pinotlover

We docked in Yokohama and in Kobe. There is a large cruise ship terminal in both ports which the ship utilizes.

+1. This is April 2024. With all the current world events I doubt Oceania is willing to commit to much of a schedule in over 2 years from now. Additionally, as a marketing decision, why would they tell you now a certain cruise is going in September 2026 when they want you to book it for 9/25?

That question was asked to the FCS ( Past OCA) on Riviera. She responded that July 26 onwards cruises would be released in September or October.

I don’t believe I said or suggested that jackets are required in the Specialties. I only reported what was being worn on our cruise. My experience is that Carribean cruises, along with other very warm weather cruises, are typically more casual than other cruises. We were definitely not a warm weather cruise! A higher percentage of jackets were worn by the gentlemen on this cruise than other cruises such as to the French Polynesia. Some won’t wear a sports jacket under any conditions and that’s allowed . I always take a sports jacket because sometimes it’s freezing cold in the Specialties . Just like my wife always carries a sweater or shawl. Neither are required by code, but we prefer not to be uncomfortable in any venue. Slipping a jacket off is simple if it’s too warm. Bringing a jacket, sweater, or shawl, even on a warm weather cruise, means one has options and can adjust to the surroundings environment. Not bringing them eliminates options.

We had the same schedule as you. Kyoto was a two hour, one way, bus or train ride from the port. That significantly cut into any sight seeing in Kyoto. So we decided to go back to Kyoto post cruise. We spent our time in port, during the cruise, seeing Osaka and Nara both of which were excellent. the bullet train from Yokohama to Kyoto was excellent and easy.

I’ll conclude this thread with a couple of points: 1. Passports were required in every port. You have to keep them with you at all times. Very different from Europe and other destinations. 2. Lots of walking, lots of steep stairs. Be prepared. 13,000 steps per day is fairly average. 3. Absolutely fantastic food along the way in the various ports, with most showcasing their regional flairs. The best meals on this cruise was definitely in several of the ports. 4. Good cruise overall providing a good glimpse of where one needs to return to when not stymied by a cruise ship schedule. We’re off to Kyoto after disembarking. 5. Lastly when possible, fly into Haneda not Narita airport. Enjoy your travels. Wonderful people and beautiful country.

Ships running out of various wines has long occurred. Sometimes, as with this cruise, maybe up to 50% if they don’t make a regular stop at one of the major restocking ports.

Random count in Jacques a couple nights ago. 18 out of 20 gentleman were wearing jackets. Polo Grill was about the same earlier on.

On the Riviera with very limited internet. A question for those of you at home: In the new release of cruises, going into 2026, are all of the R ships listed; or have any disappeared?

As stated above, the crew is not allowed to keep Oceania branded wine as gifts or gratuities. You can’t leave them that bottle of wine or champagne, provided to you by Oceania. They must turn that in.

In the U.S. , neither the airlines nor most the hotel chains pay commissions to the Travel Agent. If you’re to lazy or incompetent to book your own one typically pays a fee for those services. The OP, Agent was honest and upfront and disclosed what those fees will be. If however, one is including those arrangements as part of a total travel /cruise package , the TA may well waive those additional fees. A couple of things are happening at once. The number of experienced TAs is declining, while the 3/1 ratio of booking to actual cruises taken is taking a toll. While some passengers are firing their TA, some TA are likewise firing some of their clients. These additional fees are an intermediary.

We’ll be in our late 70’s by then and perhaps past our cruising window. Some here will be much older. I’m certain whatever they have planned is for a different demographic than some of we posters belong. The two O ships still probably have a decade left which may surpass our sailing exploits.

