Flatbush Flyer

Not true on the premium lines like Oceania where basics like beverages and internet, as well as air tix or an air credit, are included. All dining venues have the highest TV quality ingredients and preparation. The only difference is menu focus and ambiance AND there’s no extra charge. Then you get one included optional perk area from among tours or booze or SBC. On Oceania , you have choice and you handle it all upfront. Zero nickel diming.

We used to use the Marin side to get to work in the City - a much more pleasant drive than I-80 (partially because, on 101, when drivers flip you off m, they say “excuse me”). You could always tell a local’s car because it had a clothes hanging bar in the back seat with sufficient items to handle all the microclimates. And, in summer, it was easy to spot tourists walking across the GGB because they had on new sweatshirts that said something about SF (purchased because they’d packed for summer in SoCal).

Sounds like you missed an opportunity to organize it. FWIW: we had quite the group on Riviera in January and less than a handful on Insignia for both the May and June segments. On upcoming Marina segments in October and November, the Roll Calls would suggest that there will be reasonable turnouts.

Yes, I should’ve been more specific than just the general 9 +\- counties that might be referred to as the SF Bay Area. Of course, once you move farther from the Pacific Coast or the Bay itself, temps rise and AC is useful. But, the Coast itself, as well as most of the actual Bayfront communities, rarely need AC and the humidity (what little there is) pales in comparison to East and Gulf Coast locations. We live directly on the Bay in Brickyard Cove on the northeastern shore and very few folks in our neighborhood even have A/C.

Coastal NorCal (in particular, the SF Bay Area) has little need for AC due to mild climate and very little humidity.

Don’t need your entire Hx. But your second post had important details missing from the first. You may want to talk with your MD to rule out as many potential causes as is possible. And if you are truly having actual infections ask about an Rx for a course of appropriate antibiotics to carry with you in addition to whatever appropriate OTC meds bring you relief. I know that Oceania upgraded its HVAC filtration during the pandemic shut down and assume that all NCL Holding fleet ships (e.g., Regent) did the same.

Cabin cough? A “fair” amount of cruises? “One of us” (only one or one at a time)? Sinus infection (respiratory cough and sinus infection can be very different things)? Same ship(s)/line(s)? Medical hx? Cruise lengths/destinations? Have you talked with your MD (particularly about the dx of your infections)? Time related to pandemic (now or historically)? FWIW: Other than for the pandemic close down, we spend about 100+\- nights per year (across 3-5 cruises) on cruise ships - all part of our preferred line’s fleet (which we know has superior air filtration systems). There have been the rare occasions when the time of year and itinerary triggers some allergy related issues that we expect. But they would happen whether on the ship or on land and we have OTC and Rx meds to deal with it. If you’re experiencing your “cabin cough” now (since the restart of cruising), I certainly hope you’re reporting to the medical center onboard the ship for Covid testing. Whatever is going on with you, I would suggest that you pick ships with the most modern HVAC filtration available.

Still a bad idea. Given the current state of both domestic and international air travel shortcomings: Depending on what s/he paid for the tix, their place in the rebooking priority might see that “next” plane being two days later. Even high FF status doesn’t carry the weight it used to - having been replaced by pricing priorities.

I just reread your post above. The main issue is that Oceania keeps flip-flopping on required testing at embarkation. Should you get an Ortega email about your next cruise saying “testing is back” the day you’re flying out and you choose not to (or logistically cannot) pre-test, you would have to test at the pier at your expense (unless O goes back to “no charge”). If that pier test is positive, you will be denied boarding and, per O’s past policy, the only way you could be reimbursed for Covid related expenses is by showing the negative results of that “recommended but not required” pretest. Yes, in essence, the message to someone with no pretest would be “O assumes that you were positive before you left home and should’ve cancelled then” (which BTW, O would’ve refunded if you had a positive test within two weeks prior to embarkation). So, though if pre-testing and/or pier testing is not required today, it may very well be required tomorrow (or the day before you leave). This is no different than port cancellations/changes - often made on the morning of your planned arrival in a port (for whatever reason).

We can’t recommend TAs here on CC. However, you can search here for several of my (and others’) instructions on how to find a few excellent ones. These TAs will help navigate O’s sometimes complicated booking policies and perks and most will offer added amenities ranging from gratuities coverage to refundable SBC and/or rebates. Oceania used to have a section on their website where you could plug your zipcode in and find a list. Not the best or most accurate way to do it though. Once you start cruising with O, regularly ask other passengers who they use. Over time you’ll find the same handful of agencies and even specific TAs mentioned often. But, fir now, read as much as you can and talk to a few who will ID themselves as members of the Oceania Connoisseurs Club and/or are designated as an Oceania Preferred Partner.

I hope we find it better at that IC next March when we stay a few days after a Regatta cruise SYD-SYD-PPT. Did you eat at Lotus? Still worth its Michelin star?

If you’re talking about Oceania, book now. Do some research and find a cruise specialist TA that sells a lot of Oceania and has “preferred partner” status. It can make for better TA perks (that can have sizable value).

6 AM is a guesstimate for San Pedro. And, even with a reliable car service (e.g., Execucar), the 405 will be just like the Pacific: smooth sailing unless it’s not (aka crawling). Then there’s LAX’s TSA security where the PRE and CLEAR lines can be longgggg too. I wouldn’t do that 10:25 AM flight and I expect that Celebrity would recommend “noon at the earliest.”

What did you think about that relatively new Hilton? On Tahiti, our “go to” is the Intercontinental.

