Cruise-y

I don't know why anyone would want to put a mouthpiece in that has been in 1,000 other mouths, even if it is thrown in a bucket of water in-between. Snorkels are cheap and fit right into the side of your suitcase where nothing else fits anyway. I bring my own mask too because I can buy one that fits better. Plus, people snot into their masks. I'm sorry to be crude, but that's just the reality.

Lots of great lodging on the island. Wouldn't want the grief of airports to start my vacation. We drive down from Dallas Saturday before and stay on the island.

I'd definitely stay on the island rather than near the airport, where it's just so bleak and industrial. Yes it's little more expensive, but you are on vacation! You can start enjoying it right away with a long walk on the beach, expansive ocean views and a great gulf shrimp dinner. It's like having an entire extra day to enjoy. Then in the morning, you are just 15 minutes away from the port. The hotels don't require 2 nights, they know everyone is going on a cruise.

That was a very nice report. Thank you

Good morning, folks. I note with interest that if one is going to do any work on his computer, the balcony of a suite at sea is the place from which to do it. We have calm enough seas and pleasant weather, and I am ahead in the casino, so life is good. Most of my posts yesterday were short since I was typing on my phone, and I will try to write at a bit more length here.

 

Let me start with internet speed. I have whatever the faster package is (Surf + Stream?), and I have been pleasantly surprised with the speeds. Two years ago I did this cruise on the Navigator, and we were lagging even to download basic web pages. I don't know that I would stream video, but I am satisfied with what I have. There is huge latency (1577 ms), 2.1 down, and 0.2 up.

 

The dining room was great last night. I can't get to my photo right now, but it was the same mojo menu it has always been. The pork chop was really good. The desert was uninspired (the creme brulee), but the service was excellent. I will continue to take dinner there, for sure.

 

I commented yesterday that the new water slides are an excellent addition. It is a touch awkward to be a 43 year old fat guy in a line with a bunch of teenagers, but whatever. The addition of new water features seems to make the line at each one somewhat shorter. That green water slide is FAST. I shall go there again when I finish posting this.

 

The only real disappointment so far has been the spa. I had booked the Ionithermie inch reduction thing out of curiosity. I am dubious that it can work, but they seem to keep selling it, so I wanted to check it out. The only technician who can do that had to leave the ship for an emergency, and I didn't find that out until I went to the spa to verify appointment times. They wouldn't let me book another treatment at the same pre-cruise discount. When I did book another massage, the technician was superb. However, there was constant talking out in the halls. More significantly, there was a lot of noise from the deck above. Apparently, moving the golf course there has resulted in constant trampling right above the head of people receiving massages. I cancelled my Saturday treatment, and that wasn't even handled well-- I had to tell the lady at the front desk 4 times to do it before she finally would. Ugh.

 

The new suite lounge, however, is fantastic relative to the old concierge lounge. I love the open space, and the service was very good. I would write more, but I require coffee. More later. Lemme know if there is something in particular you would like to know about the ship.

Also, I will be a 65-yr-old grandma in line on the water slide, so don't feel embarrassed.

Don't know what to tell you folks. That is what the speed test said. There are lags, but it is working at an acceptable speed for web posting.

Good morning, folks. I note with interest that if one is going to do any work on his computer, the balcony of a suite at sea is the place from which to do it. We have calm enough seas and pleasant weather, and I am ahead in the casino, so life is good. Most of my posts yesterday were short since I was typing on my phone, and I will try to write at a bit more length here.

 

Let me start with internet speed. I have whatever the faster package is (Surf + Stream?), and I have been pleasantly surprised with the speeds. Two years ago I did this cruise on the Navigator, and we were lagging even to download basic web pages. I don't know that I would stream video, but I am satisfied with what I have. There is huge latency (1577 ms), 2.1 down, and 0.2 up.

 

The dining room was great last night. I can't get to my photo right now, but it was the same mojo menu it has always been. The pork chop was really good. The desert was uninspired (the creme brulee), but the service was excellent. I will continue to take dinner there, for sure.

 

I commented yesterday that the new water slides are an excellent addition. It is a touch awkward to be a 43 year old fat guy in a line with a bunch of teenagers, but whatever. The addition of new water features seems to make the line at each one somewhat shorter. That green water slide is FAST. I shall go there again when I finish posting this.

