kayakcove

As others have said they use these converstions as a learning experience. I will often ask what has been your favorite trip, not just cruising. I explain I am looking for new ideas. The vast majority of our trips since retirement have been cruises. But that question led us to our current all time favorite trip, in central and south Africa and 3 different safari camps.

We were in 631 (Navigator) last year in Antartica and enjoyed the extra space and good views. I would go for this cabin on any sailing in areas where temps would limit sitting outside. No issue with noise. The overhand from the zodiac storage was an advantage as the drop down window was protected when we opened it during snow showers. I would chose deck 6 over deck 5 for that reason. When I did want to get out it is just a few steps to the aft sundeck which has cover as well.

I have sailed with Atlas and enjoyed our trip. On board staff was very good. Do pay attention to the ad, they say is half price or free for the second person. However that based on brochure fares. The price I am seeing in today's email is just that but says PP (per person). I was just looking at Iceland to Oslo Norway and loaded wtih stops along the way

And the Winner is October! AmaSerena - Rhine Castles and Swiss Alps with 3 nights pre-cruise to Lake Como starting on October 18, 2024. Excited as always to get another on the books.

I am focused on AMAwaterways who I think does try and offer menu options for the locality. Is your thinking that local fresh items would be limited late October? Where I live July is normal mid 90'sF and humid. I appreciate your comments on crowds not being that big of an issue. Thank you for your input.

I am looking at cruises on the Rhine but our times available are different in terms of crowds, temperatures and possibility water levels 2024 Mid-July or late October, I have identified a couple of different sailings with very similar pricing. We also want to spend a few days pre or post in Switzerland or Lake Como areas which maybe more impacted by weather than our time on the river. What are your thoughts, which period to focus on and reasons why?

The reality is goggles in this setting is more about weather than light. If there is any sort precipitation as you zip across the water in a zodiac you will appreciate the googles. It can be cloudy as often as sunny. Knowing I was not coming home and taking up skiing, I picked up pair of basic clear lenses goggles with venting to avoid foggy. Did not wear them often, but was glad we had them. Found a pair that allowed room for my glasses. On sunny days, just used my regular sunglasses. Rule one, be flexible and accepting the changes that come, as they will. I had plenty of pictures, but they can only help me remember the massive scope of the setting. What I did not expect was looking out the cabin window at icebergs bigger than the ship.

Noticed a week missing (September 21-28, 2024) on the Riviera schedule. Both on Oceania site and Cruisemapper. Charter or maintenance? Any knowledgeable answers? Considering the prior sailing.

Thanks, this covers it well. I do wish CC had a better search engine, I typed medications not medication and got nothing.

Doing “Best of Japan” on Celebrity in Oct. 2023 and checking for any entry requirements and find warning about bringing medications into Japan. I understand that you can bring your personal prescriptions in quantities for up to a month. But then see there are some prescriptions that are illegal there and some over the counter meds that are illegal (Nyquil, Sudafed, and Lomotil). I have not found any comments about this being an issue, any feedback would be appreciated.

I was surprised that the flash sale showed up on our Oct. 12, 2023 "Best of Japan" sailing that had been one of those overbooked, resulting in some people being canceled. I saved over $300 on rebooking 4 items. Then noticed they had a 40% discount on pre and post land package in Tokyo. I had trouble determining the hotel being used after multiple phone calls, but got a last hour email response. Checked on the hotel and it would be half the cost of the tour for two if I booked it directly. I had already booked flights with two extra nights for Tokyo post cruise. Hope it goes, I asked about min. bookings to make it a go and the answer was vague. I suspect the heavy discount related to this tour not showing up until recently and low bookings. They did not have a lot of excursion choices until the past month or so. Local vendors just getting going again since Japan opened up for travel later than others.

Flying into Haneda around 4pm mid-week a day in advance of sailing on Celebrity Millennium in October. Staying at Hotel New Grand near the port in Yokohama. Considering a private transfer to hotel. How much time should I allow for customs and luggage retrieval for a target pick up time?

Curious on cabin listings for booking sailings I see three results, ‘available’, ‘waitlist’ and ‘closed’. Waitlist is easy enough to understand, what does ‘closed’ translate to? Just booked Vista for May 11, 2024, in a B2 with three in the cabin. Looking at the listing again B2 shows up as ‘available’, when starting a booking for three it becomes “closed’. I then tested it as a party of two and it showed up as ‘waitlist”. I know there are fewer cabins available for three, but someone can still cancel this far out.

That is what I was hoping for. We were on the first public sailing and I suspect they got enough comments to do just that.

I think the issue is there a European controls with symbols rather than words. I had trouble figuring them out.

