Live from Oceania Sirena (December 16th to January 20th)

[Bodogbodog]

 

Panama Canal

 

 

 

 

Edited December 28, 2017 by Bodogbodog

[Bodogbodog]

Edited December 28, 2017 by Bodogbodog

[babysteps]

Thanks to you Babysteps for your detailed advise! Good tips. I will consider the future cruise certificate. It is a pitty that it expires after 2 years. Do you get your money back if you do not book cruise?

Ivi

 

Yes, you get your money back but less the On Board Credit (OBC) issued - even if you didn't use all of the OBC. I assume you have to ask for the refund before the end of the 2 years (otherwise the certificate just expires).

 

*BE AWARE* if you are in certain regions it may be different for getting the full on-board savings applied, there is another thread where someone from Australia had to battle with their TA when applying the future cruise certificate and got some savings in the end (but not as much as they thought they were due).

[Mura]

Exactly! I'm no expert on the cruise certificate, but I know that different regions of the globe have different privileges -- fewer privileges. And Australia is reputed to be one of the most restrictive.

 

Unfortunately, people from other areas are not permitted to use U.S. TAs ... although I have met some Aussies who did so anyway and at last report had not been penalized. Myself, I wouldn't risk it.

 

Mura

[travelberlin]

Good morning! We are on our way to Curaçao. We were supposed to arrive there at 11.00, but despite the efforts of our Captain and his team, we will only be able to make it at around 13.00. No big deal for us, since today we have planned just to walk around and maybe go to a hair salon, where nails and hair can be done. The spa on board the ship has horrendous prices for hair cuts, manicure and nail polish. Shellac for US 90? This must be the most expensive shellacs on sea…Azamara, which is also expensive offers it for US 50. Additionally, I think in both cruise lines come the 18% gratuity, which for “our convenience “ is added automatically to our bill. Anyhow, I find those prices compared to European (Euro 20 including manicure) or Bolivian (US 12 including manicure) prices hard to digest.

I am still pleasantly surprised of how immediate corrective action is taken on this ship. For example after the announcement of the Captain, our Cruise Director Dottie announced some additional activities on board, including an enrichment lecture. This is good management. I do not recall having seen this immediate reaction on other cruise lines.

Talking about Management, we had the opportunity to meet personally the Cruise Manager on board the Sirena. Rafaelle Cinque comes from Italy like our Captain and he makes a very friendly and professional impression. He is frequently seen talking to passengers and capturing guests impressions.

Boxing Day, which is supposed to be a day for shopping was on board the Sirena very modest in terms of buying anything. Despite receiving advertisements calling us to do some shopping on that day, and please to “come early to avoid disappointment”, the products offered on board are not very motivating. They are either very expensive or the fashion and quality makes me wonder who picks this products to be offered on ships. I mean who is the marketing specialist for the boutiques on board the ships like Sirena? I am afraid is the same person for the Azamara ships… I guess the shops are rented out in cruise lines and there is little the lines can do about the products being offered…

This is all from me now. Bye, bye and have a good day.

 

Ivi

[Kingofcool1947]

Good morning! We are on our way to Curaçao. We were supposed to arrive there at 11.00, but despite the efforts of our Captain and his team, we will only be able to make it at around 13.00. No big deal for us, since today we have planned just to walk around and maybe go to a hair salon, where nails and hair can be done. The spa on board the ship has horrendous prices for hair cuts, manicure and nail polish. Shellac for US 90? This must be the most expensive shellacs on sea…Azamara, which is also expensive offers it for US 50. Additionally, I think in both cruise lines come the 18% gratuity, which for “our convenience “ is added automatically to our bill. Anyhow, I find those prices compared to European (Euro 20 including manicure) or Bolivian (US 12 including manicure) prices hard to digest.

I am still pleasantly surprised of how immediate corrective action is taken on this ship. For example after the announcement of the Captain, our Cruise Director Dottie announced some additional activities on board, including an enrichment lecture. This is good management. I do not recall having seen this immediate reaction on other cruise lines.

Talking about Management, we had the opportunity to meet personally the Cruise Manager on board the Sirena. Rafaelle Cinque comes from Italy like our Captain and he makes a very friendly and professional impression. He is frequently seen talking to passengers and capturing guests impressions.

Boxing Day, which is supposed to be a day for shopping was on board the Sirena very modest in terms of buying anything. Despite receiving advertisements calling us to do some shopping on that day, and please to “come early to avoid disappointment”, the products offered on board are not very motivating. They are either very expensive or the fashion and quality makes me wonder who picks this products to be offered on ships. I mean who is the marketing specialist for the boutiques on board the ships like Sirena? I am afraid is the same person for the Azamara ships… I guess the shops are rented out in cruise lines and there is little the lines can do about the products being offered…

This is all from me now. Bye, bye and have a good day.

