Mareblu

1 hour ago, MicCanberra said:

I thought about going to Uni now that I am retired, but that didn't  last long.

The uni thought or retirement?🙃

53 minutes ago, Docker123 said:

You may never be too old to learn.

 

But I can assure you, after decades of experience, you can be too old to teach.

Docker, if you are a skilled teacher, as I suspect you are, your knowledge will be constantly imparted, in subtle and varied ways.  Don't underestimate yourself 👨‍🎓

25 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said:

Congratulations. Even though this was probably a few years ago, congratulations are still due.🙂

How did you guess?😂

3 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

Well done to your daughter, and no nEver too old to learn, before my health really went downhill I was contemplating adding a higher degree  just to fight monotony. Mrs G left school at 15 went to Uni at 33 got he4 PhD at 41

My story is almost identical...had to leave school at 15 due to family circumstances, then began my degree in my forties.  My children were at the same university (much to their horror, I suspect😉).I was, and still am, astonished to be awarded the uni's major award on graduation.  The kids said they thought I could only cook.  Never undestimate the power and allure of the urge to learn, at any age.  I must add that having a wonderfully supportive husband, and setting the dinner table in the morning, all helped.

3 hours ago, Kate-AHF said:

 

I'm not that worried that they will substantially change the itin again.  Sirena is already doing Norway in the previous cruise, and though they could, in theory, change to a France + itin, she is basically doing that on the subsequent sailing.  And the ship has to be "somewhere" in that time period between Norway and France.  Guess we will just have the ship to ourselves. 😉 

Perfect scenario, Kate 🥰

2 hours ago, NSWP said:

Thanks Neil...hey, you will be envious , going to Raymonds 🍷🍜this evening with daughter and family to celebrate her getting her Masters degree yesterday in Canberra...Master of Social Work.

 

I will have a steamed dim sum for you guys, lol.

Wonderful achievement.  Congratulations to your daughter.  UC?  

10 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

No photos I'm afraid. Manfredi's was excellent, we are so happy Tanya in customer service got us in, we thought we were going to miss out on that. It was a long dinner but service was excellent, we never felt abandoned. I even asked for a specific port to finish and our wine steward went out of his way to get it (he brought over a brand new bottle). Nectar of the gods.

Chef's Table was also very good it was the Asian menu. We even had the boat show as the pilot boat came alongside to pick up the pilot. Funny thing I asked for the same port we had the night before in Manfredi's and was told it was only available by the bottle. I thought that was strange. Suffice to say that just made the previous wine steward all the more impressive. 

I'm so relieved and happy for you that your last two dinners were so enjoyable.  We agree that Manfredi's was the top spot;  we didn't have one complaint over many dinners.  Chef's Table was also really good, except for the French nights...we found those offerings rather heavy on the digestion compared to the other theme nights.  Your post reminded me that themes (about five I think) are rotated there.  If all the Orion's cuisine was Manfredi's, we'd be happy to sail with Viking again.  Sadly, it isn't.  Hope you're settled after the heaving seas, and looking forward to your East Coast experience.

On 4/19/2022 at 5:39 AM, Blackduck59 said:

Okay here is a short after action report for our recent Pacific Coastal Viking Voyage.

First the ship is beautiful, immaculately maintained. The design elements are simple and functional, there was comfortable seating everywhere (even for a portly gentleman like myself).

Our cabin was comfortable, although the entry hall was quite narrow. We enjoyed the heated floors and no fog mirror in the bathroom. As for the bathroom it was nice but not better than the bathroom we had on Celebrity Eclipse. The "Deluxe Veranda" cabin itself and the veranda were both smaller than our Deluxe Veranda on Eclipse. 

