Mura

Sorry guys, I decided to delete the more obnoxious parts of my saga but it was too late ... I do wish CC gave us more time to edit our own posts!

Mura

I agree, Wendy. Certainly it wasn't norovirus.

I spent the first day in Amsterdam pretty much in bed, then started venturing out but not too far from the hotel ... because we never knew when I'd have to dash back.

I was okay by the next day as I recall.

Enough of my intestinal difficulties ...

I've never been clear about what distinguishes norovirus from what we used to refer to as plain old stomach flu. I'm not even sure there is a distinction. If there's no noro on the ship, then what is making people sick? (Not being alarmist, au contraire, just wondering.)

I can't answer your question since I don't know the answer (!) but I DO know you can get those systems from a number of problems.

Our last day in Nairobi when we did a photo safari many, MANY years ago we had lunch at a very nice restaurant and I got terribly sick afterwards. I was the only one who had a problem. I had the nasties for several days. (We flew to Amsterdam that night and stayed there for several days so I had time to recover before we actually flew home. But that flight to Amsterdam was a real horror!)

I've always assumed that it was the lunch that did me in, but it could easily have been something I ate elsewhere. I've always assumed it was something I ate, but that in itself is also an assumption.

I used to ignore all those hand sanitizers you run into all over the ship, but now I use them religiously.

Mura

Okay, then, I guess I was confused because an earlier poster said (or I thought he said) they were listed by sevens, not fives ...

It doesn't really matter to me, I just like to be able to know if I'm be helpful at all ... We always go through our TA rather than trying to control this on our own!

Mura

So I presume that when I checked this morning on someone else's behalf and only saw five OCs listed, that those were the only ones left?

Mura

I just played the game...

As of this moment there are 5 Oceania Suites available on Sacred Sanctuaries (12008, 12010, 12017, 12006 and 12009) but the Owners Suites are waitlisted. Vista Suites are available if you don't mind being in front.

It's the opposite situation for the Black Sea cruise -- The OS is available but VS and OC are not.

I cannot comment on the desirability of any of the OCs on Sacred Sanctuaries ...

The form DOES allow you to ask about a specific stateroom.

Mura

I haven't done this myself before because we use a TA, but I just proved to myself that you CAN find this info.

Just go to http://oceaniacruises.com and search for a cruise. Then start the booking process. Pick your preferred room category and the available rooms will appear. You can get the information without giving credit card information!

Not knowing which cruise you were looking for, I just picked any cruise ...

But it can be done!

Mura

Not that I am aware of, Mary Ellen.

The room service menu is different from the in-cabin breakfast menu. As of this past August on Regatta, hot dishes (eggs, etc.) were limited to concierge class cabins for breakfast. The room service is the 24 hour menu.

Mura

And there are plenty of choices -- sandwiches, salads, main courses ...

You should be able to find SOMETHING you want.

I was wondering if you were really asking about the breakfast menu, which is something different. There the concierge cabins can have hot food (omelets, etc.) for breakfast whereas the lower cabins do not. But the room service menu is as Jan says ... available to all.

Mura

Wannabe, if you use Red October, Denrus, et al., in St. Petersburg they provide the visas for you -- just as O does for the ship's tour people.

We did something similar in Sochi in August and it worked out just fine. THERE, our tour organizer submitted all names and passport numbers in advance and then we went through passport control as a group. I've heard it works somewhat differently in St. P., but it does work.

To the comment that "all ship's tours are bad" (or words to that effect), I would have to differ even though I myself prefer private tours. With only one or two exceptions we've had very good ship's tours. Very occasionally there was a problem. My main objection to the bus tours is due to your having too many companions, but not everyone feels that way. We usually do a combination of mostly private tours with a few ship's tours, depending on the itinerary.

There ARE people in CC who prefer ship's tours just from the "safety" angle -- by that I mean you know that if your bus gets back late, the ship will still be there!

Mura

How about that! I shouldn't have assumed the numbering system would be the same as it is on Decks 9 and 10 ... But I finally checked the deck plan and see you are absolutely right!

Mura

That sounds like the Vista suites. At least 10001 was a Vista!

Yes, the decks are supersized but so is the charge for your cabin. If money is no object (are not much of one), go for it. We didn't notice a problem with wind on our Med cruise a year ago on Marina but that can depend on the weather you encounter.

