Twiga

You do not need to get the luggage tags in advance. While it is fun to get them in before you leave home, you can get them at the port. On my last cruise I never received the "bluebook." I added the luggage tags at the port in Miami. Please to do not stress over this. Have a great cruise!

I was just on the Quest. The Captain and hotel director told me that the Quest will go into drydock in March or April 2024. I was also told that the bathrooms in the owners suites will be upgraded as on the Pursuit. That means much, much more storage space. I assume the other categories will also be refurbished. That is great news!

Our transatlantic cruise on Sirena was in September 2018, from Rome to Miami. The crossing was extremely smooth, like a serene pond. That was surprising because we had to sail around Hurricane Florence. We missed Bermuda, which was hit by the hurricane. We went south of the hurricane's path. We had 8 fabulous sea days in a row. We loved it!

Thank you so much for your posts. I agree that the Sirena is great!! We were on the Sirena in 2018 for 28 days, Transatlantic, and loved it. I read 5 or 6 books from the library. Great selection of books. We were supposed to be on the Sirena last February, but that cruise was switched to the Marina. We will be on the Sirena for 27 days beginning in January. Just a few short weeks away. I can't wait!

We were on this cruise, too. We were on this cruise, too. I had no problem with the Egyptian authorities or any other countries. I do not understand what Lookyboy is referring to. Azamara handled all passport controls very well. Several times we had to turn in our passports to Guest Relations, then retrieve them later. Not a problem. In Israel we went ashore about 10:00 a.m. for the face to face immigration meeting, not 8:00 a.m. At no time did we need to have a face to face meeting at 8:00 a.m. The only glitch was Dubai, where we had arrived at 5:00 p.m. and at 5:45 p.m. were told that we had to go into the terminal by 6:30 p.m. for a face to face meeting. It was not a problem. I was at Prime C at 6:30 p.m. for dinner. I spoke with the Hotel Director and Captain, who told me that the new owners, Sycamore Partners, had worked feverishly with the governments on this cruise to make it as easy as possible for the passengers. I think they succeeded.

No tub on the Pursuit. I tried to find a floorplan online, but the only ones I saw were for the Quest layout. Since the suites I was in were on each side of the ship and mirror images of each other, I can't quite align the Pursuit layout to the Quest floorplan. The Pursuit layout is terrific!

I was just on the Pursuit and Quest in an Owner's suite. The bathroom in the Pursuit (6088) was wonderful. It had a large shower, toilet and double sinks. There was a mirrored cabinet above each sink with lots of storage space and two large cabinets beneath the sinks. There were also recessed shelves near the door for additional handy storage. There was a separate powder room (toilet and sink) off the entry to the suite. (Two toilets total.) The bathroom in the Quest (6091) had the large bathtub, large shower and one sink with almost no storage. The only storage space was a narrow shelf above the sink and a shelf beneath the sink almost at floor level. There was a sliding door to the toilet. There was a little sink by the toilet with a similar lack of storage space. There was a door to the entry to the suite. (Just one toilet.) The good news is that Ryszard, the hotel director, told me that the Quest will be in drydock in March or April 2024 and the Owner's suite bathrooms will be redone to be the same as on the Pursuit.

The Quest has resumed the Best of the Best* dinner. We were invited to attend on our Athens to Dubai cruise that just ended last week. It was in the Drawing Room. It was a wonderful dinner with excellent wine pairings. In addition to the passengers attending, Captain Jonas, two hotel directors (Ryszard who has now left the ship, and Marcelo the current hotel director), and two other senior officers attended. They were all very happy to have resumed this dinner. *Best of the Best refers to the meal and wines, not the passengers.

Ryszard is leaving the Quest tomorrow, November 15, 2022. He is scheduled to return to the Quest following his time off. His replacement will be Marcelo Affonso, who is just as personable and wonderful as Ryszard. Marcelo is on our Quest cruise now. We love him! When Ryszard returns to the Quest, the current plan is for Marcelo to go to the Pursuit. I am sure that you will love Marcelo, too!

We got off the Pursuit yesterday. The food everywhere was was fantastic! The Windows Cafe (buffet) was exceptionally good. There is no ala carte service anymore. It is entirely self-service and the options are endless! I tried to eat some of everything, but failed, as the selections were so numerous! Almost every night has a themed dinner. My favorites were Indian, Asian and Spanish. You will love it! We also had two Chef's Table dinners, French and Italian ($95 per person and worth it). What an amazing meal each was, complete with wine pairings and unbelievable service. Chef Nathan is wonderful! On the day we arrived in Kusadasi at 1:00 p.m. there was an fantastic brunch buffet in the main dining room. It was beautiful and the selections were unending and delicious! I know I am using a lot of superlatives, but they are warranted. We board the Quest tomorrow for a cruise from Athens to Dubai and look forward to seeing how it compares with the Pursuit. Just as good, I hope!

Azamara told my travel agent today that the Piraeus covid testing won't be dropped until possibly next week. That conflicts with what people have said here. I was just curious if anyone had received anything written that the testing has been stopped. I have not been able to find anything online.

No one has posted any links (or written confirmation) to any information from Azamara that covid testing is no longer required at Piraeus. Can someone please do so? I received our cruise booklet for a cruise on the Pursuit beginning on October 17th from Ravenna stating that a negative covid test is REQUIRED for boarding, although this is not true. I wish Azamara would be proactive and tell us definitively what the requirements are currently. The inconsistencies are very frustrating.

Can anyone who has been told by a cruise line that covid testing is no longer required for cruises leaving from Piraeus, Athens please post the link or the email content? Thank you!

My travel Agent spoke (by email) with her contact at Azamara today. She was told that they "think by next week the covid test will not be required in Greece." There was no confirmation that covid testing had been removed for any Azamara cruise leaving Athens, as has been reported here for the September 24th cruise.

Phil, how did you learn that a negative covid test is no longer required for boarding the ship in Piraeus? That is great news! I am on the cruise next month with Grandma Cruising. It is a big relief not to worry about the test.

I am on the Pursuit next month sailing from Ravenna to Athens. I will get off the ship, stay two nights in Athens and two days later board the Quest. No covid test is required to arrive or wander around Athens, but I must have a negative test to leave! That is crazy!

How do you set up the Verizon Wifi calling on the ship? Is there a charge by Verizon to use wifi calling onboard? Thank you!

Petoonya, I was looking forward to meeting you on the Regatta next April from Papeete to LA. I am so sorry that your husband is unable to cruise anymore. I hope for the best for you and your husband.

You cannot book the dates until you are onboard. They will have all of the dates for the various dining events when you get on the ship so that you can plan your reservations to suit your needs.

I love the Oceania R ships!

Regatta class. Regatta class.

No alcohol is allowed. The prohibited items include "alcohol, or any goods containing alcohol, such as perfume or cologne." About the only things you may pack are clothes. The prohibited list is extensive.

Yes, the problem is the prohibition against shipping liquids. I usually pack most liquid items in my checked luggage. This time I will take only what I can't find in stores in the countries we visit. It will be easy enough to buy sunscreen and lotions along the way.

Oceania had a similar Super Bowl party on the Marina in February 2022. It was fun! They showed the game on the TVs in the staterooms.

If you have used Luggage Free to ship your suitcases, did you use an Air Tag, Smart Tracker or other tracking device for the suitcases? If so, did it work as expected?