Onboard Riviera Jan. 4

[slw207693]

No hands on cooking classes this cruise.  However the Chef is demonstrating the recipes to 12-15 lucky souls (no charge).  I think if you had secured a place in the original cooking class, this enabled you to be a front row spectator in the cooking school.   When I enquired at Destinations on how to obtain a coveted front row seat, I was instructed to call the Chef and she would let me know if there were openings.   By the time I got back to cabin, I had forgotten her number and figured, oh well, there was plenty of other things to do onboard with just being lazy at the top of the list.

 

Captain Max is one of the best Captains in Oceania’s fleet.  How many of you knew how to figure out a nautical mile before hearing his noon announcement?  He is one of the few who gives more than a cursory time, temp and location on his announcements.   He was the Captain on board Nautica way back when it was attacked by Somali pirates.   He gave a great talk on a previous sailing telling us all about it and the entire lounge was hanging on his every word.   If you have too many sea days, perhaps you can convince Paul Baya, the Talented Cruise Director to schedule him in.   
 

Be kind to the crew - they have to wear their masks no matter what, all day long in your presence.   If you get tired of wearing it, you have a cabin to retreat to.   You get to take it off when you eat or drink, outside if distanced from others and in your cabin.   No one wants the cruise industry to stop sailing and this protocol is keeping Oceania ships sailing for your pleasure.   (And tip them well - with the cancellations, they earn potentially less but still work extremely hard on your behalf)

 

 

[Kstornado]

Thank you for all the great information. Is the spa open. We are on Riviera beginning January 28th through February 18th. Looking forward to it.

 

[Nymich]

12 minutes ago, Kstornado said:

Thank you for all the great information. Is the spa open. We are on Riviera beginning January 28th through February 18th. Looking forward to it.

 

Yes on my way there now!

[jwindham]

On the December 3 cruise my sister had 2 cooking classes booked and when we boarded there was a letter in the cabin saying they had given her a full refund but she was still able to go to the demo. So you should expect a refund if you have paid for a cooking class. Julia

[PhD-iva]

1 hour ago, TEXASMIMI said:

Thank you so much for the time spent on your cruise keeping us "In The Know".  Will be on the ship in February for our first Oceania Cruise.  Can you say if they are doing any of the cooking classes on your cruise?   And if so, are they limiting the number of people attending?

 

I attended to culinary classes on the 17 November transatlantic cruise. The third culinary class was canceled when we entered CDC jurisdiction. The CDC told Riviera to shut down the culinary classes.
The two that I attended were really great. Here’s a picture of the paella that I made last week. Chef David Schalleck was very entertaining and informative. He talked about his time working on the production end of Jacques Pepin’s TV show, and how that connection got him a job working as a chef at sea. At the end of the class he had available for sale a book he had written about his time as a chef on a yacht in the Mediterranean. I am reading it now, and I’m really enjoying it. It’s called Mediterranean Summer.

[Flatbush Flyer]

8 minutes ago, PhD-iva said:

I attended to culinary classes on the 17 November transatlantic cruise. The third culinary class was canceled when we entered CDC jurisdiction. The CDC told Riviera to shut down the culinary classes.
The two that I attended were really great. Here’s a picture of the paella that I made last week. Chef David Schalleck was very entertaining and informative. He talked about his time working on the production end of Jacques Pepin’s TV show, and how that connection got him a job working as a chef at sea. At the end of the class he had available for sale a book he had written about his time as a chef on a yacht in the Mediterranean. I am reading it now, and I’m really enjoying it. It’s called Mediterranean Summer.

Hopefully, he showed you how to make sure it has a soccarat! IMO, it ain’t Paella without soccarat. 

[PhD-iva]

2 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Hopefully, he showed you how to make sure it has a soccarat! IMO, it ain’t Paella without soccarat. 

Yes, he did emphasize that aspect in particular. That is something which I still struggle with - I just can’t leave things unstirred. I must stir!
Makes it hard to get my Maillard reaction goin’ …. 🥴

[Flatbush Flyer]

2 minutes ago, PhD-iva said:

Yes, he did emphasize that aspect in particular. That is something which I still struggle with - I just can’t leave things unstirred. I must stir!
Makes it hard to get my Maillard reaction goin’ …. 🥴

If you’re ever in NYC, dine at Soccarat (the original is in Chelsea).

