canuck.qc

We had a cruise in the works for next May that we have cancelled. We will be doing a few land/train/car trips while waiting for the dollar to go up. It is hardly a setback as we can travel for longer and for less $$ than what we have been paying for our O cruises. We did travel extensively when the CDNdollar was VERY low but we were not retired back then. Now that we are retired we would like to travel for longer periods and more often so it is hard to justify booking upscale cruises when the dollar is soo low. There are perfectly good (and less costly) travel options out there....

Hi Keith! Another fan (and Crystal lover) here! Marina looks gorgeous -- my next cruise is going to be on her sister ship, Riviera, so I'm very excited to see it.

 

Canuck.qc, if you want to follow Keith's exploits on his awesome world cruise, go to the Crystal forum and look for a thread called "Live From Crystal Serenity – December 21, 2014 thru May 31, 2015 Blog". I've been popping in there every now and then, so I can live vicariously through him. ;)

Thanks LeeAnne I'll take a look & travel vicariously thru Keith's posts and you have a nice cruise as well.

GREAT pictures! That seals the deal -- I just emailed my TA and asked her to move us to 7111. Thanks so much!

 

 

 

LOL not until January. :o I like to plan early! And by booking early I'm more likely to snag the good cabins. My husband always teases me that I experience my cruises for an entire year. He's right!

That is great, those 2 aft cabins are a hot ticket. We would have loved to book that cabin again but the word is out:o

Have a great W.Cruise....are you posting your voyage diary?? If so I would like to follow your travels..where can I assess?

I too value your posts and have used your recommendations.

Good to know! So would you recommend the forward open-ended cabin instead? On that one, the open side faces aft so perhaps that one doesn't get as much buffeting or salt spray...but I'm not real keen on being forward. Still, I want to make sure I get the most comfortable balcony as we'll be in the Caribbean, and we'll have such a huge balcony...I want to maximize our enjoyment of it!

 

Thanks so much for your help!

We had 7111 from London to Barcelona and we ABSOLUTELY loved it.

Take a look at the pics I posted : http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1770253

If motion is a factor I would not consider the forward cabins. I also believe the 08&09 have a diagonal cut off that the aft do not have (shown in post #3)

The open side has the standard divider which protects from the wind & you have the extended part which is open and makes the view wider.

We had asked for some loungers and spent many quiet hours on them. I would highly recommend this cabin....it will get snatched up fast.

you DO mean 2016?

Join the roll call...see you there!

Canuck, have you made your decision yet?

Marian

The choice of cabins for May is slim pickings!

I get seasick so I am choosy about cabin location, I don't go on 'guarantee' because of the unknown cabin location. My TA is keeping his eye on this itinerary and will let me know of cabin availability. I am researching some Europe car/train trips and river cruises -(another learning curve but have noticed some O CC members on that site) I also hope that in the meantime the CDN$$ will go up. I will continue to follow this itinerary's posts to see how you are all coming along in case I will be joining you later on:confused:

Paul & Joy

Take a look at 'xiaotianshi' photos under BoraBora on the TripAd. site. You will get a good idea of what the snorkeling is like, bring your gear.

We're booked on the 5/28 Insignia! Very excited.

 

Paul and Joy - mid 50's

St. Louis, MO

That is great. Start planning and BOOKING your excursions.

You are going to love it!!!!

We had 7111 open on side. Go for it, and ask for loungers:)!

+1 I mentioned similar bad behavior in a review I posted a few years ago & it has happened on every O cruise I've been on before & since. I am always astonished when I see this type of behavior especially coming from folks of a certain 'fortunate status'. I sometimes wonder if upscale cruises attract this type of behavior:confused:

to snorkel in Hawaii or the South Pacific Islands or New Zealand than in the Caribbean. I have snorkeled 5 times in the Caribbean, taking cruise ship excursions, and really enjoyed it. That was over the last 5 years. I was a senior citizen who is comfortable in water (small female) before I got the chance to go snorkeling.

 

Now, I am taking a cruise to Hawaii and South Pacific Islands and from what I have read for the descriptions of the snorkeling excursions, I am wondering if it is more difficult. Are the waters more wavy? Does it just depend on the day. I am inclined to not go snorkeling on this cruise. My husband does not snorkel and does not like to go out on the small boat to the snorkeling site either.

 

There is one excursion, not sure what port it is at, where you put "helmets" on your head and walk along the floor in about 10 feet of water to see the wildlife. They actually say that you might or might not see wildlife. Does all of the activity scare the fish away. You do not get your head wet. Probably not as exciting, but better than nothing. Has anyone ever done an excursion like this?

 

Thanks for any help.

I too am a senior and small and LOVED our snorkeling excursions. Buy a blow up snorkel vest (Amazon) you'll feel more secure. I snorkeled with a stronger swimmer close by..Let the guides know you want them to keep an eye on you..they are usually very good with novices. One guide literally towed me around by the hand thru the coral gardens. If the waters are choppy because of bad weather I'd reconsider. I have seen the helmet tours online(expensive&little time). I saw fantastic wildlife on our snorkeling

excursions. Go with reputable companies recommended here on CC.

I have done what you are contemplating for the upcoming Tahiti to Lima cruise in April. I booked our own resort (on Moorea), I expect for much less money than O charges. I looked at the Intercontinental in Papeete, but it didn't have very good reviews so I avoided it.

 

I used O's air and paid for the deviation, mainly because the cost of booking one way fares to Tahiti and from Lima on my own was prohibitive. O was able to arrange the flights with no increase in cost other than the deviation fee. Having said that, O was extremely difficult to deal with for the air arrangements, bordering on incompetent. My frustration with them is enough that I will think very hard before booking another cruise with O. We'll see how they do in April.