 

Ivi

 

Thank you for your continued report.

Is there bingo, bridge, or mahjong games on board?

[travelberlin]

You are very welcome Kingofcool.

Yes there is bingo, bridge (also lessons), indoor golf putting, ping pong, mahjong (unhosted), gin rummy (unhosted), baggo bean toss, coffee chat and needlepoint...I guess something for everybody...

Ivi

[travelberlin]

Thanks for posting the menus.

Great selections.

Decisions, decisions. :D

To help with your decisions here some recommendation for the Red Ginger:

Apetizer: crispy ginger calamari

Salad: spicy duck salad with melon

Main: miso sea bass

Desert: ginger cake with ice cream (to share because by now you will not be hungry anymore)

Tea: white tea (low in cafeine)

Enjoy it...

Ivi

[Bodogbodog]

Here are some pictures of the decorations on Oceania for the Holidays

 

 

 

 

[travelberlin]

Thanks again Bodogbodog! Since this year is coming to an end, I wanted to post the decorations for the Holidays on board this ship before the season is over.

We have been onboard other ships during the Christmas and New Year season, and many have had nice decorations. We found however the ones at the Oceania Sirena our favorite.

Such a nice work don't you think?

Ivi

[travelberlin]

Curacao, salsa, merengue and many South Americans...

This is a very interesting island. Close to Venezuela it has many people from Venezuela, either as tourists or living permanently.

There are two main parts: old town with plenty of upscale shops and the Otra Banda, with many more alternatives and better prices.

Our ship stayed in port until 11.00 pm and that gave us the opportunity to get a feeling of the night life,

We have enjoyed it. The area next to the port has reminded me of the South Beach in Miami. Live music playing salsa and merengue, many children, young and not so young enjoying the rhythms and dancing together. We joined them...

Ivi

[travelberlin]

Exactly! I'm no expert on the cruise certificate, but I know that different regions of the globe have different privileges -- fewer privileges. And Australia is reputed to be one of the most restrictive.

 

Unfortunately, people from other areas are not permitted to use U.S. TAs ... although I have met some Aussies who did so anyway and at last report had not been penalized. Myself, I wouldn't risk it.

 

Mura

 

I think you are right Mura.

 

I have been receiving many emails from Oceania saying prices increase starting tomorrow. I have looked at some of the offers and under terms and conditions says for US and Canadian residents only.

The next cruise certificate seems to offer between US 100 and US 300 discount depending of the cabin category (price of the fare for the cabin category). They also offer US 100 of OBC. But US and Canadian residents only.😔

 

Ivi

[Sea42]

Curacao, salsa, merengue and many South Americans...

This is a very interesting island. Close to Venezuela it has many people from Venezuela, either as tourists or living permanently.

There are two main parts: old town with plenty of upscale shops and the Otra Banda, with many more alternatives and better prices.

Our ship stayed in port until 11.00 pm and that gave us the opportunity to get a feeling of the night life,

We have enjoyed it. The area next to the port has reminded me of the South Beach in Miami. Live music playing salsa and merengue, many children, young and not so young enjoying the rhythms and dancing together. We joined them...

Ivi

Sounds like a wonderful way to finish out the year!

[travelberlin]

Today we docked in Bridgetown, Barbados. Several ships were here today. Albatros, 2 Tui ships and the Aida Diva. You could hear the German language every where...

 

We went to the St. Michaels Cathedral and participated in an Anglican service. People wearing elegant clothes and some ladies with hats. A legacy of gone days I assume. It was a nice congregation and we felt very welcome.

 

Every place has a particular charme and is giving us something to remember.

 

Happy New Year to you all! May the 2018 make possible your wishes and bring you health, peace and prosperity. Thanks for following this thread.

 

Ivi

[Bodogbodog]

Afternoon tea time - looks yum!

 

 

 

 

[zz19]

We have been fortunate to have sailed many times with Rafaelle Cinque as GM !

 

He is very approachable and a fine Gentleman.👏

 

In our opinion he is one or perhaps the best GM we have sailed with

 

Hope to sail with him again.

 

Happy New Year Everyone,

S&S

[jo-b]

I think you are right Mura.

 

I have been receiving many emails from Oceania saying prices increase starting tomorrow. I have looked at some of the offers and under terms and conditions says for US and Canadian residents only.

The next cruise certificate seems to offer between US 100 and US 300 discount depending of the cabin category (price of the fare for the cabin category). They also offer US 100 of OBC. But US and Canadian residents only.😔

 

Ivi

 

It is worth talking to the Oceania Club people on board. We are from the UK, we got the future cruise certificate onboard and got the $100 OBC on the cruise we were on, and savings on the cruise we booked through our TA when we got home and decided what we wanted to do.

