KS&JW

Is this a "regular" shore excursion tour or an overland excursion (maybe with a flight)?

That could make a big difference.

Yes, I can see how that would make a big difference. However,

it was a regular land excursion and I have already canceled through my TA and received a credit.

Another question regarding canceling an Oceania tour.

Can it be done online? I go to my account and I see how I can purchase more tours but not cancel.

I know I can contact my TA, but I always prefer to do things online when possible.

Thank you for your quick responses.

We rarely book any of the Oceania tours, so I am unfamiliar with the rules. We booked a tour that was not eligible for O-Life so we had to pay for it at the booking time, about two months ago. I am now getting cold feet, as it is rather expensive. Are we allowed to cancel and get our money back? We drink little on board, so we could not use up the cost of this tour if we were only given shipboard credit.

Kathleen

Obviously a ship carrying 4,000 + plus passengers is going to create crowds that a 650 passenger ship won't.

 

There's a separate lounge and check in area for NCL Haven passengers in NYC. Food (finger sandwiches, pastries ) and drink (coffee, juice, tea, water) are provided. You get escorted onto the ship before general boarding begins and are taken directly to the Haven where lunch will be served in the Haven dining room. A much different experience than other NCL passengers have.

While I will not speak for Sammiedawg, but I think that is the point. You need to be a NCL Haven passenger to get the same experience that every passenger on the smaller Oceania ship has.

Not everyone is on CC or join the roll calls

 

Some roll calls are a lot quieter than others

 

Life goes on

I"m on the December 8th Cuba cruise which sold out in just a few days and has a massive wait list. The roll call? You could hear a pin drop it is so quiet.

I do not know what the rules are, but I can't imagine a scooter parked in the hallway. There is not that much room.

Wow, I also jumped on this as soon as I got the email, but did not realize how quickly it would book up. This is such a good itinerary it was an easy decision for us.

We went last year because we figured we'd get in while we could. I don't see the political situation getting better anytime in the near future. Visas/visa-free tours might become more difficult to obtain. (And Putin could always decide to get grabby with the Baltic states -- like Estonia -- as with the Ukraine, especially if NATO and the EU weaken.)

 

 

I'd go while it's still an option. St. Petersburg was amazing.

While I have wanted to see the Baltics for awhile. This is exactly why we are going now. Like GradUT, we also went to the Black Sea a number of years ago. I'm so glad we had the opportunity to see the Crimea while we could.

GO!

Thank you for your post. I enjoyed your pictures as well.

Kathleen

I will be flying Delta to LAX and connecting with an ATN flight. Two years ago we had to pick our luggage up at LAX arrivals and walk it over to ATN for rechecking.

 

I am wondering if things have changed and I can check my bags all the way through.

 

Also, was anyone on Delta charged a bag fee.

 

Thanks

I too am taking Delta to LAX and ATN to Tahiti. My TA told me they would check all the way through. Sadly, I am not so lucky on the way back from Lima on United.

We have been on Princess and Celebrity and Oceania before and there is a big difference. No photographers no art auction no announcements every minute to buy things no kids in the pool, no contrived activities. Just a group of well travelled comfortably classy retired people who appreciate the finest.

yes!

I'm interested in taking a transpacific cruise as I've always wanted to go to Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Hawaii! So far I've been looking at the Celebrity Solstice, Radiance of the Seas and Carnival Legend because they all go to French Polynesia which is the most important destination for me. I'd like to stay in the time frame of 15-20 days. I know that there are more sea days, but I was wondering what is it like? Are there times to avoid sailing the Pacific? Thank you!:):)

You are going to need to narrow it down a bit, or expand your time as 15-20 days is not enough time to get to these locations. Hawaii is the outlier, save it for another time.

Our doctor and friend gives us Cipro to take when we travel. Up until we went to Israel with him two years ago, we never had a need to take it. We thought it was to be taken only if we started feeling ill like having a sore throat or similar.

 

So when we were getting ready to leave for Israel, our doctor gave each of our group an RX for Cipro. He said we were to take it a day or two before we left on our trip, and then once a day throughout the trip duration. Everyone but one person did as he said.

 

 

I find it shocking that a doctor would recommend such a thing. Cipro is a very strong drug and is not to be taken prophylactically for travelers diarrhea.

double post

You had me a molten, chocolate and caramel.

We typically cruise port intensive itineraries. This means zero or only one day at sea. Because of this I have never used the spa. Our up coming cruise has 8 sea days. This is the perfect cruise to relax and use the spa. I see I can get a facial, massage etc. Which all sound wonderful.

What advice would you give me on how to best utilize this Oceania benefit?

Kathleen

http://www.amazon.com/Desktop-Charging-PowerSmart-Technology-Compatible/dp/B011LSGMT2/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1454585429&sr=1-2&keywords=ANEAR

 

I'm happy with this.. Nice to leave the plugs at home. A quirky power strip, a desk top cord management holder, and everything is our of sight to the left of the desk, leaving an uncluttered area..

Thanks for this idea.

Thank you for your ideas.

I should have specified that our gratuities are already paid for and we already have the internet plan. Most of the credit comes from Oceania, so it looks like we must spend it. :-)

The laundry is a very good idea as the cruise is 3 weeks with pre cruise time included and I don't relish the idea of spending an afternoon doing my own.

Buying a bottle of wine for the table is another good idea.

I was already going to take advantage of the cruise transfer versus arranging a taxi myself. I prefer my own excursions, not only to save money but I prefer a smaller group. And on this cruise in particular, South Pacific, there is little advantage to using O's excursions. When we cruised the Black Sea the 4 hour bus ride to Bucharest was a good choice to go with a large group.

The spa and a couple of massages for each of us seems the best use. I have never used the spa on board as I have actively avoided cruises with sea days. I will have many sea days on this cruise. Any tips on taking advantage of the spa?

Kathleen

We have a rather large shipboard credit. We are organizing our own excursions and are not big drinkers. What else is there to spend this good fortune on?

Kathleen

Thank you both for your reply

We are staying at the Sofitel for a few days prior to our cruise. Does anyone know if it is standard for the hotels to have free transfers from the dock? Or should I arrange to hire a private driver?

Kathleen

I know some of you won't agree but my wife and me flew to Tahitii a few years ago and cruised the Tahittian islands. They all look the same. Yes, the water is beautiful but it was about an 8 hour flight over there and thats along flight just to see beautiful water. There's absolutely nothing to do on the islands at all. So it comes down to "beautiful water for 7 days"!!!!!!! Needless to say after 7 days we were "bored" out of our mind. Never again.

It's what's IN the beautiful water that makes it worth the flight.