Cruise of A Lifetime

If you can imagine a dream come true, you will understand how it feels to cruise Greece, from Athens to Crete, with visits to the islands of Santorini, Katakolon and Corfu.  The cruise line Oceania's ship Riviera was my dream vessel.  Imagine a veranda stateroom with a shower and bathtub; breakfast en suite so my roommate and I were on time for our morning excursions or tours; back to the ship for a delicious buffet lunch in a Terrace restaurant, unless we preferred the Waves Grill.  We enjoyed elegant afternoon tea service in a beautiful Horizons lounge with live chamber music; stayed for cocktail hour (two for the price of one drink).  Later we relished magnificent cuisine in one of four specialty restaurants (French, Italian, East Asian, or Lobster/Steak Grill) or chose a Grand Dining Room banquet.  We liked meeting other interesting passengers at a shared table, rather than choosing to dine together. Then we attended an evening show of superb singing, dancing, costumes and sets in the main Lounge.  We also had the options of a library, computer room, pool/deck, spa and exercise equipment, concerts, dancing, bars, a casino and classes.  Everything was first class at competitive prices.  I asked servers and entertainers about their working conditions.  All of them praised the cruise line for treating them with consideration so they felt rested, well and happy to please us passengers.  The boarding procedures are so well organized that there were no lines or delays (unlike cruises I've taken where we stood in lines within airplane hanger-like sheds with thousands of others who were equally unhappy).  The Oceania mid-size ships are able to dock in or near unique ports and are ecologically less damaging to the ocean and coastal environments.  Wherever in the world you long to visit, I wish you my heavenly experience.  Barbara O'Farrell, NYC bo1@columbia.edu  (despite my 'retiree' message, I check email every day.)