cruisingxpert

I am certain that someone has but not me! :D

 

If anyone has sailed with him, they're being very quiet about it lol.

Thank you Jim and Stan and to all who posted their comments. I' don't normally interact with the CD but I agree with TKS that the CD has a great deal to do with the "tone" of the cruise. I've heard a lot about Leslie Jon but never sailed with him so I will be very interested to see why everyone likes him.

 

Still curious about who Joseph Lustig is. I searched the forum and a few other cruise lines and nothing shows up if I put his name in.

 

This is also my first time on a "R" ship after 4 on the Riviera. Hope I like it as much as the O ships.

 

CJ

I haven't seen anything posted about this person. He is shown in our cruise booklet as the cruise director on our Insignia cruise on Nov 11th.

 

Has anyone ever met or sailed with him?

 

CJ

We're currently on Riviera, have been since the 15th. They have served sticky buns every day in the buffet for breakfast. My wife says it's almost too much of a good thing and takes away the anticipation for them.

 

The Cruise Director is Andy Heath, he is a new cruise director for Oceania. We feel he does a very good job. For those interested he is supposed to be the CD for the Insignia World Cruise.

 

As usual the Riviera is great. The last cruise and this one to an extent have many more families and children than normal. More younger and middle aged people also.

 

Lucky you with 17days. Nice meeting you on the 7 day cruise.

 

We are on the Insignia on Nov 11th Miami to San Juan. Do you know if Andy will have moved over by then? We thought he was very personable.

 

Catherine

You folks should be paid by O. I saw your Caribbean cruise review and photos. DW and I decided to go on that cruise and now this. DW wants to give this a shot especially since she read your comments on the travel chair (more details/photos, please). She has back and nerve issues as well.

 

Shame on you for spending our money. We have enjoyed every picture.

 

Thanks for your efforts.

 

+1 Agree completely.

Does it melt your skin? :D

 

Makes you wonder. That remark was made in reference to another poster who wrote"Do I ask myself what I am breathing? Yes. But no more than I ask myself what my skin is absorbing from the DEET (which melted the plastic on our canoe paddle handles). "

Hi!

We are booked on several upcoming Caribbean cruises on Riviera. Wondering if anyone had any suggestions on protecting yourself from being bitten by this new mosquito? I know about Deet. Any other sprays or chemicals that anyone can recommend?

Thanks.

Rhea

 

I haven't tried it but I saw this on the Eupore Ports Board.

 

Quote:

 

Have you tried Picaridin based repellents? I buy Natrapel which is Picaridin based in the States. It doesn't melt plastics and I've had pretty good results with it.

http://www.ewg.org/research/ewgs-gui...lent-chemicals

 

CJ

Wishing you all the best. You are one of the most informative posters and very kind and patient with your responses.

 

CJ

On our Maasdam cruise in the spring they served chocolate and peanut butter BP. My personal opinion - why ruin a good thing!!

 

I'm with you. Why ruin what was great. They also had banana with ugly blackened pieces of banana on top. I think I only saw the normal bread pudding once in 7 days.

 

CJ

The is no where "down" to go from my cabin (lol) so I guess the Oceania gods will not smile on me. Enjoy your good fortune.

 

Maybe not "down" but "over". I now know of 2 people on our 7 day Med cruise who have moved from Inside on this cruise to Concierge cabins - one a 10 day Med cruise - the other to a 10 day cruise from Papeete.

 

CJ

Stayed there 3 times in past year. Great location - so close to Total Wine, Shopping and restaurants. Staff are excellent.

Thanks for the Bonaire and Grenada tour tips,will try them both.

 

Did try Tripadvisor and all 4 emails NOT answered.Did try Ports of Call and same thing,will try 1 more time then just play it by ear,or take O island tour.Prefer to see an overview of the island and any points of interest,not water activity or beachs.I live near beaches in FL,and prefer just exploring island,window shopping,etc.This will be my 4th Caribbean cruise and just like the convenience of driving to port and getting away for awhile,alternate them with European,etc.cruises.

Have tried to take taxi tours in past with mixed results,often all booked when big ships in port.Even had them ask for MORE money after,run out of gas,you name it.Prefer to book in advance,less hassle.

 

Aruba has wonderful beaches but if you're not into that, a jeep safari type tour through the island is very interesting. We did it once before but can't remember the company. The topography, as someone once said, looks like the moon might look like - very strange rock formations. Also, on the other side of the island we saw all sorts of tropical fish just by putting goggles on and going in to knee high water. I can't scuba dive and am nervous in water over my head so this was a treat for me.

If you like snorkelling, Woodwind Tours is highly recommended in Bonaire. Bonaire Vista tours does an inexpensive tour of the island. Bonaire is one of the most environmentally conscious islands in the Caribbean.

 

You can get a taxi driver at the dock in St Barts who will drive you around the island pointing out the sites. A lot of people rent a car and drive around the island but there is a lot to see right where the tenders dock.

We were docked beside Princess this Spring and I snapped this picture. At first I couldn't figure out why people including some crew were gathering there? Then, I realized it was a smoking area. I don't know if it was a designated area or not.

