Riviera Review

4.5 / 5.0
782 reviews

Sailing With Buckets of Disinfectant Throuh the Caribbean

Review for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on Riviera
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Mooville931
6-10 Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: Mar 2016
Cabin: Verandah Stateroom

This was our third cruise with Oceania, first on Riveria (probably our last), second with Marina. We were very excited about this cruise because the ports of call were different from any we had taken in the past, especially Aruba. Lo and behold, two days out, Norovirus was announced by the Captain and the ship went into quarantine mode and all of the niceties that we have come to expect from Oceania disappeared immediately. The tables were cleared, the buckets of disinfectant came out and hands had to be sanitized at least a dozen times a day. It was like being on a floating horror movie with disinfectant dripping down the walls, wallpaper lifting off the walls, railings, counters and doors all sticky and goopy to the touch so much so that you couldn't even hold the stair railings when you went up and down. It was serious overkill. There were passengers who had a bit of stomach upset who were reported by room stewards that were quarantined without being tested for Norovirus and then subjected to the same stigma as those that actually had the virus. We were not allowed to dock in Aruba by the port authorities. We were very upset as this was the main reason we chose this cruise in the first place. We had to show our world cards every time we entered any of the restaurants to make sure we were not one of the "infected" people as they took their cards away and taped their doors shut and took them food on paper plates and plastic cutlery; apparently cold food for at least 48 hours.

There was no captains reception for returning guests as is the norm on Oceania, the culinary school was closed, library, anywhere that they thought could pass germs. As soon as you got up from a table, the cloth was whisked away and it was sloshed down, table and chairs with disinfectant and left for at least 10 minutes. You had to ask for cream and sugar or salt and pepper and they would bring it to you and pour the cream and give you a paper packet of sugar or salt and pepper. I felt like I was in a low class cafeteria not a luxury cruise ship.

Lastly, this cruise was completely sold out. Full to the brim. We should have been told that this ship had had Norovirus not once but twice before this cruise so that we could have made an informed decision as to whether or not we wanted to put ourselves into this situation. Oceania did send an urgent email to my travel agent shortly before left but it was only to offer us an upgrade for an additional cost. They chose not to tell us about the Norovirus. Fortunately for us and fortunately for Oceania, we did not get sick. Had we been one of the many very elderly people with depressed immune systems on board, this could have gone very badly. One last thing. Oceania did not plan very well for a sold out cruise ship. They ran out of wine, Pellegrino water, several foods. I for one like blueberries in my blueberry pancakes. When you have a full ship, you plan accordingly, and clearly they did not. I was not impressed.

Cabin Review

Verandah Stateroom

Cabin B1

Absolutely love the penthouse suites. Lots of room, lovely veranda perfect for canapés and drinks while we pull out of port. The bed is super comfy with exceptional linens and soft pillows. There is a couch and table with a chair for reading and a separate table and chairs for meals. A nice long desk with computer and phone, then desk with vanity and fridge. There is a great walk in closet so you aren't walking into one another. The bathroom is spacious with a rain shower shower head as well as a regular one and a separate tub. Really beautiful. The suite comes with a butler and we had simply the best one, Hamesh, thank you for all of your kind service.

Port Reviews

Miami

Too short

St. Kitts (Port Zante)

We had a ball!

St. Barts

I hated it and my husband loved it, hence the 3

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