Riviera: Recent String of Lousy Cruise Critic Reviews

The most recent batch of cruisers' reviews of the Riviera is concerning: criticisms address cleanliness, food quality, service, etc. Three of the last four reviewers gave the ship the lowest ranking possible (one bubble). On the verge of reserving a cruise on the Riviera, I was really taken aback by the comments. Any better experiences to report of late?

OP - Well same as Regatta. Reviews not consistently excellent as we would expect for Oceania and the price paid. We board Regatta Oct 8.

Had an excellent cruise on Marina Sept 2017. This will be our 2nd Oceania - but on an R ship this time.

I expect top quality no matter what Oceania vessel I sail on - the Oceania advertising does not adjust the on board experience depending upon the ship. Whether a O or R ship, I expect the same high quality food and service and entertainment and on board experience. Oceania had better deliver.

The CC reviews do not leave me hopeful, even before I sail. A disappointment for sure OP to be worried before boarding.

But, let us go and enjoy. Make your next cruise purchase decision based on what was delivered to you. I have no problem firing any service provider and I am not in any way loyal to any brand or service provider.

Lets see what Oceania provides to 2 newish Oceania customers.

In May we sailed on the Riviera from Rome to Venice. Our cruise was wonderful From the food to the excursions. This was our 7th Oceania cruise. Be careful making opinions based on this forum, I think some of the comments are not truthful. Please try Oceania, you will not be disappointed!

The most recent batch of cruisers' reviews of the Riviera is concerning: criticisms address cleanliness, food quality, service, etc. Three of the last four reviewers gave the ship the lowest ranking possible (one bubble). On the verge of reserving a cruise on the Riviera, I was really taken aback by the comments. Any better experiences to report of late?

some reviews you need to take with a salt shaker

I particularly like the one where they complain the cruise is abused by management

Only 1 bar of soap per day :eek: makes one wonder how many bars they need in a day

Just go with an open mind & decide for yourself

And if someone wanted an extra bar of soap, they would surely get it if they asked for it.

I believe that we were on the same cruise as Jeanine on Riviera in May (although we started out at Monte Carlo). We did encounter some glitches that we weren't used to, but they were quickly corrected. Food was excellent, service was great.

I have learned to pretty much ignore reviews ... especially the negative ones! But I also question someone who says that everything was absolutely perfect.

No, we didn't like the new "improved" GDR menus ... but we found plenty to eat. And if we didn't, we went elsewhere.

We aren't planning on leaving O ...

Mura

Just go with an open mind & decide for yourself

+1+1

My favorite was the Review where people were shocked, shocked I tell you, that ships occasionally creak.

Some people need a good.......

+1+1

My favorite was the Review where people were shocked, shocked I tell you, that ships occasionally creak.

Some people need a good.......

Spot on - great clip :D

There are plenty of favorable reports from recent cruisers right here on these boards - not all comments are made in reviews.

People usually are far more likely to complain than compliment in the reviews.

Nothing like deciding for yourself. What these reviewers hated you just might love (and v.v.)

Having just returned from my Rome to Monte cruise. I have submitted my Review of it and am awaiting it being published. When submitting it I saw the last two reviews, read them and couldn't believe it was the same ship.

We were very happy with Riviera, it was in excellent condition, our veranda stateroom was fine, all the staff I was in contact with seemed happy and were keen to help. We don't do the shows, so the entertainment is not that important, we prefer to socialise elsewhere on the ship. It is a quieter ship than others from the volume lines and the entertainment team are not "in your face", where there has to be some raucous event happening throughout the day. I would call it a refined and relaxing atmosphere, which is what I want on a holiday.

Our cruise was not perfect, but it was very close to it, and I would have no hesitation in taking another cruise on Riviera

Ronbe65, that was an amazing lesson in critical thinking and reading. That's how I approach other people's reviews as well.

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Having been on Oceania 5 times now and having just cruised on Riviera I can only disagree with eh negatives. I am very choosy and fussy when it comes to most things in life and I have no complaints! The staff were as helpful, professional and charming as ever. The food excellent, gym looked ok to me and yes I did use it. Love the spa and again found the staff helpful and polite. Each to their own but we are booked on 2 more cruises with Oceania.

We recently got back from Riviera (Venice to Rome). We have cruised extensively, but this was our first Oceania cruise. We chose the cruise for the itinerary, which was unique, and worth the high price paid. That said, Riviera itself is in need of

refurbishment. Our stateroom was a good size, but maintenance had to fix several

items immediately- two drawers didn’t work and the closet door was not sliding. There was a very loud air conditioning related knocking in the ceiling, extending from the hallway that kept us and our neighbors up at night. This eventually was

adjusted to a not as loud knocking...

The service, in general, was excellent on board. The food was very good in the

Specialty restaurants, but average in the MDR. Terrace Cafe and Waves were better

Venues compared to other lines similar venues. Really very little entertainment. The ship almost always seems deserted, except at meal times. We are in our late 60’s and early 70’s and felt like we were in the younger crowd. I would guess we would not try Oceania again unless there was another unique itinerary.

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I will just add Oceania is not perfect but if you know what they offer before you book EG: low key entertainment , quiet ambiance etc

If you are the type of person that needs stimulation 24/7 then Oceania is NOT for you

We like that there is no party feeling all over the ship but that is our personal preference

Food is subjective

But do wonder when people say the food was ordinary what do they eat at home??

