Knot4Cindy

This is a little upsetting to read. We will be on Regatta June 12th for an Alaskan cruise. A few years ago our cruise was cancelled a few day's before we sailed due to a similar issue. I hope we will all be kept updated on this problem from passengers sailing on her in the next few weeks.

Hey RRunner, just take it as it comes...I think my sister and brother in law will be on that voyage- possibly the week after, I am not sure ...but it is their first time on a ship that small but i think it will be an advantage for Alaska! You are going to live in Horizons!

When all is said and done, I had a wonderful time on the cruise. The staff, food, amenities etc were wonderful and I would do it again. Go to the waves grill and get the Surf and Turf sandwich (hold the bread and ask for double surf! lololol) You are gonna have a great time! I will look for your review when you get back.

Cindy

Not so fast....this afternoon after a lovely day in Havana, we had an announcement that our stop in Cartagena, Colombia was shortened to 2 hours from 5 due to engine repairs. Awhile later, another announcement saying we would not stop and tours would be refunded.

 

A disappointment as we were looking forward to visiting the Old Town Unesco site and knocking another one off the list.

 

However, this is the first port we have missed in 12 cruises so all in all not a bad record. And given that we came very close to cancelling last week, we are just happy to be onboard!

 

However this does seem to be an ongoing problem with Regatta. We recently purchased a new vehicle to replace one that had passed it's prime.....perhaps that time is approaching for Regatta, if not already here.

 

Mo

I think you may be correct. I just came in off of the Regatta. We sailed 24 days from Honolulu to Havana and docked Miami. We left Honolulu under CDC protocols ( some areas and services were not available for the first 4 or 5 days) but then it got better. 26 hours out of Hawaii there was a medical emergency and we had to go back which gave us two additional sea days. These things happen but the administrative staff handled it badly and as a result, so did the passengers. No refund of port charges or for excursions on missed ports. I believe they offered OBC. We were on a tight schedule so could not go to Cabo or Guatemala and missed half the day in Nicaragua but we got to the canal on time which is a good thing or we may have missed Colombia and Cuba. In Panama two more passengers departed with medical issues as well. It was an interesting trip. In my opinion, the regular staff were pretty good. The food and service were fantastic and there were plenty of activities...I enjoyed the entertainment and spent loads of time in Horizons (both day and night). And I did love tea time. I would sail with Oceania again but maybe not on Regatta.

I am not familiar with any of the Oceania ships, except the Serenia (when she was the Ocean Princess), but I am familiar with several around the 800-900 size. I have never been on a real biggie (2000+) so can't compare. The folklore is that small ships are worse than big ships for this, which makes sense, but in reality I think it is more to do with the weather than the ship. If you are in a bad storm, they are all bad, in normal weather they are all fine.

 

My first sea trip was a ferry crossing (Dover-Zeebruuge) in a force 10 and I was violently ill. Since then I have never had a problem on any cruise. The older ferries were unstabilized but modern cruise ships are, which helps. They have extensions under the water that they put out in bad weather (the captain might say he has the paddles out).

 

I find it is no problem up to seas with just the beginnings of white horses (I call them white ponies). When it gets to substantial white crests,with spume being blown off the top of the waves then the ship tends to pitch and roll more and the white paper bags are dotted around. Walking along corridors becomes more difficult, but everyone seems to manage by using the rails. I am still OK in these conditions, but if you are susceptible (varies between people) you can get medication to help. You can get pills from reception 1 at a time at a £1 or a $1 each, depending on the ships currency, or you can get your own before hand. These have a side effect of making you drowsy, Carol has slept through lunch when she used them. She is susceptible but has only needed them on about 5 days out of around 150. Neither of us has ever succumed, though she has felt unwell once or twice, but the pills cure it. There is one you can get that does not have the sleepiness side effect, but I forget what they are called, and I think they are not available over the counter in USA.

 

We have found that around the British Isles and northern Europe the worst weather is in the winter. I wouln't go to the Caribean in the hurrican season. I assume most lines are aware of when and where the worst weather is and plan their schedules accordingly.

 

I hope this helps.

