DaisyUK
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Posts posted by DaisyUK
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Yes, it is worth it! We watched the chef prepare a couple of examples, then we cooked them....and ate them, then back to watch the chef prepare more food, then we cooked those...and ate them.....then back for a third round......we were stuffed at the end!
At the end of the course we also received a booklet of recipes from Red Ginger, including the six or so that we'd cooked during the demonstration.
Book it!
We were there for way longer than an hour.
Brilliant! Thank you... that's what I was hoping to hear. Did you just do the Red Ginger one or are there others you would recommend?
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Looking at the cookery classes available on our cruise, I see that they last only an hour. Anybody think this is worthwhile? Is an hour enough to learn much?
If you do think the classes worthwhile, which are the best ones? And which dishes are included on the 'Red Ginger' class?
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It's about the same on our upcoming cruise: three days in the beginning of the cruise. It's not bad planning as you are only allowed to book La Reserve once, not twice... Maybe you can book a second time onboard if seats are available, which was the case on our last year cruise. Bon appetit!
Actually, I think you may be mistaken in that I'm almost sure you can book La Reserve more than once.
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It was listed last time I looked, Daisy. We're on the same cruise and I was able to find it on the UK site several weeks ago. There were, I think, 3 evenings available in the early part of the cruise. It may be that they have already been booked. I was tempted but I think I'd have to have a sea day to recover and there are none on this cruise :) .
Hmm, I see what you mean. La Reserve appears to be open on 2 evenings, with 1 menu available on the 1st evening, and 2 menus on the 2nd. However, they are consecutive evenings, which seems like poor planning to me. Don't think we could eat rich food two evenings on the trot.
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Thank you all. I was not looking properly. I have found it now. It was listed under 'Guest Information' and when I clicked on La Reserve, it brought up 'Onboard Options' as advised above. I'm happy now!
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You need to log in to ALREADY BOOKED then put in your booking number for your cruise
It will be listed there
I have done this, but it is not listed...
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La Reserve won't be open for every evening of your Cruise, but as soon as their schedule is announced (check the Cruise Planner page on the Oceania Site to see what that schedule will be) any passenger may book reservations immediately.
Payment is due at the time of reservation.
Thank you. I cannot find any reference to La Reserve's schedule on Oceania's site, so maybe I am too early (for an early August sailing).
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I know that I cannot make restaurant reservations in a PHS until 75 days out, but what about La Reserve? Is it possible to book this in advance of the 75 days, or at least find out which evenings are allocated?
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I think it would be a great idea if Oceania introduced a Spa package to be purchased in advance which incorporated a discount - say a percentage discount for committing to $500 or $1000-worth of treatments which could be pre-booked.
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I'm really trying to understand your post. Assume you are referring to the Riviera and Marina since "O" means Oceania to me. On Regent, there is the PH suite, then Navigator/Mariner/Voyager suite, followed by the Grand Suite and Master Suite. On the Riviera/Marina, when you go above the PH suite, there is the Oceania Suite, Vista Suite and then Owner's Suite. So, using your "food chain" description, doesn't it put the PH suites in the same place?
On Regent, you do not get a butler until you are in a PH suite. The benefits in a PH suite are the same as suites above it -- almost the same as on Oceania (not quite since there is the alcohol issue on Oceania which is not an issue on Regent).
Guess I'm just confused. As stated above, the PH suites on the Mariner are 449 sq. ft. while the PH suites on the Riviera/Marina are 420 sq. ft. So, it appears that the PH suites on both cruise lines are equal (not always in size but in status). However, it should be noted that there are very few benefits to being in an upper suite on Regent (thankfully).
There are no special areas where only Concierge and above passengers have access to. Basically, on the four major luxury cruise lines (Crystal, Regent, Seabourn and Silversea), everyone is treated the same. The only exception is that Regent guests in "Concierge" suites can book excursions and make dining reservations before non-concierge guests. Also, (and this is new and unfortunate as well), non-concierge guests do not get the pre-cruise night at a hotel included.
For Oceania customers that are only aware of the fact that Regent is all-inclusive, you may be interested to know that this includes a pre-cruise night at a hotel as well as transportation to and from the hotel (for concierge and above guests). On European cruises, guests in PH suites have included Business Class air. I mention this only because this should be considered when looking at the costs of Oceania and Regent.
Lest I be accused of prejudiced (which I clearly am), we absolutely love sailing on the Riviera and will continue to do so (depending upon itinerary) until Regent's new ship is debuted in 2 years. As per our mutual leader, FDR, the Explorer will be the absolute best ship at sea. We are really looking forward to it:)
P.S. Do not want to forget to mention the fact that I am another Regent cruiser who hates included excursions and wish that there were an opt out option.