As for the person who could not get coffee until 6:30am ...2 words

ROOM SERVICE

Things do break down on ships they do creak, ships move in the ocean

yes the a/c in the cabins make noise ..not as bad as some hotels we have stayed in but yes noisier than our home unit

I do wonder if these people live in some perfect world that the rest of us have missed

We were on Marina in July ..was it perfect NO was it horrible NO

will we go back YES

The good things outweigh the negative things for us

For first timers to O you really need to go with an open mind & decide for yourself

nothing in life is perfect no matter what the hype tells you

More people are inclined to review when they are unhappy. Cruise critic is a very small demographic. I have had some amazing experiences with Oceania but never posted. I wouldn’t be concerned.

 

 

As for the person who could not get coffee until 6:30am ...2 words

ROOM SERVICE

 

Not fair. Sure, I could order room service when I wake up at 4:30 or 5am, but I don't want to wake my husband who is able to sleep much later than I. It's a legitimate complaint and one I've had on every line we've sailed on. (though I've certainly taken note that Viking Ocean supplies even the lowliest cabin with a pod machine)

Interesting comments, especially the analysis of the review complaints. This was my first cruise with a concierge cabin on Insignia. Going to the spa area was a weird experience. The staff seemed almost hostile. Demanded to see my card, not at all welcoming, only showed me around when I asked and even then I was not given any information about basics. Where to find the spa slippers, how to get a locker key, how to use the sauna, where to find clean towels. Just here's the door to the spa deck. They seemed very annoyed when I did ask questions about where to find things. No brochure or FAQ available on how to use the facilities. On the deck, only a couple of lounge chairs. One time, one was available that didn't have stuff on it, other times none available. I definitely got the impression that I "didn't belong" and that the staff was only interested in people who were paying extra for massages, etc. Quite probably, the problem was that there really wasn't sufficient space to accommodate paid massage and salon customers and people who only had spa access due to their cabin choice.

Mary

It's a legitimate complaint and one I've had on every line we've sailed on. (though I've certainly taken note that Viking Ocean supplies even the lowliest cabin with a pod machine)

Wouldn't that wake your DH up 5 am ?? :confused:

There are self serve machines as noted in the Terrace & Horizons

I can't prove it but several of those reviews appear to be written by the same person.

This site has people shilling for/against certain lines. Mostly for. (Check out the NCL board for instance.)

Although I admit I would be concerned about the "tuna of people" at the buffet.

I can't prove it but several of those reviews appear to be written by the same person.

This site has people shilling for/against certain lines. Mostly for. (Check out the NCL board for instance.)

 

Although I admit I would be concerned about the "tuna of people" at the buffet.

Anyone who has previously cruised mostly on Princess and thinks the food is better on Princess obviously has very different tastes from me :D

Hence, as always, to each their own.

Interesting comments, especially the analysis of the review complaints. This was my first cruise with a concierge cabin on Insignia. Going to the spa area was a weird experience. The staff seemed almost hostile. Demanded to see my card, not at all welcoming, only showed me around when I asked and even then I was not given any information about basics. Where to find the spa slippers, how to get a locker key, how to use the sauna, where to find clean towels. Just here's the door to the spa deck. They seemed very annoyed when I did ask questions about where to find things. No brochure or FAQ available on how to use the facilities. On the deck, only a couple of lounge chairs. One time, one was available that didn't have stuff on it, other times none available. I definitely got the impression that I "didn't belong" and that the staff was only interested in people who were paying extra for massages, etc. Quite probably, the problem was that there really wasn't sufficient space to accommodate paid massage and salon customers and people who only had spa access due to their cabin choice.

 

Mary

Mary, When something like that happens to me on a ship..I ask to speak to the GM and calmly tell him exactly what happened..I find the next time I go things are much better..sometimes when a crew has been on for a long time they just need reminding that everyone is important

Jancruz1

I can't prove it but several of those reviews appear to be written by the same person.

This site has people shilling for/against certain lines. Mostly for. (Check out the NCL board for instance.)

 

Although I admit I would be concerned about the "tuna of people" at the buffet.

Some cruise lines are very concerned by their perception on CC, so that it wouldn’t surprise me that a competitor’s social media group planted some of those. I note that some of these reviews are by one review, no post history individuals.

Actually, I get a better feel for a cruise line and individual ships by reading the regular boards for the cruise line.

sometimes you need to read between the lines

If a cruise line is as bad as some reviews then they would be out of business

sometimes you need to read between the lines

If a cruise line is as bad as some reviews then they would be out of business

Agree ++

I was on Nautica in late June, early July and had a wonderful cruise. I used the spa once and it was not a particularly welcoming experience. However I am not normally a spa user so that may be why.

Will I go on Oceania again? Absolutely! Just waiting to find an itinerary that fascinates me!

I did not write a review either although I did some posts from the ship.

I always read between the lines on reviews or even critical posts. Any post that is all negative or all positive, I ignore. I'm noticing the recent comments about unfriendly spa staff and we didn't notice that ... but we haven't often used the spa.

On our last two cruises we did have "freebies" which we used for pedicures, and the staff acted like we were paying ... very welcoming. (Marina in November 2017, Riviera in May 2018)

We didn't use the sauna or deck, which might be an answer.

Mura