warburg

Hello, clairol. We were on Riviera in March in a PH and we had green topped Bulgari. At least you know what PH's have been getting now. It's nice that the caps don't fall off and roll around. .

Mary

On 9/4/2019 at 2:54 PM, LHT28 said:

use it or lose it.

Thank you, LHT28. This quote makes sense to me, and it got me thinking. We live within 25 minutes of the P of M. When we do our next round trip Miami/Miami, it will be Cruise Only. I compared it with O life, and it makes economic sense. However, for our upcoming cruise, a TA originating in Rome, we want BC and O offers a good deal. We are not foolhardy enough to arrive on embarkation day, so we will pay the deviation fee. I learned something new today. I liked that!

Mary

 IMO, it is always a good idea to keep your carryons close up to the moment you enter your room. Crooks take cruises too and know all about carryons. We have seen any number of problems because the bag was stolen at the airport, maybe at the port, maybe, on the ship, checked at last minute and lost, disappeared into thin air, and so on. We have also observed several unhappy travelers who never had carryons, and whose checked bags were lost.

Mary

Classiccruiser777, my Steiner story was just annoyance, but scabies! End of story for me, too.

Mary

Greetings from South Beach, Everyone. Living as I do in the plastic surgery capital of the world, vanity is ever with us. I am slightly addicted myself. Especially on longer cruises I go to the spa. However, I never liked Steiner. Every visit was an exercise in avoiding the hard sell. When I asked where to  buy replacements for products I bought on board no one knew, so why buy. They were just too annoying so I hope it isn't them. It was so convenient to make CR appointments before boarding. Ah, the good old days.

Mary

Thank you, LHT28. You are correct about evaluating reviews. Check it out for your self.

Mary

As a frequent O sailor I would love to read the terrible review mentioned above. If someone in the know would post a link, maybe I will be able to read it . After a dozen tries, I gave up. Maybe it's my MacBook Pro. There is no search, so I have to rely on that long list of ships. When I highlight Riviera, it's meaningless. I never get there.There was a review like the one described here on Regent that I managed to read. We pick itineraries to match occasions, and lately they have fallen on Riviera and Explorer. We love to be on a ship for the biggies.

Our most recent O cruise was a 10 day Caribbean on Riviera in March of this year. A truly superb evening was the Dom Perignon dinner. Our favorite restaurants are Jacques and Polo and we dined there twice each. Once each at the other two, rounding off our trip with the Terrace and MDR.  To loosely paraphrase Mark Twain, we pick the stuff we like to eat, so what we eat is stuff we like. The main difference between our favorites and the others is the quantity  of stuff we like. However, we had no trouble the October 2020 TA from Rome to Miami while on board.

Mary

Greetings, Beachvue, from South Beach. DH and I have sailed on Marina and Riviera in PHs on deck 10, and are currently booked in one for the TA Rome to Miami in October of 2020. We have never been bothered by noise. The walk in closet is huge and very well appointed, and  bigger than the one we had in our PH on Regent's Explorer. It is large enough to hold all our luggage and has a large dresser with multiple deep drawers.There is also lots of storage in the suite. The bathroom is very comfortable.

We always choose port side because  we sail so often from Miami and get to see our condo from that side. Silly but fun for us.

Mary

Greetings, cruzemaven, from South Beach. StanandJim are right. Even before the security mania, getting in and out of the port is chaotic. No matter what you encounter, it won't last forever. I think it's just incompetence with a heavy overlay of union rules.

Mary

Hello, DeeniEncinitas. You can also use CC to reserve La Reserve and the Dom Perignon dinner before final payment, as we did for our March Caribbean cruise. It happened that we used the same card for final payment but not for on board expenses. Very simple. We will be boarding from Civitavecchia, and will bring on some  Italian wines for our stateroom. That's another thing O makes easy for passengers.

