JoePDX

Yesterday was Lisbon and the end of the 14 night transatlantic cruise. We wandered around Lisbon and had lunch at the Timeout (Ribera) Market. That was outstanding. Back in the ship late in the afternoon. We continue on for another 7 days to Barcelona. What a passenger change! A large group of wine drinkers from Wichita (fun group) and a large groups of Spanish passengers. Average age probably dropped by 20 years and we have a dozen or so children on board. We are loving the energy change. 😊 Today was Portimao, Portugal. A fun day for six of us and a private guide. Tonight is Captain’s Welcome Aboard reception. OH the Sticky Buns today were superb! Jeff saw them and got them for me as I had given up…. Also one of the string quartet has vanished…they were announced last night at the Welcome Show as a String Trio. Our new trivia team did not place in the top three today. But we did do good. So better luck tomorrow. All is still great on Sirena. Joe

Thank you for the additional clarification on provisioning locations. I do stand by my original assertion that NCLH brands are doing a major disservice to its passengers if items might be unavailable for up to 40 days due to a provisioning error. The recent postings about lack of jam are a prime example - at the next port send someone to the super market to buy al the Bonne Maman they can. Instead of individual jars spoon it out like salad dressing. Or air freight the items to a future port. Joe

Our transatlantic left from Aruba , not Miami. And at least one cruise before ours also left from Aruba. I am not suggesting other cruises have not had shortages or outages, just that it has not been our experience. If NCLH brands only ensure proper stocking from Miami or Lisbon, then it does not take a rocket scientist to see how faulty that permise is…. What about ships that sail full seasons in Asia or Downunder or South America….or Eastern Med…. Or the ATW that circumnavigates the globe. Just my two cents… Joe

Some food pics today from lunch … Taste of the World today was India for me. Jeff had Yogurt Marinated Chicken. Then I took in Tea for only the second time on this leg. All is very good on Sirena. ❤️🛳️⚓️

Yesterday was Funchal, Madeira. I had a guide arranged for six of us off the ship. His vehicle unfortunately was just not sized for six “adults”. So after about 20 minutes we called uncle. He brought us back to town and dropped us in the historic district. He was apologetic and very gracious refusing our offers of a tip. So we instead wandered as couples, some took the cable car and basket ride. Throughout the area local artisans were selling their creations from white tents. Travel requires flexibility. So even though we didn’t see what we planned we all still had great adventures. Yesterday evening I had a full refund from Tours by Locals - the guide contacted them within minutes of dropping us off. So Tours by Locals will remain on my preferred vendor list - an ethical company. In port with us yesterday were Riviera, Silver Dawn and Mein Schiff Herz. Last nights show was “Showdown” a take on America’s Got Talent. Another great show by the talented cast of four singers and two principal dancers.

Another of those long voyage traditions at sea. Boat building competition had four entrants. All passed the building requirements and all four sailed the requisite 30 seconds despite wildly churning seas in the pool. 😂🌊🛶 Winner was not a boat but a whole Gilligan’s Island accompanied by the full cast. Great creativity.

Recently there have been a lot of mentions about shortages onboard Oceania’s ships. We have not seen anything missing. Jam is readily available in Terrace Cafe and I have seen the Jam “towers” in the GDR. Peanut butter is also available. Our meals have been universally very good to outstanding. Service professional and personal. So many amazing crew. There has also been discussion lately of Oceania passenger ages/demographics. We are me 58 (until next Friday 😊) and Jeff 59. We are definitely some of the youngest on board. That said - our fellow passengers are an active group, interesting and ready to explore. Yes a few walkers and just a couple power chairs. But overall not a “nursing home on the sea” as some have characterized. This meshes with our previous three Oceania cruises as well. The first leg ends tomorrow in Lisbon. We have met so many wonderful people on board. Both through the roll call and just from on board interactions. The goodbyes have already started. The next leg, seven days to Barcelona has no sea days and is sold out. According to a source on board the new passengers are predominantly Spanish - makes sense as it is also Holy Week. There are also about 160 current passengers continuing on. Our trivia team tied for first place today, so much better than yesterday. We also took the first place for the whole cruise, earning 20 bonus Big O Points. 😊 Cloudy today and chilly. Boat Building competition at 3:00. I will post some pictures later. We booked another crossing for 2025. Marina from Rio to Lisbon. Love those sea days as I have mentioned. All continues to be good on Sirena. Joe & Jeff

