gbits

Is anyone familiar with the Sir Albert? We will be in Amsterdam this fall and have reservations using points at both the Renaissance and the Sir Albert. We would use 45,000 less points at the Sir Albert (which would be an extra night at many hotels) but willing to spend the extra points if the Renaissance is a better location, value etc. Any input would be appreciated.

Anyone have a tour guide they would recommend for this port? Or will DIY work? Can you walk from the port to the Blarney Castle? I’ve read that the castle and the stone aren’t worth seeing but the grounds are fabulous. Any other “must see” places at this port?

Very sad news. His posts were always respectful and informative and he will be missed on this board 😢

On 3/11/2022 at 3:35 AM, Algie21 said:

Thanks to you both for the info.

I may try and book a car at the port.

I have an excellent taxi service if you are interested. We used her in January 2020 and again last month. If you want her info, email me at gbits@optonline.net.

We were on the 2/7/22 cruise and were able to do our own thing.

I have also taken Zumba classes on O but there were none on this particular cruise which was disappointing. I actually did not find any of the classes interesting and apparently neither did others as several afternoons I was in the gym when there were classes scheduled and there was no one in them.

1 hour ago, dancingcgal said:

Cruisers Did your dance band & string quartet play daily? Did band Kay afternoons at pool? Were there Zumba classes? Did anyone get any C-virus variant symptoms,guests or staff? Thanks 

Yes, band & string quartet played daily but not at pool. There was music outside but not live. No Zumba classes (meant to put in my review that there should be) and no one with COVID to my knowledge.

35 minutes ago, sunsetme said:

50 cruises but never on O. What are the cabins like? Is it an older demographic? What activities are onboard? Any advice, looking at REgatta Mexico out of LA.

Every cruise is different, depending on the itinerary, time of year etc but definitely skews to an older crowd. They have all types of activities, sports (table tennis, shuffleboard), trivia, bingo, afternoon tea etc. The biggest problem is finding the time to visit the ports and do the activities ~ cruises require more than 24 hours in a day so you can enjoy it all! 🤣🤣🤣

6 hours ago, chloemonkey said:

Have the cooking classes been started up again?  In person I mean......thanks!

All cooking classes are demonstration only on this cruise.

On 2/11/2022 at 10:55 PM, gbits said:

Also, we were initially told that we could only go ashore in Grenada and Barbados with an O tour or an approved tour company. That has changed for Barbados and we are now free to wander on our own.

Turns out this was fake news as we can only go ashore in Barbados with O or by using an approved tour guide. Yesterday in Grenada there were plenty of taxis to take you wherever you wanted to go. Let’s see what happens today.

Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

3 hours ago, Rebels82 said:

Prestige Poker is Three Card Poker.

Thanks. As you can tell, I know nothing about Poker lol. But the Oceania casino manager was nice enough to take me around & show me things so I could answer the questions 😊

31 minutes ago, reps23 said:

Do they have multi game machines which then has keno, blackjack and video poker.

 

Is the poker game 3 card poker or ultimate Texas hold ‘em.

 

Thanks for checking.

Yes to the multi game machines, it has like 8 different kinds. I think it’s 3 card poker, I will ask when we go back tomorrow night. They definitely have Texas Holdem tournaments during the sea days.

4 hours ago, reps23 said:

Hi everyone,

 

We will be on the Riveria for the transatlantic cruise from March 18 until April 4 and always frequent any casinos.

 

For any casino players, what table games do they have on the Riveria and what's the minimum - $10 is okay but not $25.00.

 

Are there video poker machines?

 

Thanks.

There are video poker machines, including super star poker and ultimate poker. Ask for help as it was not easy to find. The machines play multiple games.

The table game is Prestige Poker, $5 minimum. 

3 hours ago, reps23 said:

Hi everyone,

 

We will be on the Riveria for the transatlantic cruise from March 18 until April 4 and always frequent any casinos.

 

For any casino players, what table games do they have on the Riveria and what's the minimum - $10 is okay but not $25.00.

 

Are there video poker machines?

 

Thanks.

Blackjack has a $10 minimum. There is a poker game I have never heard of with a $5 minimum (I will look to see what it’s called and report back). There is also a craps table.

Have not noticed any video poker machines. Will also check & report back unless someone else answers first. 😊

16 minutes ago, chloemonkey said:

Although this is of course great news for the deserving crew -it makes those of us boarding within the next week or two a bit more leery as that opens up the opportunity for more contacting of this virus for sure.  Guess it had to happen at some point....jus selfishly wishing it was a week or two "after" we had completed our cruise.