 

The only real disappointment so far has been the spa. I had booked the Ionithermie inch reduction thing out of curiosity. I am dubious that it can work, but they seem to keep selling it, so I wanted to check it out. The only technician who can do that had to leave the ship for an emergency, and I didn't find that out until I went to the spa to verify appointment times. They wouldn't let me book another treatment at the same pre-cruise discount. When I did book another massage, the technician was superb. However, there was constant talking out in the halls. More significantly, there was a lot of noise from the deck above. Apparently, moving the golf course there has resulted in constant trampling right above the head of people receiving massages. I cancelled my Saturday treatment, and that wasn't even handled well-- I had to tell the lady at the front desk 4 times to do it before she finally would. Ugh.

 

The new suite lounge, however, is fantastic relative to the old concierge lounge. I love the open space, and the service was very good. I would write more, but I require coffee. More later. Lemme know if there is something in particular you would like to know about the ship.

Thank you for your posts. I agree, if there is noise in the SPA hallway or above, it ruins the calming experience. I had the same problem on Navigator. I'm very curious about the MDR menu, so please elaborate. I already know the Internet will be slow.

In the interest of giving all viewpoints here, and not trying to be a crumudgeon, I will say I do not like being by the big elevator/stairwell areas (which is where the humps are) as I do find them noisy. This is a massive congregation area and sometimes elevators are slow so people are standing around talking and, yes, sometimes yelling down the hall to "hurry up, grandma." I know a lot of folks say they never hear elevator noise so this is just my humble input. I'm never bothered by deck chairs scraping around above me but other people are. So maybe it's a frequency range thing and everyone is different.

I do know the rooms around the edges of the humps (and the ones under the protruding spas) are the last to get booked, because I always book at the last minute. My erratic work, travel and family schedule won't let me plan anything in advance. There's no way I could ever book a cruise 18 months or a year or even 6 months in advance. So I'm an expert on the leftovers.

This is why I just run down to the Promenade and grab a coffee and pastry and run back up again. It takes 10 minutes, max. Then I'm out on my balcony enjoying the view with my hot coffee. Otherwise, I have to plan a room service delivery the night before, which means I have to plan exactly when I wake up (which I hate unless I'm on an excursion). Then, the delivery isn't right on time and I'm waiting around in my PJs and the coffee is delivered cold anyway. AND I have to figure out if a tip should be added on top of a service charge.

There is an option for bed configuration on the website. You have to dig around to find it but it is there.

RCCL Junior Suites are great. They are very roomy, have lots of storage, have a big deck (with room for a table, two chairs and at least one chaise lounge) and have a HUGE walk-in closet so all of your stuff is out of the way. If you've never upgraded from a regular deck cabin you'll be thrilled with the difference. You do not get the "suite" perks however, if you are wanting those.

Thank you Bob! I hope these menus stay current for the next 2 months without change.

We cruised RCCL in the summer of 2015 and loved the innovation of the MDR menus. Many were really creative and included selections with foods indigenous to the islands we were visiting. (And I say this as someone who lives in a major metropolitan area with lots of dining options). We enjoyed every adventurous night and never ate the from the "classics" section.

We are sailing RCCL again this summer (Liberty) and I hear that the MDR menu is changing to appeal to the mainstream. A few examples I've seen seem to trend toward more traditional (boring) dishes with big slabs meat, broccoli and mashed potatoes. Oh No!

Can someone who has sailed recently put my fears to rest? This is such a deal breaker for me. Thank you!

Hello

I've never sailed this cruise line and I was wondering about the cabins and food. I realize the views are spectacular but cabins and food are important to me. Can someone tell me the best ship in this line to use if I want a bit of luxury? Are there choices on the fixed menus or just one offering?

Also, do any of the stops last for more than a few hours? Or is this really a ferry? I would like to rent a car in some ports for some day trips.

Thank you

Does anyone know another cruise line that also offers a Bergen to Kirkenes cruise?

Thank you

I'm not sure this is the right place to post but will try and perhaps the moderator will move it to a better spot.

I want to take a cruise from Bergen to Kirkenes, Norway (or vice versa). I want to be able to rent a car for day trips in some of the ports (like Trondheim). The only cruise line I can find is Hurtigruten. I have misgivings...

1) This cruise line doubles as a ferry, stops 30 places on the route, and may only spend an hour or so in each port. Sounds hard for day trips.

2) The website barely works and I am having trouble navigating around it

3) The photos of rooms I can see look pretty dorm-room-like.

4) Not getting a warm and fuzzy about the food - buffets all the time or paying a la carte don't sound so hot. I'd really like a more luxury type liner.

So..... can anyone tell me either another cruise line to try (hopefully) OR convince me that my misgivings are misplaced? Perhaps tell me which Hurtigruten ship I should use?

