I would like to start this review by thanking a great couple I met, on the NCL Jade in April 2014, who first introduced me to this great resource “Cruise Critic”. Their names are Catherine and Michael from Edinburg, Pennsylvania. My best wishes to them both! She practiced nursing and he was somehow linked with the local university.
** The Riviera is a mid-sized, beautiful ship. It has 15 decks and holds 1250 passengers, it is an easy ship to get very quickly familiar with it, in general it feels uncrowded (even being full) except when passengers are back from touring (as happens in any other cruise ship) especially if you want to have lunch at the Terrace Café or the Waves Grill.
**Stateroom was of good size and in good shape with the exception of the carpet which needed a deep cleaning or replacement. Comfortable and well-appointed bathroom but with a rather small shower stall. Cabin lighting in general is not up to standard, especially when looking at yourself in any of the mirrors. The attendant, Gede and his un-named assistant were very prompt, respectful and reliable; it was also very nice not having them around your door expecting for you to leave to make up the room! - as it happens on other cruise lines. Storage was acceptable though the closet was too narrow having problems closing the doors because they got caught up on my jackets. Also the space between closet and bed was a bit tight.
**Stateroom was of good size and in good shape with the exception of the carpet which needed a deep cleaning or replacement. Comfortable and well-appointed bathroom but with a rather small shower stall. Cabin lighting in general is not up to standard, especially when looking at yourself in any of the mirrors. The attendant, Gede and his un-named assistant were very prompt, respectful and reliable; it was also very nice not having them around your door expecting for you to leave to make up the room! - as it happens on other cruise lines. Storage was acceptable though the closet was too narrow having problems closing the doors because they got caught up on my jackets. Also the space between closet and bed was a bit tight.
Historical Island Drive and Beach Break very much enjoyed
Oceania staff assistance finding the shuttle to downtown Barbados would have avoided us the unpleasant pestering of the numerous taxis drivers at the port – each and every one trying to get us to go with them. Furthermore, once we found the special shuttle that was it, no return trip was available (we learnt that after waiting by the department store until one of the clerks told us we better look for a taxi). All this uncertainty and hassle was not appreciated and takes away from the pleasure of re-discovering this tropical city centre and is certainly not what passengers expect from the Oceania experience. This comment was corroborated by many other passengers.
We had a great beach break at the nearby Boatyards beach area which was spoilt by very strong winds which swirled the sand all over us. This was ameliorated by great rum punches and a great lunch at the Bridge House restaurant with great views of the waterway/bridge. So as you can see thanks to our own efforts it was a very pleasant second visit to Barbados.
Island Splendor - good tour and guide but ugly, sweet, undrinkable rum punch given on the veranda after touring the Governor's House