Superb Cruise on "Marina"

[TRIANDA]

We have recently returned from a Northern Interludes itinerary cruise on "Marina", and wish to thank all the staff and crew for making this cruise so enjoyable. It was lovely to see some of the staff from "Insignia & "Regatta" whom we have met on past cruises with Oceania. The food was excellent.

The Paradise String Quartet were a dream to listen to every day, so talented and we felt so fortunate to avail ourselves of this opportunity in wonderful surroundings, hopefully we will be back on "Marina".

 

Only one observation the uncomfortable low chairs in Horizons, are they different on "Riviera"?

 

Thank you once again

John & Caroline:)

[JimandStan]

Only one observation the uncomfortable low chairs in Horizons, are they different on "Riviera"?

 

On Riviera's maiden voyage they told us that those chairs (which look to be identical to those on Marina) are three inches higher. :D

[doubledobles]

We ust got off the Riviera and if they added inches to the height of the chairs, you can't tell, or at least I couldn't.

[fjdelrio]

Indeed, 3 inches higher

NEVER EVER, doubt What Jim and Stan sayeth!

FDR

[What A Market]

With an endorsement like that, I guess there is no debate: JimandStan is the Official Oracle of Oceania!

[TRIANDA]

On Riviera's maiden voyage they told us that those chairs (which look to be identical to those on Marina) are three inches higher. :D

With many thanks for the information. We sooooooooo wish we were still on "Marina". Hopefully we will be able to try and notice the difference on a cruise on "Riviera", in the not to distant future.

Kind Regards John & Caroline

[Boreus]

The Paradise String Quartet were a dream to listen to every day, so talented :)

 

Dear John and Caroline, I second your appraisal of the Paradise String Quartet. I could not recall the group's name so I described them as the quartet from Ukraine in my review of the Marina cruise from Civitavecchia arriving in Dover on June 6 (this is posted at Cruise Reviews). I am glad your post included their name and gives me this chance for a shout out to them. On my Marina cruise they gave an evening performance that was wonderful.

Edited July 9, 2012 by Boreus
Typo

[TRIANDA]

On my Marina cruise they gave an evening performance that was wonderful.

 

Hi there, glad to know other people were enchanted by this most talented group of musicians who played so passionately.They kindly by request, played Bach's Double Violin Concerto for us.

We did attend their TWO concerts in the Marina Lounge during our cruise, both wonderful. You can relive some of their highlights on You Tube, where they are filmed playing on "Marina" in the Grand Bar area. Long may they enthrall people sailing on Oceania.

 

John & Caroline

[osandomir]

We will be on Marina cruise in September. I would like to know if Paradise string quartet is still on Marina by then. I appreciate anybody can answer my question.

Olga~

[hondorner]

... You can relive some of their highlights on You Tube, where they are filmed playing on "Marina" in the Grand Bar area..

Here's the link to the YouTube video...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCKYJXgY7uU

 

For those who have not been on Marina or Riviera yet, the Grand Bar is not a bar in the common sense of the word; it's an area with comfortable seating in a very wide passageway between Martinis Bar and the Grand Dining Room. It's adjacent (but not part of) the Casino, and drinks are served from the Casino Bar on the other side of the ship. The string quartets (I've never been on an Oceania cruise without one) play here each evening while diners are having pre-dinner drinks or waiting for friends.

 

 

While the Paradise Strng Quartet pictured here is excellent, one of the fascinating things for newcomers might be to watch the passengers as they walk by on the way to or from the Grand dining Room. There is so much apprehension about dress on the ships, this is the perfect opportunity to spy on those passengers (most videoed only from the neck down) and see exactly how they appear.

Edited July 11, 2012 by hondorner

[gillianrose]

On Riviera's maiden voyage they told us that those chairs (which look to be identical to those on Marina) are three inches higher.

 

Having never before been on either the Marina or the Riviera yet, would it be possible for you or anyone else to get an exact chair height for the chairs on each of the ships?

 

There are many of us who cruise who are short and need a somewhat shorter chair. (Not as short as some of those decorative accent pieces I saw on Marina, though!)

 

Maybe some of the shorter chairs on Marina could be moved to Riviera, and some of the higher chairs on Riviera could be moved to Marina, so that everyone has a chair of comfortable height.

[JimandStan]

Having never before been on either the Marina or the Riviera yet, would it be possible for you or anyone else to get an exact chair height for the chairs on each of the ships?

 

There are many of us who cruise who are short and need a somewhat shorter chair. (Not as short as some of those decorative accent pieces I saw on Marina, though!)

