Oceania riviera welcome aboard evening

Hi everyone,

We have booked a cruise on Riviera for the 31st August, first time that we will be on Oceania, although have tried many other lines.

I now need to book the speciality restaurants but as we normally dine early I would prefer the dates not to clash with the captains welcome aboard evening. Could you please advise which evening of the cruise this is likely to be?

Also, we will be arriving in Venice at 17.05 on the 31st August, could anyone suggest an easy way to get to the ship that is not too costly, and do Oceania always use the same berth in Venice and if so, where is it?

Thanks for reading this and any information will be much appreciated.

Janet

Hi Janet

Riviera is most likey to berth at the main Venice passenger cruise terminal. Oceania will confirm exactly where by email three weeks before your cruise.

The cheapest way to get to the ship depends on where you arrive. I'll assume Marco Polo airport in which case you can take a bus from the airport to Piazzale Roma. The bus is a coach with room underneath for luggage and the cost 2 years ago was €6 per person for a single trip. You may need to buy your ticket before you board and it may have gone up a little bit. When you get off the coach you can get a monorail to the cruise terminal. The terminus is in the same square as the bus stop. Two years ago it cost a little over a Euro. Google is your friend for checking these costs on line. Once off the shuttle and depending exactly where Riviera is berthed within the terminal you could have quite a walk to get on board - not miles but the weather can be hot. Some ships are nearer the monorail than others.

Journey time depends on traffic but the bus took about 20 minutes last time we used it and the monorail is only a few minutes. Rush hour could take longer. You can find the bus timetable on line.

If that is too much hassle there are taxis and car services. Once again prices are available online. You can also travel by boat, again look online for details.

We've disembarked in Venice twice, once from Regatta and once from Riviera. The first time we had a limousine service, booked by the travel agent for which I suspect we paid an arm and a leg. The second time we used the bus and I'd use it again.

I think the welcome aboard party is usually on the second night as the first night has muster drill. If you're staying in Venice overnight both these events might be a day later but I don't know for sure.

Hope this helps,

Sella

Thanks very much Sella for your helpful and prompt reply. Much appreciated.

Sella Vee pretty much covered it. I've taken the bus, then the people mover, then walked to the ship. I've also taken a car right from the airport to the ship. Either way works but a car service or taxi is easiest, and they'll take you right to the ship. Our cost with a car service was 39 euro, I'm assuming a cab would be somewhere from 20 to 30 euro.

If you have plenty of time, and want to save money, and are fit enough to handle your luggage on the People Mover, and walk a 1/2 mile or more the bus is an adventure, otherwise take a cab or a car service.

The dining venues do not open until 6:30pm for dinner & the Captains Party usually starts at 5:30 or 6pm so time for some drinks & hors d'oeuvres

The Captain's Party is a little different from most other cruise lines. Most of the bars are open for cocktails rather than having servers offering 2-3 drinks from a tray.

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I thought the Captains party was towards the end of the cruise . Are there 2 of them ?

The Captain's Party is a little different from most other cruise lines. Most of the bars are open for cocktails rather than having servers offering 2-3 drinks from a tray.

 

 

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They do walk around with trays with pre poured wine, some champagne, a couple of fruity mixed drinks etc., BUT you don't have to take these, you can place an order with the person walking around with the tray, or you can order at the bar.The participating bars are usually Horizons, Martini bar and I think the Casino bar.

Since you don't get in till 17:05, 5:05pm for non military and those of us in the US, I'm assuming the ship doesn't leave until the second day. More than likely your Welcome Aboard party will be on the third day. But I could be wrong about that.

I was in the same exact situation a couple of years ago on Riviera, my wife just checked her notes and the Welcome Party was on day three, our port stop was Zadar.

If you have time the second day do some exploring around Venice, it's an experience. Enjoy your cruise.

I thought the Captains party was towards the end of the cruise . Are there 2 of them ?

maybe you are thinking of the past guest party which is later in the cruise

You are right.

