Riviera review March 8

I find many times my food is sitting on the serving stand whilst other passengers engage the waiter in chit chat while my food is getting cold

The staff try to be polite but know other orders are piling up waiting to be served

Agree with you and UDSpud.

This often irritates me watching some people selfishly ‘tying” up staff with chit-chat as if the staff were there only for them and their entertainment. It is nice to have a brief exchange with staff but not to hold them hostage for prolonged conversations (unless the place and staff are obviously not busy otherwise). Staff is too polite to say - excuse me but I have other things to do than just entertain you.

Very selfish :(

I agree that the Oceania staff doesn't have extra time in their schedule to talk with passengers - Azamara staff does and actively engages in passengers.

Thank you so much for your detailed review. We are about to take our first cruise on Riviera and your details helped so much!

Agree with you and UDSpud.

This often irritates me watching some people selfishly ‘tying” up staff with chit-chat as if the staff were there only for them and their entertainment. It is nice to have a brief exchange with staff but not to hold them hostage for prolonged conversations (unless the place and staff are obviously not busy otherwise). Staff is too polite to say - excuse me but I have other things to do than just entertain you.

Very selfish :(

I refer to these people as "visitors". They always suck people into conversations. I try to avoid them or if I get in the trap try to get out as quickly as possible.

I'm always friendly with the staff, especially the lower level ones. But I also don't get into extended conversations.

Thank you for a balanced review.

We haven't been on Azamara in ages, but will return next year for an itinerary nobody else offered. Our last Oceania cruise was the same as the op's, loved it and liked the ship and the food. We will also return to HAL for the itinerary, not looking forward to the food though; it was too bland. Imho that is passenger driven!

In the meantime, we cruised three European and two Asian lines - river and ocean - all of them adapt food to their passenger base.

Greetings, Everyone from South Beach. Post It, loved your review. Right on point, and an excellent read. Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed report. As cruisers on everything that floats, including Oceania. I really appreciated your balanced approach. O is a well managed line that pleases most passengers most of the time, including us. We are repeaters, with six O cruises so far. Our last was on an Insignia transit through the Panama Canal from Los Angeles to Miami. The Canal is fascinating, and we enjoyed the experience immensely.

As far as ship's food is concerned, my judgement is colored by my childhood experience living on a family cruise ship. My mother prepared our meals in a galley as we sailed along. In rough seas, sometimes pots and pans slid around. I developed a certain sympathy for maritime chefs, with extra credit for my mother. Even though these modern vessels that transport us in luxury to exotic places (sometimes) have every convenience, there is still something magical about the whole thing to me. Here a burned steak, and there a cold egg, doesn't bother me much, as long as it's not all the time.

Our next cruise may be on Riviera. We have a double special occasion coming up, and we celebrated the last one of the same type on Riviera. None of our other possibilities have the perfect date match, and Riviera does. She is a gorgeous ship, and her PHs are very comfortable. Perhaps I will meet some of you then.

Mary

I agree that the Oceania staff doesn't have extra time in their schedule to talk with passengers - Azamara staff does and actively engages in passengers.

Wow! Been on Azamara but am on my first O cruise (mar 28) and can’t wait to see this type of behavior for myself.

I agree that the Oceania staff doesn't have extra time in their schedule to talk with passengers - Azamara staff does and actively engages in passengers.

We have never had any problem engaging Oceania staff in conversation (after taking consideration of their immediate duties) and have always found them to be open and friendly. That includes wait staff, housekeeping and for us in particular, Sommeliers :D.

It might be that Oceania staff is trained to respond to their guests but not to push themselves upon them and Azamara staff is trained to open conversations much like some restaurant wait staff.(Hi, my name is Sally. I will be your waitress today and how is your day going?) Neither is necessarily bad - just different.

Robbie

It might be that Oceania staff is trained to respond to their guests but not to push themselves upon them and Azamara staff is trained to open conversations much like some restaurant wait staff.(Hi, my name is Sally. I will be your waitress today and how is your day going?) Neither is necessarily bad - just different.

Robbie

You described it better than I did - thank you.

