espmass

On 11/28/2021 at 6:38 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

I appreciate the sharing of your "parking tale of horror" with us.  Thank you.

 

I have been mystified by those cruisers who are spending much money for a cruise and still think that it is worth the savings of a few extra dollars for parking arrangements that may turn out to be less convenient than parking at the Port.  (My comment applies to the Port of Miami as well as Port Canaveral and Port Everglades.)  For me, the knowledge that my car will be in as secure of a parking area as possible along with the convenience is worth the cost.  

We are parking off-site but nothing to do with saving money.  Here is our plan so maybe some of you experienced Miami cruisers can tell me if we are wrong.  We are driving from NJ and will be visiting friends in Boca pre-cruise.  Our cruise is on a Monday.  Never having cruised out of Miami and not being familiar with Miami at all and wanting to avoid Monday morning rush hour traffic, we are staying the night before our cruise at the Embassy Suites near the airport.  That way we can drive down with presumably less traffic on a Sunday afternoon.  They offer a secured long term lot where we can park for the cruise.  We will take the hotel shuttle to the port Monday morning and grab a cab back to the hotel and lot after the cruise thus avoiding getting lost anywhere in Miami going to or from the port.  Is this a good plan?

I booked all 4 restaurants for 6:30 and 7 for our 2/7 cruise with no trouble. 

On 11/10/2021 at 9:56 AM, awhfy said:

Grenada & they just went into lockdown

Where did you find this information regarding Grenada?  I am scheduled to be there on a cruise in early February and haven't seen anything about this yet.

Maybe those in Florida can tell me if the tests go through on Sundays just as fast as weekdays?  Where I live sometimes they take longer over a Sunday.  I will be visiting friends in Florida prior to my 2/7 cruise and will then need to get the test in Florida on Saturday before my Monday cruise.  Thanks.

Suenouveau, my plan too.  I figure if I lose 5 pounds pre-cruise then I won't even have to worry.  Luckily for me I had some dental surgery and am on a liquid/soft diet for two weeks now.

New to Oceania.  Does anyone know if they serve any specialty coffees in the Executive Lounge or are they only available at Baristas?  I'm talking specifically about Cafe Latte.  Thanks so much.

So excited already to be trying Oceania for the first time in February.  Now we were able to upgrade from a Concierge cabin to a Penthouse cabin (PH1).  Although we have cruised plenty on other lines, we have never had a full sized suite before.  I'm hoping all of you experienced Oceania cruisers will tell me all the wonderful things about those cabins to keep me excited for the next 3 months!!  Thanks.

From experience (pre-Covid) are the specialty restaurants usually open regular evening hours when in port late?  I will be on the Riviera when we stop in Aruba and stay until 11PM and although I realize Aruba has fabulous restaurants (been there) just want to know about the ship's places for now.  Thanks so much.

Thanks.  Yes, I had been told that Oceania does not have the large Broadway musical type shows that some of the other cruise lines have.  Just wondered if there was at least something every night so that I know how to plan dinner reservations once allowed to do so.  

Is there a show pretty much every evening or just a few times during a cruise?  Thanks.

Love hearing about the food so I have really appreciated all the comments!  I can't say the food on a cruise has ever mattered to me before because we have only been on Princess, RCI, and Celebrity.  That's different now that we will be trying Oceania and I plan to try pretty much everything.  Luckily for me I am a total "gym rat" and start every morning even on cruises at the gym.  cbb, your comment about calling weight gained your "souvenir" is really funny and a great way to look at it.  Mauibabes, how nice to be in that port.  Enjoy your cruise! 

CintiPam, that sounds heavenly!  Guilt free (lobster and salad) is the way to go!

Yes we are on the same February cruise.  I'm hoping by then we will be able to get off and wander freely on the various islands.

Clutj, the lobster shows up even better in your picture.  YUM!

That's not the pic I remember seeing but that looks fabulous.  I had previously posted somewhere about how I plan to get through the next few cold Winter months reading and re-reading the Riviera sample menus.  Sad, huh?

Thanks for the welcome cbb.  We are so looking forward to trying Oceania.  And thanks pinotlover for the advice on tea.  I wouldn't ever consider going to an afternoon tea in a swim suit although, as you said, there are others who feel it's all right.  Marieps, I saw a pic posted somewhere of the surf and turf and it made my mouth water.  Thanks for all the information from everyone.

Thanks and I we plan to try both the Terrace Cafe and Waves.  Obviously we wouldn't go with wet swim suits.  We will plan for Waves while sitting at the pool and save the Terrace Cafe for when dressed. 

I have not yet been on an Oceania ship and will be on the Riviera in February.  I see on the deck plan that the Terrace Cafe is on the same level as the pool.  While at the pool, is the Terrace Cafe a place we can go and sit to eat while in swim suits as long as we have covers on or do we need to change into clothing first?  Thank you.

Thank you all.  My mouth is watering already and I'm not cruising until February.  Everything sounds so good.  Glad we have finally decided to try the Oceania experience.  How sad is it that I will be thinking of the food for the next 3 months?  Good thing I don't have a weight issue.

Thanks so much for the information.  ORV, I did not mean to imply that I thought the Terrace is the same buffet that I am used to with Celebrity and Princess.  I am totally looking forward to experiencing it all with Oceania from breakfast to all the different specialty restaurants.

All sound wonderful.  I have been passing time reading and re-reading all the sample menus while waiting for my February cruise on the Riviera.

New to Oceania with first cruise this coming February.  Is the only breakfast place the Main Dining Room?  I don't see another place listed.  I assume the Terrace Cafe is in place of a regular buffet but a sample breakfast menu is not listed for that.  If it's the MDR, does anyone know what time it opens in the morning?  Thanks so much.

We always do a Caribbean cruise in February because we live in cold NJ and it's a chance to just get away without it being a long trip or flight.  We too have been to most of the islands many times previously on Celebrity, RCI, and Princess.  This February (2/7/22) will be our first time on Oceania and while some say it's a waste of the Oceania experience, we are totally excited.  To us, it's the fun of the ship, food, etc rather than the islands.  However, in past travels we have somehow missed St Barts and Guadalupe which are on this cruise so perhaps you, Nursinadream, can tell me something about those two islands since you have been to them all.  With no cruising for the past year there is very little current info on the ports of call board.  Thanks.

If she is still doing the tours, GigiScheper@hotmail.com  Took her tour maybe 3 years ago and she was fabulous.

Thanks again for all replies and advice.  We will be trying our best to NOT cancel as we are so looking forward to experiencing Oceania.  

Thank you so much for your replies.  We are new to Oceania with our first cruise booked for 2/7/22.    We are totally excited to be trying Oceania after years on Princess, but we are also nervous about possibly losing money if we decide to cancel later based on Covid issues.  With the full payment coming up 11/1, we are nervous about whether or not to keep this or cancel.  We are not really worried about contracting Covid but are worried about possible restrictions on the various islands (it's a Caribbean itinerary) and even on the ship.