The Vistas ARE spacious ...

Mura

It's just not fair for those who have been on the O ships to thumb their noses at those who have been limited to the R class.

 

On the other hand, in 20 days I plan to sprint to the Terrace on the Marina, lest they run out of ice cream or lobster tails or hand sliced roast beef or sushi or, or , or......

I don't think I'd go so far as to assert there's been any thumbing of noses ... We were on Marina last October and Regatta in August, and it's just the case that Terrace on the R ships can't compare to Terrace on the O ships. They just don't have the room.

Despite that fact, we found Terrace on Regatta (for dinner) to be vastly improved. We used to have dinner there only when really necessary, but on this last trip we chose to have dinner there several times.

Terrace on the O ships is just spectacular.

Mura

I stand corrected!

We haven't participated in the drink program but from what I have read the answer would be NO. If you can't have room service cocktails qualify for the daily package, I don't see how champagne at breakfast would.

Mura

Sure, as long as you pay the corkage fee!

Otherwise you can drink it in your cabin free of charge, but it sounds like you want to drink your wines at dinner.

Mura

My understanding is that once you purchase it, it is for the duration.

That doesn't mean you can't buy it later on during the cruise.

For us, we don't feel it's worth it. But many others disagree!

Mura

Totally enjoying this thread and looking forward to our first Oceania cruise Aug 23. If one would like to see the show, what time would you recommend dining? I presently have specialties booked for 7:30.

Thank you.

If the shows are still on at 9:45, that should be fine. Let your server know!

Mura

Looks lovely to me ... maybe I should rethink my position on Toscana! (We've never been big fans, no matter what the ship.)

Seafood Linguine you say? I'll have to try it next month!

Mura

Ron,

In that case I would be HAPPY to share! Even those little bitty rack of lamb pieces ...

Or we could order multiples!

Mura

There was a time when many Americans had a dislike for lamb. Don't really know why and this might no longer be true. As a child I grew up in a home where lamb and other roasts were the norm and not the exception. I enjoy a good lamb chop as well as a good rib eye steak...but please...mint sauce and not mint jelly. Roast pork butt last night with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatos. gravey and even greens and apple sauce. Ahhh, reminds me lunch is near.

PS. I married a Brit. And don't tell me English cooking isn't good.:)

When I was in high school (maybe junior high -- NOT middle school) my father was inaccurately diagnosed with gout. So Mom served lamb about twice a week. I couldn't stand it. Probably because it was served so often.

Later on the doctor realized the misdiagnosis and Mom stopped serving lamb all the time.

Quite a while later I came to realize that I really LOVE lamb! When I'm on an Oceania cruise and see that lamb is available, I always order it.

As we often say, TO EACH HIS OWN.

I love the breakfast lamb chops in GDR ...

And I also cannot abide mint jelly! When I serve lamb it is with a wonderful garlic sauce, courtesy of Julia Child I THINK.

Mura

Loved that video too. Made me nostalgic not only for sea bass but for a a time when movies were cleverly written.

As I read your comment I was listening to a mini-clip from Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House which had me roaring ... such hysterical dialogue.

Mura

Ron,

We didn't finish ours either! One of our party was smart and ordered the boneless version (at Durgin Park) ... the rest of us had our meat on the hoof!

It WAS delicious, though.

Mura

The King's cut is 32 oz -- but a lot of that is bone and fat. (It's just so wonderful ...)

The Queen's cut is 16 oz. That is boneless. Even so, a lot of meat ...

When we were in Boston in June 2011 we were at Durgin's Park and ordered the big prime rib -- that comes on the WHOLE leg! The King's cut looks small in comparison!

Mura

My first visit to Polo always includes the King's cut of the prime rib. I just prefer it bone-in even though there is no way I can finish it.

I usually start with the shrimp cocktail but once I ordered the salmon... the salmon was just as huge as the prime rib. Our dinner guests wondered how I could eat that much.

Well, the answer was that I couldn't. But it was such a wonderful meal.

The prime rib I had on Marina last October was rather different from the prime rib I've always gotten on the "R" ships ... and I preferred the "R"ship version. Not that I suffered on Marina ...

Mura