Does anyone have any guidance on the operation of the machines in the Vista laundry. We were on board in May and never really figured out the right buttons to push. Took a Loooooooong time to get clothes dry. Others were having similar problems. We are booking another in May 2024 and having trouble thinking that moving to “A” class and free laundry is worth $750. Would be great if they posted instructions.

As for all cruises it depends on what your preferences are. We did WS on the Wind Spirit and loved every minute. Prior to sailing I had watched their promotional videos and this was the only time I came home and felt our experience matched those videos. The idyllic scenes and experiences were all there. Each evening we (104) were all on deck for sail away. As the music rose and the sails started extending it sent chills through me as we slipped through the break in the reef. Our first experience with Oceania was on the first Vista sailing and we will be going back. For Tahiti, it is different, and I felt it was best experienced in a small setting and with the sails pulling us along. MANY years ago we did the British Virgin Islands on a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise and again that was the way to go for that locale. We have also been on the Star Breeze for Panama Canal and Costa Rica and enjoyed it, but missed the sails.

What about the free bag for Elite members? Last summer, I was Elite and got the free bag. This year, my wife caught up and she is also Elite. Do we get two bags of laundry? This will be on a 12 night sailing.

I am writing to offer my thanks to those of you who question getting an accessible cabin when not needed. Over the past few years, we have tried to take one cruise a year with our adult son who does need an accessible cabin. We sailed in an accessible sky suite capable of holding 3 in the S class and the E class and appreciated the space and really enjoyed access to the Retreat spaces on E class. I find myself booking more than a year in advance because there are very few accessible cabins with space to handle 3 passengers on most ships. On the E class ships there is only ONE accessible sky suite capable of three passengers. We did find ourselves in an accessible suite on Azamara as a part of the Move up program and recognize that it was shortly before sailing and not booked. We were doing a B2B and upgraded on both, changing rooms at turnaround. We really liked our butler and he agreed to cover our new cabin even on a different level. For those in need of an accessible cabin and wanting space but are having trouble with Retreat availability and pricing. The 3 of us just got home from sailing on the new Oceania Vista. I picked it up when I noticed it had several accessible cabins for 2 or 3. Looking at the deck plans it was clear they were the size of their penthouse cabins, but at Veranda pricing. It was 400 sq. ft. with an extra wide veranda. Two tables, if you wanted room service and the drains in the shower worked very well. We had requested extra towels but did not need them. Noted extra space beside the bed if needed for motorized chair. It did have a power door or entry, but I did think the bath door was hard to handle. With included access to different specialty restaurants, 4 nights on a 7-night cruise we did not miss Lumina. The main dining room was large, never crowded, and the longest wait was 2 minutes the first night.

Just a note for those who lift and shifted to October 2025. Just had generic email from Celebrity promoting Japan in 2024 and 2025 and looked at a couple of sailings in fall of 2025 with "Best of Japan" itinerary. One in late September has space in all cabin types, the one in early October shows it is sold out up to Aqua Class. They also had itinerary change. 4 sea days vs. 3. Only two days in Kobe/Kyoto/Osaka area. Extra sea day is following stop in Shimizu.

I was just reviewing the roll call for the September 30 sailing with the same itinerary and sounds like they are showing the same times, but also as 2 stops in their Celebrity info. I will ask my TA to double check. They have shown as 2 stops since I switched to Milli last year after they dropped Solstice in Asia.

Does your sailing show them as different stops? As of now our itinerary show them as different stops. Below is copy from 'manage your booking'. The times do match up with Cruisemapper. DAY 3,Sat, Oct 14 KobeJapanArrival: 11:59AM DAY 4,Sun, Oct 15 KobeJapanDeparts: 5:00AM DAY 4,Sun, Oct 15 Kyoto (Osaka)JapanArrival: 8:00AM DAY 5,Mon, Oct 16 Kyoto (Osaka)JapanDeparts: 4:00PM

Thought about putting this question in roll call area, but think it impacts several sailings. I saw a posting indicating the Osaka - Tempozan Passenger Terminal is closed until April 2024. We are on the ‘Best of Japan’ October 12th sailing. They made a change in the itinerary between Kobe and Kyoto, which got me looking closer looking for port information. Does anyone know where we will actually dock for those stops which also cover Osaka? Thinking terms of excursion options other than Celebrity offerings which seem to be limited.

We just left Embers after a wonderful meal. Commented about the napkins, that we had been referring to as blankets. Probably 24-30" by 18". We were told they came about because they did not have tablecloths, and that the big napkins provided modesty for ladies with shorter dresses.

Pick up the phone and call them. When that first presented this type of pricing last fall, I did just that. Learned the price for the second person was $0 plus port fees. Told them thank you and called me regular TA. I think they are offering additional incentives for Europe this summer.