On Riviera Now ~ February 7-19

[LHT28]

1 minute ago, crooz4fun said:

Saw something today that I've never seen before. While having lunch at Waves we were approached by an attendant and offered specialty restaurant dining reservations for tonight.

It happens when they are light on bookings for that evening

[ORV]

4 minutes ago, crooz4fun said:

Saw something today that I've never seen before. While having lunch at Waves we were approached by an attendant and offered specialty restaurant dining reservations for tonight.

I've seen it a few times, we usually will say yes, depending on evening plans.

[ronrick1943]

Nice post, thank you for taking the time to post with photo’s.

[mauibabes]

Since the restart of sailings on O in August and October, we have seen these specialty restaurant offerings all the time. Check the Reservation Desk in the main lobby daily and you will find opportunities if not today, then tomorrow. Also, if you drop by that favorite restaurant after the main dining rush, if they have space, you will get seated without a reservation. 
When we were on board last Fall, and yes we had a PH but we were traveling with friends who were not in PH’s, we ate in the Specialty Restaurants over 80% of the nights we were aboard. Oceania is doing everything they can do to make your cruise experience MORE THAN MEMORABLE, and they are so thankful to those of us who have returned to sailing with our Oceania family. They need us and we need our Oceania fix and the crew really needs to see our smiling faces. 
OK, JMHO,

Mauibabes

 

[MEFIowa]

13 hours ago, mauibabes said:

Since the restart of sailings on O in August and October, we have seen these specialty restaurant offerings all the time. Check the Reservation Desk in the main lobby daily and you will find opportunities if not today, then tomorrow. Also, if you drop by that favorite restaurant after the main dining rush, if they have space, you will get seated without a reservation. ...

Yes, though that is correlated to the passenger totals. Which seem to be swinging wildly. We were 719 on 12/13-23/21. Then a recent Riviera total was around 462. A huge drop. Once the passenger counts rise dramatically, this won't be happening anything like the frequency when the ship is essentially "empty". Plans for the cruise lines indicate they want to go back to full capacity ASAP.

[catgirl411]

23 hours ago, crooz4fun said:

Saw something today that I've never seen before. While having lunch at Waves we were approached by an attendant and offered specialty restaurant dining reservations for tonight.

Happened to us three times on the Jan 28th cruise. However they were always looking for people to share a table.

 

[dancingcgal]

Please let us know how it is at pool and entertainment venues? Is there band by pool? I so wanted to go on this as loved the ports & is my bday weekend 😩 Prior to Oceania Med cruise I never wanted to do a Caribbean cruise as we prefer beaching it by beautiful water rather than elbow to elbow on pool deck

for past 30 years! But Sirena was so comfortable thought we’d try another beautiful Med, Caribbean or New England than all ground to a halt🦠

[CAG]

We have not had the band on the pool deck, but the "piped in" music has been enjoyable.  On another note, last night the captain announced that after many months of not being able to leave the ship, the crew were now allowed shore leave.  Needless to say there were some very happy crew today being able to put solid ground under their feet.

[Nymich]

3 minutes ago, CAG said:

We have not had the band on the pool deck, but the "piped in" music has been enjoyable.  On another note, last night the captain announced that after many months of not being able to leave the ship, the crew were now allowed shore leave.  Needless to say there were some very happy crew today being able to put solid ground under their feet.

Great news about the crew.  I had many conversations with all departments telling them it wouldn't be long for shore leave!  

[dj_crusin]

Another night at Jacques.

Foie Gras Terrine

Maryland Lump Crab Meat Salad

Bay Scallop and Watercress Carpaccio

Baked Onion Soup

Scallop Gnocchi with Lobster in a White Wine Sauce

Filet Rossini

Prime Rib

Mille Feuille

Edited February 12, 2022 by dj_crusin

[calicakes]

5 hours ago, catgirl411 said:

Happened to us three times on the Jan 28th cruise. However they were always looking for people to share a table.

 

How do most people feel about sharing tables in this Covid era? 

[1985rz1]

20 minutes ago, calicakes said:

How do most people feel about sharing tables in this Covid era? 

Not willing to risk it, at this time.

