For Cal Ford Oceania

Hi Cal,

I finally have a few questions for you as we prepare to board the Insignia
on July 25, 2011.
After reading your many posts to R.T.C. along with Jean and Tobie I feel
that you may have some valuable information for me.

The cruise we are taking is very port intensive. The Scandinavian
Splendours, departing from Stockholm.
Our plan is arriving in Stockholm on the 23rd and staying at The Rival
Hotel. We hope to just stay awake on the arrival day, about noon. See some
of Gamla Stan and then crash early.
Our plan for the 24th is get going early to Vasa Museum and then more
sightseeing on our own.
We can board the ship on the 25th and will do so as early as allowed. We are
in cabin 8007 so have early boarding access. We plan to spend the bulk of
that day getting acquainted with the ship.

One of the things we have been wondering is about the lack of formal attire
so are there also no welcome aboard/farewell receptions?
Our previous cruises have been mainly on Crystal so we aren't quite sure how
the open seating works. We have been told just to show up and they will seat
us and then when the table is full the waiter will begin the dining
process.
We plan to use the ships laundry.
We have been told that the internet service is very sloooooow and expensive.
However, my husband does have to be in touch with his office every few days
so we may have to use the pc that is in the cabin...we are not bringing our
own. We also have I-Phone capability.
We are using private tour /s in St.Petersburg and Berlin so will not be
using the ships excursions.
We have specialty restaurant reservations and how was room service for meals
if you used that service?
My husband will not be bringing a sport coat on this cruise...he is
apprehensive about this so what % of men do you think were wearing a coat?
We have a blanket visa for Russia and frankly believe we will be exhausted
after three days of touring there.
What ship tips can you give us...
Thanks
jo
..

On 6/4/2011 10:23 AM, Jo Tambornino Chayer wrote:
Hi Cal,

I finally have a few questions for you as we prepare to board the
Insignia on July 25, 2011.
After reading your many posts to R.T.C. along with Jean and Tobie I feel
that you may have some valuable information for me.

The cruise we are taking is very port intensive. The Scandinavian
Splendours, departing from Stockholm.
Our plan is arriving in Stockholm on the 23rd and staying at The Rival
Hotel. We hope to just stay awake on the arrival day, about noon. See
some of Gamla Stan and then crash early.
Our plan for the 24th is get going early to Vasa Museum and then more
sightseeing on our own.
We can board the ship on the 25th and will do so as early as allowed. We
are in cabin 8007 so have early boarding access. We plan to spend the
bulk of that day getting acquainted with the ship.

One of the things we have been wondering is about the lack of formal
attire so are there also no welcome aboard/farewell receptions?
We have been on several Oceania ships (all pretty darn wonderful) and
it's very casual, no jeans in the dining room at dinner. There will be a
small informal event with the captain where the staff is introduced, etc.

Our previous cruises have been mainly on Crystal so we aren't quite sure
how the open seating works. We have been told just to show up and they
will seat us and then when the table is full the waiter will begin the
dining process.
Correct! If you find other cruises who you would like to dine with
that's accomodated too. I think you can make reservations at the two
specialty dining rooms now. Prime is our favorite. We have a couple
great meals in Toscano and one very very bad one. There is no extra
charge for the specialty restaurants and sometimes, rarely, you can walk
up and get dinner there if you go early.


We plan to use the ships laundry.

They are nice but you have to time it just right. I think there are four
washers and dryers... If you go at 7am when it just opens, you are in
and out. Go later in the day and you have a wait. Guests are very good
about waiting too But if you have clothes in the dryer and you are not
there to remove them, others will! Get your coins at the pursers office
so you are be ready. It's not cheap.

We have been told that the internet service is very sloooooow and
expensive. However, my husband does have to be in touch with his office
every few days so we may have to use the pc that is in the cabin...we
are not bringing our own. We also have I-Phone capability.
It is pretty slow but not unbearable. We do stuff in word then copy and
paste it into the messages to same minutes.

We are using private tour /s in St.Petersburg and Berlin so will not be
using the ships excursions.
We have specialty restaurant reservations

Ah, so you have your reservations already....
and how was room service for
meals if you used that service?
Friends have used room service and loved it especially the lox and cream
cheese bagel breakfast.