Mary

Greetings from South Beach, Sopwith. It is hard to find a line quite like Oceania. The included specialty restaurant, soft drinks, all liquor free coffees and assorted water are not typical. The all inclusives, like Regent, are in another category.  Cunard does offer accommodations at similar prices points, but there is considerable nickle and dime stuff in the lower levels.  Grill class includes perks,  in room liquors and wines, but we had to pay for drinks in the bar outside the Grills and around the ship.We haven't. sailed on QM2 since 2010 so that may have changed. You don't have to wear a tux on formal nights. A dark suit also acceptable, but those tuxes are everywhere. When we were aboard, casual was only acceptable after 6:00pm the first and last night. Informal meant  a suit and tie. On a seven day TA, there were three formal, two informal and two casual nights. It is possible to rent a tux.

We sailed QM2 very often because we were 20 minutes from Red Hook, its Brooklyn port, and we enjoyed the ship.

Mary

Greetings, Ariyel, from South Beach. Oceania's vessels are smaller than the floating small towns that are are fashionable  today. So, for openers, you will sometimes visit ports off the beaten path. You will also sail into hot spots and moor at a dock instead of tendering in. You will do this, while enjoying the features that make O unique. To misquote Mark Twain, the only way you can find  out if you like this sort of thing is to try this sort of thing. The sort of thing we like is the Dom Perignon Dinner.  An extremely interesting menu is served in La Reserve accompanied by three fabulous champagnes.

We discovered Oceania in 2004 when we sailed Insignia from Venice to Athens for 14 blissful days. Gone were the traditional tortures endemic on cruise ships, constant announcements about bingo, travel lectures, spa sales, boutique sales, gym classes, and more. And if you like photographs, photographers seemingly everywhere. Gone also were the conventional included dining venues with pretty good food, only excellent food if you paid more. On Insignia, food  was excellent everywhere, and reservations only restaurants were included. It is still that way today.  Ariyel,  have fun checking things out for yourself.

Mary

Classiccruiser77 is right about the QM2. My husband and I sailed seven TAs on her and two were in heavy seas. She is double hulled and has fabulous stabilizers. However, the experience is nothing like TAs on Oceania or Regent. QM2 does not stop at any ports and crosses in seven days now. There is plenty to do on board.and we enjoyed our time on her. Our next TA on Riviera will. be 16 days in length with several interesting ports along the way and very interesting sea days. The sea is unpredictable and is, after all, made of water. Today's ships have sophisticated equipment for tracking the weather and usually adjust the ship's course. We have taken over 60 cruises, survived them all, and plan to do the same thing next time. 

Mary

Hello, Kingofcool1947, from South Beach.  We have sailed both these lines, O's, Regatta, Insignia, Marina and Riviera, and Regent's Navigator and Explorer. We obviously like these products. Our last cruise was on Riviera in March, and our next is also on Riviera in October of 2020. A significant event occurs in the middle of both of these cruises. The next is a TA, and one of our favorite itineraries. That's how we do it. IMO, you can't wrong no matter which ship you choose, as long as the itinerary is taking you where and when and you want to go.

Mary

Hello, Everyone. In 2015, we sailed Insignia on a Panama Canal cruise in a PH. It was much smaller than a PH on Marina or Riviera. The bathroom had a tub and attached shower. Insignia has been refurbished, and that may have changed. We have sailed on Insignia, Regatta, Marina and Riviera and liked all of them. Our next cruise is on Riviera. Since all passengers dine in the same restaurants, and share most amenities,  it's the extras that differ.

Mary

Greetings from South Beach, Everyone, and Happy Mother's Day. In the recent past, we have sailed Regent three times and Oceania twice. Our next cruise is on Riviera because a special occasion occurs in the middle and we only have to fly one way to Rome. We hope there will be another Dom Perignon Dinner on board. In March we attended one on my birthday/our anniversary. Gastronomic Theater! We loved the PH on Explorer,  except for the wretched closet. The ship is beautiful with intriguing art everywhere. On two of our itineraries, we sailed to and from Miami, and flew one way on the other. When itineraries include two way flights, we usually skip those. We had the exactly the same flight arrangements on Riviera. We love this ship, and even though the Phs are not as grand  as on R, the closet is a dream. It is almost large enough to be a dressing room. The decor is also gorgeous and the art engaging. We are not foodies and are happy with the menus on both lines. Choosing between them is very enjoyable. Time to walk our Chihuahuas. Because it is Mother's Day, they will get an extra treat.

