Riviera

NOVEMBER

It was a fantastic first time for us sailing on the Riviera. We just felt it was the best way to travel and see the ports we did. We have already booked 2024 and 2025 cruises.

AUGUST

I love the ship and all the friendly staff who make the experience great. The General Manager invited us to dinner at Privee as I am a platinum member of the Oceania club. Several lovely cocktail parties were hosted by the senior staff. Due to bad weather and high winds we missed two ports as couldn’t guarantee a safe arrival and departure. Immediately they got together and planned many activities aboard. A cooking demonstration, speakers, golf in the Martinis bar, trivia, and other activities.

AUGUST

We were so lucky with the weather during this entire cruise; except for port Paamiut, Greenland which the ship can not anchor plus tender are not safe due to floating iceberg and fog so the captain decided to skip this port. There was a tender mishap when returning from port Lerwick (Shetland Islands), Scotland to ship. The tender bumped not once but twice while trying to dock; we were safe but some people got hurt including one with broken nose and twisted ankle. The food quality seems lower compared to the cruise we took on October 2019; maybe due to the pandemic or cost cutting.

AUGUST

It was an excellent cruise. We loved it so much that we booked another on this cruise. Can't wait!

JULY

This was our second Cruise (Baltic was first)with Oceania and we will go again! You can go formal or informal which we like to have the choice. Food and service were excellent no matter if you were eating in the formal dining room or the Terrace Cafe—buffet. Small ship with about 1,500 guests who were mostly adults. Very little to do for children. Ship was clean and everyone was very friendly. If you want fine dining with great accommodations and an adult atmosphere, Oceania is a great choice! They provide great entertainment at night and great land excursions as well.

MAY

Loved getting back to sailing with Oceania and seeing the world.

APRIL

Overall, a wonderful experience for us. Sonu was incredible catering to our needs. Without him, we would not have enjoyed the trip. Ginselle (spelling?) who works in the spa was great, such a sweet person too. Best part of the ship was your crew--all wonderful people. Kotor panoramic tour-stop for snack was disappointing--we were one of the last buses and bus had trouble parking, toilets were clogged. Just too many people doing the same thing. Wish we had gone to Dubrovnik instead of Split and Monaco instead of Marseilles. Toscana and Jacques--delicious. Grand Dining Room, Polo and Terrace cafe were disappointing. Iquomenitsa port was a nightmare--took us 2 1/2 hours to get through port security. Due to my husband having Parkinson's, we did not go to any of the entertainment, but I'm told I have to give it a rating Should be not applicable

MARCH

Renewed my desire for cruising. Really beautiful ship with interesting activities onboard ie:cooking classes. Great food choices.

FEBRUARY

The Riviera was an intimate shape with superb service and abundant rooms. We loved all the restaurants and enjoyed meeting new people at our shared tables !

FEBRUARY

Very smooth vacation, with all connections made. Cruise travel has improved in the past few years and embarkation and debarkation are so much more organized and efficient than in the past.

JANUARY

There is a majority of older people (65 and up) on board. This didn’t bother my wife and I at all. The conversations we had were great and we learned more from the Foreign travelers . I can’t emphasize the staff was great enough. We will travel Oceana again.

OCTOBER

Overall a wonderful trip. Stateroom service was excellent, and people in general could not do enough. Food was outstanding with very little complaints.

OCTOBER

Riviera is going in to drydock for an update, and just in the nick of time, since the interior of the ship is in need of freshening up. We knew that when we chose this sailing date, so that was not a surprise. Our biggest disappointment was that despite the demographics of an aging cruise population, not a single excursion was deemed handicap accessible. The limited number of accessible cabins presented us with no choice but to upgrade to an expensive level where there would be sufficient room for us. The staff was wonderful in handling my husband's limitations, kind in serving us, and always friendly. The butler was of no real use to us, and the concierge was rarely seen in her office. Overall, the ship's activities, excursions, and style seemed out of date.

