europe for short haul.

Boutique Hotel Trevi was within walking distance of most of the main sights in Rome. On a pedestrianised street so you need to walk a little if you get dropped off by taxi. Lots of places to eat nearby. But be aware Trevi Fountain is having renovations done.

Wont he be Charles III? He will be the third Charles. In my opinion there is no way he will not be King unless he should die before Elizabeth II.

I am not understanding the observation.

Charles may choose another name. His grandfather was prince Albert (Bertie to his family) but became King George.

The royal family may wish to steer clear of the name of King Charles as the first and second kings of that name have somewhat negative press! But as Charles is going to be in his sixties or even seventies when he becomes King it might seem a bit odd to change names then!

There was speculation he may not wish to even be King and would pass that on to William.

I am not very well versed on these matters, just picking up items in news, so happy to know if there is anything more I have missed!

Sadly there are people who believe that Queen Elizabeth II's son will someday be King Charles III, too.

By the way, it is not as if the names of each of these ships has not been heavily publicized and promoted.

At what point do we decide that willful ignorance is no longer an excuse?

Not sure if you think it is sad that people think Charles will actually be King, or whether you think it sad that they think he will have title King Charles third. I wasn't aware that anyone knew for sure the answer to either! I agree that the name Charles has negative historic connections and he may choose e.g George.

But maybe you have Royal inside info?! Please share!

We enjoyed the artist loft - but on Riviera. Artist in residence was W. Andre Allen. Based in Florida.

There were no sea days on this cruise so a class ran on three days for about 45 mins each time around 5pm. His speciality is painting on reverse side of glass and some of his work is featured on Oceania ships. The class allowed anyone interested to follow this technique and we came home with our own painted glass plates! You need to sign up tho as places are limited. This was totally free! And fun!

When on Riviera last month, there was something in Currents on the Friday of a 7 night cruise to ask if one of the guests would take the lead at the Sabbath service at 6.30 that evening in Riviera lounge.

No idea if someone did or if it's different on longer cruises.

That is not what I have been reading at all. Most people pay what they feel they can comfortably afford, while hoping and praying for an upgrade. If a good upsell offer comes along, it is like winning the lottery. We allow for a little extra splurge if the right offer comes along.

 

We get the best we can for the price we are willing to pay and it becomes a game to get better, if possible. I doubt that anyone books an inside (or a balcony, hoping for a suite) thinking that the cruise would be spoiled if they were not upgraded.

 

You probably wouldn't approve of the way I shop for appliances or furniture either. I can save thousands by price matching over the internet. The savings can then be spent on a cruise. :)

I am with you on this!

And think others would agree. Unless money is no object! We all have to decide how to spend our cash and an offer of upgrade/ upsell is always welcome! Even if you decide against taking it up. We were quite happy in our inside as we decided balcony not worth it on a cruise with new (to us) port every day. But would still be nice to get an offer!

Still a mystery how these are allocated!