Riviera PH in Mar 2020 - Newbie Questions

[Best Cat Mom]

Hi all -- We're newbies to O. I've been reading the O boards to learn as much as I could but I still have some questions and would appreciate help from all of you wonderful veterans. 🙂

 

We are booked on the Riviera in Mar 2020 for a 10-day Caribbean cruise in a PH3 Guarantee. We've sailed on NCL both in Haven and in Suites (on a non-Haven ship) and in MSC Yacht Club in the past. We're looking forward to seeing what a Premium line has to offer vs. a mass-market line in a cabin in the 'ship within a ship' area.

 

Here are my questions (sorry if this seems lengthy but I figured I'd ask all our questions at once since we booked just recently and we're less than 80 days out already):

 

1. Is the noon embarkation time for PH suites firm or could we show up at 11am and maybe board earlier?

 

2. Is there a separate waiting area for any categories of cabins or do we all wait together? Are there adult beverages served in the waiting area?

 

3. Are the PH beds king or queen? Are they 2 single beds pushed together or one permanent bed?

 

4. I don't see a pillow menu offered for PH. If I ask for a different pillow, will they try to change our pillows upon request? (We prefer very firm foam pillows and I suspect that the standard pillows will be feather. Am I wrong to think that feather is standard?)

 

5. Will Butler bring you food/drinks at locations other than your cabin (such as in the Spa Terrace)?

 

6. Is there an app for smart phones where we can see all our scheduled activities booked each day? (MSC has an app called MSC at Sea that was very helpful in showing us where we had to be each day and I'd love something similar on O.)

 

7. We plan to upgrade our Beverage Plan from House Select (we've selected the Beverage Package as our OLife choice) to Prestige Select once we board. Just to be clear -- do we have to wait until we board to upgrade?

 

8. With Prestige Select, is there still an upcharge at Baristas? On a sample menu that has been posted to this forum, I saw many coffees with (yummy) adult beverage additives that had prices displayed. Does the price apply even if we have the Prestige Select package?

 

9. What time are La Reserve dinners? I see that I can choose from 3 on various days during our cruise but no start time is listed.

 

10. I saw on a video tour of the Riviera ship that the Casino has a smoking area. Does anyone know where that area is located? Is the Casino Bar non-smoking?

 

11. I am Gluten Free. How do I indicate that in my reservation? Is that something only our TA can add to our booking?

 

12. We are interested in a few couples' massages. Does anyone have the spa menu for the new branding that recently took effect?

 

I think that is it for now. Thanks for all your help! We are so looking forward to perhaps finding our new 'normal' on O. 🙂

[Flatbush Flyer]

28 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

 

1. Is the noon embarkation time for PH suites firm or could show up earlybwe show up at 11am and maybe board earlier?

 

2. Is there a separate waiting area for any categories of cabins or do we all wait together? Are there adult beverages served in the waiting area?

 

3. Are the PH beds king or queen? Are they 2 single beds pushed together or one permanent bed?

 

4. I don't see a pillow menu offered for PH. If I ask for a different pillow, will they try to change our pillows upon request? (We prefer very firm foam pillows and I suspect that the standard pillows will be feather. Am I wrong to think that feather is standard?)

 

5. Will Butler bring you food/drinks at locations other than your cabin (such as in the Spa Terrace)?

 

6. Is there an app for smart phones where we can see all our scheduled activities booked each day? (MSC has an app called MSC at Sea that was very helpful in showing us where we had to be each day and I'd love something similar on O.)

 

7. We plan to upgrade our Beverage Plan from House Select (we've selected the Beverage Package as our OLife choice) to Prestige Select once we board. Just to be clear -- do we have to wait until we board to upgrade?

 

8. With Prestige Select, is there still an upcharge at Baristas? On a sample menu that has been posted to this forum, I saw many coffees with (yummy) adult beverage additives that had prices displayed. Does the price apply even if we have the Prestige Select package?