My husband will not be bringing a sport coat on this cruise...he is
apprehensive about this so what % of men do you think were wearing a coat?
Just a few. My husband brings one but seldom wears it. Some people on
the ship will be really dressed up. Most aren't.
We have a blanket visa for Russia and frankly believe we will be
exhausted after three days of touring there.
What ship tips can you give us...
I hope the ship can dock at the English Embankment, downtown St
Petersburg. You will be right there. And when the cruise director gives
the information on St Petersburg, GO! There are very specific things
you MUST do to get off the ship. We had a wonderful guest lecturer last
summer when we did the Baltic cruise. We went to every lecture he gave;
he was a Russian Cold War expert. Enjoy!

Lisa
Thanks
jo
.

"Lisa Cubbon" wrote in message ...

On 6/4/2011 10:23 AM, Jo Tambornino Chayer wrote:
Hi Cal,

I finally have a few questions for you as we prepare to board the
Insignia on July 25, 2011.
After reading your many posts to R.T.C. along with Jean and Tobie I feel
that you may have some valuable information for me.

The cruise we are taking is very port intensive. The Scandinavian
Splendours, departing from Stockholm.
Our plan is arriving in Stockholm on the 23rd and staying at The Rival
Hotel. We hope to just stay awake on the arrival day, about noon. See
some of Gamla Stan and then crash early.
Our plan for the 24th is get going early to Vasa Museum and then more
sightseeing on our own.
We can board the ship on the 25th and will do so as early as allowed. We
are in cabin 8007 so have early boarding access. We plan to spend the
bulk of that day getting acquainted with the ship.

One of the things we have been wondering is about the lack of formal
attire so are there also no welcome aboard/farewell receptions?
We have been on several Oceania ships (all pretty darn wonderful) and
it's very casual, no jeans in the dining room at dinner. There will be a
small informal event with the captain where the staff is introduced, etc.

Our previous cruises have been mainly on Crystal so we aren't quite sure
how the open seating works. We have been told just to show up and they
will seat us and then when the table is full the waiter will begin the
dining process.
Correct! If you find other cruises who you would like to dine with
that's accomodated too. I think you can make reservations at the two
specialty dining rooms now. Prime is our favorite. We have a couple
great meals in Toscano and one very very bad one. There is no extra
charge for the specialty restaurants and sometimes, rarely, you can walk
up and get dinner there if you go early.


We plan to use the ships laundry.

They are nice but you have to time it just right. I think there are four
washers and dryers... If you go at 7am when it just opens, you are in
and out. Go later in the day and you have a wait. Guests are very good
about waiting too But if you have clothes in the dryer and you are not
there to remove them, others will! Get your coins at the pursers office
so you are be ready. It's not cheap.

We have been told that the internet service is very sloooooow and
expensive. However, my husband does have to be in touch with his office
every few days so we may have to use the pc that is in the cabin...we
are not bringing our own. We also have I-Phone capability.
It is pretty slow but not unbearable. We do stuff in word then copy and
paste it into the messages to same minutes.

We are using private tour /s in St.Petersburg and Berlin so will not be
using the ships excursions.
We have specialty restaurant reservations

Ah, so you have your reservations already....
and how was room service for
meals if you used that service?
Friends have used room service and loved it especially the lox and cream
cheese bagel breakfast.

My husband will not be bringing a sport coat on this cruise...he is
apprehensive about this so what % of men do you think were wearing a coat?
Just a few. My husband brings one but seldom wears it. Some people on
the ship will be really dressed up. Most aren't.
We have a blanket visa for Russia and frankly believe we will be
exhausted after three days of touring there.
What ship tips can you give us...
I hope the ship can dock at the English Embankment, downtown St
Petersburg. You will be right there. And when the cruise director gives
the information on St Petersburg, GO! There are very specific things
you MUST do to get off the ship. We had a wonderful guest lecturer last
summer when we did the Baltic cruise. We went to every lecture he gave;
he was a Russian Cold War expert. Enjoy!

Lisa
Thanks
jo
.


Thanks, Lisa...to clarify we already have the 4 specialty (Polo and
Toscana)reservations...we intend to use the ships paid laundry...I will not
be doing our laundry....we have only one day at sea and I will NOT be doing
laundry...VBG
The ship provides mini fridge and supplies sodas etc. at no cost...we can
get a hot breakfast in our cabin and will very likely do that.

