Condocat

Did anyone get this offer on the AMEX Hilton card?

Have enjoyed this thread everyone!

Leaving 12 days from now for India and thankfully have secured our Visas.  A bit of a tedious process, mostly due to the uploading of the photo and passport based upon the size requirements.  It took a bit of fudging to get it working!

My biggest warning to everyone applying is to pay close attention to your application when you have the opportunity to proof it prior to payment.   2-3 items I had filled in had changed!!!  One particular question was related if any family members or yourself were/are related to the Pakistanis.  I marked "No" and my proof came back "Yes"!   Another question asked if the country for which I was applying the Visa, i.e. India, was a resident for the past 2+ years.  I marked "No".  My proof came back "Yes".

Fortunately, I caught these errors, otherwise I'm certain there would have been a delay!

Safe travels to all!

My husband and I traveled to the Falls this past Feb and planned everything ourselves, it was pretty straight forward.   I would recommend at least 3 full days to fully enjoy this beautiful area.  We stayed for 5.  I would also suggest staying on the Argentina side for ease in getting there, better exchange rates and better view of the Falls

A few important tips: 

Remember there are 2 different airports in Buenos Aires.  You will need to book from AEP which has the most direct flights to IGR.  From there, taxis are plentiful, inexpensive and hotels are close by.

Wherever you decide to stay, be sure to book your reservation in Argentine Pesos at the blue rate not American Dollars!  This is very important and will save you a lot of money.  Not all hotel web sites offer this option.  We stayed at the Loi Suites Iguazu Hotel which was wonderful and by using the Argentine Peso rate saved us nearly 1/2!   

Once at the hotel, they immediately connected us with a driver who drove us to the Falls entrance each day (10 min drive) and picked us up.  We arranged to use him exclusively during our visit and he was was happy to do so.  Some evenings he drove us into town for dinner even on the Brazilin side.  We paid him at the end of our visit which was very reasonable (trying to remember...all 5 days weren't more than the equivalent of $200US).

The Falls are magical and the people are lovely.  Also forgot to mention, the food is fabulous!

Enjoy your planning!

Mary 

51 minutes ago, pinotlover said:

Which cruise line? Oceania Vista didn’t start cruising until April/May 2023.

Oops...too many cruises last year!  Feb was the Marina, June/July was on Vista.

We were in a Vista suite this past February and the entire cabin area creaked horribly every night!

I think we had every engineer on the ship in our suite trying to figure it out but without success.  Fortunately there was an empty Penthouse suite we used at night to get some sleep, but it was a very strange situation.  We felt like we on an old rickety wooden ship  that was haunted!

No but I realize now we were in a Vista suite.  Perhaps that made a difference.

This past year we asked our butler for non-alcoholic beer and he was happy to place it in the refrigerator for us.

Great article!  

Guess O wants Elliott to be a law abiding, paying passenger!

Had to laugh, in our mailbox today was yet another catalog, but this time addressed to our cat, “Elliott”!  It was complete with a representative’s name and phone#.  Perhaps Oceania is trying to expand its market base.  The only mailing list they may have captured his name from is Chewy’s.  

Heaven knows what O’s Marketing Dept. is doing….

Received my YF vaccine this year age 67, my husband as well age 78, no side effects!

Feels good we're doing our best to stay protected.

1 hour ago, kayakcove said:

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.

Sorry you had such problems.  We were on board last month and didn't have too much difficulty.  There was a laminated sheet of instructions for reference on the folding table (as small as it was).  Sounds like someone walked off with it.  If you have problems again, I would check with Reception and I'm sure they can get another copy or at least someone to help you.   Enjoy your upcoming cruise!

8 hours ago, Mura said:

During the day you could encounter rehearsals from the theater as well ... I've read complaints about that in the past. Of course, if you are out and about all day that wouldn't matter ...

Excellent thought!    TY.

26 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

The show is usually over before 10:30 PM    if you go to bed before that it may be a problem

 

But  there is also the anchor noise  at tender ports  to consider

 for those morning wake up calls

Appreciate all your comments.  We have stayed in several Vista suites on different Oceania ships over the years, but now have concerns if the noise from the theater will reverberate up through the cabin at each performance being just above the entertainment..   Anchor noise is of of no concern in the morning.

