By way of introduction, we have been fortunate to take over 35 cruises beginning with the "Love Boat" in the early seventies. We have been on twelve cruise lines so think we have a good overall picture.
The recently completed 10 day cruise with the Riviera ranks as one of the worst ever experienced.
Let's begin with the embarkation. As others have indicated Norovirus was on board when the ship arrived in Miami. We arrived at the port around noon to find a lineup outside the terminal. A few had heard of the virus but no one from the ship shed any light on what was happening. After an hour they let us into the terminal and gave out a boarding number. We are now over a thousand people sitting waiting. They left everyone in limbo - no indication of what is happening only promises that we would be boarding soon. Food and water was only available from the vending machines - how tacky. When boarding began, the line-ups were unbelievable. The we are herded into the Terrace Lounge as the rooms are not ready. Rooms and luggage for some were not available until 7 p.m. Meanwhile the Cruise Director reads off his spiel about the dress code for the dining room say8ng no jeans are allowed. Now did he have any idea of what we were dealing with.
Overcrowded