RetiredLifer

As CD Gary says: ”All right, all right, all right!!”

You get to ride the lifeboat when you tender ashore.

We are on the Sirena. Four days ago when we embarked in Miami, one hour before departure we had to assemble at our muster station (our’s was the Sirena lounge on deck five.) we had to bring our life jackets, check in, listen to a 15 minute speech, and put on our life jackets. We were then dismissed. It was just like the old days except we did not have to go to the life boats. We still had to watch the safety film in our room to unlock the tv.

The privacy policy I quoted was “updated December 29, 2022” Concerning the reading of temperatures, the updated privacy statement says: “COVID-19 and global health data For the health and safety of our guests and crew, we may process additional personal data during a pandemic or other global health crises. Passengers may be asked to undergo COVID-19 testing and provide us with proof of a negative result, disclose their vaccination status, and/or have their temperature taken. Temperature readings may be collected via thermal imaging cameras located on the gangway.”

Just finished a seven day cruise aboard the Sirena and now still on Sirena doing a 20 day cruise and we have not seen these facial recognition/thermal machine anywhere but at the boarding areas. In addition, nor have we heard of anyone receiving “invitations” to visit the medical clinic. If they are using the optical facial recognition technology by moving it around the ship and using it to take a passenger’s temperature without a passenger’s knowledge or consent they are probably in violation of their privacy policy. Oceania Privacy Policy states: “Optional facial recognition technology On participating ships and with your consent, we may use facial comparison technology to facilitate and expedite your embarkation and/or disembarkation by taking your photograph and matching it against the photograph we collected from you during embarkation. When there is a match, you will be able to board the ship or be checked out of your cruise. Separately, we may securely provide your disembarkation photograph to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”), who uses its own facial comparison technology to match the photograph against images of you that CBP already has on file from your passport, other travel documents or prior CBP border inspections. Once we receive verification of your identity from CBP, we will delete your disembarkation photograph immediately. We do not retain your facial recognition data beyond the duration of your cruise or use it for any other purpose other than those described above. If you are a U.S. citizen, CBP will maintain your photograph for no more than 12 hours. For certain non-U.S. citizens, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will store your photograph for a longer period.”

Crazy i just checked the three Sirena cruises, the Nautica cruse and the three Riviera cruises I have booked. The three Sirena cruises and the Nautica cruise do not offer the embarkation lunch in any of the three top suites but the three Riviera cruises offer it in all three top suites. I guess “Offer May Vary.”

I did a sampling of vista, O and R ships. Offer of embarkation private lunch in suite (Owners, Vista and Oceania suites) showed on both O ships and Vista but was not offered on the R ships.

From Oceania website: Optional private in-suite embarkation day lunch from noon to 2 pm in Owner’s Suites

Actually, as a stockholder of NCLH and a customer of Oceania Cruises I am happy that the new President of Oceania Cruises has a resume which is more than a rap sheet and page of checked boxes.

Press release concerning appointment https://www.nclhltd.com/news-media/press-releases/detail/522/norwegian-cruise-line-holdings-announces-senior-executive

Since Frank A. Del Rio, son of Frank J. Del Rio (known to us as FDR) has been appointed president of Oceania Cruises we will need to differentiate between the two in our postings. A few possibilities for the son: “FDR 2.0” “FDR Jr.” Or simply “Jr.” ”A” call him “FDR”and his father “FDR the Elder” ”The Boy” or The Son” ”FDR, Prince of Wales” which may be too long but our British posters will know what I am talking about. However we refer to him, I expect he will carry on his father’s successful Oceania Cruises legacy and I wish him success and congratulations.

So it's not really an improvement? Where they had two ice cream stations they now have one? I am confused. Hope we get a clarification from the source of this information. As I recall, there was a ice cream station as part of the center Serving island where one could get a scoop ( or in my case more then one scoop🙂) of up to, I think, 8 different flavors of ice cream with the possibility of some toppings. If one wanted a malt, shake, sundae or such there was a parlor just outside the starboard door of the Terrace Cafe which was part of Waves. Why would they, if this is true, remove the ice cream inside the Cafe. It was an important and popular part of the desert offering?

So if you want to have ice cream for a desert with your meal in the Terrace Cafe you have to go to the end of the pool deck to get it? Didn't they have an " ice cream parlor" as part of Waves?

I hope we will be able to exhibit a higher degree of common sense then that when we schedule ours. Is CD Julie still around? I heard she was not doing CD duties. I do not think one "needs" a host for a Veteran gathering. Just a mention in the currents and/or CD noon PA mention is fine. Certainly "non hosted" works. CD Paul did host the gatherings for the last two I attended but I truly believed he wanted to be there. We had at least 25 Vets and a few spouses from 5 different countries. Great get togethers.

That’ll my plan for our Sirena cruise starting January 18th. Have done a few Vet gatherings with CD Paul.

