On Riviera Now- 1/14 - 1/28

[azlatina]

Hi Nymich, on your previous cruise I believe your sources told you appx passenger count on current cruise, would you be able to inquire how many they expect for Jan. 28th cruise. I am still planning on being on that cruise. Appreciate any info you can get.  Thank you.

[espmass]

34 minutes ago, Nymich said:

Dickinson Bay

 

My favorite Antigua beach and that's where we plan to go when we are there.  Mind telling me the cost of the cab these days?  Thanks.

[tgg]

1 hour ago, Jayne E said:

 

Should you have dinner with  another couple and one or both of them thereafter tests positive, would that require you to be considered “a close contact” and forced to quarantine?

Not sure if anyone has an answer but it’s something to think about. 

 

1 hour ago, Jancruz said:

Why bother, it may never happen..

Jancruz1

 

Although it may never happen, the answer to this question might help you decide whether to share a table with another couple at dinner.

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, Jayne E said:

 

Should you have dinner with  another couple and one or both of them thereafter tests positive, would that require you to be considered “a close contact” and forced to quarantine?

Not sure if anyone has an answer but it’s something to think about. 

I would think you would be considered  a contact  & subject to isolate  & test daily

 

 

[Nymich]

1 hour ago, azlatina said:

Hi Nymich, on your previous cruise I believe your sources told you appx passenger count on current cruise, would you be able to inquire how many they expect for Jan. 28th cruise. I am still planning on being on that cruise. Appreciate any info you can get.  Thank you.

They didn't know until like the night before due to cancels etc...  hopefully one of us can get you a number.......

[Nymich]

1 hour ago, espmass said:

 

My favorite Antigua beach and that's where we plan to go when we are there.  Mind telling me the cost of the cab these days?  Thanks.

We got our own cab $15 for 2 each way.  I heard that was higher than some who paid $10 but they shared. Gave her a nice tip because she came back at exactly the time we requested to be picked up.

 

We went next to Sandals Resort. Lounge chairs were $5 each (silly good price) and umbrellas were $12.

 

Hope that helps.

Edited January 20, 2022 by Nymich

[Jayne E]

2 hours ago, tgg said:

 

 

Although it may never happen, the answer to this question might help you decide whether to share a table with another couple at dinner.

Although it may never happen….it may happen. That’s why O SailSafe specifically states the protocol regarding a “close contact”. 
Friends cruised Riviera in October and sharing a table was not permitted except if it was with people you were traveling with and this information had to be provided to O. Apparently Oceania at that time believed there was a risk sharing a table with fellow passengers. 
Agree with LHT28 that all at a table would be considered a contact and subject to quarantine.

[espmass]

7 hours ago, Nymich said:

We got our own cab $15 for 2 each way.  I heard that was higher than some who paid $10 but they shared. Gave her a nice tip because she came back at exactly the time we requested to be picked up.

 

We went next to Sandals Resort. Lounge chairs were $5 each (silly good price) and umbrellas were $12.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks so much.  Sandals is where we usually end up so good to have the current info.  I see on the current "Travel and Entry Requirements" that Grenada allows a private cab only to a "government authorized" beach so if you go to a beach while there I'd also appreciate knowing which beach is "government authorized" and what the price for cab, chair, etc are.  Thanks so much for all your continued information on this leg of your cruise.  Enjoy!

[Cruze4Ever]

Thanks so much to everyone for posting with such valuable information!  We are booked on the Feb. 7 cruise and I remember seeing a picture of a KN-95 mask that was in a cabin.  Does Oceania give these out on a daily basis, or should I order and bring my own?

 

Happy cruising, enjoy and stay well!

[brittany12]

I'm just wondering the regret level of those traveling now under far less than ideal circumstances  of  catching Covid and worry over possible quarantining, skipping ports, constant masking and frequent testing,  and those about to embark on a cruise the next few months risking the same thing.  Did you go or are you going  because you did not want to lose the money under the severe cancellation penalties and just take the risk you deemed acceptable no matter what? 

Wish you had taken out expensive CFAR insurance so you could have cancelled int time ? Just how enjoyable has it been on the scale of 1 to 10? Compared to the old, care-free days. There are those who are fearless or at least put on a very brave face in these ship reports and those who did not cancel in time, feel trapped, and those who tested positive and had to suffer the quarantining. Would you do it again?

[ToxM]

“Compared to the old care-free days” this is the most important sentence in your post. We now live pre and post pandemic. I still sit wistfully watching TV clips where everyone was freely mingling..we will get there again, but not for a while. Maybe some things are here to stay, maybe wearing a mask on a plane will stay (personally happy about that because we’ve all caught a horrible cold from being on a plane). 

 

Travelling in March, determined to go. Happy to go when we are going. My last two birthdays have been spent in full UK lockdowns. This isn’t happening this year. You have to grab life when you can, that’s what this pandemic has taught me. Be careful, be sensible, do your bit for yourself and others - rules we should be living to with everything, not just covid. it appears to be a difficult lesson for some, but not me. 

 

 

[jrandjr]

Asked my O TA if its possible to trade (PH) with passengers wishing to cancel their 7 Feb cruise so we can stay onboard after our 28 Jan cruise. Met with a resounding "No, it doesn't work that". Pity, as we would love to stay onboard.

Edited January 20, 2022 by jrandjr

[Kstornado]

Is the spa & library open? Also are there still bridge lessons?. We are on January 28th cruise & the following one & are looking forward to it. Not as much fun wearing masks, but we will board our "mystery cruise" since we probably will be going to different ports than the ones we signed up for. From reading posts, food is still terrific & that's good with us. Just looking forward to warm weather & meeting some new people. Thank you to those who are posting.

