Segmentersfloattheboat

Haha the dark brown head board is my DW blanked out!!! She is on deck 8. From memory I think only deck 8 has the “smaller verandah” cabins in between the two vista suites. We didn’t hear any noise coming through, the connecting door is by the dining table in that Vista Suite. We also had a look at deck 9 and that suite had pillars right in the middle of the living room behind the console table. That’s one of the reasons we prefer deck 8 - no pillars. We’ve also been in deck 12 (for a visit) and that I think is the smallest indoor space with the largest balcony - quite a good bit of balcony around the side with ample room for table and chairs and loungers. You do have a great view from inside the suite but you have got the solid rail on all the front vistas, so best view always you have to go outside. And stand! Actually the solid rail cut the wind down when using the loungers whilst underway. I will look out some more photos and post them.

This is the Marina but the Riviera is exactly the same layout. We've been on deck 8 port and starboard side on both ships, and that is our preferred deck. As you can see the outside balconies on 9 and 10 have more space as they go around to the side, which if you like being out there while underway may give you a bit more shelter from the wind. The trade off with the larger balcony is a slightly smaller inside space and slightly different layouts. The round window to the right of the photo is the window in the master ensuite bathroom, so that gives you an idea of how much more balcony space you have around to the side.

A bit late to reply - no no announcements in the cabin - other than the captain - but we must have had a speaker right outside our door as it was very intrusive!

On our recent Riviera cruise, the only thing we did ask for, as we had a reservation at one of the specialities on the birthday, was for a window table, requested directly to the Maitre D' a day or so before. And I warn you if the birthday boy or girl would be totally embarrassed by a very loud "happy birthday" singalong by the staff, then ask for no fuss - they will then just discretely bring you a birthday cake before dessert and wish you happy birthday. Imagine our surprise when we returned from dinner the room was all decorated with balloons etc. We hadn't mentioned the birthday to anyone else or requested any special fuss. We discovered on the Cruise Director's "TV news channel" I think it is called "Riviera Today" (?) that they put up a list of folk's birthdays and special anniversaries with their names - on the actual day of birthday, anniversary - so coming from the Concierge/Purser/Reception? I discovered it quite by accident. I imagine that's where the stateroom decorations came from.

Actually we were among the very few who DID mask up at all times unless eating and even then we chose most of the time to dine outside on the back deck of the Terrace Cafe and kept ourselves pretty much to ourselves. Quite a few staff wore masks as well. Even taking all the precautions we did, we have both tested positive since we returned home. There was lots of coughing (hacking) and sneezing going on, we were quite shocked by the behaviour of many. Sad to say I would like to say a few behaved like this, but no. llhillman I am sorry you missed most of the cruise. I say the following with some trepedation as I fear some on these boards will simply not get it, but the last week from Rome to Barcelona was simply not what we were used to on an Oceania ship. Even the crew and staff were saying this. Apparently, and I wish we had known this before we had booked the cruise (made up of a 12 night plus a 7 night) that the 7 night cruises attract a totally different crowd. Even the onboard Cruise consultant dreaded that her first cruise back was a 7 nighter! Never again for us. However, the rude behaviour by some was evident on both segments - I mean, how desperate are you for ice-cream to shove in front of folk waiting patiently in the queue? I would like to add here that the service we received on board was very good to excellent; from the waiting staff, serving staff (who put up with such rudeness and bad manners from some guests who should know better in the Terrace Cafe), to our lovely stateroom attendants. Officers non existent (usual for O) and the most annoying cruise director - I suppose since we were last on Oceania (2016) we have been on other cruise lines where we are treated as adults and don't need that day's currents read out to us line by line every morning just after 0800! So if you plan a lie in, forget it! Hope you're feeling better llhillman!