cinycat

Can anyone tell me if they have hairdryers, bathrobes, and fridges available in the Mini suite on the Jewel? Thanks. Repositioning cruise, Japan to Alaska, May 2019.

In Alaska, in 2013, the Kosher food was rather "poor" and I believe it was Weberman's as the supplier. We made do with fish, breakfasts, and other choices. It certainly was good. But I understand that they have changed suppliers. Perhaps it will be better now. I certainly hope so as I'm planning to cruise again with my Kosher family.

Hotel Colon - right across the square from Barcelona Cathedral. HOHO Bus stops at the edge of the square. Get a cathedral view room!! Walking distance to La Rambla and more!

couldn't agree more--the location is fabulous. And if you want to save a little money, they have a sister hotel to the rear, the Regencia Colon, which is almost as nice.

Don't think there is any comparison. In 2013, I did the Alaska cruise on Regatta. In 2014, did it on the Princess. The only "good" thing about Princess was that the cruise left from Vancouver (which was convenient for me). I found that the ship was pretty tatty, disliked the self-serve buffet where the serving could be done by passengers rather than staff, didn't like having set times for meals in the dining room, found the food basically to be mundane and not very good. Basically, the only good thing was that it was less expensive than Oceania. But, IMHO, not something I will do again. I'm going back to Oceania. Sometimes things are worth what you have to pay for them.

I don't know how to do Pm on this board. do you?

Help. I am striking out close to home trying to find them. I will be going down to Portland for Black Friday and was hoping someone could tell me the name and address of a store that sells needlepoint kits. I have finished the kit that I had from the last cruise and need something to keep me busy while sailing on local ferries. Several of the ladies on board mentioned names of shops where you can purchase in the U.S.

Thanks for your help.

Hi, I live in Vancouver and have a lot of needlepoint kits that I never use anymore (vision isn't good enough). If y ou send me your email address, I will get in touch with you via personal email.

We got our packet this week for our Nov 11 cruise.

Didn't like the air arrangements, so called and had the charge removed. It cost me $70 per person (less than the air deviation fee) above the amount I was credited to get good non-stop flights.

I've just had the same experience with a booking for a January 4th cruise. Oceania was quoting huge amounts on a deviation and then wouldn't go with the non-stops. We wound up using points and paid tickets. That way we are able to get direct flights rather than the circuitous "see America's airports tour." The amount they give you as a credit is laughable--something like 300. How on earth could one book Miami to the coast airfares in January for that amount. It just isn't possible. So they either give you the most circuitous routes you have ever had or charge y ou enormous fees. I would pass on the airfare included.

All of the A and B cabins are the same size. Some of them have verandas which are larger because of the configuration of the ship, but those are mostly down on deck 7, and none of them are on Deck 9.

The Veranda of 9002, by the way, is irregularly shaped because it adjoins the back of the Vista Suite which is just forward of it, but the additional space is not really useable:

It is not one of the extended veranda cabins which I would recommend.

Actually I quite liked this. I found it to be really quite useful. First of all, I could stand at the edge when we were moving away from the dock and got a great view. Second, they brought me a lounge chair, which was delightful. I would do this cabin again in a heartbeat.

Does anyone know if there are any A or B level cabins that might have a bit more interior space than others? This is for Riviera. I know, for instance, that 9002 has a bigger verandah than some of the others because it sticks out further. Thanks for any info.

Can anyone confirm the size of the Riviera A and B verandah suites. I know that they are 282 sq feet but that also includes the deck. Does anyone know the internal dimensions?

Same questions for a Regatta Penthouse. I know that it is 332 sq feet. What is deducted for the balcony?

Trying to make up our minds about booking our Caribbean cruise and I'm travelling with my sister. We are Ok with a Regatta type Penthouse suite but I know that the regular regatta suites are a bit too cozy for the two of us.

Any help would be appreciated.

Walkie-Talkie on a ship: good idea? Especially when two groups of people and you are constantly doing different things etc.

 

Has anyone used walkie-talkie to get in touch with family and friends on a ship?

Used this last year when I was on an Alaska cruise with my 10 year old grandson. Generally worked like a charm. Sometimes it didn't because of interference from bulkheads, etc. but I would recommend it.

We are flying in the night before our cruise and will stay near the port, but after, we are taking via train home. Since it does not go everyday, we will stay one night post-cruise. Does anyone know of a good hotel near the via station? I can't find any on the map. Thanks

You don't want to stay near the VIA station as there are no "nice" hotels in that area. It is a hop skip and jump from downtown via the Skytrain. Stay in the central core near the pier. You'll be better off.

We booked a tour for Aug. The 1st time we flew out of Vancouver they charged a fee just before going through security. I think it was about 7 or $8 per person. do they still charge ??????

No, it is now included in the price of a plane ticket. So no extra to be paid upon departure.

If you have either Nexus or GOES (the US version) you can clear security and immigration rather quickly and won't need 4 hours. If you don't, then sometimes you will need the four hours. Usually flights to the US require a 3 hour window prior to boarding the plane. However, the airport isn't that far from the pier, about 8 miles.

I can not speak for the UK but in the US, anyone who wishes to take a child out of the country (unless both custodial parents are traveling) must have a notarized letter signed by all custodial parents stating that the children may travel. It is very specific stating with whom the child may travel, when they may travel and where they may travel.

 

We have been asked for this documentation at the airport and at embarkation.

 

You can find an acceptable form on line....

However, I have to say that while I had this letter with me last summer, no one asked to see it at all. We were round trip from Seattle to Alaska on Oceania at the end of June 2013. I was with my 10 year old grandson (and no one would ever mistake me for his mother although we do have the same last name).

Was wondering if there was any children's program planned for the Christmas Panama Canal cruise on Regatta. There was one the last time I went with my grandson on an Alaska cruise last summer and he really loved it. If anyone knows anything, please let me know.

I've stayed at both the Hotel Colon and the Colon Regencia (one is behind the other). They are both very well located and I would really recommend either (depending on your budget).

Haven't experienced any difficulties in Barcelona arriving on Oceania and I've done it 3 times.

I've been very satisfied with them. I had to cancell an Oceania cruise two years ago because my daughter fell ill and they paid. And this was just two days before sailing. They refunded my money and it wasn't even me that was ill. So, I'll stick with RBC.

Don't think I would bother to bring equipment. The pools are really quite small.

I have to agree...the cole slaw as the best...especially when it was prepared earlier and the cabbage has a chance to absorb the dressing...

 

The best other place for cole slaw IMHO is the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Chicago.They gave us the recipe but somehow, theirs tasted better than when we tried to make it at home.

For what it's worth, my coleslaw at home is very similar. Can't give you exact measurements --but it includes Best Foods (or Hellman's) mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar (thin out the mayo with this), a bit of sugar (to taste), and celery salt. Works for me.

I am in shock. I may never make it to the dining room.

 

I can see my dinner plates spread over 17 nights:

 

Day 1: Lobster

Day 2: Lobster

Day 3; Lobster

Day 4: Lamb (Even I like a bit of variety :))

Day 5: Lobster

Day 6: Lobster

Day 7: Lobster

 

Then I start over until day 17

that would work for me as well.

Does anyone know if I can use this computer for word processing or is it just for email?