Hambagahle

We did exactly this in Venice some years ago.  Mariner docked the day before and we spent the night on the ship.  Next morning at 0730 (before disembarkation began) we simply walked off the ship with our carry on luggage.  Our other bags had been taken from outside our suite during  the night before.   We collected the bags and headed to Hertz to get our Rental car.  Worked like clockwork.

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

Afternoon readers,

We are in our last port (before debarkation) on this 35 day adventure.  From my perspective, O saved the best for last :).  Today we are tendering in the Rovinj, Croatia and both DW and I are absolutely blown away by this charming place.  It is like the hidden gem of Croatia, as it has not yet been discovered by the masses, although we suspect that within a few short years it will be a packed place just like Santorini, Dubrovnik, etc.  

 

We have been in many ports on this voyage, with only two (Chania and Rovinj) we have visited for the first time.  Rovinj has a really nice old town area, and nearly any view could grace the cover of a guidebook.  Plenty of cafes, restaurants, art galleries, the usual church, streets paved with stone (which can be slippery).  This is not a port for folks with mobility issues, although they could enjoy part of the town along the various harbors (there is more than one).  I suspect it is not a popular cruise port because there is no pier adequate for cruise ships, and its proximity to other popular ports (i.e. Dubrovnik, Split, Kotor, etc) keeps it off of most itineraries.  What a shame.  DW and I will plan to revisit this town when we are on one of our driving trips.

 

Not much more to add to this live blog.  DW and I had a good feeling as soon as we boarded the Vista, and nothing in the last month has taken the glow off our first O voyage.  Some readers might be aware I am a student of the cruise/travel industry and always have an interest in some of the inside info.  Many may not be aware that a majority of the crew on Oceania, do not work directly for O,  This company is a major user of the Apollo Group, who has been involved with the cruise industry for eons.  Much of the crew that interacts with passengers, are actually employed by Apollo as are the regular entertainers (singers/dancers).  That is not a negative thing, but simply a fact.  These days, a cruise line can contract with third party companies for just about anything and O obviously prefers to use contractors rather than deal with the complications of taking most jobs in-house.  

 

This will likely be our last "live from the Vista" post as we disembark in about 18 hours.  DW and I are staying in Europe for 12 days, and if all goes well will pick-up a rental car and be on our way to parts of Slovenia, Austria and Italy.  We have long suggested, here on CC, that we find the ideal trip to be a combination of cruising and independent land travel.  But we are not looking forward to having to "forage" for our own food/drink :).  

 

Hank

Thank you SO much for all your reports both on this cruise and the HAL cruise a year ago.  Travel safely and enjoy your next 12 days on terra firma.   

I had not heard of that ice cream until I saw it listed on a menu from Vista.  Is it really good?  Or just ice cream? 

Having lived in both the UK and the US I have to say that some English (British?) humour escapes not only Americans but me too.  I really, really hate the "Butlin's Holiday Camp" type jokes and stories AND the accent that goes along with them.   Lowest of the low... not much else to say except it is possible to be funny without "double entendre" type stuff.

The sail in to the Bay of Kotor (apparently Europe's southern-most fjord) is second to all spectacular sail ins I have experienced, the only one that surpassed it was arriving in Cape Town at dawn with the "tablecloth" beginning to spread on the mountain.  Last time we arrived at Kotor (2017) it was somewhat foggy.  Not very much so and the wisps of fog made the sail in even more lovely.  So sorry you will all miss that.  Hopefully the Fincantieri engineers can figure out what went wrong and fix it in Dubrovnik.  Meantime I hope you all enjoy your - longer - stay there.

Greece (not Turkey) is a member of Schengen which has passport-free travel between the member states.  If you are arriving in Greece from, say, Italy - you will not even have to show your passport unless you are using it as your ID when you check in for your flight.   Arriving in Turkey - either the key card from the ship is accepted or the ship's clearance officer will do the necessary paperwork.  I don't know if Turkey will stamp a non-Schengen passport.  They might.  

I love that expression "the no nos".  Never heard it before this afternoon.  It makes sense!

I was (luckily for me) taught to cook Indian food by an Indian chef.  he explained you simply don't add the spices.  You "layer" the spices all the time you are making the dish.  There are some you "temper" the oil with.  Others that go in very early.  And yet others that are added at the end.   This produces a dish with a real depth of taste.  It is not necessary to have a lot of chili in a curry if you don't like hot food.  It IS necessary to have various different spices added as you go.  And god forbid you use curry powder!!

Those "walking symbols"... I was looking at a tour to Akrotiri on Santorini.  Had 3 of those on the title.  Yet the excavation at Akrotiri is wheelchair accessible.  (Says so on their website).   All under cover.  Has ramps as well as stairs etc.  Go figure !!

