ShipShapely

You are not confused - I was - my mistake - tortola is in BVI.... that is where virgin gorda is - has nothing at all to do with St. John's which is part of the U. S Virgin Islands. So sorry. 

yes blue water. Tortola St Johns BVI 

thx. sorry. no idea how it ended up here. of course Tortola in St John's. 

 I posted this as a reply to our roll call. 

Hi  "Kitty" - I spoke to my travel agent about some of these issues and he said it was important to write to GuestRelations. It would really help - you are giving really good detailed constructive criticism and they need to hear it. Here is the email address guestrelationsoci@oceaniacruises.com

I encourage everyone else with simlar commentary to do likewise. 

4 minutes ago, ToxM said:

It did appear to be a pot luck as to what time the DGR decided it was open for breakfast in the morning and frequently held little in common with what was printed in Currents.

I found out that it stays open a half hour later on days that are in port vs sailing....says so in the Currents....but could not keep it straight to be honest....in any event - not long enough. 

Do not agree with your assessment of Terrace Cafe   although of course cannot dispute your individual experiences. Not everything is sugar free by a longshot. I cannot handle lactose and was appreciative of the plant based ice cream. There are loads of fully loaded sugary stuff. I like all of that too. Almost everything we had in terrace cafe was as good as ever. If you had problem with the staff should have asked for the manager. The food is lovely and well presented. Did not eat at Terrace at all for dinner this cruise. I do not like getting up and down at dinner - I have to do that at home. 

The real issue I think is that the dining hours are too narrow. At breakfast the GDR only open 8-9 most days which is ridiculously early and brief. There is no lunch being served at all in GDR!! 12-2 is way too short for lunch on terrace... especially for ppl getting  back from excursions. 

The result is extra stress and pressure being put on the staff preparing all those custom breakfast and lunch orders that you had trouble with. 

yes WAS A BIG disorganized mess... we were rushed to be called half hour early - could not finish breakfast... only to sit in the airport all day... no need for that. 

ppl do not heed instruction to put nothing but toilet paper in the toilets. they cause problems for everyone else. 

Loved the Odyssey dinner and thanks to Bob for organizing! Spectacular food and wines! Gorgeous glassware too. Wonderful time was had by all with fellow cruisers. We thought it was a great value. 

On 1/1/2023 at 3:45 PM, Evolus said:

Hi  What beautiful pictures.  As mentioned we will be on the Riviera for 3 months starting 3-22.  If possible can you post pictures of the plugs by the bed and also on the desk area?  I would love to be able to cut down on all the electronics we bring.  Many Thanks.

On 1/1/2023 at 8:32 PM, Evolus said:

Wow!!  Great pictures.  Thank you very much. Since I am graphically challenged, LOL, could you identity which ones are the bedside or desk..?  Im thinking the first two are the bed stands and the other two are on the desk. I must have 10 lbs of electrical stuff I have gathered over the years of travel and will now need very little of it.  Happy New Year and again, thanks for taking the time to do this.

I love the pizza in Terrace cafe but agree it is like feeding time at the zoo there when everyone comes back from tours at same time. 

We found that the blurbs in the excursion writeup you were given in the "blue book" mailed to you  before the cruise are updated with IMPT info .....that info is not in the descriptions online you used when you booked. 

Things you really need and want to know!!! 

Yup. learned my lesson. 

re baths at virgin gorda: as i said, not easily accessible at all. the "baths" refer to batholiths (large rock/boulders). very steep, slippery, scary and dangerous imo. a few ppl wanted to turn back but could not. guide was AWOL and useless. should be rated a three plus for most difficult and strenuous. Oceania rated it a two. In the cave section,  path not clear and often two ways to go. If you have any ankle or foot fragility or balance issues do not attempt. also wear water shoes as you have to walk thru about ten inches water in spots. inadequate info was given. 

Oceania rates excursions based on degree of difficulty with three being most strenuous. This tour was rated two but should've been three plus. "Hike" imo was scary and dangerous. Guide did not accompany. Very steep, slippery large rocks, tight spaces, in some places no direction as to which way to go in caves. If you go, be very lithe and limber. Wear water shoes as you need to walk through water. No flip flops. Inaccurate description given. Pictures shown are after scary parts  

new stateroom photo. 

Hello all. Thx to Rob Jame for setting up meet and greet first night 12/23. The La reserve dinner with you all was fabulous but they pour too much and I drank too much. This on top of the immed previous captn gala with free cocktails. Huge headache following day. 

We had that same cabin as you on first Riviera cruise we took to Greece and Israel. Learned of extended balcony and chaises on this site. That was 2017. 

The ship remodel is fab. There is a detailed video of it on your stateroom.  

Caveat on excursion. Tortola Virgin Gorda trip shud be upgraded to highest fifficulty level. not a "two". Very scary steep slippery climb in and out of tight spaces. Nothing to hold into. Large slippery rocks. Your guide useless.  

