Riviera Live — February 10th

[What A Market]

Just as I posted the last message, Steve the CD came over the speakers and reported that tendering is still not safe. He will report back later.  We don’t have an excursion planned for today and we’re in no rush to get off ship.  Our plan today was to go ashore for light shopping (light being the operative word) and then hike up and around Shell Beach. Followed by some swimming at Shell Beach.

[What A Market]

And now the Captain made his announcement — still no tendering. We’re just standing by. 
 

Back to yesterday’s excursion on Dominica. As noted earlier, we did the Waterfalls and River Tubing tour. It was well done. Three larger mini-van cabs took our group of 18 off on this tour. Each car had its own guide. Tour started with the drive up to the Trafalgar Falls. Pretty steep climb to get up to the viewing area to see the falls, but maybe only a ten to 15 minute hike (if you’re in decent shape). Spectacular view. 

[What A Market]

After the visit to the falls, it was back into the cars for a fairly long drive to the river for river tubing. A bit of hiccup here as the tubing company wasn’t prepared for our arrival. Not enough tubes, life jackets, or helmets for everyone. 
 

Anyway, this gets sorted in maybe thirty minutes of standing around waiting. Then the river tubing begins. In my teens and 20s I did a lot of river tubing at a spot just outside of the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, so tubing is something I’m comfortable with. Not so with others on the tour, but there were at least a dozen young gentlemen from the river tubing company to get everyone in the water. They also joined us all the way down the river, keeping people in the right part of the current and bumping you away from large rocks. 
 

I’m not sure this tour was everyone’s cup of tea (there were comments at the start that people didn’t think they were going to get wet!?!), but I found it fun, exhilarating at moments, and relaxing. All at the same time. 
 

No photos because you definitely didn’t want to risk a camera on this tour. When we got to end of river, we had the obligatory rum punch. This version was particularly tasty. Some of us had a couple! 

Edited February 16, 2023 by What A Market

[What A Market]

Tendering has commenced. If you have mobility issues you were advised to consider staying onboard. 

[What A Market]

Went ashore in St. Barts for some shopping (thank the gods, DW did not find anything) and some sampling of cocktails at some local establishments. I can recommend Arawak. Very fresh cocktail ingredients. Prices were not crazy. But I come from the land of Scottsdale, Arizona where cocktail prices are outrageous. 
 

Cocktail photo and my other boat when I’m not cruising Oceania. 😜

[What A Market]

Puerto Rico this morning. Arriving on time at 8:00am. A little overcast, but the forecast says very low chance of rain. 
 

No excursions planned for today. Like many of you I’m sure, we’ve been to Puerto Rico several times. Just planning on hiking around the city to some of the sites. 

[What A Market]

Here’s some photos of something I ran across in the evening that I’ve never seen before. Adjacent to Baristas (in the food/munchies area) they set up a Bubbly Bar. I did not partake, but I think it’s a cute idea.  (If my DD, Shannon, was with me then she would have been all over it!)

[loriva]

1 hour ago, What A Market said:

Here’s some photos of something I ran across in the evening that I’ve never seen before. Adjacent to Baristas (in the food/munchies area) they set up a Bubbly Bar. I did not partake, but I think it’s a cute idea.  (If my DD, Shannon, was with me then she would have been all over it!)

 

Oh, so many choices!  Will need to try that next week.

 

[Carol28]

2 hours ago, loriva said:

 

Oh, so many choices!  Will need to try that next week.

 

Is this an amenity?

[MEFIowa]

22 minutes ago, Carol28 said:

Is this an amenity?

Thinking it says $11 per glass. Though these progressive trifocals make reading the sign a bit difficult.

[LHT28]

27 minutes ago, Carol28 said:

Is this an amenity?

it is  a new bar theme  where you can make your own drink concoctions   for  a fee

maybe someone will elaborate  further

there is  a description  see #5

https://www.oceaniacruises.com/oceania-experience/post/cuisine/shaking-things-guide-our-new-mixology-cocktail-experiences-2023#blog-navigation

[Robjame]

yes $11 is correct.

‘It is not every night so keep an eye on Currents.

‘It is a selection of sparkling wines, rosé, Prosecco - not the $18 champagne although if you have the Prestige Beverage package you could upgrade, - and fruit and liquors to make your own bubbly concoction.

 

Normal nights there is a selection of wine and apperetivos plus snacks (olives, cheese foccacia, nuts).

[rbtan]

On 2/10/2023 at 9:16 AM, What A Market said:

Beautiful day on South Beach. 
Grabbing rideshare from hotel to ship. Shooting to board between 11:00 and Noon.

