March 8 - Bon Voyage!

 March 8, 2022

This is our first time cruising on Oceania. The jury is still out on whether it is pronounced “O-she-ann-uh” or “O-she-ann-ee-uh.”

Cruise Terminal J was a short Lyft ride from our hotel. Because everyone had an assigned 30-minute window for boarding, it went very smoothly. We showed our negative test results and our passports, and we were given keycards for our cabin. Our photos were taken, to be used in the facial recognition system that is part of the ship’s security. We were onboard by 11:30. Our cabins were not ready yet. (We already knew that would be the case.) So, naturally, we decided to kill time by eating lunch.

We found a table in the shade just outside the buffet area. They had a very appealing spread, including a grill where you could have burgers and other foods cooked to order, salad bar, pizza, cold cuts, and numerous hot dishes. For health reasons, nothing was self-serve. There were plenty of servers there to give you whatever you asked for. It was a delight to eat outdoors in the warmth and sunshine, with a fresh breeze. The color of the water in the harbor was dark - not wine-dark, but more of a Welch’s-Concord-grape-juice-dark. (Homer I ain’t.)

About 1:30 we were told our cabin was ready. We went down and found some surprises waiting for us.

We were so excited to be there and so excited by our surprises that we forgot to take pictures of our cabin before it was cluttered up with all our stuff.

I made a manicure appointment and left the room for a bit while Ken unpacked. We just had two large (really large) suitcases and two carry-ons. Let’s not forget to put air quotes around “just.” Well, it turns out that our new extra-large suitcases don’t fit under the bed. Ken managed to manhandle one into the closet, and we decided to keep the other one in the shower and take showers in the bathtub. That is not a good idea if you like your floor to be dry, so the next day we decided to put the suitcase in the bathtub and take showers in the shower. Much better!

To understand this photo, it may be helpful to cock your head to the left.

As I write this 5 days later, I can report that so far, our stateroom stewards have not ridiculed us (to our faces).

I’m not sure how to segue here to tell you that I tried a new nail color. 

Soon it was time to leave the beautiful port of Miami. As soon as we got out of the harbor we could feel the wind.

Our ship has four specialty restaurants in addition to the Grand Dining Room. Tonight we tried Jacques, which is inspired by Chef Jacques Pepin. We enjoyed it, but it wasn’t as good as I was expecting for a restaurant bearing the name of Jacques Pepin.

First course: Crab meat salad (under the leaf), lobster gnocchi

 

Main courses: John Dory with a fennel foam, pork loin stuffed with ______

The evening show was called “A Taste of Things to Come.” It was kind of low-energy and boring. I didn’t like the cruise director and his used-car salesman voice. We did not stay for the whole show.

It’s great to be on a ship again, even with the wind. Oceania is not that different from Princess. The food is fancier, the ship is more attractive, and the people are a little friendlier.

Masks are “recommended” but not required now. That is a very recent change. The crew is still required to wear masks. All passengers must be vaccinated ans must have a negative Covid test within 48 hours of boarding. There are hand sanitizer dispensers outside all of the public rooms. Most passengers are not wearing masks in the public areas.

It’s quiet tonight. May all of you have a quiet and peaceful night also.