Mareblu

On 5/21/2022 at 10:29 AM, lahore said:

These days I'd rather go on a more costly small line (e.g., Oceania, Azamara) less frequently, than a 'mass market' line more frequently.  Nothing to do with Covid, more to do with us being anti-social. We don't like children on cruises and we really, really value good food and interesting destinations.  So it's not a per-night question really - some people might cruise three or four times a year on cheaper lines, we might cruise once a year on a line that costs four times as much.    All of us are happy, and that's the main thing.

That’s us in a nutshell.  We prefer once a year or even every two years, in a spacious, well-appointed suite.  We choose Oceania more  often than not, for the same reasons you nominate.  This year is unusual:  a 14 day Oceania on Sirena then after some time in Cornwall and Somerset, we fly to Barcelona to board Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, sailing home to Sydney on its repositioning cruise.  First time on Cunard, so it will be interesting to compare the two cruise lines.

Les, it’s such a relief to see you back in the thread, and to know you have an another exciting cruise adventure to look forward to.  I’ve been very concerned because you always post so many interesting and humorous contributions.  You are courageous and caring to share, because we all, at some stage in our lives, feel a bit lost, and wonderful souls like you help more than you can imagine.  You have the great fortune of raising an amazingly supportive family who obviously care deeply for you.  
Right, now we all want to hear regularly what you’re up to as you count the days to boarding HAL.  Oh, and more foodie photos 😋

7 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

Sorry to hear you have COVID. Rest, rest, rest and drink plenty of water. Get well soon. 🙂

Good advice, and I add my best wishes, Leigh.

3 hours ago, nursinadream said:

What a great thread.  This topic is of great interest (and importance) to me.  This group here sure does cover all the bases, huh?  Home roasted and fresh ground, high end espresso machines, imported coffee all the way to a couple mentions of Dunkin (😝, I'm from the midwest and live with lots of Northeasterns who swear by that vile drink).  Morning coffee is a highlight of my day.  I am touched by the numbers of you who say their kind and dear partners will fetch something from afar.  My DH will do the same once I sort out what tastes good to me. We both drink hot strong bold Starbucks from a store or made with a pod at home - I know that's not much of a coffee purist thing but it works for us.  It comes as little surprise that the coffee lovers here don't enjoy the dining room and other dispensed coffees.  I'm gonna count on baristas and Horizons for my morning coffee.  Thanks all.  

Our first O cruise commences June 27.

Wishing you clear skies and sparkling seas...enjoy your Oceania experience🐬

On 5/11/2022 at 11:01 AM, Russell21 said:

Got a friend who loves Rosemary, he's been married to her for 45 years. 

My husband was born in northern Italy.  He taught me to love rosemary😊🌿

9 hours ago, Kate-AHF said:

 

Sigh.  Our problem as well.  The cruise you and I we are both on is nearly completely paid-for by FCC that is supposed to be expiring this year.  The following two cruises (this is a B2B2B for us) are paid for in cash.  If that cancel that first cruise (and, like I've said before, I don't think so because the ship has to be SOMEWHERE during that time) then they had damn well better let me apply it to next year's Riviera cruise.

My sentiments exactly.

Chunky beef pies from Garran bakery today.  Delish.  Also yummy:  Fyshwick market pies😋

On 5/16/2022 at 10:23 AM, basor said:

Here is a link to the roll call for the Viking to Baltics Shores Oslo to Portsmouth 30AUG to 01 OCT that we were originally booked on......your cruise is the second half of this cruise.   So people booked on our cruise canceling would have affected the availability on your cruise - 

 

Thanks, Basor.  I suspected yours was in fact a b2b, which explains the Arctic component.  Well, our TA has forwarded a reply from Oceania.  In effect, Oceania is determined to proceed with all listed Baltic sailings for this year (although I recall reading very recently the co. has cancelled all Baltic cruises for next year).  The reply stated the political situation would have to escalate dramatically for any change of itinerary.  Oceania also announced in the reply that many of the company's executive staff, including the CEO, will be on board the various 2022 Baltic cruises.  I guess that's one way to fill the ships😉.  Oceania stated further, that should they cancel our cruise, they would refund the deposit and transfer the FCCs they are holding on our behalf to any other cruise.  Our problem is that any such voyage must be taken by the end of 2022 for the FCCs to be honoured.  That would be almost impossible, because Oceania cruises to any other location are almost fully booked, if not completely booked.  We have decided to simply have faith that Whimsical Europe will sail as scheduled ✌️

19 hours ago, basor said:

Go find the roll call for this cruise and you will get a sense of people's thoughts.

