Sujormik

So I’ve been pretty vocal about the things on Marina that have been unsatisfactory. I may well be a glass half empty person and lemme tell ya, it’s not like you WANT to be that person! I wanted to love this cruise. Our last cruise on Azamara in July 2019 was extraordinary (and it had its issues, including frustrating lack of communication) and I expected this to better that. It didn’t and we are not buying a future cruise while onboard because we don’t see an itinerary we want. We will check out yet another line and hope to find our “forever home.” I do think the crummy ports have something to do with it….I knew we weren’t getting a great one because we wanted to end in Oslo when we do, but some of these days have been little better than meh. I’m responsible for that, but it did make looking into future cruises with unknown/unpopular ports less attractive. And with the one 2024 sailing we liked being sold out already, we will be moving on. I’ll probably finish next week with a summary post after I’ve had time to chew it over, but in the meantime I’ve enjoyed engaging with all you O folks and appreciate what you’ve all shared, good, bad and ugly.

Not a problem, just a little interruptive to the flow.

Wish I’d known about this, we got none of our first choices on shore ex and have found these lowest level ones to be serviceable but not even close to excellent. Get in as early as you can!

Red Ginger is darker, the others have felt well lit.

You may technically be able to order a different wine with each course but our experience right now is that the wine steward disappears after the first pour until it’s time to submit room cards. No refills offered, certainly never suggested a white with apps and red with entrees, for example. Asking for an after- dinner port was like pulling teeth. Ymmv. And we’ve been wondering why they need our cards at the end of a meal? They know our name and room number and what package we have, it’s sort of awkward to have to pull out cards!

Right?!?🤣🤣. It’s like we are wearing a scarlet O or something! Also want to add (though we still have 4 days) that we haven’t found any of this “fatal” if you will. I’m very conscious of certain things, can be critical (but constructively), and still enjoy. I’m reporting in part for my own recall, in part to temper expectations for newbies, and on part for validation that what I am seeing is or isn’t a best practice. And it’s just my experience, not casting a net over anyone else’s trip…I happen to love this PH suite, have found the food to be great overall, this is a large ship for us and finding lines to be minimal/manageable, etc. YMMV, I just appreciated “warts and all” reporting and trying to pay that forward.

Enjoyed my Modern Scandinavian class yesterday.

Yesterday the staff at Red Ginger was all over taking care of us. We had a decent server this morning. But tonight at Toscana was pretty bad. We were simply poured olive oil, no discussion or choice, a bummer because my hub adores olive oil of all stripe. The artichoke bottom app is premade so they couldn’t leave off the shrooms (a very huge deal to me), so I asked for the red pepper flan with a Parmesan sauce…really intrigued me! Never received it. 😳 tThey seem to be tremendously understaffed. Again the wait for water refills, ice, plates being cleared, etc was interminable. Dirty plates sat on our table for a very long time without being cleared. The “carbonara” was sort of an Alfredo with some prosciutto maybe….it was not served Al dente (actually pretty mushy) nor hot and it was not good. Requested lemon for the veal Milanese never came. When we left I mentioned to the waiter that I never received my flan and he said I canceled it. Which I didn’t. And I should let them know if something isn’t served, but I kept thinking maybe it would come after salad, after pasta course, etc. He apologized. Manager never addressed us, making me doubt the sincerity of the Red Ginger messages one day ago. Yes, I will speak to F&B tomorrow, just wanted to share another update. People all over the ship are talking about service lapses, we’ve encountered many comments, complaints about excursions… Tonight was the first food item I thought wasn’t up to par but again the service has been a huge strike. Hoping for better luck tomorrow!

Submitted my comments survey and after hearing at lunch that many people are having similar concerns I’d planned to speak to F&B. When we returned from our tour there was a message from the head butler about my comment re calling housekeeping. He was very nice, understood I wasn’t so much complaining as I was surprised by the response. Anyway, he seemed to understand me and hopefully that’s no longer an issue. Then we had dinner at Red Ginger and it was very clear they knew who we were. Had an excellent waitress and assistant, they were attentive and responsive, even refilled our ice several times🤣. I guess it’s true what they say about the squeaky wheel…. The hostess there commented about my snazzy outfit (fancy jeans!) and as she walked us out (!) acknowledged and thanked us for our comments, asked about our dinner, etc. Things that should be standard (well, maybe not complimenting my clothes lol) for everyone. I didn’t want obsequious, just attentive, I assure you! But if it means they’ve learned something and take it to heart, then I’m glad I spoke up. My husband is a management consultant. We’ve talked a lot on this trip about service and training, demanding customers and all that. I’m going to try travel agent-ing (yup, created a verb) and so all this is experience and training for me. Thanks everyone (who allowed me to hijack the thread a little) for your input.

Honestly it was weird. The walk in the town had nothing to do with wine. They let us up to a viewing spot in a church and had mimosas. Warm mimosas. Just odd. And why have a walk though a town when everything is closed? We knew going in that it was a Sunday, just felt so deserted!

Oh I’m agreeing with you. But the guide acted all surprised and she didn’t count. Also we had several older folks who walked very slowly, their late arrival could’ve been related. Overall just thought it wasn’t handled great.

I’d personally like to see the Destination Services desk know something about what each tour does. Re the tour today, she told me it was something about making champagne. Which it wasn’t, at all. Our tour lost 4 people this morning because the escort/guide had us meet at 10:43 and we left the spot at 10:45. 2 couples were late and our group wasn’t counted right before we left. Overheard 3 tables at lunch discussing the poor service. Just glad it’s not me imagining it!

