Please join us - Spain to the New World on a new ship - LIVE from Oceania Riviera

[kjw869]

Jacqui, thanks so much for taking us on you and Jose's "adventure". The pictures were fabulous.

 

And as others have pointed out, Jacqui has been objective and has been critical of some HAL aspects in the past.

 

I know they were both excited in trying the O, or they wouldn't have paid for a luxury cruise product.

 

I wish you both a smooth embarkation and a safe trip home. :) I thought of Jose when I picked up some ghost peppers last week! :eek:

[sail7seas]

I think we all would find some things we don't care for on all cruise lines and "O" is no exception.

 

Having a Noro outbreak and all that involves including making it 7 straight days at sea is a real downer. I know all the make lemonade folks will jump in about when given lemons but anyone who is honest will acknowledge for many of us 7 straight sea days are too many. I would have gone crazy with that many. AND the fact two days in Bermuda were cancelled. Had it been two days in a much less attractive port, it may have been less disappointing.

 

I think it unfair to say OP exhibited a bias. Of course, she was displeased with some things. Most of us would be.

At the least, it would be fine to thank Kazu for the time, effort and internet minutes she spent for our benefit. She posted some fabulous photos, showed us lots of the ship (enough that I know I have no desire to sail her) and some appreciation of that generosity should be acknowledged, IMO

 

I've been on once with Code Red, as HAL calls it, and I couldn't wait for it to end.

Edited December 1, 2015 by sail7seas

[kazu]

I saw a thread on the main board on washers and dryers. I realized I didn't post anything about them so I thought I should in case it is of help to anyone.

 

There is a laundry room on just about every floor of the Riviera so they are easy to access or check to see if they are busy.

 

There are three washers and dryers in each room - quite modern.

 

Laundry is $2 for the washer and $2 for the dryer. You can get tokens at the front desk or use the machine in the laundry room to get them if you have $1 bills.

 

I can't give you a pic as I didn't think to take one early on and they are closed now, but there is more than adequate room and laundry baskets (which is a nice touch).

 

I found the washers and dryers quite efficient. I had quite a bit to do after our land travel and got it all done quite quickly. Washers take about 25 minutes depending on the cycle and dryers last around 40 minutes. All my loads only had to have one drying and in fact, I had time left on a couple of machines!

 

All the machines were worked well and were in good working order. Soap is provided. Just bring some downy (or whatever softener) sheets with you for the dryer (a tip I learned on the O boards) and all is good.

 

 

Last load of laundry is at 9:00 p.m. understandably for those that have rooms nearby.

 

Laundry was pretty painless to do ;)

Edited December 1, 2015 by kazu

[sapper1]

Trying to read this s entire thread objectively, from the get go, I never felt that O stood a chance with the OP.

 

It felt like a "glass half empty" attitude to me. I may of course be wrong, but I detected a lot of glee over detecting flaws in O, and little joy over what was done right. Again, this s is just how I heard things. It may nhave t have been the OP's intention at all.

 

I wish the OP all the best in the future on HAL and the other, more perfect lines. I'm am very, very aware of imperfections on O, so I didn't learn anything new here about the line. But I sure did learn about people. How we do reveal ourselves, sometimes without realizing it!

 

Safe travels home from Miami, enjoy your life elsewhere. Best wishes.

 

Donna

Jacqui is a long time respected poster on the HAL board. She reports things as she sees them on HAL cruises as well--both good and bad---and does so very objectively.

 

I have cruised with Jacqui on two lengthy cruises and have another 33 day one coming up. I also have the pleasure of knowing her in our day to day lives. The planning and research that she puts into a cruise and possible excursions is phenomenal. She was very excited about sailing on O and her glass was full to overflowing.

 

Jacqui has taken a great deal of her vacation time to do this report and to post pictures. I thank you Jacqui and I am sorry that the last part of your cruise was tainted by Noro and cancellation of Bermuda. It must be so disappointing.

[kazu]

There have been a couple of changes made on board.

 

Creamers and salt and peppers are no longer on the tables. You have to ask for them.

 

They announced in the Currents that they would not be serving any meat that was not at least medium (no rare or medium rare) and raw fish.

 

So, any red meat has to be served at least medium to well done. A lot seems to be well done.

 

The latter started the day before last I believe.

