Just off Riviera March 18 sailing

[hypercafe]

We just got back from our first Oceania trip, I got a lot of info and expectations from here so I thought I would give my impressions and experiences here.

 

Ship: Riviera is a beautiful, well designed ship built with upscale materials. Even tho it is new you can see it is well maintained. We found it easy to get around and its size make all places close by. The only two things I did not like was the show lounge, found it small with poor sight lines because the stage is only one foot high and the most uncomfortable seats I ever sat in, in fact I saw a few people bring pillows with them. We also missed the Promenade deck as there is none on this ship.

 

Embarkation: We got there right before our time of noon, was given a group number and at noon the group was called, in ten minutes we were on board. The reverse was also easy, we selected 8 am, right at 8 am our color was called, in 20 minutes we were in a cab on our way.

 

Cabin: We started out in a ocean view, ended up in a A1 concierge three days before sailing. Room was great, storage was fine for us, bath was fine. I am 6'6'' and just fit in the shower. As for the extra room perks we used the spa terrace on sea days, was great. Drank the champagne. Used room service for breakfast a few times on tour days. I guess we had the "HOT" menu as there were eggs on it. There is a lot of talk about this here, well if you do not have it in your room do not lose sleep, it was really no big deal at all. We did not use the lounge or the concierge.

 

Service: Service was excellent in all areas. The crew was very friendly and tried to accommodate any and all wishes and there were lots of them all around.

 

Food: I am NOT a food critic, some things I liked and some I did not. I will say that it is apparent that Qceania has chosen Quality over Quantity. The menu's are extensive for cruse ships today with top shelf items each day. It also seemed the dishes were prepared as ordered and arrived hot and fresh in all venues. I found the wait staff eager to please with special requests and at one point the chef came out to talk to me. As for the reservations, very easy I logged in on the first day I could and had no trouble getting a table for two at the time I wanted in all.

 

Entertainment: We found it to be very good. The ships singers and dancers were great, they did 3 or 4 shows that were very good. They were held back by the inadequate show lounge but that is not there fault. The other shows were single acts that were also good. There was one show each night at 9:30. The last night at 9:00, and one night by the pool at 9:30. There also was a piano man, a singing duo and a great string group. I am puzzled why so many say these ships have poor entertainment?

 

Shore Trips: Yes we took two of these trips and they were the same as all other lines. In Costa Maya there was a NCL ship with us, they had the same buses and tour guides we had and I heard the guides saying the same thing. There price 79$, our price 125$, why the difference? I think it is to keep the groups small, they have less people but make the same thing. On other lines the shore desk is crowed with long lines and the morning of the tour is a hectic night mare. Here there was never a line or a crowd, very civilized. I would use them again as I liked the service.

 

Two Class Ship: I saw a lot of talk here about people being treated different based on the room type you had. I saw none of that. Beside the different perks that come with each class of room my impression was that once you came out and closed the door all was the same. No one ever asked to see your card expect to pay for something and I never saw any reserved places or sitting. In fact one night a group arrived in Horizons escorted by their butler. He tried to put them first in the Que to get service and I heard the server tell him they had to wait there turn.

 

All in all it was a very nice laid back and relaxing trip. We will return as I booked another trip while on board. We will also go with other lines as we bring our grandchildren at times and this is NOT for them. We also like a little more action at times. I am 66 but still enjoy the company of young folks.

 

I am not as expert as some on here appear to be but if I can answer any questions I will do my best. Thanks

[true45]

Thank you for your review.

 

Quick ? - with a table for 2, how long does it usually take to enjoy your dinner? Did you share tables on night? Was there a difference?

 

I'm asking because we are taking 1st Oceania port-intensive sailing in October & am thinking about timing of reservations and excursions.

 

Thanks.

Linda

[hypercafe]

I made my reservations for 6:30 and 7:00 as we enjoy the show and did not want to miss it. The most it took us was 1 & 1/2 hours. No we never shared. Some days we ate dinner in the buffet. It really is 1/2 self service and 1/2 waited on. Some things you order and then the staff delivers to you. We also used the GDR. Never had a wait for a seat, we would of shared but never had to.

[true45]

Thanks hypercafe - was just curious

Was hoping to see a show now & then but the ports are the priority on this sailing.

[hypercafe]

I forgot we took a cooking class that was lots of fun and my wife loved the art loft. Her pictures are all over the house. The guest artist was great. Also the crew makes this ship!! Also in the tender ports if you had a ship tour you got a number, buy yourself a color. The tours got off first but if there was room the colors were mixed in.

[LuAnn]

for a refreshing and frank review! LuAnn

[Emperor Norton]

... In fact one night a group arrived in Horizons escorted by their butler. He tried to put them first in the Que to get service and I heard the server tell him they had to wait there turn.

 

...

 

I've not yet sailed with Oceania. Horizons is a lounge? A group of people tried to expedite their drink service via their butler:confused:

[hypercafe]

Yes Baychilla, it is a lounge and they tried to have their butler put them first.

[Emperor Norton]

Yes Baychilla, it is a lounge and they tried to have their butler put them first.

 

Thank you for the clarification. It's good to hear they were told no.

[Terryd444]

I am on Riveria now and we had 6:30 meal times both nights, and shared. The first night in the GDR dinner was two hours. Last night In Jacques was two and a half. Sharing was fun and if you have lovely dinner companions as we did then dinner takes longer as we were chatting like crazy...we ate early just because we want to Make the shows, but also want to enjoy the dining experience.

 

It's our first cruise ad we are thrilled so far!

 

Terry

[LuAnn]

I am on Riveria now and we had 6:30 meal times both nights, and shared. The first night in the GDR dinner was two hours. Last night In Jacques was two and a half. Sharing was fun and if you have lovely dinner companions as we did then dinner takes longer as we were chatting like crazy...we ate early just because we want to Make the shows, but also want to enjoy the dining experience.

 

It's our first cruise ad we are thrilled so far!

 

Terry

 

I agree...dining with friends (new or old) on board is just the best!!! So glad you are having a good experience! Keep on cruising!! LuAnn

[worldspan]

Also currently on board, my first Oceania cruise, my 132nd cruise.

 

My initial impression ? A very fine line, surely better than a Celebrity, but surely not a Seabourn, Silversea, Crystal or Regent.

 

Look forward to posting a review when I return.

 

Worldspan

132 cruises strong

[Fan4Fathom]

What a great review! Thank you. We are also doing our first Oceania cruise on Rivieria--in May.

A couple of questions: What time are the shows? Do they only have one per night?

 

Thank you!

[hypercafe]

For us there was one per night at 9:30. One night it was by the pool, rest in the show lounge. Last night at 9:00

[LEESRE]

Just off the same cruise, agree with some of your comments but not others.

 

The show round the pool did not happen due to very high winds was transferred to the Horizons Lounge.

Also the shows, we thought that the production shows were very good but the solo artists, ie ventriloquist was dire.

 

Service was excellent but unfortunately the heat of the food, in our opinion was not HOT but warm, in the entire cruise we had only 3 meals that we considered hot, these were 1 in GDR, 1 in Toscana and 1 in Jacques.

We made a point each evening asking the waiter to put HOT food on his ticket but it still came out warm, yes they offered to take it back and reheat, but what was the point, when we had asked in the first place. This was our only real disappointment of the whole cruise. I do hope that they take note of the comment cards as we sail Riviera again in May.