mountain grandma

The Winter, 2016 schedule will come out in September, 2014. Book the cabin you want, then when you are on your cruise in November, go to the O Club Ambassador early in the cruise and ask for your cruise to be re-booked with your on-board booking credit. This is only possible if the category is still available but that shouldn't be a problem after only two months. This way you can get the cabin you want and get the discount -- the best of both worlds.

Cruising in this area should not be missed! Don't hesitate because of the possibility of rough seas -- if it is soooooo rough that it is not safe, the Captain won't do it. We missed our port stop in Hobart, Tasmania due to a storm but everyone was just fine with the change in itinerary.:)

As far as air is concerned, we flew to Sydney on UA (nonstop from LA) and then returned from Auckland nonstop on Air New Zealand. Both were in Business Class which I would heartily recommend, especially on Air New Zealand -- it is fantastic. It is a long flight but well worth it when you arrive in this wonderful, friendly part of the world. The friends we were traveling with took Air New Zealand both ways but going to Sydney, they had to make one stop/change planes in Auckland. They said it wasn't bad doing that and saved them some money.

However you get there, be sure you do this cruise itinerary at some time. It is wonderful.

Billie

Every sea day on our last three O cruises, they have set-up a Texas Hold 'Em game in the casino. It was announced in the Currents and required a sign-up. If you plan on participating, you need to sign-up early as it filled up fast. They had originally scheduled only one sea day for the game but it was so popular that they added it a 2nd time.

Billie

I'd have to say that this is the way that OBC's have worked on every cruise line which we have ever sailed, going all the way back to the late 1960's.

 

None of them (Cunard, Home Lines, HAL, Royal Viking, Princess, even Sitmar) ever allowed promotional Dollars to be "cashed out" through the Casino.

When you say "promotional credit" are you including the OBC we receive as Silver members?

Billie

Unless they have changed their policies in the last 5 or 6 months since our last cruise, you cannot use the OBC in the casino. We tried that already.

We also amass a lot of OBC now and have a hard time spending it! :D I guess there are worse problems but we still do our best to spend the non-refundable portion. We try to take some ship's tours (even though we prefer the smaller private tours) and wait to book them until after we board in order to use up some of the credits. I also use the spa once or twice, DH buys wine and an internet package, and we buy some things in the gift shop when we can.

So far, we have managed to use up all of it on each cruise but it is getting harder as we sail more and earn more at each new level.

Billie

Here you go:

 

Oceania Summer 2015

Thanks so much for the link!

Billie

Yes it does look good...

I haven't yet received them from my TA -- is there a place on line that I can go to get a sneak preview? I know that as a Silver member of the O club, I am supposed to get advance notice but I am always looking to see the new itineraries ASAP :p.

Thanks, Billie

I definitely was able to order my sautéed spinach in the GDR. And after mid cruise, when I really complained about the lack of actual vegetables on the salad bar they miraculously appeared.

We cook very healthy at home also and when I'm eating at the salad bar in the Terrace, I always go to the steamed veggies and add those to my salad. It gives me more veggies without a lot of problems. Many times the other vegetables are marinated and I am allergic to vinegar! I also make my own salad dressing since all of the dressings are made with vinegar. I use lemon instead of the vinegar and add oil and "Splenda" so it has some flavor. On O, they call me the "Splenda" lady since I use it for every salad I have on board.

bktravels:

I have ordered the Canyon Ranch menu items many times for dinner and have always enjoyed them. They are all very tasty and if I didn't know better, I would swear they are off the regular menu (except for the lack of sauces). I can definitely recommend that you give them a try and decide for yourself.

Billie

It just means that the couch in your room is a small pull-out sofa bed that can accommodate a third person in your cabin.

Enjoy your cruise!

Billie

The afternoon tea is held in Horizons (deck 10 - forward) with the magnificent view. It is every afternoon at 4pm and they serve small sandwiches and wonderful, yummy pastries (including gluten free).

Billie

What are the hours for breakfast in WG and what do they serve? Is this something new for WG?

Thanks, Billie

You can count on me to report on the changes to Regatta (with photos) as I will be on the first voyage after the refurb. So excited about these changes to my favorite ships.

Laraine,

Please post your report on our Viking Odyssey Roll Call as well. I know I will definitely be looking forward to reading all of your details! :)

Thanks, Billie

www.risesas.com is the website

Oops, I think you mean www.ridesas.com.

OP -- We will have the same scenario next April and we will wait for a 5pm departure for the peace of mind and less rushing on the last day of our cruise. Have a great cruise whatever you decide to do.

Billie

Hello Mountain Grandma,

 

Just came back from my 5th visit to the beautiful Santiago de Compostela (I was doing part of the Camino de Santiago). Last year I visited during a cruise stop at the port of Coruña. We opted to take the train which was a very easy, cheap and fast option so can't comment about your questions regarding driving.

 

The Cathedral doesn't close during lunch hours and doesn't charge for entrance. Be aware that if there is Mass going on you're not supposed to be touring the Cathedral but of course can attend mass. I highly recommend that if you go in and see the huge incense burning urn hanging over the altar you stay for noon mass (the Pilgrim's mass) to see it swing. It's a sight to behold. They do it at the end of mass, which takes about an hour. The best place to seat is in the pews on the side of the altar(especially the left side). Another beautiful church/ museum worth a visit is San Martin Pinairo, close to the cathedral. There is a small entrance fee. I believe they do close for lunch hours so I suggest you ask at the Visitor's information office or google their hours. Just walking around the old city is a joy, its mainly pedestrian and full of stone buildings.

 

Seafood, including octopus is the specialty in Galicia. There are many restaurants on Rua Franco, off the Cathedral, but also elsewhere. One we like is nearby , called Bierzo Enxebre on Rua La Troia http://www.bierzoenxebre.es/localizacion/index.htm. If weather is nice you can seat outside. Another is in a garden a bit further down on this street called Casa Felisa.

 

I also love visiting their market, called Mercado de Abastos http://www.mercadodeabastosdesantiago.com/ Actually, if you're there close to lunch hour they have several restaurants around it. We had lunch in one we liked, Cafe El Hispano

http://www.paxinasgalegas.es/el-hispano-19398em_79ay_461ep.html

There I had the "Menu del Dia", which included a choice of a starter (I had their typical Caldo Gallego soup), a Second (I had octopus, very yummy) and dessert and wine, all that for 11 euros.

 

If you like wine make sure you try one of their local wines, my favorite is albariño (white).

 

Good luck!

Thank you, Cruiseluv for the information -- especially the restaurants! We are so looking forward to this port of call!

Billie

Hi Keltic,

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful information about Santiago. It really created an interest for us to read everything and since we will be stopping in La Caruna on a cruise in September, your information is very valuable to us.

We had a few more questions if you don't mind. We have decided to rent a car for 4 of us in La Caruna and drive ourselves to Santiago. We found a Hertz office very near the port with a reasonable rate for Auto Club Members (AAA).

1) Is it difficult to find our way out of La Coruna?

2) The main highway is by a toll road and we are curious as to how much we will have to pay in tolls. We would like to take that road as it is shorter than the other suggestions on Google maps.

3) Is there a charge to park at the San Francisco Parking and, if yes, how much will it be? Will the car be safe in this place?

4) Do we have to make advance reservations to see the Cathedral or any other wonderful building?

5) Do you have a suggestion for a restaurant/cafe for our midday meal that would give us a sample of typical Galician food?

Thank you in advance for the answers to our questions. We appreciate your help.

Billie