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Thank you. Yes it does... like you, I once got sick on a ferry which was what prompted me to ask the question. I don’t ever want to feel that way again. As I said, I have been on cruise ships and tend to like the roll... not thrilled when the vessel ‘slams’ you out of bed as it did going from Spain to Portugal but I still did not feel ill. It is good to know the desk will provide more than a bag. None the less I will take precaution and pick up a few scopolamine transdermal patches from my local pharmacy just to be on the safe side and prevent this. 🤢. Again, thanks

Cindy

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They are not that generous with pours and when you finish eating they stop serving. I may upgrade that to the premium beverage package or pick up a couple of bottles of vodka/gin in Honolulu.... still undecided"

The pours of wine for either the basic drinks package or the Premium beverage package are the same- upgrading will not get you larger pours or a different by the glass wine list. We found the pours of wine in the package to be very good, and glasses were kept full. There was not an immediate cutoff of serving when you finished your last course, you could linger at your table. Now if you wish to drink other than while dining, in the various bars, then you would need the premium beverage package, or bring your own wine and pay the $25 corkage fee. Anything you bring on board you can drink in your room, no fees charged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thanks so much for the info~ There are so many differing accounts of traveling on Oceania, especially on the Regatta. Every bit of information is helpful in deciding what to bring and what to buy! :D

This is something that I have had to get used to; that the prices are restaurant prices, not high street prices. On other cruise lines we have used they have had either a no wine, or 1 bottle per passenger policy for embarkation. We have a decent cellar at home with some good wines (2004 Ch Nf du Pape) so a corkage fee is painless for me.

 

Thank you for your comments, and the others who replied, you have put my mind at rest.

 

I have now found a similar cruise on the Nautica in September. We know the R class ships well, many cruises on Ocean Princess, now Serina, and also on the Pacific Princess. I may settle for Marina which is bigger so might appear more roomy. Other lines pack 2000+ passengers into a ship of that size.

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Hi JG...

I would do that as well (would love to bring a few choice bottles of wine) but I am having trouble packing what I need for 24 days or rather deciding what to pack for a cruise of this length that includes a flight from TPA to HNL. This is my longest one so far. I have the regular beverage package (beer and wine with meals) but I hear it is not that good. They are not that generous with pours and when you finish eating they stop serving. I may upgrade that to the premium beverage package or pick up a couple of bottles of vodka/gin in Honolulu.... still undecided. At any rate, as you are familiar with this class of vessel, I was wondering if the incidence of seasickness is higher on a small ship-especially as we have so many sea days. I have never sailed more than 7 in a row but they were on larger ships. I have never gotten seasick before but am concerned this may be an issue on a ship of this size. Thoughts?

Thanks

Cindy

Thanks. I appreciate the info...jeez....we will just have to roll the dice to see who gets what. :halo:

Hi Knot4Cindy - we just did the 2 bed suite on Dawn earlier this year. The second bedroom is tiny but does sleep 2. There is a very comfortable double bed (converts from a couch). Not a fold out couch bed, more like a futon couch. There is also a bunk that can fold down from the wall (giving 2nd sleeper). Personally, I would find 2 in that room too claustrophobic.

BUT, there is also a fold out bed in the living room couch. We had 4 people - 2 in master bedroom, one in small bedroom & one in living room. Worked great!

Hi NH! Read your post with interest! You sailed the Dawn in a 2 bd 2 bath suite with Balcony. I am sailing in 43 days in same type suite. (11050) I was wondering about the bedrooms...we are 4 single women and are hoping there are 4 sleeping ‘areas’ or potential beds...As it said ‘sleeps 6’ we thought it would be possible. I am hearing that one room has a king bed so 2 of us may be able to share but what is the 2nd bedroom like? I was in the Haven on the Escape this past aug and the 2nd bedroom is barely a closet. I am hearing the Dawn is better. I am also reading suite guests can have breakfast and lunch at either Cagneys or Moderno. How is the Balcony? On Escape you could barely fit two small chairs much less 4 to 6 guests. Any info you can provide is really helpful. Thanks

quote=NH Cruisers;53638779]I personally like sailing in a full suite on the Dawn, better than on the Breakaway. Although the Breakaway has the Haven Courtyard, the personal attention given by the concierge and butler have been superior on the Dawn. Don't know why, maybe less suites to deal with? Just my observation. As I always get a Spa Pass, the thermal suite is sort of like my Haven Courtyard, lacking the bar.

The perk of having breakfast and lunch at Moderno is not to be missed, do it a couple days any way. The steak they serve is the same filet they serve in Cagney's. I get it every morning as steak and eggs.

Too there is a section, velvet roped off, in the theater reserved for "Garden Villa" guests. The concierge opens it for all full suite guests. It isn't the prime location, but is still good.

I will be sailing the Dawn in another 43 days in a 2 br. family suite with balcony and first cruise as Platinum. Good Times ahead!

Hi Folks... I will be on this vessel in March. I am sure (?) there wont be an issue like this in the future. Aside from the breakdown, can anyone provide any positive information on the ship and the actual voyage and ports? As I said, we will be sailing in March and will be going from Hawaii through the Canal and land in Miami. Thanks!

Cindy