ORV

While we haven’t been on Celebrity since May of 22 for the past 10 or 15 years we’ve found both suit us for different reasons and purposes. No reason to feel like we’ve switched. We enjoy both, but we’ve never done the suite or Retreat on Celebrity. Definitely if we’re going to spend that type of money 💰 it will be on Oceania.

We got Sunshine 🌞

The current cruise I’m on went down $5000 by changing it to SM. A third.

Meanwhile I had the Regatta Royale yesterday. It was good.

If it were if me I’d listen to the people that have cruised Oceania multiple times for many years instead of some random person quoting FAQ information from their website.

It refers to ice cream that is not “soft serve”that automatically comes out of a machine from a mixture. Do you have that phrase where you’re from? Im pretty sure there is no soft serve 🍦 on Oceania.

Tonight is Captain’s Welcome party, the 4th night of the cruise and interestingly enough when we are leaving Brazilian waters.

In your situation I would take the air credit and do your own air.

5.75 here. With mortgage rates going down those may not last.

I know it’s hard to understand because other cruise lines operate this way but there is no cap. The rule is that if it’s on the “Bar Menu” then it’s on the Prestige Package. There might be a $19 drink 🍹 on the package yet there might be another one that is $16 that’s not. Also unlike other lines there is no “paying the difference”. If it’s not on the package it’s full price.

I did some looking around and if a person wanted to find things to pick on and try to make the ship look bad they could. It’s 12 or 13 years old, salt and water is hard on things. Anyone that has ever owned a boat or lives close to the ocean understands these things. But So What, it’s not at all affecting my enjoyment. Thinking about those kind of things just reinforces my feelings that there are those that set out to be a “Critic”. Don’t forget this as you read reviews. Meanwhile it’s rained the last two days. It’d be nice to see some sunshine before we get to the cooler days. I’ve had the Humphrey Sloclumbe every day. After School Special, Meyer Lemon and Elvis the Fat years so far. Single scoop as it’s a long cruise and there are other sweets, but haven’t really found a good cookie 🍪 yet. Did I mention service has been great pretty much everywhere?

I thought this was something new but then saw there was a large TA tour on board today. I saw this for a PH also. I went in and walked around both rooms. I’d forgotten how nice those closets are in the PH Just to be clear, this was on the wall outside the room.

I just asked at one of the tables setup to sell the drink package if you are charged the 25% to upgrade. The answer was no. She didn’t know if they wait to charge it later but this is what I’ve seen other cruise lines do. There are more tables setup around the ship to sell them than there were 5 years ago. At least 4 on embarkation day. There is also a printout of when the Wine Bar is open and what various tastings are coming up, but it is not in Currents. It was in the pile of first day papers. And also at the upgrade tables. It also shows Privee information but no La Reserve info, but La Reserve is set up for dinner as you walk by.

About 7 years ago and past that it used to happen frequently. Not so much anymore.

I seem to be on the wrong thread.

So back to reporting. Toscana last night was really good, but service was a little slower than expected. We were at a two top and were there about an hour and 40 minutes, no dessert course. I had tortolonni and carbonara apps and a lasagna main. My wife had a salad and Fra Diavolo. We ate at 730 and they were pretty busy. No big deal as we had no place else to go. For football 🏈 fans, American style, they showed the game in the room. I don’t think there is any public space set up with a TV. I actually saw a few folks with Chiefs gear on but no Bills. What a heartbreaker for the Bills fans. Either team deserved to win that one. I’ll update later if they continue to show the games as we’re on through 2/14. it rained all day yesterday and is raining today. I’m hoping to get off the ship soon.

I think it’s various reasons on this cruise but yes, I do think it’s due to others exploring new options and being unhappy with their regular cruise line. I think it’s not only Celebrity but HAL and Princess as well. More than ever Oceania needs to be putting their best foot forward, not the other way around. I’m also seeing a different demographic than normal. Although there are still a lot of the regular folks you see on Oceania. Very few walkers or wheelchairs, and I’ve seen no scooters, but the logistics of this itinerary kind of dictates that.

I’ll see if I can find out.

In 2018 Stanley cup/thermos company had sales of 70 million. Today it’s 750 million primarily due to sales of refillable water bottles and cups. And that’s just one company. Getting rid of all that metal, plastic and aluminum is going to present future problems. There are no easy answers to any of these issues.

This is what we do, other’s have different setups, this doesn’t take up much room in the suitcase

Peter Robert’s

Interpret this as you will but the CD mentioned today that there are more new cruisers on this cruise than previous Oceania ones. This is pretty rare in most of the Oceania cruises I’ve been on.

I would post more if the internet worked better

Glad that works out for you. The refillable bottle industry thanks you. My hands are generally pretty busy while going through security. I have no financial or moral issues buying a bottle of water after security and refilling it as needed while flying. I also like water while traveling. That works for me, looks like you have something that works for you.

Here’s some practical information about Marina, we’re in a standard balcony, there are European plugs on either side of the bed and one by the desk. There are two US plugs by the desk but they are so close you can really only use one at a time. Part of this is due to there also being a rocker style light switch with them. What we do is bring a little plug that gives you 3 outlets from one for the US plug. You also need to bring an adapter that will allow you to access the European style plug. This is not a converter, that’s a different critter altogether. Make sure you understand what you’re plugging in is capable of handling. Apple products have no issues down converting. All the other ships have better setups. There are no USB outlets in this room. Many of you know this, but it might help some new to Oceania. On the plus side of not being refurbished yet is that 🧲 still stick to the walls. While we are in Brazilian waters there is an additional 25% tax on drinks and anything you buy on board. With gratuity that adds 45% to the cost of a drink. This is the second day and there was no mention of a Captain’s party, but it’s also a port day. I’ll update this more as I find out more. Maybe they’re waiting until we’re out of Brazilian territory as the Captain don’t like paying the extra taxes either. Toscano tonight, lasagna here I come.