 

Maybe some of the shorter chairs on Marina could be moved to Riviera, and some of the higher chairs on Riviera could be moved to Marina, so that everyone has a chair of comfortable height.

 

Dramatics aside, there are about five different styles of chair in Horizons and they vary in seating height and depth. Some have arms and some do not. There are also a large number of sofas and upholstered stools.

If a particular chair does not work for you........try another!

[Solon]

Never mind the chairs, you can pick or choose them. But those ceilings in horizons with pictures provided my JimandStan look very low! Can't change those. I am 6ft 6in. Will I hit my head in there? Sailing this October in Marina for the first time. Do I need to bring a helmut to prevent a headache?

[Riverroad]

My 6'4" DH did not have a problem with the ceiling height in Horizons.

[Solon]

That's comforting to know. Thanks for your information. The helmut can stay at home.

[etsdas]

Dear John and Caroline, I second your appraisal of the Paradise String Quartet. I could not recall the group's name so I described them as the quartet from Ukraine in my review of the Marina cruise from Civitavecchia arriving in Dover on June 6 (this is posted at Cruise Reviews). I am glad your post included their name and gives me this chance for a shout out to them. On my Marina cruise they gave an evening performance that was wonderful.

 

I know this is an old thread but I wanted to add that this quartet is now on the Sapphire Princess. We just finished the 28 day LA/Hawaii/South Pacific/LA cruise - what a delight to listen to them 2-3 times nearly every day - plus a couple of added concerts. They played several times a day in the Piazza - by the International Cafe (coffee shop) - it was often hard to find a seat - there was a devoted following! By the way, if you Google Paradise String Quartet Ukraine you will find a couple of video links - I have not had a chance to check it out but the blurb says it is from the Marina in 20ll, I believe.

Dorothy

[TRIANDA]

Lovely to read that the Paradise String Quartet are still enchanting people with their music.

We were on Marina & Riviera in 2013, sadly they were missing, but we did enjoy the String Quartet on both ships.

A wonderful way to relax with Afternoon Tea in Horizons or in the Grand Bar in the evening after a sumptuous meal in any of the venues.

The icing on the cake.

 

Kind Regards

 

John & Caroline

[ronrick1943]

Who cares about the chairs, with all the cakes and goodies in the photo.

Rick

[Paulchili]

Who cares about the chairs, with all the cakes and goodies in the photo.

Rick

 

You might care about the chairs if you have trouble getting up after sitting in them (as many of us mature people with knee/hip/muscle weaknes problems do).

You just wait - if you are lucky enough to live long enough, you'll get there and then you'll understand better what I am talking about. :D

[JimandStan]

You might care about the chairs if you have trouble getting up after sitting in them (as many of us mature people with knee/hip/muscle weaknes problems do).

You just wait - if you are lucky enough to live long enough, you'll get there and then you'll understand better what I am talking about. :D

 

A perfectly valid concern at home, Paul, but on the ship there is always a Steward nearby to give you a hand-

lie about to your hearts content :D

[Paulchili]

A perfectly valid concern at home, Paul, but on the ship there is always a Steward nearby to give you a hand-

 

This discussion reminds me of a famous line (a variation on the theme):

 

Help! I sat down and I can't get up :D :D

Edited November 20, 2013 by Paulchili

[ronrick1943]

Paulchili,

 

Just kidding, and I am that old--with 2 hip replacements, 1 back problem and 1 knee problem. So yes I do understand and one wish would be replace the chairs to make them higher seating.

 

Rick

[Paulchili]

Paulchili,

 

Just kidding, and I am that old--with 2 hip replacements, 1 back problem and 1 knee problem. So yes I do understand and one wish would be replace the chairs to make them higher seating.

 

Rick

 

This just in - and it's good news!

We just had our first tea on the Riviera and the chairs were noticeably more comfortable. We both were able to get up on our own without pulling each other up :D

[LHT28]

This just in - and it's good news!

We just had our first tea on the Riviera and the chairs were noticeably more comfortable. We both were able to get up on our own without pulling each other up :D

Good to know ..we will be on in Jan ;)

 

The Marina cruise we did with you & Marsha the chairs were certainly a problem for us also

 

Enjoy the cruise

 

Lyn

[JimandStan]

Come on group-

 

We've been over all of his before, the chairs on the Riviera were made 3.5 inches higher.

We reported that after the maiden voyage, and FDR confirmed it by posting (and I quote)

 

"Never Doubteth what Jim and Stan Sayeth"

 

We're having that embroidered on our guest room draperies.....is that too much?