The winds sound terrible.  It seems though that the wind is blowing strongly all over Europe right now.  Here in the Alps it has been very very cold - winter temperatures with snow - after a week or so of almost summer weather.   I do hope that the Captain was able to keep Vista docked - or what would happen to those who are in Knossos for the day ?  it is not next door...

For the food.  Perhaps Oceania should introduce a small "alternative" menu - "ethnic food without flavour".   But they shouldn't be leveling everything down to a lower common denominator.  If you are going to make a Vindaloo (don't know if they do!) then make one.  Put a "3 peppers" type of icon next to it on the menu.  To warn timid eaters off.

3 hours ago, Fam_Cruise said:

Just off Vista yesterday in Valletta. My friend and I share OCs and on both Vista and Riviera we used the sofa bed; Riviera Queen size bed in the living room and Vista twin in the new "guest room" and both were comfortable, not as comfortable as the king size bed in the bedroom (I'm 6'3"). FWIW, we switch rooms ever 6 days and it's more affordable than booking two solo PHs. On Marina and Riviera (pre-reno) we used a rollaway in the entertainment room and the sofa beds are definitely more comfortable. I imagine the sofa beds in other cabins are of similar quality.

 

BTW, the new guest bathroom on Vista in the OCs is awesome with lots of space and huge shower.

 

A few design issues with the OCs on Vista though. Guest bathroom light switches were upside down, with off switch on the top and on switch on the bottom. Guest bathroom sink faucet does not come equipped with, or adaptable for, an aerator so water comes out quite forcefully and splatters about so one learns to be careful and turn on water slowly and to a low degree. No 110 power, USB or USB-c outlets in the guest room, no OFF switch for lights in guest room (you have to push All Lights Off on master switch by front door - right outside guest bedroom), living room couch is too deep and uncomfortable for extended sitting, like reading a book or watching a movie. Watch out for your knees when sitting on chairs on either side of dining room table due to the fashionable table support structure, and watch out for your head when standing up after sitting in chair on veranda end of dining room table as chandelier is not centered on the table and you'll probably hit your head on it as I did a couple times. Desk is way too high to be used as a desk. Door to master bath does not stay open as it does on Marina and Riviera OCs, instead they have one of those old fashioned triangular rubber doorstopper.

 

BUT, still overall OC design on Vista is quite nice and bathrooms, especially if you use both, are a vast improvement. They got rid of whirlpool baths in bathroom and on the veranda, but for us that's OK since we never used them. Other than the shortcomings mentioned above lighting and audio controls are a big improvement over those on Marina and Riviera.

I am also glad they took out those whirlpool baths outside.  Had one in a Vista and Owners Suite (possibly also in an Oceania Suite but I don't remember).  Never used them and wondered who would !

21 hours ago, Bentley2018 said:

Thank you for confirming! I'm hoping it's not being changed due to the war next door. Hopefully they won't change our itinerary seeing that Turkey is our final one and we will all be flying out of there. Enjoy the the rest of your cruise. 

Margaret

Even when the Vista Malta/Trieste cruise dropped Istanbul and Kusadasi all the cruises that started or ended in Istanbul were kept.  We were originally booked on the 21 April/1May Vista cruise but for unrelated reasons we cancelled.  We have been to Istanbul and Kusadasi before and really wanted to go again.  And hopefully will - we're booked on Regent Splendor Athens/Istanbul at the end of April next year.

On 4/16/2024 at 9:27 PM, Iamthesea said:

A little story about our Villa Eprussi de Rothchild experience.  DH and I did not know about the shortcut around the sea wall/beach area until coming back from the Villa.  We took a taxi after from the port after getting off of the tender.  After touring the Villa (which we loved!), we asked about getting a taxi back to the ship.  We were told that we would have to call one, or we could easily walk back.  Taking the 2nd option, we began to walk down the steep drive of the Villa when a golf cart stopped and offered us a ride down.  The young man worked at the villa and was heading back to town on business.  He let us off at a hole in the beach wall and told us how to get around to the ship.  Nice people!

 

Hlitner - Several years ago, DH and I took a ships excursion to Cassis and had a lovely tour, and leisurely hot chocolate on the sea front (it was coolish that day) and then walked over to where we heard noise from a crowd of people.  Turned out that we were in Cassis during their annual wine festival.  Lots of dancing, free wine tastings, etc.  Lots of fun!!!

We stayed in Cassis for a week some years ago.  It was lovely.  Perhaps the best thing we did there (aside from eat and enjoy the views) was to take a boat to the Calanques.  You can't comfortably get there any other way without walking down the cliffs and they are splendid.  Lovely coves, swimming beaches etc.  Really enjoyed the local wines in the area too.

19 hours ago, grmmybtty said:

We were in Rome Termini waiting for the train to take us to Trieste for our cruise, the agents were not aware of an impending strike until an hour before the strike was called. We struggled to find another way from Rome to Trieste. We ended up renting a car and making the long drive through Italy.