Thank you for any help

On any flight over 4 hours getting more space..more anything is worth a lot

For me I have, through experience come up with a rule of thumb for my flying 0-4 hours coach just fine

4 to 7 hours Prem coach will do

8 to 11 hours Business, lie flat

12+ hours First class

So any way you can make the flifht more comfortable the better it is money well spent to arrive at your destination, well rested and well fed to start off your trip on the best of footings.

 

Many dont understand or appreciate what a long uncomfortable flight can do to their physical health and mental outlook.... The dont realize it can take several days to recover from a poor flight... This should always be a consideration for your travel... and the older you get the more important it becomes

 

When I flew for business, I was told to fly business or first because when the plane touched down they wanted me mentally sharp and ready to go to work with out delay... Could not do that riding in coach after 20 hours of flying ( SFO-SIN)

I so agree with Dan on this one. In the old days when I used to travel an 8-hour flight for work, I had to arrive in London the next morning ready to go to the office right away. I changed clothes in the plane bathroom, pulling on nylons and heels (ugh) in that cramped space. My company let me fly Business Class because I could actually lie down and sleep, which was crucial. There's no sleeping when you are sitting up in coach.

But... when you are on vacation it's bit different, because you don't have to be sharp. I try to fly Business Class (IMO it's as good as First) on the way to the destination, because you are anticipating the fun and want to be ready to go as soon as you land. Time is of the essence if you are spending a day or two in your port city before sail away. On the way back, I've managed in Premium Economy and the equivalent, because I'm just going to get home and crash. I flew an 11-hour flight from Cape Town to Amsterdam on KLM's upgraded Economy and it was fine. In those cases you just need the extra leg room and ability to extend the seat back to some degree.

Here's my tip, for what it's worth: Always use a credit card that gives you air miles. Use it for EVERYTHING - gas, restaurants, utility bills, groceries, online purchases, car payments, cruises, shore excursions. You can rack up a business class seat pretty fast. Then you can take the cruise's air credit and book your own flight. You won't have to worry about multiple connections (luggage loss), same-day arrival, 6 am flights and all that other yucky stuff.

I am currently on Insignia in Spain and am having an O Life Headache. Can anyone else out there tell me if they have had the problem I am describing below or know of someone who had the same problem and if so what they did and how do I resolve this situation?

 

I booked my cruise on July 25th 15 days before the August 9th sailing of Insignia. At that time I was offered the O Life Choice promotion which is either $1000 credit or 10 free shore excursions – 5 for me and 5 for my husband or a drink package. I took the 10 free shore excursions. I have the contract and the final billing paperwork. Now that I am on board and have booked all of my shore excursions and taken some of them Oceania is not honoring the 10 free shore excursions. I was told I did not book them all within 14 days of sailing. Mind you I bought the cruise 15 days before sailing and no one informed me I had less than 24 hours to book all of my shore excursions. So now guest services is charging me full cost for the 10 shore excursions and not honoring the 10 free ones I was supposed to have with the O Life Choice Program.

 

The way I found out I was being billed was I asked for my billing statement just to check it as I always do when I am at sea. I noticed I am owing far more money than I thought I should be so I went to the guest service desk. I was told that the sales receipt contract (in the fine print) says that the O Life Choice options must be selected within 14 days. I was not aware that was a condition for the O Life Choice promotion until today. Oceania is willing to give me an $800 credit but I feel cheated because tomorrow I am supposed to go on an excursion I would not have bought had I known I was going to be charged full price. Also the Choice promotion was for either $1000 credit or for 10 free shore excursions not for an $800 credit. Please let me know if you or anyone else you know has had that problem and what if anything can be done to fix the problem. The guest service desk is not willing to help me. Also has anyone taken an Oceania cruise with this promotion. If so did you TA tell you that you had to choose your shore excursions within 14 days of sailing? Mine didn't. Thanks.

I know it's frustrating because you booked excursions you might not have taken. Plus, by definition, they weren't even premium excursions. I'd be mad too. However, Oceania did give you $800 shipboard credit in return. That will cover your daily automatic gratuity requirements (plus any extras you want to add) and will probably cover all your alcoholic drinks as well. Have champagne in the lounges and good wine with dinner! Live it up! You don't have to buy t-shirts with it. It's not all bad (hopefully).

Mercy. I'm a grandma and children don't bother me. They are just children having fun. Come splash on me, it's ok.

I know everyone likes to make fun of Royal Caribbean here - but they do have a very nice, calm, shaded, upscale adults-only pool so you can avoid kids if you want to. It's the area where we usually hang out, with windows open to the sea - so lovely. And truly, no kids.

