LNielsen

Over the past 30 years we’ve been to five continents, with Africa and Antarctica on our wish list, twenty countries and too many cities to count around this world. By the end of 2024 we will have visited sixteen additional countries. Norway rates near the top on the list of our favorites thus far. The fjords rival the beauty of French Polynesia, just in a different way, the cities are spectacular and the people couldn’t be nicer or more welcoming. For those of you that have the opportunity to visit, do it. I can’t imagine someone comparing it to the “Cozumel of the Caribbean”, it’s a true jewel.

A semi enclosed area on the pool deck with no seating but next to a bar, and a fully enclosed small atrium on deck 7, that one has seats but no ventilation to speak of. There is also an enclosed area of the casino that allows smoking. The Cigar Bar allows cigars only.

We used Nejat in 2015 for both Ephesus and Istanbul. Sadly, a few months after our return his cousin reached out to me to let me know he had passed away. Are you coming with us next year on the leg that includes Istanbul?

Both Alesund and Bergen are very easily done on your own. Our cruise focused mainly on fjords your ship can’t get into, but I’m sure your other ports will be wonderful as well. We were supposed to get to your Iceland ports next month, we canceled that cruise in January. Hope you enjoy those stops as well.

It may not be Greenland, but Norway is fantastically breathtaking. If they had to go somewhere else, you got lucky with their choice. None of this helps your disappointment, I’m sure. Just trying to give you a bit of good news. Which ports are you visiting? So many are easily done without a tour.

A caveat. Nothing under 10 days if we have to fly to the east coast.

Cruises less than 16 days, unless sailing out of the U.S.

It’s a moving target, unfortunately, with information that isn’t updated daily, or weekly for that matter. Look up your port of embarkation Country’s current requirement. I know Greece is one that Oceania called out, nowhere on their government website does it indicate any testing necessary, their last update was quite some time ago though.

He’s bringing it to enjoy in his cabin, just as people do with wine and alcohol they bring aboard. I know that if I’m relaxing in my cabin or on my balcony that I wouldn’t want to have to run to a bar to get a a beer.

Your link was quite helpful. Thank you. Yes, the 2024 - 22 day does fall under GV. I must have missed that in the brochure, or it didn’t indicate it. Whatever the case may be, I appreciate your insight.

I wasn’t aware it was considered a GV, I never really knew where that threshold was. Thank you. Our upcoming 30 day next year I would assume is. That sucker set us back $1,500/pp, not booked on board. The 22 day we had booked for this this year, we cancelled, was $750/pp as was the 10 day we did back in May. I think that’s where I get confused.

Our deposit for a 22 day Stockholm to Dublin in 2024 was $500/pp when we booked on board in May.

Frank was no longer with Renaissance when they folded. He’d been gone several months by then. He didn’t resurrect Renaissance as Oceania, he simply acquired the ships on lease from the French government until he was able to purchase them.

One more point that we love on Oceania. Zero formal nights. My husband last wore a suit to a wedding 20 years ago, doesn’t even own one at this point. I don’t own a cocktail dress, I’d look ridiculous if I wore one, never mind heals. I’d fall flat on my face. Their dress code in the evenings is “country club casual”, which equates to, for most, khakis or slacks and a collared shirt (polo, button down, what have you) for men and nice pants or capris/skirts and blouses or non-formal dresses for women. Some will dress more formal, which is fine, but you don’t have to. In the evening dressier shorts with a collared shirt are allowed in the Terrace Cafe (buffet). Another thought. Water, soda, juices and coffee (regular or specialty) are included in your fare. We choose the wine and beer with lunch and dinner as our perk and then upgrade that for $20/pp per day to include alcohol and beer/wine anytime we want it.

We’ve been sailing on Oceania since their inaugural in 2003 when we were in our late 30’s. Prior to that we sailed Carnival and Renaissance, we’ve sailed with NCL in the interim as well. What we do on those 700 passenger ships is relax while onboard. My husband’s job is extremely stressful and he needs to have peace and quiet to do so. Also, their itineraries are extremely port intensive so you really don’t spend that much time on the ship as it is; have breakfast, go ashore, dinner, cocktails, relax then off to bed so we’re ready for the next day. Also, the smaller ships allow you to get into ports that the larger ships cannot sail into. It’s certainly not for everyone, and we don’t dismiss sailing on other lines or larger ships. The longer itineraries with few sea days, no charge specialty restaurants and the lifelong friends we’ve made onboard are what keep calling us back.

Thank you for sharing. It may just be me, but I’m not seeing anything that appears to be a hole in the hull as another member suggested. In no way do I not believe damage was done, damage is visible, and only what can be seen in photos above the waterline.

I would think Oceania would test passengers within the allotted timeframe prior to docking in Portugal as they have been doing for other countries on the ATW.

Copied from this link updated June 23, 2022. You can click on it for review as I copied only what I felt was pertinent. There are links provided to other sites including CDC and SEF as well. https://pt.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ Entry and Exit Requirements: PORTUGAL Opening information US Citizens: Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes (Airport temperature scans and random screenings) Testing / Vaccination requirements for entry: All passengers 12 years old older must present EITHER EU Digital Vaccination Certificate or a certificate if full recovery. Neither the U.S. CDC vaccination card nor the U.S. recovery certificate are accepted as equivalent to the EU Digital Vaccination or Recovery Certificate. As such, U.S. Embassy Lisbon strongly recommends that all U.S. citizens travelling from the United States to Portugal follow option 2below and present a negative COVID test before boarding.; or Negative COVD Test PCR / NAAT test 72 hours before boarding or Rapid Antigen / TRAg test 24 hours before boarding. For more information, please visit: SEF Permission to enter Portugal is the sole responsibility of the Portuguese Government. As part of the admission process prior to boarding flights and at the border, travelers must present written evidence of or the appropriate visa permitting entry to Portugal. Please note that Portuguese Immigration (SEF) does not review evidence and does not make any determination about admission prior to the travelers’ arrival at the border control.

Geiranger is breathtaking, it would absolutely be called out separately on your itinerary.

We cancelled in February prior to our final payment being due basing our decision on what was going in that moment. Much different time than now with regard to what countries required, testing to get back into the US, and we weren’t interested in what were becoming magical mystery cruises. As it turns out we are happy we did cancel, one of the highlights for us was to be St.Petersburg.

We’ve also taken multiple land vacations. Again, it’s the thought of flying from the west coast to a far flung location and then being stuck in a hotel room rather the being on the ship.

We’ve already sailed twice, Alaska 2021and Mexican Riviera last month. We don’t fear Covid itself, we fear flying to Europe only to be denied boarding.

Exactly why we cancelled our Reykjavik to Paris cruise for this August back in February. We were going to fly in a few days early and didn’t want to risk testing positive prior to boarding and then need to quarantine for an unknown amount of time prior to getting back to the US. Never mind the chance of testing positive prior to flying home. We’re really hoping all of this sorts itself out for our 2023 and 2024 cruises.

Enjoy 😊

They ARE fabulous. Have you been to/through the Norwegian Fjords? Stunningly beautiful.