 

9. What time are La Reserve dinners? I see that I can choose from 3 on various days during our cruise but no start time is listed.

 

10. I saw on a video tour of the Riviera ship that the Casino has a smoking area. Does anyone know where that area is located? Is the Casino Bar non-smoking?

 

11. I am Gluten Free. How do I indicate that in my reservation? Is that something only our TA can add to our booking?

 

12. We are interested in a few couples' massages. Does anyone have the spa menu for the new branding that recently took effect?

OK to show up earlier. Crowd depends on how fast you Board and "special" area depends on port.

 

Pretty sure PH beds are same as A & B. Two beds put together with single topper making a sort of California King (bigger than Queen).

Like special diets, ask about premium lows pre-cruise and remind your steward once onboard. Beds are so comfortable that some people order them (and the linens) for home.

 

Smart phone app? LOL.

Daily menus are on cabin TV along with On Demand movies. Most of us take a nightly picture of next day activities in the printed Currents.

 

Upgrade Prestige only once onboard. Everything but a handful of highest end cognacs and single malts (including Baristas drinks) are included. Note that included wines are from a limited "by the glass" menu. Consider bringing your own wine (as much as you care to) - free in cabin & $25 corkage at dinner.

 

La Reserve is usually around 6:30 pm gathering.

 

NO SMOKING in the casinos or anywhere else other than one corner of pool deck and enclosure in Horizons Bar.

 

Dietary restrictions? Inform O (yourself or TA) several weeks prior to boarding. Good idea to remind a Maitre d' once onboard. BTW, you're in for a world of better food than what you've experienced on the lines you mentioned.

 

Aquamar Spa has basically the same menu as did Canyon Ranch. Check O website for reservation phone/email, contact them and ask for PDF of new menu. (Not sure if it's on the web yet).

Edited January 3, 2020 by Flatbush Flyer

[Mura]

16 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

  Hi all -- We're newbies to O. I've been reading the O boards to learn as much as I could but I still have some questions and would appreciate help from all of you wonderful veterans. 🙂

 

We are booked on the Riviera in Mar 2020 for a 10-day Caribbean cruise in a PH3 Guarantee. We've sailed on NCL both in Haven and in Suites (on a non-Haven ship) and in MSC Yacht Club in the past. We're looking forward to seeing what a Premium line has to offer vs. a mass-market line in a cabin in the 'ship within a ship' area.

 

Here are my questions (sorry if this seems lengthy but I figured I'd ask all our questions at once since we booked just recently and we're less than 80 days out already):

It will try!  Can't answer everything, at least not confidently ...

 

16 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

1. Is the noon embarkation time for PH suites firm or could we show up at 11am and maybe board earlier?

 

Most of the time we will be in a PH or above and the boarding time is 11am.  It does depend on the port, when the ship arrived and when departing passengers left, etc.  But all things being considered my guess would be that you COULD.  But it's a guess.  Whenever we have arrived at 11am (when that was the designated time for our cabin category) we haven't had to wait.

 

2. Is there a separate waiting area for any categories of cabins or do we all wait together? Are there adult beverages served in the waiting area?  NO!  There ARE separate lines for check-in for different categories.  For suites (which a PH is) we've rarely had to wait long. If you arrive well after the "opening time" you probably won't have to wait at all.  But if everyone in the suite line arrives at opening time ... well, you can figure that one out!

 

3. Are the PH beds king or queen? Are they 2 single beds pushed together or one permanent bed?

I believe in a PH they are two singles.  In a higher suite, they are kings.

 

4. I don't see a pillow menu offered for PH. If I ask for a different pillow, will they try to change our pillows upon request? (We prefer very firm foam pillows and I suspect that the standard pillows will be feather. Am I wrong to think that feather is standard?)

 

I am not sure about the standard pillows but we've always had a pillow menu in a suite. 

