Rickey 88

People still wear jeans?

I sure hope Jean won't find out!!!

"Do they stop serving coffee after 6 pm?"

Heck No! Available all restaurants during opening hours and at other locations throughout the ship.....:rolleyes:

I can't really comment on your particular question = all I can say is that ships water is usually reasonably soft. It is acquired at various ports along your route and then, as is usual with all water on board, it goes through a softening cycle.

As a former Vancouverite, I recommend that you don't attempt too much on only a limited stay. Vancouver is quite big (the 3rd largest city in Canada) and there's so much to see and do.

Capilano and Grouse Mountain require time to get to and return - so there's not much time left to sightsee....

Maybe sometime in the future you could plan on a longer stay and enjoy this beautiful city.....

One of the best reasons to use a Travel Agent, "Saving Money and Getting Assurance".

A really good TA will have a good relationship with most Cruise lines and will be able to offer you some sort of price reduction. This is something most will simply be unable to do on their own!

Secondly, and even more important, is that in the event of some sort of foul-up - they will have good contacts in cutting through red tape and finding a solution.....

Find a TA and have a safe trip......:)

there is a Chinese council in LA just over an hour drive... for $150 pp fee I think I can manage it

 

Thank you all...makes things clear

Unless things have improved, you may want to plan on TWO trips to the consulate. We left our applications there and had to return on a second day to pick up the completed visas.....

Is it possible to visit Greig's home on foot from the center of Bergen?

Simple answer to "no" - their house is some considerable distance from central Bergen - far too much for "on foot"....

Your best option would be to arrange for a tour from central Bergen, going directly to the Grieg home. Actually, there will still be somewhat of a walk as most tour buses park quite far from the house......

Depends on your definition of "easy"......There are taxis available both at the pier and at the hotel. Usually there is no waiting and the ride is quick and comfortable.....

Sorry to say - but all coastal cruises remain out to sea by a long way - probably about 7 to 10 miles depending on what portion of the coast you're passing.....

It will depend on the ship's position at sea - and the availability of a good signal. If one is available - you'll will probably hear the game.

We were once off the coast in New Zealand - no broadcast but a cooperative harbormaster taped the game which we could listen to..

Any suggestions on how I can tour Victoria after I disembark in Vancouver. I know it's a different city but I would like to know if anyone has arranged a tour after their cruise.

I hope you realize that Victoria and Vancouver are two entirely different cities and are separated by a large body of water!

Some people before this have asked the very same question - and were somewhat shocked to learn that one cannot drive from Vancouver to Victoria without crossing the Strait of Georgia.

As someone born and raised in Canada (Vancouver) but now a US citizen living in California, I wish this subject would be put to rest....

Growing up in B.C. I was quite used to having visitors use their U.S. currency while visiting us. On the other hand, we Canadians repaid their visits by going down below the border, and our purchases were accepted by Seattle merchants with C$ - and often at par.

Since then, the two currencies have no longer been equal to each other, and merchants had to accept a loss, or maybe calculate the difference and end up in an argument.

Travelling to foreign places has become more commonplace, and most of us have become used to buying pounds, euros or dinars before leaving. Yet, I often read in these forums from folks who don't want to be bother with currency exchanges, and expect their home currency to be readily accepted no matter where they go....:rolleyes:

Thank you for your responses. I think we will fly out of YVR to LAX and get there for the reception. That's the fun part anyway. My options are Air Canada Rouge which arrives at 4:03 or Skywest dba United Express arriving at 4:28. I have read some pretty awful recent reviews of Air Canada Rouge. What experiences do you have with them? Thanks.

We wish you all sorts of luck with your plans - and it may work out for you....

* Your only really good option is Air Canada, and what you have already found out is quite correct - there is no real service, the attendants ignore passengers and seats are jammed together....

* Alaska is a better option, but connections aren't much help to you in getting to the wedding. Alaska could get you to Burbank which is closer to Pasadena, but they do not fly to BUR non-stop from YVR.

* You'll be hard pressed to make it to Pasadena as that's our worst time here in SoCal for freeway travel. You might want to consider booking a limo service to get you there. They know the traffic flows better that most, and take alternative routes to avoid traffic jams.

I wish I could offer you some other option, but we live in Glendale, just a bit west of Pasadena and have made that trip from LAX many, many times.....

Hi All,

 

I am booked on the Riviera Venice-Barcelona in May 2016. The ship overnights in Barcelona. I am wondering about the disembarkation procedures in these cases. I had assumed that disembarkation would occur in the early AM of the second day in Barcelona, but when I look at the May 2015 cruise for the same itinerary, O has shore excursions available on the second day in Barcelona. Can someone help me out with info on disembarkation procedures and what time I should schedule a plane out of BCN. Thanks Marc

Since you are overnighting, you can proceed to disembark anytime you would like on the second day. Indicate to the ship, that you are disembarking separately and arrange to have your luggage picked up (with indentification) the previous night. Your luggage will be placed on the dock in a separate group. Arrange for your own transportation to the airport - your flight time should be set to allow you sufficient time at BCN to check in - perhaps 10 am or later.....

We are taking our ten year old grandson on a cruise to Alaska in August. We were looking forward to staying in The Pan Pacific Hotel the night before the cruise. For us, it would make the embarkation process very easy. But when we called today for a reservation, they told us they are totally booked. So, just wondering, if there is a good alternative to the Pan Pacific...would really appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.

