Riviera Cruise Reviews - Reviews

First time on Oceania cruise line , very nice ports differentes from other cruise lines 

I would recommended to couples and families , very good food 7 stars rate

my favorite port was Portugal fell in love with the place and the people ❤️😍

The ambiance and services were exactly as on previous Oceania cruises, excellent. Unfortunately, the wine prices and  off shore tours were seriously overpriced and some tours were not up to expectations. A 4 hours tour should not be 2.5 hours substance with one hour shopping or 2 hours "on your own" for $ 169.  Separate shopping tours could be organized to those so inclined.

Quite nice  I think the majority of folk would love this ship and the destinations.  I am trying to make 150 characters  because no one wants this review if I don't.

Sometimes being accommodating is not enough.   this should be enough

I highly recommend the Oceania Exclusive Excursions!  The personal attention to detail made it not only an excursion, but a personal experience! Their tour guides were so informative and all spoke English. The food on board was impeccable! The staff was so friendly and always smiling. I don't think I could ever go on a cruise with any other cruise line other than Oceania after this!

Great itinerary. Best food on the seas and a beautiful ship. Still waiting to hear from Oceania about a terrible shore excursion (if they sell it they should warranty it )

Fantastic Cruise,  exceeded all expectations, from Ports to accommodations, and service.   Luxury Only agent was extremely helpful in planning and setting up the cruise and associated transportation.

Loved sailing on the ocean.  Service was unbelievable.  Staff was very responsive to all my needs.  Liked restaurant choices.  Don't know how much more I need to say in order to submit review.

Horrible cruise/infected with norovirus from the 2nd night out. Found out Riviera has been subjected to 6 outbreaks of norovirus since Nov.: 3 reported to CDC because of percentage level and 3 unreported.  No forewarning of this situation and no apology from captain all during the 14 days of infection.  Venues (library, guest laundry, fitness center, culinary center and Artists Loft) all closed due to

contamination; however never closed casino as that is a money maker.  Ship was

negligent in not properly disinfecting the premises and not accepting responsibility for this outbreak.  Sanitation processes while onboard were a joke: crew running around with buckets of disinfectant which apparently was not working because people kept getting sick.  Over 200 "reported" cases of the virus and many more not reported because people were so disgusted with the response from crew.  Service and food quality blatantly inferior to previous cruises and attributable to new management under Prestige Holding which has also taken over NCL....and brought Oceania down to level of NCL with lousy food and inferior service/noticeable from day one.  Will never sail on Oceania again and had originally intended to book a cruise to Alaska...not with you!!

At dinner in one of the four specialty restaurants on our Oceania ship MS Riviera, the question was asked, "Why do you say Oceania is the perfect cruise line?"  I appreciated being met at the airport, driven to a hotel for an overnight, then my luggage was picked up and I was driven to the ship where boarding was spread over a period of time so that I never had to stand in a line.  Every person associated with the cruise was pleasantly helpful; the staff called me Madam and pampered me endlessly.  The cuisine was superb, the service was impeccable, and the seven dining rooms were beautiful.  Tea time with music, cocktail hour, and show-time were daily treats.  All meals, tips and beverages were included (except alcohol).  In every Port, we were tendered to shore or driven to the old-town area.  All local tours were well scheduled and final disembarkation was smoothly orderly.  Oceania's was the best organized cruise I've enjoyed.  Every detail was perfect.    

I didnt enjoy port of calls  Nothing really to see except third world countries.

Ship made up for it and the ships personnl.  Food was great as was service.

Enjoyed special restaurants with different specialities.