 

5. Will Butler bring you food/drinks at locations other than your cabin (such as in the Spa Terrace)?

We've never asked him to do so but I think if you ask nicely he'd do so!  But should you really need him to do so -- why not just order those drinks in that location?  I guess I'm missing something here.

 

6. Is there an app for smart phones where we can see all our scheduled activities booked each day? (MSC has an app called MSC at Sea that was very helpful in showing us where we had to be each day and I'd love something similar on O.)  This one I cannot answer.  I've never seen anything like that on O but then I don't use my smart phone on O!

 

16 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

 

7. We plan to upgrade our Beverage Plan from House Select (we've selected the Beverage Package as our OLife choice) to Prestige Select once we board. Just to be clear -- do we have to wait until we board to upgrade?  From what I have read here you do have to wait to upgrade, but it's very simple.  There will be plenty of crew waiting to help you do so when you board.

 

8. With Prestige Select, is there still an upcharge at Baristas? On a sample menu that has been posted to this forum, I saw many coffees with (yummy) adult beverage additives that had prices displayed. Does the price apply even if we have the Prestige Select package?  We never opt for the beverage package (and rarely go to Baristas!) so I'm of no help here either.

 

9. What time are La Reserve dinners? I see that I can choose from 3 on various days during our cruise but no start time is listed.  Dinner is at 7:30, diners meet at 7:00 to chat and have an aperitif.

 

10. I saw on a video tour of the Riviera ship that the Casino has a smoking area. Does anyone know where that area is located? Is the Casino Bar non-smoking?  The Casino Bar is non-smoking as is most of the ship.  Not being a smoker I'm not helpful here but I believe there is an enclosed smoking area in Horizons and there is a smoking area over the pool deck ... again, I'm only aware of where it is when I walk across the deck and am deluged with the smell of smoke!  Please do NOT smoke on your veranda!

 

11. I am Gluten Free. How do I indicate that in my reservation? Is that something only our TA can add to our booking?

Contact the ship well before embarkation to tell them your situation.  Your TA COULD be of help but I don't think that is essential.  From what I have seen you will be given a menu in advance that should permit you to make your selections. Do give them a good lead time, however, and talk to the chef about your situation as well.

 

12. We are interested in a few couples' massages. Does anyone have the spa menu for the new branding that recently took effect?  NOT ME!  Sorry!  Welcome aboard!

 

I think that is it for now. Thanks for all your help! We are so looking forward to perhaps finding our new 'normal' on O. 🙂

 

[Best Cat Mom]

22 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

OK to show up earlier. Crowd depends on how fast you Board and "special" area depends on port.

 

Smart phone app? LOL.

 

Upgrade Prestige only once onboard. Everything but a handful of highest end cognacs and single malts (including Baristas drinks) are included. Note that included wines are from a limited "by the glass" menu. Consider bringing your own wine (as much as you care to) - free in cabin & $25 corkage at dinner.

 

NO SMOKING in the casinos or anywhere else other than one corner of pool deck and enclosure in Horizons Bar.

 

Dietary restrictions? Inform O (yourself or TA) several weeks prior to boarding. Good idea to remind a Maitre d' once onboard. BTW, you're in for a world of better food than what you've experienced on the lines you mentioned.

Hi Flatbush --

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

We're leaving from Miami (should've put that in the subject -- at least I remembered to put it in my signature in the 'upcoming' section). My husband said that all my questions about adult beverages were, to paraphrase, 'interesting.' We are looking forward to not working and being able to be 'adults' all day long. LOL

 

I thought the smart phone app would get me an answer similar to yours, but wanted to ask just in case.

 

I'm okay with wine by the glass so I can change wines with different courses. We may bring something special from our cellar or pick something up in Miami but not sure yet.

 

Good to know about the lack of smoking in the Casino. Looking forward to experiencing that bar and not dealing with smoke.