[slw207693]

For those with Spa credits from Oceania, the Aquamar policy is that tips are not part of the credit.   What we have found is that a fire and ice manicure and pedicure lists at $139 plus gratituty, they charged $149 to use up the $150 credit and then charged the tip of $26.82 to account.   My three wash and blow dry special of $129 leaves me with a $21 credit to be spent somehow on another treatment.     
 

A complaint about the Spa that I have is that they want you to sign two papers before any treatment - one that you understand that you are doing the said treatment of your own free will and that you release and discharge them, the ship and cruise line and all their affiliated entities for any causes of action.   Okay with that - but remember this is now considered a Medical spa with Botox and other injectable’s available.  
 

the one I do refuse to sign is the privacy policy - that states that my personal data will be shared with and processed by our affiliates and certain service providers.   Only treatment that I could get without signing this was my hair washed and dried.   🤷‍♀️ (DH did the mani/pedi and signed forms)

[LHT28]

8 minutes ago, slw207693 said:

For those with Spa credits from Oceania, the Aquamar policy is that tips are not part of the credit.   What we have found is that a fire and ice manicure and pedicure lists at $139 plus gratituty, they charged $149 to use up the $150 credit and then charged the tip of $26.82 to account.   My three wash and blow dry special of $129 leaves me with a $21 credit to be spent somehow on another treatment.     
 

 

If you buy their products  is that covered under the Spa Credit ?

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

Looking forward to meeting you @Nymich  Thanks SO much for this thread. 

Me too. By ICH has been a tremendous resource!

[Maverick Cruiser]

26 minutes ago, slw207693 said:

For those with Spa credits from Oceania, the Aquamar policy is that tips are not part of the credit.   What we have found is that a fire and ice manicure and pedicure lists at $139 plus gratituty, they charged $149 to use up the $150 credit and then charged the tip of $26.82 to account.   My three wash and blow dry special of $129 leaves me with a $21 credit to be spent somehow on another treatment.     
 

A complaint about the Spa that I have is that they want you to sign two papers before any treatment - one that you understand that you are doing the said treatment of your own free will and that you release and discharge them, the ship and cruise line and all their affiliated entities for any causes of action.   Okay with that - but remember this is now considered a Medical spa with Botox and other injectable’s available.  
 

the one I do refuse to sign is the privacy policy - that states that my personal data will be shared with and processed by our affiliates and certain service providers.   Only treatment that I could get without signing this was my hair washed and dried.   🤷‍♀️ (DH did the mani/pedi and signed forms)

Do you have to sign these papers if you are getting your hair done?  If you are getting a hair color or hair cut do you have to sign papers?

[mauibabes]

Products were not eligible for purchase with the credit. One thing that ticked my wife off was that the $150 Spa Credit must be used for a single service. She had her nails done but it ended being billed as two services. First, Polish removal and a second for the manicure.  It was not priced that way before and We hope there are others who express their concerns. She would never have used her $150 Credit and left more than half on the table so to speak. 
 

Ciao,

Mauibabes. 

[Nymich]

Beautiful night s....... in.

Is it setting in or settling in?

 

Polo tonight!

[kitty9]

4 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

So that doesn’t sound like COVID. 

During our Feb/March 2020 cruise on Riviera, we also had a man who was evacuated to Puerto Rico with “illness”.  After making many inquiries about the reason for the evacuation, we were told it was a heart problem.  Well guess what?  While waiting for our flight home, there was the man on CBS News being interviewed about his Covid case and his evacuation from Riviera.  A couple of days later, we got an email admitting there was Covid on our cruise and to take appropriate steps for isolation. Can’t believe everything you’re told during times like this. 

[Maverick Cruiser]

31 minutes ago, Nymich said:

Beautiful night s....... in.

Is it setting in or settling in?

 

Polo tonight!

Their BLT salad is one of our favorites!!!!  Enjoy!!!

[Flatbush Flyer]

1 hour ago, mauibabes said:

Products were not eligible for purchase with the credit. One thing that ticked my wife off was that the $150 Spa Credit must be used for a single service.

Not true. (At least it wasn’t true when Aquamar first replaced Canyon Ranch).

[cruisingxpert]

2 minutes ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

Not true. (At least it wasn’t true when Aquamar first replaced Canyon Ranch).

Not true on Dec 3rd cruise either

[StandbySea]

57 minutes ago, kitty9 said:

During our Feb/March 2020 cruise on Riviera, we also had a man who was evacuated to Puerto Rico with “illness”.  After making many inquiries about the reason for the evacuation, we were told it was a heart problem.  Well guess what?  While waiting for our flight home, there was the man on CBS News being interviewed about his Covid case and his evacuation from Riviera.  A couple of days later, we got an email admitting there was Covid on our cruise and to take appropriate steps for isolation. Can’t believe everything you’re told during times like this. 