 

There are still types of sushi available in the Terrace Grill but they are either cooked or have been marinated like ceviche (which does cook it) I believe.

[Mtn2Sea]

Jacqui, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your live review! Your photos and commentary have been wonderful.

[copvet]

Thank you - Thank you - Thank you to Jacqui for the wonderful posts, updates, pictures, and recorded tours of the ship and ports. As indicated by her 32,000+ CC posts she is no rookie reporting on their extensive travels. Please know that most of us are rational thinkers and can enjoy all of the positive posts while at the same time learning from or ignoring the negative but objective ones.

We have learned a great deal from you. We will also think of you tomorrow as we board the Riveria. Will pray for your safe journey home.

 

Wayne & Debbie

Jacksonville Beach, FL

&

West Jefferson, NC

[ger_77]

this thread is the first time I have ever been called a glass half empty person.

 

If you are a glass half-empty person, it only means there's room for more wine. :D

 

Thank you for taking us along with you, for spending the time and $ to post your thoughts along with your beautiful photos (love the food porn) that took time from your cruising so we could experience the journey with you. Safe travels home.

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)

Gerry

[NMLady]

Trying to read this s entire thread objectively, from the get go, I never felt that O stood a chance with the OP.

 

It felt like a "glass half empty" attitude to me. I may of course be wrong, but I detected a lot of glee over detecting flaws in O, and little joy over what was done right. Again, this s is just how I heard things. It may nhave t have been the OP's intention at all.

 

I wish the OP all the best in the future on HAL and the other, more perfect lines. I'm am very, very aware of imperfections on O, so I didn't learn anything new here about the line. But I sure did learn about people. How we do reveal ourselves, sometimes without realizing it!

 

Safe travels home from Miami, enjoy your life elsewhere. Best wishes.

 

Donna

 

I have read this entire thread as it was posted and never once picked up what you are saying. Lots of positive posts. The only negative ones were on how O dealt with noro. So I am not understanding where you got the "glass half empty". I suggest you re- read the beginning of the thread, up until the noro problems.

[ncgolferette]

Jacqui

 

Have been reading your reports here and have really been enjoying them. Have loved all your photographs. Thinking about going back to Spain now because of them. Know your are a positive person that looks for the good into things and people. In spite of the Noro, know you love to cruise and nothing would diminish your love of the sea.

[sppunk]

As someone who knows Jacqui pretty well and talked extensively about cruising I can say without a doubt she always was going to give O its fair shake. If anything I felt she was going to downplay HAL's strengths to showcase O's supposed superiority.

 

It's amazing how a virus running rampant onboard can throw everything off and make any cruise less than what was imagined.

[LHT28]

She posted some fabulous photos, showed us lots of the ship (enough that I know I have no desire to sail her)

Care to share what photos turned you off ?

 

Not that I really care but interesting you can judge from a few photos that you would dislike the ship :rolleyes:

[Lizzie68]

I shake my head sometimes at what people choose to take from a review. For those very few here who think Jacqui is biased in favour of HAL, let me refer you to her last "Live" report from our HAL cruise, in which she was critical and angry at HAL for some issues I was dealing with. She tells it like it is, and is extremely balanced in all her reviews. Someone with a blind loyalty to a particular cruise line (or anything, come to that) is going to get very defensive over any criticism.

 

Thanks, Jacqui, for this thread and the photos. The ship looks rather nice but I must admit that those photos of the steep stairs to get back onto the ship in port, together with no drinks and cool cloths is a negative for me.

 

And finally, I burst out laughing at your comment about being called "a glass half empty" person.;)

Edited December 1, 2015 by Lizzie68

[KirkNC]

Kazu,

 

Thanks for the updates and comparisons.

 

One comment on hand sanitizer, I don't believe they are effective against Noro (other than some special very expensive brand you can get in Europe). It certainly helps against colds. This lack of effectiveness has been discussed extensively here on CC before.

[kazu]

Lokesh is our butler.

 

The other night we missed our evening at Toscana as DH was at the medical centre. Lokesh tried to get them to hold it but DH wasn't done in time. (not noro - never fear).

 

I had mentioned to Lokesh that we might do in room dining tonight so I could do Jacques.

 

As we were heading out he gave us a card and asked us if we would like to do Toscana since we missed it. He had secured the same time for us that we had originally booked. He made it clear if we preferred to do in room dining we could.

