Tsunami74

Things that we like better on Oceania: yes, it's the food. Food on Regent is generally very good, but some of the meals on Oceania are memorable and tempt me to go back. Things we like better on Regent: included business air. By the time we add it to Oceania or Viking (the other 2 lines we use), the price on them is often even higher than Regent. On some cruises, the included one day pre and 3 day post cruise extension. Nice to have it all arranged, and the times we have had it, was very nice. Again, if you would add such an extension to other lines, the costs would make Regent sound more reasonable. The all inclusiveness of Regent. On Oceania, every time you get an alcoholic drink (or a set of them) you have to show your room card, they take it and run it like a credit card, then return it. Cumbersome. Even if you upgrade to the full beverage package (which I believe is additional $70 per person per day) you have to do this each time. Much more pleasant on Regent where all dining is seamless.

We just completed a cruise that went to many of the ports you mention. It seems like the ships may not always dock at the same spot each time, and sometimes is not established until closer to the date of the visit. When we have had private tour companies, closer to the date, the tour guide could get the docking site and gave info on where to meet.

By deposit - paid Wait List, do you mean you paid the full deposit like as if you booked the cruise. Or did you pay a set amount such as $1000?

Anyone have experience with wait lists? I just joined a wait list for a 2024 cruise which even more than a year out was pretty much sold out except for one of the lowest categories. Paid a little extra, and not sure if that would make a difference or if it is entirely first on/ first off.

We do like the Riviera spa deck better with the waterfall like jets that massage your neck, shoulder and back

Hi I am the author who started this discussion. And this is what actually happened. In January, I noticed my husband's passport only had 3 blank pages (2 of them the last 2 that do not say for visas etc) The expiration date was no problem. Since we were going on a trans Atlantic cruise in March with 2 additional out of the country trips in between (so no time to send off for a new one), I put out the question if the low number of pages would present a problem. Several people gave opinions, some constructive, some snippy. I did contact our congressman who suggested waiting until within 2 weeks to get emergency replacement. I also finally, after many minutes of transfers on the (official) US passport phone line got a real person. She was very pleasant and said to not worry - 3 pages is more than sufficient for a cruise. But I did worry. When we returned from Mexico within 2 weeks of the TA departure, we tried to contact the passport office for the emergency replacement. Several days of attempts, and we could not get into the system - always told to call back at a less busy time. So.... off we go to Miami. On embarkation, the very pleasant agent did not look past the "picture page" and handed the passport back. We keep them for during the cruise. Apparently, we will get no stamps on pages for this cruise. So my advice is that in addition to the expiration date (which is CRITICAL) you might monitor empty pages, but this in NOT a deal breaker and NO NEED to risk sending passport away to replace it. Of course, on return, he will send it in even though not expiring for more than a year just to be completely safe, but I am glad we did not risk sending it off or drive many miles to get a new one before this trip.

I am not a big dessert eater, but the popcorn sundae at Prime 7 is memorable.

Thank you - good to know. We just bought a two year package. Good information is found on this site!

For those of you who have used Medjet, either in US or abroad, how did you get from hospital to the airport? Do they arrange transport, or is that something you or a companion has to figure out?

Thank you A very nice review. You seem like a positive outlook person.

Would you mind sharing which excursion it was?

Agree with Joanandjoe. Viking has more interesting itineraries in northern Atlantic region. However, when going from USA to Asia/Australia, we have found Regent to be the better choice by far. Going that far, we need (like) to fly business. When adding the business upgrade with Viking, Regent was about the same or even cheaper. AND Regent is all inclusive with alcohol, nice excursions, gratuities, and better food choices.

We were on the Oceania Riviera in the Caribbean just before co-vid in February 2020. At the pool, they had a plan along the lines of the Spendor, but with longer time. Approximately on the hour an attendant put cards on unoccupied loungers that said: the bed was unoccupied at say 9:00 and if still unoccupied at 10:00 items would be moved to a table. (I may be wrong about the 1 hour, but it was plenty of time for a normal lunch.) This seemed to work very nicely. There was almost always an empty lounger or 2 in the shade. Did not see anyone upset or questioning policy. The "table" sometimes had lots of stuff on it; sometimes not much. Worked well, was accepted and made a more pleasant trip.

Thank you Good information

Bermuda, Bahamas, Azores, Fuchal, Monte Carlo, Civitavecchia, Sicily, Salerno, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Trieste (Venice)

Thank you everyone for your input

USPS is 3-5 weeks expedited. We were overly optimistic post covid and have trips scheduled every 2-3 weeks. There seems to be an emergency choice if you are within 2 weeks of needing it. I sure wouldn't want to wait that close, so trying to be pro active. Trying Fed Ex but it seems confusing!

This is 3-5 weeks We have only 3 between trips I wish some one, our TA or cruise line, would have warned us to count blank pages. We know to have the 6 months post trip validity, but no one ever mentioned blank pages until I mentioned to TA my book is getting full.

All opinions are welcome But still trying to find an expedited service! My TA does not know any

How?? Any recommendations for expedited service?

The passport office just refers you to the required blank pages per country chart. For this cruise it would be 11! Soooo still looking for recommendations for expedited passport services

We are very careful to have 6 months + on our passports. However, we did not keep track of blank pages. Going on a trans Atlantic and only have 3 and 5 blanks. Cruise line and TA recommend renewing early, but we have other travel in between with only 2 -3 weeks in between. Has anyone used Fed Ex rush/my/passport. We do not have many expediting options here.

We are very careful to have 6 months + on our passports. However, we did not keep track of blank pages. Going on a trans Atlantic and only have 3 and 5 blanks. Cruise line and TA recommend renewing early, but we have other travel in between with only 2 -3 weeks in between. Has anyone used Fed Ex rush/my/passport. We do not have many expediting options here.

Has anybody used Fed Ex rush/my/passport?