Cruze4Ever

13 hours ago, ToxM said:

I hope all crew members get out of isolation safely and enjoy a bit of a rest if they are asymptomatic.

 

it’s not Oceania’s fault - it’s the pandemic’s fault. They are now adapting as best they can to a new new new way of working, this is how it will be now. 

 

Make the most of the sun and the food and the camaraderie 🙂

I totally agree!!!

7 minutes ago, jagoffee said:

To add to the information provided by Marconi, I was told the Casino was closed last night at some point and the quartet did not play in the grand bar.  Today’s current says that the Casino is closed all day and I noticed the Quartet is not scheduled today.

 

On a positive note, my wife and I both tested negative this morning.

 

It will be interesting to see what is announced today and what impact if any what impact it may have on our planned Barbados visit.

 

 

Thanks so much for keeping us informed!  Enjoy the cruise!!!

Thanks for all of the info.  Have a great cruise!

3 hours ago, macaroni said:

Just thought I would start this for anyone who wants to contribute information as you have time. I will only do as I have time, but others may like to….

I am so happy that you started this!  We will be on the Riviera on Feb. 7th and I am axious to hear what everyone has to say about the ship and the ports.  Did you have ports changed?

Thanks so much!  All info will be appreciated!

24 minutes ago, Nymich said:

It depends on the Island and what THEY allow and of course those countries can change protocols depending on where things stand.  Not on this cruise but in the last 3 cruises we did the Cruise line didn't know until as late as the day of arrival.  I booked 3 excursions with O on the next cruise because I wanted to pay extra lol to do an excursion.  Now I can see we may not even go there!  If ports are a priority it is tough to schedule anything either you might not go there or they may only allow certain things depending on the islands.  I used to think it was all the Cruise Lines rules.  I don't really think that anymore.  I think it is more what the Island desires.  Which leads us back to the same crazy situation that rules and protocols can change in minutes let alone daily.

Thanks so much and keep on enjoying the cruise and all of the wonderful food!

Are private excursions allowed or just Oceania excursions?  Thanks 🙂

3 hours ago, StandbySea said:

Yes there is.  Deck 16 fwd...walked passed it yesterday or day b4?...

Thanks so much! 

49 minutes ago, StandbySea said:

Things have filled up with sunbathers now...filled quick..steps and certain outside upper decks still closed off including soa terrace in front..closed off as per usual when too windy still.  

Is there still a pickleball (paddle tennis) court on the top deck?  Thanks!

27 minutes ago, Nymich said:

It's tough but somebody has to do it.......

This picture brings back fond memories of going out on the balcony at night.  Enjoy your cruise and thanks for posting!

Many thanks for all of the pictures and information! 😀

Many thanks to all of you, who continually keep us future cruisers well informed!!!  😀👍

5 hours ago, AlexCherie said:

NYMich is doing a great job, and we are sharing the boat with him and what I believe I heard the Cruise Director say were a total of 640 souls (not including crew).

This ... simply overwhelms. Frame of reference, I have been an executive chef in a different life. I know I am preaching to the choir, but the food is simply beyond reproach.

We dined at Jacques (impossibly fine) on the first night, and at 6:30 I would say the seating was about 70% full. We could go to Polo tonight and share a table at 7:30, but I think we'll just enjoy the GDR. Lobster bisque, Marseillaise fish soup, butter roasted Maine Lobster, Prime Rib seem fine for us tonight. We have Polo later in the cruise.

I don't mind saying that Waves simply blows me away. The burger was out of this world, and surf and turf at the pool bar ... all of it incredible. 

I'll straight up say it - the itinerary sucks. This is a low quality, Eastern Caribbean set of ports (St. Martin, St. Thomas, Puerto Plata, NCL's private island). But they are what they are.

I have told my wife to consider strongly delaying building our next home and taking the April 4 cruise of this ship.  It's been that awesome. 

I am taking notes!  Thanks so much!

3 hours ago, pilgrimage said:

 

Happy to help - even with all the FUD, we still had a great time on our first Oceania cruise.  I'm sure you will enjoy it all as well.

 

So climb aboard
We'll search for tomorrow
On every shore.

And I'll try,
Oh Lord, I'll try
To carry on

 

 

Wow!  So beautiful...thanks for sharing!

1 hour ago, Nymich said:

Ty just trying to help if I can.  

