bob brown

8 hours ago, MarkWiltonM said:

 

If you do, the chef may point out how highly processed those cookies are compared to theirs. Artificial flavors, preservatives, etc. 

 

https://www.fooducate.com/product/Kirkland-Signature-Gourmet-Chocolate-Chunk-Cookie/08C830D6-9D9E-11E0-86F7-1231380C180E

That quote was actually from me, but anyway, I tried reading your link to learn from it, but did not want to register with that site to enable access.

I am certainly not a nutrition expert, all I know is, is what my taste tells me, and it tells me that those Kirkland chocolate chunk cookies are vastly superior to what Oceania offers, in general.

Having said that, I must disclose that the ones served me at the Insignia Grand Dining Room last evening were greatly improved.  I really enjoyed them and made sure to pass along comments to the chef…🙂

4 hours ago, Hanoj said:

, it seems the quality and style of senior managements, in many industries, is increasingly paternalistic. Perhaps there have become more sheep, unaware of being fleeced

Maybe it was that way in the past, but with todays social media, and instant access to information, I don’t think consumers (or most of them) are so easy to “fleece”…🤔

15 hours ago, zz19 said:

  15 hours ago, zz19 said:

We will be joining you on the Tokyo-San Francisco portion of your ATW on June 20.

Do you want us to bring Costco chocolate chunk cookies from San Francisco ?

Feel free!🙂

When you are on wifi calling, your phone acts like you are at home, except there is somewhat of a lag, and its easy to “step on” the other persons voice…

Works fine on the Insignia…just be sure to enable it on your phone and with your cell provider before leaving home…very difficult to do after.

2 hours ago, cruisecrazy2023 said:

Thank you for your post - We were on the May 13 cruise and stayed closer to the Aft. Frank Del Rio was on our cruise and gave an informative talk to the Cruise Critic folks - and he said that at the aft they installed some mechanical equipment that would meet some energy saving requirements, and this caused a bit of a redesign of that part of the ship. It likely pushed the kitchen galley spaces and restaurants more forward and could have caused the elevator change. 

 

Okay, thanks…now it begins to make sense…a  “last minute” redesign does sound likely.  Hopefully they had time to correct that for the Allura, if not too extensive or costly…

10 hours ago, BarbaraM said:

After complaining several years ago, we were told that the base ingredients for all cookies are corporate determined-- bought as a mix, same as the pizza crust in Terrace.  Some things the chef on board has no control.  

Could be, but I find the chocolate chip cookies offered on corporate sister NCL,  to be superior.

They usually are devoured as quick as they are put out…

One day, I may bring aboard a 24-pack of Costco chocolate chunk cookies, and give them to the pastry chef, to taste what good is…🙂

9 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Interesting about the aft stairway/elevators not going to deck 5.  That got our interest because our booked cabin (which we can still change) is located relatively close to the aft elevators.  A careful look at the deck plan seems to show that the aft stairs/elevators would be in a crew space, on Deck 5, which I am guessing is part of the galley.  So, access to Deck 5 (a deck with many facilities) is limited to only the forward stairs/elevators.   Certainly a design anomaly, if not a flaw.  I imagine it will cause some issues for those with mobility limitations who have aft cabins.

 

Hank 

Sort of reminiscent of the stairways and elevator banks on the old, class-separated ocean liners, where you had the “you can’t get there, from here” syndrome.😁

But many modern cruise ships also have these “obstacles” of navigation.   Sometimes because a full width galley isolates an aft, lower deck restaurant from the rest of that deck.

On Oceania’s “R” Class ships, if you are in a forward cabin on Deck 3, you cannot access the forward stairway/elevator bank without violating a “crew only” area, which means you need to first walk back to the aft stairway/ elevator bank, go up to another deck, and then go forward again.

When the gangway is on Deck 3, they will sometimes allow you to cross that area…

The only known cure for “PCDS” (Post Cruise Depression Syndrome), is to…

book another cruise!😉😁

Thanks from me, as well.  I’ll know a lot more on what to anticipate on my cruise next year.🙂

4 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

The rash of new ultra-luxury cruising yachts and expedition ships looks like a classic bubble to me.  There was a shortage, but it has already turned into a surplus...

I am hoping that it will result in some good deals, and make some within my budget, if only for a “once and done” trial…😉

3 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Speaking of Milwaukee, I remember a famous beer slogan from there.  And speaking of that, I also remember this infamous joke:

 

There was a baseball relief pitcher named Milt Famous.  On the day of a doubleheader, after the first game he and the other pitchers who had already been used went to a bar and had a few beers.  Then the second game went into extra innings and Milt was called on again – but he was a little 'under the weather' and walked in the winning run.  In the press conference after the game, the 'winning' batter said "That was the beer that made Milt Famous walk me!"

