jakes47

I would like to share my experience of the last 24hrs booking tours through the web site. I had 12 tours each in our cart with the understanding that I would get a 25% discount. I blindly paid the balance owning then immediately thought – that seemed a bit excessive. The web site didn’t allow me to check the breakdown of the tour account after i paid it so I had to do the math from the tour selections on the cruise site. It was then I realized they hadn’t given me the 25% discount. I contacted my TA and this is the response I got this morning- “I have spoken to Oceania this morning and have to say she was so helpful. What she has done is changed your O'life choice to the 7 free shore excursions per person and then you get the 25% discount off the others so brings the total price down to $1514.50 AUD. You will receive a refund on your credit card of $1948.50 AUD within the next 7 days.” Needless to say, I am very happy and it only emphasized the importance of having a good Travel Agent. I have never dealt with Oceania (Australian Office) directly but it would seem they are very helpful but the website has some short comings.

We love Beetroot as we call it in Aus. A salad sandwich is not the same with out it and an Aussie burger is not Aussie with out it (IMO). I boil it, bake it, make relish from it, grate fresh over salads, make soup from it and cured salmon in it - delicious. On the other hand celery is only good in soups and casseroles - I think it was the years of peanut butter on celery in my lunch box that ruined it for me. I hope you have your seasick meds with you - where you are heading can get a bit rough.

I have been investigating exactly the same thing for our change over day in Portsmouth. We were looking for a relaxed day before the next leg of our B2B cruise, so have decided to catch the Hovercraft to the Isle of Wight. Obviously we are not expecting to see all but have read they have an efficient bus service and will be looking for a nice restaurant for lunch before heading back to the ship. From Southhampton there is a regular ferry service to Cowes.

wrong post

A salt shaker and Truffle Aioli please! (the real one)

Shark - I have been lurking in the background but would like to send out a big THANK YOU to you for sharing your journey with us. I would love to do a world cruise but convincing my DH is another matter - so for now I am travelling vicariously through you. Safe journey! Bev

The fact the OP is asking the question, even though he knows his daughters well - tells me he has reservations. Johnlat - Do you really want to sacrifice your own pleasure worrying, throughout the cruise, if your daughters are enjoying themselves? Surely this would be enough for you to consider another line that would definately cater for both generations.

Australia is also very strict about protecting the country from biosecurity risks. At airports and international entry points they have dogs to detect food focusing on fruit and Veg - so please remember this when you come off the ship for your excursions.

It was a long drive in but at the time we didn't want the worry of public transport - plus it included a visit to Pisa. Sorry - I can’t remember exactly where the bus dropped us but I know it was easy walking distance to the tourist centre. They did give us a map and we easily found our way back to the pick-up spot.

We like a table for 2 as we don't want to sit on a shared table with the others ordering 5 courses when we are only ordering 2. I usually order 2 appetizers - the second to have when my DH has his main. Then if there is room after that, including the bread, we might share a dessert. On rare occasions I will just order a main. I find the older we get the less I can eat with out it showing on the scales.

We have been on Oceania and Seabourn – love them both. We don’t like formal nights and leave our formal attire at home, then dine at one of the other venues on those nights. Seabourn was friendlier and staff got to know us and what we liked. They often had my Margarita ready before I even asked –all drinks included. Oceania's food was a tad better IMO – but we did have one of the best degustation meals on Seabourn. A veranda suite on Seabourn felt as roomie and as a PH on Oceania, just a different shape - and we like the curtain between bed and lounge area on Seabourn as my husband likes to sit up later to read. We would choose the small ships of Seabourn for smoother water itineraries and the larger O class ships when bigger oceans are involved.

Wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have to carry a card at all and only had to use face ID and a pin.

"I have not been on an O cruise yet, but I am pretty sure the non allowed "flat iron" is an iron for your clothes not your hair" Yes that would be my interpretation. Never had a problem.

I have always taken a travel set of hot rollers which have never been questioned.

I am a coffee lover also but will pass on coffee if it is brewed. The Barista serves espresso made to order like we have in all the Aussie cafes and it has a good menu of all the usual ones or you can customise your order. I think they use ”illy” beans - or they did last time I was on board. You will get served brewed coffee in the restaurants but there are coffee machines in various locations as well which are better but not as good as the Barista.

Our first cruise was on NCL and we enjoyed it and decided that cruising was for us. But there were things we liked and disliked on that first cruise. We relayed this to our Travel Agent and she suggested Oceania. We wanted: Smaller ships/ less people – accessing areas the larger ships can’t enter Anytime time dinning – we also like a table for 2 No photographers No loud pool entertainment and competitions No people trying to sell or up sell A more subdued atmosphere in general but still plenty of fun Good food Few (if any) children. Casual dress – we never take formal wear. It is very casual though the day (jeans, shorts tee shirts…) and take it up a notch in the evening. Me – dress or evening pants and nice top, dress sandals or shoes and a pashmina if it is cool. Husband – takes 1 pair of black dress pants and some collared button up shirts. We have never felt out of place but if you want to dress up – that is ok too. We find it all very easy. For us Oceania (and Seabourn) delivered in all these areas. Sorry - I don’t know Princess and only have the 1 NCL cruise to compare. But maybe you should do a list of what you are looking for and see if Oceania fits.

Another thing we have noted in America (or on cruise ships catering to Americans) - that makes my jaw drop, is when people pore huge amounts or butter over grilled (broiled) lobster. Sometimes they are even given a little jug of melted butter on the side. I am too scared to try this as I can feel my arteries clogging just looking at it. LOL

I just had to check - the brand I have is peanut butter. I thing it was Peanut Paste many years ago. I am in my mid sixties and had PBJ sandwiches as a kid and gave them to my kids.

Orange Cheese! Really? Where does that colour come from? Peanut Butter and Jelly (Jam) is not just American - we love it here to.

Agree! Love a well cooked crispy crust.😋

Thanks again. Initially I ask our TA to watch for a different location but have now told her we are happy with 10035 - thanks to the feed back I have received here.👍

Thank you all so much - that is so very reassuring. I think a lot of people are wary as the last 4 cabins available were either side of the lift. Great about the Router being so close. Bev

I have just lodged a booking request with our TA for a 2025 cruise and where surprised to find the only PH2 suites, Deck 10 on the Riviera available are all by the lifts and stairs. Our travel agent is very good and she will watch for others to come up but we have booked 10035. Has anyone stayed in 10035 or near the lift and, if so, where you disturbed by any noise? Thanks Bev