A few more thoughts on recent Riviera Med cruise

My submitted review to cruise critic:

We chose this cruise for the itinerary, never having been on Oceania before.

A very port-heavy 12 day cruise from Barcelona to Venice with only one sea day. Embarkation was seamless and very quick. Ship overall is in very good condition and we loved the artwork scattered about. I found minimal signs of wear.

Cabin: 8071 with balcony. All was very good for our needs. But why is there a small shower and a bath with a shower? Only one Europe electrical socket above the desk. All other sockets I saw (and I did look) were USA style. We spent little time in the cabin.

Food: All generally very good. A couple of desserts were a bit dry. Only had two dinners in main dining room as we loved the relaxed buffet style dinner in the Terrace cafe, especially after a day touring. All specialty restaurants were great (went to Toscana twice as we wanted to have dinner with friends on last night) but actually all food was great so we probably would not have cared which restaurants we ate at. All serving staff were extremely attentive,

Entertainment started a bit flatly on the first night with a new group I think. but they improved hugely and we loved their energy. Did not see the comedians. The pianist Kyle was OK.

Did not do any of the on ship day activities as we so busy every day. We did not use any of the shore excursions the ship organised.

We had $600 on board credit - we thought we would be able to drink enough to spend this but with all the happy hour drinks, free drinks, some drinks in cabin, we really struggled and had to spend a lot in the shop on the last day :-)) Drink pours were fine for us - seemed to be very normal tots.

Overall a great cruise. Would go on Oceania again but would definitely not do such an intensive cruise - not a relaxing holiday at all...

Not to take away from this good review but I would like to comment on a couple of things in it for those considering what O Life options to chose. Our recent cruise was on the Nautica after two cruises on Marina (would be happy to do either again) and we took the excursions because we were sure we could not use $800 in OBC.

1) All but one of the 5 excursions were fine with good local guides though you can get private tours with less people for half the price. The one bad one was a sub for a tour we missed by a few minutes.

2) We still ended up with $400 OBC and had a hard time using it up what with happy hour, free drinks, etc. We had a wonderful dinner the last night in Toscana with Champagne and Wine and still had to visit the shop the last morning to spend the rest (I like the smaller more intimate size of Nautica but the shop has very little compared to Marina and probably Riviera).

3) Also, we like port intensive but this itinerary dropped the first port long before we sailed so we ended up with a sea day at the beginning and at the end. With 8 busy port days in between, 2 sea days made it seem like more a restful holiday not just a rush through many ports.

With 8 busy port days in between, 2 sea days made it seem like more a restful holiday not just a rush through many ports.

I agree, rest days are important, but is there anyone on Gods green earth who could have convinced you of that fact before you booked the Cruise?

And there is no one actually making you get off the ship all day every day. We quite often have a sea day or two on the port intensive O cruises in the Med. Or just have an hour or two amble round town to stretch your legs. It is very pleasant having the ship to yourself :-)

And there is no one actually making you get off the ship all day every day. We quite often have a sea day or two on the port intensive O cruises in the Med. Or just have an hour or two amble round town to stretch your legs. It is very pleasant having the ship to yourself :-)

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I already knew that 2 sea days is nicer than 1, especially after the Baltic cruise which could have used one more day of rest without losing a port. OTOH, I know many cruise as much for the ship as for the ports. We go for the ports and I would never miss one to sit on the ship even though it is very peaceful with most people gone (I had a bad knee this last cruise and had to return earlier than usual). It also is important to chose ships like Oceania's for whatever time you spend on board so it is as comfortable and pleasant as possible. OP if you liked the O size ship, try the smaller R size ship another time, it is much more intimate but relaxing even after a busy day of tours. The only thing missing is the other 2 specialty restaurants (I did miss Red Ginger).

We had 1 sea day on our 10 day Marina Med cruise. The cruise was after three day Athens and Delphi touring followed by 4 days in Rome. So 17 days touring with one sea day.