The buffet was nice enough, I was able to assemble a "B 52" Breakfast from the selections available. After the second dinner fiasco in the "Restaurant" (more on that later) we decided to eat our meals in the "World Cafe" (the Buffet) There were king crab legs on the buffet every night, and a selection of sushi. The buffet was not the same on port and starboard so those not in the know would miss the sushi or crab legs if they didn't go up both sides of the ship. In comparison the Viking buffet is half the size of Celebrity with a much smaller selection.

As for "The Restaurant" it is a beautiful space with large clear view windows running floor to ceiling on both sides. The seats are comfortable and the tables are set with nice flatware and white linen and table coverings and napkins. All the ingredients are there for a fabulous dining experience. What went wrong you ask? Well it's all about service and situational awareness. When we arrived the first night we were seated promptly at a lovely table for two, a basket of bread placed on the table and wine was poured, then the wheels fell off. They seated a table of 6 next to us with one of that party wearing heavy perfume. That of course sent Lynn into an asthmatic reaction, we were quickly re-seated to the other side of the ship. Here is where "situational awareness" comes in, no sooner had we been re-seated than they seated another woman with perfume on close by. It wasn't as bad as the first time so we just stayed put. The next night we went back and made it clear about Lynn's problem with perfume. We were seated in the extreme back corner of the restaurant. It felt like the naughty seats, but the view was good. Dinner service was painfully slow and after a little over an hour we were waiting for dessert. I guess they have short memories at the reception desk because they seated not one but 2 perfumed ladies next to us. That was the end of dining in "The Restaurant".

We did have a great person named Tanya in customer service who managed to get us the "Guaranteed" Specialty dining experiences included in our fare. Those were our last 2 dinners on the cruise.

To sum up, Viking Orion is a lovely ship and the crew works very hard. Unfortunately the execution is lacking and compared to our experience on Celebrity Eclipse the premium price is NOT justified.

Lyle, how were your meals in Manfredi's and The Chef's Table?  Any photos of those presentations?

1 hour ago, NSWP said:

Just a big Melanoma on chest, thanks.  Many cafes and restaurants down here have shut down because of staff shortages, isolation, covid etc. They open for a few days then close again.  Yes a large retiree population, vunerable. As you would know it was very busy down this way the past week which adds to the risk of catching lurgy. Population of 18,000 triples or quadruples in holidays, I often think I am in the ACT when more than half the cars driving around here have ACT plates. lol.

 

As for the BB hospital, no ventilators for covid patients, nearest ones at Bega Regional Hospital or Nowra, couple of hours away.  A new regional hospital is to be built at Moruya but that is 5 to 10 years away I reckon. So if a cruise ship stops at Eden and drops off a load of sick people, there will be dramas.

Melanomas are not our friends.  Hope yours was in situ, as my two were.  They look so innocent, but that's how they work, of course.  Years of sunbaking (no sunscreen in those childhood days) did me no favours.  It's great to see how the kids of today are so aware (most of them, anyway).  Christmas, Australia Day weekend and Easter are manic times for the coast.  Our kids go down then, but we wait till school hols are over.  Catalina and the other beautiful coast courses are a lot friendlier out of holiday times, too.  Yes, a shipload of any virus at Eden would be beyond difficult.  Take care.

Grazie, RD64.  We thoroughly enjoyed your uncle's interview, and it's sad to know he passed, but his wonderful legacy will continue to enrich our world.  We have shared with very appreciative Friulano friends.   Heartwarming to listen to his story in his fluent Furlan.  We have cousins in Codroipo.  Keen golfers, as we are, they are members and play at Lignano.  We have played there and at Fagagna.  Just before I return to this thread's topic (so we won't be closed down by our sensible moderator), I defy anyone with linguistic insight to claim Otto's expressive words could be understood by Italians generally.

The only sensible suggestion, IMHO, for those wishing to really enjoy the wondrous atmosphere and unique taste of Venice, is to stay a few days there prior or after the cruise, providing Trieste is the port for embarkation/disembarkation.  I'm so grateful we had the magical experience of sailing out of Venice, in its ethereal silver twilight, on a cruise several years ago.  I can well understand, though, why it is necessary to sadly deny that experience to fellow cruisers.  

