Snidjud

We were on the ATW2020 until it ended in Rio. In addition to the fine report from CBB, I would add that, up to and including Rio, we did not miss a single port because of the coronavirus. (We missed a couple at the beginning and the Falklands because of weather.) Although the news about the virus kept worsening, tours went ahead and we had a wonderful visit to 15 different countries in our 70 days on board. As I look back, I can see how lucky our timing was - two or three days later arriving in Rio may have made getting off and home much more difficult.

With respect to the negative comments from “leggers” on world cruises, I can tell you that our experience has been very different. We were on legs of both the 2015 ATW (3 legs) and the 2017 ATW (1 leg). In both cases, we found warm welcomes from all and, unless we asked, did not know who was on for the ATW and who was on for only segments. Yes, there were special events to which we were not invited but those events did not detract from our enjoyment. In fact, compared to our other Oceania cruises (Sirena and Marina), we found the “vibe” on the Insignia during the world cruises to be very enjoyable; it seems that the Oceania staff and passengers try harder given how long everyone is going to be together. Bottom line for us - we enjoyed our experiences on the segments so much that we are now booked for the 2020 ATW. And I promise to be friendly to everyone!

Re: Falkland Islands Tours

Hello all,

I am a great fan of Patrick Watts and his tour to Volunteer Point. Guaranteed fun ride to get there and thousands of King, Magellanic and Gentoo penguins. I am booked for my second visit to Volunteer Point on Feb 28, 2020. Unfortunately, somebody has been writing that Patrick has no spots left for 2019-2020. Patrick just told me that he has lots of openings Just email him at pwatts@horizon.co.fk. Three photos from our trip in Dec 2014 are attached.

Judith

For a very interesting take on Marseille, watch Anthony Bourdain, Parts Unknown, Season 6, Eprisode 2. It is available on Netflix.

Some of our best memories come from days when we just let our feet lead us. With a little research before hand and with some help and maps from the tourist info that is almost always set up for cruise arrivals, you can be off and exploring! Ask any local where to get the best coffee (or beer, or tapas, or . . . ) and they will be happy to guide you and tell you some great stories. Just learn how to say “thank you” and “please” in whatever the local language is and you will be treated well. Getting lost adds to the fun!

We were in Skagen in September 2017. As I recall, we were docked about an easy 15 minute walk from the main town. There was also a shuttle. The ship was greeted by a local choir. Everyone was very friendly and helpful.

Hello and welcome to Oceania. We were on a 12-day Baltic cruise on the Marina last September - wonderful ship and route. The highlight was our two-day stop in St Petersburg, where we used Alla Tours rather than the ship’s excursions. In a group of only 10, our fantastic guide, Julia, provided us with an amazingly comprehensive overview of the city. We also used Alla for excursions in Tallinn and to Berlin (from Warnemunde). Other ports - Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Skagen - were all easy to get around in without tours. The ship is beautiful and, with only 1200 people, seems a lot more intimate than the 3000 PAX behemoths that also ply the route. Cabins are spacious. The food - in all venues - was excellent.

Time on Waiheke Island is time well spent! While we were in Auckland in February last year for a few days prior to embarking on a cruise, my husband and I visited Waiheke Island. We took the ferry from Auckland about noon. Using the island’s hop-on-hop-off bus we toured around a number of wineries and other sights. The highlight was dinner at the Mudbrick Restaurant and Winery (made an on-line reservation about two weeks ahead). A cab took us back to the ferry dock and we were back in Auckland about 11pm. Spectacular day!

Better question would be: what can the butler not do?!? We are very low maintenance folks. We rarely order room service or look for extra dinners in the speciality restaurants. In our experience, the butler excels in getting "things" done without the appearance of any effort. Examples:

1. After a shore excursion to Petra, our hiking boots were so filthy, we just left them outside the door. Our wonderful butler managed to get them to look almost new again.

2. In a crunch, our butler arranged for us to get on an early tender, even though we did not have a ship excursion booked. This was a very exceptional situation.

3. We do not drink soda pop, except for club soda. Our preferred drink in the afternoon is juice with club soda and ice. The butler made sure that our frig always contained a glass of each of orange juice and cranberry juice.