Is this a new Oceania spa operator? OneSpaWorld Announces New Contract with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Contract Includes All Ships Across Norwegian’s Three Award Winning Brands November 28, 2022 06:45 AM Eastern Standard Time NASSAU, Bahamas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OneSpaWorld Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: OSW), the pre-eminent global provider of health and wellness services and products onboard cruise ships and in destination resorts around the world, today announced entry into a new agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings ( “NCLH” and including its subsidiaries and brands). The new agreement, pursuant to which OSW is the exclusive provider of spa, medi-spa, fitness, beauty and wellness services, has a seven-year term and covers the 29 ships currently sailing in the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleets, as well as the eight new ships anticipated to come into service during the term. Under the new agreement, OSW will continue in its longstanding role as NCLH’s exclusive partner in the provision of spa, beauty, nutrition, fitness, and related health, wellness, and medi-spa services, including through its Mandara brand for Norwegian Cruise Line. Mandara will continue to sell the award-winning ELEMIS range of skincare products and provide acupuncture and relaxation treatments and medi-spa services administered by medically licensed professionals, including wrinkle relaxers, dermal fillers, skin rejuvenation, fat reduction, and I.V. therapy. Leonard Fluxman, Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of OSW, said, “We are very excited to announce this new agreement, which extends our longstanding and mutually rewarding partnership with NCLH. Following our highly successful collaborative return to service, supported by the highly capable and forward-thinking NCLH team, this agreement will enable us to continue our phenomenal results to date, and represents a renewal of our commitment to growth and the continuation of conceptualizing and delivering the most innovative experiences at sea to NCLH’s guests. Further, with this agreement, we will once again increase our leading global market share at sea. We look forward to further progressing in our successful relationship with NCLH as we continue to enhance guests’ vacations though our health and wellness experiences.” Commenting on the announcement, Frank Del Rio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings stated, “We are pleased to extend and expand our partnership with OneSpaWorld as the exclusive provider of our onboard wellness centers. For nearly 25 years we have worked together to elevate our guests’ experience across our fleet, providing top notch service and an incredible breadth of health and wellness options. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership and collectively finding new and innovative ways to enhance our onboard spa and wellness offerings.”

I received the following email dated 10/26/22 from Oceania concerning my cruise (Nautica) which embarks in Venice in October 2023. Dear Valued Guests and Travel Advisors, We have an important update for your upcoming cruise, which was originally scheduled to embark in Trieste. Your voyage will now embark from Venice as the ship will dock in Fusina on the western shore of the Venetian Lagoon. Please take a moment to review these important notes below: Arrival in Venice – if you are making independent air arrangements, the closest airport is the Venice Marco Polo International Airport. When arriving at Marco Polo, or if you are staying in the region prior to your cruise, you will proceed to the Venice Cruise Terminal, in Venice, to check in for your voyage. Please do not go directly to Fusina. Embarkation – Check-in will take place at the Venice Cruise Terminal located in the city of Venice. Here, you will check your luggage and go through the routine check-in procedures. You will then be transported to the ship in Fusina and the transfer time is approximately 30 minutes. If traveling independently to the Venice Cruise Terminal, the address is: Venezia Terminal Passeggeri, Fabbricato 248, 30135 Venezia VE, It Transportation – the Venice Cruise Terminal will function as the central hub for transportation, and we will provide a regular schedule of shuttles to and from the Venice Cruise Terminal during the stay. All shore excursions and independent tour arrangements will dispatch from the Venice Cruise Terminal. No taxis or private cars are permitted to enter the berthing facility in Fusina. The approximate transport time between Fusina and the Venice Cruise Terminal is 30 minutes. From the Venice Cruise Terminal, a wide variety of water and ground transportation options are available. We look forward to providing you with a memorable cruise experience. Warmest regards, Carlos E. Ortega Vice President, Guest Services

Who is the Cruise Director? Do you know how long he or she will be on? We have a January sailing. Thanks and enjoy your cruise!

Disembarked on Insignia September 10th. A few days prior I received a letter from the purser indicating I had a reimbursable shipboard credit balance. The letter detailed the options available for reimbursement. The day before We disembarked I presented the letter to reception, was given cash which I signed for. Quite easy. I agree that reviewing your account prior to the last day is wise.

We disembarked at the Manhattan Terminal last Saturday. We were on the Insignia. There was a mega cruise ship, a ship our size and us. Immigration allocated 3 Immigration Officers for us. About 600 passengers, each had to do a face to face with immigration. It was slow. Noon out of LGA? Good luck.

From Oceania’s website: INTRODUCING OUR 2025 AROUND THE WORLD VOYAGE & EARLY-RELEASE GRAND VOYAGES Aug 31, 2022 Posted by Oceania Cruises in World Cruises Oceania Cruises has never been known to follow a traditional, expected path and our 2025 Around the World voyage reflects innovative spirit on the grandest of scales. For the first time in many years, our Around the World cruise itinerary features an east-to-west circumnavigation, inviting you to explore the world’s great wonders and most inspiring cultures during visits to 89 diverse ports of call. Due to the popularity of our past Around the World journeys and Grand Voyages, we are also introducing seven early-release Grand Voyages for 2024 and 2025 that feature exclusive amenities. Explore the details of these epic voyages below, also available for preview on OceaniaCruises.com, ahead of reservations opening on September 14, 2022.

On board Insignia now. Just spoke to OCA Jennie and the best I could get out of her was “November.” Maybe someone on a different ship can do better with their OCA. Dick

I have nothing to report concerning Covid. Have heard nothing but that does not mean there are no cases. Everyone seems to be having a great time. Day after tomorrow in Reykjavik is the end of the cruise. My guess is that about twenty to twenty five percent of us are staying on for the next leg. Word is that there will be fewer passengers aboard but will post when I hear a figure. CD Ray.Carr is going to be replaced with Cory who will be training a new CD who is coming over from Viking.

On Insignia right now (8/6), New York to Reykjavik. We have 658 passengers.

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/sites/default/files/2022-07/Sail-Safe-Program.pdf “Additionally, we have partnered with Inspire Diagnostics to provide hassle-free, online testing for our guests from the convenience of your own home. Inspire Diagnostics is a subsidiary of Inspire Health Alliance, a leader in best-in-class health services that provides FDA-approved, proctored, in-home antigen testing for our guests. Testing at home is safe, simple and convenient. Purchasing in-home testing kits is simple. a. Sign up on the testing site https://inspirediagnostics.com/oceania/ b. Receive the test kit(s) by UPS c. Schedule an on-line proctoring consultation d. Receive certified results via email”