And I don't understand the chair hogger problem. In reality, there should be enough chairs available that this is not an issue. If there aren't enough chairs for your pleasure, then you are on the wrong ship. IMO

This is off subject to Oceania, but a million years ago when I used to sail Barefoot Cruise's Windjammer, an islander would row up to the ship with a boat full of redfish or snapper or such. All the fresh catch would just be displayed there on top of seaweed, in the bottom of the rowboat. The captain would look it over, buy whatever and we (25 or so passengers) would then have it for dinner. Served buffet-style on deck. Honestly, so freaking fresh, it was as good as anything I've ever had on a luxury ship.

May I suggest the rack of lamb?

Superb

It definitely does look delicious!

May I be a contrarian and say that we rarely use all the reservations we are entitled to? We just aren't than enthralled with all of the specialty restaurants. (If on an "O" ship at least there are more choices.)

 

So you may find as well that you are happy with other options once you are on board.

 

There are people who avoid the Grand Dining Room, but we aren't among them. We like the variety of menus offered. The specialty restaurants have set menus, and if you are on a month-long cruise you might well decide that you prefer the GDR or Terrace as well.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

Mura

I love Mura's post because I agree. We enjoy the daily variety and creativity in the GD. And anyway, there are usually several dishes from the specialty restaurants on the GD menu. If you live in a major U.S. city, you have access to a zillion steak houses of the same ilk as Polo Grill. And we don't eat steak that much, so it's just not a big deal to us. (If you live in a smaller town, however, I can totally understand the appeal.)

TALL guy here throwing in an opinion regarding space versus function in the Marina/Riviera PH suites. (No need to read further if you're under six feet.)

 

Yes, the PH suite has more living space than a veranda cabin, but it's more cluttered. The end result is that, to this former PH occupant, it doesn't feel that much roomier.

 

In particular, the chairs and table at the foot of the bed are a royal pain. When one's feet hang over the end of the mattress (as mine do), there's no hanging room unless the furniture is moved away from the bed. But by doing so, it becomes even more of an obstruction when groping through a darkened cabin to, say, visit the loo in the middle of the night.

 

Also, as an aside, the two chairs facing the sofa -- or one chair in the case of our Riviera trans-Atlantic in a PH -- are hard and uncomfortable. Definitely not a reading or lounging chair. Just more clutter unless you're an entertainer and need additional seating.

 

Yes, the closet space is definitely bigger and more useful in the O-class PH. Other than that…..meh.

 

On the other hand, PH suites on the R-class ships feel roomy, less cluttered and more comfortable in my subjective opinion…and the OP did specify "subjective." Diff'rent strokes…..

Thank you Dr. H. This is exactly the subjective opinion I was seeking. From the photos, it does appear to me that there is a lot of extraneous, trip-over furniture in a PH. Extra closet space is nice, because the clutter can all be confined there. But the chairs don't look inviting and I (personal opinion) really don't want to eat at the foot of my bed. There would be ketchup on the linens for sure.

When Marina and Riviera were first introduced we went through agonies with tape measures and slide rules before deciding that, for want of a better way to put it, their Penthouses are the size of two standard cabins joined together, with the square footage of the wall which would normally divide the two cabins excised.

With the exception of those cabins, or Penthouse Suites, which are described as having "extended verandas", mostly located on Deck 7, all cabin verandas share a common width (by which I mean the distance from the outside cabin door to the veranda railing). The length of each veranda is equal to the forward to aft measurement of its' adjoining cabin.

Thanks to all above who have responded. This has been most helpful.

Personally, I hate it when a cruise line includes air. It's never nice. It's usually 6 am, coach, multiple transfers, and arriving on the same day as the cruise so it's stressful if there are any delays. There's a reason why it's cheap (see the sentence ahead of this one). IMO it's a detriment when I'm choosing a cruise line.

Could somebody give me a subjective breakdown of the space comparisons between a PH and a veranda suite? I think the posted differences are like 420 to 280 sq ft. That seems like a lot, but I know a PH has a much larger walk-in closet and a bigger bathroom, which may take up a lot of that. I'm wondering about actual living room space, because both have a "suite" area with a table and sofa. The PH veranda is longer but not necessarily wider? Thanks

I think Mediterranean cruises will be deeply discounted. The terror threat is real.

I live in Dallas. We had the first Ebola breakout in the U.S. last year and a massive, horrific killing 2 weeks ago. Why would I stay away from Europe? I'll probably be safer there. The terror threat is everywhere, friends. (Send those Med discounts my way).