QuestionEverything

Hi TheHawk1. Exactly to each their own. I despise the E class vessels, sailed once and never again. I sail for the vistas and destinations; the onboard is far down in importance. Other folk have the opposite priority. Many ships have a forward view lounge with food and drinks to facilitate amazing all day sailing to and through amazing places, as I described earlier. Leaning over the balcony will not facilitate the outstanding forward vista photographs on the walls of my house to be sure. Hence why I patronize now the premium and luxury lines as they have the forward view high lounges that provide, every guest, with a panorama of where we are going. The Connie and the QM2, the QM2, with her fully open to the air extended viewing area under the bridge, are my favorite vessels. I have been spoiled as I have travelled much on Great Lakes freights as staff of the line and enjoyed being right at the front of the vessel going under bridges and through the thousand islands in Ontario. Seeing where one is going is important.

Marne! Thanks so much. I always check visa requirements well before I leave to ensure I have a hard copy and copy on the device. The situation does not in any way speak well of Oceania. Especially when the ports of call are in foreign countries with limited English. Obviously Oceania did not care enough to protect their passengers and/or the Oceania staff are incompetent. Sigh, the more I hear of Oceania and ports, the more I lose confidence. Sail well dear Marne!

Thanks for your post. Helpful. Could you elaborate on the O issues at the embarkation ports - I cruise for the ports, not the onboard, so port issues are very important to me. Thank you Marne.

Thanks for your review. Most welcome. Glad you had a good time. Q - what O ships did you sail on? I ask because the O ships are not comparable to the big Celebrity ships due to size, entertainment etc. Thanks.

Like ya. Do you have pictures of Venice rising out of the sea from the Sky Lounge? Do you have pictures of the bow going through the Panama Canal locks with the mechanical donkeys rising to the top of the locks, with a wonderful beverage in your hand, sitting at the front of the Sky Lounge? Do you have pictures of Cape Horn, on approach, and going around the Horn with video being made sitting in the Sky Lounge so you can get a 180 degree vista? There you go dear. Have a great day!

Hi D. B. Hope you are well. Did this most amazing geology venue in 2015 in January, their summer. I was so hot there were nurses parked along various walkways with blood pressure machines! Ig Falls is the most amazing physical geography experience. As Elinor Roosevelt said "Poor Niagara"! Well worth the extra time and expense. For Everyone - check, you might need a yellow fever shot.

Forward, yes indeed. Evidence Celebrity newer classes. Enough said. Have a great day.

The consumer will decide, as always.

D. B. I have done that on the Oceania Insignia, amazing indeed. I started cruising in 1989 on the Sovereign of the Seas, I am aware of all the changes in cruising. One key decision by Celebrity in their new ships is to reduce venues to the sea. This is to keep the passengers looking Inward and SPENDING. The mass cruise lines are all about this configuration. Move to the premium lines and above, this is not a big item. We are ALL well taken care of irregardless of our "status". Enjoy your voyage indeed!

100%, I agree. I will not patronize any ship that does not have a great forward view for all passengers. I think of going through the Panama and observing the mules working and the lock staff. I think of being in the Sky View on the Millie watching Venice rise out of the sea!! Oh my. Humm, would not see that on Celebrity's newer ships. The Connie is my favorite ship on the seas, next to the QM2. Easy for me to eliminate many ships from consideration - size and forward view. Have great travels D. B.!

Certainly many posters on this thread not complimentary to Luminae.

Well said. 100%

The premium and luxury lines, excellence for each guest.

I always say. Be careful about the size of the ship. Some ports can not accommodate bigger ships. This is why we cruise Oceania as their vessels can get into most ports in the world. This is a BIG issue in Iceland. Do not presume you can get into ports there.

Did Iceland in August 2023. Then got on a Oceania voyage that did 2 other ports. The major "sights" are on the south side of Iceland and one on the east side. A cruise will never do justice to Iceland. We arrived at Rek and then had a vehicle and drove the entire length of the south shore and did the "official" circle tour on the other main highway. On the east/south side is the Iceberg Lagoon - pay the $ and get the suits on and do the 8 km zodiak tour to the glacier - OMG, the best ever! On the west side is the national park that has the plate divergence - the NA plate diverting from the European plate - OMG. The gap increases 2 inches per year. The national park is where the Iceland legislature does business 1x per year. The south side has so many local communities and yes, one is by the active volcano. If you are travelling to Iceland, it is not cheap whatsover. ICELAND is the only place in the world with both FIRE AND ICE. No where else is their both volcanos and glaciers. A great visit.