It might be that Oceania staff is trained to respond to their guests but not to push themselves upon them and Azamara staff is trained to open conversations much like some restaurant wait staff.(Hi, my name is Sally. I will be your waitress today and how is your day going?) Neither is necessarily bad - just different.

 

Robbie

You described it better than I did - thank you.

Yes they did.

The trouble with reviews on CC

I have been a member on CC since 2009 and have read my share of both objective, semi-objective and non-objective cruise reviews on these boards and managed to resist getting into the fray. Suffice to say I have not yet experienced some of the things stated in the most scathing reviews. It seems to me that some “bad” reviews are rooted in some sort of argument or misunderstanding which leads the the reviewer who has an ax to grind to just get it out of their system or they just had a “bad” cruise such as the infamous Carnival one. Next are the somewhat arrogant and condescending ones who appear to have been written by a gourmet chef or someone that has the taste buds of one whose steak must be of the proper finite temp and color. Finally, there are the ones that must have been written by someone living in a different universe so out of touch than the rest of us and in need of a reality check. Of course there are also the ones written by well grounded individuals that cherish their time on board.

My background is that of a second generation hard working immigrant who has been fortunate to have worked hard enough to afford to cruise at my leisure on almost any cruise line I choose. Starting in the 1970’s with my first cruise on a Cunard Countess ship retrofitted after the Falklands War I have progressed to Princess, Costa, NCL, RCCL, Celebrity, Regent, Seabourn, Azamara and finally my first on Oceania. No I do not have the taste buds of a Michelin chef nor do I expect the staff to kiss my b—- while on board. Instead I find it quite charming to interact with the various multinational crew members and try to thank them for their efforts in making my voyage enjoyable. Consequently, I have never had a “bad” cruise.

I lied, as I just now remember a “noro” cruise where upon entering our room we discovered not a scrap of paper and ceiling to floor mirrors covered in a foggy substance. The library was devoid of any books. The ship had had noro since South America and we boarded in San Francisco. The Princess ship along side had already been boarded by people in hazmat suits and our boarding had been delayed almost 3 hours. Later in the cruise we experienced our first “code red” situation which was a bit unsettling to say the least. Was this in any way the fault of the crew ... I don’t think so . I had never seen a crew go through the burden of so much extra work and still keep serving their customers with smiling faces. Was this a “bad” cruise because of the crew? No it was a bad cruise because of the unmanageable circumstances that totally engulfed the crew.

Getting back to the validity of online cruise reviews. Why do people even write them and more importantly should anyone base their cruise choices on them? IMHO most are an attempt to “help others” in choosing a cruise or cruise line. Speaking from experience it is a considerable exercise in futility because a cruise in an ocean view, balcony, suite, and deluxe suite are as varied as the ships they are found on and ports visited. Add to that the social status (or perceived status lol) of the reviewer and you have a pot luck supper of sometimes volatile opinions. BTW One of my best cruises was on NCL in a Family Suite with beverage package and free Speciality restaurants. At embarkation a butler escorted us to our suite and we were the first to disembark which was a first.

The most amusing and entertaining thing about this board is the myriad POV’s expressed and the often overreactions they garner. Just my very humble opinion as someone who greatly appreciates each and every day onboard or not. To all the newbies out there taking their first cruise take each and every negative cruise review with a grain of salt so to speak as that cruise or cruise line may not be as bad as the reviewer states.

Selah

PS I hope to do a review on my upcoming March 28 cruise on Oceania Riviera and compare it to my previous cruise on Azamara like Post It did.

Thanks Post It. Great review. For us the variety of longer itineraries O offers with their six ships is what draws us to them; although Azamara has some unique ones. The only thing that keeps us from booking an Azamara cruise is that we really don't want to pay for the alcoholic drinks we won't be drinking. But, if they ever decide to do their Costa Rica itinerary again, we might have to rethink that decision. :D

Superb comments, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

We were on Riviera immediately after you (boarded March 18) and agree especially with your observations on food. The Grand Dining Room at dinner was erratic with very good meals and then disjointed, mediocre dinners. On the last night (March 28) "Jacques Pepin's boeuf bourguignon served over fettucine" was recommended on the entree on the Menu Degustation = worst meal of our trip. Flavorless, a soupy presentation that looked & tasted far short of what promised to be the "star" entree. Shared our opinion with the waiters and captain in hopes the feedback assists the kitchen (good luck with that).

