chloemonkey

Today on Riviera is Sweet Corn. I passed….

Currently onboard and feel that the food is “spotty” as in some options seem even better than last October….others not so much. Glad that Jacques has escargot back and available and it was great. Sadly there still appears to be a shortage of strawberry jam. Service also is hit and miss….as we have had many times where we have to ask 2-3 times for water….others when my glass was refilled At all times. we are in a Vista Suite…have sailed on Carnival (25 years ago), NCL Haven, RCL suites only and Azamara also only Owners suites…for those that feel this may h matter? The remodel in our room consists of only new carpet, the hallway new wall coverings are already peeling at the seams…..but the staff say that the lower room categories are much improved. of more concern to us at this point is the a,ont of Covid cases onboard….guests next door are on quarantine…..people in medical center are lined up and coughing….and upon boarding from port - we witnessed the second hazmat team escorting another passenger up to her stateroom….. not sure if this is “normal” occurrence at this point of the disease- but we did NOT experience it on our last trip in October when Covid was more prevalent. Also we’re walking down the hallway and one guest was openly in the hallway discussing the fact that both she and her husband had tested positive…..I was a bit upset that the cabin steward was. It asking he to step back into her room….but ,Anne she was ending her quarantine limit? Just a bit of added worry for us as I am a cancer patient….but we are still enjoying the trip and wouldn’t think of cancelling our next 3 week one coming up in September…. inalso heard that the president of NCL is onboard? So you would think all would be perfect, right? Who knows…maybe he flew home from one of our stops. .sirens was berthed next to us today….fun to see the crews having SO much fun reconnecting with old friends! Ok….off to lunch outside! Lol…..and wondering if we should be the ones to start wearing masks again….as only 4-5 have been spotted so far the entire trip…

I thought that saving them for a quick trip to lunch was acceptable? But maybe this goes back a while....Not for a LONG lunch of course....but I hate eating in the sun....hence like to leave my lounge to enjoy lunch in the shade or inside....

I have NEVER understood that room! lol....

Have recently had to resort to Youtube videos to view improvements to the Vista Suite on Riviera. Sad to report that I did not see a THING that was different? But then again....that Suite has been our fave for ages....so I guess that I got excited over nothing! lol.....We will enjoy the "new and improved" Vista Suite at the end of the month and later in the year.....but will NOT be expecting any earthshattering changes.

My experience has been favorable on wait lists BUT on the "PAID" wait list....where you actually make a deposit. I have recently cleared and rec'd the actual suite that I wanted within a few hours. I believe that it does make a difference. Not always going to work but much better odds when you actually put some money in the equation.

I contacted our Oceania Rep and gave her two dates in 2023....as I was beginning to panic in not having any additional cruises booked. But nothing was available. Within 24 hours, I had CLEARED the Wait List for a September cruise in Europe. I had specified Vista Suite or above.....and I DID put down a $500 per passenger deposit. Not sure if I just got lucky? But I am a happy camper!

Agreed!

I LOVE my VISTA Suites....and cannot imagine them being any more beautiful. But we shall see as we are on the Riviera once again in February 2023. Hoping that they have not "undone" a good thing.....

We enjoyed the Intercontinental hotel post cruise.....short ride from the Galapaport which is where we docked. Great views from the restaurant/bar located on the top floor of the hotel.....good food as well. Our only issue was the loud music coming from bars/clubs around the hotel. Istanbul IS a party town for sure. And not sure that there is a way around the crowds.....as we experienced them day and night for all three days we were there...both while on the ship and staying in the hotel.

I am not sure that I have plastic bags from home that would even be large enough for these bottles....and just wondering if these plastic bags might also be of some problem when it comes to being "green" or whatever the current term is with regards to not harming the environment? And I am not trying to be more of a problem....but sometimes I am at a loss at how these things are truly to be handled and what the correct process and plans should be. Surely those more knowledgeable than I should chime in.

I guess that your position makes sense....BUT it is also nice as was the case with us a couple of weeks ago - was the complete package that Oceania provided us. We enjoyed a good quality bus from the terminal to the hotel - complete with a guide. We also enjoyed early check in due to our "relationship" with Oceania. There was a designated Oceania representative in the hotel which was extremely helpful in keeping us informed on our transportation to the airport, tours......etc. It is not that I don't "get it" that it is entirely possible to do the logistic planning independently - but it is also really NICE to have it all handled and to have Oceania stand by all of the transfers, hotel reservations etc. Certainly I acknowledge all of you that make independent arrangements.....but I also enjoy the simplicity of having it all handled. Thankfully there is a place for us all to make our own decisions as to whether or not we enjoy the ease of booking with Oceania for these reservations.

