Riviera Review
Rating by category
Additional details
This was our first cruise on Oceania(we have been on AMA waterways, RCI, NCL, Princess and Celebrity) We chose based on their reputation for over the top cuisine and service and we were not disappointed. We knew that it would be a more sedate pace, with mostly mature passengers, but we wanted a quiet sail with a lot of down time.
Embarkation: was smooth and took only 5 minutes. They did keep our passports for the entire length of the cruise which is the first time we encountered that. We had arrived an hour early in Barcelona, along with about 30 other passengers on the same flight, so they provided a 3 hour bus tour of Barcelona which was great.
Disembarkation: did not go as smoothly. Although they had a good exit strategy, it was not well managed or enforced so there was a cluster of people blocking the exit. A few wheelchair passengers did not get the help they needed and there was massive confusion. Once in the terminal however, the luggage was where it was supposed to be and customs was quick. Transfer buses and taxis were readily available outside.
Cabin Review
Concierge Level
Our cabin was located directly across from the guest self service laundry and just a couple of doors from the concierge lounge. The bathroom had granite countertops and floors, the bath tub was large and the separate shower had a regular hand held shower head as well as a rain water head mounted on the ceiling. Towels were plentiful and they were very plush and absorbent. Nice thick bath mat. Have to be careful not to put cosmetics in the cabinets near the vanity lights since it gets pretty hot there an can melt your lipsticks. There were lots of hangers, a robe and slippers and use of a cashmere lap blanket and umbrella. Concierge lounge had juice and coffee machine as well as soft drinks and yogurt to go with the small pastries and cookies available all day. There is a large screen TV and copies of newspapers that were downloaded via satellite.