Something similar happened to me some years ago.  Got to Genova from Venezia OK by train but then there was a strike Genova/Ventimilgia (I was headed for Cannes on a business trip).  Ended up by hiring a limo to drive me to the border and drop me in Menthon from where I got the train to Cannes.  Cost a fortune but at least I could work in the car.

Hank - thanks SO much for all the info on this thread.  I "followed" your adventures around Japan on HAL last spring and sense that you are enjoying this cruise a little more.  Looking forward to reading what you have to say as the next 2+ weeks of the cruise rolls on.

Thank you for this informative review.  

May I ask a question?  For your flight(s) to MIA - did Regent UK arrange those or did you do them yourself.  Getting a one way trans-Atlantic flight is very very expensive (we are Swiss) and although we have been faithful clients of an excellent agency in the US for years they cannot do our flights.  We love TA cruises...and would like to do another before we leave the planet but the flight cost is very very expensive.

Julia Child has a recipe for Duxelles in her Vol. 1 (Along with the recipe for Beef Wellington).  Finely chopped mushrooms, onions and then sautéed - and yes - some foie gras added.  But not much.

On 4/11/2024 at 1:29 PM, Techno123 said:

I used to hate beef wellington made with liver pate as the fillet just ended up tasting of liver (which I really don't like) and I wouldn't use foie gras for ethical reasons so I, for one, am very happy with the mushroom duxelle 😁

Duxelles normally has foie gras in it too...

On 4/11/2024 at 9:04 AM, Kay S said:

Strikes in Europe are very common, but O certainly should have warned you.

They might not have known.  In Italy most strikes are announced ahead of time - but far from all.  And even when there are strikes - some trains run.  If you are willing to show up and go with whatever is running.  Fine.  Problem is coming back to a ship and discovering the train you planned to take from Termini is not running...   Taxis are expensive and take a little longer  - from Termini - than a train...

Just now, Hambagahle said:

And the Sunday Brunch on sea days was brought from Oceania (where it had been done for years) to Regent when Frank del Rio bought Regent.   We had cruised - many times - on Regent before the purchase.  No Sunday brunches.   Then we went to Oceania.  Sundays that are sea days. = brunches.  (A carbon copy exists on Regent now.).  Loved the Sunday brunches and thank you! FDR !!

On 4/9/2024 at 10:15 AM, Techno123 said:

I suppose it's each to his/her/their own.

We were on the Regent Explorer last November so had a Sunday at sea with the glorious Sunday brunch - a cornucopia of fresh, culinary delights was on offer and the gentleman 2 tables down asked for a burger and fries 😜😂

 

On 4/1/2024 at 3:22 AM, Waltershipman said:

When we are at Polo Grill in February we were told the whole Maine lobster had been frozen.  While  surprised as I dont recall ever eating frozen whole Maine lobster it was nevertheless enjoyed. The foie gras was spectacular 

You can also freeze foie gras....

Thanks to all, especially the info on the Divani Caravelle.  I have stayed at the Grande Bretagne in the past, and at the Hilton too.  Like the location of the former more than the latter.  Hotels were both OK but the décor of the GB is a bit "early brothel" for my taste!!

On Splendor we are in a Grand Suite and Regent says boarding at 1200 with access to suite at 1300.  So I would like to get to the port early and will probably take a taxi.    Really appreciated the info on the assigned bus numbers and the melée to get on the bus!

12 hours ago, GOARMY said:

Or, on ALL Regent ships we have been on:  In when leaving for Breakfast; back either before leaving for a pre-dinner cocktail, or upon return from dinner as part of the turn-down service. 

 

There have been a few exceptions, but never a time gap exceeding 24 hours.  

 

GOARMY!

 

 

You just answered my question!!   Thanks and take care, g

We will be on a Splendor cruise which leaves from Athens next April.  A night in an Athens hotel is included...if possible I would love to know which hotels Regent has used in the past ?  And also roughly how far in advance of the cruise do they tell you where you will be staying?   (They aren't doing our air).  I know Athens quite well and know more or less where I would like to stay.  So might set something up on my own if I don't like their choice (!).

On 3/13/2024 at 1:07 AM, Bruce61 said:

I would bet if dinner was with the Food and Beverage Manager the service would be perfect!

Of course !  Or if with the GM ...

Makes me chuckle because the first time I met Franck Galzy he was F&B Manager on the Voyager.  We were on a TA crossing and had dinner with Louise Ross, Social Hostess -- and Franck!  What a pleasure.  And the meal was very good.

We have a very successful Roll Call going right now for a cruise starting in April on Vista.  Looking at the nationalities I would say that maybe 75% or more are from the USA.  Of the rest, mostly Canadian with several Australians and one Kiwi.  Only two from the UK I think.  and then there is my husband and I - Swiss.