At the Oceania members cocktail reception tonight, they announced that the crew is 100% Covid free which is why they have been allowed shore privileges. They are so happy to be able to get off the ship for the first time in a very long time. I am happy for them, they work so hard.

3 hours ago, dpg17 said:

Does anyone know if there’s a duty free shop on the Riviera to bring home a bottle of alcohol? Celebrity has them but I can’t see it on the deck plan for Oceania.

Thank you 😊

Not that I have seen.

20 hours ago, Nymich said:

You would be first to go to Grenada as we were not allowed.  Let us know!

Looks like we are getting into Grenada tomorrow!!! I would have been happy with Tortola also though.

14 hours ago, Nymich said:

You would be first to go to Grenada as we were not allowed.  Let us know!

Where did you port in lieu of Grenada? Or was it an extra sea day?

31 minutes ago, golfguyhhi said:

Are the bar stools at Martini's and Horizons available for use?

Nope

Interestingly we have not been required to test since we got on board. The info sent prior to boarding indicated that we would need to be tested prior to entry to Bonaire (tomorrow’s port) but not a word was said today. I believe testing is also required for Grenada, Barbados & Antigua so we shall see what happens.

Also, we were initially told that we could only go ashore in Grenada and Barbados with an O tour or an approved tour company. That has changed for Barbados and we are now free to wander on our own. No change so far for Grenada that I’ve heard. I will check tomorrow as the tour I put together fell apart when 3 couples cancelled the cruise and the remaining couple decided to do an O tour. 

4 hours ago, dancingcgal said:

Please let us know how it is at pool and entertainment venues? Is there band by pool? I so wanted to go on this as loved the ports & is my bday weekend 😩 Prior to Oceania Med cruise I never wanted to do a Caribbean cruise as we prefer beaching it by beautiful water rather than elbow to elbow on pool deck

for past 30 years! But Sirena was so comfortable thought we’d try another beautiful Med, Caribbean or New England than all ground to a halt🦠

There is no band at the pool but we have had shows each night and the casino has been open. The string quartet has been playing at tea and the piano player in Martinis. I would say the entertainment is the same as pre Covid as I have not noticed any difference from our last cruise except for having to wear a mask.

Outstanding Key Lime pie in Polo ~ as good as Kermit’s in Key West!

12 hours ago, espmass said:

Thank you.  It was  mostly your posts and information that convinced us to go on the cruise when we were concerned about the various Covid issues.

Agree 100%. Posts by NyMich et. al. gave us the encouragement we needed to stay the course. I think many who cancelled jumped the gun when things were at the worst, on land and at sea. We are very happy we did not cancel.

Last nights show, Lights, Action, Music was excellent and one of the best I have ever seen on Oceania. Although still not at the level of the big cruise lines, it seems they have stepped up their game in the entertainment department which was a pleasant surprise. We don’t cruise for the entertainment but it’s certainly nice to see an enjoyable show.

A few tidbits we picked up: There were several passengers denied entry at embarkation due to testing positive. Not that it matters, but I am curious and will try to find out how many ~ initial reports were that there were supposed to be 700 on board and we are only at 591 - can’t imagine that many people could have tested positive at the pier unless they did not bother to get a pre embarkation test. We also heard there were several that did not make it due to weather and flights being cancelled (and several or barely made it for that reason). That could have been us had the snowstorm that hit NY come a week later (phew…). 
 

It’s been very windy on our sea days, and relatively crowded at the pool. At 10am most chairs are taken. No masks around the pool for those concerned, but once you get up you need to put them back on. It seems they have relaxed enforcement a little on this cruise as we have not heard any announcements and definitely have some less than fully compliant. Also have not seen any of the dreaded people in hazmat suits, so that is a really good sign. 
 

Open bar for 2 hours at Martinis, Grand Bar & Horizons  (only) replaced the Captains reception. No word yet on the Oceania members reception they usually have.

Hoping my posts are as helpful to others as the previous posters were to me. Any questions, let me know.  

47 minutes ago, Cruisedreamer1 said:

Do you know how your meet & greet was organized? Who do we contact to get the snacks and a waiter?

Jazz forwarded me the contact info for Giselle who set it up for me. I had to have a list to her by January 28th with names, cabin & booking numbers. I can forward you the contact info if you email me at gbits@optonline.net.

12 hours ago, AC2 said:

If able, please add photos. Am always looking forward to those. Thank you in advance.

 

DB