I've been posting on this cruise's roll call for over a year.  At the moment, there seems to be only three couples, including ourselves, who are still active.  Even the kind cruisers who started the roll call appear to be missing.  There's no way of knowing, of course, just how many are still sailing, because not all passengers are CC members, but usually a decent proportion of them are.  I can't see Sirena sailing with so few.  When, oh when, will we be advised and informed?🤦‍♀️

19 hours ago, basor said:

We were supposed to be on this sailing (booked when first came out 18 months ago) because of the itinerary going to St P and up into the Artic....we canceled when the itinerary eliminated the stops in the Russian ports and going into the Arctic.  We agree with them canceling those ports but not interested in the new itinerary.   The cruise was sold out almost immediately upon release of the itinerary up to Russia invading Ukraine and the elimination of the Russian ports.  There were many cancelations at that time and the cruise had/has lots of availability.  Since they have already released the new itinerary and people are booking for that itinerary, I believe that O will not cancel the cruise unless there is a major change in the war in Ukraine that effects all of Europe.  Go find the roll call for this cruise and you will get a sense of people's thoughts.

Maybe you were booked on a somewhat similar cruise, because Sirena's Whimsical Europe does not venture to the Arctic;  or maybe you were doing a b2b which included the Arctic?  Anyway, I do agree that many cancellations would be due to St Petersburg being cancelled.  I applaud their swift move to avoid any Russian port after this terrible, brutal invasion.  We're actually very happy with the revised itinerary, because although we've cruised the Baltic before (with Seabourn), and visited Copenhagen many times on other trips, we've never actually been to Stockholm, so an overnight there suits us perfectly.  St Petersburg was  a wonderful overnight on the Seabourn cruise, so we've no need to revisit at this stage, but I do feel for all those who were looking forward to what would have been for many a highlight.  Our main concern is that it's a long way from Australia to the UK and Europe, and we need far more than a few days' notice of Oceania's decision to cancel this cruise, if that is the intention.  We don't mind a complete repositioning of the cruise, provided it embarks and disembarks in Portsmouth (or Southamptom for that matter).  Our problem is that all our flights and pre and post cruise accommodation bookings are locked in.  Anyhoo.....we'll just have to wait and see.  It would be rather nice if Oceania showed the same enthusiasm for contact now as it did when enticing us all to book our cruises.

We are booked on Sirena's Whimsical Europe Baltic cruise (Portsmouth-Portsmouth) embarking 17 September this year.  All categories of suites and staterooms are now showing "available", whereas pre-Ukraine invasion and Oceania's subsequent St. Petersburg cancellation there were few showing vacancies.  Our TA has written to Oceania asking whether there is a possibility the cruise may be cancelled, and if so, our situation regarding refunds or FCCs.  Awaiting a reply.

7 hours ago, patty1955 said:

I've actually considered switching to tea when I travel since I get so much bad coffee, especially on cruises.

Baristas serves Illy coffee.  Truly delicious, and the genuine article, brewed from freshly ground beans in their espresso machine.  

On 5/9/2022 at 8:07 AM, Flatbush Flyer said:

We put at least two (if not three) bags per pot of hot water. DW doesn’t use any cream. But I love her anyway.😍

Agree with everything except cream in tea.  Black yes, added milk, also yes, but cream?  Great with coffee though.

Baristas uses Illy coffee, which along with Lavazza, makes the best "real" coffees on the planet.  We are fortunate enough to have a Jura espresso machine, and we use fresh Lavazza Gold beans, which the machine grinds fresh for each cup.  Give me espresso, ristretto, piccolo latte, latte or cappuccino, but please, with all due reverence and respect to you all, nothing from a drip filter or can.  Unless the coffee is a good brand, though, it can taste bitter, but no amount of water would fix it.

On 5/7/2022 at 5:09 AM, MMDown Under said:

Richie's Bakery Tewantin -  What a find!  We spent $50 on traditional Cornish Pasties, gourmet bread, cakes, slices, Portuguese tarts, and muffins. They are located at the back of a garage so not easy to find.  

richiesbakery.com.au

I'll have to remember that find.  Do you need a password?