[susiesan]

21 minutes ago, calicakes said:

How do most people feel about sharing tables in this Covid era? 

Won't bother me in the least. I always ask to share tables on cruises, one of the best parts of cruising is meeting new people. 

[gbits]

4 hours ago, dancingcgal said:

Please let us know how it is at pool and entertainment venues? Is there band by pool? I so wanted to go on this as loved the ports & is my bday weekend 😩 Prior to Oceania Med cruise I never wanted to do a Caribbean cruise as we prefer beaching it by beautiful water rather than elbow to elbow on pool deck

for past 30 years! But Sirena was so comfortable thought we’d try another beautiful Med, Caribbean or New England than all ground to a halt🦠

There is no band at the pool but we have had shows each night and the casino has been open. The string quartet has been playing at tea and the piano player in Martinis. I would say the entertainment is the same as pre Covid as I have not noticed any difference from our last cruise except for having to wear a mask.

[gbits]

Interestingly we have not been required to test since we got on board. The info sent prior to boarding indicated that we would need to be tested prior to entry to Bonaire (tomorrow’s port) but not a word was said today. I believe testing is also required for Grenada, Barbados & Antigua so we shall see what happens.

 

Also, we were initially told that we could only go ashore in Grenada and Barbados with an O tour or an approved tour company. That has changed for Barbados and we are now free to wander on our own. No change so far for Grenada that I’ve heard. I will check tomorrow as the tour I put together fell apart when 3 couples cancelled the cruise and the remaining couple decided to do an O tour. 

[Nymich]

2 minutes ago, gbits said:

Interestingly we have not been required to test since we got on board. The info sent prior to boarding indicated that we would need to be tested prior to entry to Bonaire (tomorrow’s port) but not a word was said today. I believe testing is also required for Grenada, Barbados & Antigua so we shall see what happens.

 

Also, we were initially told that we could only go ashore in Grenada and Barbados with an O tour or an approved tour company. That has changed for Barbados and we are now free to wander on our own. No change so far for Grenada that I’ve heard. I will check tomorrow as the tour I put together fell apart when 3 couples cancelled the cruise and the remaining couple decided to do an O tour. 

You would be first to go to Grenada as we were not allowed.  Let us know!

[dancingcgal]

2 hours ago, dj_crusin said:

Another night at Jacques.

Foie Gras Terrine

Maryland Lump Crab Meat Salad

Bay Scallop and Watercress Carpaccio

Baked Onion Soup

Scallop Gnocchi with Lobster in a White Wine Sauce

Filet Rossini

Prime Rib

Mille Feuille

Looks Amazing! I’d be having that for my bday dinner if I’d gone! 

[golfguyhhi]

Are the bar stools at Martini's and Horizons available for use?

[dj_crusin]

17 minutes ago, golfguyhhi said:

Are the bar stools at Martini's and Horizons available for use?

Not yet!

[gbits]

31 minutes ago, golfguyhhi said:

Are the bar stools at Martini's and Horizons available for use?

Nope

[gbits]

14 hours ago, Nymich said:

You would be first to go to Grenada as we were not allowed.  Let us know!

Where did you port in lieu of Grenada? Or was it an extra sea day?

[MEFIowa]

20 hours ago, CAG said:

... On another note, last night the captain announced that after many months of not being able to leave the ship, the crew were now allowed shore leave.  Needless to say there were some very happy crew today being able to put solid ground under their feet.

Their last such port was Cozumel, 12/15/21. I was on Riviera 12/13-23/21 and they were prohibited from leaving the ship from 16th on. I'm so glad they can get off. (So here's to you Adele, Dennis and Kassim, just in the Boutique!) 

[Nymich]

1 hour ago, gbits said:

Where did you port in lieu of Grenada? Or was it an extra sea day?

Tortola

[Jancruz]

I think I am going on a cruise April 24 on Regatta up the coat round trip tp San Francisco..interesting that Monterey, CA is closed to all ships through 2022 ..wondering what change they can make?? So far no decision

Jancruz1

[dpg17]

Does anyone know if there’s a duty free shop on the Riviera to bring home a bottle of alcohol? Celebrity has them but I can’t see it on the deck plan for Oceania.

Thank you 😊