 

Can’t wait!

We usually like staying at the National. They've done a lot of renovations as of late The Shelborne is another nice one. The Lenox is gorgeous inside. Not quite on the beach, but a very nice place.Love the villas that overlook the pool.

[rbtan]

On 2/16/2023 at 8:45 AM, What A Market said:

And now the Captain made his announcement — still no tendering. We’re just standing by. 
 

Back to yesterday’s excursion on Dominica. As noted earlier, we did the Waterfalls and River Tubing tour. It was well done. Three larger mini-van cabs took our group of 18 off on this tour. Each car had its own guide. Tour started with the drive up to the Trafalgar Falls. Pretty steep climb to get up to the viewing area to see the falls, but maybe only a ten to 15 minute hike (if you’re in decent shape). Spectacular view. 

Nice falls. We did the Tubing & Emerald pool around Feb.6. Nice to see a lot of vegetation coming back since last there in 2019. 

[What A Market]

Scheduled dinner at Polo this evening didn’t happen. Poor DW was feeling a tad queasy from the motion of the ocean after we departed San Juan. 
 

Thought originally to take her to Terraces, but upon further consideration, I thought the GDR would be better due to being down on sixth floor. Also DW thought the roast chicken with mashed potatoes sounded good. 
 

I was sorry to miss Polo, but ended up having fantastic dinner of a seared tuna dish followed by venison medallions in an au poivre sauce. Done medium rare as requested. I was sort of blown away at the quality of this dish. 
 

The negative: never saw a wine steward. Not once. Credit our server who sensed my growing frustration and asked if I needed some wine. He rushed over to a station and grabbed two reds for me to try. My savior. 
 

I didn’t “pay” as none of the wine people (I’m lowering them from “steward” to generic “person”) still thought to wait on our table. I was sort of hoping one of these people would chase me down as we left….. But no such luck. 😈

[loriva]

Is there a card or game room on the Riviera?  Is the Board Room on deck 14 used for that purpose?  Wondering if there are any times where one can drop in for games--specifically interested in Mexican Train.

 

For anyone joining on the 20th or continuing B2B, I'm considering bringing my domino set to play Mexican Train if there is any interest.  Please let me know on our Roll Call.

 

Looking forward to our first sailing with Oceania and on the Riviera!

 

Many thanks,

 

[What A Market]

Captain came on at 8:30am to tell us that our docking and day in Puerto Plata was cancelled. The problem: high winds. Not on arrival, but the forecasted high winds at departure. I guess a ship got grounded a few years ago due to these conditions. (A gal I was having espressos with in Baristas said this was the third time in a row that she missed this port.)

 

Shortly after the announcement, there was a made rush for lounge chairs in the shade. I didn’t wait…..

 

[What A Market]

43 minutes ago, loriva said:

Is there a card or game room on the Riviera?  Is the Board Room on deck 14 used for that purpose?  Wondering if there are any times where one can drop in for games--specifically interested in Mexican Train.

 

For anyone joining on the 20th or continuing B2B, I'm considering bringing my domino set to play Mexican Train if there is any interest.  Please let me know on our Roll Call.

 

Looking forward to our first sailing with Oceania and on the Riviera!

 

Many thanks,

 

Hi loriva 

Yes, the Board Room on 14 is the card/game room. Thought I posted photo earlier, but if not, I will get a photo posted. 

[rbtan]

12 hours ago, What A Market said:

Scheduled dinner at Polo this evening didn’t happen. Poor DW was feeling a tad queasy from the motion of the ocean after we departed San Juan. 
 

Thought originally to take her to Terraces, but upon further consideration, I thought the GDR would be better due to being down on sixth floor. Also DW thought the roast chicken with mashed potatoes sounded good. 
 

I was sorry to miss Polo, but ended up having fantastic dinner of a seared tuna dish followed by venison medallions in an au poivre sauce. Done medium rare as requested. I was sort of blown away at the quality of this dish. 
 

The negative: never saw a wine steward. Not once. Credit our server who sensed my growing frustration and asked if I needed some wine. He rushed over to a station and grabbed two reds for me to try. My savior. 
 

I didn’t “pay” as none of the wine people (I’m lowering them from “steward” to generic “person”) still thought to wait on our table. I was sort of hoping one of these people would chase me down as we left….. But no such luck. 😈

"Wine People" as you call them are called Sommeliers. I'm a bit surprised you did not know this.This has never happened to us in our 4 cruises on Riviera. You can choose wine by the glass or the bottle. The Sommelier is supposed to always take your "drink" order. The waiters will take soft drink orders, but normally can't take alcohol orders.Lines such as Princess do not have Sommeliers. The waiters take the wine order. They are not good a recommending proper wines with your food. A Sommelier is a trained expert in this. Just grabbing "two reds". Is not how you choose the proper wine. I do recommend trying Le Reserve on board(it's pricey) to see what a proper wine & food tasting meal is all about. It's not just food, it's an event.

