Hambagahle

The Italians are putting in a new system for checking in for all Regional trains starting in from next Sunday, 28 October. Passengers are required to check in for these trains and have a couple of choices as to how to do so. And the check in has to be done on the day of travel and at least 5 minutes before the train departs. → Check-in must be carried out by scanning the QR code on the ticket, by clicking on the link in the online ticket or via this website: https://www.trenitalia.com/en/purchase/manage_your_ticket.html Further information: https://www.trenitalia.com/en/purchase/digital-regional-ticket.html I don't think this will be much fun for anyone but I did think it is something those of us on Oceania using the Port of Trieste need to know since many of us will travel to or from there on a train. It only affects REgional trains and not the Frecche etc. Check the train numbers to be sure...

I wonder how long it will take to have Oceania remove Ember and put Jacques in that space?? They seem to have shot themselves in the foot with this one.

We have a Vista cruise next April that visits Mykonos. On the itinerary I have it is a tender port.

Thank you. I am delighted.

That is noon for us... makes it easy and thanks for the info!

Last time we were on Oceania we bought the complete drinks package. At lunch and dinner we could choose from a list of about 10 wines for our wine by the glass. On the previous page I read someone who said you now have a choice or red or white. Does this mean you can no longer pick which red or white ? Lord help me if I have to drink a sauvignon blanc!! Anyway we have taken the SimplyMore offer and we are buying the upgrade to the full beverage package... I found this actually saves us a little money based on our choices of excursions and what we like to drink.

I agree - having sailed Regent in the past. But it is TOO expensive. You can be on Oceania, add all the extras (drinks, excursions etc) and come out better financially AND in a larger suite.

Yet this morning all is well I hope! I haven't been following the weather but I know it is hurricane season around the US and Caribbean...

Previous to sailing for the first time on Riviera we had sailed on Hurtigruten and Regent (plus eons ago, Cunard and Union Castle line). Riviera was a revelation to us. Food excellent, size just perfect because it meant more specialty restaurants but not too many people. Butlers have been great (the wonderful Churchill was the best!). Itineraries are "more or less" what other ships do so those aren't an issue. We have now cruised 3 times on Riviera and are book on Vista for next April. I am sure you will love Oceania.

There is ONE case in which the pilots do take command over from the Captain - the Panama Canal. As soon as the pilot boards HE is the captain of the ship. That was carefully explained to us when we went through the canal on Regent's Mariner.

You may have changed my mind about eating at Toscana. Seems like they have improved their offerings... previously I have found it big on quantity and lacking in flavour! I do not like large amounts of food on my plate. But I love good sauces. (Funny though - I have never eaten lamb in Italy and don't recall seeing it in the supermarkets there either).

On our Riviera cruises the Cruise Director provided all sorts of non-alcoholic drinks, coffees etc. If you wanted wine or something else you paid for it. On a trans-Atlantic cruise on Riviera we had around 30 people on the M&G list. Captain, GM, CD and Social staff all attended the M&G. it was very nice... I think though that all depends on the CD and his/her staff as to what they will do and who is invited to come from the officers etc.

That is good information. We like several cruises that have stops in Israel. We don't want to get off there and I thought we could just stay on board. But you are saying we would have to have our passports stamped ?

We originally booked with the OLife programme. When Simply More came out out TA pointed out that switching to it would save us a little money on the excursions (USD6 !) but that should we wish to add on the Full Beverage package it would save us a lot. Since we normally do that we switched. The daily rate under the old programme was around USD70 per person. The rate we have with Simply More is more like USD 30 pp. Makes a difference...

On the airline we fly (Swiss) only passengers in First use the First class loos. Only those in Business use the Business class ones... But that isn't the point with Oceania. they have two lounges reserved for the "upper" suites and staterooms - Executive Lounge and Concierge Lounge. Those can be compared to the lounges that airlines have that are reserved for First and Business passengers and Frequent Flyers... I just don't see this as a problem.

Sounds reasonable...

Thanks Floatplan. yes - I know I will not have automatic access to the Concierge lounge. And I had already planned to talk with the Executive Concierge to be allowed access. (We, because of a couple of excursions, will have to have breakfast in our suite on a few days...so if I can access the Concierge lounge and bring the espresso back it makes life easier. I will of course also ask our Butler to bring them BUT I like my espresso hot! But thank you for re-confirming the existence of espresso machines in the Terrace.

I have seen one of those Jura machines... Not something you would put in your hand luggage! My Nespresso machine would go in my backpack. Hmm?? worth a try? Maybe not!

Linda - he would have to lug a grinder too!!! What a sight!

So does Regent! Oceania needs to think about this. Maybe "on request" if they don't want to buy scads of machines.

Chacun à son goût - to each his own. Anyway I am relieved that I can get espresso at breakfast AND that there is an expresso machine in the Concièrge Lounge which is just a few doors down from us! Now I have to figure a way to get into it - we are supposed to use the Executive Lounge but that is two decks up.

I wish I could bring my Nespresso machine with me...but Oceania won't let me do that I think! We will just have to drink whatever espresso we can find on board and then look for places onshore with decent coffee!! (Which will be fun anyway! I had the best cappucino of my life in Budapest when on a river cruise...so you never know)

I had to live in the United States for a long time - 25 years or so in all. I have tried (and hate) American brewed coffee. In all its forms. Slightly better is the coffee maker that you press down. But that can't compare to a good espresso. Not for me anyway!!

Maybe it is worth trying Nespresso. we always used to buy coffee and either have it ground at the shop (in NY) or supermarket (in CH) and found that the grind was never identical. So the result was not either. We tried grinding it ourselves (or rather, I tried...) and that didn't work well either. Then we found Nespresso. It is the most consistent coffee I have ever tried. Never varies. And is delicious. We buy all sorts of Nespresso so we can change the coffee to fit our particular mood. It is just wonderful (and I am not saying this because I am Swiss!!).

Merci catmouse!! I never drink lungos (of course our Nespresso machine makes them!) - Ken does. So will remember this - and think of you!!