Live From Regatta 07 Sept. - 20 Sept. 2023 Alaska to California Medley - Vancouver to LA

[FetaCheese]

Hello,

 

Starting this topic a few days early.  Please ask any questions.  Last O cruise was in 2019 on Insignia.  Will endeavor to post comments and photos, but will depend on internet, and having time to post, as this is a fairly port intensive cruise, offering much natural beauty.  We have experienced some 45 cruises, beginning over 40 years ago, but 1st time to Alaska.  

 

To other pax:  please post what you can and/or want.  I started a live from on last V, a TA in Dec. 2022, and enjoyed doing it, and reading other pax comments, as well as responding to questions from anyone following along.

 

Now in final stage of packing.  We are eager to experience O again, this being our 5th.  Booked a GTY (not yet assigned), was on ESS, and has been waitlisted since shortly thereafter.

 

Flying into YVR a day early, for all the obvious reasons.  No direct or non-stop service from PHL.  Our connection at LAX is tight, only about 1 hr. 15 min.  AA both legs, so hoping the gates (also not yet assigned) are close to each other.  1st time at LAX.

 

Looking forward to meeting others.  Roll call has been active.  One gracious pax has organized a M&M, with about 40 signed up.

[LHT28]

Enjoy  the cruise

[jonthomas]

Thank you for starting this topic. I will be adding to it.

We were offered a concierge level and although there are really few benefits, for 200pp we took it. Went from a b2 to an A1.

For the second leg, we have an inside guarantee,  not yet assigned. Will post what we end up having.

Originally only going with carry ons, we have been doing that for the past 3 cruises, even a 14 day TA. But this is a 20 day  with two totally different climates, so we added a small suitcase.

Flying on the day, direct, air canada, 5 hours, leave at 7, arrive at 9.

That's it for now. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

We’re onboard Regatta now and will be on for your segment too.

All is well. Food great, no major issues, The GM is Gabriel Ovesea - ultra-competent.

Captain is O’s best - Giulio Ressa.

Can’t remember if anyone’s handling a Meet and Greet for this upcoming segment.

 

PS: The fishing is great (and so are the bears).

Edited September 4, 2023 by Flatbush Flyer

[Jancruz]

Wow Don did the chef cook him for you??? See you Thursday.

Jancruz1

[FetaCheese]

@Flatbush Flyer

 

Yes, there is a M&M planned for Horizons, 07 Sept, Day 1, at 4 pm

 

Please join us.

[Flatbush Flyer]

We’ll be there. Thanks.

 

 

[Flatbush Flyer]

43 minutes ago, Jancruz said:

Wow Don did the chef cook him for you??? See you Thursday.

Jancruz1

No -it’s catch and release. The one in the pic was 10 lbs and I caught two others. Saw numerous orcas as well. 

[Flatbush Flyer]

Sadly, the current Regatta segment’s award winning trivia team (The Evil Geniuses) is dissolving in Vancouver. I’m the only one continuing on. So, if anyone else, who knows trivia for the “blood sport” it really is (just kidding), wants to keep our team going from Vancouver to L.A., let me know and we can connect at the M&G. 

[bobolz]

Thanks Feta for starting  this thread and your willingness to share your experience with us all. We are on the 2nd LA to LA itinerary and this is our 2nd  cruise on the regatta, with the first time being 2004. I’m looking forward to seeing the changes in person and hearing your opinions.  I see you are also flying out of PHL to LAX on AA, although you are only connecting , would like to hear how that goes for you. hope connections go smoothly. 
 

safe travels and enjoy!
 

 

[Woofa]

Have a great cruise, looking forward to your posts.

[AMHuntFerry]

@FetaCheese If I hand you a stone with cuneiform on it, will you post my thoughts too? JK...we're suffering along with a single laptop and logon, but I can probably wrest it out of the spouse's control long enough to chime in between Baristas visits (online gaming just doesn't have the same pull as it does on land). 