Trivia was 30 minutes earlier today than normal. Half our group missed it, arriving just as we finished scoring. For the first time we didn’t earn any Big O points. 😢😢😢 Final session tomorrow at 10 am for this leg. Our whole team except for Jeff and I are disembarking in Lisbon. We have already identified two replacements for next leg. 😊

Hi All - Yesterday was Santa Cruz de la Palma in the Canary Islands. No tour, just got off and walked. Very charming town with a well maintained historic quarter full of interesting shops and restaurants. The walk to this area is about 15 minutes if you don’t use the port shuttle. Knock off maybe 8 minutes if you do. A charming low key day. I have given up on sticky buns for this trip. 😢 Joe

Cristo was a substitute for the guide I had engaged. I have sent a request for his email address, once I get I will send. Joe

We are looking forward to the Vista TA. We have two more TAs to complete before then. Will be anxious for the initial reports once she sets sail in May. We look forward to meeting you! Meeting other Cruise Critic people really makes our cruise experiences special. Joe

A terrific day here on Tenerife. We met our guide Cristo and headed off for Mt. Teide. We were all left astounded by the natural beauty of this National Park. Seemed everywhere we looked the landscape changed. NASA’s rovers for the Apollo and Mars mission were tested in this landscape. We also learned about all the major films made here in Tenerife. We started at sea level and climbed up to about 3,000 meters. Guide took us to a local restaurant for Tenerife specialties grilled cheese, potatoes with red and green sauce, stewed chickpeas and a mixed plate of bbq’d meats. We all left stuffed. Next we ventured to the historic capital of Tenerife, La Laguna. So much history and architecture to take in. Our guide was the best. Native Tenerifian, Iron Man, photographer, entrepreneur and former banana plantation worker. We were tired and hot after making it back to the ship. Currently cooling off in Horizons with a virgin Pina Colada. Ah to be home! 😊❤️🛳️ Tonight is a pool deck dance party under the Spanish stars from 9 pm to 10:15 pm. We set sail at 11pm. Next stop Santa Cruz de La Palma. Joe

Today we arrived in Tenerife. First land in six days. We loved every sea day. We eat nearly all lunches and dinners in the Grand Dining Room. Food has really been wonderful and the service warm and professional. Never a wait for a table for two. Just when we thought the production cast had given us their all they knocked our socks off with another superb show. Last night was “Acoustic Sounds” at take on MTV unplugged. The Sirena Band, String Quartet and the cast all occupied the dance floor for a great show. We continue to be amazed. 😊 Our our trivia team took second place yesterday. I spoke with Jennie the Oceania Club Ambassador. Itinerary release for the rest of 2025 has been postponed until September. She had reported during her talk that it would be April. Allura itineraries will be released in August. CD Gary had announced that Country Fair was only offered on crossings, but it would make sense to have it on itineraries with multiple contiguous sea days. We are off today with a private guide to explore Mt. Tiede and La Laguna with five other Sirena cruisers. Life continues to be wonderful on Sirena. Joe with Jeff in tow

Haven’t seen shortages of anything major. Even dessert. 😂 Last night at dinner they were out of a couple of the white wines by the glass, but another 10 or so to choose from. Haven't noticed any major vibration in the Grand Dining Room which is below your stateroom, except when docking or departing. Joe

This morning was the Oceania Country Fair on the pool deck. A nice day for it with slight breezes. This event only happens on crossings. Each department of the ship man a table with games related to the work they do. Housekeeping had a stuff the pillow in the pillowcase race, galley a name that spice by smell quiz, Purser department name of the country of the officer. The crew seem to enjoy the event as much as the passengers. 😊 You get raffle tickets for each game. At the end they draw tickets to give away prizes. Jeff won a leather Oceania Luggage tag. 😊🏆 Weather is pleasant today on our last of six sea days. Tomorrow we arrive in Tenerife. Didn’t even try the sticky buns today. 😢 Joe

