azlatina

Thank you CruisingDad for the reply. Will be booking directly with Marriott.  

6 hours ago, CruisingDad said:

So yes, they did provide umbrellas. Everything is set up already, you just go and choose chairs. The umbrellas are fixed and pretty massive. You can get lounge chairs on the beach or near the pools. We chose some near the adult only pool. It actually ended up being slightly cloudy and cooler than expected and we did not need them.

Just now, azlatina said:

CruisingDad, 

Did they provide an umbrella with the lounge chair?  I am wanting to make sure they provide an umbrella.

Their website (Marriotts) does not mention umbrella as part of their day pass, which is why I am inquiring.  How much was taxi to the Marriott from cruise port?

CruisingDad, 

Did they provide an umbrella with the lounge chair?  I am wanting to make sure they provide an umbrella.

Their website (Marriotts) does not mention umbrella as part of their day pass, which is why I am inquiring.  How much was taxi to the Marriott from cruise port?

1 hour ago, RonNYNJCT said:

On the 1/14-1/28 cruise, all of the hands-on courses were converted to demonstrations. Any money paid was returned and the demos were free.  I believe that it was the same on the  1/28 trip.  

Yes, it was the same on the 1/28 cruise. 
 

44 minutes ago, gbits said:

Agree 100%. Posts by NyMich et. al. gave us the encouragement we needed to stay the course. I think many who cancelled jumped the gun when things were at the worst, on land and at sea. We are very happy we did not cancel.

 

Last nights show, Lights, Action, Music was excellent and one of the best I have ever seen on Oceania. Although still not at the level of the big cruise lines, it seems they have stepped up their game in the entertainment department which was a pleasant surprise. We don’t cruise for the entertainment but it’s certainly nice to see an enjoyable show.

 

A few tidbits we picked up: There were several passengers denied entry at embarkation due to testing positive. Not that it matters, but I am curious and will try to find out how many ~ initial reports were that there were supposed to be 700 on board and we are only at 591 - can’t imagine that many people could have tested positive at the pier unless they did not bother to get a pre embarkation test. We also heard there were several that did not make it due to weather and flights being cancelled (and several or barely made it for that reason). That could have been us had the snowstorm that hit NY come a week later (phew…). 
 

It’s been very windy on our sea days, and relatively crowded at the pool. At 10am most chairs are taken. No masks around the pool for those concerned, but once you get up you need to put them back on. It seems they have relaxed enforcement a little on this cruise as we have not heard any announcements and definitely have some less than fully compliant. Also have not seen any of the dreaded people in hazmat suits, so that is a really good sign. 
 

Open bar for 2 hours at Martinis, Grand Bar & Horizons  (only) replaced the Captains reception. No word yet on the Oceania members reception they usually have.

 

Hoping my posts are as helpful to others as the previous posters were to me. Any questions, let me know.  

I had inquired with a crew member while on last cruise about how many they expected on board for the Feb 7th cruise and he informed me appx 550 not more than 600 passengers. So the number of current passengers is not far off of expectation. 
 

Glad  you are enjoying your cruise. 

3 hours ago, Geraldandsue said:

Scheduled March8-18 on Rivera. Can you please tell me what the mask rules are for the pool area. We love to relax and sunbathe around the pool . Also which islands required COVID testing before getting off the ship. I read PR didn’t require.  How about the others you visited.  Thankyou so much for the onboard insight. It’s is extremely helpful. Glad your enjoying yourselves. 

Masks are required outside  only if not able to social distance. Have not seen people wearing mask by poolside. It has not been a problem, with so much open space and few people onboard. 

We did not need to test for Covid before going ashore to any of our destinations. 
But of course things can always change in the future. 

2 hours ago, Nymich said:

To those on the Ship.....Just curious:

 

Sync Session is 4 members.

Last cruise they were all absent for most of the cruise and then later in the cruise 2 came out and played soft music for tea time, filling in for the string Quartet that were out. Are all 4 members of Sync Session back and playing nightly in Horizons?

