Kristal Blade

We are going to be in a concierge class cabin on Regatta. Previously we have had concierge class on Riviera. Is there a concierge lounge on Regatta and if so can the concierge there make dining reservations at Speciality restaurants? It’s been a while since we did an Oceania cruise so this thread is answering lots of questions. Thanks for any input

On our AmaStella cruise this April we had to sign up for tours, usually the night before. Our names and room numbers were noted. In the morning we had to report to reception to pick up a colour coded ticket for the tour. Sometimes there were 3 or 4 different colours. Tickets were either handed over as you joined the coach or met your guide. It was well organised and we got onto every excursion we wanted.

We were on AmaStella in April. We did the Vienna evening event to the concert in the Prince of Liechtenstein Palace. Is this the option? It’s fabulous. The palace is gorgeous, you get champagne on arrival and have time for photos in the opulent drawing room. They say no photos during the concert, but some people ignored that. I think if you don’t use flash then it’s not a problem. We took photos later. The music is beautiful, it only lasts for an hour and it’s light and not heavy classical music. If this isn’t the concert, sorry!

When you visit some religious sites in Sri Lanka, and India, you need to remove your shoes. Sometimes the paving stones can be very hot, having baked in the sun for several hours. I would recommend you stick a pair of “footsie” socks in your pocket so you can pop them on and avoid burning your feet. These are the socks with little plastic pads on the sole, they give good protection, plus keep your feet clean. They also rinse out easily and dry overnight ready for your next visit!

In Jaipur when you get to the Palace of the winds you get a lovely view from the rooftops across the street. We went upstairs in a jewellery shop. The owner invited us in, we went through the shop and up onto the roof. Got lovely photos. I also got a lovely silver bracelet from the shop. No hard sell, just Indian people helping tourists get more of their experience and we were happy to make a purchase. I still wear the bracelet.

We haven’t done this ourselves, but I know that several passengers on our cruise did. They took a taxi to the nearest train station then took the train to KL. We took a taxi to the same spot, but then took a ferry to “Crab Island”.

We disembarked from AmaStella in April. cabins need to be vacated at 8am but you can sit in any of the lounge areas till your departure time. We had a flight at about 3pm so we didn’t leave the ship till about 11. In the waiting time we were able to leave our hand luggage at reception and go ashore to the market, a 5 minute walk away plus walk up to the stone church. If you have booked an extension in Budapest you either get a private taxi, booked by AMA or they will help you get a taxi to come and collect you. Luggage was collected from outside the cabins and kept safe till departure time. Everything was really well organised. I should think you could get off anytime you like, after breakfast. We arrived the day before so had a tour of Budapest plus a steam train ride, but some people left that day. Enjoy your trip abjnb707

I think you will have been to Wurzburg now and have realised drinking on the bridge is still a big thing! We were there last month and it was heaving on a Saturday afternoon.

We were in Budapest recently and used Credit card. We have one with no fees so it was a simple decision. In Czech Republic they accepted € as well as credit card. Maybe if you give a list of the countries you are visiting, cruiser02 you will get more info.

We were on AmaStella last month. We got 2 bags of laundry done for free on our 2 week cruise. It is one bag for a one week cruise. I washed undies and hung them on the shower drying line, but laundry was great for shirts, blouses, etc.

Sorry, I pressed send before I finished! My tunic top looked smart as it hangs almost to my knees. Other ladies wore dresses, both long and short sleeved. It rained the night we went so we all had jackets but there is a cloakroom where you can leave things. I had a sparkly necklace too. My husband wore a shirt and tie, long trousers (I don’t think shorts would be appropriate even in the height of summer) and he had on a linen jacket. I think only a couple of men wore ties. Most just wore button down collar shirts, no jacket and chino style trousers. By May it will be much warmer so I think you won’t need a jacket. Have a great time!

Hi Bill, you are in for a treat! I wore a patterned tunic top, with leggings and my blingy sandals. It maybe doesn’t sound that smart, but it lo

Last night we attended the APT special event. An evening of Mozart and Strauss music, both orchestra and opera, in the Prince of Liechtenstein’s palace in Vienna. I was glad I had packed something to dress up in for that event. Annoyingly it was raining so we had to gallop from the buses to the entrance and my feet got a bit wet in my blingy sandals. Packing has begun, we head home on Monday. Amastella has been a great introduction to river cruising for us.

We have had laundry done. Great service. Everything was returned the same day, shirts beautifully ironed and our socks paired up. There are some other benefits to our AA cabin. The butler delivers snacks every evening then a dessert later. Just a small petit four type thing. But the food on board is so abundant we often don’t eat the butler snack. The excursions have all been excellent and today we are hiking in a valley. Happy Easter!

I’ve made a few enquiries and it seems we all have 2 free laundry loads, it’s only 1 if it’s a 7 day cruise. We had a fabulous day at Keukenhof gardens and I’m now sitting in the sunshine on the balcony.

I have a card in my room that says “butler service” on the revers it says I can have 2 garments ironed per day plus shoes polished! So no worries with the linen shirt. But my packing methodology ensured very few wrinkles. Pontac, I think I’ll stick with the old boy, in spite of the lack of tie last night. Tonight is the welcome party and he will be putting on the ritz then.

I’m a first timer. I will find out if everyone has got the free laundry or if it is because of our room category. Detective work begins…. Knowing me I will put my foot in it and ask someone who hasn’t got the free laundry and they will get hacked off about it!

Fortunately he remembered his trews! Had a lovely dinner. Four courses of delicious food. Fun with Australian table mates. We didn’t realise APT was an Australian company!

I’m on board now! Our ship is lovely. AmaStella has great decor, which we have added to with our Easter embellishments. live had a shower using my spa quality toiletries (Pure Herbs) so I now smell amazing. I love the soap embedded with petals. Haven’t worn my plush terry yet, it is more of a waffle with a cotton lining. Not opened the slippers yet either. Nice surprise - we get 2 free bags of laundry! Tonight I have on my blingy sandals, silky trousers and a nice top. Hubby is wearing a linen shirt, no tie or jacket. Off for a pre prandial libation. Cheers

Ooh my, I would need to shower wearing my plush Terry!!

Never go with Cunard!

Thanks for that info Got2Cruise, I have some dressier tops and trousers and a blingy pair of sandals already packed so I think I’m good to go now. Hubby has a jacket and tie, just in case he feels the need to dress up for the captain.

Thanks RobinMN, great photo of the plushness! The slippers look a bit low key so I may bring my own. Ponac, I can just about hold on for the rejuvenation to begin. I hope the carp is all true…

Yippee, plush terry! We are on a cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest so we will revel in the spa quality toiletries and may even “liberate” some of them at the end of the cruise! Thanks very much for doing the research for me.

Sorry for the confusion, I thought this was AMA waterways questions. I am sailing on AmaStella. Wow, pontac! I’m dreaming of plush now!