How are you pricing the fare - two one-way fares or a multi-city? That difference seems out of line if using multi-city. Use a site like Google Flights. Also for your question about transfers/transportation. Rome cruises embark in Civitavecchia which is a distance from Rome. For this a taxi is not the best option. You should look into a car service. Google “Rome Cruise Transfer” for options. I have used Rome in Limo in the past. Joe

Another fine day on Sirena. Captain and Staff Captain held a very informative Q&A this morning. Our trivia team scored another perfect game. 🏆 Oceania Club party was today. There are 386 repeat guests out of the approximate 450 onboard. Most cruised guest has 405 days onboard Oceania. Sticky Buns were an epic FAIL this morning. They looked good, there was some syrupy goodness in the bottom of the pan. When I went to slice into it, the knife came to a halt 2/3 the way through. More elbow power, still no movement. I turned the bun over and what should be ooey gooey goodness had formed a hard candy layer. It resonated when tapped with my spoon. Needless to say not even a bite of Sticky Bun today. I could have broken a tooth. 😢 Even with that, life is still very good on Sirena. Joe

A nice leisurely day onboard Sirena yesterday. Finally made it to Tea - it was Cupcake day. 😊 We just had our fourth night of moving the clock forward an hour. We have two more to go…. Biggest drawback of an eastbound TA. Has really messed up our sleep pattern. We have had two amazing guest entertainers onboard. Martin Kaye is a piano man showman of the highest order. If he sails with you don’t miss him. We have also had singer Becky Porter. What a voice and a delightful stage presence, her first time on Oceania. We missed both of their first shows and regret it. Both of them have been all over the ship interacting with passengers. Today the Captain and Staff Captain are doing a Q&A at 10:30. According to CD Gary this is the first time since pandemic. Looking forward to it. We had breakfast in our stateroom yesterday, so no sticky bun quality check. Heading up to Terrace Cafe shortly….fingers crossed they are good and sticky. 🍀 Waves up to 11 feet today and increased winds. According to Captain there is a storm north of us. He says it will not affect us other than the waves and wind. All continues to be great on Sirena. Joe

Since you didn’t mention the city, it is hard to make specific recommendations or share real experiences. Oceania does have pre cruise hotels but they charge a significant premium for them. We have traveled all over the world and never had an issue with transportation, whether relying on Taxi, Car Service or Uber/Lyft. Some countries do not allow Uber/Lyft so be sure and research in advance. We are currently on Sirena and for our current leg (which ends in Lisbon) Oceania is charging $149 per person for transfer from ship to airport. 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫. But did disclose that a taxi is approx. 30€. Joe

We are currently on Sirena. This voyage is also a TA. 1. Coffee Corner in Horizons opens at 6:30 am. Baristas also opens at 6:30 am. 2. All dinner venues (GDR, Terrace Cafe and Specialties) open at 6:30 pm. 3. Fitness Center opens at 6:00 am. Room Service is 24x7 with a fairly extensive menu. However my husband says the Room Service coffee is undrinkable. Joe

@CajunGirl2 Here is what the inside stateroom cross hallway looks like. I am standing in the port side hallway looking toward the starboard hallway. Joe

We are currently on Sirena. Soft drinks are Coke , Diet Coke, Seagram’s Ginger Ale and Canada Dry mixers (tonic, club soda). You can request other brands/types to be stocked in your stateroom refrigerator by contacting g special services a few weeks before your cruise. I requested Coke Zero. They will fulfill if they can but you won’t know until you board. Joe

The inside staterooms, at least on deck 7, on Sirena open into a small cross hallway between the port and starboard sides. So you would be good with either. Joe

Hi @CajunGirl2 Laundrette is on the port side. Right across from 7076. I had to walk down there to verify for you and thankful I did as a washer was available. Surprising on a sea day. 😊 There are six washers and six dryers. Two ironing boards and several laundry baskets. Joe

Officer’s Challenge was just wrapping up when we finally made it up to the pool deck.