gdlamberth

I've been down as early as 0715 or so.  No hours posted as best I can tell

The Majestic Pri currently has at least 3 cabins on board with COVID. As best I tell none seem to have severe symptoms.

Don't mean to be so picky but can you order GF Pizza at Alfredo's (specifically on Majestic)?

Thanks,

Greg

For you early 2022 cruisers to Ketchikan:  Can you see the Kings running in the creek?

Thanks, Greg

1 hour ago, Cuedon said:

While I can't say for post-COVID stops, every time I've stopped in Ketchikan on Princess was downtown, where Google Maps has a pin for 'Ketchikan Cruise Ship Docks' (or a nearby berth, in the same area).

59 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

It docked downtown last August. Isn't Ward Cove just Norwegian?

 

Edit: I got curious and dug around a bit. Should be berth 2, downtown.

Thanks guys!  Really appreciate it.

Greg

I received a pop up that said comment had to be approved.  Post is on Crown Princess Roll Call for 14 April 2023 Sailing LA - Hawaii RT.  What rule did I violate.  Please explain as I don't want to violate rules.  I apologize.

2 minutes ago, jondfk said:

We did have a lovely ... experience with Oceania but it is muted by how they handled what clearly was a severe outbreak on board.  We'd probably feel differently even if they did nothing more than strongly encouraging wearing of masks.

+1

The end of this thread talks quite a bit about the Covid conditions on Regatta last week.  There were also some emails between friends that indicated others tested positive within a day or two of arriving home.  Things were pretty normal from Papeete to Honolulu but turned around as we left Hawaiian waters.  

I'm assuming that you're asking about the "On Line Check in" forms.  If that's the case, ours (March 25 Sailing on Regatta) were available 21 days out.  We are doing what appears to be a "B2B" (March 25th 12 day cruise followed by 18 day 6 April cruise) and only had to fill out one set of forms.  Remember, as it's been pointed out on this forum by others, Oceania doesn't really do B2B ( I think in O's vernacular they refer to our cruise as "an extended voyage" of 30 days).  Hope that helps,

Greg

1 hour ago, patty1955 said:

Your email from Tahiti says "A test for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus genome at a medical center or screening center or medical analysis laboratory.

Or an antigen test allowing the detection of the SARSCoV2 "N" protein."

The BinaxNOW website says " The BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Antigen Self Test is a lateral flow immunoassay intended for the qualitative detection of nucleocapsid protein antigen from SARS-CoV-2 from individuals with or without symptoms"

So BinaxNOW is a test for SARSCoV2 N Protein 

The emails also say:

Dear Passenger,

Thank you for your email.

Please note eMed test kits are not acceptable to enter French Polynesia.
 

AND from the tourist bureau (my emphasis)

‘Ia ora na,

Unfortunately, home collection and saliva tests are not accepted.

All that said there is antidotal evidence on Trip Advisor and other forums of folks successfully entering FP with eMed Test results.  At the end of the days its all who the gate agents let on the aircraft.  As British mathematician Josiah Stamp once said:

"The government is very keen on collecting numbers and adding them, subtracting them and taking them to the nth root.  BUT, we must always remember that in the first instance the village watchman writes down what he damn well pleases!"

While I was able to get the above answer to my specific question regarding a 25 March sailing; it is a somewhat complex question as Oceania is changing processes on 1 March.  As a result, anyone's experience prior to 1 March may or may not be terribly relevant.  

I did send an email to Oceania and just received this reply:

Dear Mr. XXXXXXXX,

Yes,  we have confirmed it is acceptable, as long as it is a proctored service provider which the Binax Now eMed offers

Thank You!!

Best Regards,

Colleen Belmont / Special Services Coordinator – Nautica
P: +1-800-531-5658 ext. 46979 / F: +1 305-514-2222

cbelmont@oceaniacruises.com | www.oceaniacruises.com 

Oceania Cruises

7665 Corporate Center Drive | Miami FL 33126

My Hours are Monday – Friday 9:30am – 6:00pm (est)

Does anyone have any recent experience using a negative result from a BinaxNOW Ag Card test for boarding an Oceania ship?  Website says O is partnered with Inspire for their easy at home test so I assume that is accepted.  I called O and was not able to get a simple Yes or No answer.  After searching this forum the latest discussion on this topic appears to be back in October.  Anything more recent would be greatly appreciated.

Greg

Regatta is underway.

31 minutes ago, Funtravel66 said:

I am new to this. What does it mean that it is now in an inner harbor area? Versus in the basin

Good question.  I apologize for confusion.  Please see the attached image.  The port at Long Beach (San Pedro) has several areas as it is a rather large harbor/port.  The World Cruise Center area (where the Regatta and Royal Princess are now) is sometimes referred to as the inner harbor; the area neat the symbol for "port" in the image is sometimes called the outer harbor.  The area inside the seawall/breakwater where all the moorings are is the basin.  For the past several weeks Regatta has been moored in the basin at various spots between her runs down to Ensenada.  The couple of times she moved into the docks she was at the outer harbor.  When I put on my "rose colored" glasses I can see this is where Oceania would prepare Regatta for a South Pacific deployment. 

That, of course, is merely wishful speculation on my part.

Again, sorry for the confusion.

Greg 

In the FWIW category:  According to Cruisemapper.com, Regatta is now docked at inner harbor in Long Beach vice anchored out in basin.

The new entry requirements on the Tahiti tourism web site now says "fully" vaccinated visitors only need to have a negative Antigen test 24hrs prior to boarding flight to Tahiti.  I would have guessed an Antigen test would be less than $299; I know they're only $80 at LAX as you enter the TBI terminal.

I'm guessing it's at least in part because of the FP authorities changing their requirements recently (and maybe O thinks there's another change coming).

43 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Good news: Most major airports (e.g., SFO) have rapid results PCR (<60 minutes).

Bad news: $275+\- per person. (and appts. usually required).

Better news:  Do NOT need PCR now, Antigen (proctored of course) will do!  The eMed versions are in the $25-$40 range and with the 24 hour turnaround may be doable at your local CVS/Walgreens/etc for even less.

On 1/29/2022 at 7:21 PM, sjmbruce said:

I'm looking for an easy to use but good quality underwater camera, preferably no more than $150. Any suggestions?

Answer somewhat depends on how deep you want to go.  Don't mean to be a smarty pants; but, Fuji makes a pretty good point and shoot digital camera that's good to 10 Meters (supposedly, I've never had mine much over 20ft down as I only snorkel these days) for a bit over $100.  If you have a small digital you like, there are also an array of cases (some look like plastic bags) for less than $50 on the market.  

Deeper of more capable than that, is beyond my knowledge set since I haven't dived with a camera for 20years or so.🙄  Hope this helps,

Greg

Cruise Mapper still shows her at anchorage

1 hour ago, sunlover12 said:

Yesterday the March 7 passengers received an email with pre-cruise information.  It's an encouraging sign. Will be interesting to be on the first cruise on her in 2 years.

So did the 25 March Passengers, just FYI.

Nothing really concrete.  However, someone on the 6 April PPT - LA posted recently that they had received an email from Oceania telling them that their excursion in Rangiroa would be at 1600 rather than 1030 in order to accommodate smaller groups to ensure social distancing.  One interpretation of this email is "if Oceania working such (rather detailed) logistical issues, their intent is clearly to sail."  If you go with that "rose colored glasses" interpretation, then there is high likelihood O plans on the March PPT-PPT cruises to be a GO.

JMO

Greg

You could try these guys:

Snorkeling Tour in Fakarava (o2fakarava.com)

I've never used them but they have good reviews on Trip Advisor.