I’ve only been aboard two (2) days at lunch time on this cruise so probably not a good source but, witness ice cream/ milk shake/ malt line here on Riveria stretching to 45 minutes. People complain their food is cold before they get back with their shakes/malts, or if they stand in that line so long, it’s finished before they get their Wave meal delivered! 1. The product is obviously very good ; 2. You should see the line!! 😳 No way I’m standing in it for anything! 🙄

As I understand the issue as explained, the O ships cabins were stick built, meaning built out aboard ship. The new A ships, as well as most recently built ships, have their cabins built modularly, off ship, and then slid into place individually as modules. This process is highly cost efficient, but eliminates most of the sound proffing between the cabins. The only effective fix requires a massive amount of sound proffing material added to each pre constructed cabin module. This equals more construction costs. Pray for quiet neighbors.

Besides the availability of certain ports, I see the larger changes being in dining? Do they make the GDR and Terrace larger yet? How about the Specialties? With 200 more passengers I’m guessing extra Specialty nights, except for top suites, will mostly disappear.

You’re correct. I only get the $100 SBC because the new release is 4 days after we disembark vs $250 if we could book aboard. Everything else is the same. I should have specified that originally.

I can only report as to what’s happening now aboard. My experience, with well over a decade with Oceania is that policies change regularly based on the dynamics of what’s happening at the time. We have all those folks with 2:30 boarding times showing up at the ship at 10:30 expecting to be accommodated. Perhaps too many with 8:30s were showing up at 6:45 expecting the same! Don’t know, but currently it is what it is. People are being made to wait until their assigned times. Nothing shocking or adverse.

Currently on the Rivera, those showing up early are being directed to the provided chairs, outside the restaurant, to await their reservation time. I don’t believe the restaurants want to get into the habit of facilitating early arrival. They don’t want to start the avalanche of those with 7:30s showing up at 7:10 or 7:15; nor those with 7:00s showing up at 6:30. The early arrivals are seated with those with no reservation hoping for a cancellation spot.

Continuing on. We headed too Pusan, SK today. South Korea blocked all our ship board wifi while in their waters. Being without internet for nearly twenty four (24) hours for us isn’t a bid deal. However, for those of you that it is, you need to plan accordingly. According to our butler, this happens most every cruise into their waters. Just plan for it.

Fwiw, ate in Jacques tonight. No jacket required, but in excess of 90 percent of the gentlemen wore them. Cruise Critic posters represent a small percentage of passengers aboard the O ships.

The Captain just came on the intercom over the entire ship and personally read out the names of the Oblivious and ordered them to Reception! This is pass the request stage! 😳. The ship can’t leave dock until they go through the immigration checkpoint. We need to get them off the ship, then leave them here!

As an update, we all got a letter in our cabins giving us notice of today’s immigration check and procedures. The CD has made announcements on this several times. The CD just made the announcement inside all cabins. We are just 5 minutes from “ all aboard “ and the Oblivious are still not responding. Search teams are now going around to the cabins and escorting the Oblivious off the ship to the immigration center! So the question is: Would the Oblivious reacted earlier if the announcements had been made earlier directly into the cabins ( and interrupted some poor soul’s tv show), or would the Oblivious just ignore those announcements also? I’m guessing the facial recognition system is also scanning the public areas for the wanton souls.

I suppose part of the issue is in the definition of critical or important. Take today for instance here on the Riveria. We were told twice over the PA system to (1) take our passport with us on our shore excursion and; (2) everyone had to exit the ship to go through S.Korean immigration. We were on a ship tour and numerous fellow passengers didn’t bring their passports. Was that announcement important enough to be carried into the cabins, or may that have inconvenienced those wanting to watch tv? Or would it matter with the oblivious anyway?

On Riveria now. I have booked all the current release cruises I chose to take. There will be a new cruise release for booking on 4/17 which is four (4) days after we disembarked. I can buy a FCC now anboard, getting all its benefits, and have my TA book our newly selected cruise on 4/17. This is the primary advantage of a FCC.

I believe we all have different degrees of risk aversion based upon on our physical limitations, abilities, and personal choices. Some people won’t cross a street unless mommy Oceania is there to hold their hand. They’ll pay ridiculous prices to stay in Oceania hotels and/or take all O land tours. Other people have different views and ack according. We sometimes take ship tours based on a number criteria. The obsessive fear that some have of missing the ship is rarely one of those. To each their own.