11 hours ago, Hogbay said:

Happy for you that Yzo got a Great TA .....

But $$$$$ gone .

 

 

And by the way we will never know whom your TA is 

We all know that TAs must never be named on CC, which is a sensible rule.  TAs would take over the threads, otherwise.  I certainly had no intention of even hinting at her identity.  I simply wished to make the point that as in any industry, there are good and altruistic souls.  I'm not sure about the "$$$$$ gone".  Are you referring to TAs who may not have passed on refunds?  If so, and they exist, then I couldn't agree more that such behaviour is not only illegal, but also deplorable.  Our TA has consistently and punctually passed on any refunds due to us, and to family members and many friends who also engage her services.

12 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Plenty of bigger companies still flying under the radar

Yes, HN not alone, apparently.

Oh, and my favourites to return to many times:  my travel diaries which I keep religiously for every trip.  It's so easy to forget the little details, and just one page can conjure memories of an entire voyage.  The first year (2010 I think) I had an iPad, I thought I was far too clever to keep a handwritten journal, and then couldn't find the texts I'd written.  Back to basics, which I've done ever since😊

58 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

Apparently Harvey Norman repaid $6.02million of the $22 million they received. Better than nothing, but ...... I'll say no more.

Yes, you were right to correct me.  I do know that they repaid a small proportion of the grant.  Still, though......I'll say no more either🙂

On 5/5/2022 at 4:03 AM, NSWP said:

Church St Pizza, heading south, over the bridge, turn right at the 1st set of traffic control light signals and it is on the right, byo.🍕

So, Les, we gave Zero (Dononegan's replacement) a try.  😞  Please come back, Shea.

3 hours ago, Hogbay said:

Yep plenty of them shut up shop and took the money .your example is not the norm of the industry. You are extremely lucky. 

That is a generalisation, not always a wise observation.  I can only (and did above) speak for our experience.  I do know that TAs took a huge hit with COVID, and many only survived for as long as they did, keeping staff in  employment, btw, through Jobkeeper.  It couldn't last forever;  there's no such thing as a bottomless moneypit, but it was an innovative and generous scheme to keep food on the table for many families, young and old.  I doubt that TAs could simply take those funds without employment records.  I recall reading that "Hardly Normal" was a different story.  Made a profit and didn't return the grant.  I also doubt that any TAs could have made a profit during COVID.

Our TA of many years is like a member of our family.  I couldn't recount all the instances she's tirelessly  advocated for us, always refusing to take "no" for an answer.  I have on occasions contacted cruise lines direct when a cruise we've booked has later been advertised at a lesser price (half, one time) and been politely informed that the price would remain as the price we booked.  Our TA has had those decisions reversed, so that once we enjoyed a wonderful Oceania cruise at half the price we booked it.  Her knowledge, and therefore her advice, are both the products of years of dedicated service, and a passion for travel and all it entails.  We always research and book our own overseas and local accommodation and transfers, and our intra-Europe flights.  Ditto for researching future cruises, mainly itinerary-driven.   For our international flights and cruise bookings, we don't hesitate in contacting our TA.  There's a saying in the industry:  "without an Agent, you're on your own".

If I have time to give potatoes a flourish:  Leave peel on, cube and simmer slightly in salted water till only slightly tender.  Drain, then vigorously shake saucepan with lid on till potato cubes are very rough around edges.  Turn oven to 200.  (that's centigrade, Blackduck🙂) Spread on a plate and allow to dry out.  Toss in ev oil in a bowl, then spread on baking paper on an oven tray.  Roast till they're really crisp.  They'll be fluffy inside.  Toss in sea salt flakes and a few rosemary needles fresh from the garden.  Yummm, they all say🥰

15 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

My birthday today, and surprise surprise  I love Rosemary with everything.

Happy belated birthday, Mic.  

3 hours ago, NSWP said:

Church St Pizza, heading south, over the bridge, turn right at the 1st set of traffic control light signals and it is on the right, byo.🍕

Yes, I know now.  Red brick front....been there a long time?   Going to Batehaven today for a couple of days.  Just post on here if you'd like to meet up for (a) a drink and a bite at Catalina or somewhere, or just a drink,    (b) a coffee at the Bakery.  And a belated Happy Birthday for last week.