 

I did not ask about transfers, just assumed we would be on our own.

I recommend that you use a TA for future cruises & you will also get some perks thrown in. You will completely avoid the frustrations that you encountered. When using a TA you never have to deal with O directly. Good luck.

+1 for Louis's SSV tour! atvmoorea@gmail.com. We found it exhilarating & the views fantastic. They picked us up & dropped us off at the Hilton. If you want their SSV (more comfortable to drive & no helmet necessary) you should book far in advance.

I am considering an Oceania Tahiti cruise in 2016, but had a few questions, which could not find answer to. Would appreciate any input and thanks ahead of time.

Q1. Want to add a pre-cruise hotel stay, Oceania website seemed to quote a higher price for the InterContinental Hotel vs the hotel website. Is there any advantage (e.g.: airline scheduling) to add on the hotel via Oceania?

Q2. Related to Q1, if add on hotel via Oceania, will they schedule the air travel to arrive earlier to stay at hotel, or do I need to pay the Deviation Fee to accomplish earlier arrival vs arriving the day of cruise.

Q3. Are the Oceania transfers only for airport to/from cruise pier, or will include from airport to hotel and then later to cruise pier?

Q4. Do not normally use a TA and have had great success dealing directly online with cruise companies or other online travel. Is the Oceania online website reservation system and/or calling Oceania travel rep to arrange the cruise specifics accurate and effective vs having to use a third party TA?

My experience last March on my FP Marina cruise:

1- There usually is and big advantage to booking your own pre/post cruise arrangements. With this itinerary O offers pre cruise packages, inquire and compare.

2- O packages (without deviation) can vary, you fly their charters, arriving a day or two before. There are different packages. These are EXPENSIVE add ons..do the math. If you prefer a longer pre cruise (staying on Moorea) pay the deviation.

3- If you buy the O Hotel package, the transfers are included.

4- I recommend using a TA. I have received perks from my travel agent along with promotions offered by O. He also negotiated my deviation flights & booked my seats etc...I actually got rare daytime flights from LAX-PPT & LAX-PPT

** I found the charter flights that O included were not ideal (connections & delays) I paid the deviation and chose the flights I wanted, arriving 4 days pre-cruise. I paid for my own transfers & shopped online for discounts for both the IC & Hilton Moorea. I DEFINITELY came out ahead.

** Join your RCall and also read as many posts as you can with similar itineraries.

** Book your own excursions (I had some booked 1yr in advance) they are less expensive than O.

You will love FP. Bon Voyage

IF YOU NEED MORE INFO CLICK HERE

I actually cruise to see the world, and am wondering how many people actually cruise just to "eat"? O provides us with enough choices and food is not #1 on my list of things to do on a cruise.

+1 The fact I am not cooking makes the food tastier to me! Itinerary is #1

I am always amazed that for many the ship is their destination, some never leave the ship:eek:

Re: Oregon50s comment..if it was about the age and looks of O passengers...oh no he didn't!

Having watched O passengers getting off tenders and seeing them stand in line for the same tenders at several ports, I would agree with you. Will cancel this week.

How does tendering factor in. Don't most ships mentioned on this thread tender? What am I missing :confused:

I was in FP on board Marina last March, here is how I see the PG & Marina difference.

If you are sailing this itinerary to enjoy the FP culture, water activities-snorkeling, diving, the PG is right for you.

If you are sailing this itinerary to enjoy the beautiful Marina & its amenities (ship is the destination) and only wanting to sight see & are not fond of water activities, the Marina is right for you.

I found that I greatly enjoyed the water activities. If I were to go again I would choose the PG for it's water deck and support staff for diving.

The PPT comment relates to the awful flight arrival & departure times and the connections & waiting involved. For check-in, you line up outdoors in the heat and humidity.

Thanks, the StarClipper looks great.

Thanks for your review. I am always amazed by the vast differences in experiences people have with the same cruise line. The vibe on the ship is very low key & can be less appealing to those who prefer all that a larger ship can offer. We have never experienced anything near what the OP describes & we have sailed on all the Oceania ships. The demographics vary greatly with the itineraries, and food is always subjective. For those who are considering O or are worried about your upcoming cruise, I encourage you to try O and see for yourself.

When we were in Polynesia they brought on a dance troop.

There is dancing every night (10ish) in Horizons, we had 'Siglo', an excellent band.

There are probably more occasions for dancing but we rarely stay out past dinner!!!

Kuldalai- Up to now we have exclusively sailed on Oceania & enjoy both R & O ships very much, but want something smaller for Greece.

Hank- I've found some info on Variety's' newer ship Voyager which looks to also have an itinerary Istanbul to Athens along with Greek only cruises. Now if the CDN $$ can gain we're all set:(

Thanks Hank- the photos are great. Variety cruises has the 'Harmony V'. Any info on this boat?

I would like some recommendations for small ships (less than 300pass.) for an 8 day Greek cruise. Have seen some sailing ships and mega yachts...what is your experience and suggestions. We plan on land travel before & after.

Join us on Insignia for FP!

We have booked Sydney to LAX, 38 days. I can't wait!

Let's boost the Canadian content on board, eh?

I've already booked a snorkel trip!

Wonderful!

We are waiting for an answer from TA about cabin selections....

Also considering a land with river cruise for a change.

Will join RC once we decide:confused:

Glad you liked O & FP and that everything turned out. O is a class act.

Now you have to experience an Oceania R class ship.

You will be confused again...which class ship you like best:confused:

I am looking at FP/Hawaii/LA May2016- Regatta.

Opps correction: May28th 18days on -Insignia-