On Riviera Now ~ February 7-19

[gbits]

Paying it forward with great appreciation for those who were kind enough to post about their cruises on Riviera since January. Thanks to their reports, we were encouraged to go on ours and I am so glad we did. Embarkation today was seamless, even with the extra steps due to Covid. We opted to board later in the afternoon and there was literally no one else around in the tent, in the terminal etc. The Covid test was quick & easy and we had our results in 10 minutes and we’re on our way. Our luggage was waiting for us at our door. 
 

We had a small Meet & Greet on the Patio, Deck 14. O had chairs and tables with snacks and a waiter to get drinks from Horizons for those who wanted to partake. It was happy hour, an added bonus! Was great to meet some of the people who have been active on the roll call. Sail away was beautiful.

 

There are 591 passengers on board and 725 crew. Everyone is happy to be here, masks and all. The entertainment team is out & about and the casino is open.

Only one change to our itinerary so far, Antigua instead of Guadeloupe, which has been expected for months. Fingers crossed that is the only change as we are really looking forward to the rest of the ports. 
 

Happy to answer any questions you have. 😊

[AC2]

If able, please add photos. Am always looking forward to those. Thank you in advance.

 

DB

[espmass]

Also onboard.  Got bored waiting at the hotel for our 11:30 boarding so we went early and since very few were there we did not feel guilty getting in line.  Totally organized and we were tested, registered, and onboard at about 11:30.  Took a walk around to get an idea of where things are and had lunch at the Terrace Cafe.  Stopped by the reservation desk and inquired about an extra specialty restaurant for last night in addition to our 4 and they were more than happy to help us.  Dinner last night at Red Ginger.  It was lovely and absolutely delicious.  Had the Summer Roll, the Asian salad, and the Twice Fried Chicken.  All were delicious.  For dessert had the warm ginger cake which I loved.  My husband had calamari, duck, and ginger tapioca and loved it all.  I am a very early riser and hit the gym at 6 when it opens and the only issue I see so far is there doesn’t seem to be a place to get coffee before 6:30.  At least I haven’t found anywhere yet.  Bad enough sitting here for an hour without coffee while waiting for the gym, but working out without coffee will be really hard!  I’ll double check today.  We are long time cruisers but this is our first Oceania experience and so far we love it.

[KirkNC]

Bon voyage!  Hope everything goes well.

[sitraveler]

3 hours ago, espmass said:

Also onboard.  Got bored waiting at the hotel for our 11:30 boarding so we went early and since very few were there we did not feel guilty getting in line.  Totally organized and we were tested, registered, and onboard at about 11:30.  Took a walk around to get an idea of where things are and had lunch at the Terrace Cafe.  Stopped by the reservation desk and inquired about an extra specialty restaurant for last night in addition to our 4 and they were more than happy to help us.  Dinner last night at Red Ginger.  It was lovely and absolutely delicious.  Had the Summer Roll, the Asian salad, and the Twice Fried Chicken.  All were delicious.  For dessert had the warm ginger cake which I loved.  My husband had calamari, duck, and ginger tapioca and loved it all.  I am a very early riser and hit the gym at 6 when it opens and the only issue I see so far is there doesn’t seem to be a place to get coffee before 6:30.  At least I haven’t found anywhere yet.  Bad enough sitting here for an hour without coffee while waiting for the gym, but working out without coffee will be really hard!  I’ll double check today.  We are long time cruisers but this is our first Oceania experience and so far we love it.

24 hour coffee machine in horizons unless down for maint.

[LHT28]

4 hours ago, espmass said:

 I am a very early riser and hit the gym at 6 when it opens and the only issue I see so far is there doesn’t seem to be a place to get coffee before 6:30. 

There is usually a self serve machine in Horizons & the Terrace  or flag down  staff in the Terrace  they will  get you one

Room service if all else fails 

 

If you are  in a Concierge go to the lounge on deck 9 

[cruisingxpert]

Hi Gina- so glad you are keeping our vicarious sailing experience going. Any pictures you can share would be wonderful.  Having canceled this cruise, it will be bittersweet to follow along.

[MEFIowa]

4 hours ago, espmass said:

and the only issue I see so far is there doesn’t seem to be a place to get coffee before 6:30.  At least I haven’t found anywhere yet.  Bad enough sitting here for an hour without coffee while waiting for the gym, but working out without coffee will be really hard!

Though there are self-service coffee machines in the Concierge Lounge on Deck 9 and Executive Lounge on Deck 11 if you have the either as your room perk. And IIRC from our Dec 21 cruise on her, seemed like often the self-service machines elsewhere were dispensing at most hours, too (e.g., in the Terrace Cafe).  

[dj_crusin]

Dinner in Jacques 1st night, a good way to start a cruise!

Edited February 8, 2022 by dj_crusin

[AC2]

36 minutes ago, dj_crusin said:

Dinner in Jacques 1st night, a good way to start a cruise!

Now that's what I'm talking about

[ORV]

50 minutes ago, dj_crusin said:

Dinner in Jacques 1st night, a good way to start a cruise!

