Digital Postcards from Oceania Riviera

My wife and I recently completed a cruise on board Oceania's cruise ship, Riviera, a 10 night fly-cruise out of Miami entitled ‘Mayan Mystique.

This was our second cruise with Oceania, a cruise line that exudes both class and quality while being renowned for its cuisine. We found Riviera to be a very stylish and comfortable ship with an informal 'country club' atmosphere and casual on board manner.

It was also the second time in two months we have experienced a cruise line with impeccable administration procedures. From the moment one receives their individual pre-cruise documentation -each personally annotated: one immediately realises there are few, if any corners being cut...

As part of the overall package Oceania arranged scheduled flights from London Heathrow to Miami. As with all Oceania cruises, flights sensibly arrive one day before the cruise departs. We organised our own pre cruise hotel accommodation overlooking Biscayne Bay and a short taxi ride from the cruise terminal.

We had booked a Penthouse Suite which offered us an 11.00 am check in at Miami. Check-in was faultless and we were on board within minutes.

This was a port intensive cruise entitled 'Mayan Mystique'

Riviera is a 66,000 tonne, mid-sized, four year old ship that accommodates 1,250 passengers with a guest to staff ratio of 1.57 to 1. There were on this particular cruise 1081 guests, 133 of whom were from the UK, 597 from the USA and the remainder made up from 24 different nationalities...

Due to being limited to a number of photographs on each comment I shall continue this 'Postcard' review with further comments.

However, should anyone wish to see the full review on my cruise blog, with in excess of 100 photographs of the ship and itinerary ports, then here is the link...

http://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2016/01/31/oceania-riviera-mayan-mystique/

Well that seemed to work.

We had booked a Penthouse suite on Deck 10...

...which exceeded expectations...

The en-suite bathroom also had the benefit of a walk-in shower with glass fronted door, seen just to the left of the above photograph.

One of the joys of having a suite on Riviera is that it offers full Butler service and an additional suite attendant. In addition to their services suite occupants also have exclusive card-only access to the private Executive Lounge on Deck 11 and services of a dedicated Concierge and 24 hour beverages and snacks…

...as well as priority embarkation and luggage delivery.

Cuisine and dining is of course Oceania's forte. They proudly boast that their cuisine is unrivalled at sea and, once again, with the exception of Cunard's Grills, I would certainly agree. On Riviera there are a remarkable array of dining choices that include no less than four speciality restaurants, none of which carry a surcharge.

The Grand Dining Room is a multi level venue with an elegant ambiance and open seating dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cuisine is generally Continental supplemented with Canyon Ranch Spa 'healthy options' and selected signature dishes from internationally recognised French chef Jacques Pépin...

The Terrace cafe is the Riviera's buffet style restaurant, seen here laid for breakfast...

...and here for dinner...

It also boasts an 'al fresco' area for those sunrise mornings or balmy evening dining...

Wow, and i haven't touched on the speciality restaurants yet.

http://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2016/01/31/oceania-riviera-mayan-mystique/

Richard really enjoyed your comprehnsive blog and reports. We have not cruised with Oceana, have been quite a few Regent cruises, and we have been interested in the Oceana line. Was there a mixed age group onboard ?

Thanks for sharing your cruise, Jean .

Thank you so much Solent Richard for this post. We are first timers on Riviera in May, in PH suite on deck 10. This has been a wonderful insight into what to expect. Thank you again!

Just so some people do not get the wrong idea

your comment

<<<<As with all Oceania cruises, flights sensibly arrive one day before the cruise departs.>>>>

This may only be for UK clients others do not arrive the day before unless they pay the deviation fee

Enjoyed your photos

Lyn

Thank you so much Solent Richard for this post. We are first timers on Riviera in May, in PH suite on deck 10. This has been a wonderful insight into what to expect. Thank you again!

And thank you for your kind comment. If there are any more specific questions you may have please do not hesitate to ask.

Just so some people do not get the wrong idea

your comment

<<<<As with all Oceania cruises, flights sensibly arrive one day before the cruise departs.>>>>

 

This may only be for UK clients others do not arrive the day before unless they pay the deviation fee

 

Enjoyed your photos

Lyn

Hi Lyn.

Interesting to hear what you say because whether the day before or not, we could have paid a supplement to have a direct flight from the UK.

As it was we flew in via Newark and, following the closure of Newark due to the snow, Oceania arranged flights home via Houston.

Again, I was impressed with the speed of their operation.

Just so some people do not get the wrong idea

your comment

<<<<As with all Oceania cruises, flights sensibly arrive one day before the cruise departs.>>>>

 

This may only be for UK clients others do not arrive the day before unless they pay the deviation fee

 

Enjoyed your photos

Lyn

I think it may depend on the length of the flight. We are in the UK and on flights to Europe booked through O we arrived the same day, and quite late that day 3.30pm for a 7pm sailing.

Richard really enjoyed your comprehnsive blog and reports. We have not cruised with Oceana, have been quite a few Regent cruises, and we have been interested in the Oceana line. Was there a mixed age group onboard ?

Thanks for sharing your cruise, Jean .

Good afternoon Jean.

Yes, there was a pretty mixed age group.

We too have sailed with Regent and on balance Oceania have given us more satisfaction.

Thank you for your kind comment.

I think it may depend on the length of the flight. We are in the UK and on flights to Europe booked through O we arrived the same day, and quite late that day 3.30pm for a 7pm sailing.

Then it could be if the flights can arrive the day of the cruise that is what you get same as people in North America you will arrive the day the cruise departs

And so to look at the speciality restaurants...

Red Ginger

and there offering of a Bay Scallop Trilogy...

Polo Grill

and their offering of a 16 oz Prime Rib...

Jaques

and his interpretation of Lobster Thermidor...

to be continued...

...and finally Toscana

and the Milk-fed Veal Chop...

Good afternoon Jean.

 

Yes, there was a pretty mixed age group.

 

We too have sailed with Regent and on balance Oceania have given us more satisfaction.

 

Thank you for your kind comment.

That's interesting to hear. We seem to be getting a lot of mail from Oceana just now offering included drinks packages,Internet or a couple of excursions. We would be keen to try a cruise but take the drinks package. Your blog and photos at very good you have covers all areas that would help any questions I would have had before. Thanks again, Jean.

Thank you Richard. Great photos and commentary.:)

Thank you Richard. We board the Riviera today. Your review is wonderful. Appreciate the information and beautiful photographs.

Thanks for sharing your lovely photos. Sure makes me wish I was on board rather than sitting at home watching dirty snow melt:eek:

That's interesting to hear. We seem to be getting a lot of mail from Oceana just now offering included drinks packages,Internet or a couple of excursions. We would be keen to try a cruise but take the drinks package. Your blog and photos at very good you have covers all areas that would help any questions I would have had before. Thanks again, Jean.

Jean their drinks packages is for mealtimes only. You'd be better off taking the $$$ OBC as we have for our up and coming Sirena cruise. :D

Jean their drinks packages is for mealtimes only. You'd be better off taking the $$$ OBC as we have for our up and coming Sirena cruise. :D

Couldn't agree more....$600 buys a lot of lemon drop martini's. The classic beverage package at lunch and dinner is quite limited and the OBC O Life offer seems much better value to us.

You can upgrade to the Prestige package for $20 pp pd if you want to drink more than just wine or beer at meal times

it depends on what you find value in for your needs

Thanks Issyalex, it's always helpful to get good information if considering a cruise. Jean.