Cinnamon Seahorse

Thank you!

We just bought the Deluxe Beverage Package for the Ovation in September.  Could you advise if that includes gratuities, or if 18% will be added to each "bill?"

Thanks so much for advising, Carla

When I see a reference to Oceania I think back to our one, and very likely ONLY Oceania cruise on the Insignia.  I had been excited with all the hype about the food.  What a disappointment!  Things seemed to start off with a good idea, and then someone seemed to think they needed to do something unique.  Sunflower seeds in the turkey gravy?  Bouillabaisse with with a side of garlic aioli?  Garlic toast, maybe, but you're supposed to stir this glop into your meal?  A sandwich of raspberry jam and processed cheese spread?  The one consistently good item was the pasta Bolognese at the buffet.  Fortunately, we had a marvelous butler who keep us supplied with potato chips and pretzels to keep us full.  Pretty sad when a 4" bowl of potato chips is the culinary highlight of a cruise.  When we disembarked in New York where our son lives, as much as we'd been missing him and were eager to see his family, our first stop was lunch in a restaurant.  We were starving!

We've been delighted with the cuisine on Crystal and are very excited about our first Regent cruise booked for next summer on the Explorer.  The menus look great and we are eager to experience each of the dining venues.

Oh, that classic visual of a photo bomb was just what I needed.  Thanks for the laugh.  It's been Monday ALL day....

Thank you for posting that--it's nice to know what my options will be if I'm not happy with the complimentary bubbles.  I know, first world problems....

SusieQft--I concur.  As a rule we haven't been the biggest fans of shipboard photos.  I must say, though, that Crystal photographers have captured some great images.  I like not being accosted, but still having the opportunity to have photos taken.  A win-win in my mind.  Have a great day, Carla

Thanks so much, Travelcat2!  I blame Crystal for turning us on to the Billecart Salmon....  We did procure a special wine suitcase (without telltale wine labeling on the outside!) to bring some along on an Oceania cruise a couple years ago knowing they didn't carry it.  May have to dust the suitcase off and load it up!  Every occasion is improved with tasty pink bubbles.  Thanks again, Carla

Well, as long at at least a few of you are onboard our sailing it sounds like we'll have a fun time!

On the mass market lines the ships' photographers tend to make us crazy.  Obtrusive, high-pressure hacks.  We have found, though, that the photographers on Crystal are very talented and have captured some great images.  Add to that the lack of pressure to buy, and the more reasonable prices than you find on the mega lines, and we've been very happy with the photo services on Crystal.

I appreciate everyone's input, and humor!  Carla

Would you happen to know if Regent stocks Billecart Salmon Brut Rose?  Thanks for your help, Carla

Photobombs are the best!  Thanks for the quick responses.  Stay safe and healthy!

Greetings!

We're booked on our first Regent cruise for September, 2021.  Could someone please advise if Regent  Explorer has onboard photographers?

Thanks for your help, Carla

Oh, forgot to mention we were served spoiled produce TWICE at the Terrace Café.

Just completed first (and highly likely last) cruise on Oceania. Insignia July 1-15. There was quite a bit of repetition in the appetizers. Only two soups, and one was always a consumme. So one actual soup option.

The French Country Pate looked nothing like pate to me, but I gave it a try. Absolutely disgusting, asked the waiter to remove it from the table immediately. I have never done that on any of our 35 prior cruises. Checked online today to see what Jacques Pepin's Country Pate looks like. According to the recipe photo, it looks like regular pate. A smooth, rich brown spread. What I was served was some compressed loaf of mostly beige with a few spots of brown. Interestingly, the same slab was presented as chestnut stuffing with my turkey dinner. Which had sunflower seeds in the gravy. Not the only truly bizarre offerings. My husband ordered Bouillabaisse. It came with an accompaniment of garlic mayonnaise. The offerings were truly weird, like trying to put some different spin on things without regard to whether the combination worked. Filets in Polo were tough. I did have a lovely Dover Sole in lemon butter sauce, and hubby enjoyed the Reuben panini. We love to eat, but the food was so disappointing we both lost weight on this cruise. Preserves put out at breakfast past pull date. Something's going on.

There was a photo gallery, but no photographer.

Never found any trace of Tapas on the Terrace on deck 9.