 

We are so looking forward to the food. On NCL, we always dined in the specialty restaurants and avoided the Main Dining Room completely. (MSC's Yacht Club was an upgrade from NCL's Haven in that they have different menus in the YC every day, unlike Haven's static menu.) Food is why we're trying O. We hope that food is why we become O-loyal. 🙂

 

Thanks again for your reply.

 

PS: Is Flatbush a reference to Brooklyn? I'm from Bensonhurst.

Edited January 3, 2020 by Best Cat Mom

[Best Cat Mom]

Hi Mura --

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

Regarding

***

5. Will Butler bring you food/drinks at locations other than your cabin (such as in the Spa Terrace)?

We've never asked him to do so but I think if you ask nicely he'd do so!  But should you really need him to do so -- why not just order those drinks in that location?  I guess I'm missing something here.

***

I did not realize that the Spa Terrace had food and beverage service. When I referred to the Spa Terrace, I meant the area at the front of the ship by the spa that is only available to Concierge and higher cabins (hope I did not use the wrong name). They serve food and beverages there already? Awesome! (Seems comparable to the Yacht Club pool area on MSC, then.)

 

La Reserve is at 7:30pm? Flatbush Flyer suggested 6:30pm. I guess I'll make sure any of the activities I buy (in advance of boarding and confirming the start time) are earlier just in case.

 

Don't worry -- we will not smoke on our veranda, or any place else. We are not smokers and want to be sure to avoid smoke in the Casino and Casino bar. Just wanted to be aware so as to not be disappointed if we were to visit that area of the ship and find smokers.

 

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. Looking forward to having such a great time that we book another cruise before disembarking!

 

[Flatbush Flyer]

11 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

Hi Flatbush --

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

We're leaving from Miami (should've put that in the subject -- at least I remembered to put it in my signature in the 'upcoming' section). My husband said that all my questions about adult beverages were, to paraphrase, 'interesting.' We are looking forward to not working and being able to be 'adults' all day long. LOL

 

I thought the smart phone app would get me an answer similar to yours, but wanted to ask just in case.

 

I'm okay with wine by the glass so I can change wines with different courses. We may bring something special from our cellar or pick something up in Miami but not sure yet.

 

Good to know about the lack of smoking in the Casino. Looking forward to experiencing that bar and not dealing with smoke.

 

We are so looking forward to the food. On NCL, we always dined in the specialty restaurants and avoided the Main Dining Room completely. (MSC's Yacht Club was an upgrade from NCL's Haven in that they have different menus in the YC every day, unlike Haven's static menu.) Food is why we're trying O. We hope that food is why we become O-loyal. 🙂

 

Thanks again for your reply.

 

PS: Is Flatbush a reference to Brooklyn? I'm from Bensonhurst.

Midwood HS and Brooklyn College (though I've been in NorCal since my early 20's  [along with a zillion other Brooklynites])

 

BTW: on Riviera, there's a small casino bar aft of the casino and the far better (IMO) Martini's bar forward of the casino. Horizons (up top) is the largest bar. Try them all.

[Mura]

22 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

Hi Mura --

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

Regarding

***

5. Will Butler bring you food/drinks at locations other than your cabin (such as in the Spa Terrace)?

We've never asked him to do so but I think if you ask nicely he'd do so!  But should you really need him to do so -- why not just order those drinks in that location?  I guess I'm missing something here.

***

I did not realize that the Spa Terrace had food and beverage service. When I referred to the Spa Terrace, I meant the area at the front of the ship by the spa that is only available to Concierge and higher cabins (hope I did not use the wrong name). They serve food and beverages there already? Awesome! (Seems comparable to the Yacht Club pool area on MSC, then.)

 

La Reserve is at 7:30pm? Flatbush Flyer suggested 6:30pm. I guess I'll make sure any of the activities I buy (in advance of boarding and confirming the start time) are earlier just in case.