So sorry to hear of your experience.   I can tell you that "O" on this cruise has been so proactive and has gone above and beyond to accommodate and professionally handle people's privacy with care and dignity.   I am confident in my experience that if that were the case and anyone was in close contact; the captain and management would  inform those affected accordingly.  Other than that,  my appreciation of the treatment of the passengers and their health, safety and privacy is the top priority of Oceania.   I could not be more grateful for their discretion when appropriate. 

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, mauibabes said:

Products were not eligible for purchase with the credit. One thing that ticked my wife off was that the $150 Spa Credit must be used for a single service. She had her nails done but it ended being billed as two services. First, Polish removal and a second for the manicure.  It was not priced that way before and We hope there are others who express their concerns. She would never have used her $150 Credit and left more than half on the table so to speak. 
 

Ciao,

Mauibabes. 

with Canyon Ranch  they combined services so I could use the balance of DH spa credit  ...

guess that option does not apply with Aquamar

[Lelandlouise]

How silly is that! No way to run a spa.. How does it work for getting your hair washed and blow dried? 

[Flatbush Flyer]

22 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

with Canyon Ranch  they combined services so I could use the balance of DH spa credit  ...

guess that option does not apply with Aquamar

Has worked that way for us (at Aquamar on Nautica in February 2020)

[Lelandlouise]

4 hours ago, Nymich said:

We have decided to stay on Riviera for our 2nd and final leg.  Here are the reasons in no particular order:

 

We did not have to fly here nor have we had to on any of what will be 5 cruises in the last 2 months.  For those about to fly.  "We Salute You."(ac/dc)  Totally different ballgame flying to and from for sure.  We did not have that added responsibility.

 

We don't want the FCC. We want to cruise and we can now!

 

We see the spiking cases on land much greater than when we got on the Ship 1/4/22.  It seems safer here to us.

 

The last reason is other than the Port changes and the masks which is different, it is the same great crew and the same great food. It should be noted that we have made 4 out of 4 ports on this revamped itinerary. Puerta Plata is number 5 tomorrow.

 

In closing I will not be doing this thread on the next 14 day cruise that starts Friday. I covered the paperwork, announcements and things I thought would help.  The main source I have is only one person with one title that nobody else has.  I don't want to drop the name.  I don't want to drop the title because since there is only one you will know who it is.  Think high up but is not the Captain but they deal directly with him. 

 

I will try to cover the process and protocols for those who have multiple cruises coming up.  They called today for us to confirm we will be at the lunch in the GDR on Friday.

 

Maybe Jazz will rename this thread to Onboard Riviera 1/4/22.  I wanted to do this thread because of the CDC thing that came down. I thought some may be interested or concerned.  Obviously 26k views later in one week, that proved to be an accurate assessment. My goal has been and will be the next 3 days to be non political and just share what O is doing and communicating.

 

 Maybe someone else will do a new thread on the next cruise Friday .......maybe not.  

 

We have been reading your threadnand really enjoy what you have written about your experience on the Riviera. With luck, we join the ship Friday the 14th…Probably safer than the grocery store!  Have enjoyed Oceana ships in the past and looking forward to this one….masks and all! They do a great job and LOVE our captain.  As I am a watercolor artist, I’m especially glad that Graham Denison and his lovely wife, Shuna are on board.  You deserve a break from writing the thread on this next segment! Enjoy!

[annaproblemma]

I am so happy to find this post!  My sister and I are going on the Marina Feb 1 from Panama.  They just switched ships on us yesterday.  We originally were on the Sirena.  We hopefully will get a comparable room.  We've never sailed Oceania before, but many other cruise lines.  All the information I'm reading on this is so very helpful!   Thank you!

[Nymich]

39 minutes ago, Lelandlouise said:

We have been reading your threadnand really enjoy what you have written about your experience on the Riviera. With luck, we join the ship Friday the 14th…Probably safer than the grocery store!  Have enjoyed Oceana ships in the past and looking forward to this one….masks and all! They do a great job and LOVE our captain.  As I am a watercolor artist, I’m especially glad that Graham Denison and his lovely wife, Shuna are on board.  You deserve a break from writing the thread on this next segment! Enjoy!

Yes this Captain is a real Pro.  I also like his transparent straight forward approach.  I will never forget the other day when he was mentioning the protocols and in his own way let us know that this was "his Ship!"