YoPhilly

I was booked on this cruise. When they shortened Stockholm the first time, I knew I wanted more time there. I canceled. Instead, I'm flying into Stockholm for 3 nights, then flying to Tallinn for a land tour that ends in Warsaw. Following that tour, I'll do my own solo travel through Poland before flying home.

Jackdeb, I shouldn't have said that, so please take it with a grain of salt. My friends joke that I'm a snob when it comes to Italian food! 😁. I come at it from a lifetime of Italian home cooking, Italian restaurants, cooking school in Bologna, and more. Toscana's pasta is very good....it's just not my preference. But I'm not kidding...the osso bucco is excellent!!!!!

I’m not a fan of the pastas in Toscana….they’re too over-the-top. I always get the osso bucco there. Having made it at home many times in the past for guests, now I prepare simpler meals at home. Toscana’s is almost as good as mine - very tender. 😀 In Polo, it’s the ribeye, hands down!

THANK GOD, NO!!!

Well, we didn't escape gale force winds, rain and sleet the entire voyage, but we sure did hit it lucky on our Cape Horn day!!! It was magnificent!

Jazzbeau, I did the 4-night Stella Australis in 2010, and it is still the cruise I've enjoyed the most. To me, it was thrilling to travel in the footsteps (sailing route?) of Magellan and Darwin. Fascinating! We were able to land on Cape Horn and hike out to the Albatross Memorial. Once in a lifetime trip! I hope you enjoyed yours.

Yes, I hear you. It's a trade-off. We do enjoy having dinner out on deck some nights.

Yes, there are, but one of the unique things we love about O is that the food is served onto plates by staff in the Terrace Cafe. Eliminates thousands of hands touching those serving utensils. 🤢 Now that I'm used to it, the thought of going back to a regular buffet line gives me the willies! 😁

Agreed. I'm also disappointed that BB has allowed so many overwater bungalows to proliferate and spoil the landscape and lagoon. Money talks!

https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/as-happy-as-a-clam.html Thanks for the info!

Yes, I've often booked a GTY-only for a Waitlisted category (did not book a higher category). Whenever I do, we ALWAYS get a cabin at the very least in that category - sometimes higher. I don't keep old records so I'm not able to provide exact examples. It does save us thousands of dollars by not having to book a higher category. Most importantly, we're on the ship and happy as clams! P.S. Does anyone know where the expression "happy as clams" originated? 😆

Well.......in a way, it is a saving. Booking a GTY in a waitlisted lower category likely saves you from having to book something at a higher level. 😄. I've done that myself several times. It gets us on the ship for a price that works for us. No complaints from me!

Out of curiosity, how does O prepare a ship for an ATW voyage? We're booked on a segment of Insignia's next ATW, and I'm wondering if there's any special maintenance, restocking, etc., that's done beforehand. Anything particular to know? I'd love to know what to expect.

From a passenger perspective, this sounds great. From a business perspective, why would the cruise line take a financial hit for a passenger's illness?

I love the look of those "R" ships....THAT'S what a cruise ship should look like!

My husband does the laundry when we cruise!! 😁

Where do big ships like Celebrity Edge dock in Sydney? At The Rocks? Darling Harbour?

Why do you think a ship will move to the Pacific? Which market?

I see so many cruisers “jumping ship” from Celebrity, Princess, etc. - at least on this board. That’s great news for O. Wondering how/if that translates to a bigger fleet. Thoughts?

I agree. $25 is high. I know they should charge a fee but $25?

I agree. Silhouette is a lovely ship.

Which MSC cruise? Their pricing is so tempting but their ships are just too enormous for us.

Great ideas!

Some health insurance plans don’t cover international expenses. That’s why I buy coverage for travel.

I know you said no 5-star, but every once in a blue moon, the Intercontinental at the port offers a good deal. It doesn't hurt to check. Fingers crossed for you!