[What A Market]

13 minutes ago, rbtan said:

"Wine People" as you call them are called Sommeliers. I'm a bit surprised you did not know this.This has never happened to us in our 4 cruises on Riviera. You can choose wine by the glass or the bottle. The Sommelier is supposed to always take your "drink" order. The waiters will take soft drink orders, but normally can't take alcohol orders.Lines such as Princess do not have Sommeliers. The waiters take the wine order. They are not good a recommending proper wines with your food. A Sommelier is a trained expert in this. Just grabbing "two reds". Is not how you choose the proper wine. I do recommend trying Le Reserve on board(it's pricey) to see what a proper wine & food tasting meal is all about. It's not just food, it's an event.

I’ve passed my first levels with the Court of Master Somms. (This is not much of an accomplishment anymore.) I can tell you with absolute certainty that the people designated to pour wines in the GDR are not Somms. Not even close. 
 

And “choosing the proper wine” is a laughable proposition in the GDR, particularly if you are drinking wine by the glass. 
 

And yep, done two of La Reserve menus. Always do. Also hosted dinner in Privee with wine I brought on board. 

Edited February 18, 2023 by What A Market

[What A Market]

Here’s an odd food shortage event:

Somehow we’ve run out of jam. The chefs at Terraces said it was all used up yesterday afternoon. So that’s three upcoming mornings (including today) where no jam will be available. Pretty much 1/3 of the 10 day cruise. That seems like a weird thing for the supply chain at Oceania to miss on. (Unless there’s an upstream problem where Oceania can’t secure enough jam.)

 

Sort of an issue for DW who has to eat gluten free. If you’ve ever eaten gluten free toast, then you know from where I speak. No bueno. 

[Robjame]

17 minutes ago, What A Market said:

I can tell you with absolute certainty that the people designated to pour wines in the GDR are not Somms. Not even close. 

Absolutely agree with What A Market.
We spoke to one of the “sommeliers” on Riviera and asked her what her background was.  She said she had worked in a bar in Croatia and put that on her résumé so Oceania placed her as a sommelier.

 

As for jam, that was becoming an issue when we were on board Dec 23 - Jan 31. They stopped putting the jam racks on the table in MDR and if you asked, they would bring one small bottle to the table.

Bonne Maman (France) was the main supplier. Waiter said it was because people were taking them and Oceania couldn’t keep up with the supply.

[GregoryPaul]

1 hour ago, rbtan said:

"Wine People" as you call them are called Sommeliers. I'm a bit surprised you did not know this.This has never happened to us in our 4 cruises on Riviera. You can choose wine by the glass or the bottle. The Sommelier is supposed to always take your "drink" order. The waiters will take soft drink orders, but normally can't take alcohol orders.Lines such as Princess do not have Sommeliers. The waiters take the wine order. They are not good a recommending proper wines with your food. A Sommelier is a trained expert in this. Just grabbing "two reds". Is not how you choose the proper wine. I do recommend trying Le Reserve on board(it's pricey) to see what a proper wine & food tasting meal is all about. It's not just food, it's an event.

Do they give awards for “Most Condescending” on here?

[shepherd really]

52 minutes ago, What A Market said:

I’ve passed my first levels with the Court of Master Somms. (This is not much of an accomplishment anymore.) I can tell you with absolute certainty that the people designated to pour wines in the GDR are not Somms. Not even close. 
 

And “choosing the proper wine” is a laughable proposition in the GDR, particularly if you are drinking wine by the glass. 
 

And yep, done two of La Reserve menus. Always do. Also hosted dinner in Privee with wine I brought on board. 

Having actually earned my tastevin, it has always been a sore point that waiters have them hanging around their necks.  It's the wine equivalent of stolen valor.

[jennybenny]

24 minutes ago, Robjame said:

...

Waiter said it was because people were taking them and Oceania couldn’t keep up with the supply.

That is so weird. Why would people steal jam?! I don't want to take those things home!! I don't want the extra shampoo, lotion, body wash.... and anything really. I will enjoy what I need while on vacation, but after that, I hope to get home with luggage weighing less than when I arrived (liquids depleted). Customs usually looks at me crazy when I say I've brought nothing back... because I don't bring things back. I make memories on vacation. I don't buy or take junk.