Twiga

We enjoy the library for reading.  It is very annoying when people carry on conversations.  As @DrHemlocksaid, Martinis bar is a good place for drinks and socializing.

5 minutes ago, Grandma Cruising said:

Looking at the photo, it looks impossible to get into the bathroom unless the shower doors are closed. In fact it looks difficult to get into the shower at all!

I love the Oceania shower doors.  There are two narrow glass doors.  They can open out or into the shower (or one each way).  The only time I opened them out into the bathroom is getting in and out of the shower.  Otherwise, I had them both pushed in, which provided more elbow space in the bathroom.  It was very easy to get into the shower.  The doors were never in the way.

Your photos are amazing!  So beautiful!  Thank you for sharing.

@mlmdaisy----I suggest calling Atlas directly.  I think they can give you more up-to-date information than a consultant. If Atlas does not yet have any excursions for that port, try again every couple of weeks. 

@mlmdaisy----If excursions for your ports are not listed in the 2024 Mediterranean brochure, you can call Atlas and ask them about it.  I called them twice last week about excursions.  My calls were answered almost immediately and the rep was very helpful.  I was able to book all of the excursions that I wanted.  Enjoy your cruise!

My experience with Atlas has been very good.  I am booked on a cruise and have called Atlas several times and received immediate help.  My questions were answered by friendly and caring people. 

I love your Steely Dan references, @Steelydad2021.  Very clever!  I would love to hear Steely Dan at the pool!

The price is one-half of the amount stated per person.  If it is a price that you are happy with, then it is a good deal.  I booked on Atlas on a similar promotion.  The per day price is excellent, so I booked it.  The recent reviews of Atlas that I have read are excellent.  I think the cruise will be amazing.  The new management team formerly were in charge at Oceania Cruises.  I have 15 cruises with Oceania, so I am confident that my Atlas cruise will be wonderful!

As @MEFIowa said, you can have lunch at Waves, located between the pool and the Terrace Cafe.  Your mother can sit at at table and you can place your order at the counter.  The food is delivered to your table.  There are servers to bring you drinks.  It is very pleasant to have lunch there.

22 hours ago, phantom5777 said:

Traveling on Azamara in June that ends in Amsterdam at 0630. 

I received an email from Azamara last week saying that our cruise on Quest that was to disembark in Amsterdam on June 22, 2024, no longer goes to Amsterdam. Instead, it is replaced by Rotterdam on June 21st and disembarks in IJmuiden on June 22nd.  IJmudien is farther from Schipol Airport than Amsterdam.  Be sure to allow for this change in the disembarkation port.

13 hours ago, Damicom said:

OAT has wonderful trips all over the world. Take a look at their web page. You might like it. No single supplement. Mostly women traveling. Nice group feeling

It is true that OAT's single travelers are mostly women, but there are many husband and wife couples, including my husband and me.  We love OAT!

@Sthrngary:  I have greatly enjoyed your posts on this topic!  I am so happy that you loved your cruise and Oceania.  While your posts are very detailed and thorough, they are definitely not "word salad," which is defined as “a jumble of extremely incoherent speech."  Your posts are definitely not incoherent.  I appreciate the considerable amount of time and thought you put into them.  You have provided much useful information for both new and experienced cruisers.  Thank you, Gary! 

45 minutes ago, edgee said:

You mention "one." We did not experience any limitations as to quantity and were poured wine refills and given second beers with no problem on SM basic package. 

@pinotlover is using the word "one" to refer to an individual, same as using "you."  He didn't use "one" as  quantity.  

20 hours ago, Jancruz said:

Why would you deposit without reading your invoice 1st????

Jancruz1

Jancruz is correct.  Always request a quote before paying a deposit.  You can do this with a travel agent or with Oceania directly.  You will receive an "option" invoice with the terms, including price, stateroom and cancellation terms.  I review this document before deciding to pay the deposit.  If I choose to make a deposit, I immediately calendar all cancellation dates and the final payment date.

@no fuss travel I hope you are now onboard the ship. After the terrible start to your trip, I wish you the most wonderful cruise!

