mountain grandma

18 hours ago, LHT28 said:

AFAIK  only for the day  if there are  spaces available

Not true, Lyn.  You can make reservations for days other than that one when you are on board.  We have done so many times in the past

and as recently as last October/November  on the Riviera and in March/April on the Sirena.

Billie 

49 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

On the O class ships  it is Deck 5  at the restaurant reservations desk

 The R ships they used to do at the podium at the entrance to the Terrace  (Port side )

On the R ships now they also have a desk on Deck 5 (starboard side) for restaurant reservations instead of the Terrace podium.  Makes it very easy.  
 

Billie

We were on the Sirena from the end of March to the end of April and got Covid.  We were also in a PH and stayed in our own cabin for our quarantine.  We were treated very much the same as Terri was on the Nautica.  We didn’t get any housekeeping nor did we need any.  I could certainly make our bed myself for the five days we were in quarantine!!  We certainly did not require any vacuuming or other cleaning like others on this board and we would not want to expose our housekeeping staff to Covid.  
 

The comment regarding the “rich vs the poor” getting special treatment was in very poor taste and again like Terri, we also do not want to spend our money on alcoholic beverages and choose to instead get a larger cabin!  Everyone has different priorities and that is why cruising is so popular.  
 

We have always been treated very nicely by Oceania and are booked again on Sirena and will certainly keep that reservation!

Billie
 

20 hours ago, kibutzer said:

Okay can the folks who are traveling in March let me know what type outlets are located by bed, and are there any USB ports on clock? 

We will certainly let you know.  We board March 29.  
 

Billie

The question should also be is your CPAP dual voltage.  The R ships used to have European plugs next to the bed and my DH always would use a European adapter plug for his CPAP which is dual voltage (He has a ResMed).    We have not yet been on the R ships since the NEXT refurbishments so I don’t know if they changed that wiring but he will take his adapter plug to be sure in March when we will be on the Sirena.  
 

Happy sailing!

Billie

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I share your reticence about Istanbul [having been there and still remembering the pushy carpet salesmen who accost you outside every major tourist site offering 'free tours' in exchange for visiting their shops] – but if you haven't been you should go soon, before they convert Hagia Sophia to a mosque and hide all its Christian mosaics.

+1 We have been to Istanbul several times and feel exactly as you do!

Billie/Mountain Grandma 

Gerry—We also booked this Riviera itinerary for November, 2023 when we were sailing on the Riviera a couple of months ago.  It will be our 5th attempt to do it over the years due to political issues or Covid cancellations.  Needless to say, it is very high on our bucket list!  It will be good to see you again and hopefully, we can get together for dinner this time.   
 

Alex—Great post and we also welcome you to the Oceania family.   I ditto the previous comments/suggestions to always book on board even if you don’t know where or when you want to sail!  Its a win-win situation and you can’t lose.  
 

Billie

We’re sailing on the same cruise in 11 days and haven’t gotten the “blue book “ either.  This is later than normal but with the last minute change from Istanbul to Athens, not surprising.  It should come anytime!  🤞🤞🤞

Billie

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

I am trying to remember some details (perhaps others will post).  As I recall (and I could be confused with a different airport) you cannot take the airport luggage carts out of the elevator area outside the hotel.  This ole memory seems to recall they had pole barriers which forced folks to leave the airport carts at the base of the elevator (so you cannot wheel them into the hotel).  It has been about 3 1/2 years since we were last at the Hilton so cannot swear that is the way it is today.

 

Hank

Ok good to know, thanks again.  

13 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Hard to miss that elevator.  You just walk out of the main lobby doors and its towards your left (only a few yards).  It is not a difficult walk as long as you are mobile and can handle your luggage.  We have usually found an empty luggage cart (that folks used when coming from the airport) near the elevator which was helpful.  But even without a cart it is not a big deal as long as your luggage is on wheels.  The last time we were at the hotel they would shuttle folks over to the terminal but that usually meant waiting around until the shuttle was ready.  For us, walking was the better option.

 

Hank

Thanks Hank. We probably will play it by ear and see how everything shakes out on that day.  One question—if we are dropped off at the airport the day we come from the ship, we grab a luggage cart, then walk to the hotel, would there be space in the room to keep it to use the  next morning? Just thinking out loud at this point and trying to give us various options.  
 

Billie

Thank you bennybear.  That also is very helpful information and much appreciated.  After a long cruise, we may be ready for the easy way out!

Thanks, eurocruiser!  The map really helped us visualize the situation.  Even with cruise luggage, it won’t be bad.  
 

Have a good week!

Hi Everyone,

We have a 7:30am flight out of FCO after a cruise and booked the Airport Hilton for a one-night stay.  However all of the information we have read ass to walking time to all is for T2 but we are flying from T3.  I know we can still use the walkway to get there but how much time should we allow to walk to T3?  Thanks in advance to anyone who has stayed at the Hilton!

