Classiccruiser777

4 hours ago, Petoonya said:

 

The cruises on which Oceania has single supplements are very reasonable. Recently booked a 14 day Alaska for next year.

It was an inside at $5k for a single.

June 4?

Cunard has a few single cabins on all three of their ships.

Good photos. Other than Red Ginger and Tuscan Steak it looks like Insignia.

It is surprising that Oceania didn’t post a video or slide show of the refurbished ships, rather it seems that management has relied on passengers sharing snapshots. 

I’ve seen several different brands including Pellegrino. The ship also makes its own water, sparkling and flat, both of which we found to be good.

3 hours ago, ghdool said:

I have only been on one Oceania cruise on the Riviera. The food was amazing and we really loved the lobster tails in The Terrace. We are going on Sirena in Dec. and we had the same high expectations for this trip. I am hoping we won't be very disappointed. Does anyone know if The Terrace serves the lobster tails on the Sirena too or did they cut that out? 

Lobster tails are still on the menu in Terrace.

25 minutes ago, clo said:

Where does one get a "takeaway cup"?

Take-away one from Terrace Cafe?

How the ship’s laundry returns cleaned clothing: 

13 minutes ago, cruisesport said:

 

hope people really use the comment cards to get the food up to O standards...

If we experience a downward trend, a consistent couple of days of the same, we send a note directly to the GM. If we’re not happy why wait?

Gluten free pasta, breads, scones, rolls are available daily. If you have a TA ask to have your dietary requirements added to your profile.

Also, if you book any shore excursions that include a meal, notify Destination Services in advance.

1 minute ago, GeorgesGal said:

 

Just looked at my booking confirmation and notice something - Bronze OBC benefit listed as $50 pp, while the listing above (2019 O's Benefit changes) indicates $100 OBC.  The way it's listed it would appear that each bronze member would be getting $100 OBC (which is reduced from the previous $200 benefit).  Both my sister and I are Bronze currently.  Also one bottle of wine, not one for each Bronze member.

 

What am I missing?

The benefit is for the cabin and is based on the person who has the highest loyalty standing.

43 minutes ago, Kate-AHF said:

Super suggestions Orv!  It was a learning curve for me (us).  I have to admit, we have one agent for one specific line, and another for O.  They both have their strengths, but those strengths don't overlap.

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/find-agent/

43 minutes ago, 416Muskokans said:

If you are talking about the Prinsendam, then you might be in for a treat.  

Prinsendam is no longer with HAL, sold to Phoenix Reisen and renamed the Amera.

15 minutes ago, Kate-AHF said:

Particularly if you are new to cruising and don't yet know what you "don't know".

Just ask, we're here to help.

“Your world, your way.”  It may be a complicated process for those that get in the weeds but I love the options and booking a cruise sure beats a day at the office!

5 hours ago, Hawaiidan said:

  I will stick to the buffet ......         

Having been on the Eurodam this past March I pretty much agree with everything you’ve said. One thing that we liked were the large salads made to order at the buffet. Various types of lettuce, many different toppings including chicken, and a wide assortment of dressings. That area was far less crowded, somewhat off the beaten path.

I suspect your HAL cruise will make you appreciate Oceania that much more, as it did us. Bon voyage.

Steiner has one of their massage schools in my area. I used to go there because student massages were $20 for an hour. The last time I went I contracted scabies. End of story.

Most are in the $8 to $12 range but there is a special “drink of the day” as well as happy hour.

We still cruise on HAL but only when there is a last second “pier jumpers” special, and we lower expectations.

Lobster tails, prawns, and beef are available every night, grilled to order, in the Terrace. Lobster is also on the menu every evening in Polo and Toscana as well as all day in Waves (surf and turf).

Terrace can be very busy when it opens for dinner at 6:30. As someone already said it’s best to get your table first, order your beverages then get your food. If it is busy, crowds some time gather around the grill area, just wait a few minutes.

Terrace doesn’t change for breakfast and lunch other than time appropriate food. For breakfast Terrace has many different fruit including large bowls of berries.

Many travel agencies also belong to consortiums that also offer benefits. Pays to shop around.

Regardless of the venue I’ve always seen sugar free deserts offered.

Well, we occasionally take a cruise on HAL, most recently this past March on Eurodam. The food on HAL wasn’t bad and the Pinnacle Grill and Tamarind were very good but for those specialty restaurants a surcharge is required. The buffet in the Eurodam was frequently a zoo including a challenge to find a place to sit. 

Overall we feel the food is far better on Oceania, the limitless bowls of fresh berries at breakfast in The Terrace, the surf and turf at Waves, the grilled lobster tails and sushi in The Terrace for dinner and the surcharge free specialty restaurants.

Does O have the “finest cuisine at sea?” I don’t know but I think it is very, very good and I always look forward to every meal.

And then there is afternoon tea and the ship’s ambiance...

4 hours ago, pinotlover said:

I never realized there was even a “ sports track”!! 😂🤫

 

A rather resourceful definition of that area.

It’s a great spot for taking photos...

On 7/23/2019 at 7:45 PM, HilsTas said:

 

Back to the cruise, there has been an alternate view of a segment of the cruise.  https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=659177

 

I am not going to get into the details, however, we noticed similar attitudes on our B2B legs from Rome to Miami - to such an extent that we both wrote on our final comments to the Insignia that we will cancel our two reservations on legs of the next two AWDs.  

 

Hilary

 

We did the last segment of the ATW cruise, Southampton to Miami, and didn’t experience any of the behavior described in that review. We were able to get specialty restaurant reservations at early times as well as additional reservations without any difficulty.

We met many of the ATW passengers, including Bob and “The Beach”, and everyone was pleasant. I certainly didn’t feel there were cliques or anything resembling differential treatment by the staff/crew.

We enjoyed this cruise as much as our previous O cruises and booked another one while on board the beautiful, stylish Insignia. Happy cruising!

48 minutes ago, RJB said:

At this point I do not think any of the R ships are worth the price compared to the O ships.  Cabins are tiny and the dining options do not compare.  Others may not agree but that is the way we feel.  Except for  special  ports, like Cuba was I will not go on the R ships again.  They were great in their time but that has passed.  Need to move on to better ships.  

Respectfully disagree. We love the R ships and three of our next 4 O cruises will be on the R ships. The Next refurbishment was wonderful.

You’ve repeatedly made your preferences known regarding the R ships, perhaps it’s time to move on.