Upon our arrival at the pier we discovered that the ship had been quarantined due to norovirus on the previous cruise.  The departure was on time but boarding was delayed, and services were limited for the first four days due to sanitizing procedure.  Once the CDC procedures were completed things returned to normal, especially the attitude of the staff who were considerably overworked.  The communication from the administration was non-existent as we got our information from other passengers.   The only explanation came on (about) the 7th day when a cocktail evening was announced--free drinks for 2 hours. It would have been helpful if we were better informed 

WE had the noro virus on board and within us.  I had it and we were both isolated within our cabin.   My wife got it in the hotel while waiting for our return flight.  It was a very uncomfortable last days.  The first three or four were super, but the control of the disease was poorly initiated and carried out. Yes, we got a refund for the two days of shortened cruise, but no remuneration for our two days in the cabin, with the TV not able to receive, eating off plastic plates with much delayed room service.  We also got a discount on any cruise booked this year for use prior to next Feb.  I don't think anyone who had been sick is going to want to even smell the ocean for a while to come. I am sorry, but right now, this survey, which you can read and delete, was a poor thing to send out right now.  This was to have been a celebratory 50th anniversary event which was a disaster.

Before we boarded the Riviera we were notified that several guests on the previous cruise had contracted Norovirus.  But the notice stated the ship had been sanitized.  We did not see the notice because we were already in Florida and did not look at email.  But at that point there was no way to not take the cruise and get our money back. There were several people sailing back-to-back cruises that may have contributed to the problem.  The first few days were okay but soon the sanitation process began and became the MAIN OBJECT of the cruise.  Staying well was on everyone's mind. I had been looking forward to the painting classes.  They were cancelled.  ALL surfaces were constantly being wiped down, hands were sprayed, no special jewelry displayed, the library was closed but not the casino (!) and so on.  They were very diligent but guests and crew were still getting sick up to the last day on board.  We managed to stay well but those quarantined had terrible experiences. They were not happy with the management.  We returned to port three days early, missing two port stops that  we had been very interested in seeing.   In Miami, we were luckily assigned to the Trump National Doral Resort.  We had two free breakfasts and a ride to the airport.  The rest was on us.  However, we almost missed our plane because we had a early flight out of Ft. Lauderdale and our leaving the hotel was delayed because the Oceania official was late arriving and was lax in finding the other couple going with us.  We were ready, the airport limo was ready but we couldn't leave until he authorized it.  The airline held the plane for us. We got a 25% rebate on the trip and 25% on a future cruise.  Although this can happen on any cruise ship, right now we are not interested in another Oceania cruise.

Excellent staff. Incredible food. We especially enjoyed Jacques and the Polo Grill. the entertainment was variable. Most comfortable bed we've ever slept in. Nothing worth seeing at the cruise stops unless you took an excursion, with the exception of Key West. Plenty of lounge chairs even on sea days. 

This was our first cruise on Riviera .  Stayed in 11007.  All good and the exec suite was very useful.  Ruth, our 11th floor concierge, was terrific.

Service and personnel was usually very good, with great attitude.  Food was ok, but specialty restaurants were first rate, especially Red Ginger and Jacques.

I would not do the same itinerary again.  The Western carib as some uninteresting ports.

The spa is outstanding.  If you are on decks 10 or 11 or 12 go to the private sunbathing and huge hot tub on the bow. 

We liked the ship and experience enough that we have re-booked for next January doing the southern Caribe.

Biggest disappointment was the ship entertainment.  Oceania needs to get better singers/dancers/choreography.  Most shows were not well done.  Out of at least 5 we went to, only 2 would get a B , the others c-.

This cruise had several opportunities to enjoy the sun and sand. The water was magnificent, the beaches big and soft, and the sun always hot.  All of the ports on this trip were extremely enjoyable. If your a beach person, this is the itinerary for you.

This was our first ever cruise and we did not want to cruise with a large number of passengers. Oceania was highly recommended by friends so we took a chance.  We were not disappointed. Outstanding service, great accommodations, world class cuisine, friendly and helpful staff all created a relaxed and fun atmosphere. The ships facilities were first class all the way, from the library, pool, various dining areas and bars, each presented a venue in which to enjoy your activity. We have already booked another cruise with Oceania.

The cruise was as wonderful as we have come to expect from Oceania. Fabulouss food, interesting lectures,congenial staff. The weather cooperated and was unseasonably warm and the ocean was calm.