I agree....as both with Owner's Suites and Vista Suites - the sailaway as well as docking can certainly cause vibration and noise......I got used to it however as it helped wake me up from my after excursion nap and helped me wake up to start getting ready for dinner! lol.... It in no way occurs nonstop throughout the cruise....

But they would not stay cool as well....Don't get me wrong as I am not the biggest fan of the metal ones that Oceania is handing out these days as the condensation issue is real - and can ruin other stuff in your bag that you are taking ashore. But I think that it is a step in the right direction.

We were on a Panama Canal cruise on one of the older/smaller NCL ships a few years back and they were filming that show "Transparent" that starred Jeffrey Tambor. Most of the filming took place in the Haven where our stateroom was located so we often bumped into he and the rest of the cast and crew. There were times when we were asked not to leave our rooms as we would then be in the "shot".....but really we had no problem as they were very respectful of the regular guests. And for our slight trouble.....we received an Amazon Gift Card....I believe it was for $100 if I recall.

I tend to agree...as isn't there also a "legal" element to not having the current conditions, requirements etc. on the company's web site?

A few years ago I used a web site that allowed me to input cruise line AND stateroom type to see what the current pricing was AND what catagory of suites were available for any particular cruise. But now I cannot remember the name of the web site! Doe anyone know what I am referring to?

This was NOT the case on the Riviera from August to September.....as my hubby had taken tons of surgery procedures on DVD's to study up on new/updated techniques....and there ended up being NO way to view them on board. This despite our poor butler even asking the captain if he had an "extra" laptop with CD viewer...lol! Only options are all on the television system and include a few "new releases" which are neither new nor news worthy.....and "classics" which are just OLD.....so don't plan on the DVD option for movie viewing.

Our biggest problem with the new port was the fact that we were late in getting released to go ashore and once we were - the floodgates opened and there were WAY too many people trying to get through the turnstyles by using their ship card..... My card did not work and the agent near me just waived me through. My husbands also did not work....and they pulled him out of line, took him to a security office....took his card and then another agent kept asking "where is your CARD???" And my husband kept telling them that one of the other agents had already taken it.....since two of these personnel were toting rifle type guns....it was a bit disconcerting......on the way back all went well. But the walk is really ridiculous for seniors or people with disabilities.....

Just off the Riviera 9/14 after two cruises and although we had been instructed that masks were mandatory in Greece and Italy and on the excursion buses.....there were maybe one in 20 people wearing masks......both on the tour buses and while exploring museums, galleries, etc.....seems people are just over it and no one is enforcing the use of masks. I think unless things turn around for the worse at some point....we won't be seeing any mask enforcement anytime soon.

I believe that we had three certificates for pressing for each of us that were waiting in the closet. I didn't send anything out at embarkation but did a day or two later.....it was returned on the 2nd day by the butler.

You all are making me "homesick" as we are just off the Riviera after almost a month onboard! Hope you continue to have a wonderful cruise/cruises.

It is always so interesting to see how others viewed their experiences.....we were on the Riviera from 8/28 thru 9/15....and had nothing but GREAT food from Toscana. We were in a Vista Suite so had lots of specialty restaurants booked over the course of the two weeks +. The one restaurant that we CANCELLED three times for was Red Ginger - as after the first time we visited there this trip.....it was clear that they were NOT on their game plan as yet. We found the main dining room to be excellent - but agree that there were not a ton of options. The Terrace Cafe probably had more business from us than anywhere....but that was due to the fact that the two cruises that we took had NO sea days and we were booked on shore excursions that departed early each day. This made it the easier choice to dine at the Terrace Cafe due to time constraints. We did NOT eat dinner here however.

Not on Deck 12 however.....just off the Riviera three days ago. Also, we sent laundry out twice during our tow B2B cruises....and it took a "long" three days each time. I was not really happy with the results, Since we had NO sea days ovr the course of our B2B cruises.....we opted to send laundry out. If I had the option? I will try to do it myself next time.

So.....are you saying that you do not tip shore excursion guides or private drivers? This would be very hard for me..... I am a big tipper.....and don't think I want to change at this point in life......but just curious if this is just "Italy"? What about Greece, Montenegro, etc?