I very much enjoy reading your messages on the Disney rec.arts...we are
taking our soon to be 4 year old grandson on a 10 day visit in Fall of 2012.
I may have questions for you over there.


Jo Tambornino Chayer

On 6/5/2011 10:08 AM, Jo Tambornino Chayer wrote:
"Lisa Cubbon" wrote in message ...

On 6/4/2011 10:23 AM, Jo Tambornino Chayer wrote:
Hi Cal,

I finally have a few questions for you as we prepare to board the
Insignia on July 25, 2011.
After reading your many posts to R.T.C. along with Jean and Tobie I feel
that you may have some valuable information for me.

The cruise we are taking is very port intensive. The Scandinavian
Splendours, departing from Stockholm.
Our plan is arriving in Stockholm on the 23rd and staying at The Rival
Hotel. We hope to just stay awake on the arrival day, about noon. See
some of Gamla Stan and then crash early.
Our plan for the 24th is get going early to Vasa Museum and then more
sightseeing on our own.
We can board the ship on the 25th and will do so as early as allowed. We
are in cabin 8007 so have early boarding access. We plan to spend the
bulk of that day getting acquainted with the ship.

One of the things we have been wondering is about the lack of formal
attire so are there also no welcome aboard/farewell receptions?
We have been on several Oceania ships (all pretty darn wonderful) and
it's very casual, no jeans in the dining room at dinner. There will be a
small informal event with the captain where the staff is introduced, etc.

Our previous cruises have been mainly on Crystal so we aren't quite sure
how the open seating works. We have been told just to show up and they
will seat us and then when the table is full the waiter will begin the
dining process.
Correct! If you find other cruises who you would like to dine with
that's accomodated too. I think you can make reservations at the two
specialty dining rooms now. Prime is our favorite. We have a couple
great meals in Toscano and one very very bad one. There is no extra
charge for the specialty restaurants and sometimes, rarely, you can walk
up and get dinner there if you go early.


We plan to use the ships laundry.

They are nice but you have to time it just right. I think there are four
washers and dryers... If you go at 7am when it just opens, you are in
and out. Go later in the day and you have a wait. Guests are very good
about waiting too But if you have clothes in the dryer and you are not
there to remove them, others will! Get your coins at the pursers office
so you are be ready. It's not cheap.

We have been told that the internet service is very sloooooow and
expensive. However, my husband does have to be in touch with his office
every few days so we may have to use the pc that is in the cabin...we
are not bringing our own. We also have I-Phone capability.
It is pretty slow but not unbearable. We do stuff in word then copy and
paste it into the messages to same minutes.

We are using private tour /s in St.Petersburg and Berlin so will not be
using the ships excursions.
We have specialty restaurant reservations

Ah, so you have your reservations already....
and how was room service for
meals if you used that service?
Friends have used room service and loved it especially the lox and cream
cheese bagel breakfast.

My husband will not be bringing a sport coat on this cruise...he is
apprehensive about this so what % of men do you think were wearing a
coat?
Just a few. My husband brings one but seldom wears it. Some people on
the ship will be really dressed up. Most aren't.
We have a blanket visa for Russia and frankly believe we will be
exhausted after three days of touring there.
What ship tips can you give us...
I hope the ship can dock at the English Embankment, downtown St
Petersburg. You will be right there. And when the cruise director gives
the information on St Petersburg, GO! There are very specific things
you MUST do to get off the ship. We had a wonderful guest lecturer last
summer when we did the Baltic cruise. We went to every lecture he gave;
he was a Russian Cold War expert. Enjoy!

Lisa
Thanks
jo
.


Thanks, Lisa...to clarify we already have the 4 specialty (Polo and
Toscana)reservations...we intend to use the ships paid laundry...I will
not be doing our laundry....we have only one day at sea and I will NOT
be doing laundry...VBG
Good for you!

The ship provides mini fridge and supplies sodas etc. at no cost...we
can get a hot breakfast in our cabin and will very likely do that.

Andy won't do that.

I very much enjoy reading your messages on the Disney rec.arts...
OH!!!!
we are
taking our soon to be 4 year old grandson on a 10 day visit in Fall of
2012.
I may have questions for you over there.

Any time. We are taking a 6.5 YO and a 2.5 YO grand in Sept 2011 and
their parents are going too. Kidani..