[davencl]

3 hours ago, brittany12 said:

I'm just wondering the regret level of those traveling now under far less than ideal circumstances  of  catching Covid and worry over possible quarantining, skipping ports, constant masking and frequent testing,  and those about to embark on a cruise the next few months risking the same thing.  Did you go or are you going  because you did not want to lose the money under the severe cancellation penalties and just take the risk you deemed acceptable no matter what? 

Wish you had taken out expensive CFAR insurance so you could have cancelled int time ? Just how enjoyable has it been on the scale of 1 to 10? Compared to the old, care-free days. There are those who are fearless or at least put on a very brave face in these ship reports and those who did not cancel in time, feel trapped, and those who tested positive and had to suffer the quarantining. Would you do it again?

For us it's a 10.  Better than what you call care free days. 50 percent capacity is wonderfull.

[beardedshark]

Thanks all for an interesting thread. As above, is the spa open, I can’t see masks being effective in the sauna and spa 😀. 
 

We are from the uk cruising March transatlantic. I get the impression that you guys from the us are much more worried about covid than we are, it’s pretty much at the endemic stage here with reasonably high national vaccination 83% with 2 doses. Most restrictions are about to be removed and we have been drinking in pubs maskless for a months. What’s the situation over the pond?  Especially in Florida as we overnight there before the cruise. 
 

We have to do a PCR test within 24 hours before our flight to the states to be allowed to fly so it can be done (for a price)😂

[LHT28]

2 hours ago, jrandjr said:

Asked my O TA if its possible to trade (PH) with passengers wishing to cancel their 7 Feb cruise so we can stay onboard after our 28 Jan cruise. Met with a resounding "No, it doesn't work that". Pity, as we would love to stay onboard.

go talk to the purser

[macaroni]

2 masks were in our cabin when we boarded. You can get more by asking your steward.

glad we came….even with no casino and limited entertainment. We will never get to enjoy a ship at 50%capacity for much longer. 
 

we are testing  again tomorrow for entrance to St. Vincent’s…

 

my only complaint is that the food venues close up early. Never sailed Oceania before so don’t know if that is usual.  I guess you have to order from room service for late food.

 

 

[espmass]

4 minutes ago, macaroni said:

2 masks were in our cabin when we boarded. You can get more by asking your steward.

glad we came….even with no casino and limited entertainment. We will never get to enjoy a ship at 50%capacity for much longer. 
 

we are testing  again tomorrow for entrance to St. Vincent’s…

 

my only complaint is that the food venues close up early. Never sailed Oceania before so don’t know if that is usual.  I guess you have to order from room service for late food.

 

 

 

How early is early?  Enjoy St Vincents.

[Nymich]

4 hours ago, brittany12 said:

I'm just wondering the regret level of those traveling now under far less than ideal circumstances  of  catching Covid and worry over possible quarantining, skipping ports, constant masking and frequent testing,  and those about to embark on a cruise the next few months risking the same thing.  Did you go or are you going  because you did not want to lose the money under the severe cancellation penalties and just take the risk you deemed acceptable no matter what? 

Wish you had taken out expensive CFAR insurance so you could have cancelled int time ? Just how enjoyable has it been on the scale of 1 to 10? Compared to the old, care-free days. There are those who are fearless or at least put on a very brave face in these ship reports and those who did not cancel in time, feel trapped, and those who tested positive and had to suffer the quarantining. Would you do it again?

Brittany this is an excellent question.  We are close to completing our 5th cruise since October and would like to give this an honest answer.  I can't right now because we are dead beat self excursion invoked tired!  ( I will say we have no regrets even though it was quite different than pre covid)I would like to take a shot at fully answering perhaps when this one is finished.  Great question.

Edited January 20, 2022 by Nymich

[macaroni]

I think 9 pm….maybe the main dining is 9:30…but no place to go for a snack..we found Horizons has a coffee set up but no little treats to go with it…. Maybe I am missing some place…..

[LHT28]

5 minutes ago, macaroni said:

I think 9 pm….maybe the main dining is 9:30…but no place to go for a snack..we found Horizons has a coffee set up but no little treats to go with it…. Maybe I am missing some place…..

Normal for Oceania 

not sure if the "NEW"  Barristas have snack later or not  if you have lounge access  they should have some snacks but otherwise  it is room service

Some bars serve nuts/chips/pretzels in pre covid times  ..you could ask there

 Never really looked for food after dinner usually too full  LOL

[Kate-AHF]

3 hours ago, jrandjr said:

Asked my O TA if its possible to trade (PH) with passengers wishing to cancel their 7 Feb cruise so we can stay onboard after our 28 Jan cruise. Met with a resounding "No, it doesn't work that". Pity, as we would love to stay onboard.

 

I'm not sure i understand.  If there are PH's available on the next leg, why wouldn't you be able to purchase it onboard now - and just move your things with the help of your butler?

[jrandjr]

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

go talk to the purser

That's the plan immediately when we board. Currently wait listed but will let them know our desire right away.

[jrandjr]

3 minutes ago, Kate-AHF said:

 

I'm not sure i understand.  If there are PH's available on the next leg, why wouldn't you be able to purchase it onboard now - and just move your things with the help of your butler?

It's complicated with ship stateroom reduction and quareentines I was told. I'm hopeful once on board I'll be successful. Packing for extra days anyway.

 

[brittany12]

Thanks Nymich. I am looking forward to your thoughtful answer once you are rested. Lots of us formerly frequent  cruisers—for us nearly 50 of them over past 25 years, a dozen on Oceania,— have mixed feelings and serious concerns about future cruising. Especially in months ahead.  Your views from the ship right now over this dilemna would be very interesting.