china addict

Just got off a two week TA crossing on Marina and found the lounge quite useful. Our PH was only a few doors away so it was convenient for spur of the moment lattes which are my life-blood. Also, returning from a long shore excursion after Waves closed, there was food there to sustain us until canape time. The internet connection was better than in our suite and I was able to print boarding passes for our return flight. It was also useful to pick up daily quizzes and read the WSJ, for example. We seemed to get off on the wrong foot with our butler so the Executive Lounge allowed us to be independent. Agree that free Happy Hour would be a great perk! Let's start a campaign. ;)

Terry Bishop is a great lecturer, very fascinating and amusing with a true global perspective. Time flies when he is on stage, and the room is always packed. He's also a good entertainer with the funniest lyrics I've ever heard to some old classic melodies. A true Man of All Seasons. He was on Marina's recent Cape Town to Rio cruise and kept us enthralled during many, many sea days.

I'm the one who got cheated in St. Petersburg on an Oceania cruise a long time ago. DH and I booked a private tour, the operator said another couple from our ship wanted the same tour and would we mind doubling up and sharing the cost. We agreed, and both couples were emailed specific payment terms by the guide, i.e. cash only in American dollars at the end of the two day tour. We complied but the other couple wanted to use a credit card or travelers checks or some other rubbish, and the ship was ready to sail. Not wanting to leave a bad impression of Americans behind, we fronted the money but were unable to collect it. Always, always verify before leaving the ship that the people you are sharing with have the correct money on their person.

Another lesson learned recently in a tender port, have your entire group assemble on board and leave the ship together, making sure everyone has their Oceania ID card in hand. This summer we had someone forget their card and end up on a different tender after a long wait. Very confusing and a waste of time for those who were prompt and prepared. So, meet in the lobby, insist that everyone check for correct cash and ID, and disembark in a group.

People can be strange. This summer we negotiated a 30 Euro taxi ride back to the ship with another couple. Our share was obviously 15 Euros. I gave the driver 20 and he thanked me for the tip. The other couple gave him 10 and he asked them for the extra 5. They said 20 and 10 make 30 and they wouldn't give him any more. The driver gave me plenty of eye-rolls, and the other couple just couldn't understand that they had robbed him of his tip. They thought it was their good fortune. It's not the money that bugs me, it's the bad manners and the negative impression some people leave behind. Sorry to get off-topic here, but want the OP to know that there are inconsiderate people around, even on Oceania.

I am so moved by this story and in awe of Dr. S's selfless and compassionate actions. Kudos to her. Isn't it strange that the world is filled with silent heroes and a few vocal complainers? My heart aches for the loved ones of those who lost their lives. I applaud the passengers, crew and Oceania staff who handled this terrible tragedy as best they could under difficult circumstances. It was a harrowing experience they will never forget.

Recently sailed on Riviera and thought the selection of California wines was sad. Have been blessed to live in CA for many years and have also had the chance to visit wineries in France, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, etc., etc. I'm by no means a wine expert, simply a wine lover. IMO, California has some of the best wines in the world due to an enviable climate and the absence of archaic Old World restrictions. Oceania's wine list seems to have been selected by an accountant at HQ who has never ventured West. Can someone from Wine Spectator please step in to help?

Having said that, I wouldn't single out Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay for contempt. It's aged for 12-15 months in French oak barrels and hand-stirred sur lees. Please let me know when I can buy two bottles for $20.05 at Bev-Mo. I'll be first in line! My recent Riviera cruise would have been much enhanced had Mer Soleil been offered by the glass. Seriously, given the Wine Spectator affiliation and the emphasis on the best dining at sea, someone with a broader outlook needs to take a hard look at the wine list.

I like to order coffee in bed early every morning. Should I be tipping the server each day, at the start/end of the cruise, or would this be covered by pre-paid gratuities? Would like to follow standard practice.

Wish I hadn't just remembered this, but ......

I've planned several private tours, usually with close friends whom I trust implicitly, and we've handed our own share of the cost directly to the guide. DH and I went to St. Petersburg on an O cruise without friends and booked a private guide for two days. The Russian guide contacted us, said another couple from our ship had made an inquiry, and would we mind doubling up to share the cost. The guide spelled out the exact terms including the fact that travelers checks were not acceptable and she wanted to be paid in US Dollars at the end of day two. DH had his fist full of dollars and paid our half at the end of day two, but the other couple had no cash and only an ATM card. The ship was about to sail, and rather than stiff the guide my husband offered to pay for the other couple and told them they could reimburse him back on the ship. Long story short, they dodged us for the rest of the cruise. Back home, we had their email address and asked them for reimbursement. They blew us off, so basically they had a private two day tour for free. Hope they read this and recognize themselves! Bottom line, be careful who you trust. Sadly, there are a lot of scammers out there.

Next month will be my first sailing on an O class ship and I'm wondering if I should blow some of my OBC by inviting members of our Roll Call to dinner in Privee one night. I have two main concerns: (1) I know the food comes from Polo and Toscana but does it count as one of your specialty restaurant reservations? (2) Do you feel as though you are in a fishbowl with other passengers gawking at you through the windows? Looking forward to advice from those who have tried it. Many thanks.

Thanks for the very helpful feedback, especially the detailed trip report from Twiga and the photos from Paulchili. Now I'm looking forward to exploring Albania and will use some of my OBC for the tour to Berat. Usually we prefer private guides, but I've got oodles of OBC and in view of the traffic challenges it seems wise to be on the ship's tour. I will do my best to support the Albanian economy, especially the wine producers! My thanks to everyone who contributes to these Oceania forums. You are the best!

I appreciate all the feedback, specially the government link. I think we'll be "boots on the ground" for a few minutes just to say we've been to Albania, but will spend most of the day on board. What a pity, because I'm sure there are many other interesting ports that Oceania could have selected.

I'm reviving this thread because I'll be visiting this port on Riviera in August 2014. From what I've read, the reaction is mostly negative, and I've already seen enough trash, graffiti and abject poverty to last me a lifetime. Yet there must be a reason Oceania continues to dock in Albania. Our short cruise is very port-intensive so it might be the ideal day to relax on board, yet it seems narrow minded to not even give the place a shot. Is there anyone out there who has visited recently and is willing to share feedback? Thanks in advance.