54 minutes ago, PhD-iva said:

Thx Susiesan!

OAT has some poor reviews when things go wrong. A similar/related company is Grand Circle Tours, which is a budget cruise line. Hit or miss….

We have used Overseas Adventure Travel and they were fabulous!   I think all tour groups (or any business) will have some bad reviews.  Lots of complaints here when things go wrong on Oceania! It all comes down to doing research and deciding what works for you. 

I always take a pair of white pants on cruises.  They go with any top I bring.   Never a problem with them getting dirty.  Plus, there is a laundrette in case you want to wash them.  Go with white and have a great cruise!

Go to "find your roll call" in the upper left, below the blue blue band.  Select Oceania, then Sirena, and November.  Look for the date of your cruise.  Bon voyage!

3 hours ago, the_dylaness said:

Wow, the third menu option ("Arabic")... looks amazing. Thank you both! They don't seem to be the same wines I had but I am waiting to possibly hear back from Azamara about it.

We signed up for all three (French, Italian and Arabic) dinners on our Athens to Dubai cruise in October 2023.  The Arabic dinner was cancelled as the minimum of 8 people didn't sign up (we were 4).  I was amazed that on this cruise even 4 more people didn't want to try the food of the countries we were visiting.  The French and Italian dinners were fantastic! 

13 hours ago, PhD-iva said:

My 25 APR 2025 20-day cruise has been shortened by 1 day. We received an email with a technical explanation, but the details escape me at the moment. A proportional price reduction has been promised.

several ports have also been changed. Here’s a snapshot of my scribbles, comparing my original itinerary to what I found online. I wasn’t that concerned about accuracy, more the broad strokes, and big picture. So don’t quote me.

@PhD-iva -  I am booked on this cruise, too.  Please note that the two stops in Japan on April 28 and 29 have been changed, as well as several port times.  Oceania sent us an email last month telling us that the cruise was shortened by one day and will be arriving in Vancouver a day earlier than originally scheduled.  However, Oceania did NOT tell us of the four port changes, including the cancellation of Victoria and Dutch Harbor, when they had already made those changes.  That is a serious problem.  The same thing happened on another cruise this year on the Regatta.  They cancelled Hilo at least one month before they notified us, only three days before the cruise began.  It is this lack of information that I resent.

22 hours ago, jondfk said:

Be very aware that Papeete does not have a cruise terminal per se.  You line up on the pier for pre boarding formalities and then "check in" on the ship itself.  This went very slowly and inefficiently last year (very early post covid by Tahiti standards).  Some reported having stood in the queue on the pier for upwards for 2 hours in the broiling sun - I highly advise arriving late to the pier - something around 3pm is likely ideal.  That's what I'll be doing the we sail in 2025 on the trip from PPT to Honolulu a few weeks after you.

I was on the Regatta in April 2023, embarking in Papeete.  There was no terminal, as @jondfk says.  There was a tent where we filled out a health questionnaire form, then we walked down the dock to the gangway and onto the ship.  There was no line to board the ship at noon.  We checked in at the Regatta Lounge, no wait.  I got off the ship about 2:00 p.m. to walk around town and there were no lines.  It looks like the process has improved.

We have been in 4033 on the Regatta and are boarding the Regatta today.  We will be in 4033 again.  It is a great location, especially if the seas are a little rough.

The provided water bottles are horrible.  We find them useless as they sweat and don't keep cold water cold. If you want to carry cold water, bring your own insulated container.

3 hours ago, PaulMCO said:

Just be careful as to what you pack.  AirTags are a definite NO - NO.  As are perfumes or any restricted items for cargo (alcohol, battery powered items) or customs clearance flags (prescrips/ medicines).

 

Luggage Free allowed my Samsung Smart Tags.

2 hours ago, SATaxman said:

I have read that some people get the steak and lobster without the roll.

Yes, that's true.  But the roll is very good!  I suggest ordering it as is, and trying the whole thing.  I always have it several times onboard each cruise.   It's always delicious!  (Even if I don't eat ALL of the bun.)