Fortunately, other dining venues and other nights in the GDR were far better. Staff everywhere was terrific - friendly, professional, prompt and eager to please. Always made an effort to acknowledge servers and wine stewards by their name. Fantastic effort, consistently so.

There was a consensus Punta Cana should be dropped from future itineraries. The senior officers concurred due to a very difficult tender process - one tender took an hour to discharge pax - not the fault of Oceania but the wind and aggressive currents.

Sad to say, 100+ Canadian property insurance sales people were on board as an award for achieving sales levels. Free drink cards meant obvious problems for those couples in their 30s - loud, belligerent, boisterous and drunk daytime & night time. Not a great idea for O to agree to disburse unlimited booze to those eager to party hardy.

Riviera was an odd setting for this group - Carnival or RCL's bigger ships would be more satisfying than the elderly and sedate crowd on Riviera. Several Canadian passengers (loyal O customers) said this group was kicked out of a resort last year due to the out-of-control behavior so honorees were given a free Riviera cruise. Big mistake.

Thanks again for offering such a well balanced and thoughtful review. You mirrored largely our experience of 10 days right after your sailing.

Superb comments, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

We were on Riviera immediately after you (boarded March 18) and agree especially with your observations on food. The Grand Dining Room at dinner was erratic with very good meals and then disjointed, mediocre dinners. On the last night (March 28) "Jacques Pepin's boeuf bourguignon served over fettucine" was recommended on the entree on the Menu Degustation = worst meal of our trip. Flavorless, a soupy presentation that looked & tasted far short of what promised to be the "star" entree. Shared our opinion with the waiters and captain in hopes the feedback assists the kitchen (good luck with that).

 

Fortunately, other dining venues and other nights in the GDR were far better. Staff everywhere was terrific - friendly, professional, prompt and eager to please. Always made an effort to acknowledge servers and wine stewards by their name. Fantastic effort, consistently so.

 

There was a consensus Punta Cana should be dropped from future itineraries. The senior officers concurred due to a very difficult tender process - one tender took an hour to discharge pax - not the fault of Oceania but the wind and aggressive currents.

 

Sad to say, 100+ Canadian property insurance sales people were on board as an award for achieving sales levels. Free drink cards meant obvious problems for those couples in their 30s - loud, belligerent, boisterous and drunk daytime & night time. Not a great idea for O to agree to disburse unlimited booze to those eager to party hardy.

 

Riviera was an odd setting for this group - Carnival or RCL's bigger ships would be more satisfying than the elderly and sedate crowd on Riviera. Several Canadian passengers (loyal O customers) said this group was kicked out of a resort last year due to the out-of-control behavior so honorees were given a free Riviera cruise. Big mistake.

 

Thanks again for offering such a well balanced and thoughtful review. You mirrored largely our experience of 10 days right after your sailing.

We were on this cruise also. We had heard there were 200 of that obnoxious group on board. Not only were they drunk and loud to include blasting their own music at the pool area but they were cursing all over the ship and a couple of days belly flopping into the pool and jumping in, splashing folks who were relaxing in the first row of chairs.

Pool rules specify no jumping or diving but no one was enforcing this when this group was jumping in.

Also I don't believe cursing like they were is considered proper behavior on the ship.

Several days they had private parties set up for them late in the day (so they could drink some more) and kicked people out of the area where they were relaxing in lounge chairs so they could set up for these inconsiderate people.

Other than that we had a great cruise and I agree with the comments about the GDR (the inconsistency reminded me of HAL) and the suites (great rooms and closets).

We were on this cruise also. We had heard there were 200 of that obnoxious group on board. Not only were they drunk and loud to include blasting their own music at the pool area but they were cursing all over the ship and a couple of days belly flopping into the pool and jumping in, splashing folks who were relaxing in the first row of chairs.

 

Pool rules specify no jumping or diving but no one was enforcing this when this group was jumping in.