Do you always cruise with Oceania, RD64, and if so, which cruises have you done?  We are very much looking forward to our Sirena Baltic experience in September, if it still sails those waters.  We won't mind if it is relocated, as it's the cruise that's our destination for this year, after so long stranded ashore.  Since Oceania quite rightly cancelled the St. Petersburg overnight stay, all the stateroom categories which were previously showing "wait list" are now listed as available, so we're really not sure if there are sufficient passengers still sailing to make it viable.  We just would like to know as early as possible, so that we can make other arrangements if Sirena departs from a port other than Portsmouth as planned.  Happy sailing to all.....  

Linda

15 hours ago, NSWP said:

I have just come back from Batemans Bay Medical Centre to have some stitches out. The nurse told me the Batemans Bay Hospital which is a 30 bed hospital is in lockdown due to many covid patients admitted in the last couple of days and occupying most of the beds. No accident and emergency admissions either, being directed to Moruya half hour south.  The lurgy is out out of control down here.

Sorry to hear you had sutures, for whatever reason.  Never comfortable.  We are all expecting COVID to become endemic rather than pandemic, and so spread through the community.  What concerns me is so many needing hospital admission at The Bay.  I wouldn't expect that with the high vaccination rate we enjoy in Australia now (here in the ACT it's close to 100% of eligible people), but then again there are many retirees and older people on the coast, enjoying that beautiful part of the world, so I suppose with the compromising health issues that come with ageing, perhaps it should be expected.  The other issue, and maybe the most significant, is the massive influx of tourists and visiting families now that restrictions have been eased.  It will be telling to see how admissions are in a few days, after the Easter long weekend just gone.  Be cautious and stay well, Les.

Happily, it seems we all agree.  I have never been tempted to cruise with P+O, as the passengers' (some, certainly not all) antics on the occasional shorter Pacific coastal cruises have made headlines here in Australia.  Certainly there was a tragic case, admittedly quite a few years ago, that was investigated for a long time.  I'm sure there have been many P+O cruises that have been the very antithesis of those, but in any case we prefer, if we're embarking on a cruise, to travel to farther destinations to enhance the wonder.  Back on topic, we have purchased drink packages on two occasions in the past, on Oceania and Viking.  The reason:  the wines offered were certainly palatable, and the convenience of not having to sign for each and every glass.  We have never consumed "the daily allowance".  We have no intention at this stage of purchasing the Cunard offering, although it's always wise to peruse the wine lists on the first day aboard, compare those to the package offered, and make a choice at that time.  I believe Cunard allows that first day for that purpose.  I tend to think, however, that we will continue our intention of selecting each day.  We would normally have a few alcohol-free days per week anyway, aboard or not.  We're simply looking forward to an enjoyable, relaxing and tranquil experience at sea, which is what I wish all my fellow passengers.  Happy sailing, everyone.

I meant to add that if cruise lines regularly stop in Trieste from now on, some may consider staying over.  Then Udine and Venezia could both be reached.

4 hours ago, RD64 said:

They have been working on that road forever. The stretch from Udine to Venice has been under construction for as long as I can remember. From my grandmother’s house to Marco Polo airport is exactly 98 kilometres, and if you get caught in traffic - God help you if you haven’t given yourself enough time. Udine to Trieste can also cause great stress as Mareblu mentioned. Speaking of…Mareblu - I am shocked and impressed that somebody on these boards knows of Udine - if you ever find yourself back there again, make sure that you get to Pieri Mortadella - my favourite go to.

Where is Pieri Mortadella, RD64?  And where is your grandmother's house?  My husband is from Tarcento (he constantly reminds me it's the "Perla del Friuli").  Haven't been for just over three years, but we are very close to our cousins and their families.  Mario's family (both sides) is originally from Attimis.  We haven't been since the plague, but we do miss everything about Friuli.  