4. Once, we had problems with our toilet and had trouble getting maintenance on the phone. One call to our butler and the plumber showed up in five minutes. Ditto for an air conditioning issue.

5. When we met new friends on the ship (don't we all), the butler managed to coordinate a couple of dinners in speciality restaurants so we could eat together.

At times, the butler can be a little over attentive. However, although we did not NEED a butler, it sure was nice to have one!

I am currently on the Sirena; 10-day New York to New York. In spite of having to miss Bermuda due to weather, our experience onboard is very positive. The ship is beautiful, the crew friendly and competent and the food outstanding!

Hi,

 

We are booked on the Nautica for the Singapore to Hong Kong cruise departing Feb 4, 2017. We have been assigned PH3 cabin 8063. This is under the Terrace Cafe, and at the back of the ship. Would it be better to be up front, which would however be under the Fitness Center? Having never been on the Nautica, I don't know if there is noise from the Cafe or the Fitness Center, that can be heard in the cabin's underneath. Front or back of the ship doesn't matter too much, as neither my husband or I get sea sick, my concern is mainly regarding noise. Also, is the starboard side the better side for this particular itinerary?

 

Thanks for any advice and opinions!

For 35 days this past summer, we were in PH3 cabin 8060 on the Insignia - directly across the ship from 8063. We heard no noise from Terrace Café above us and had no problems with the motion. Indeed, our stay on the Insignia and in that that cabin was so pleasant that we just booked into 8063 for a lengthy trip in early 2017 on the Insignia.

Hello all,

I just booked a cruise on Marina to the Baltics, starting September 3, 2016 (PH3 cabin). I chose the OLife package which was $300 pp more expensive than I could get otherwise. I went ahead and booked my four "free" excursions with no problem. I thought that I would share my experience.

On the excursions, it really is easy and, I think, a good deal. The cruise already has quite a few tours listed for each stop (but for one). I chose from the many offerings in four of the ports with no trouble. I believe that you are limited to the excursions that are not marked "OC" or "OE" - ie. the really expensive ones. I just added my selections to "my cart" and , at checkout, they listed the price of my choices as about $650 pp and then calculated the charge as $0. In the end, I guess I paid $300 (the fare increase) for $650 worth of excursions; and, that does not take the free unlimited internet into account. Now, if they would just throw in some free booze because I am a really good person and a quiet drunk:). . . :)

Judith

Hi,

 

Does Oceania provide an excursion from Valparaiso to the Santiago airport for passengers departing the ship that day? I have read reviews from other ship's where the ship provides a city/wine tour of Valparaiso, ending at the airport in Santiago, including taking the luggage directly from the ship to the airport. My cruise is too far away to see a listing for excursions offered that day, and I'd like to know if this would be an option as I am planning what to do and how to do it once we dock in Valparaiso.

 

Thanks for any info!

On our cruise on Marina this past December, Oceania offered a full day tour ending up at the airport. There was no advance notice of the tour; it was advertised only after we were on board. I would highly recommend taking a full day tour, either through Oceania or privately (there are many tour operators). At the Santiago airport, most airlines only allow checkin three hours before your flight and there is almost nothing to do outside the security gates. All the lounges, shops and restaurants are behind security. If you arrive in the morning using the ship's transfer without a tour, you will be sitting for the whole day before you can check in. Besides, there is plenty to see and do in Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Santiago for the day.

According to what's I found that was posted by some traveller, non-alcoholic drinks like Virgin Pina Colada are Complimentary, but there's a charge for non-alcoholic beers. O-Doul's is $4.50 and Buckler is $5.50.

 

http://www.thepreismans.com/bermuda_regatta_menus.htm

 

Maybe this has changed? I'm not sure how old this menu is.

We were on Marina in December 2014 and there was a charge for non-alcohol beer.

Both the White Pass and Fläm railways are spectacular, although both are very weather dependent. On the Fläm line, you stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall for 15 minutes or so, where you just might get to see a Hudra dancing before the massive spray! I beg to differ about there being "nothing" to do at Myrdal. There are hiking trails and beautiful scenery. And, if you are really adventurous, you can rent a bicycle and ride the hair-raising road back down to Fläm. During the summer season, the train is packed; make sure that you book your ticket in advance.

Best. Room. Ever!!!!!!!

Why is 9145 so good?