Mareblu

Great news: At least on Sirena, the recent refurbishment has resulted in a total digital upgrade, with interactive large screens identical (as far as I can see) to those on Viking. Viking was way ahead, in our opinion, with the interactive info, but now it seems Oceania is on a par. I imagine all other "reimaginings" in O's fleet would have the same treatment. Overdue, and very welcome.

Then I stand corrected 😊 Our last Oceania cruise was 2018, so changes happen with time. It'll be interesting to see when we're aboard Sirena what we'll be offered in the Prestige Package.

Has anyone heard from Les? Hoping all is well. Maybe doing a road trip?

One more crucial point: tried in vain today to purchase Prestige Package, as we have done in the past. Our TA spoke with Oceania senior rep who advised that drinks packages may now only be purchased once we are aboard. From memory, the wines were by the bottle in the Prestige Package.

Thanks, Lyle. It's actually only 12.41pm here, just past midday here on your birthday. Have a great day.

Les, missing your humour and witty quips. Are you well?

Mid January outside in WA sweltering usually. Hopefully guests will be seated in the shade. Inside reception will almost certainly be air conditioned. Formal is tough in the outside summer for chaps; not so much for ladies who will undoubtedly arrive resplendent in chic, slinky gowns. Solution: icepack tucked in shirts for chaps🤷🏻‍♀️

Thank you Leigh. Are you still in Cairns? I’ll drop you an email tomorrow😊

Happy birthday for Tuesday, Lyle. It’s our wedding anniversary 23rd too. We’ll raise a glass to you🍷

A valid question, rizello. It's a huge leap to your first cruise on a different line. We have cruised on both Viking and Oceania, and each has advantages and some major disadvantages. Our only Viking cruise was a b2b, from Vancouver to Tokyo, and continuing on the next cruise to Hong Kong. That gave us a total of five weeks aboard, certainly long enough to make a comparison. We are about to embark on our fifth Oceania cruise, because it always feels like home. Yes, Viking offers so many inclusions, but not all are worthwhile. The free shore excursion in each port is quite often not the one you would choose from all offerings, the included alcohol is fairly basic (we opted to pay for the premium package; not for the volume, but for the quality), and wifi is offered free on both O and V. We did love Viking's interactive IT system, and the daily electronic diary was really helpful. The difference is in cuisine and delivery of service. The food in all but the specialty restaurants was woeful: oversalted, poorly presented, and unenticing. Oceania's cuisine has always been superb, and each restaurant has an air of elegance and comfort. The Viking staff members were very pleasant and with one exception, very helpful, but Oceania staff feel like family. Totally different vessels: We have sailed on Oceania's Marina, Nautica and are to embarking Sirena in just over three weeks. The ships are older and smaller (with the exception of Marina), with an atmosphere of a comfortable country club, without the formality. Our Viking Orion was the epitome of Nordic design, decor and efficient comfort: sleek, elegant and with truly impressive public spaces. Why have we chosen to return to Oceania? We know it will feel like coming home.

*Julie

They are, Jie. Not too salty or fatty, but not always available

Snapped up some Tasmanian apple and pork sausages at Fyshwick Markets (Canberra) this morning. They are always delicious 😋

Oh gosh, sorry for typo. Yes, 17 September. We are boarding Cunard QE in October…mixed our ships🙃

Even I need a gin and tonic after that😂

Have a wonderful cruise. We are embarking Sirena on 17 October, so we may pass each other on the gangway🙂 Please, if you are able, keep us informed on how things are. Many thanks.

Very dashing, Les. Mario had one decades ago, made in HK while we were there. The kids still snigger about it, lol.

Do you mean to tell us, Les, that you do not possess a powder blue safari suit?

Cinderella will never get to the ball. Maybe she’s cancelled too😱

I was delighted when one of our granddaughter’s high school renamed their annual celebration day “Grease”. She told me the music was “cool”. They raised a substantial amount for breast cancer research💓

It was fairy penguin when we were watching these gorgeous little creatures emerge from the water at dusk on Phillip Island. That’s how the rangers described them. That was just three years ago.

It’s been whispered fairies may dine on birdseed

Flying rats are pigeons, not fairies

Oh, and Les, that Friulano pinot grigio (served sublimely chilled) is another reason to return to Sandbar. Do you remember which wine you chose, Julie?

Definitely. They’re carbon fairies🤣