 

 

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Sounds like a wonderful idea. I'm on your Roll Call lol.

 

Have you considered La Reserve? I've been to all three of the dinners and think they are fabulous.

 

Catherine

They added Bvlgari products to all accommodations. See below

 

 

http://www.oceaniacruisesblog.com/taste/2014/05/new-bulgari-amenities-in-all-suites-and-staterooms.html

All the above except for Candyapple situation and one more thing.

 

When we were delayed for 3 hours getting to Barbados due to an emergency medical evacuation, the Concierge contacted the tour operator and called all our rooms to say the Tour operator would wait for us.

 

What makes that stand out? It was a private tour, arranged on our Roll Call, not an Oceania tour.

 

CJ

Thanks for checking in with us and sending pictures. Have signed onto the thread so I won't miss anything.

 

Have a fabulous time!

 

Catherine

Wow, I'm just trying to engage in the conversation since I just did the transfer yesterday. Rude people on here. I am looking at doing Oceania next year, but the attitude on here is a bit off-putting.

 

 

Michael

 

Your price did seem pretty high but I agree there might have been a kinder way of expressing it.

 

Please don't write Oceania off. I am going on my 4th Oceania cruise next month after years of HAL and Celebrity. I have met so many great people onboard Oceania - more so than in any of my previous cruising experience.

 

Catherine

I also have an upgrade question, that I'm hoping some of you will weigh in with your opinion.

DH and I are sailing on the Riviera in October in a B3 cabin (one of the four B3's with the extended balcony that is open to one side). After a lot of planning and research, I booked this voyage/cabin last year.

As we are celebrating a bit of a milestone on this trip - our 25th wedding anniversary - I have been thinking that it might be a nice surprise from me to upgrade us to a PH3 or better, if the opportunity arises.

A bit about us, we usually take 4-6 trips a year, mostly international, mostly land based independent. We cruise on occasion, usually itinerary driven, or to join a group of friends or family. Lately, we have been thinking that we would like to try some of the luxury cruise lines, and possibly cruise a bit more in place of some of our land trips. We are getting older (although not old, 50 and 55 this year), and would like a bit more pampering on occasion. Thus our first booking of Oceania..../quote]

 

Are you on the Oct 22nd cruise from Turkey to Athens? If so, call your travel agent quickly. I checked the cruise and Cabin 7128 is available; it doesn't show online unless you use the "select a specific cabin" icon. Best of both worlds - it is a PH2 and it has the extended balcony. Been in it twice and just love it. We got an upsell from our B3 extended balcony to

the aft PH1 for our 7 day August cruise for $500 total - we are thrilled.

 

CJ

We just got upgraded from a VE to a Signature Suite (SY) for $149 per person. Is this a worthwhile expenditure? We are on the 13 day triple Denali leaving Vancouver on July 20. Our ship is the O-dam.

 

Think it's a great deal. The SY is 50% larger..

[quote name='pacheco18']They will not step in. They will not offend a paying guest


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Even though they are apparently offending a lot of paying guests by not doing so?? What was that old expression lol - about not being able to do both at the same time.

[quote name='basor']We were on the same cruise and saw the little boy several times....his parents/grandparents had him up at Terrace or out at Waves and he was adorable. They kept him busy and entertained. When they brought him to the lounge for a show/talk/demonstration, they sat in the back so they could leave if he became bored.

He was probably 18 months - 2 years and all we saw were darling smiles and cute waves.

These parents knew where to take the child so EVRYONE could enjoy their cruise and meals.[/quote]

That's an example of why O shouldn't refuse to let any child under 5 sail. We've had a few children on our last 3 Oceania cruises and had no problems.

I do, however, think O has a duty to step in and handle a situation like Pacheco is describing.

CJ

I would appreciate any info regarding the connection between the Venice Airport Terminal and the Water Taxi depot. Is the walk flat and smooth? Is it covered? How long do you wait for the taxi and what is the transit time? I am trying to compare the walk at the airport to the walk to our hotel (Al Sole) if we take a regular taxi and then decide if it is worth the extra cost to take the water taxi. After flying all night I want to have as smooth of transfer as possible.

 

Thanks

 

We are flying in overnight and have never been to Venice. We decided to book a water taxi from the airport with a company that will meet us in Arrivals, drive us over to the airport water taxi and drop us off at our hotel Antiche Figure. The company was even nice enough to say we could do it much cheaper by car because the hotel was near Piazzale Roma. We decided that because we had never been to Venice and because we wanted a no thinking arrival, that we would treat ourselves and arrive in style lol. I don't know if I can mention the company if I haven't used them yet but if you want to email me - cjj dot johnson at gmail dot com - I can send the info and prices to you.

I remember Darko. He was passionate about La Reserve. It was our first time on Oceania. We only booked one and wanted to do another and they couldn't get enough people to sign up. We have been back twice since then and haven't seen Darko since. I miss him. Alex who replaced him is very nice but doesn't have the knowledge that Darko had

 

CJ

 

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