About to go ashore so not time now, but thinking I may actually call the F&B manager after all. Service last night in MDR was again abysmal. It seems like a training issue to us, not sure how they can fix that right now. Don’t want to be confrontational (much easier to whine online lol) but things just aren’t matching my expectations. Maybe I’ll feel better if I says something.

Yup. Asked about getting a blanket and was told to contact housekeeping. I feel weird about asking to have clothes pressed but will try that today. Also didn’t receive in room mid trip survey card, maybe that wasn’t the butler. But if in fact they’re assuring everything is done, this shouldn’t be a mind reader type task.

I’ve seen only a handful of people masked currently on Marina.

In my limited experience (29 hours on O) the butlers don’t do much.

Welp, we were supposed to get a mid-trip response card this evening but never got one, unfortunately. I’d have some comments. Called the butler about heavier blankets for the balcony use and he told me to call housekeeping, haven’t seen him at all today. Housekeeping didn’t return my call. We went to tea around 4:15 today, had to ask 5 servers to get some hot water, finally a bar guy brought some to us. Went to a spa “ladies pampering party” (why weren’t men invited?) which was fine but they didn’t give any samples, to some peoples’ surprise. Dinner in Jacques was quite good, especially enjoyed a crab salad appetizer and Dover sole. Not getting offers to refill wine, or after dinner wine, not too big a deal, just that service thing. In general I’m finding the food very good, the service quite less so. Maybe we have cooties but we haven’t had any especially friendly (not even considering effusive) waitstaff or really any staff engagement at all. I’m really wanting to love this line and it’s challenging. Also a nitpick: salade nicoise at lunch had Kalamata olives, not nicoise! And dressing was tasteless, but even that took awhile to get after salad was delivered. Like I said, service hasn’t been great. Looking forward to hitting port tomorrow.

I’m on Marina right now as well, our first O cruise, 3rd “grownup” one. Way more kids than expected, the pool before embarkation was loud. Our PH is very nice, spacious and a nice sized balcony. Had the spa tour and abou 90 second free massage, definitely got less than the other ladies were offering😖 but it was fine. Went for the $500 spa drawing at 5:15 which took awhile as they pitched their various services. And there were 3 smaller gifts, not a single $500. I don’t think there’s anything you can buy with the $100 one except a manicure which I’m told is $79😳😳😳. We had no dinner reservation, walked into the MDR, said we were willing to share a table, and were offered Red Ginger as an option. They walked us over and we sat with a lovely couple (not on CC) from Calgary and a gentleman from Southampton, who booked within the last few weeks. The food was excellent, that sea bass really lives up to the hype. Service was ok, not great. Evening show was kind of as I expected. Sort of cheesy cruise line stuff (nitpicking- Fiesta usually refers to Mexico, but the music was all Cuban….cultural mistake? intentional?) but the cast seems talented, energetic and well rehearsed. Cruise director’s false laugh irritated us immediately. She has a nice voice. I love Brill Building music so we will probably do a show again. Something that surprised me included the sort of hype-y, cheerleader-y “how’s everyone doing tonight, what, I can’t hear you.” Just didn’t expect that on an upscale line. We are definitely younger than the average age by a good 10-15 years I think (all those kids may bring down the average lol). So sometimes a little slow moving but we’re doing mostly stairs anyway. Time change was supposed to be put on our clock last evening but wasn’t. Used the gym this morning, pretty decent although I think my home gym must be using a different weight system because I could barely move some of the circuit machines! I’d prefer pre-moistened wipes instead of paper towels and spray, but that’s another nitpick I suppose. We barely made breakfast (time change) at Terrace and will try to use MDR in the a.m. tomorrow as we don’t have an excursion planned in Skagen, I don’t love buffets but I will say they’re doing a nice job of keeping guest hands off the food by having staff serving. Bed is comfy, cashmere blanket is actually a thin pashmina so I’m gonna ask for a heavier one, it’s sunny yay, but chilly. Have Jacques tonight. Hope this isn’t too long, I was gonna start a post of my own but if I can continue here without being considered a hijacker, I’ll be happy. Would love a mahjong game this afternoon if anyone reading is interested, say 4 in the game room? I’ll stop there just in case.

Just to follow up, we drove almost 2 hours out of the way to see Stonehenge and it was closed due to a 25,000+ person Summer Solstice event last night. And I’m still hungry.

We’d like to visit with some friends who live there, and ideally we could start or end a trip in Newcastle. Upon searching I didn’t find much so I’m guessing I know the answer, still, there are no dumb questions, right? Thanks.

Hi, we are supposed to board Marina at 12:30 today but decided to stop and see Stonehenge since we don’t know when we might get back this way. We won’t ah e any problem boarding late, will we? Will get there closer to 2:30. I think we will miss lunch and I’m already hungry, but alas, when the hub is willing to do something off the agenda I grab the chance! Thanks.

Are the wines listed on the O website as available in the various dining areas offered for the “lunch & dinner” package or is there a more limited list?

Finally got it, thank you!

Just out of curiosity, how did you find the restaurant menus on the O website? I can’t figure out what to search and bot is no help.

We are water drinkers….Like I said, hopefully we’ll make some friends who’d enjoy the champagne on us!