rachiem

Strangely enough, it won't let me book without the airfare, so may just ask for the help of a TA?

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. We too have done a few trip in Retreat and Haven and after looking at Haven's 2025 prices on a 9 night cruise, it is almost twice the price. I wasn't blown away with Haven either (but do like Retreat) We enjoyed Viking as you could access all parts of the ship without the need to upgrade. We are Elite in X and that certainly wouldn't make me go back to them for every cruise. We like the brand but with the prices that they are now charging, we are starting to consider alternatives. With the Oceania UK site, they add free air travel but we like to arrive the day before. As mentioned in everyone's comments, I like the itinerary's (they seem fresh) and that must be because they have smaller ships. Now to decide whether to just opt for 7 or 10 nights (they are both on a smaller ship)

Ok, thank you for the help...thought I was missing some small print. I do like the different ports on offer with O. Having sailed with some of the larger ships, the ports on offer are mostly ones we've visited at least once now.

I'm booking from a UK site and it doesn't seem to allow a cruise only fare option.

On the UK site, it allows you to add the beverage package to an inside and window cabin too?

Thank you for the replies and I wasn't aware that the drinks package was limited. Some helpful tips and I will have to delve deeper. I don't find the website very transparent so will also engage a TA too

We really like Celebrity but may start to look at other options as we are finding the value for money not so great. I do like this itinerary with Ocean (or the 10 day extended version) but wonder if the price is reasonable. Having never sailed or really looked at Oceania, I have nothing to compare it to? We do like drinking, so think that the beverage package would be the better option to include too? Any thought or advice? We have sailed with X, NCL, Viking, P&O and MSC TIA https://www.oceaniacruises.com/mediterranean-cruises/barcelona-to-rome-SIR250506/?sr=%2Fcruise-finder%23time_frame%3D2025-1|2025-2|2025-3|2025-4|2025-5|2025-6|2025-7%26marketing_region%3Dmediterranean%26sort%3Dprice%3Aasc%26page%3D1%26pageSize%3D10

Thank you everyone for all your advice

A bonus being that we love Portuguese red wines! Thanks for all your thoughts and advice. Will hopefully get something booked up shortly 🙂

Thank you...yes, just waiting for Riviera to release their 2024 dates. Hopefully soon??

Thank you... We'd usually just pay for the balcony but hubby retired early to have a back op this year and income is now a factor 😞 The "Aquarium" cabins seem to have more availability, which does tell you a few things. Will have a ponder before we commit

Hi We have yet to take a river cruise. We have the Xmas markets booked next Dec with Scenic but opted for a fixed window cabin. Thought that as it's winter and dark early, that we might not miss much view-wise? We are looking at the Douro for 2024 and are amazed to see that some cruises are already booked out. We've been looking at Emerald as they have some reasonable prices. The balcony is £1600 more that the fixed window and not sure if we should go for one or not. We are travelling with friends and would like to make the most of the days with trips and the boat's amenities. We are thinking of Oct, so that it won't be too hot. Any thoughts?

I wonder out of the 800 how many were hospitalised? I suspect not many, if any? It's not going away and I suppose it's time to live with it, like many other viruses.

Fingers crossed as we sail in 4 weeks...

On the Equinox next month, day 9 is showing as having Prime Rib. Not sure how accurate this is though?

Great review, thank you 🙂

We are on the same cruise and I tested positive also in early Oct. My understanding is that the current tests are just the home tests, so as long as you are now testing negative, you are good to go.

This was posted on a similar thread a few days ago; not sure how accurate it is though.. We've got some tentative dates for Celebrity 2024/25 deployment! 24/25 DEPLOYMENT OPENING TIMELINE Tue 11/8 – Asia Tue 11/15 – Alaska, Australia, AX From Southampton Tue 11/29 – South America Thur 12/8 – Europe Tue 12/13 – Caribbean, Bermuda/NE

Thank you. Going on the this flyer, it’s possible that ours will be decorated by then.

Thank you. we are on the 1st Dec to the Caribbean. Just not sure whether I’ll be ready for them that early 😂

Does anyone know if or when decorations tend to go up on the ships?

Thank you...I wasn't sure if you had to get both ways via the road. Have a lovely trip

Would it be possible to feedback whether you think the drive back from the resort is really bumpy? Hubby is having a Level 2 spinal fusion and we wanted to pick a tour that's not too "jolty"

Thanks Mickey, I didn't realise that. I will ask to see if anyone is going soon and see what there opinion is. Someone confirmed that the speedboat was really bumpy so thought that would be a good option 😞 Thanks again, appreciate all your help!

From experience, if you refresh the page it usually releases your booking back into the system right away. Maybe worth a call though to do it over the phone if that makes you nervous