You are helping so much!!!  Thanks!

31 minutes ago, marieps said:

We are scheduled to be on Feb 7.  Will be watching and reading with interest.  Thanks for taking the time.

Yes,  wewill be on Feb. 7 also and looking forward to your posts!  Thanks so much! 

1 hour ago, editor@cruisecritic said:

We did this tour last month, Carol, and loved it. It was mostly very flat so not hard, and the countryside is so beautiful! On the way back, we stopped in a river-front park and a lovely young woman from a local cider distillery showed up with the most amazing ciders to taste (the apple juice alone was so delicious) and sweets. Fun!

 

On our trip, on another call, there was a canoeing option (really it was kayaks) and that was absolutely great too.

 

Carolyn

Thanks so much the info!  

~Carol

Has anyone been on the excursion Discover Claude Monet by Bicycle?  I just received an email that Viking added this excursion to our itinerary and would appreciate some feedback on the excursion.

Thanks!

Carol

16 minutes ago, Cruze4Ever said:

We are booked on the Rinda, Sept. 24, 2020.

 

 

Oops!  My mistake we are booked on the Rinda, Sept. 24, 2019.!

We are booked on the Rinda, Sept. 24, 2020.

10 minutes ago, AnhaltER1960 said:

Sad news for Paris travellers. Cathedral Notre Dame is ablaze and that does not look good. The whole roof is on fire. Damage cannot bei estimated yet.

It is such sad news.  We were looking forward to going there.

Princess cruises give a veterans discount but not Oceania.  We prefer Oceania and ask every time... maybe one of these days!

On 3/28/2019 at 4:56 AM, Peregrina651 said:

Okay. So where am I in the narrative? Yesterday was Day 2 in Paris. In the a.m., we walked to St. Denis to see the church were the French kings are buried (more or less). The ship was telling people to take the metro but we walked. It was not a bad walk but it is a working class, immigrant, low income neighborhood--and you are going to see what life is really like in Paris when you can't afford to live in ritzy neighborhoods. Whether you walk, metro or cab, dont let the neighborhood stop you because the church is well worth the visit. 

 

Afternoon visit to Malmaison was nice. An interesting comparison to Flecheres. Also interesting to note that the current king of Norway traces his lineage back to Josephine and her first husband. 

Thank you for this valuable information!  ~Carol

1 hour ago, Cairn Mom said:

Same here. We did the included winery tour. We thought it was a big nothing. I would suggest ( and many people did this) that people pay for either a full day tour or do one of the afternoon half day tours and enjoy the morning in Lyon. Additionally, the winery to which we went ( different buses went to different wineries) was not accessible and the stairs were made of uneven stone. It was really a challenge to some on our bus. 

Where was the winery?  Thanks!  Carol

1 hour ago, Peregrina651 said:

We leave in just a few weeks now (3/19 sailing) and it is my plan to "live blog" our adventure right here in this thread. It will be a good time to ask specific questions about the itinerary.

 

 

Our cruise is in September and I am ooking forward to reading your posts!  Very nice and helpful of you!

Carol

We really liked the cruise very much! There were some things that we thought were outstanding. We had a riverlorian speak every day, who was well-versed in the history of the places to which we were traveling and shared his wealth of knowledge with us. Unlike river cruises in Europe, where the nightly entertainment consists of either a piano player, singer, musical group or dancers, this cruise had a theater with an excellent 4 piece band and outstanding singers and dancers who performed every night!

The hop on hop off buses were very comfortable and most important always on time. Also, the driver was able to lower the steps to sidewalk level making it easy for guests who have mobility issues. The guide on the bus was very informative and the stops that we went to were great! I would highly recommend the 5 hour boat trip to Hells Canyone! It was outstanding and scenery was gorgeous!

The breakfast and lunch buffets were very good at the River Grill with the option to sit outside. The dinner in the Astoria Dining Room was excellent and staff very accomodating. The River Grill was a by reservation option for dinner, but we didn't find that the food was any better than the dining room and found it to be noisy.

We were in room #314 and it waa very nice, clean and bed comfortable! There was enough room in the closets and drawers to fit all of our belongings. It was quiet and very rarely did we hear people talking. The staff were all very courteous and helpful. We were able to meet with the captain, where she explained the operation of the boat and we took a tour of the engine room.

A great cruise!

~Carol