kjbacon

Having sailed both lines and currently having reservations on both lines in 2024, there’s no comparison between the two in regard to food and specialty restaurants. Oceania is excellent across the board in terms of cuisine and Viking is just ok. Our good friends, who we met years ago on a Viking cruise, love Viking but primarily because of the spa and certainly not the food. They don’t even go the specialties when on board. 

56 minutes ago, SarahV2023 said:

Everyone onboard is patiently waiting … 

it seams to be a very calm subject at the moment I’m sure not so much behind the scenes. 
I do know there was an Oceania ship in port at the time of the events and they called all passengers onboard immediately. I’m not sure if it left port or not. 

Yes, the Oceania Nautica has left port in Israel safely. We are booked on a similar itinerary next year and in general are heartbroken by the entire situation.

@DrKoob or those of you that might know about the views from Red Ginger on Vista please. From the pictures on the website, it looks like there’s lots of windows in Polo Grill and Toscana but maybe not so in Red Ginger … yes, no? Thank you!

More beautiful pictures! The burrata looks delicious.

We will be on Vista in about a year so your live report is appreciated, thank you. Our fave lines are Regent first and then Oceania, but we also enjoy other lines, Viking for one.

If I could though, cabin comparisons on cruise ships should consider more than price per inch or the size of the sofa. Factor in the superior food at more venues and Oceania is a far better buy than Viking every time. 

Hoping your weather holds up and I look forward to more pictures and commentary. 

They are open but generally with their standard menu. The festive menu in compass rose two years ago prompted us to cancel our reservation in chartreuse in favor of roast goose with chestnut stuffing and the trimmings. It was a memorable meal, toasted with a glass or two of wine, shared with our new friends that we call friends to this day @Mudhen @loriva

Great pictures! The osso bucco looks delicious.

Love those monkeys!!

Enjoying your live from posts! Thanks for taking us along. The northeast is beautiful this time of year and I’m glad your weather is cooperating.

@RachelG really enjoying your commentary, thank you! What are the changes you saw on the Sette Mari menu?

The addition of pictures has made your already enjoyable thread even better! 
 

Good luck with the rough seas you’re heading into. When the seas get rough enough that the captain warns you ahead, we have found that multiple brandy Alexanders can be most helpful.

There’s a saying that Iceland should be called Greenland and Greenland should be called Iceland; we found that to be true. We enjoyed both but found Greenland to be the more scenic and more untouched. Our zodiac tour through prince Christian sound was spectacular.

We tip well and we tip often because if we can afford to take a luxury cruise, we can afford to tip those who work so hard and sacrifice so much to treat us to that luxury.

Looking forward to traveling along with you, bon voyage!

Bon voyage! Also looking forward to following along with you.

30 minutes ago, Techno123 said:

As @papaflamingo says no you cant unless you are silver/concierge and above 😁. And as mentioned, this particular port did not have any availability until well after all the other ports. When I realised their booking hadn't gone through, that tour was waitlisted and none of the others had availability either.

Good point about the advance timing!

Yes, I understand your situation but I was making a suggestion for the soon to be Regent newbie with the great name, wineoclock 🍷

17 hours ago, wineoclock said:

Looking to book Regent next year. If I’ve already paid for inclusive shore excursions (it’s in the fare) I would hope to get them so good to know about waitlists and turning up to the theatre however stressful that sounds! 

You can book your shorex one year in advance. Mark your calendar to book on the day reservations open all you’ll  be all set!

Just cleared a waitlist for a cruise we are doing in February. Waitlists frequently clear, if not in advance, but once in board.

Be mindful that if you book an independent shorex that you have to be back to the ship in time to sail or they could leave without you. If an issue arises (flat tire or who knows what) on a Regent shorex, the ship will wait.

We have almost always had good luck with waitlists. They often clear and sometimes regent will add another bus to a shorex that has a long waitlist. Definitely sign up for any waitlist that interests you asap. 
 

Pay a (friendly) visit to destination services on boarding day and (nicely) ask for their help. They can offer guidance as far as shorter v longer waitlists or which ones might expand or or or …

As Flossie suggested, be at the theater, ready to go, in plenty of time for any shorex you are interested in. Often, there will be a no show or two (think sunburn, hangover, or just plain tired). Good luck!

Now all I want is peach pie and I don’t even like peach pie!! Regent’s service is just the best.

You are lucky that you were able to visit Morocco before yesterday’s earthquake! It also looks as though hurricane Lee is moving slow enough that you will not be impacted. Only and all good thoughts going your way!

Before your report, I was not feeling 100% about the Mariner but I am now. Thank you and I look forward to more great pictures and info.

Also very happy for “Georgie” but disappointed that it’s unlikely that we will see her again. We have several upcoming bookings but nothing on the Voyager. She was our favorite crew member!

More great pictures and info, thank you! Your Chilean wine service is so inviting. Getting more and more excited for The Mariner!

Great pictures and info, thank you! We recently booked the Mariner so I’m so glad that you are giving us this live tour.

3 hours ago, loriva said:

 

We wish we were!

Omigosh same here, we would have such a great time again! Check out some of the segments and maybe one or two of the legs would work for you guys 😁

Wow, your pictures are outstanding and such a great live report. Thanks for taking us along with you.