 About the middle of the crossing, we began getting announcements about careful and frequent hand washing as a virus had boarded the ship and was along for the ride. I cannot say enough about the manner in which the crew tackled the problem and due to their vigilance there were less than 100 reported cases. In fortunately, the officials in Bbermuda were not as impressed as I and refused to permit us to enter. Bermuda was a real selling point as well as numerous days at sea for us. Nothing to d but push on to Nassau,certainly no comparison to Bermuda. We spent less than an hour on shore and spent the relmainder of time on board. Unfortunately, I succumbed to the virus on mMonday night and was disembarked worth a handful of other infected persons after the ship had been completely off loaded. 

The staff and crew were fabulous in handling and. limiting the spread of the virus..I will continue to cruise with Oceania,  it is a fabulous line.

Cruise Ship and crew were the best.  Exceptional room service and courteous personnel.  Specialty restaurant foods were soooo good.  Great variety of food at the other food venues but taste not that great.

Entertainment was not as good as expected.

Disappointed after finding out that others on the cruise were given free upgrades at no additional cost, whereas we had to pay an additional $1,000 for the same type room.  This was our second cruise on the Riviera, so it didn't sit well with us after finding out that first timers got a better deal than we did.

Tours were good, but tour guides were poor.  They spoke English, but with their heavy accent, were very difficult to understand.  Out of the nine we had, only one was understandable.  Some did not use a microphone, so they lost us completely.  Also, tours were fast paced.  Would have like to have spent more time at the sites.  

Previously sailed on the Oceania Regatta.  Exceptional.  That was why we booked Oceania again. Bad decision.  DO NOT BOOK ON THIS SHIP.

Be aware if you book a cabin with a balcony, you cannot separate the beds.

First day out, I was told by the assistant cruise director 'unfortunately we don't have time for the port lectures'...and that presentations were continuous on the ship's TV.  Those turned out to be very poor power point presentations that could have been read by a 9 year old. The port presentations on the Regatta were informative and there was an expert to field questions about the area, not just sell excursions. 

We had our best meals OFF the ship. Minestrone in a local pub was better than on board.

Mediocre food and slow dining room service.  Often took 20+ minutes to get waited on, and another 30 minutes before food arrive (with only 2 exceptions). This from a cruise line that touts 'the best food on the seas'.  Don't believe it. They emphasize their four specialty dining rooms included with the price of the cruise, IF you can get reservations. When I went to the desk to make a reservation, the girl hardly acknowledge me and continued  entering information from a pile of documents. Finally got booked for 9pm Tuesday in the Polo Room (all that was available). Seated on time, but it was after 10 before we saw our food.  Steak arrive charred.  At breakfast in the main dining room, same experience. Only 20-30 people present, but an hour to get eggs Benedict without any Canadian bacon and hard boiled 'poached' eggs.  At breakfast on day 4, the waiter asked 'is that on the menu'??  At one meal, it took four people to get a glass of soda.  The appetizers in the infamous 'Red Ginger' were little more than bar food, but presented in pretty paper.

Kudos do go to our room steward. He was great.  Always friendly and smiling.  Also, the main reception desk personnel were friendly and  helpful.

Then things got bad/worse when our return flights booked by Oceania were cancelled due to the Lufthansa strike.  I understand that the strike was not Oceania's making but for a supposedly first class cruise line, the were not very accommodating.  Got the call at 3am to come to reception at 8 for further information.  At 8, we [along with 40-50 others] were told any further expenses were on us: 'That's what you bought the insurance for..."  They had one person attempting to book hotels because no flights were available until the following day. While waiting our turn, they announce everyone must exit the ship and claim luggage by 9am.  Luckily we got a hotel booked by the concierge, only to arrive and find the booking was for 2016.  Two other groups arrive after us to find the same situation.  A simple, but devastating mistake when traveling with an 80 year old with limited mobility. These are but a few of things that I can thank Oceania for.

On the flip side, the weather was great in every port but one.  Beautiful locations and friendly people.  Ignore the ship and enjoy the ports and you could have a good time, but you paid way too much to get there.