3 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

I spent quite a few years working part time in Rotorua and at one stage there was a pheasant farm nearby and one of the restaurants I used to go to regularly always had it on their menu. I rarely see it in Australia though. 😪

 

A highlight of one visit to London in 2008 was trying grouse. It was served with all the traditional accompaniments, so many of them! I  thoroughly enjoyed it. I think I had gooseberry fool for dessert - gooseberries are rarely seen in Australia either - so it was a memorable meal. 

Grouse is served on Cunard;  I noticed it when I was checking dining details for our cruise in October.  Yummmm.   Had it in the Scottish Highlands (land of my ancestors) a few years ago and just loved it.

4 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

The East Coast cruise will be in August (the 23rd is my birthday) I don't think that Newfoundland is on the later itinerary. Unfortunately no fall foliage. I think the weather may be a little less desirable in late September, early October. 

Lynn didn't appreciate this

 

 

Orion did not ride this well 🤔.

Sorry about the lurching.  I actually love a roiling sea, don't know why.  I hate flying though😬, and can understand you didn't find the conditions at all pleasant.  Your birthday is our wedding anniversary🙂

Anyhoo...I won't tell you how much you'll enjoy your East Coast cruise, because I seem to have jinxed this one for you.

11 hours ago, JeffElizabeth said:

I chose to take the panoramic tour of Venice this week and enjoyed it but traffic and construction from Trieste to Venice cut into our tour time. And taking the Oceania bus to the Venice Airport was also a long drive.  It was very nice visiting Venice this month, not very crowded at all. 

They are always working on that road, and the road from Trieste to Udine.  They are the main routes for delivery trucks (thousands and thousands of them🙄 to and from Eastern Europe.  

1 hour ago, NSWP said:

G'day young Lyle, first up let me thank you for your reports etc from Viking Orion, sorry it did not meet you expectations.

 

Secondly, the New England/Canada East Cost cruise, you will enjoy that. We did it on P&O UK's Aurora, from Southampton, so we had the transatlantic there and back, so it was about 3 and a half weeks all up.   Visited NY, Boston, Newport RI, St.Johns, Quebec City, Halifax, Sydney (Canadian version lol.) couple of others too from memory, Charlottetown rings bell, Anne of Green Gables etc.   NY, Boston and Quebec City were overnight/two day ports, so saw a bit.

 

We did it with NCL (not Viking Lyle) and it would be up there with our best cruises of all time.  A magic part of the world, particularly if you go in "The Fall" as we did.  It was also a significant birthday for me.  When I suggested New England for a birthday trip, my husband's eyes lit up.  Lots of good golf courses around Glen Innes, Inverell, etc., he gushed.  I said to think of Boston, Charlottetown, etc.  We absolutely loved it.  After the cruise (NY to NY) we did a fabulous land tour with Tauck through Vermont, etc.  Years earlier we played 18 in BC on the other side of the country for his significant birthday.  Sadly, my arthritic hands no longer allow me to play, but he still plays at least twice a week.  

1 hour ago, MicCanberra said:

The pheasant pluckers gone

We once went to a combined birthday party where we halfway through the evening sheets of that song were passed around and we all had to sing it.  Hysterical😆

5 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Each ship is different. Some are more flexible than others. Princess used to have lobster and pheasant on the same formal night menu. I think the lobster also had prawns with it. I wanted the lobster as an appetiser so asked for just the lobster tail. Nope, it came out as a full main. Oh well! I ate the lobster and left the rest. I needed to leave room for the pheasant which I love when it's done well. Princess was a bit variable on that dish, and a couple of time they substituted guinea fowl instead. Tsk! Tsk!

