bchbum4000

3 hours ago, lolawpb said:

We just came off of our first Oceania cruise about two weeks ago. I'm still trying to form an opinion as there were good and not-so-good things that occurred. The Vista was beautiful and our Penthouse suite was immaculate thanks to a great butler and housekeeping team. Food was a real mixed bag with Red Ginger as the star and Polo and Toscana as just okay. Our steaks were overcooked and maybe we just ordered the wrong things in Toscana but both of us found the food lackluster. The main dining room we found sort of strange in the fact that it was nearly empty by 8 pm and the food seemed a bit overcomplicated compared to normal fine-dining restaurants or other more premium lines. The big surprise for us was the buffet which was not only very good for an outside lunch but was really nice at night. It wasn't crowded, the tables were set beautifully, and the chef did a few specialty meals. One was a Mexican theme since we were in the area and another was a sushi night. Burgers at Waves were very good. This is a problem on a few lines like Celebrity so I'm happy to report this. We liked Aquamar Kitchen and had most of our breakfasts there. 

Here are the things that fell apart for us: Upon embarkation we received a note that one of our shore excursions had been cancelled and we should go to the desk to rebook. When I went to the desk I was told there was nothing available and I could get on a wait list. So there was one day with no excursions that were "non-refundable". We skipped our last port due to weather and guess what...another day of "non-refundable" shore excursions cancelled. It seems that they need something in place to at least give us a shipboard credit to use at the spa or on drinks, etc. since both of those were on their end. We only got to go on one excursion during the 7 day cruise. I understand they are calling this a "free" credit but that was part of the deal we paid for so it just seems wrong. The other thing that was bothersome for us was the lack of service at the pool areas including the spa deck. Knowing that sea days are very busy it seems they need more staff cleaning up dirty drink glasses etc. around the pools and the sun loungers at the main had towel covers which people sat on and were not changed frequently by staff so it was hard to find a clean lounger at times. There was virtually no service at all on the spa deck. it would have been nice to have someone with cold water, drinks, towels like other lines do.

I still have questions as it was a nice cruise and staff were great but I'm comparing to our previous Silversea cruises and a few Celebrity Retreat that we tried last year. I'm considering going back to Silversea but I'm worried that it might not still be the same as the last time we cruised with them as it has been about 5 years. I'm still looking at Oceania along with other high-luxury lines so if anyone has a recent comparison  experience I would welcome the information.

I have a feeling that I might have been on the same cruise you have just written about. 

Vista Western Caribbean. March 9 to March 16.

I second everything you have said in your post.  We had the same experiences as you had

This is not the standards that we have been used to on previous Oceania cruises. Our dinner in the Polo was great Tom a Hawk veal chop and the sides were inedible.  The mushrooms were over cooked, the baked potato was Luke warm.  We ate in the buffet more on this trip then ever before. The Wave had the best food.  Food isn’t the reason why we cruise, but on a high end cruise and for the money we paid it should have been better.

I too, am looking for another luxury cruise line to take next.  I don’t know if going back to the Riveria or the Marina would be good or has the quality of food also not living up to their standards.

1 hour ago, osandomir said:

You follow this board closely so you probably noticed that more people rated Oceania food as good overall, definitely not awful. We always found it enjoyable. Probably not “the best”  - it never was. With some choices better than others but still very good so we always were able to find something that we liked.

We always found it the best.  Now it’s just acceptable. But all of us have different tastes and all are used to different food. I voiced my opinion after this last asking 3/9 to 3/16

38 minutes ago, Harters said:

That makes for a depressing read for someone about to board in the next few days. What with that and the reported soundproofing issues...........

The ship is beautiful. No issues with sound at all. I guess it depends on cabin location. My remarks about the food are only compared to the Riveria and the Regatta that we have sailed on for years. 
you will love the ship I’m sure.  We went thru a storm and that ship hardly moved.  It’s state of the art. Enjoy your trip. 

The food on the Vista was nothing compared to what it has been on all other Oceania crusie ships.

Except for one night on a 7 night cruise the food was not up to the standards that Oceania Cruise line advertises.

It’s unfortunate when the food in the buffet is better than the speciality restaurants.The main dining room wasn’t much better.  Over all food was awful.  After sailing on Oceania since 2008 I will be looking for another cruise line.

Would love to hear from recent cruisers who have been on the EDGE recently. 
 

information on Covid-19 testing, Covid restrictions visiting islands, 

what are the procedures on board regarding dining room, casino, outdoor pool, bars etc,

just any information that we would need for our March 13th Cruise to Western Caribbean 

Looking for any information regarding Covid-19 on board.  
Any information like, quarantine, amount of people on board, wearing of masks, any ports that are closed.  
 

thanking you in advance. 

Would appreciate any information regarding positions of cabins. Would like to book an E1 cabin on the 7 or 8th deck.  My concern is View on the balcony and noise i.e pool, restaurant smoking area.  I am holding 7226 at this point. 
 

Thanking you in advance.  

I agree. It’s is owned by MSC. Not the Bahamas.  The shops and casino will most likely be open. Passengers will be able to eat onthe island or the ship too. 

Thank you. I see it listed as a stop on their itinerary. I hope it’s ready by then 

Does anyone have any information on the Bahamian island Ocean Cay Marina Reserve?  Is there dining at night on that island?  Is it exclusively for Yacht Club Members?

just curious, what are the conditions on St Maarten and Puerto Rico?

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/About-MSC/News/itinerary-weather-updates.aspx

Thank you for your reply. I should have gone to the website. :)

Has anyone sailed on the MSC Divinia in the past two months? Have they replaced any of the ports it by the hurricanes?

Has anyone sailed on the MSC Divinia in the past two months? Have they replaced any of the ports it by the hurricanes?

I think there will be more changes once they realize, that Barbuda is devastated. No guarantees about Puerto Rico.

I'm on the east coast of Florida. The relief planes were all lined up at PBI I'm hoping they get some relief to them soon.

Our finial payment is due in January. Every report I see including the Gov of Puerto Rico on tv telling of the devastation there. No where have I heard that there is 75% electricity in San Juan. I pray for those poor people and the struggles they are going through. Hopefully help will get there soon.

Thank you. I appreciate your opinion. All we can do is follow the news. I'm hoping that people who are going on cruises soon will write their reviews here. I know there isn't an answer now, but maybe as time goes on we will have better insight and information.

This is an article from today's associated press:

The storm has claimed at least 10 lives in Puerto Rico so far, according to the Associated Press. But John Mutter, a Columbia University professor who specializes in natural disasters and studied the death toll from Hurricane Katrina, expects in the coming days it will reach into the hundreds.

“Being without power is huge,” says Mutter. “Just how quickly they can get it back is still an unknown thing. But it’s extremely important they get it going to suppress the chances of illness following the storm.”

"The devastation in Puerto Rico has set us back nearly 20 to 30 years," Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez told CBS News. "I can't deny that the Puerto Rico of now is different from that of a week ago. The destruction of properties, of flattened structures, of families without homes, of debris everywhere. The island's greenery is gone."

Thanks.

Thank you

I just wanted to be sure I'm on a thread so that I can receive any changes as they are made.

It sure is, but they are saying the devastation is so horrible it will take more than months possibly years

Does anyone know what the changes will be now that Puerto Rico and St Martin have been damaged by hurricanes?

Those are two of the main ports for MSC

We are sailing on Seaside in April 2018. We are also curious as to what the changes will be.