 

Thanks for taking the time to report back on your cruise and to Bodobodog for posting your lovely photos.

[watercruise]

It is worth talking to the Oceania Club people on board. We are from the UK, we got the future cruise certificate onboard and got the $100 OBC on the cruise we were on, and savings on the cruise we booked through our TA when we got home and decided what we wanted to do.

 

Thanks for taking the time to report back on your cruise and to Bodobodog for posting your lovely photos.

 

 

can you tell me the name of the restaurant manager on Sirena please

 

thanks

[YoHoHo]

Street dancing in Curacao, participating in a church service in Barbados ... great local experiences. Terrific memories from this cruise I am sure. Thanks for taking us along travelberlin and to your Visuals Technician, Bodogbodog

[travelberlin]

Hi everybody, I hope you had nice celebrations to receive the year 2018. Cruise Critic members come from so many different countries...For our friends in Australia is probably already January the 2nd. Last evening before dinner, we have enjoyed watching on TV, celebrations from some places in the world that were ahead of time in relation to the location in which we are now. Those celebrations in Sidney, Seúl and Dubai looked spectacular! We have spent many New Years Eve in Berlin at the Branderburger Tor, very cold but also great. Other locations which we remember are Cape Town, where we were for the Millenium, and Rio de Janeiro. In fact in Rio we were twice, once during a land trip, in which we could see that every body wears white for New Years Eve (since then I always wear white for New Years Eve) and another time on the Azamara Journey in front of the Copacabana beach. Fireworks were amazing!

 

This year, on board the Oceania Sirena, we left Bridgetown at 19.00 in direction to Tobago. So we received the year 2018 at sea.

 

After a nice dinner at the Grand Dining Room, we danced a couple of songs under the tunes of the Sirena Band. There were some couples doing a wonderful job dancing standard dances. You could see that they have learned it well. We, on the other hand, unfortunately have never visited a dance school. We just follow the rhythm. It works well most the time with the exception of the slow waltz...

 

Since Horizons had been nicely decorated for the night, we moved there at around 10.30. We joined the party there. About this party, we had the feeling that people were in a good mood and this contributed to the whole experience. The music played was however, not that great. It would have been good to have a professional disk jockey for this evening. Two young people from the entertainment group were in charge of putting the music and it was some how improvised. Guest were asked to give their wishlist and the transition from one song to the other was not always smooth and a little eclectic. We have appreciated however their efforts and they were friendly and in a good mood. Thanks guys!

 

With music is a matter of taste somehow and also to how old we are and what music have we danced in similar events and seem to associate with New Years Eve. I am sure you have your favorites... ours are Born to be alive, Celebration, All night long, YMCA, Private dancer, all ABBA songs, and...New York New York from Frank Sinatra...anyone with similar tastes?

 

Oceania gave us complimentary sparkling wine for the toast. Overall it was nice. We left at around 12.30, so we could not tell how long the party continued.

 

This is all from me now. Bye, bye...

 

Ivi

Edited January 1, 2018 by travelberlin

[Bodogbodog]

Thanks for taking us along travelberlin and to your Visuals Technician, Bodogbodog

 

Thanks indeed Ivi - a great adventure

 

It was my pleasure to be able to assist and I look forward to meeting you on Crystal in early 2019

 

I am going to miss my message with lots of happy and fun photos included - oh well only 21 days and I get to enjoy my cruise

[buggins0402]

Street dancing in Curacao, participating in a church service in Barbados ... great local experiences. Terrific memories from this cruise I am sure. Thanks for taking us along travelberlin and to your Visuals Technician, Bodogbodog

 

+1. I am enjoying this thread and your approach to travel very much!

[travelberlin]

Thanks indeed Ivi - a great adventure

 

It was my pleasure to be able to assist and I look forward to meeting you on Crystal in early 2019

 

I am going to miss my message with lots of happy and fun photos included - oh well only 21 days and I get to enjoy my cruise

 

Thanks to you Bodogbodog! They say a picture is worth more than ten thousand words...

We are also looking forward to meet you at Crystal in that wonderful voyage.

Where are you cruising in 21 days?

Ivi

[Bodogbodog]

 

Where are you cruising in 21 days?

 

 

Los Angeles to Sydney - 24 days on Crystal Serenity

 

 

I will be doing a "live" thread, with photos of course, on the Crystal forum - I haven't started it yet but if people are interested I can put a link up here when it's up

Edited January 2, 2018 by Bodogbodog

[Paulchili]

Los Angeles to Sydney - 24 days on Crystal Serenity

 

 

I will be doing a "live" thread, with photos of course, on the Crystal forum - I haven't started it yet but if people are interested I can put a link up here when it's up

 

We will get on in Sydney when you get off for our first Crystal cruise.

I will follow your live thread on Crystal boards.