Are they still saying no booking a sharing table in the Specialties?

1 hour ago, mauibabes said:

We have used Rome Cabs in the past and they were very professional, on time and fairly priced. 
Mauibabes

That’s who we have always used also. Very dependable.  See you on board very soon!

To clarify my previous post—-when I say “my husband’s experience with oxygen”, I am specifically talking about oxygen concentrators, not oxygen tanks or bottles which could be dangerous. These concentrators pose absolutely no danger to anyone! It is simply a piece of medical equipment and would be allowed on board (as would wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers!) and have been accepted by Oceania for years.  

9 hours ago, ToxM said:

I think you definitely need to speak to Oceania rather than go by what’s said on this forum. UK lines are currently prohibiting oxygen concentrators and pretty much anything like that apart from CPAPs. 

But this is Oceania we’re talking about on this forum, not UK lines.  I agree that he should contact Oceania’s Special Services Dept. but I was just relating my husband’s experience with oxygen.  We are scheduled to depart on the Riviera next month and have not been told any differently!

I can’t understand why the British lines would have problems with oxygen concentrators especially small portable ones but that’s just my opinion. 

My husband had needed oxygen while sleeping at night for several years.  He bought a small portable oxygen concentrator that he puts into a 21-22” carry-on (it fits in there along with all his other toiletries) so you get the idea of the small size.  It weighs about 10 pounds and is made by Res-Med.  It is wonderful and has allowed us to keep traveling and cruising to wherever we want.  Oceania, the airlines, and TSA have absolutely no problem with it and we don’t have to bother with oxygen tanks or worry about it running out.  Btw, it produces up to 2 liters so it depends what your needs are.  

Be sure to check the LHR/England requirements due to COVID because if you’re transiting at LHR but stay off-airport for more than 24 hours, you have different rules (including possible quarantine).  If you go to the COVID update for LHR, it tells you what you need to know.  

On 8/31/2021 at 11:37 AM, Flatbush Flyer said:

Jan: do you know why the Vista transatlantic cruise disembarking in NYC on September 17 doesn’t embark for the next segment (to Montreal) until the next day - September 18? 
We’re considering doing a “custom cruise” of the two segments but wonder how the 9/17 overnight will be handled (e.g., need to leave the ship overnight?).

We are considering the same cruise and also noticed the 17th/18th situation so we asked our TA to ask her O rep. We received the answer today—they are having a special event so all passengers must pack up everything, disembark on the 17th, spend the night somewhere, then embark again on the 18th! No b2b possible and no discount according to her rep.  
 

This doesn’t seem too passenger-friendly to us.  We will find another itinerary and skip the Vista for now as nothing else appealed to us.  Too bad.  
 

Billie
 

It was thanks to this thread that we found out about the 30% discount so thank you all!  We were looking to replace our mattress anyway so it couldn’t have come at a better time.  We called,  set it all up, and received our mattress last Thursday.  As Oceania devotees, we love their beds and we are not disappointed with our new mattress.  
 

One caution regarding the “white glove” delivery.  We had re-confirmed with the company that this included taking away our old mattress but when the delivery people arrived, they said removal was not included.  After some discussion, we realized that it was a misunderstanding on their part as they thought this was an exchange.  When they referred to it as “trash”, then it was ok to remove the old one! Anyway, it all worked out and we couldn’t be happier! 
 

Thanks again,

Billie

26 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

The US  Government is signing an order to bypass Canadian stops  for this season  so  Alaska   will make some $$ off the cruise ships

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/6136/

 

also saw this announcement

https://www.alaskapublic.org/2021/05/05/cruise-company-offers-10-million-in-humanitarian-relief-to-alaskas-port-towns/

Thanks, Lyn.  Great news for Alaska!

13 hours ago, Tranquility Base said:

Princess plans to start 7 day round trip Alaska cruises from Seattle.

Starting 25 July and operating for 2 months.

How is that possible when they must stop in a foreign port and Canada is still closed?

Billie

Katz—-My husband and I love the Sirena and her “sister” ships and have sailed hem many times.  We always sail in Ph rooms and have NEVER had any noise issues from adjoining cabins.  We’ve been in adjoining cabins as well as non-adjoining cabins and have found no difference.  

Enjoy your cruise,

Billie 

All of the Penthouses on Sirena have walk-in showers that replaced the full-sized bath/shower combos that all of the R ships have. It is so much safer as people were having a difficult time getting into and out of the bathtubs. I slipped once myself and banged my knee pretty badly. I was, fortunately, hanging on to a grab bar or it could have been far worse! When the other 3 sister ships go in for their next dry-dock, the Penthouses bathtubs will all be changed to be walk-in showers.

Hope they enjoy their cruise.

Billie

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