Hi Janet,

We'll have to ‘abandon’ the Riviera on August 31, so we’ll make room for you :).

Last year we departed from Venice and we used the people mover (monorail). It is easy but the ship was not that close to the people mover stop, and we still had to walk a bit at noon while there was a heatwave: this was not so pleasant. Apparently there is a shuttlebus but we did not see it. So look out for this bus if the ship is far from the port entrance.

The Captain's Party was on the third evening.

Thank you all for the helpful replies. It is so kind of you to take the time,

I might be cheeky and ask further questions in the next few weeks as we are really excited about this cruise,it being a step up from our previous experiences on Cunard, Holland America etc. I am particularly looking forward to the dining as the menus online look fabulous. Are there any particular stand out dishes that we should try?

Janet

Hi Janet,

Ask away and consider saying hello on the roll call for this cruise.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2307744

Maybe see you on board :)

Thank you all for the helpful replies. It is so kind of you to take the time,

 

I might be cheeky and ask further questions in the next few weeks as we are really excited about this cruise,it being a step up from our previous experiences on Cunard, Holland America etc. I am particularly looking forward to the dining as the menus online look fabulous. Are there any particular stand out dishes that we should try?

 

 

 

Janet

If you like fish, be sure to try the Miso Sea Bass in Red Ginger and also the Duck and Watermelon Salad. The escargot in Jacques is the best I have ever eaten anywhere! S many wonderful dishes!

Enjoy your cruise!

Billie

So are the drinks complimentary at the Captain's Party?

Thank you all for the helpful replies. It is so kind of you to take the time,

 

I might be cheeky and ask further questions in the next few weeks as we are really excited about this cruise,it being a step up from our previous experiences on Cunard, Holland America etc. I am particularly looking forward to the dining as the menus online look fabulous. Are there any particular stand out dishes that we should try?

 

 

 

Janet

You mentioned that you still need to make specialty reservations for an 8/31 cruise. By now, all the best 2 person table times will be long gone.

So are the drinks complimentary at the Captain's Party?

Yes, "most" basics are no charge....But most likely there is a charge for the "top shelf" items. Usually all bars/lounges participate- the Captain and officers meet and greet passengers in Horizons. Times have been from 6-8PM, second night of the cruise (would expect that to be on leaving Palma on your and our next cruise- departure is 5PM for that port).

You mentioned that you still need to make specialty reservations for an 8/31 cruise. By now, all the best 2 person table times will be long gone.

That post was a month ago. Happens to me all the time.

So are the drinks complimentary at the Captain's Party?

But they are none to strong.... usually the second day of the cruise and the last. They are very informal in that many dont attend the going on in theater and head to the bars.... O ships you will find are very low key and not given to the dress up traditions... Pleasant casual, And I havent been to greet the captain in many a cruise and neither of us has been at a loss. at missing each other.

Thank you all for the helpful replies. It is so kind of you to take the time,

I might be cheeky and ask further questions in the next few weeks as we are really excited about this cruise,it being a step up from our previous experiences on Cunard, Holland America etc. I am particularly looking forward to the dining as the menus online look fabulous. Are there any particular stand out dishes that we should try?

 

Janet

You should try things that excite you and whether in the Terrace cafe, The Waves Grill, ( having a Lobster and Filet sanwitch) ot Polo, Or Jaques, Or Toscana... You know your tastes and go with your intuition.

Food is very subjective... what I like may not be what you like.... For example someone suggested the miso-fish which I found to be totally awful.. So there..... Go be adventuresome.... have fun and explore your tastebuds...

Hi everyone,

We have booked a cruise on Riviera for the 31st August, first time that we will be on Oceania, although have tried many other lines.

I now need to book the speciality restaurants but as we normally dine early I would prefer the dates not to clash with the captains welcome aboard evening. Could you please advise which evening of the cruise this is likely to be?

Also, we will be arriving in Venice at 17.05 on the 31st August, could anyone suggest an easy way to get to the ship that is not too costly, and do Oceania always use the same berth in Venice and if so, where is it?

