cruisingxpert

4 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

It's really not back.   I think it is gone on all the other ships but they are currently alternating it on different nights of the cruise.   Maybe they are using up all of their supplies.    Regardless -  I'm a happy camper.

Don't eat it all.  I get on in Honolulu.😅

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Of course the Raspberry Pistachio Vancherin had been replaced with the Chocolate Pill on the Daniel Boulud menu.     Last night I noticed it was on day 3 menu.   I asked Mori (our waiter) if it was a mistake.  He said no-   they were going to alternate and it was indeed available ---  2 points for the Solstice.

I am thrilled to hear the Pistachio Vacheron is back

15 minutes ago, SATaxman said:

Thank you. We were in a Marina Oceania Suite in October, our first O cruise. Regent has a few other sizes between these.  Unfortunately, it was not available on our next itinerary. I remember you writing about these 2 suites 7130 and 7135. Was surprised that it was available. Looks like the shower is bigger (without a bath tub) and there is more room at the foot of the bed. Wish the love seat were longer. How much narrower is this compared to other PH1 suites? I read somewhere that the butler might be "scarce" since this is far away from their other suites.

 

From entry to balcony, it is probably 1 foot narrower and you lose some space in the walk in closet.  If your weather is good, that balcony is incredible.  The Oceania Suite is lovely  and the back 2 give you the wake views but they are smaller than Deck 12 Oceania suites and their balcony is not as nice as the 7130/35.

  I have had great butlers and useless butlers in that cabin but that is true of when I have been in Deck 10 and 11 ph cabins and I had a so so butler in an Oceania Suite.  The greatest Butler ever was Bosco in the Owners Suite but that was an upsell and I like the Oceania suites better than the Owners suite-Owners have a ton of useless trip over furniture on a narrow balcony.

11 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

What can I say --- Incredible food and Incredible company.

 

 

It looks amazing.  Can you tell us what the dishes are?

Just now, SATaxman said:

We just booked 7135 on Marina later this year, after the remodel. With the smaller benches at the foot of the bed, and the table closer to the balcony, it should be better? 

Unless you want the Owners Suite or Oceania Suite, they are the best cabins on the ship in my opinion.  A lot less work now to make the space feel bigger

2 hours ago, kazu said:

Classical music is coming back to HAL.

 

My one sailing on O was enough - one and done.  If they had classical music on that cruise it might have helped as a small saving grace..  There was very little.

There have been classical quartets on every Oceania cruise I have been on since I started cruising O in 2013.   They had Noro on that cruise you were on so that may have caused changes in performances.

I wonder if they will honor the fare.  Pretty sure it's not correct because I put it in for 1 passenger and the price went to $2489 before taxes.

I thoroughly enjoyed your report with such wonderful humour.  What a beautiful cat- it's so hard to say goodbye to our pets.

Looking forward to hearing your reports and as @Beachlover said, you could just continue by adding your thoughts to his thread.  I will be joining the Honolulu Vancouver portion

Safe travels!

4 hours ago, shepherd really said:

Oceania Appoints Chef Alexis Quaretti and Chef Eric Barale as Executive Culinary Directors

 

Here's a link

 

Oceania Appoints Chef Alexis Quaretti and Chef Eric Barale as Executive Culinary Directors - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News

Interesting that they don't mention the former Executive Culinary Director Franck Garanger who left O to go to Explora Journeys

From Insider Travel Report "So now that Garanger has moved to Explora Journeys, what is Oceania going to do to replace him.  The small ship premium line wasted no time in naming Chef Alexis Quaretti as director of culinary programs and development."

Does anyone know how soon after the bookings start, do the segments of ATW open up?

On 3/15/2024 at 12:09 AM, Sharkray said:

We are currently in a concierge balcony cabin #7007 on Vista and have the extended balcony with two loungers, two chairs and a table.  We love this cabin and have been using the loungers every day. Having the extra long balcony is awesome and we would definitely book this cabin again. 