Lisa


Jo Tambornino Chayer

Thanks, Lisa...to clarify we already have the 4 specialty (Polo and
Toscana)reservations...we intend to use the ships paid laundry...I will
not be doing our laundry....we have only one day at sea and I will NOT
be doing laundry...VBG
Good for you!

The ship provides mini fridge and supplies sodas etc. at no cost...we
can get a hot breakfast in our cabin and will very likely do that.

Andy won't do that.

I very much enjoy reading your messages on the Disney rec.arts...
OH!!!!
we are
taking our soon to be 4 year old grandson on a 10 day visit in Fall of
2012.
I may have questions for you over there.

Any time. We are taking a 6.5 YO and a 2.5 YO grand in Sept 2011 and
their parents are going too. Kidani..

Lisa

We will have the grandboy alonefor the first 4 days and then the parents
arrive for a week with all of us sharing in the fun. we will celebrate the
dads birthday on the 30th of October with the Mickey Halloween party...a
first for all.
We stayed one night at AKL(used ME) with the previous grands Mickey
Adventure and then a week at The Swan...great location for the tweens.
This time we are considering renting someone's points if possible for the
week with parents and the 3 of us staying at something near MK ..i.e Bay
Lake Tower, Contemporary, Polynesian...one trip at a time and then I can
think more about Disney.




Jo Tambornino Chayer

On 6/10/2011 11:52 AM, Chrissy Cruiser wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:25:11 -0400, Lisa Cubbon wrote:

We are taking a 6.5 YO and a 2.5 YO grand

Leave them home. Especially the 2 and a half you. Do yourself and the
rest of us who cruise a great big favor.

They are taking the kids to WDW, not on Oceania. Just to clarify.

Lisa

"Lisa Cubbon" wrote in message ...

On 6/10/2011 11:52 AM, Chrissy Cruiser wrote:
On Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:25:11 -0400, Lisa Cubbon wrote:

We are taking a 6.5 YO and a 2.5 YO grand

Leave them home. Especially the 2 and a half you. Do yourself and the
rest of us who cruise a great big favor.

They are taking the kids to WDW, not on Oceania. Just to clarify.

Lisa

ANYONE WITH AN OUNCE OF SENSE UNDERSTOOD WHERE THE KIDS WERE GOING!!!!


Jo Tambornino Chayer

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:01:34 -0500, Jo Tambornino Chayer wrote:

ANYONE WITH AN OUNCE OF SENSE UNDERSTOOD WHERE THE DEAD WERE GOING!!!!

Jo Tambornino Chayer


Whoever is making these comments about the deceased should stop...not
funny nor appreciated.
This is a cruise information gathering spot...let's keep it that way.
Thanks.

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 09:16:10 -0400, Carolyn Blevins wrote:

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:01:34 -0500, Jo Tambornino Chayer wrote:

ANYONE WITH AN OUNCE OF SENSE UNDERSTOOD WHERE THE DEAD WERE GOING!!!!

Jo Tambornino Chayer


Whoever is making these comments about the deceased should stop...not
funny nor appreciated.
This is a cruise information gathering spot...let's keep it that way.
Thanks.

Excellent post, CB but you have been farced by our troll, Jo
Tambornino, a despicible, callous ASS.

How dare she post this in response to such news! I hope one day she
has the heartbreak like we are suffering, so suffering, like you, now
and no one gives him any sympathy. May she rot in hell for eternity,
ASS!!!

Jo is the sick pervert who posted under "Jean O'Boyle" also has
posted under Kevin Mullen's (R.I.P.), Charles' name, Sue Mullen's and
Tom's name uses the server: @news.eternal-september.org

So whenever you read a post that is cruel and perverted sounding,
immediately look if it is posted from that server. I have killfiled
peter, so the ANIMAL uses my name and people who are my good friends,
both alive and not living, damned and saved, to get people to read
its hate filled messages.

--Jean...The real Jean...Living with Christ

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 09:16:10 -0400, Carolyn Blevins wrote:

On Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:01:34 -0500, Jo Tambornino Chayer wrote:

ANYONE WITH AN OUNCE OF SENSE UNDERSTOOD WHERE THE DEAD WERE GOING!!!!

Jo Tambornino Chayer

Wish the HELL you would have told me.