Live from 12/23 Riviera “Alluring Caribbean”

[dock]

Thank you for posting. Enjoying the detail you have given. Eagerly reading all TR while we await our first O cruise on Vista. 
 

That’s a great balcony Robjame. I’ve noted it down. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

5 hours ago, kml246 said:

7009...it's on the starboard side.

Thanks.  That's what I meant to type as my second guess.  Nice balcony!

[ToxM]

Good morning from the early risers club, appears to be just me, but the internet is fast and I still have a touch of jet lag so its a win win. 

 

Thanks to Rob for posting the pics of the bathroom, it really is very nice and as I am short the rainfall shower works well, not sure how Marital Unit will fare as he is over 6foot. 

 

Embarkation was really smooth, I am so glad I booked the Intercontinental as the trip was lovely and short and we were onboard in no time. 7 ships in and we were the last to leave. I have only sailed from Miami once and that was in 1991 and my first cruise (an NCL 3 dayer to the Bahamas) so the details are fuzzy, but am a big fan of Terminal J … very very easy. Sailaway last night in the dark was absolutely stunning. 

 

Straight up to the Terrace where the normal embarkation fare was on offer, and it was all great. No refit on the buffet as far as I can tell, but it still looks lovely as ever. Never been on Riviera before, but so far I can’t really tell any layout differences with Marina. Feels like being home, and that’s the main thing.

 

We chilled in Baristas after lunch til the cabin was ready. The new decor makes the cabin feel very roomy. We are in a B3 and as my last two cruises were either in an accessible on Marina or a PH3 on Sirena and I didn’t feel squished at all. 

 

My root beer in the fridge request didn’t arrive, but they were loading provisions til very late so they may turn up today or else I will chase it. Room attendant and assistant are both lovely (as usual!) and we got our extra pillows promptly, and batteries replaced in the remote control very quickly.

 

Sea day today - GDR breakfast is from 8-9 .. I am sure this is reduced hours? I will soldier on, as clearly I will be awake for it so I won’t miss it. 

 

Turn down chocs have no O logo on them and the pen in our room was a normal biro.  Just an observation, not a problem at all.

 

Music a good mix in all areas where it is apparent.

 

Muster is now a check in to your station, go to the cabin watch the safety vid, and then there is a muster announcement which goes through everything - we laid on the bed and listened, and it’s a definite evolution from earlier in the year and a better one. 

 

Difficult to gauge if the ship is full to the brim, a good mix of young uns and older folks and some kids as well.

 

Smoking area in Horizons has not been closed out with a door, and I don’t know if the chairs have always been upholstered with non furry material like they are on Marina, but that’s one difference. 

 

Our CD is the guys who wears the wacky shoes, which I was pleased about as I heard he is good. 

 

Not spoken to any first timers yet, everyone is a repeater and excited to be aboard. 

 

My agenda today is breakfast, a swim, poker this afternoon, go to the book signing by Mr Pepin, and a good relax.

 

I feel like I am home, and Marital Unit who is a professional grump is chilled and relaxed and is happy so its a good thing. 

 

More later. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Robjame]

Baristas in the morning

- a real change from what I remember - you can get full continental breakfast selections including tomatoes, cheese, meats, toast we with pastry items - a wonderful  place if you had a few too many at Horizons the night before

[Robjame]

ToxM I hope you don’t mind me posting to your thread… I know people are eager for info and pics of the new Riviera.

 

‘’Today we will be getting things organized in our room, attend the Jacques Pepin presentations and then Odyssey menus tonight at La Reserve. Looking forward to that! I will take some food porn pictures to post.p

[Domnul Paul]

We'll be on Riviera's January 4 Enticing Caribbean sailing, following in your wake so to speak more or less -- so very appreciative of your observations as we anticipate things to come.   Anyone on board can be assured that you have readers following your posts with great interest.  Thanks and bon voyage.  

[Robjame]

11 minutes ago, Domnul Paul said:

following in your wake so to speak more or less --

We will stay on with you just to make sure you learn the ropes! Actually we will be on Riviera until January 31.

About 10 of us met in Horizons at 9pm last night just to say hello. The same deal will be on January 4. No formal program but a chance to meet new friends.

[ToxM]

2 hours ago, Robjame said:

ToxM I hope you don’t mind me posting to your thread… I know people are eager for info and pics of the new Riviera.

 

‘’Today we will be getting things organized in our room, attend the Jacques Pepin presentations and then Odyssey menus tonight at La Reserve. Looking forward to that! I will take some food porn pictures to post.p

Not a prob, your pics were great. Not had any problems with net yet. 
 

looking forward to see Mr Pepin. 

[bradpole]

16 hours ago, Robjame said:

waves and for ice cream —— no ice cream at terrace buffet.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the updates and wonderful pictures!

Do you know how they're handling ice cream at dinner time?  Is the new ice cream location open outside in the evenings instead of serving it inside like they have always done?

[Jancruz]

2 hours ago, Robjame said:

We will stay on with you just to make sure you learn the ropes! Actually we will be on Riviera until January 31.