Is that my favorite dessert in Jacques,  Apple Tart?

[Cruisedreamer1]

12 hours ago, gbits said:

PerGbits:

We had a small Meet & Greet on the Patio, Deck 14. O had chairs and tables with snacks and a waiter to get drinks from Horizons for those who wanted to partake. It was happy hour, an added bonus! Was great to meet some of the people who have been active on the roll call. Sail away was beautiful.

 

 

Happy to answer any questions you have. 😊

Do you know how your meet & greet was organized? Who do we contact to get the snacks and a waiter?

[espmass]

3 hours ago, LHT28 said:

There is usually a self serve machine in Horizons & the Terrace  or flag down  staff in the Terrace  they will  get you one

Room service if all else fails 

 

If you are  in a Concierge go to the lounge on deck 9 

After the gym I did find that the executive lounge (we have a PH) was open.  I thought I had read their hours as opening at 8.  Also did find out about the coffee at Horizons.

[gbits]

12 hours ago, AC2 said:

If able, please add photos. Am always looking forward to those. Thank you in advance.

 

DB

 

[gbits]

47 minutes ago, Cruisedreamer1 said:

Do you know how your meet & greet was organized? Who do we contact to get the snacks and a waiter?

Jazz forwarded me the contact info for Giselle who set it up for me. I had to have a list to her by January 28th with names, cabin & booking numbers. I can forward you the contact info if you email me at gbits@optonline.net.

[tipsygirl]

8 hours ago, espmass said:

Also onboard.  Got bored waiting at the hotel for our 11:30 boarding so we went early and since very few were there we did not feel guilty getting in line.  Totally organized and we were tested, registered, and onboard at about 11:30.  Took a walk around to get an idea of where things are and had lunch at the Terrace Cafe.  Stopped by the reservation desk and inquired about an extra specialty restaurant for last night in addition to our 4 and they were more than happy to help us.  Dinner last night at Red Ginger.  It was lovely and absolutely delicious.  Had the Summer Roll, the Asian salad, and the Twice Fried Chicken.  All were delicious.  For dessert had the warm ginger cake which I loved.  My husband had calamari, duck, and ginger tapioca and loved it all.  I am a very early riser and hit the gym at 6 when it opens and the only issue I see so far is there doesn’t seem to be a place to get coffee before 6:30.  At least I haven’t found anywhere yet.  Bad enough sitting here for an hour without coffee while waiting for the gym, but working out without coffee will be really hard!  I’ll double check today.  We are long time cruisers but this is our first Oceania experience and so far we love it.

We also are on the  raise  Our flight arrived a little early so we arrived at the terminal ahead of our selected boarding time…not that anyone was checking. Quick and easy Covid testing and checkin. Someone at every step along the way to usher you on to the ship. We headed to Terrace Cafe for lunch. Then went to see if we could get a specialty restaurant  reservation for dinner. Ended up with a reservation for Toscana. Tonight we will be La Rive. And will be there again tomorrow night as they had to combine our original reservation with another La Rive group because we were the only couple on our original date. All the staff are so kind and helpful. So glad we came.

Cindy

5 hours ago, sitraveler said:

24 hour coffee machine in horizons unless down for maint.

 

[1985rz1]

8 minutes ago, tipsygirl said:

 Tonight we will be La Rive. And will be there again tomorrow night as they had to combine our original reservation with another La Rive group because we were the only couple on our original date. All the staff are so kind and helpful. So glad we came.

Cindy

 

What is La Rive?

[dj_crusin]

3 hours ago, ORV said:

Is that my favorite dessert in Jacques,  Apple Tart?

Actually that is Crepe Suzette’s

[dj_crusin]

Room service lunch.

Clockwise from top:  Antipasti plate, Hawaiian poke bowl, Mezze platter, Miso ramen soup

All of them were as good as they look!

Edited February 8, 2022 by dj_crusin

[AC2]

1 hour ago, gbits said:

 

NICE

[dj_crusin]

30 minutes ago, dj_crusin said:

Actually that is Crepe Suzette’s

From top to bottom:

Crepe Suzette’s

Cheese Plate

Green Pea  Vichyssoise

Dover Sole

Cauliflower au Gratin

Gratin Dauphinois

Foie Gras with Pineapple

Baked Onion Soup

Herb Crusted Chicken

[dolphinlady1957]

Thank you all for keeping this blog going. We are on the next cruise Feb 19. Is anyone staying on board to cruise with us?

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, espmass said:

After the gym I did find that the executive lounge (we have a PH) was open.  I thought I had read their hours as opening at 8. 

Usually they are open 24/7 or are there  shorter times  now due to the covid restrictions??

[MEFIowa]

2 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

Usually they are open 24/7 or are there  shorter times  now due to the covid restrictions??

Thinking our Concierge Lounge on Deck 9 was open 24/7 on Riviera on 12/13-23/21. I went in at all times, night and day. Including very early in the AM (between 4 and 5 once). The concierge himself had posted hours, but the lounge was seemingly always open if you had your room badge/key.

[Nymich]

To ALL of you onboard!   Have a great cruise!