espmass

Does anyone know if they still serve lobster at the grill currently?  When I was on last February I enjoyed having a salad and some lobster at Waves.  Hoping to do the same when I'm on next month.

On our first Oceania cruise last year we realized as dinner ended that there was no bill.  We have cruised many times on other lines where the restaurants were not included so we always received a check and could use our ship card and add a tip.  It seemed odd to simply stand up and leave but that's what we did.  At the time we wondered how to leave a tip if we wanted.  So our next Oceania cruise is coming up.  How do people tip on Oceania if they wish to?  Cash?

9 minutes ago, Carol28 said:

Is there a nozzle on the hair dryer and does it remain on without constantly depressing the 'on' button and what is the wattage?

There was a nozzle and it did remain on when not pushed.  I don't recall the wattage but mine at home is 1600 watt and the ship dryer was as forcefull.  

11 hours ago, schmerl said:

How are the blow dryers on the Riviera?  That's a new question. 

First time on a ship that I was able to use theirs and pack mine away.  I don't recall the brand but great force and heat.   

3 hours ago, Coral said:

I have a friend who did a Tauck tour in British Isles (land) and while they had a great time initially, most ended up with COVID and IMO - they were no better or worse than any other line/company in reference to COVID.

Yes, it's all a matter of luck as far as I'm concerned.  I didn't mean to imply that Tauck took better care than any other company.  

1 hour ago, Benny B. Goode said:

I've done Denali from a cruise line, and I've done Tauck, but not the two together. But one comment I would make is that, pre-Covid, I felt Tauck took good care of us every time. I expect they will do the same for you post-Covid. So if that's a factor for you, then I vote Tauck.

We very recently took a Tauck tour of Ireland and felt they did a great job with Covid, etc.  Seems with their combination Alaska tour with Princess that they use the same lodges and basic itinerary as a total Princess tour so the only big difference seems to be not picking our own excursions.  Unless I'm missing something.

Looking at the Tauck small group escorted tour which combines their land tour with a 7 day Princess cruise to make a 15 day trip.  Yes, I realize it's pricey.  The benefit to us is that all excursions and meals are included so we don't need to select and reserve them.  From what I can see, they have the usual excursions such as a raft ride, float plane, tour of Denali, railroad, etc.  We have been places with Tauck before and enjoyed it.  Has anyone done this and have an opinion how it compares to a land tour cruise combination on one of the cruise lines ?  Thanks.

Yum, PhD-iva, that looks delicious! 

This will be our second Oceania cruise but on the first we did not try the culinary classes.  Can someone give me more information about them?  Are they worthwhile?  Do the participants actually prepare and cook or just watch the chef?  We are most interested in the Favorites of Red Ginger class so can anyone tell me about that one in particular?  Thanks so much for any info.

On 3/3/2022 at 7:43 AM, octopusxparty said:

Thanks for posting this! Will be stopping in Bridgetown on my cruise coming up and was worried about being able to get to the beach after a cruise line excursion. So when we get dropped back off from our cruise excursion, we should be able to easily get a cab to the beach? Are most of the cabs larger vehicles like vans, or were there some normal car-size ones? We're just a couple traveling together so the waiting part does worry me a bit time-wise.

Seemed to be mostly van type where we had to wait for them to fill up.  There may have been single cabs that we didn't notice and I assume you could pay more to take an empty van cab. 

On 2/24/2022 at 5:26 PM, macmax said:

Outside the parking lot or terminal?

Outside the terminal.

On 2/20/2022 at 10:41 AM, MadamGorgeous said:

Did you need to do a pcr test before going ashore  for the day?

No test required but that can change at any time.

On 2/17/2022 at 8:47 PM, MadamGorgeous said:

Did you walk to the cruise terminal and grab a cab from there? 

The cabs are right outside the cruise terminal. 

5 hours ago, kittymommax4 said:

So the total per person (for 2 people) was only $31?

$16 taxi each way so $32 for the taxi and then $30 for the two chairs and an umbrella.  So $62 for the day. 

No tour needed.  Plenty of cabs at the port.  We got a cab and went to Dickinson Bay Beach.  Great day and love the beach.

