cruisingxpert

They often have inspections on the first cruise after being out of country for months. I was on an Oceania cruise that had just arrived from overseas and they asked that we didn't show up before 3pm. I know people who did say they got on around 1pm.

Hope they do it on all the ships. Celebrity has that plan so you have a chance to try an expensive glass of wine that you probably wouldn't otherwise try.

Cruise Critic Chris who is on Marina right now said Franck Garanger has left O and is now head of Cuisine for Explora Journeys.

I noticed something in the article "And for lovers of the grape, Oancea is adding 75 new wines to Oceania's already extensive wine list." What about wine by the glass? I'm a wine drinker and the choices of wine by the glass are not plentiful or very good. I would buy a drink package if they offered something like Celebrity that has far more choices of wine by the glass and an option to have a glass of more expensive wines for a small additional cost.

Trying to decide which hotel to choose. Both are similarly priced and both are on the Grand Canal and we can get a water taxi from airport to hotel door. Has anybody been to either of these hotels and if both, which one did they prefer?

Thank you for doing the review. We are big fans of the Terrace on the O ships and hardly ever go to the GDR. We just came off the Insignia and we were disappointed with the Terrace- everything you said we agree with. One thing I do enjoy there is the pasta station.. We dined in the GDR on Insignia on 2 nights- had really good meals and wished we had gone there more often. The redo on the rooms is lovely. Other than smaller bathroom and closet space, I think the layout in the PH cabins is nicer than the O ship PH layout.

Thank you. That's great information. Really looking forward to coming back to Bermuda

You are so very helpful, Charles. Appreciate that you take the time to respond. You mentioned a gypsy driver which someone on the Insignia right now talked about. She said she had found a regular taxi and asked to go to Clearwater Beach and would the driver agree to meet and bring them back. He said no and that they should go to Tobacco Bay because they could get a cab back. They went, thought it was awful and jumped into a cab that was just dropping people off at Tobacco Bay. She found out that he was a "gypsy" driver. He took them to Clearwater Beach and agreed to a time to pick them up. They mentioned the bar and the food truck, had a great time and the driver picked them up right on time. My question- we are docking in St George next week on Insignia and I wonder how we find a "gypsy" driver to take us to Clearwater and agree to bring us back at a designated time.

@WKUTopperFan I did a tour several years ago with Ralph Richardson of Winsome Tours, He was very friendly and knowledgeable. There were 8 of and he even took us to his house and down to the dock to see the water. I have no hesitation in recommending him. I believe Winsome Tours handles the Famous Homes and Hideaway cruise tour. I loved it and have done it 3 times. Wonderful way to see Bermuda from the water.

Google updates on mask wearing. Several countries including Italy and Spain have said they are not going to drop mask wearing in several areas even though EU guidelines say differently. That's probably why Ortega is hedging his bets about mask wearing and testing. I like Celebrity but I don't think they were enforcing rules as much as O was. I was on Riviera in May and if you forgot to put your mask on in the Terrace, especially, you were reminded to do so.

Italy has extended mask wearing on public transport until September and I believe Spain is also doing something similar. Cruise ships are considered public transport. https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/covid-italy-extends-mask-mandate-for-public-transport.html