Riviera Review

Just an absolutely amazing 1st time ever cruise: Outstanding Ship & Crew

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Riviera
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MEFIowa
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

Rating by category

Cabin
Family
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Additional details

Sail Date: Dec 2021
Cabin: Concierge Level

My wife & I wanted a relaxing vacation with adults with some decent opportunities for excursions. This ship and cruise fit the bill perfectly. We did our own excursions in Cozumel (Dolphin Discovery), Roatan-Honduras (Manawakie Eco Park), Santa Tomas-Guatemala (Go With Gus Rio Dulce/Livingston tour), and we spent hours walking around Belize City on a beautiful Sunday. Cannot say enough good things about the cabin or food. Every venue to eat had a great selection of high-quality food. Like a quick lunch in the beautiful Terrace Cafe looking aft outside with curry tiger prawns, Danish spare-ribs, and veal. And I ended up "addicted" each evening there with the grilled lamb, lobster tail, shrimp, and steaks. The four specialty restaurants were each amazing in their own way. Try the Sea Bass for Two at Jacques. Glad the booze isn't flowing freely. We didn't buy a drink package or a single drink. Brought my allowed 6 bottles of wine and found some nice Mexican wine in Costa Maya. Kept our costs reasonable. Was so easy to find a nice comfy pool chair or mattress. We were PAMPERED. But then only 719 passengers and about 780 crew. Was fascinating to prowl around at 0500 when the only passenger we found out was the photographer artist-in-residence, who couldn't sleep and was by the pool. We even ended up spending too much time and money in the boutiques enjoying the company of the staff there (Adele, Dennis & Kassim). And our room stewards--Anastasia & Stephen--were always so efficient and kind. A JOY to spend time here. And when I mentioned in a mid-cruise survey that there was no guest lecturer on the cruise, I quickly got a friendly call from Paul telling me how to access the previously videotaped lectures, so I watched a couple. Paul set up a nice early Veterans Group meeting where I met many I'd later encounter repeatedly on board. Our only entertainment we attended was the 2nd show by the comic, who was funny & clean. Be prepared for OLDER cruisers. I'm 58 and I felt very young. :)

Cabin Review

Concierge Level

Spacious, quiet, well laid out, comfortable. Overall, a most relaxing and enjoyable room with so many nice little touches. Who doesn't love a full-size tub and a shower? I spent many an hour in the evening just sitting on our outside balcony sipping wine & enjoying the view. Spacious & comfortable chairs with table. We even had breakfast there by room service one morning.

Port Reviews

Belize City

Spent hours walking around the city on a lazy beautiful day. The police & tourist units out in force, so felt safe. The people were very friendly. We walked and walked and walked all over the city.

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