CaptainR

Daghis - Do recall the hours that the Coastal Kitchen is open in particular the hours for dinner? Thanks in advance. CaptainR

Of course COVID testing requirements are subject to change at a moment’s notice but we sailed FP on Oceania’s Regatta in March/April of this year and the COVID requirements for FP were: 1. Mandatory COVID test before boarding flight to Papeete plus Oceania had their own COVID testing requirements before boarding 2. COVID test administered upon arrival at Papeete airport (no longer in effect) 3. No additional COVD tests for each FP island were required 4. Regatta administered COVID test to all passengers upon return to Papeete; those leaving the ship testing positive went to 5 days quarantine in Papeete; those staying on Regatta for the cruise to more FP islands and Hawaii testing positive went to COVID jail (confined to stateroom) for 6 days; unfortunately I went to COVID jail Hope this helps. CaptainR

Think my COVID experience was rather unique. My cruise was for 30 days so spending 6 days in COVID jail I only was confined for 20% of the cruise. The three ports I missed while in quarantine I had visited on first leg of cruise so I only had the regret of missing an excursion in Bora Bora that I had decided to do on second leg of cruise. I had a balcony cabin and the weather for all six days was bright and sunny so it afforded me the opportunity to soak up lots of rays and get plenty of fresh air. Regatta’s on demand movies selection was good and I enjoyed catching up on movies I had missed. The Masters Golf Tournament was shown basically without commercials and it was exciting to cheer for the hometown Dallas kid who won. Of course not thrilled to spend 6 days in COVID jail but overall my burden was not that great. Think my experience would be entirely different if say I had to serve 6 days in COVID jail for a ten-day Alaska cruise. Now we are talking about missing 60% of the cruise and missing numerous port I have not visited. That would have been a real bummer and guessing my attitude would have been different. While watching on demand movies I would be thinking I am spending a lot of money for shows I could have seen at home on HBO or Netflix. While the room service menu was expanded to include the Grand Dining Menu, I would be thinking I spent a lot of money for meals that I am eating on my bed or eating awkwardly off that small cabin table. I hate to be a Debbie Downer but guessing I would have carried a heavier burden on a 10-day cruise. Knowing my nature, I am sure I would roll the dice and still go on the 10-day Alaska cruise. To quote Wayne Gretzky “You miss 100% of the shots you do not take.” Of course some shots are better than others and easier to make. CaptainR

Jane - Yes in that I tested positive at the mandatory COVID test prior to Papeete. Viv and I were rewarded with 6 days in COVID jail. My case of COVID was very, very mild and we survived the 6 days just fine. Well, there was one time on day 5 when I almost pushed Viv over the balcony when she was taking too long to decide on room service and then she decided to put shampoo on all my food when I wasn't looking. CaptainR

Hey Bonnie - Thanks again for managing the MG to a great conclusion. Was glad I got out of COVID jail in time to attend. Jon - I was glad to find out that the "beer was still very cold" when released from COVID jail. CaptainR

A minor correction to the record in that not all the passengers who tested positive at Papeete disembarked as I was one who did test positive and then, along with wife, was placed in COVID jail for 6 days for the start of the 18-day leg of the cruise. Believe we were the only ones in COVID jail. During this time was treated great by my cabin attendants, dining room staff regarding room service, medical staff who visited me twice a day for temperature checks and wellness visits, and Head Concierge called every day to check on me. Was relieved that my encounter with COVID was very, very mild. At conclusion of cruise, I felt very lucky as no doubt the Regatta staff had a large COVID issue to deal with and when I was in COVID jail it was only us. CaptainR