 

String Quartet played first day on the staircase and then all of them were absent.   Are all 4 members back?

 

Are all 12 members (singers&dancers) of the Riviera Production Show back out and performing?  They were out 10 days last cruise and enough came back to do a couple of shows late in the cruise....just seeing if they are all back and you are getting the FULL entertainment.

 

Have fun I am dieting after 24 days of feeding my face!!!  LMAO

 

Riviera Omnicron Alumni Jan 04-28

 

Sync Session has been playing every night in Horizons since cruise started. Only 1 night I saw only 2, but the last several nights have seen all 4 members. 
 

All 4 members of string quartet are back playing. 
We have been getting the FULL entertainment with all cast members and orchestra. Except the night when we had comedian. 
 

I feel we have been getting the full whole experience, have not had any closures of any venues. Except the culinary classes are only demo. 
 

We only have had 1 change of port, otherwise no other changes. St Kitts for Martinique. 

We are having a blast and sooo happy we never cancelled. 
 

Happy dieting to you  😂😂

4 hours ago, Nymich said:

San Juan has relaxed their cruise guest requirements announced 2 days ago.

Thank you,  Nymich.

Just read in Currents, effective Feb. 2, PR no longer requires a Covid test in order to proceed ashore. 

We are scheduled to arrive in San Juan tomorrow. We were informed when we first boarded that everyone would need to test for Covid prior to arrival. Haven’t heard or seen anything about when testing will occur. Anyone have any info?

5 hours ago, tipsygirl said:

For those who paid for culinary classes precruise I assume we will be refunded? And do we have to register again, or do we already have a place in the class

I have been refunded  for the class I paid for precruise.  I still have my reservation for the class.  I did not need to register again. We received our ticket for the class when we got  on board.

6 hours ago, Ibis said:

Thank you for posting while on board. We hope to make the Transatlantic from Miami on March 18. Trying to plan ahead 🙂 but the wine list on Oceania’s website doesn’t give prices. We are wondering if you might be so kind as to tell us the prices of the three champagnes that are offered on board by the bottle? The list shows Pommery, Germaine, and Veuve Clicquot. Any help appreciated! Many thanks in advance.

Inquired with Sommelier the Pommery is

$83/bottle and Germaine is $72/bottle

2 hours ago, Ibis said:

Thank you for posting while on board. We hope to make the Transatlantic from Miami on March 18. Trying to plan ahead 🙂 but the wine list on Oceania’s website doesn’t give prices. We are wondering if you might be so kind as to tell us the prices of the three champagnes that are offered on board by the bottle? The list shows Pommery, Germaine, and Veuve Clicquot. Any help appreciated! Many thanks in advance.

I am only seeing Veuve Clicquot at Jacques

specialty restaurant listed for $115 bottle. 
The other 2 will try to inquire with Sommelier later. 

40 minutes ago, Nymich said:

Very nice to see you post!  I know you followed my Jan. 4 thread closely as well as the Jan 14th that @macaroni created.  Ironically @macaroni and her husband and their friends talked several times with us during the cruise.

 

I had to respond to you because you were liking and thanking all over the place on those previous threads.

 

  I'm glad you are having a great time.......you certainly planned this one out!

Thank you Nymich, it was because of your posts, that helped us make the decision to proceed with the cruise and not cancel. 

Agree with catgirl 411, it feels wonderful to be on vacation again after 2+ years and enjoying ocean views again. We had dinner at La Reserve last night for the first time. It was wonderful, highly recommend it. 
All venues are open. Culinary class is still demo only. St. Kitts tomorrow replacing Martinique. So far only change to itinerary. 
Loving every minute of this cruise. 

Hi Nymich, on your previous cruise I believe your sources told you appx passenger count on current cruise, would you be able to inquire how many they expect for Jan. 28th cruise. I am still planning on being on that cruise. Appreciate any info you can get.  Thank you.

NYmich, I am so grateful to read all your posts as well as everyone else on this cruise. We are scheduled to be on the Jan 28, cruise. Thank you for giving us a preview of what to expect. I know things can change day to day.