About 10 of us met in Horizons at 9pm last night just to say hello. The same deal will be on January 4. No formal program but a chance to meet new friends.

My daughter will be on RVA January 14 for 10 days with group..ask any officer for Marcy Jones and please introduce yourself

Jancruz1

[jonthomas]

2 hours ago, Robjame said:

We will stay on with you just to make sure you learn the ropes! Actually we will be on Riviera until January 31.

About 10 of us met in Horizons at 9pm last night just to say hello. The same deal will be on January 4. No formal program but a chance to meet new friends.

 

 

looking forward to meeting you...we will be on Jan 4, leaving on the 3rd...Pearson is a mess....as per usual....they will say it is weather related for the next 3 months...then it will be some other excuse...bottom line, they have NO workforce....

[schmerl]

Thanks to all who have been posting. We will board Riviera March 2 and I love hearing about the ship.

Edited December 24, 2022 by schmerl

[jonthomas]

I will post when we get back on Jan 14th....

[Domnul Paul]

4 hours ago, Robjame said:

We will stay on with you just to make sure you learn the ropes! Actually we will be on Riviera until January 31.

About 10 of us met in Horizons at 9pm last night just to say hello. The same deal will be on January 4. No formal program but a chance to meet new friends.

Thanks, we look forward to seeing you on the 4th.  I notice that you have headed southward from Miami and are now sailing east-southeast along the north coast of Cuba.  Hopefully you are enjoying some pleasant weather.  Are both engines are fully functioning?   

[Jancruz]

35 minutes ago, Domnul Paul said:

 Are both engines are fully functioning?   

Yes everyone is rowing as fast as they can..

Jancruz1

[Domnul Paul]

1 hour ago, Jancruz said:

Yes everyone is rowing as fast as they can..

Jancruz1

Good job, rowers!  I hear they keep you well fed.  

[Jancruz]

1 hour ago, Domnul Paul said:

Good job, rowers!  I hear they keep you well fed.  

LOL

Jancruz1

[CurlerRob]

8 hours ago, Jancruz said:

Yes everyone is rowing as fast as they can..

Jancruz1

 

... and the floggings will continue until morale improves! 🍺🥌

[Domnul Paul]

Will be looking for evidence of floggings/morale/fitness when we embark next year/next week.  I'm guessing/hoping the rowing stuff is voluntary but good luck to all the volunteers/otherwise indentured.  Sounds like you are preparing the way for the January 4 sailing.  Thank you!  

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

2 minutes ago, Domnul Paul said:

I'm guessing/hoping the rowing stuff is voluntary

What did you think those round windows were for on the lowest deck cabins?  They are oarlocks!  🤣

[shepherd really]

8 hours ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

What did you think those round windows were for on the lowest deck cabins?  They are oarlocks!  🤣

I have a cabin one deck up from the rowers, will threshing oar noise be a problem?

 

On we sweep with threshing oar
Our only goal will be the western shore

Ah-ah, ah!
Ah-ah, ah!

[ToxM]

Finally made it to afternoon tea. Servers with serving trays and also the trolley. Scones served on request. 
 

Ask for fresh hot water from the urn as it will brew your tea the proper way. 
 

surprised this hasn’t occurred to me earlier. 
 

BVI Tortola was pretty much closed today aa it is Boxing Day, but a beautiful place. Rained a lot but I was in the pool at Rhine and I am British so was unaffected 😉

 

chopped first place on both poker tournaments 900 up from that. 
 

life is good, crew very good 

[Robjame]

Sorry have not been on for various reasons:

The Good The bad and the smelly 

- the first day line 2 (euphemism for sewer) was plugged and flooded our washroom with effluent (euphemism for *****) - others not ours. Crew was very good at low-keying it, two disinfectant washes but every once in awhile there is a lingering whiff to remind us.

- wifi is as poor as you have heard - no biggie for us

- what was a tickle in my throat developed into bronchitis leaving me exhausted and hacking. Others made sign of the cross as they passed us. Wonderful Odyssey menu was a waste as i left most of the wines.

- went down to Medical centre and not just for research purposes, They are wonderful. After signing a myriad of papers promising our house, our first born and our horse they were thorough. X-ray, ECG, blood tests, urine sample, and 3 degrees of Covid testing they determined negative to Covid, but I have , respiratory infection, and placed intravenous antibiotics,  plus various pills and elixirs. Feeling better 12 hours later. Hacking almost gone. Very kind and thorough staff. We were warned cost could be $500 to $20000.

‘Kicker is our insurance company insists requires notification before treatment - after 90 minutes on hold I hung up.

- St Barts today -swells so high that could not tender. Typical French - keep all the good stuff to themselves. Captains solution ….we will have a sea day. Ummmm - OK .

sorry if this is self indulgent but maybe some interest in these things.

Having a wonderful time relaxing on our balcony with wonderful room service.

‘Wish you were here.

[Robjame]

[DENIE]

Robjame...so sorry to hear this. Hope it clears soon. 

 

Love the photos!