Has anyone stayed in a Vista suite on Deck 6 on Regatta?  Trying to determine if the entertainment area below (stage & dance floor) will be

too noisy each evening.   If the suite is soundproof, no problem, if not, we need to change!

Any advice is greatly appreciated!  We do love a good night's sleep!

Depending on what time of year you will be cruising, you may not be using the balcony often if at all.

It is extremely windy even on the nicest of days!

Remember also at night when the ship is moving, the drapes must be closed and the deck kept in darkness.

The penthouses are all on Deck 8.  I would strongly advise not booking a suite under the pool area as the crew begins very early in the morning staging this area and pull the lounge chairs across the wooden deck.  From past experience, it sounded like chalk on a blackboard.

Kangaroo Island is wonderful!

Spent a week there back in 2019.  I highly recommend visiting the Raptor Center known as

Raptor Domain;   kangarooislandbirdsofprey.com.au

It was unforgettable!

PS: Careful driving, we hit a kangaroo or should  I say the roo hit us!

OK, I'm skipping the pessimism....realize I'm on the back 9, just don't know what hole I'm on!

Post Covid we have sailed:

Jan. 2023 South America on Marina 

Looking forward to:

June 2023 Istanbul-Rome on Vista

April 2024 Miami to Barcelona on Marina

Nov-Dec 2024 Singapore to Auckland n Regent

You can book a trip to the Falls yourself!  Was just there last month. Plan on staying at least 2 nights.

Airfare is cheap.  Taxis/Ubers, restaurants are cheap.  As stated before, you don not need a guide at the Falls.  You need to stay on the Argentina side for the best value due to the exchange rate!

Best advice...when you book your hotel reservation, stay on the Argentine side and make your reservation in pesos, not US dollars!   When you arrive in BA, go to an exchange store and they will convert US dollars safely and closely to the "blue rate" which will nearly double the value of your dollars.  Have a great trip!!

37 minutes ago, janecambridge said:

 

 

IMG_7742.MOV 1.11 MB · 1 download  

 

TY Jane!!!

I sent my shareholders rewards benefits form and attachments on Dec 19 and have heard nothing for my Feb 7 cruise.

Today, I called Oceania and had a very helpful representative work with me who finally was able to confirm the $250 benefit is in my account.

You need to call Oceania directly!!!

6 hours ago, roger b said:

 Hi Ty

 Here are my two choices both in the centre of all the action :

https://bohotel-palma.com/en

 

 in the La Lonja area check out the bar Albaco in the same street

https://bar-abaco.es/galeria/

 

No 2 Hotel:

https://www.hotelsaratoga.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=GMB&utm_content=hotelsaratoga

a stones throw from one of the up and coming areas in Palma( Santa Catalina ) also they have a great evenings entertainment on the weekend.

 

https://www.bluejazz.es/en/

 

 This looks like a good plan for your 3 days !!

https://www.petitesuitcase.com/mallorca-itinerary/

 Hope this works Roger

Roger!

OMG!!! 

TY so much for taking the time to put all this together.  This is absolutely fabulous and so helpful and  extremely thoughtful of you. 

Can't wait to visit!!!

14 hours ago, roger b said:

Hi, what a treat !! It wiĺl  definatly not be quiet , Palma  is a vibrant  city and I would base myself there 

 You be coming to  one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean, you have a wide choice  of beautiful sights and three days will definitely  give you a taste for more.

 Tours are operating  all year and the restaurants  are all open , you will be spoilt for choice..

 Palma is very compact and you can walk anywhere, if you look back through  this roll caĺl you will get some ideas .

Let me know if you need any more  ideas!!

Thank you Roger!

This is great news.  Not to put you on the spot but could you recommend a couple hotels 4+ quality in Palma?  I started searching and some of the top rated ones appear to be far away from town!

Any suggestions?   Again...TY!

Hello Roger:

First, thank you for all your insights!

My husband and I will be in Barcelona mid April and are thinking of traveling to Mallorca for a few days.

Can you tell me if it will be too quiet.  Will tours still be operating, restaurants open, etc?

Appreciate you assistance!

If our June Vista cruise is cancelled, our plan B will be tour Italy by rail. We’ll head out to Verona, down to Sorrento then pick up on our post cruise trip to Sicily.  
 

Gotta made lemonade!