 

Don't worry -- we will not smoke on our veranda, or any place else. We are not smokers and want to be sure to avoid smoke in the Casino and Casino bar. Just wanted to be aware so as to not be disappointed if we were to visit that area of the ship and find smokers.

 

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. Looking forward to having such a great time that we book another cruise before disembarking!

 

To be completely honest (!) -- we've never used the Spa Terrace so I don't know either if food/drinks are available there!  If not, your butler SHOULD be able to accommodate you ... or else, you meander to Waves or some other venue ...

 

Flatbush could be right about 6:30 in La Reserve but we've also met at 7pm for the aperitif and went into the restaurant at 7:30.  It's now a while since we dined there so he may well be right.

[glenneagle]

I have not seen food or drinks served at spa terrance. Its a small area with 4 to 5 loungers and a hot tub .Its very quiet and no servers food or drink

Enjoy your cruise...

 

[kitty9]

We recently returned from a cruise on Riviera and dined in LaReserve.  We met at 7:00 right outside the LaReserve dining area, where we were served champagne.  At approximately 7:30 we moved into the dining area and the meal started.  

 

We we were told that no food or drink, other than water, is allowed in the Spa Terrace.  It’s not really a place for something like that, but more a quiet place to relax.

 

We we are on the same cruise as you, plus the 14 day cruise before that.  Looking forward to seeing some good weather. 

 

With regards to embarkation, the big three cabin categories board first:  Owners Suites, Vista Suites and Oceania Suites.  PH suites are next.  Everyone waits in the same area (If the ship is docked at Terminal J) and there are announcements when categories are allowed to get in line to check in.  You’ll see carpets on the floor that indicate where you’ll get in line for check in, one for the Big 3 Suites, another for PH and so on. In all our cruises on O, they tend to be pretty strict on who checks in at what time.  Plus, just because people board at 11 or noon, your suite/cabin will not be ready then.  You’ll be directed to a public area, like the buffet or a lounge, to wait for the announcement that cabins are ready, which two weeks ago was 1:45.  

Edited January 4, 2020 by kitty9

[Best Cat Mom]

On 1/2/2020 at 8:31 PM, Flatbush Flyer said:

Midwood HS and Brooklyn College (though I've been in NorCal since my early 20's  [along with a zillion other Brooklynites])

 

BTW: on Riviera, there's a small casino bar aft of the casino and the far better (IMO) Martini's bar forward of the casino. Horizons (up top) is the largest bar. Try them all.

We hope to try them all!

 

PS 205 for K-5, then Seth Low IS 96 for 6th grade, then Mark Twain JHS, then Stuyvesant HS (in the old building near Union Square). Grew up on 65th St between Bay Parkway and 21st Ave. Now living in KY, just south of Cincinnati due to a work transfer. No accent except when I spend some time with others from NYC. 🙂

[Flatbush Flyer]

Just now, Best Cat Mom said:

We hope to try them all!

 

PS 205 for K-5, then Seth Low IS 96 for 6th grade, then Mark Twain JHS, then Stuyvesant HS (in the old building near Union Square). Grew up on 65th St between Bay Parkway and 21st Ave. Now living in KY, just south of Cincinnati due to a work transfer. No accent except when I spend some time with others from NYC. 🙂

I bet you walk faster at home after any time spent in NYC.

[Best Cat Mom]

On 1/3/2020 at 10:38 AM, glenneagle said:

I have not seen food or drinks served at spa terrance. Its a small area with 4 to 5 loungers and a hot tub .Its very quiet and no servers food or drink

Enjoy your cruise...

 

I thought I saw a video with 3 rows of around 12 loungers each by the T-pool. Seemed large enough that there might have been food/beverage service. No biggie. Plenty of other places to eat/drink.

 

Thanks!

[Best Cat Mom]

Just now, Flatbush Flyer said:

I bet you walk faster at home after any time spent in NYC.

