Cape Hernlopen

Dear Fellow Cruisers: For the Jewish Sabbath Service Oceania provides wine and Challah in the Library. Eating and drinking is encouraged! Joel Barry

Dear Regatta Cruisers: We were on the Regatta cruise from Papeete to Darwin (Oct.20-Nov. 10 2022) on had a wonderful experience. This was the replacement cruise for a Southeast Asia (end in Japan) cruise. We were compensated for the change. We missed several ports and numerous other changes during the cruise without any compensation. The staff and service were outstanding. By the second day everyone addressed us by name. The food and restaurant service were up to Oceania standards. The Head Chef was always visiting different restaurants and was very approachable. The HS ice cream which we missed on our last cruise (Marina February 2020) was a treat. The ship facilities and FF&E were in good maintenance. While on the ship we booked another cruise. Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruisers: We sailed on the Regatta from Papeete to Darwin (October- November 2022). The ship was very well maintained and in excellent condition. Service from the staff was excellent and by day two everyone addressed us by name. We had ten sea days and therefore many meals on board. The quality and variety of the food was excellent as was the HS ice cream The Head Chef was always visiting different restaurant venues and was very approachable. We enjoyed our cruise and hope to sail on Regatta again after our June cruise on Insignia. Joel Barry

Dear 88FL: The CD on Regatta (Leslie Jon) loves cumulative nouns for the afternoon Triva, perhaps you will do very well with him as your CD. Joel Barry

Dear DLM: We spent four days in Papeete and one day in Huahine in November 2022 and the currency of choice was XPF. Two "bank" ATM's (with an excellent exchange rate) were at the airport. In other South Pacific countries only local currencies were accepted except for Somoa where U.S. dollars were accepted and sought. Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruisers: We crossed the IDL on our November 2022 cruise on Regatta. There was no ceremony (a port day) but we received a nice certificate to commemorate the event the following day. Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruisers: On our recent Papeete to Darwin cruise several ports were cancelled, and we fell below the required minimum for YWYW discount. The discount remained on our existing tours. At the last minute (the night before) we added a tour in Darwin. That tour was cancelled because of "low interest". We were refunded our money as a credit on our account. By the way, we completed the cancelled Oceania tour by taxi (on our time schedule) and saved almost $200. Joel Barry

Dear NETPJ: We stayed in Papeete for three days prior to our Papeete to Darwin cruise (on Regatta) in November 2022. We stayed at the La Tahiti by Pearl Resorts. It was approx. a 15 mins. drive to downtown but the facility, the beach and the restaurant were all excellent. The Thursday night show was spectacular. We used the Cultural Tour with an Archaeologist on Huahine from Oceania and it was fair but very expensive for a museum visit and guided hike. I would not recommend it. The food and service on Regatta were outstanding. Joel Barry

Dear Susie: Very happy that you and your husband received your Passports and can now enjoy your cruise. This serves as a wakeup call for everyone to check their Passport expiration dates whenever they book a new cruise. Have a safe and enjoyable trip. Joel Barry

Dear Susiesan: I hope that both you and your husband receive your new Passports in time for your cruise. Since "nothing" can happen tomorrow have a happy and worry- free Thanksgiving celebration. Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruiser: I would highly recommend that you do not tour Jerusalem on Friday. The Old City will be crowded with possible closures and the market will be very crowded. Everything (tourist interests) will close early including many restaurants. Go to the Dead Sea or a beach on Friday and Saturday. Joel Barry

Dear LHT28: If "28" is for the year you were born, you are older than me. If "28" is your current age, you are younger than me. That puts me somewhere between 29 and 94 years of age. In either case, I bet that I can beat you in Pickleball! For your information, in my opinion 75 or older is "up wing" in age. Joel Barry

Dear RTW and Susiesan: What Dylan meant by "up wing" was the elite, the financial well off whereas the "down wing" were the poor, downtrodden, economically disadvantaged. Afterall he was the champion of the underclass when he wrote those poignant lines. I consider that most people on Oceania are financially well off economically and probably well up in years. Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruisers: According to the great American "poet" Bob Dylan there is "no left wing or right wing only up wing and down wing". I thought that the Oceania demographic was mainly "up wing". Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruises: Our cruise from Papeete to Darwin (Oct 21-Nov 10) and the prior and next cruise on Regatta have all cabin classifications "available". Joel Barry

Dear W.A.M.: Thank you for your updates and photographs. Two brief questions regarding "things on the ship". Is the string quartet playing at the afternoon tea and before dinner and are the staff wearing masks? I hope that you and your family continue to have a wonderful cruise. Joel Barry

Dear Susiesan: I own my 100 shares of NCL in a Trust Account and have received the OBC twice with no questions asked. Both times it was for longer cruises and I received the $250 OBC. Joel Barry

Dear Responders: I have the ticket number for all of my flights. Joel Barry

Dear Roberts: We paid the $350 deviation fee for the two of us. We are flying coach but will upgrade with the airlines for the two overnight flights. Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruisers: Happy to report that I just received my flight confirmations with record locator number from Oceania via my TA. All flights were exactly as requested and without any additional charges. It took a while but Oceania delivered. Joel Barry

Dear FF: Closest major airport is IAD. DCA also has non-stop flights to LA to hookup with a connection to Papeete. Still no response from Oceania. Joel Barry

Dear Fellow Cruisers: Thank you for your comments. Several additional facts might change your responses since it appears that my actions or inactions are to blame. Our cruise was completely changed three weeks ago from Tokyo to Hong Kong to Papeete to Darwin. When we signed up for the cruise Japan was closed to tourists and no flights were available. We received our flight information for the Papeete to Darwin cruise on Monday, August 22. We responded within two hours with proposed changes. My hands were virtually tied and going with Oceania air was the only option. Joel Barry

We are scheduled (two prior cancellations) for the Oct 21- Nov 10 Regatta Papeete to Darwin cruise. On Monday, August 22 my TA contacted Oceania via e-mail and telephone of our desire to invoke the "air deviation option" and pay the required fees. This was within hours of our receiving Oceania's flight information. Our selected replacement flights were with Qantas/Delta the carriers that Oceania was using for the trip. Last Thursday my TA was told that flight information and any additional costs would be available by Monday (Aug. 29). We received no information from Oceania. My TA called Oceania and was eventually told that we would "definitely have the information by no later than Wednesday". It is now almost 4:00 p. m. and we have no response from Oceania. Is it customary to wait 10 days for a simple and standard request? Any suggestions as to what we should do? This delay is impacting our hotel and tour selections for our pre and post cruise. Joel Barry

Dear Redshine: Currently U. S. citizens require a Visa to enter Japan. Unfortunately, an individual cannot obtain a Visa for a cruise on a non- Japanese ship. When covid restrictions are lifted in Japan U. S. citizens will not require a Visa as per the Japanese Embassy statements. Joel Barry

Dear NF: I strongly recommend the Waldorf Astoria in Jerusalem. Large rooms with every amenity, beautiful public spaces, excellent breakfast and first rate security. The location is across from Mammala Mall and near the Jaffa Gate. It is expensive but worth it. Joel Barry