My position is that I can sleep here at home in my bed. I paid a lot of money to see Split, Kotor, Corfu, Satarini, etc. Would an additional sea day been nice? Absolutely, but as my old Army Ranger unit would say “Push On!”

I negotiated a nice day on the ship during our cruise, when were at Split. I caught up on my studies, had a lovely relaxing day and was ready to hit Venice with all pistons charged. It was a lovely relaxing day and as I had already been to Split slightly (deviation from landing at Dubrovnik on a land based holiday and we coached it down the coast to get to Dubrovnik - beautiful trip). I enjoyed an empty ship, a relaxing day and a chance to rest up. Marital Unit went ashore and had a lovely day walking about. I love a day on the ship when it is pretty empty - a favourite thing of mine to do :)

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So we are considering buying a wine package for our cruise next summer. But seeing the above post regarding happy hour specials and free drinks (I would never guess a cruise line would give free drinks)...makes me reconsider. Can anyone share what the usual happy hour specials/free drinks are? Thanks!

Happy hour is every evening from 5-6 and then after the show. Drinks are two for one. Also cocktail of the day is fun to try and cheap. Free drinks at least two nights

Happy Hour is from 5-6 each day ship wide, plus late night(10:30 in Horizons).

Regard menu prices at 2 for 1. Can’t be split between people, they bring 1 drink at a time.

Free drinks occur on two occasions. First is Captain’s Reception, typically 5:45-6:30 on second night of cruise. The actual reception is in Horizons, but free drinks are shipwide. Second, is the repeat customers reception for those that qualify. Typically held in Horizons.

So we are considering buying a wine package for our cruise next summer. But seeing the above post regarding happy hour specials and free drinks (I would never guess a cruise line would give free drinks)...makes me reconsider. Can anyone share what the usual happy hour specials/free drinks are? Thanks!

Happy Hour is usually 2 for 1 includes just about any wine by the glass & spirits some exceptions apply Cognac/scotch

Free drinks are during the Captains welcome party for about 2 hrs that evening

You can view some of the Oceania dailies at

http://www.1mpages.com/CruiseDailyBulletins.html

which will give you an idea

Captains party night

http://www.1mpages.com/cruise/OceaniaRegattaD02.html

I agree, rest days are important, but is there anyone on Gods green earth who could have convinced you of that fact before you booked the Cruise?

On Riviera now.(sitting in Baristas now at 7am... Who would have thunk).

Antonio just boarded yesterday. We haven't seen him since our first cruise with you guys ten years ago. Where has the time gone?

Ship is beautiful as always. Provisioned yesterday in Barcelona. I have never seen so much stuff loaded.

Thanks for your report. Glad you enjoyed the cruise.

Keith

Happy Hour is from 5-6 each day ship wide, plus late night(10:30 in Horizons).

Regard menu prices at 2 for 1. Can’t be split between people, they bring 1 drink at a time.

 

Free drinks occur on two occasions. First is Captain’s Reception, typically 5:45-6:30 on second night of cruise. The actual reception is in Horizons, but free drinks are shipwide. Second, is the repeat customers reception for those that qualify. Typically held in Horizons.

Actually not being split might be the rule but I guarantee you depending on the bartender it happens.

Also I'm sure it's just a typo since you just got off a cruise but in the past the Captain's Welcome has been from 5:45- 8:30, not 6:30

ORV;

Oops! Thanks, 8:30 pm it is!

I was also in this Riviera cruise with drkitkat. I chose this particular cruise because there was only 1 sea day. 10 ports in 7 countries over 12 days is my idea of a great vacation.

We also had a hard time using all the OBC since I never use ship excursions. My excess OBC was refundable, so on the last day I went down to reception and they handed me $375 in US cash. That is the first time that has ever happened on over 40 cruises. I was ecstatic that I didn't have to waste it on overpriced gift shop stuff I didn't need or want.

