jackdeb

We did watch this episode of The Dish, the food looked as good as ever, Alexis was quite informative. However, Ember looked and sounded as advertised, from the seating area, to the decor and what the servers were wearing. It does not appear to be a restaurant where reservations should be necessary. Noted previously the comparison to an upscale Applebee’s seems apt.

If you tried doing this over the weekend it is very likely O’s computer glitch. Try again on Monday. 

For those of us that are follicle challenged the caps 🧢 are good for all the reasons Pinot mentioned. I have enough caps and hats to wear out and about depending on the weather. As for the pins they are put on a world map as a reminder of where and when we received them, with a small note with the date and ship. With the memory fading year after year they are a nice reminder.

• You might want to save Paris for a longer stay. Rouen itself is worth a look, also Monet’s garden and house at Giverney is beautiful.

Good for you, if you are ready to cruise when those prices apply that is great, timing is everything. More power to you.

I would like to see the lounge hogs keel-hauled not just walk the plank!☠️😂

MEFiowa, I am wondering how you are able to cruise on O at 350-500 per day per couple. The prices I am seeing are more $350-500 per person per day. Any info would be appreciated.

Looking forward to our TA on Vista next May to see first hand what all the noise is about. Jacques will be missed (still our favourite), but want to see the new offerings as well. If the pizza and burrata is as good as what we had on Riviera last year I will be happy. 

fdnycruiser are you confusing Jack Nicholson movies of “ The last detail “ with  “ five easy pieces “ and his egg salad sandwich? 

Dressing for the GDR and Specialties in a collared button shirt, slacks and shoes is certainly not formal dressing. Runners(CAN) sneakers(USA),trainers(UK) should not be worn in the evening in any dining venue. Refer to O’s own dress code for guidance. 
Dressy jeans is an oxymoron!

If you are gluten-sensitive, not celiac, then you probably won’t have a problem eating all the breads, pastries, cakes, cookies, pastas, etc. Oceania doesn’t use North American flour, they use French flour and probably European too. I am gluten-sensitive and have no problem on the ship. North American flour is the culprit. 

We on the west coast do not pay a fee to book a cruise, quite the opposite we often get perks like some obc, from the agent. Depending on the cabin level we have had gratuities, trip interruption/cancelation insurance from the agency. The agency we use is O’s largest partner in Canada 🇨🇦.

Bring magnetic hooks and clip you dainties on to some hangers and hang from the ceiling.

Those of us north of the 49th bite the bullet and pay the 40% premium if we want to cruise.

On the 12 cruises we have done on O the afternoon trivia (4:30) is in the show lounge run by the CD, the evening trivia is usually In Martinis lounge at 8pm run by the entertainment team or the piano player.

Waves Grill/ Pizzeria in the evenings is table service.

Thank you Orv! For all the mumblings and rumblings on Marina, we all appreciate the time you have taken to do this.

Woodrowst thank you for a good review and comparison

The happy hours are 5:00 - 6:00 in Martinis and Horizons and again 10:00 -11:00 in Horizons, but be sure to read the Currents for exact times and days. Yes you can bring on spirits for consumption in your cabin only, and wine for your cabin or pay the $25 corkage to enjoy at dinner.

There are take-away cups but NO lids. Bring your own reusable cup, any size you want, you will need about four lattes to make up a grande.The only good coffee is from Baristas.

For each Big O fill a shaker with ice

- 2 1/2 oz. Grey Goose vodka

- 1/2 oz Cointreau

- 1/2 oz orange juice

- 1/2 oz cranberry juice

and a splash of lime juice

Stir and strain into a chilled martini glass.

This recipe is from Taste the World, a book we received when booking a cruise in 2012.

We were at an in person presentation with O reps and a large local agency. 

Back in the day when they did such things.

The luggage tags from O are only to get your luggage to your cabin from the dock. They are not to be used when you are flying to you embarkation port, those tags will only confuse the airline staff. Put the O tags on after claiming your luggage at the airport.

I know this is not a specialty, but consider lamb chops for breakfast in the GDR

Remember, that at trivia when people start to bring out their electronic devices that is when it really does become a blood sport. Some passengers take it very seriously, they need those ‘ Big O’ points.

Afternoon Tea on Oceania is probably the most relaxing and enjoyable eating experience on the ship. From the multitude of teas on offer to the savouries and desserts enjoy it all. Not to be rushed!