Current information-  one of our favorite beaches.  Went there yesterday 2/14 while on our cruise.  Cab was $10 per person each way and about a 10-15 minute ride.  Cabs wait until they are full so there can be a bit of a wait when leaving the port area.  Two chairs plus an umbrella were $25.  The beach has clean restrooms and a bar with drinks and food.  They have waitstaff that walk around the chairs taking orders.  Sand is very soft with no rocks.  Boats and jet skis are available offering rides and to see the turtles, etc.  

current info for cruisers-  2/15/2022 went to the beach next to Sandals Resort today.  Been there before and love the beach.  Cab was $5.00 per person each way for 4 of us and is a 10-15 minute ride.   Two lounge chairs plus one umbrella was $22.00.  Cabs are plentiful.  Beach has restrooms, small bar, and food to order.  Very calm water and not Rocky on the feet.

Went to Mumba Beach today.  $16 taxi per cab each way from cruise port to beach, $30 for two lounge chairs and an umbrella.  Beautiful beach in front of the Marriott high rise properties.  There is a restaurant and bar and clean rest rooms.  We usually go to Eagle or Palm and this was just as nice.  All beaches along the hotel strip are open to cruisers as far as we know.

2 hours ago, Nymich said:

To ALL of you onboard!   Have a great cruise!

Thank you.  It was  mostly your posts and information that convinced us to go on the cruise when we were concerned about the various Covid issues. We have found the precautions so good that we feel totally comfortable onboard. 

4 hours ago, MEFIowa said:

Thinking our Concierge Lounge on Deck 9 was open 24/7 on Riviera on 12/13-23/21. I went in at all times, night and day. Including very early in the AM (between 4 and 5 once). The concierge himself had posted hours, but the lounge was seemingly always open if you had your room badge/key.

Our Executive Lounge is open 24/7.  It was listed as open at 8AM in the Currents.  Not sure why but it is open with the room key.

3 hours ago, LHT28 said:

There is usually a self serve machine in Horizons & the Terrace  or flag down  staff in the Terrace  they will  get you one

Room service if all else fails 

 

If you are  in a Concierge go to the lounge on deck 9 

After the gym I did find that the executive lounge (we have a PH) was open.  I thought I had read their hours as opening at 8.  Also did find out about the coffee at Horizons.

Also onboard.  Got bored waiting at the hotel for our 11:30 boarding so we went early and since very few were there we did not feel guilty getting in line.  Totally organized and we were tested, registered, and onboard at about 11:30.  Took a walk around to get an idea of where things are and had lunch at the Terrace Cafe.  Stopped by the reservation desk and inquired about an extra specialty restaurant for last night in addition to our 4 and they were more than happy to help us.  Dinner last night at Red Ginger.  It was lovely and absolutely delicious.  Had the Summer Roll, the Asian salad, and the Twice Fried Chicken.  All were delicious.  For dessert had the warm ginger cake which I loved.  My husband had calamari, duck, and ginger tapioca and loved it all.  I am a very early riser and hit the gym at 6 when it opens and the only issue I see so far is there doesn’t seem to be a place to get coffee before 6:30.  At least I haven’t found anywhere yet.  Bad enough sitting here for an hour without coffee while waiting for the gym, but working out without coffee will be really hard!  I’ll double check today.  We are long time cruisers but this is our first Oceania experience and so far we love it.

9 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Cooking classes, under CDC requirements, are demo only – but no charge.  There are five different topics:  Fish, Jacques, Knives, Red Ginger, and Global Traveler [a selection of topics from several of the previous hands-on classes].  We were able to attend three of them.

Were the demo classes only for those who had previously signed up to take the class or was there an open sign up once changed to demo?

15 minutes ago, Nymich said:

In the 400's I heard last night.  Guess the media and cdc has everyone freaked out so they took the FCC shuffle.

 

It was an honor (the last 24 days) to go against their "recommendation" to not cruise.

 

Obviously that's just for me.  To each their own as they say......

Wow, 400's is pretty low.  Well, it was the wonderful postings by you and others that convinced us to continue with the 2/7 cruise even after O FINALLY granted us approval to postpone.  We are leaving tomorrow to beat the snow storm as we had combined the cruise with a road trip to Florida.  We are more than excited about our first experience on Oceania whether we have 400, 600, or 1200 passengers.  Thank you again for all your information.

22 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

After today, there are two sea days than back to Miami. Not much to keep it going other than to ask who is the passenger with the endless supply of cowboy hats who refuses to take them off in the restaurants. 

Enjoy your two days!  Hope you have warm sunshine and smooth seas.  Thanks for all your information along the way.