That's good to hear because they didn't have the loungers in any extended Concierge balconies last May.  The extended ph balconies on Deck 7 have had 2 loungers from the start.

Just now, DoulaAnn said:

Wow. That seems like a lot for such a small room. I didn't think it was a wine pairing dinner that i saw, but maybe it was.

It could be that someone paid 300 to use the room but just had the Polo menu

21 minutes ago, DoulaAnn said:

On Vista, there was an area in Polo, I think, that was private and could accommodate a group of 8 (maybe 10, I forget). Don't know if there was any upcharge for it or not. Just saw groups using it.

There's an upcharge for it unless they have changed their policy.  It was $300 for the room which isn't as private as Privee and the menu is the Polo menu.  Toscana also has a room like the one you see in Polo.  If you want a special menu, this was what they offered last fall.

Polo & Toscana Food and Wine Pairing menus.pdf

36 minutes ago, peder said:

 

I'm still seeing prices in line with that? I didn't think they ever really ended their sales?

They definitely ended the 50% discount.  My 14 day Dec cruise is $417per day for a solo. They had 50% plus 15% solo supplement. Cost now is more than $4000 higher.

I had refundable credit which I took about 3 days before disembarking Vista.  Had no issue.

9 minutes ago, commodoredave said:

Within 60 days. 

Thank you.

55 minutes ago, commodoredave said:

Us too. We got the dates and times we wanted. 

Same question.  Was this more than 60 days before embarkation?

I got this answer from Explora by email and on the phone

"

Within 60 days prior to your Journey you will be able to pre book a table for the following restaurants:

Anthology
Sakura
Marble & Co.

Do not hesitate in contacting us by the time of your request.

Have a good day 


Lanz Maestri

Experience Ambassador

EXPLORA JOURNEYS"

On 1/30/2024 at 5:49 PM, PutnamNY said:

Our Explora Journeys travel advisor took care of our restaurant bookings for Marble, Anthology and Sakura at the time of booking the cruise. Very simple and fast. 

Were you in the 60 day time frame when you booked?  I called Explora this morning and was told the system would not allow them to make my reservations until 60 days before embarkation.

New Michelin Chef for end of March to June 

New Menu for Anthology

Anthology Chef Claude Le Tohic.pdf Explora Anthology Menu.pdf

27 minutes ago, PrivateIdaho said:

Still better than the Germain I will get on Oceania in March. I do see your point & it will be disappointing if the Moët is replaced. Hope this is not an indication of more cost cuts to come. 

You're in luck.  They had so many complain about Germain, the now serve Monopole

16 hours ago, Lvntrvl said:

Our friends have the cabin next to us. do the veranda doors open to allow us to visit with each other?

I went all the way up the ladder to Dominique Nicolle to have the end portion of veranda opened so my friends next cabin could come over.  The answer was NO.  Don't know if they have had a change of mind.

Can anyone currently on board Explora 1 find out who will be the next guest chef for Anthology.  The website says Emma Bengtsson is on til April and I have a cruise in May.  I would love to know who will be next.

5 hours ago, Hlitner said:

We recently came off a ship that had the best food we have ever enjoyed on any cruise, and this happened on a brand new cruise line (Explora Journeys).  Their goal was to completely rewrite the book on cruise line cuisine and, for the most part, they have succeeded.  But I am sure there are many "O" fans that will insist that O has the best cuisine at sea...having not experienced what the competition offers in recent years.  

@Hlitner

 I find it interesting that you thought EJ had the best food.  The Culinary Staff at EJ has Franck Garanger  and several others who came from Oceania.  I'm going to check EJ out in May after 22 Oceania cruises.

https://explorajourneys.com/us/en/life-on-explora/dining

If you scroll to bottom you will see Franck and the other members.

1 hour ago, shepherd really said:

7024 is forward, not aft.

7124. Typo