Most cruise lines offer as "always available" a sirloin, chicken breast, and salmon filet. Nope, not Oceania. The always available was mashed potatoes, a baked potato and pasta with marinara, Bolognese or pesto sauce. By week two that was all I was eating.

Upon disembarkation, our first stop was a restaurant. We were truly HUNGRY.

Flame me all you like. I'm providing specific examples (so many more but I want to be done with this whole experience), not simply expressing an opinion. I noticed early on that there are a few Oceania posters who are downright rude. I should have taken that as my cue to switch my booking.

Oh, met several others for whom this was their first Oceania cruise. Every single one of them we spoke to also said it would be their last. Frequent Oceania cruises said they liked Oceania, but found aspects of this cruise disappointing.

We provided as much of this feedback as the evaluation form provided room for. Limited space doesn't seem designed to elicit a full review.

Got violently ill on July 1-15 cruise on Insignia. Leaving Bermuda it was unbearable, even with my Transderm Scop patch. I have sailed this route on other small ships (such as the 600 passenger original Pacific Princess) without ill effects.

I really like how Crystal handles the hand-luggage issue at boarding lunchtime. They have a designated spot to place your bags just outside the dining room, and staff monitoring it. Very civilized.

I also don't love the idea of dragging my carry-on around, but will be boarding at 11 anyway. I love to take pictures of a ship and it's an ideal time to do so as it's fairly empty. Then to lunch, and finally our PH.

And, it looks like hubby got some bad info. It actually still shows Havana on the Oceania site. The app he was using shows it being substituted with Colombia.

Thanks, Carla

We've had no notification from Oceania, and earlier this week Oceania had us complete the paperwork for our Cuba visa. Now, the Oceania site and another app are both showing that the Cuba stop has been scrapped.

Any suggestions? I've been dreading the thought of the Caribbean in July, but it was worth it only because of the chance to visit Havana.

Does anyone have any idea of the likelihood of being able to cancel at this point and get a full refund? Our category is showing wait list.

Thanks for sharing any similar experiences, Carla

Pinotlover--thank you! That is so great to know, as there are several dishes at the Polo Grill that look amazing. That's a much better solution than trying to stuff myself with tea sandwiches in the afternoon. Not saying that might not happen anyway!

Thank you all so very much--I'm going to have a happy hubby!

I'm not a big fan of Italian food but I told hubby I'd do Toscana once. The fact that he can order from there for in-suite dining will make him very happy. I'm sure I can find something on their dessert menu for dinner! Maybe have the fruit plate as my entrée and the caramelized cheesecake for dessert....

Greetings!

As I start mentally preparing for our first Oceania cruise in July, I have a question I haven't seen addressed elsewhere.

If we arrange in-suite dining from one of the specialty restaurants, does that count against our specialty restaurant reservation allotment?

Thanks so much for advising, Carla

Excellent! I really appreciate the input. Ooooh, an embroidered dress for my granddaughter sounds lovely! I'm sure they'll have something appropriate for the grandsons, too. Add in a few cigars for our sons, a bottle or two of rum, and lunch at a café, and resisting art purchases, I'm hoping $350 will be enough.

Many thanks, Carla

Thanks, all!

I'm sorry, I wasn't very clear. We absolutely plan to convert our money to CUC, I'm just curious as to how much money I should bring ashore to have converted. We have no intention of trying to use US dollars in Cuba.

Thanks! Carla

We'll be taking the rum factory and cigar store excursion, and I assume we'll want to make purchases to bring home. Whatever the allowed limit is that day....

We'd also like to have a small meal at a café or bar.

How much money should we plan on converting?

Thanks for advising! Carla

Some might find it rude to imply someone is trying to skirt the rules. The OP made it clear in her initial post that the free cruise she is trying to book is, in fact, her 20th on Oceania. The other cruise she referenced is on a different line.

I wonder if perhaps the onboard consultant created confusion? I don't know when the OP is planning her 20th cruise, but if it is more than six months from last Thanksgiving it appears the onboard consultant should have advised the OP that details wouldn't be available until 180 days prior to sailing.

While I understand it is the cruise line's policy, it's kind of sucky that you can't select a particular stateroom in your usual category. That doesn't seem to be a very good way to recognize loyal cruisers, who over the years have paid huge sums before receiving a "free" cruise.

I hope the OP's travel agent is able to get everything taken care of.

Happy Sailing! Carla

Thank you!