As for your medical perspective, you may want to do some current research based on findings at major university medical centers including Yale U., which this week in PNAS NEXUS suggested that declaring Covid an endemic now is quite premature. Their study (and collective medical wisdom) suggests 2024 at the earliest. I also suggest that you look at work being done at UC San Francisco. As for the actual data, CC prohibits our citing actual Covid stats that would probably have you rethinking your statements. Likewise, citing a single personal experience as evidence that the world is ready to move on is unsubstantiated by valid studies and data. And missing from your response is any mention of the third major Covid concern (beyond death and hospitalization): long term effects which we already are finding can be substantial. Where I do agree with you is that there’s a stand off pro/con on testing/masks (not to mention vaccination itself). But, the fact remains that cruise ships are akin to Petri dishes and the simple acts of vaccination, masks and testing do no harm while all offering some degree of prevention. And, I remain convinced that, if O returned to its industry leading position on strong Covid restrictions (which it still maintains for its employees), its ships would fill with regular and new passengers desiring such a posture.

Of course, if OP wants the true FP experience, there’s always a crewed yacht charter, which is not as expensive as most folks think. Contact a reputable Yacht Charter broker like Ed Hamilton & Co. They will spend a great deal of time on best understanding your preferences/expectations/desires including the profiles of the essential crew as well as customized provisioning, itineraries and activities. Not unlike cruise ships, there’s also a wide variety of price points from basic to luxury and all of the above are assembled as a result of your broker communications at the outset and skipper communications once you’ve chosen your ride. BTW: IMO, it’s the best way to experience many other island destinations (particularly the BVIs) without being bombarded by cruise ship throngs of passengers.

There’s all the obvious pros and cons to land vs sea trips to Ireland and the UK. We’ve done both as combos with an Oceania cruise sandwiched between two land stays. I suggest you look at one of the several annual Oceania UK/Ireland focused cruises with start/end ports of London(Southampton) and Dublin. Then add at least a week at each end.

I like the “easy-going” attitude as well as poutine and Montreal bagels. And I might be able to finally get better use out of my high school and college French. But, I don’t buy the healthcare item. We are fortunate to have an excellent retirement health insurance package that provides no cost access to what many would consider the best healthcare in the world for many medical concentrations (UC San Francisco). Don’t need or want what amounts to socialized medicine. On the serious side of this: Just imagine the savings from the eventual consolidation of national government services and personnel.

FWIW: We spend as much as 100+\- nights per year on Oceania ships. Though itinerary is a big factor in deciding R vs O (or the new A) ships, we are very fond of the Rs (like Nautica) for their intimate size and overall ambiance - particularly on longer itineraries. With the understanding that I am speaking from a frame of reference as a long time yacht sailor, I find the size of the accommodations on a cruise ship to be a minor concern. Even the perception of a small bathroom on the R ships is of no concern to us. After all, it is larger than most heads on 60 foot CATs you’d find on family sized yacht charters and certainly larger than the 30’ sloop we owned fir many years. And, while thoughts of a Butler and other upper class cabin amenities appear desirable, our factor weighing always leans to booking more desirable nights per year than spending money on stuff of little value (given the added cost). Of course, for the occasional cruiser, the big splurge cabin may be worth it. But in OP’s case, a B level cabin only gets a handful of the complimentary added amenities. But the rest can be purchased as options with a lower cabin category (at a total price far less than the suite tab. Other than that, access to all restaurants and entertainment is the same for everyone. So I suggest that OP consider that probable next cruise in calculations of what’s preferred and affordable.

But then you have to eat their food.

Like you, I test for myself and for the public good. Harsh comments or not, the folks here who are offering all sorts of illogical rational for not testing/masking are not about to change their minds. Moreover, perhaps you’ve yet to experience those folks on a cruise ship who admit they have had Covid symptoms while on board (usually after the fact) and then (somewhat proudly) state their refusal to have self reported to the Medical Center in order to avoid quarantine. Despicable. As for my “skin in the game,” suffice to say that I gain no monetary or publicity related benefits from promoting practices that maintain responsible health and human services practices designed to protect you and me.

We’ve already established that O notifications are never to be fully trusted. I doubt that Ortega actually writes them (or does the “cut and paste”) but this stuff comes out under his name and the least he could do is to make sure it gets proofread. That said, anyone who believes second to third hand unpublished info from an unidentified source deserves what they get when they are possibly refused boarding. If for no other reason than to be fully insured while also contributing to protecting public health, do a pre-test.

Your logic needs an overhaul. Anyway, I actually agree with regular testing throughout the cruise (even if only random). As for “theater,” you’re wrong again. Cruise lines regularly test their mask-wearing, vaccinated crew at significant expense. Why? It protects their Human Resources (more so than the constantly changing/easily replaceable passengers). Cruise lines should do the same with passengers and it would be best for all concerned. I have previously posited that there are enough regular and potential O cruisers who would fill O’s ships if a decision was made to return to the industry leading restrictions they employed at the beginning of the pandemic. O would again rise above the crowd and plenty of other public health conscious cruisers would jump ship from the lines that care more about selling tix to science deniers/avoiders. Again, look at the bigger picture: Why, with minimal exceptions, do hospitals require anyone entering the building to be vaccinated/masked? Theater? DUH!

Simple solution: US annexes Canada and everyone uses USD. 👀🤔😉

Typically sophomoric arguments. Take some time to learn and understand the building evidence for long term implications of Covid. Now it’s not only life-threatening, it’s also “quality of life” threatening. As for “get over it”: stop whining about the simple acts of take a test and wear a mask.