 

We happily accepted his kind offer. I guess because we missed the other one,he was able to secure it. Nice way to finish our cruise. I'm not a pasta fan but I saw lots of other stuff on the menu so we are looking forward to it.

 

Oh, also had breakfast in the dining room again and the salt and peppers are on the tables there as well as the sugar cubes. Just an FYI for people who may want to know.

 

Bags have to be out by 10 pm tonight and the final bingo game is at 5:30 so Kazu will soon have to "get with it" and get those bags done - LOL.

[kazu]

and many thanks for the kind words.

 

I'm glad the thread has been of help to some.

 

I always have enjoyed live threads and learn a lot from them (as I have from the boards) so I like to "give back".

[LHT28]

You can always get the Butler to pack while you are at dinner :D

 

good luck at Bingo

[kazu]

You can always get the Butler to pack while you are at dinner :D

 

good luck at Bingo

 

 

OMG - I couldn't dream of doing that ;)

 

I never even thought of that though to be honest.

 

LOL - I hope the poor guy doesn't have to do that for many.

[LHT28]

OMG - I couldn't dream of doing that ;)

 

I never even thought of that though to be honest.

 

LOL - I hope the poor guy doesn't have to do that for many.

If I ever have a butler packing up to go home I would get him to do it

at that point I do not care how things are packed :D

[brazilgirl]

I have really enjoyed your live report...I feel you gave a very balanced review of the ship.

I am interested in sailinh Oceania in the future. I actually had a cruise booked on the Insignia in July but switched to Crystal for scheduling reasons.

 

I would very much like to try the Sirena or her sisters.

 

I do love the artwork in the photos , lol.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Ivy Blake]

Have enjoyed catching up on this post now that have normal wifi! The virus was a bummer yes and hopefully people will be more careful.

Laundry seems to be part of our travels and have always loved having easy access to the washer/dryer, but this trip we used the laundry service and loved it! They sometimes run a special on sea days 20 items for 24.99. It was a treat to have it all done nicely folded and returned.

Thanks Jacqui!

[cbr663]

Trying to read this s entire thread objectively, from the get go, I never felt that O stood a chance with the OP.

 

It felt like a "glass half empty" attitude to me. I may of course be wrong, but I detected a lot of glee over detecting flaws in O, and little joy over what was done right. Again, this s is just how I heard things. It may nhave t have been the OP's intention at all.

 

I wish the OP all the best in the future on HAL and the other, more perfect lines. I'm am very, very aware of imperfections on O, so I didn't learn anything new here about the line. But I sure did learn about people. How we do reveal ourselves, sometimes without realizing it!

 

Safe travels home from Miami, enjoy your life elsewhere. Best wishes.

 

Donna

 

I think that you hit the nail on the head. Of course, it comes as no surprise to now see members of the HBC enter this thread as a result. :-)

[LHT28]

I think that you hit the nail on the head. Of course, it comes as no surprise to now see members of the HBC enter this thread as a result. :-)

forgive my stupidity but what is HBC ?

[Toranut97]

forgive my stupidity but what is HBC ?

 

I am guessing it is the "HAL Booster Club" or something like that. But that is just a guess.

 

Thanks, CBR663.

 

Donna

[Cruzin Terri]

It is true that some of the HAL cheerleaders have posted here, but that is to be expected.

 

I am not one of them. I call the shots as I see them and HAL has disappointed me in the past to the point that as a 4* Mariner I am walking away. My next cruise is on SeaDream followed by an Oceania Cruise in August. We will see where we go from there.

 

I do not think that those who have criticized Jacqui have given her a fair shake. I know her from the HAL board and she reports fairly on every cruise she's on. She spent a considerable time and money to post on this board and did so at great expense. She spent many hours prior to her cruise learning about Oceania so that she could have the best experience possible and I think that those of you who feel she did not give O a chance from the beginning are mistaken.

 

Jacqui was looking forward to this cruise and was quite enthusiastic about it and happy to try something different. She reported the good with the not so good. It was unfortunate that there was a noro outbreak which colored the enjoyment of the cruise.

 

I really think you need to go back and look at the posts again and put yourself in her shoes. Think of yourself on another cruise line and how you would compare it to Oceania. See if it would be any different.

 

By the way, I am really looking forward to my cruise on the Marina in August.

 

Terri