My favourite go-to dish in Europe is always pheasant.  To us here it's so very rare, but in the Northern Hemisphere, it's found on many menus.  Exquisite if treated with respected and rested well.  I always call it my very own "Peasant Pheasant" because waiters glance askew when my face lights up when it's on the menu.  They probably think I come from the moon 😉

13 hours ago, daleandrews said:

Well, we have no choice in this matter.  When we booked the cruise it was supposed to dock in Venice and be there for two days.  Then, as a result of docking regulations in Venice the itinerary was changed to one day in Trieste, leaving that day at 6:00 p.m.  Sure, more time in Venice would be great.  All we are trying to do is make the most of what we have left.  🙂 

Yes, perfectly understood.  I'm sure whichever tour you choose will at least grant you some happy hours to enjoy the atmosphere.  

14 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

You may want to read the fine print.....

 

In general, any cruise line will make every attempt to delay departure if one of its own excursions is delayed. However, “time and tide wait for no man” (or woman).

Though rare, there are various conditions in certain ports where a ship can only wait so long before it must leave. That said, what is most often guaranteed is that the cruise line will cover the reasonable costs necessary to get those “too-late-returning” passengers to the next port (which, hopefully, is not several sea days away). 

 

FWIW: Always carry the day’s Port Agent contact info with you when heading off the ship.

The Port Agent contact info is sage advice, and something we always carry, official ship tour or not.  We have been on quite a few cruises, Oceania included, where the ship has delayed departure, whilst constantly paging the recalcitrant passengers.  Sadly, they didn't always make it before the ship sailed.  

Are you docked overnight in Trieste?  The problem I see is that you seriously need hours in Venice if you only have one day to tour.  A week is barely enough.  Factoring in at least 4 hours of travel there and back doesn't leave you much time to taste and feel bella Venezia.  We never take private tours unless the ship is leaving later in the evening, because I would be so anxious about returning in time.  Unless it's an Oceania tour, they won't wait.

18 hours ago, lynpin said:

Hi, I also found their "one day prior" ambiguous and rang this morning. The upshot was that they'd prefer it to be within 24 hours of sailing but as they'd used the phrasing "one day" that it was okay to have the test at any time onn the day before sailing. Clear as mud, right? Hope it helps.

Actually, that helps us a lot.  I wouldn't know where to start looking for private testing in Barcelona, but Heathrow Airport the day before would be perfect.  Thanks lynpin 🥰

9 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

Well we have a much better sea state, things are much more pleasant. This ship is not really stable in even a moderate sea.

We abandoned eating in the "Restaurant" which is what they call the main dining room. At these prices people expect a fine dining experience. Perfectly prepared meals, plated to impress. In the one lunch and 2 dinners we had the plating was akin to Chuck's diner. Although the food was okay it was just chucked on the plate. The last time we ate there I ordered the "Rib eye steak" I had visions of a nice thick cut with heavy sear marks for the grill and an appropriate array of sides. What I got was a half inch thick chunk of meat looking rather grey with a slight hint of grill marks (anything more and the steak would be overcooked it was so thin)

After informing our TA, our customer service person on board and writing a very pointed note to the head of guest relations we actually have the 2 "guaranteed" meals in the Specialty Restaurants. 

We will be happy to get home on Saturday, I can do a much more impressive plate at home.

Cheers everyone Lyle & Lynn 

Well, I told you it was an egalitarian experience 😞  I completely agree about the presentation.  You'll find it ironic that in the "Restaurant" (which is more like a massive cafeteria) the only thing I would order after a while was the steak, because everything else was tasteless.  The specialty restaurants, however, were far superior...the Italian fare was really palatable in the Italian restaurant (my husband's from northern Italy originally so we're very particular about cuisine presented as "Italian").  Try the wild mushroom and truffle soup, if they are still offering it.  Delicious.  Also, the cuisine presented in the degastation-style restaurant was beautifully presented and quite exquisite.  Trouble is, of course, reservations in both restaurants are limited.  Hope your last days aboard are much, much better.