I realize that you ran into a "fully booked" situation when you called back in December, but frequently Vancouver hotels will simply tell you "not available" that far out.

If you are still interested, I would suggest you use on on-line booking service to do a search for availability for you. "Hotwire" or "Trivago" are good possibilities, if you are not booked elsewhere.....

OK, I know there are lots of factors here, but I'm just asking for a price range on roundtrip airfare to Barcelona from New Orleans or Houston area...

 

Well seasoned traveler and cruisers, just a newbie to Europe... in our planning stages.

 

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Not knowing when you are planning your trip, I did a quick quote from Houston and return in mid June. (Airfare from New Orleans differs slightly)Best rate at the moment is around $1560 and changes depending upon your desired connections or airlines.

Not in Scotland it isn't. Burns night celebrates his birthday, the 25th of January, not the date of his death.

I quite agree EXCEPT we were cruising around the UK in JUNE and were unable to celebrate on the traditional date....

They do serve it on Oceania for Robbie Burns night :D

You may not have been on a cruise at the right time

Lyn is quite right - we were there too on the same cruise!

As only a few are aware, Robert Burns night is held on or near to July 21, the anniversary of his death. Oceania prepared a haggis, exactly as expected, and served it, sliced by a true Scots dagger. I did miss the pipes, normally accompanying the presentation of the haggis, but none were available - so it didn't occur.....

Florence Nightingale's hospital (Scutari) is visible across the Bosphorus from Topkapi Palace. I've no idea what's inside or even whether it's open to the public, though.

We didn't attempt to visit it, even though I understand that it means a lot to those who follow Ms. Nightingale's work. We did travel to the Asian side, as these days it's a short drive from the European side by car.

However, if this is your first trip to Istanbul, I would suggest to you that it might be to your advantage to stay on the European side. There are many sights to see - and even a week may not be enough time.

Should you decide to cross over, then I would strongly recommend getting a car and driver to take you around, but to come back to Istanbul by water taxi and admire the beautiful homes along the shore....

They did the Super Bowl on our cruise, but it took the CD several days of negotiations to organize it. You could definitely tell who was a football fan and who wasn't. It was not crowded on the rest of the ship while the game was on.:D

Very similar situation when we were just off New Zealand. The Super Bowl was coming up and they went through all sorts of contortions to acquire it.

One basic problem is "where is the ship in relation to the satellite and will that satellite carry the program?" Being at sea is much different to getting programs in Muncie.....

The net result was that the Harbour Master at our next port recorded the game at home, staying up late to do so considering the time zones. When we docked, he sent the recording on board, where it was played throughout the ship - including in the cabins. He thoughtfully edited out all the commercials.

I beg to differ with those who say that "Oceania is too cheap" to acquire games for showing on board. They will (if it is possible) and will do so (if the signal is available) and it usually has nothing to do with cost....

It looks like I will be sailing into LA (Grand Princess) to the Carnival Cruise Centre next to the QM in April. Can anyone tell me the cheapest way to get to the USS Iowa? We are looking at touring the QM and then heading over to the Iowa if time permits.

The Iowa is a short cab ride from the Cruise Ship docking. Can't exactly estimate exactly as I'm not sure where you'll be docked.

Here's a map that may be helpful: https://www.google.com/maps/@33.741896,-118.279727,16z

Looking for suggestions on one way transportation for family of 5 adults and 4 teen age children (with luggage) from Vancouver Canada to Seattle Washington. Thanks in advance

With that many people and luggage, you really should consider taking the train from Vancouver.

Otherwise, with a one-way rental necessary, you could be facing a substantial charge from the rental company. Their rates for larger vans are quite high.

Can anyone help me? I am on the Nautica at our first Indian port (Mumbai). I have a valid Indian Business visa. The Indian Immigration authorities claim that this visa does not allow me to enter India as a tourist. Nobody at Oceania told me at any point that I needed an Indian Tourist visa to leave the ship. We have three more port stops coming up. Is there any hope? Marvin Klein; mbklein44 at yahoo dot com.

I am replying only because we sailed the Nautica on a cruise that stopped in Mumbai, as a first port in India. I wont comment on your Visa situation as I am not an expert on India immigration laws. You really need to talk to someone who is far more familiar with their laws in India. Otherwise, you run a great risk on being confined to the ship and not being allowed off....

I do remember that Immigration officials boarded in Dubai and sailed across to Mumbai, holding a day long affair where we all had to show our passports and other documents to be stamped. India is quite different in many ways!

Thanx LHT28,

 

What would we have to do to use 220v appliances ?

 

Thank you

Speaking as a former Canadian now living in the U.S., all consumer outlets in both countries are 110v. It is very difficult to find a 220v. outlet anywhere. Remember that the vast majority of consumer appliances in both countries are 110v. That is insufficient power to operate any of your 220v appliances....

On board ship you should have both 110 and 220 sockets - --

Enjoy your trip!

We are doing B2B in January with a change of cabin after the first leg. Does anyone know what will happen to our luggage in this event? Oceania UK could not give me an answer. I assume it does not have to disembark with us!

Actually, you will find that the change to a new suite will be rather effortless - we've done it several times.

Before the end of your first leg, talk to your cabin staff who will be ever so helpful. You need not "pack" anything, they will arrange to move it to your new location and re-hang everything in the closet.

(This usually takes place after the first group are off and before the new passengers arrive.) :)