The promised rain has added a checked bag (really just an expanded carry-on) full of boots, coats, and swim suits 😄

[FetaCheese]

2 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Sadly, the current Regatta segment’s award winning trivia team (The Evil Geniuses) is dissolving in Vancouver. I’m the only one continuing on. So, if anyone else, who knows trivia for the “blood sport” it really is (just kidding), wants to keep our team going from Vancouver to L.A., let me know and we can connect at the M&G. 

I do enjoy trivia, if pax are not too rabid.  Remember, it's only a game !

[BSR]

@FetaCheese Enjoy your cruise.  Looking forward to reading your posts. Can't wait until our first cruise on the Regatta. 

 

 

[Astro Flyer]

We’re looking forward to our first O cruise after many days on Princess and were originally booked on this 20 day itinerary. We had to rebook & have an interior guarantee cabin on the 7-day Regatta sailing on 9/27. Looking forward to vicariously sailing with those of you on this cruise to learn more about an O cruise.

 

[FetaCheese]

9 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

We’re looking forward to our first O cruise after many days on Princess and were originally booked on this 20 day itinerary. We had to rebook & have an interior guarantee cabin on the 7-day Regatta sailing on 9/27. Looking forward to vicariously sailing with those of you on this cruise to learn more about an O cruise.

 

You will be waiting for your cabin assignment along with John Thomas, who is on for the 20-day voyage.  He has a cabin assignment for the first 13 days, but not for the 7 days.

 

We are all packed, ready and waiting to go. We have a 4:15 a.m. Uber pickup scheduled for tomorrow morning.

Edited September 5, 2023 by FetaCheese
Addl info

[jonthomas]

I believe astroflyer is on the 27th, right after our Pacific coastal.

[goletans]

Where did you see the bears? We're planning our Alaska cruise for August 2024 and would really appreciate any tips and recommendations. 

[julia]

Thx for taking us along...  we're boarding in San Pedro on the 20th!

I would like to hear about anyone's experience with Ubering to LAX at the end of your cruise please? I will check back here and ask....  thx!

[FetaCheese]

Just now, julia said:

Thx for taking us along...  we're boarding in San Pedro on the 20th!

I would like to hear about anyone's experience with Ubering to LAX at the end of your cruise please? I will check back here and ask....  thx!

Yes, planning to use Uber to LAX.  It's far from port.  Found out O transfer is $69 pp.

[LHT28]

4 minutes ago, FetaCheese said:

Yes, planning to use Uber to LAX.  It's far from port.  Found out O transfer is $69 pp.

Super Shuttle  is also an option  but not sure of the pricing  now

[jonthomas]

We need to get to LAX from Port in LA.

 

Is supershuttle easier, less expensive than Uber?

[FetaCheese]

1 hour ago, jonthomas said:

We need to get to LAX from Port in LA.

 

Is supershuttle easier, less expensive than Uber?

Will search to try to find cost of Super Shuttle.  Did a mock booking on Uber, about $65 for ride, not pp.

 

Uber - private, O and shuttle not.  I don't fancy being herded onto large coaches.

[Flatbush Flyer]

8 minutes ago, FetaCheese said:

Will search to try to find cost of Super Shuttle.  Did a mock booking on Uber, about $65 for ride, not pp.

 

Uber - private, O and shuttle not.  I don't fancy being herded onto large coaches.

You can also look at Execucar (division of Super Shuttle that does private transfers).

 

[FetaCheese]

7 minutes ago, FetaCheese said:

Will search to try to find cost of Super Shuttle.  Did a mock booking on Uber, about $65 for ride, not pp.

 

Uber - private, O and shuttle not.  I don't fancy being herded onto large coaches.

Just checked -- Super Shuttle port to LAX $68.70 up to 3 pax, 3 total pieces luggage.

 

Will most likely take Uber.  Always had fairly good experiences.