 

Also I don't believe cursing like they were is considered proper behavior on the ship.

 

Several days they had private parties set up for them late in the day (so they could drink some more) and kicked people out of the area where they were relaxing in lounge chairs so they could set up for these inconsiderate people.

 

Other than that we had a great cruise and I agree with the comments about the GDR (the inconsistency reminded me of HAL) and the suites (great rooms and closets).

Very, very disappointing to hear that this is allowed on Oceania cruises...:mad:.now wondering if we have made a mistake booking several cruises with them and considering switching to this line as our "go to" cruise line.

Did any of you talk to someone in charge or is there anyone who could prevent this from happening?

In our experience on 15 cruises with O, have never had anything like this. We've been on with several university alumni tours, but all well behaved!! Sorry you had a bad experience, marycruz.

Very, very disappointing to hear that this is allowed on Oceania cruises...:mad:.now wondering if we have made a mistake booking several cruises with them and considering switching to this line as our "go to" cruise line.

Did any of you talk to someone in charge or is there anyone who could prevent this from happening?

I know someone said something because that is one of the things they were cursing about one night. The guy was mad because someone gave him some grief (I won't use the words he used here).

I wouldn't let this commentary keep you from going on this ship. It was a very beautiful, clean ship with a lot of nice people. I can't say this group ruined the cruise for us and I don't know how others felt but I believe they were spoken to on more than one occasion and hope they never come on a cruise we are on again.

Very, very disappointing to hear that this is allowed on Oceania cruises...:mad:.now wondering if we have made a mistake booking several cruises with them and considering switching to this line as our "go to" cruise line.

Did any of you talk to someone in charge or is there anyone who could prevent this from happening?

It is unlikely that Oceania will forgo group bookings - lots of money there! Groups are common on Oceania cruises and, I believe, all cruise lines especially in the summer. It's a basic part of the cruise business to market to groups. Alumni groups, wine club groups, medical training groups (they have to attend classes to get continuing education credit and tax deduction) are ones we have encountered on Oceania. Nearly all are older, professional type people and generally well behaved. Their private parties/dinners sometimes do displace normal activities but are usually on the schedule so you know. Never had a problem with any of them. It sounds as if this group was a real outlier. The behavior of this group should have been controlled by the staff.

... The behavior of this group should have been controlled by the staff ...

Agree ... O's staff should have stepped in. Not right to allow the actions of a few to disrupt the experience of the majority.

Agree ... O's staff should have stepped in. Not right to allow the actions of a few to disrupt the experience of the majority.

This is a VERY difficult line to draw in the sand, particularly as all of the passengers have paid good money to be onboard and nobody was promised a library-like ambiance outside of the library.

Why not just move to another venue? :confused:

too bad one group spoiled the cruise

We have had several groups on O cruises but none behaved like that

Maybe the group will be flagged if they try to book again

Not sure what staff could do if there were a large group creating problem

they can only speak to the them or their leaders & ask they respect the other pax

It sounds like Oceania was not the right choice for their group

This is a VERY difficult line to draw in the sand, particularly as all of the passengers have paid good money to be onboard and nobody was promised a library-like ambiance outside of the library.

 

Why not just move to another venue? :confused:

Oh No. It is very easy to draw a line in the sand and stop behavior like this. These people should be put off the ship an the next port. Everyone else has also paid good money to have a pleasant cruise and not be subjected to this king of rude behavior. Are these friends of yours so you need to excuse this as O.K.? You need to re think your post. :(:(

too bad one group spoiled the cruise

We have had several groups on O cruises but none behaved like that

Maybe the group will be flagged if they try to book again

 

Not sure what staff could do if there were a large group creating problem

they can only speak to the them or their leaders & ask they respect the other pax

 

It sounds like Oceania was not the right choice for their group

They can be told to leave the ship at the next port. If

things on the ship were as bad as reported the security staff on the ship should have stepped in.

They can be told to leave the ship at the next port. If

things on the ship were as bad as reported the security staff on the ship should have stepped in.

I would agree if it were just a few but sounds like a larger group were misbehaving

Just curious

Does anyone know what company this was ?