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Oceania’s Riviera is an undeniably beautiful ship, and it’s the newest vessel at sea designed for the upscale crowd. Only one other upmarket line, Crystal Cruises, has ships (almost) the size of Riviera (though both of Crystal’s ships are now more than a decade old). Children are allowed but there’s no facility or staff dedicated to them (something we think might be an issue in summer or during school holidays). Instead, Oceania caters to a well-heeled, older crowd—with few exceptions, virtually all guests were over 50. Although there’s no formal night, this crowd doesn’t waltz around after dusk in tracksuits and flip-flops.
What I didn't love about Vista
We also sampled the pumpkin soup, which was impressively presented in a terrine made from a real pumpkin. We asked our waiter to replace it, and a hot portion arrived seven or eight minutes later. For entrée we ordered the Dover sole, which was deboned at the table—the classic preparation with lemon and caper butter was enhanced with croutons that sopped up the juice. A cheese trolley was wheeled over and the selection of AOC French offerings was mouth-watering. Inside CabinWonderful sanctuaries unto their own, these 174-square-foot staterooms boast beautiful designs and handsome furnishings that add to the serenity.
The Trustpilot Experience
Our English muffin arrived warm warm, and pitchers of milk brought were hot for coffee and cold for our cereal. But the pot of coffee was not on par with what we were served in the Grand Dining Room. And the fruit plate was unimpressive—simply diced fruit, more like fruit cup. We also noted that room service breakfast was not available on disembarkation morning (the one time when we’d otherwise consider it). Located just opposite Polo Grill on Deck 14, Toscana is Riviera’s Italian restaurant. Although we didn’t experience anything groundbreaking here, we found our meals here satisfying.
Canyon Ranch Spa Club
There was Oceania logo merchandize—T-shirts, golf shirts, visors, mugs, backpacks, and teddy bears—a few books, snacks and a small selection of sundries such as razors, deodorant, etc. One space was reserved for handbags, including Furla, Chopard, and Alviero Martini, while next door was fragrances and beauty products. Stern, along with watches from Rado, Yarmond Weill, Dior, DKNY and Fossil. The overall meal consumed 3 hours, and wines were poured a healthy half-glass at a time (requests for refills were not refused).
Oceania cruise prices
We found folks to be friendly, and the atmosphere not at all stuffy. There are no children's facilities onboard, and the prevailing atmosphere is one best suited to adults -- though children between age 1 and 18 can technically sail with the line if accompanied by adults. While people hail from all walks of life, they all, naturally, tend to be working professionals or well-off retirees with a taste for life's finer things -- from Bulgari toiletries to lush linens and indulgent dinners. The lead ship in Oceania's new Allura-class, Vista will be joined by a sister-ship, perhaps unsurprisingly named Allura, in 2025. The glamourous atrium is the place to see and be seen aboard Vista (and is instantly Instagrammable -- expect to see plenty of passengers posing there).
Oceania Vista - Cruise Ship Review Condé Nast Traveler - Condé Nast Traveler
Oceania Vista - Cruise Ship Review Condé Nast Traveler.
Posted: Fri, 13 Oct 2023 21:14:26 GMT [source]
In addition to a salad bar there was a variety of prepared salads that changed daily—Tuscan lentil salad, Caesar with grilled chicken, marinated tomato and fennel with prawns, Thai beef salad, etc. There was a carving station, a sushi spread, and a pasta bar with sauces that changed daily. Every couple days a lunch theme emerged—Mexican, Oriental, Seafood and Italian were featured on our cruise. We didn’t try all of these, but the south-of-the-border spread was probably our only disappointing lunch here.
Watch first-run Hollywood films on the 42-inch LCD flat-screen television, enhanced by Bose® surround sound, or view them from the comfort of your bed on a second LCD flat-screen television. Access the Internet with the laptop computer that’s provided for up-to-the-minute news, to research upcoming ports, and to email friends. Draw back the curtains from the floor-to-ceiling glass doors, walk out on the wraparound teak veranda and take in the panoramic views from the comfort of the resort-style lounge furniture. Everything imaginable is here in your suite, including a walk-in closet, a second bathroom for guests and your own private fitness room. Our cabin had a marble- and granite-lined bathroom that was somewhat larger than what we usually get on mainstream cruise ships, however the additional space was devoted to a full-size bathtub (56 inches long, 17 inches deep).
How to earn Oceania Club credits
Oceania Riviera Cruise: Expert Review (2023) - CruiseCritic.co.uk
Oceania Riviera Cruise: Expert Review ( .
Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:36:32 GMT [source]
The atmosphere is somewhat comparable to that of a Ritz-Carlton resort—slightly sterile and corporate, but appealingly polished. The recently-introduced new base fare, “simply MORE,” also includes round-trip flights, airport transfers and a beverage package for all guests in the cabin. Even a three-week cruise earns just one credit, which means it can take some time to reach the first elite tier — Bronze, which requires five credits. Even though they’re part of the same holding company, you won’t earn Oceania credits when sailing with Norwegian or Regent Seven Seas.
The miso-glazed sea bass was excellent, the tender fish beautifully presented in what appeared to be a ginger leaf. Lobster pad Thai was a fine twist on a well-traveled road, with generous hunks of lobster flesh bursting from the silky noodles. Various sides were available—brown or jasmine rice, stir-fried udon noodles, broccoli and shitake mushrooms, and a meager portion of asparagus. For desserts, the cake was fine, if a bit filling after our feast; the trio of fruit sherbets was an excellent alternative, especially the coconut, which found just the right balance of cream and coconut flakes.
There were only two designated smoking areas on Oceania Riviera, one inside and one out. These were in the port-side corner of Horizons Bar on Deck 15, in a glassed room set apart from the rest of the bar; and on the forward starboard side of Deck 12, the pool deck. Smoking was not allowed in any other outdoor areas, inside the casino, or in cabins and on their balconies. The policies appeared to be well enforced, as we never saw anyone abusing them. Overall, we didn’t find the crew much more polished than those on less expensive mainstream cruise lines, so Oceania’s $15-per-day day (per person) automatic gratuity seemed out of line. To justify the highest gratuity rate in the industry, we’d expect service on par with what we experience at a typical Four Seasons or Ritz-Carlton resort.
We found overall service to be quietly discrete—that is, not showy. The senior officers of the ship did not (that we observed) mingle with most passengers. Things got taken care of, but we found that in the specialty restaurants service could was a little uneven, sometimes rushed. Shopping on Riviera was concentrated into a trio of side-by-side boutiques located on Deck 5, next to the lobby.
Cash advances were available, applied to your credit card, up to $500 per day, incurring a 5 percent service fee. Foreign currency exchange was limitedly available—euros while sailing in Europe—also incurring a 5 percent service fee. One shop carried men’s and women’s clothing from brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Joseph Ribkoff, and Las Olas.
It's a classic steakhouse in a dimly lit setting with an enormous menu where protein is the star. In the morning, don't miss Aquamar's selection of avocado toast or its freshly made juices, unusual lattes and smoothies. (You haven't lived until you've spiked your morning OJ with turmeric and cayenne pepper.) Energy bowls, banana pancakes and omelets round out the breakfast menu. The mini fridge was stocked with soft drinks, though my cabin attendant didn't seem to notice that I was drinking exclusively club soda.
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