Thank you for this summary, which is exactly what I understand the case to be having read and re-read (ad infinitum) the Oceania brochure and experienced the Regent PHS.
I hope we enjoy our Riviera cruise as much as the Regent; if so, we'll be happy bunnies
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I've just re-read my post......... A pox on predictive text:eek:
Hope you understand it...English is my mother tongue:o
We figured it out!!
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I'll be there! (at the roll call). And, yes, thank you for the closet tip Turnip Eater!!
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Thanks for the replies. We stayed on Mariner. The PHS was great, just a little dated so I'm sure the re-fit will have improved it massively. It was well laid out and very comfortable. When we first arrived, I looked at the bathroom and thought 'no way are 2 of us going to be able to manage in there' (remember we hadn't cruised before) but actually it was just fine, with lots of well thought out storage. I had thought that the Riviera PHS was significantly smaller than this, but maybe I am mistaken - which would be great news!
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We're going from Istanbul to Venice. Only our second cruise, first one being with Regent..
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So excited. Booked 10 night cruise on Riviera in August, so only 90 days to wait. We finally get to experience Oceania, having booked a cruise earlier this year which we sadly had to cancel. This one is in a Penthouse Suite rather than the Oceania suite previously booked, so will obviously be very different, but I'm hoping it will be comfortable and am managing my expectations. I will post my thoughts afterwards in the hope that it will be useful to others. I cannot thank this board enough for the many useful tips...:)
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Hello again, has anybody stayed in both a Regent and Oceania PHS and, if so, are they pretty much comparable? Looking at the 2 websites, it looks to me as if the Regent PHS is bigger than Oceania's, but more dated. Is this correct? Should add that we've stayed in the Regent PHS, but not Oceania.
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Thanks for the advice. Would it be normal to get such a large discount do you think? I believe the brochure price was in the region of £5K+....
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These really are very good deals. I have just enquired about a 10 day cruise on Riviera from Istanbul to Venice which is virtually half the brochure price. Sadly, no Oceania Suites left, but a Penthouse suite at £2,600pp for 10 days including business class flights has to be a good deal surely.... I think we'll probably book it.
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Perhaps I worded my question badly. I didn't mean why aren't Crystal and Regent discounting like Oceania; I realise they are separate companies, albeit that Regent and Oceania share the same parent company. I am just astounded at the discounts offered by Oceania at the moment. It is true that some of the discounts pertain to Eastern European cruises. Specifically, I'm looking at discounts of the region of 50% for a Penthouse Suite. Unbelievable value for money...
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I have just been browsing Oceania's website, and they are offering large discounts for several cruises at the moment. I don't see the same offers on Crystal or Regent. Anyone know why this should be?
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Anyone know whether the breakfast menus are published anywhere? I cannot find them on Oceania's website. Specifically, I would like to know whether it is possible to get freshly squeezed vegetable juice - I know, I'm odd:)
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What a great post. I don't do any of the things mentioned, but will definitely steal a few ideas. Had a look at Tripit today as a result of this thread, not sure yet whether I'll use it. My email provider isn't compatible with Tripit and so I would have to manually enter everything, which I may do. The 4x6 cards are a great idea. You're all so organised, puts me to shame!!
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The system usually locks you out until you have paid in full.
If you paid early it may let you reserve. Don't worry!
Hmm, it's strange. We've only paid the deposit, not the whole amount, but they've accepted my reservations and I have email confirmation, so we'll see. I'll take the advice earlier tho' and double-check nearer the time..
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Get there about 15 - 20 minutes early. You will be held and greeted on the outside deck where the (included) bubbly flows and you can commingle and meet the other patrons. My advice is to solidify who you want to sit with at this time as it's a lengthy event... I think ours went to about 11pm? I think the tables are 12 people each - in a rectangle fashion. I of course can't remember very clearly as the wine pours pretty freely so it may be 3 tables of 8, but I'm fairly sure it's 2x 12 people. It is fantastic and YES you can book these anytime (and they will charge you immediately). We enjoyed our 1 visit there, and on our upcoming cruises have 2 planned for each, including the expensive connoisseur menu.
OK, thanks, we'll do that. I'm getting frustrated now because I booked the Discovery dinner and then my computer crashed when trying to book the Connoiseur, and now when I go into 'Already Booked' I don't get the option to book another.. it just says the Discovery dinner is confirmed. Maybe we're only allowed one? If so, I've booked the wrong one because, if we can only have one, we'd go for the Connoisseur. I HATE computer sometimes!!
La Reserve
in Oceania Cruises
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