 

[ok, I'll go to my room...]

I used to drink Budweiser, and tell my Schlitz drinking friends that Bud was the beer that made Milwaukee jealous…😆

Looks like CHICAGO!👏🙂

According to the AIS🙂

As more and more cruise lines seem to be saturating various segments of the cruise business, and some seem to be searching for new “niche’s”…evidence, the recent new entries in the ultra luxury or in the expedition segments; this is one where there is currently no competition.  I don’t know if this segment would be profitable or not, but I suspect it could be.

If I had the means, I might consider investing in it…🤔

On 5/27/2023 at 8:39 PM, DaveinCharlotte said:

Good idea! The Grande Mariner and Grande Carribe must still be around somewhere in mothballs.

As far as I know, they are still for sale, and haven’t been scrapped.  Too bad Blount doesn’t seem interested in reentering that market, or AQV buying them and doing so…

Another idea would be for AQV to acquire a ship or boat small enough to navigate the Erie Canal.

That would open up a whole lot more inland river itinerary possibilities.  The Blount line used to offer that, but seem to have ceased operations.

Imagine doing the “Great Loop”!

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/great-loop.html
😎

 And perhaps sailing up the Missouri to Kansas City, Omaha, and Sioux City.

Or the Arkansas up to Fort Smith and Tulsa.

Amazing potential…

21 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

It might be even better in the opposite direction, going down the Mississippi with the current to provide more time in ports?

Either way would be okay with me…🙂

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

We rented bikes and rode the loop around the island, and I went horseback riding. That was probably 25 years ago, when I was more spry!

Does the ship carry and loan out bicycles like their riverboats do?

I would prefer that means of transportation over riding on a horse drawn carriage…

I was disappointed to read on some Vista reviews, that this machine, is not available in their Horizon Lounge, as is on the Insignia.

I enjoy its “Americano” better than Barrista made coffee, which I find too strong, or dining room coffee which I find too weak. 
 

I would love to see AQV create a “Grand Voyage” that would begin in, say New Orleans, on the American Queen, do the entire Mississippi up to Minneapolis, use their coaches to transfer to Duluth, then board the Ocean Voyager to do the entire Great Lakes, continuing to Montreal, and on to do the entire Atllantic Inracoastal Waterway, ending back in New Orleans.

It would be sort of their version of an “Around The World” cruise…😎

I would jump on it , if offered!🙂

Enjoying your photos and commentary.

Only wish the itinerary extended a bit further, to include Duluth…

On 5/21/2023 at 7:41 AM, bob brown said:

I’ll ask Cella, but not expecting her to either know or prematurely share that “proprietary” info…😉

8 hours ago, LHT28 said:

We may just have to wait  for the Official announcement from O  😉

 

Maybe some of  the VIP's  will have insider info but  they  may not be willing to share

 

 

 

Just as we thought…This morning I asked Cella about it, and she “Couldn’t confirm or deny” the rumor.  She could not even “confirm or deny” there would be a major announcement coming in July.  She just smiled and said we would have to wait and see…🙂

I haven’t read any of those reviews, but I can comment on my own personal experience on my current, second ATW cruise aboard the Insignia…

First of all, I am not a “foodie”, by any means, so perhaps not the best person to comment, but I find plenty of delicious food on board, in all of the venues.  And to my perception, no degradation since my last Oceania cruise in 2019.

As far as service…I think it is superb, rendered by a generally very happy and friendly crew.

Yes, there are a few new crew members, but they seem” to quickly learn, and assimilate into the on board culture.

The crew to passenger   ratio is much better than what you’ll experience on a “mainstream” line…400 to 680, enabling more personal service.

22 hours ago, Hanoverian said:

We did this several years ago.  We got off in Porto and re-joined the ship in Lisbon the following day. All that Oceania asked when we floated the idea in front of them before the cruise was to be absolutely sure that the reception desk people were fully informed of our plans at least several days in advance.  They also asked that we gave the ship phone numbers and hotel names and our mobile phone numbers so that it could get in touch with us in the event of some unforeseen event, either on our part or theirs.  Informing just your room attendants is not enough.  Ship management needs to be fully informed.

Getting off in one port, and rejoining in another, is an entirely different matter, than staying off overnight and returning in the same port.

You must inform the cruise line and receive approval in advance, as sometimes it is complicated by immigration or “cabotage” regulations.  
That said, Oceania does offer such so-called “Overland” shore excursions on some itineraries, so it is not uncommon…

55 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

So far  but there is something new in the works  come July

 

Maybe see if the O club Ambassador  has any  news on it ?

I’ll ask Cella, but not expecting her to either know or prematurely share that “proprietary” info…😉