Thanks for reading this and any information will be much appreciated.

Janet

Done it Janet, both ways... Flying into Venice and Taking the train from Milan.

I was surprised that the train from Milan was way better than all the jumble at tiny Venice airport.

Here is what I found worked best

Take the train from Milan, but get off at the stop just before the main Venice train station...

You zip off and and in less than 10 min you and your cab are at the ship... its a straight shot from the train station, no transfer its how the trucks get inot Venice, From the airport it is buses or water taxi, stairs, lots of walking, just so smooth and way faster this way.

Our favorite meal choices, which of course is entirely subjective!

GDR Breakfast: lamb chops, eggs benedict. On Marina and Regatta my omelets have always been perfect, but on Nautica this summer (June/July) they were overdone to my taste. Specify if you want them softer rather than drier. The salmon is also excellent.

Polo: My favorite is the prime rib. The steaks are excellent. Also enjoyed the pork alberico. My favorite appetizer is the shrimp cocktail.

Toscana: Not our favorite venue but the veal chop has been excellent. Portions tend to be large!

Jacques: Our personal favorite. Love the lamb and beef main courses. Wish they still had the mussels as an appetizer.

Red Ginger: NOT our favorite (I gather that at least from CC members we are in the minority here). Personally cannot recommend anything since we like our food spicier. We did have a wonderful dinner when our TA invited 8 of us to dinner and pre-ordered the menu. That was a highlight.

Terrace: it depends on the night. We like the pasta made to order as well as the grilled meats. It's hard to go wrong and doesn't take as long to have your meal. If you like to eat al fresco, the terrace is there!

Waves: Love the burgers but on our last cruise this summer we finally tried the surf&turf. Fabulous. And if you only want the lobster, just ask for a surf&surf.

Mura

Wife and I did the Rivera Venice to Istanbul 3 years ago... Loved the lunch buffet... particularly the grill... BTW this is video I took during that cruise...

We are also going on the same cruise as you but our travel agent included taxi transfer from Marco Polo airport to the cruise terminal. We understand you can also take a bus or the water bus, the latter could be quite fun.

We have been on the Riviera before, and if we remembered correctly, the Captain's party was not one of the "strong points" for the Riviera - or Oceania cruises for that matter. On our last cruise on Riviera, we seem to remember that the Captain spent quite a short time at the party. We also did not think the event was all that enjoyable. It looks like we will be giving the Captain's party a miss this time.

Oceania's senior officers and management staff are not known to "mingle" that frequently with passengers as say, on Azamara cruises, but we know what we to expect on Oceania - the cruise company have many strong points which attract us although senior staff friendliness is not one of them (their waiters, cabin stewards, are all usually very nice, and they work very hard). Also, some might find that Oceania can be a bit inflexible as far as rules are concerned. Just expect that and you'll be fine.

One thing that you could look forward to, and that's one of their greatest strong points, is that's their meals on board are of very good standard. Don't miss their high-tea , where you'd be served some of the best pastries and tea sandwiches on the High Seas! We also loved the food in the buffet restaurant (Terrace?) although some passengers were not too keen on their making it obligatory for staff to serve passengers rather than serving themselves. As for speciality restaurants, the experience for us, was variable in both quality of cooking and waiter service. So, even if you could not get a booking in all the Specialty restaurants, the quality of cooking in the main dining room is so good you would not feel you would have missed much. And one thing's for sure, you will NEVER go hungry on this cruise - on the other hand, you mind find you have eaten too much! But then,who's complaining? Have a nice cruise!

We have been on the Riviera before, and if we remembered correctly, the Captain's party was not one of the "strong points" for the Riviera - or Oceania cruises for that matter. On our last cruise on Riviera, we seem to remember that the Captain spent quite a short time at the party.

Do not forget on the larger O ships the Captain & officers move around to the other venues during the party ..not everyone just goes to the lounge

On the R class ships he seems to stay on the lounge area