bob brown

Here's what the FAQ page on their website says... "may be able" is open to interpretation, but I am guessing that for a fee, they will accommodate you. It may depend on how many request the service as to whether or not they can....not sure. There are self-serve laundry facilities onboard the American Queen only. Ocean Voyager and Ocean Navigator offer laundry services to all guests for a nominal fee. Upon request, our AQV river vessels may be able to accommodate laundry services upon request if needed. Please note that clothes cannot be dry cleaned on board.

Surprised at them not taking the opportunity to hold more “interest free” deposits for a few months, (even though they know they will most likely have to refund them later)…

I noticed that on August 14, the head of AQV will be here on CC to answer questions, but when I looked to ask, it said “closed”…how or where do we ask? Here?🤔

Oh...my mistake...thanks for clarifying that. I don't know why I assumed it was US built. I should have looked it up first. I guess I thought it was similar to the former Victory ships that AQV owns.... How did you like your cruise?

Okay, thanks. It is sad that the Pearl Mist is not US registered. Since it was built in the US, it could have been, but for economic reasons, I suppose, they chose not to.... If it was US registered, sure....the crew expense would cost more, but they manage to make money anyway on their riverboats. And they would be able to do all sorts of coastal cruises in the off-season, that they can not do now....🤷‍♂️

I couldn't find any threads for this one ship line, owned by American Cruise Lines owners, so wonder if it should be discussed here, or the "Other Cruise Lines" category?

Any recent cruiser's on the Pearl Mist, since its refurbishment? I had been booked on AQV's cruise for next year, but they canceled it, and after this season, are putting their former Victory Cruise Line Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager up for sale. So now researching a replacement. This one seems to come closest, but also will consider Viking.

HAL has for years been doing an annual summertime "Voyage of the Vikings", first out of New York, but for quite some time now, round trip from Boston via Greenland and Iceland to Western Europe and return...usually 35 or so days roundtrip.... https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/E4T35A/U450.html

The QM2 is capable of doing 5 day crossings, and started out doing them, like its QE2 predecessor on the North Atlantic 'ferry run'. But Cunard found that passengers on that run wanted a longer experience than 5 days, and after that study settled on mostly 7 or 8 day crossings. Those truly in a hurry will simply fly. There are very few nowadays that absolutely won't or can't fly. The ship will use much less fuel at the slower speed required. It only uses its gas turbine engines nowadays in cases of medical emergencies or storm route deviations.

Yes, I could do that...or order from room service, as well. But I don't want to go to all that trouble. What I would like, is to go to Horizon's after the show in the Insignia Lounge, and while watching the "late show" or listening to music, have some tea and a sweet... The only thing they have now is the salty snacks delivered with drink orders...

The one thing that I miss on Oceania, that is available on the mainstream lines, is the ability to have a "nightcap" snack after attending late shows...say some herbal tea, with a slice of cake or pie before retiring. I can get the tea in Horizon, but not any sweets. On the Insignia, Barista removes snacks at dinner time. I am hoping that the Barista on Vista offers them 24h, or at least until late night...

Agreed…I noticed the reference to maybe expanding future new builds by a modest “5,6, or 7%”. And keeping the present space and staff to passenger ratio…🙂

Astoria, Oregon port provides a free shuttle to downtown shopping district and on to the Maritime Museum. More fun is the nearby trolley car which runs all the way from the port area to 39th Street, stopping at every block, and narrated the whole way. Fare is only a dollar donation.

I’m going to save that quote for the release of the 2026 itinerary…😉

While I haven’t heard of any specific retirement dates for R class ships from “O” insiders, I did hear that they will not receive any more extensive drydockings from Oceania…only what is necessary to keep them going until sold/retired…

IIRC, those two ships are U S built, hence could be re-registered as US, as I believe they originally were. Then they could do all sorts of coastal cruises along the Intracoastal Waterway to lots of ports that large ships can’t access, and no need to do closed loops or visits to near foreign ports. After the Great Lakes, they could do a series of New England, then reposition to Mid-Atlantic, and eventually around Florida to the Gulf Coast, to “follow the sun”. If they can make it on the rivers with US crews, they should be able to on coastal cruises as well. They could sail to New Orleans, and offer combination cruises with their riverboats. A little imagination in their marketing department is all that is required…🤔

I don’t think so…why would they want to give up a niche in the cruise market? Would they elevate Oceania to Regent’s level, drop Regent to Oceania’s level, or bring them to somewhere between the two?

I won’t take your bet, as nothing is ever for certain, and lots could happen…😉 As for filling the ship, other cruise lines have been doing that for years, with much larger ships, albeit usually on somewhat shorter ATW itineraries…

Heard from an ‘O’ insider that for the 2026 ATW cruise, it will be on the Vista. I suppose it had to happen sooner or later. I am not sure how that will impact itineraries or ports used.

https://sewardcitytours.com/free-shuttle

Seward, Alaska has a free shuttle making a loop from the cruise port to the ARR station, and various places around town…

I hope our OCA was wrong, and you are correct, but since there will be an almost 2 year overlap of the old O Life and new Simply More programs, I would imagine they will differentiate the two, according to what you have. Some time in 2025, everyone will have the same. At least until they decide to make more changes…😉 By the way, ours is only 12 days, so no need for pro rating fares…

Perhaps I should ask this on the Azamara forum, but I will try here… I recall when Azamara was spun off from Celebrity, to expand parent RCCL’s market coverage. But why did they end up divesting it? Subsequently, they acquired Silversea, but they are more like Regent’s niche.

Got the answer later today from the O Club Ambassador… On the free cruise, one cannot receive O Life, or even Simply More perks, even though the latter is now included for full fare paying passengers…

Interesting…I am in the same situation. My milestone cruise is already booked for this December, and wonder if It would make any difference in the total cost if I changed it from “cruise only” to “simply more” (if that’s even allowable on a free cruise)? The difference might be in the not included port taxes and fees, if those went up along with the fare increase.🤔