Wacky Rollers tour in Roseau was very easy and beautiful also  

We agree.... we often will go up to Horizons lounge at 10 after the show.... on our last cruise in March on Marina....they had an awesome cover band.... was a lot of fun  (they could play lots of our favorites and do it so well - great singer also) ....Unfortunatley,  not a lot of people come up...it is kind of an older crowd. One exception was the XMAS New Year's cruise - every night was a party night and lots of fun. 

Things start early in the day on board so some ppl may be tired later in the evenings.... We are not morning ppl tho.  ;)

Thank you all. DH decided to go with the company called Inspire recommended by Oceania in the email they had sent. It is an at home antigen test. They will mail out the tests to us and then they observe you (probably via zoom or similar), get the results in ten or fifteen minutes snd communicate them directly to Oceania. Serms the least hassle and I think was forty dollars.  You schedule an appointment time on their website. 

We are due to sail March 6th...out of Miami...just curious about what others are doing. We live in Philly. For all the experienced (recent) on here what do you suggest is best way to satisfy negative PCR or antigen test?  We need to get test done two days before cruise as we are flying down to Florida the very next day (day before cruise).  We read the suggestions on the Oceania email but would appreciate your input. 

Hi Hoya, I believe we will be on the same cruise on Riviera! Will look forward to meeting up! I also agree that velvet is for cold northern climates and not Caribbean but hey, we are not fashion police, so by all means everyone should suit themselves.  I also think that even if you are on a ship where “country club casual” is the standard, that NYE and holiday season are special and dressier clothes are called for.  If you don’t dress up then, then when? 

5 minutes ago, Langley Cruisers said:

 

That sounds lovely, and also don't forget that you can jazz up an outfit with some sparkly jewelry! Do you have some pretty drop earrings, sparkly bracelets, and cocktail rings (even costume is fine!)? How about a long necklace that catches the light and twinkles for the occasion?

 

I know you'll figure it out. 😊 Enjoy your special cruise.

Well thank you Langley!! Yes, I will be bringing some bling! Hah. Thanks so much for your post. 

thank you. this has been helpful. Im planning on packing dressy black skirt and several dressy tops to mix like black crepe, silky red plus a sparkly wrap or two. I always bring several pashminas and thin cardigan. It is freezing in dining rooms as stated. Also have slacks to go with the tops. Daytime just a couple of capris pants and tops. One long tropical type dress. I hope to spend a lot of daytime in beach and pool attire! 

1 hour ago, gotta cruise again said:

We often sail to the Caribbean in December, either just the week before Christmas or for a New Year’s cruise. To me, these seem to be dressier cruises due to the holidays but even if others aren’t so dressy, DH and I do like to dress up on formal nights. 
 

This NYE cruise, I plan on wearing velvet narrow slacks with dressy top on one of the formal nights (though I’ve worn the pants on multiple formal nights with just a different top). Then on the other evenings, I’ll still wear the velvet pants with more casual tops (makes packing easy!); the casual tops can be worn again later in the week during the day with shorts. I also have a dressy jump suit and I’m taking it this year for NYE but it will only be worn once. All are machine washable too!

 

I’ve also worn sparkly sweaters in the Caribbean as it can get quite cool inside so I think your winter white will be just perfect.

 

I do bring another pair of slacks for non-formal evenings in the event we choose to skip the main dining room, which I’ll wear with one of the casual tops.

 

Hope this helps!!

Thanks so much for taking the time to write that! Much appreciate and was helpful. I am also wondering about colors - Do you pack bright and light colored summer things ... for example, would you wear a summer sundress or white slacks etc or are you sticking to black for evening - or bringing some of both?... Any other time of year and I wouldn't even have a question. Thanks again. 

Have not been on a cruise to Caribbean before although have gone to Aruba during holidays several times.  What do I pack esp for evening? 14 days over Xmas and new year leaving from Miami to various southern Caribbean ports and key west. I went shopping and everything being sold now of course is lots of black, red, sparkles, gold, winter white etc. Should I bring summer colors and styles? Will it be warm and summery? Especially want to know what to wear evenings.  Only bring summer clothes or some of the lighter weight typical Xmas holiday type stuff? Can’t pack everything.  Bought a nice winter white outfit with sweater top.  Is this going to be ridiculous in that climate and look silly? Thanks all.  

I have learned a lot from some of these posts. Thats the point of a message board. Its not to pre-empt medical advice, certainly. To the person who wanted to know why I posted  this question at all.... that's why. 

2 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

My advice would be to talk with your physician, who would best know your medical history and any potential risks you would face, and follow their guidance.

 

Our suggestions or experience really would have no bearing on you individually, and as you seem to be concerned about this, your doctor would know best how to advise you.

FLY EAGLES FLY! ( also from Philly) We are both going to get the HepA vaccines. Thanks for all the input from everyone here.