I was also in this Riviera cruise with drkitkat. I chose this particular cruise because there was only 1 sea day. 10 ports in 7 countries over 12 days is my idea of a great vacation.

 

We also had a hard time using all the OBC since I never use ship excursions. My excess OBC was refundable, so on the last day I went down to reception and they handed me $375 in US cash. That is the first time that has ever happened on over 40 cruises. I was ecstatic that I didn't have to waste it on overpriced gift shop stuff I didn't need or want.

Was your OBC part of the O life package?

I didn’t think it was refundable. :confused:

Was your OBC part of the O life package?

I didn’t think it was refundable. :confused:

No, I booked cruise only. I think the refund ablecredit came from my TA.I also had nonrefundable OBC from a Bon Appetite wine package. I wanted them to apply it to my account to cover the gratuities but they wouldn't do it. So I took the cash and put the gratuities on my credit card. This is the first time a cruise would not allow me to use OBC for paying gratuities.

No, I booked cruise only. I think the refund ablecredit came from my TA.I also had nonrefundable OBC from a Bon Appetite wine package. I wanted them to apply it to my account to cover the gratuities but they wouldn't do it. So I took the cash and put the gratuities on my credit card. This is the first time a cruise would not allow me to use OBC for paying gratuities.

That seems odd, was it earmarked for wine? If so I can understand, but otherwise OBC whether refundable or non refundable can generally be used for anything on board Oceania ships. Except for the casino.

Tell us more details on the Bon Appetite wine package.

No, I booked cruise only. I think the refund ablecredit came from my TA.I also had nonrefundable OBC from a Bon Appetite wine package. I wanted them to apply it to my account to cover the gratuities but they wouldn't do it. So I took the cash and put the gratuities on my credit card. This is the first time a cruise would not allow me to use OBC for paying gratuities.

We are going on our first Oceania cruise in December. Are you saying that on board credit from them or travel agent can not be used to pay gratuities? We have always been able to use both credits to pay gratuities on other cruise lines. I hope this is not true.

Tell us more details on the Bon Appetite wine package.

The Bon Appetite wine tasting package was from American Express I believe, a promotion from certain TA's. It was a $200 OBC plus a bottle of wine and a wine tasting. They scheduled the wine tasting for 3:30 in the afternoon the day we sailed away from Dubrovnik at 4:00. I could see on the sign up list and set up that 40 + people were going to attend. It ended up being only 8 of us. If they had done it on thee sea day there would have been better attendance. A lot of wine was wasted.

We are going on our first Oceania cruise in December. Are you saying that on board credit from them or travel agent can not be used to pay gratuities? We have always been able to use both credits to pay gratuities on other cruise lines. I hope this is not true.

I don't know about other O sailings but I was not allowed to apply refundable OBC to gratuities. As I said, I found this very odd but was glad they handed the cash. be sure and ask at reception early on in your cruise how they will handle the different kinds of OBC so you will utilize them the best way and not leave any money on the table.

We are going on our first Oceania cruise in December. Are you saying that on board credit from them or travel agent can not be used to pay gratuities? We have always been able to use both credits to pay gratuities on other cruise lines. I hope this is not true.

IME

We have been able to use OBC for gratuities before

Now we get them included so maybe things have changed but I would think if they have changed that there would be more complaining here

Usually they take anything on your account off the Non Refundable OBC then they will use any other OBC & if you still owe $ they will put it on your credit card that you used when you checked in

We have also gone to Reception on the last day & paid off anything we owe in cash

You usually get a letter in your cabin the last full day if you still have any OBC left so you can spend it that day

I rarely have left over OBC but last cruise I did have about $100 so spent it that night :halo:

I think the TA that gave the Bon Appite pkg with $200 OBC is separate from normal TA given OBC, as it is given by the pkg and not directly added to your account per my recollection with my parents using that pkg years ago from their TA and wound up with the same situation. Pls check with the TA who gave it, as it does state * Certain restrictions apply* on the pkg OBC listed by the TA in question.