gbits Posted February 8, 2022 #1 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Paying it forward with great appreciation for those who were kind enough to post about their cruises on Riviera since January. Thanks to their reports, we were encouraged to go on ours and I am so glad we did. Embarkation today was seamless, even with the extra steps due to Covid. We opted to board later in the afternoon and there was literally no one else around in the tent, in the terminal etc. The Covid test was quick & easy and we had our results in 10 minutes and we’re on our way. Our luggage was waiting for us at our door. We had a small Meet & Greet on the Patio, Deck 14. O had chairs and tables with snacks and a waiter to get drinks from Horizons for those who wanted to partake. It was happy hour, an added bonus! Was great to meet some of the people who have been active on the roll call. Sail away was beautiful. There are 591 passengers on board and 725 crew. Everyone is happy to be here, masks and all. The entertainment team is out & about and the casino is open. Only one change to our itinerary so far, Antigua instead of Guadeloupe, which has been expected for months. Fingers crossed that is the only change as we are really looking forward to the rest of the ports. Happy to answer any questions you have. 😊 6 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC2 Posted February 8, 2022 #2 Share Posted February 8, 2022 If able, please add photos. Am always looking forward to those. Thank you in advance. DB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espmass Posted February 8, 2022 #3 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Also onboard. Got bored waiting at the hotel for our 11:30 boarding so we went early and since very few were there we did not feel guilty getting in line. Totally organized and we were tested, registered, and onboard at about 11:30. Took a walk around to get an idea of where things are and had lunch at the Terrace Cafe. Stopped by the reservation desk and inquired about an extra specialty restaurant for last night in addition to our 4 and they were more than happy to help us. Dinner last night at Red Ginger. It was lovely and absolutely delicious. Had the Summer Roll, the Asian salad, and the Twice Fried Chicken. All were delicious. For dessert had the warm ginger cake which I loved. My husband had calamari, duck, and ginger tapioca and loved it all. I am a very early riser and hit the gym at 6 when it opens and the only issue I see so far is there doesn’t seem to be a place to get coffee before 6:30. At least I haven’t found anywhere yet. Bad enough sitting here for an hour without coffee while waiting for the gym, but working out without coffee will be really hard! I’ll double check today. We are long time cruisers but this is our first Oceania experience and so far we love it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted February 8, 2022 #4 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Bon voyage! Hope everything goes well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitraveler Posted February 8, 2022 #5 Share Posted February 8, 2022 3 hours ago, espmass said: Also onboard. Got bored waiting at the hotel for our 11:30 boarding so we went early and since very few were there we did not feel guilty getting in line. Totally organized and we were tested, registered, and onboard at about 11:30. Took a walk around to get an idea of where things are and had lunch at the Terrace Cafe. Stopped by the reservation desk and inquired about an extra specialty restaurant for last night in addition to our 4 and they were more than happy to help us. Dinner last night at Red Ginger. It was lovely and absolutely delicious. Had the Summer Roll, the Asian salad, and the Twice Fried Chicken. All were delicious. For dessert had the warm ginger cake which I loved. My husband had calamari, duck, and ginger tapioca and loved it all. I am a very early riser and hit the gym at 6 when it opens and the only issue I see so far is there doesn’t seem to be a place to get coffee before 6:30. At least I haven’t found anywhere yet. Bad enough sitting here for an hour without coffee while waiting for the gym, but working out without coffee will be really hard! I’ll double check today. We are long time cruisers but this is our first Oceania experience and so far we love it. 24 hour coffee machine in horizons unless down for maint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted February 8, 2022 #6 Share Posted February 8, 2022 4 hours ago, espmass said: I am a very early riser and hit the gym at 6 when it opens and the only issue I see so far is there doesn’t seem to be a place to get coffee before 6:30. There is usually a self serve machine in Horizons & the Terrace or flag down staff in the Terrace they will get you one Room service if all else fails If you are in a Concierge go to the lounge on deck 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisingxpert Posted February 8, 2022 #7 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Hi Gina- so glad you are keeping our vicarious sailing experience going. Any pictures you can share would be wonderful. Having canceled this cruise, it will be bittersweet to follow along. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEFIowa Posted February 8, 2022 #8 Share Posted February 8, 2022 4 hours ago, espmass said: and the only issue I see so far is there doesn’t seem to be a place to get coffee before 6:30. At least I haven’t found anywhere yet. Bad enough sitting here for an hour without coffee while waiting for the gym, but working out without coffee will be really hard! Though there are self-service coffee machines in the Concierge Lounge on Deck 9 and Executive Lounge on Deck 11 if you have the either as your room perk. And IIRC from our Dec 21 cruise on her, seemed like often the self-service machines elsewhere were dispensing at most hours, too (e.g., in the Terrace Cafe). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj_crusin Posted February 8, 2022 #9 Share Posted February 8, 2022 (edited) Dinner in Jacques 1st night, a good way to start a cruise! Edited February 8, 2022 by dj_crusin 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC2 Posted February 8, 2022 #10 Share Posted February 8, 2022 36 minutes ago, dj_crusin said: Dinner in Jacques 1st night, a good way to start a cruise! Now that's what I'm talking about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ORV Posted February 8, 2022 #11 Share Posted February 8, 2022 50 minutes ago, dj_crusin said: Dinner in Jacques 1st night, a good way to start a cruise! Is that my favorite dessert in Jacques, Apple Tart? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisedreamer1 Posted February 8, 2022 #12 Share Posted February 8, 2022 12 hours ago, gbits said: PerGbits: We had a small Meet & Greet on the Patio, Deck 14. O had chairs and tables with snacks and a waiter to get drinks from Horizons for those who wanted to partake. It was happy hour, an added bonus! Was great to meet some of the people who have been active on the roll call. Sail away was beautiful. Happy to answer any questions you have. 😊 Do you know how your meet & greet was organized? Who do we contact to get the snacks and a waiter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espmass Posted February 8, 2022 #13 Share Posted February 8, 2022 3 hours ago, LHT28 said: There is usually a self serve machine in Horizons & the Terrace or flag down staff in the Terrace they will get you one Room service if all else fails If you are in a Concierge go to the lounge on deck 9 After the gym I did find that the executive lounge (we have a PH) was open. I thought I had read their hours as opening at 8. Also did find out about the coffee at Horizons. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbits Posted February 8, 2022 Author #14 Share Posted February 8, 2022 12 hours ago, AC2 said: If able, please add photos. Am always looking forward to those. Thank you in advance. DB 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbits Posted February 8, 2022 Author #15 Share Posted February 8, 2022 47 minutes ago, Cruisedreamer1 said: Do you know how your meet & greet was organized? Who do we contact to get the snacks and a waiter? Jazz forwarded me the contact info for Giselle who set it up for me. I had to have a list to her by January 28th with names, cabin & booking numbers. I can forward you the contact info if you email me at gbits@optonline.net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tipsygirl Posted February 8, 2022 #16 Share Posted February 8, 2022 8 hours ago, espmass said: Also onboard. Got bored waiting at the hotel for our 11:30 boarding so we went early and since very few were there we did not feel guilty getting in line. Totally organized and we were tested, registered, and onboard at about 11:30. Took a walk around to get an idea of where things are and had lunch at the Terrace Cafe. Stopped by the reservation desk and inquired about an extra specialty restaurant for last night in addition to our 4 and they were more than happy to help us. Dinner last night at Red Ginger. It was lovely and absolutely delicious. Had the Summer Roll, the Asian salad, and the Twice Fried Chicken. All were delicious. For dessert had the warm ginger cake which I loved. My husband had calamari, duck, and ginger tapioca and loved it all. I am a very early riser and hit the gym at 6 when it opens and the only issue I see so far is there doesn’t seem to be a place to get coffee before 6:30. At least I haven’t found anywhere yet. Bad enough sitting here for an hour without coffee while waiting for the gym, but working out without coffee will be really hard! I’ll double check today. We are long time cruisers but this is our first Oceania experience and so far we love it. We also are on the raise Our flight arrived a little early so we arrived at the terminal ahead of our selected boarding time…not that anyone was checking. Quick and easy Covid testing and checkin. Someone at every step along the way to usher you on to the ship. We headed to Terrace Cafe for lunch. Then went to see if we could get a specialty restaurant reservation for dinner. Ended up with a reservation for Toscana. Tonight we will be La Rive. And will be there again tomorrow night as they had to combine our original reservation with another La Rive group because we were the only couple on our original date. All the staff are so kind and helpful. So glad we came. Cindy 5 hours ago, sitraveler said: 24 hour coffee machine in horizons unless down for maint. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1985rz1 Posted February 8, 2022 #17 Share Posted February 8, 2022 8 minutes ago, tipsygirl said: Tonight we will be La Rive. And will be there again tomorrow night as they had to combine our original reservation with another La Rive group because we were the only couple on our original date. All the staff are so kind and helpful. So glad we came. Cindy What is La Rive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj_crusin Posted February 8, 2022 #18 Share Posted February 8, 2022 3 hours ago, ORV said: Is that my favorite dessert in Jacques, Apple Tart? Actually that is Crepe Suzette’s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj_crusin Posted February 8, 2022 #19 Share Posted February 8, 2022 (edited) Room service lunch. Clockwise from top: Antipasti plate, Hawaiian poke bowl, Mezze platter, Miso ramen soup All of them were as good as they look! Edited February 8, 2022 by dj_crusin 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC2 Posted February 8, 2022 #20 Share Posted February 8, 2022 1 hour ago, gbits said: NICE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj_crusin Posted February 8, 2022 #21 Share Posted February 8, 2022 30 minutes ago, dj_crusin said: Actually that is Crepe Suzette’s From top to bottom: Crepe Suzette’s Cheese Plate Green Pea Vichyssoise Dover Sole Cauliflower au Gratin Gratin Dauphinois Foie Gras with Pineapple Baked Onion Soup Herb Crusted Chicken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dolphinlady1957 Posted February 8, 2022 #22 Share Posted February 8, 2022 Thank you all for keeping this blog going. We are on the next cruise Feb 19. Is anyone staying on board to cruise with us? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted February 8, 2022 #23 Share Posted February 8, 2022 2 hours ago, espmass said: After the gym I did find that the executive lounge (we have a PH) was open. I thought I had read their hours as opening at 8. Usually they are open 24/7 or are there shorter times now due to the covid restrictions?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEFIowa Posted February 8, 2022 #24 Share Posted February 8, 2022 2 minutes ago, LHT28 said: Usually they are open 24/7 or are there shorter times now due to the covid restrictions?? Thinking our Concierge Lounge on Deck 9 was open 24/7 on Riviera on 12/13-23/21. I went in at all times, night and day. Including very early in the AM (between 4 and 5 once). The concierge himself had posted hours, but the lounge was seemingly always open if you had your room badge/key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nymich Posted February 8, 2022 #25 Share Posted February 8, 2022 To ALL of you onboard! Have a great cruise! 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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