Cape Hernlopen

I greatly enjoyed the HS ice cream offerings on Regatta and Insignia in 2023. My (personal) favorites were Regatta Royale, Meyer Lemon, Coffee (Costa Rican), and Chocolate Grenadine. When those flavors were offered, I had two scoops at lunch and the following day two scoops at the ice cream center near Waves Grill. I look forward to enjoying all the HS flavors on two upcoming cruises. Oceania do not mess with the HS ice cream! Joel Barry

Dear Susiesan: In November 2022 we cruised to Australia on Regatta beginning in Tahiti and visited two other "Tahitian" islands and then went on to Samoa and Figi. The staff, service and food were outstanding as were the port visits. We did snorkeling (own equipment) twice on our own and were generally pleased. In Tahiti we tendered into the ports except for Papeete. Since the cruise was during Covid we only had 195 passengers! Not a true comparison to your possible trips but some recent input on a sister ship. Joel Barry

Dear "K": On our last trip on Marina (February 2020) we never had to wait more than 5 mins. for a table for two in the 7:00 pm time frame in the MDR. We almost always were given a window location. No chaos whatsoever! We have two cruises booked on Marina for 2024 after the refurbishment. Joel Barry

Last summer we were on the Bangkok to Tokyo portion of the "around the world" cruise on Insignia. Overall the cruise and the port visits were excellent. The staff, food and service were exemplary. We did a combination of Oceania tours, independent tours and out and about on our own tours ( two very late 70's adventurers). We enjoyed all of our experiences. The Oceania tours were somewhat expensive but in some ports the only good option for our interests. Only in the port of Hiroshima did we suffer a shortened port visit and that was due to a mechanical problem the prior day that effected our departure by 3+ hours. We spent four days in Tokyo at the completion of the tour as well four days in Bangkok prior to the cruise. I highly recommend three or four days in Tokyo. Joel Barry

I have enjoyed your posts. We will be on Marina on the reverse cruise next December. The HS ice creams in general are very good. My personal favorites are Regatta Royale, Meyer Lemon and Coffee with White Chocolate Lavender, a close fourth. Have a safe trip home. Joel Barry

One night in Denali is not enough time. The train ride will be nice but you will arrive in the afternoon and leave the next morning. Joel Barry

I have been on two Oceania cruises that offered HS ice cream in the Terrace Cafe, Waves Grill area and often in the Main Dining and/or specialty restaurants. The ice cream is a premium product based on ingredients and butterfat content. Several of the flavors are outstanding while most others are good. Some flavor combinations are unusual but worth trying and may not been everyone's choice. I hope that Oceania continues to offer HS ice cream and adds additional flavors and perhaps even offer more than one flavor per day. Joel Barry

We were on Insignia in June 2023 and concur with the comments regarding the food, Head Chef, General Manager and Dottie, the CD. A special thanks to Lorenzo the Terrace Cafe Manager and head person in Polo Grill. He is the warmest and most caring person and always provides unequaled hospitality. His response is always " My pleasure". We were lucky to meet him on Regatta in early 2023 and then again on Insignia in June 2023. Joel Barry

Dear R17: We were on the Bangkok to Tokyo cruise in June 2023. Prior to the cruise several port times were reduced but nothing drastic (maximum of one hour). During the cruise we had only one port time reduced because of problem with "no power to the elevators". It took three plus hours to rectify the problem, but we made up some of the time in transit and only had a two-hour shorter stay in Hiroshima. Joel Barry

Pinotlover: Your sarcasm and "nasty" undertone are not appreciated. I have noticed your type of response on other occasions, and I surmise that you are pleased with your actions. Have a Happy New Year. Joel Barry

We usually book a veranda cabin. We have always been able to drop off our carry on bag and put our passports and valuables in our cabin safe by noon\ or shortly thereafter. We would always ask our room attendant and they always welcomed us. Joel Barry

Thank you to everyone who responded to my question. Joel Barry

We have not been on HAL since before Covid struck. We recently booked an Alaskan cruise plus three days in Denali. Previously we enjoyed the Mariner's Brunch during past voyages. Does HAL still offer the Brunch on a seaday and do they still provide the "ship tile" as a souvenir? Joel Barry

In response to your questions regarding Tokyo, Hiroshima and Kyoto tours I will give you my recent Oceania experience (June 2023). At the end of our tour we spent 3+ days in Tokyo without a private guide using taxis and the subway and visited every site on our list with ease. In Hiroshima we took the Oceania shuttle to the downtown drop-off and toured the Atomic Bomb sites, Hiroshima Castle and Hiroshima Art Museum. In Kyoto I highly recommend that you hire a private guide and visit the three or four sites of your choice. Remember that the Oceania ship will most probably dock in Kobe which is 90+ mins from Kyoto. As an added attraction if you spend two days in the area both Kobe and Osaka are wonderful destinations. Joel Barry

Dear U.K.V.: I wasn't questioning the veracity of your report but rather the inconsistent and sometimes contradictory statements from official Oceania sources. As the old rock and roll trope states: "believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see". Joel Barry