Mary

Hello, stokdok. The train trip to and from Warnamunda is tedious, and the bus tour won't be much better. Of necessity, the driver's overwhelming problem is where to park the bus. In our experience, that fact is supremely limiting. Berlin is a fascinating city, and it requires time to appreciate it. No matter what the tour costs in money, it is simply a poor use of time. Once, when we were moored in Warnemunda, it was the day of the Cutty Sark race. Not really a race, it was a gathering of gorgeous sailing vessels, some national. Lots of ceremony, music, national anthems and a party on the piers for the participants. There are charming places to visit in that area. Whatever you do, have fun.

Mary

Right on, Hawaiidan.  Fab photo. We live on South Beach, South of Fifth. This neighborhood is neglected by hordes because it has very few inexpensive bars and restaurants,  By contrast, in The Season, north of Fifth Street resembles Dante's Inferno. However, off season, all of South Beach is nice but warmer. Therein lies another anti hoard strategy. Visit places when the main industry shuts down, For example, ski areas are still pretty nice off season, especially if you like mountains. As travelers, checking out destinations is fun and pays off. Our next land trip is to Phoenix this July. In this case we are attending a big event and this is when it is. I am guessing that it is off season there. I've already checkout the hotel. Great air conditioning, You are correct about west/east TAs. Much more comfortable.

On 4/27/2019 at 1:17 PM, Mura said:

Mary, in November 2017 we stayed at the Traiano in Civitavecchia which was quite pleasant.  It's a 3 star.  We had a superior double room for 90EUR/day but rates may well have increased since we were there.  They also have suites and a few apartments if you want more space.

 

They do transfers to/from the airport for 110EUR (for 2 people) and there is free shuttle service from the hotel to the port in the morning.  The hotel is a longish walk to the port as I recall, but by vehicle it's quite quick.

 

 www.hoteltraiano.com

 

Mura

Greetings from South Beach, rucruisn2. If you live in a hot neighborhood, I'll bet you can do that. Look for websites.The hordes that descended on this neighborhood found housing somewhere. This building doesn't allow short term rentals, but it was amazing how many friends and relatives showed up to fill every crevice. The night of the game there was a fierce rainstorm. Not every Super Bowl is perfect.

Mary

Greetings from South Beach, Everyone. We were here during the last Super Bowl. Any space remotely able to house human beings was rented for exorbitant prices and long in advance. In this case, staying in the hotel the ship recommends might be the best solution. Traffic became another issue, but not at the time passengers will be heading for the ship.

Mary. 

Hello Hawaiidan, I looked for a Marriott property in or near Civitavecchia because I am not impressed with the reviews of the San Giorgio. I couldn't find any. We are also Marriott people and agree with you about the quality of their properties. If I am missing something, enlighten me. When I read about detached bathrooms and rooms that come with toilet paper and towels, I need more information. We will stay at the port somewhere because we are skipping Rome this time. Been there done that too many times. Too bad Riviera isn't leaving from Lisbon or Barcelona.

Mary

Thank you, LTH28, for your review. I enjoyed it especially because our first TA with O was in November, Rome/Miami, on Marina. Your posts are always enjoyable, and I will look forward to your CC return. We are also taking a kind of break from cruising because our next is October 2020.  It is the same itinerary as our first Rome/Miami TA, but on Riviera. I hope it doesn't snow on that one. It is certainly more likely than the new activity on your TA. Great photos. They were a first for me, Lyn.

Mary

Hello, Everyone., When booking BC, it pays to know when to do it. Our next international is October 2020. No airline that I know about now is booking that now. Hawaiidan, if you have an airline flying from Florida that does, let me know. Booking on board gave us the option to use Os pricing. Still, it is a long time time till May of 2020 when final payment is due. In the meantime, who knows what will happen to pricing and availability? AA is certainly having problems. All this in part of the adventure that is cruising.

Mary

Hawaiidan, what a funny post, the longest laugh of the day! (I am responding to the one with the photo of the Navy Yacht.)

Mary