Definitely! People think I'm running and I think people are too slow. LOL

[Best Cat Mom]

19 hours ago, kitty9 said:

We recently returned from a cruise on Riviera and dined in LaReserve.  We met at 7:00 right outside the LaReserve dining area, where we were served champagne.  At approximately 7:30 we moved into the dining area and the meal started.  

 

We we were told that no food or drink, other than water, is allowed in the Spa Terrace.  It’s not really a place for something like that, but more a quiet place to relax.

 

We we are on the same cruise as you, plus the 14 day cruise before that.  Looking forward to seeing some good weather. 

 

With regards to embarkation, the big three cabin categories board first:  Owners Suites, Vista Suites and Oceania Suites.  PH suites are next.  Everyone waits in the same area (If the ship is docked at Terminal J) and there are announcements when categories are allowed to get in line to check in.  You’ll see carpets on the floor that indicate where you’ll get in line for check in, one for the Big 3 Suites, another for PH and so on. In all our cruises on O, they tend to be pretty strict on who checks in at what time.  Plus, just because people board at 11 or noon, your suite/cabin will not be ready then.  You’ll be directed to a public area, like the buffet or a lounge, to wait for the announcement that cabins are ready, which two weeks ago was 1:45.  

Good to know about La Reserve so we can be sure to get there a bit early. 🙂

 

Looking forward to Spa Terrace regardless of service there -- but thanks for the info.

 

24 days at sea for you? Sounds nice. This is our first cruise over 7 days and we're looking forward to seeing how we are on a longer (for us) cruise.

 

Thanks so much for the info about embarkation! We're used to having no wait at all. Now we know we can take our time that morning and not get there too early.

 

See you in March!

[Flatbush Flyer]

22 minutes ago, Best Cat Mom said:

Good to know about La Reserve so we can be sure to get there a bit early. 🙂

 

Looking forward to Spa Terrace regardless of service there -- but thanks for the info.

 

24 days at sea for you? Sounds nice. This is our first cruise over 7 days and we're looking forward to seeing how we are on a longer (for us) cruise.

 

Thanks so much for the info about embarkation! We're used to having no wait at all. Now we know we can take our time that morning and not get there too early.

 

See you in March!

A final thought for a fellow NY'er.

If you decide you like O enough to do it again, consider one of the longer, more "exotic" itineraries, e.g., the Amazon, Cape Horn or the Indian Ocean, transPacific. I trust that you'll find that O cruises of 3-4 weeks (including at least a handful of sea days and a few overnights) may become your "sweet spot" for the best Oceania experience. 

Edited January 4, 2020 by Flatbush Flyer

[glenneagle]

There are not rows of chairs on spa terrace , just a few scattered chairs. They are really comfy and 2 people can sit on them very comfortably.Its a quite relaxing space.There is fruit flavored water in the spa .Very few people use this space so its really quiet.We love it

there.Enjoy

[Clutj]

Last time I was on Riviera in 2017, there was a small cart with canned sodas and glasses and ice bucket set up somewhere just inside the Spa Terrace.  Also the citrus flavored water. 

[samiam0403]

On 1/4/2020 at 3:12 PM, Best Cat Mom said:

Good to know about La Reserve so we can be sure to get there a bit early. 🙂

 

Just a note that the pre-dinner champagne/early arrival differs with which La Reserve you've booked. Last month on Riviera, I booked both La Cuisine Bourgeoise and Dom Perignon. With the first, the reminder card left at my room stated 7:00pm. I arrived about 10 minutes before only to find I was the last one there! Everyone was seated outside of La Reserve sipping their Kir Royale cocktails, then led into dinner shortly after 7:00. With the Dom Perignon dinner, I arrived 15-20 minutes early, and was taken directly into the restaurant, seated at an assigned seat, and served a glass of Moet & Chandon champagne as I waited for the rest of the diners. But both dinners were fantastic - I enjoyed them so much, I'm already booked for 2 La Reserve dinners on my next cruise!