SEPTEMBER

<div>This ship is in very good condition, well kept up, extremely clean and sanitary. High ratio of staff to guests with a very personal feel. Staff often greets you by name and goes above and beyond to be sure tha all of your needs are met. Outstanding food. Very high quality with excellent preparation and a large variety to choose from. Besides the main dining room, there are four specialty restaurants and two private chef experiences. Beautiful artwork throughout the ship , many very inviting public spaces to sit and relax, have a drink and listen to music . The pool area offers plentiful lounges that are always available in various areas by or overlooking the pool, and two good sized jacuzzis. Excellent fitness center and spa with a private relaxation area for spa guests and concierge cabins. The Riviera Lounge has nightly entertainment of good quality, and there is also an excellent string quartet and a pianist where you can relax and have a drink while listening to music..&nbsp; The cabins are designed well with more than adequate storage.&nbsp; Beds are very comfortable.&nbsp; The shower in the bathroom was a little too small, but I understand that they are doing a complete&nbsp; bathroom remodel in November on this ship and will remove the bathtubs that are rarely used, making room for a larger shower.&nbsp; . Cabin stewards are always available if anything needed such as extra towels, etc.&nbsp; and the rooms are always cleaned in a very timely manner.&nbsp; Our room was always cleaned and made up between going to breakfast and returning back to the room in an hour or so afterwards.&nbsp; Cabin stewards always greeted us by name, and were always asking if anything else was needed.&nbsp; Very accommodating and they went out of their way to be helpful..&nbsp; Overall, I give this ship a five star rating in almost all categories.&nbsp; Just a great experience.&nbsp; &nbsp;</div>

JUNE

Enjoyed the cruise.

MAY

The Wi-Fi was well below the level of performance I have experienced on all the other cruise lines I have traveled on. It was constantly intermittent forcing the user to log on and off. It was also offered no charge to only one user per cabin which was a shock as it has always been available to all passengers on other cruise lines I have been on....Celebrity, Royal Caribbean etc... Seemed to be not in line on what I was expecting from a top of the line cruise line.

APRIL

Can’t wait to cruise on Oceania again.

APRIL

We loved the 4 specialty restaurants we enjoyed (no charge) - each so special and all delicious meals. The Penthouse suite were ideal for us and the butler was perfect - so helpful, friendly, and attentive.

MARCH

<div>Staff handled Covid restrictions in an effective manner. Diversity of ports visited, St. Barts vs. Dominica. Speaker was average. Lounge entertainment was excellent. Ida and Tim Abel were top rated. Speciality restaurants were very good. Embarkation and disembarkation were seamless.&nbsp;</div>

FEBRUARY

Overall a great trip Very organized and well run Cost of the excursions expensive for what you got

NOVEMBER

This ship has just come out of refit and is beautiful appointed.

OCTOBER

It was a wonderful cruise with excellent service and delicious food. The buffet offered delicious seafood and the specialty restaurants provided gourmet cuisine and extraordinary attention. Our excursions were full of history and cultural information. We highly recommend the concierge level with a special lounge and daily treats and room service.

SEPTEMBER

Each and every crew member went out of their way to provide excellent service .

AUGUST

The entire experience; including the beautiful staterooms, the friendly and efficient staff, 5-star dining, superb entertainment, and great ports of call made this sailing one to remember.

JULY

This was first cruise and travel outside US. It was Spectacular!

JUNE

<div>Would have enjoyed more dance classes and maybe the afternoon tea to start a little earlier (maybe 2-3 pm). It was a little late in the afternoon and right before dinner. The shore tour guides should all be equipped with those walking mics and headsets so everyone on tour can hear. I was disappointed that several places of interest were closed on the Sunday and Monday tours.</div>

JUNE

This was our first ten day cruise and we found the Riviera very comfortable and welcoming. The excursions arranged by Oceania were excellent, very well educated and well spoken guides. We learned so much from the excursions. The food in the Grand Dining room was just as good as any of the food in the special restaurants. We liked the option of being able to dine just as a couple most of the time. Being able to end every evening by listening to a string quartet was a special treat.

APRIL

<div>The cuisine was out of this world and the speciality dining experience was world class. The suite was well appointed with very luxurious bedding and pillows. The bath tub and the d&eacute;cor was fabulous. The TV is very small and does not offer on demand movies. The toiletries were Bulgari so perhaps quite expensive, so the cabin steward did not give enough or replace them. He also forgot to give &quot;beach towels&quot; no matter how many times you ask. The &quot;host&quot; at the Jacques restaurant was very rude, and so was the waiter.</div>

APRIL

If you are into Food & Wine this cruise line is for you!! <p><p> - There are 4 specialty restaurants (Steak house, Italian, French and Asian Fusion) with fantastic menus. All guests are guaranteed 1 dinner at each of these restaurants. <p><p> - The general dining areas had the same level of food quality & taste including in the Grand Dining Room, Terrace Cafe (lobster tails grilled to order every night) and Waves Pool Grill (surf & turf or the best reuben for lunch). <p><p> - For healthier options I enjoyed the smoothie and fresh juice bar as a lighter alternative for breakfast. While on-board the Oceania team was installing their new "plant-based" meal options on the lunch & dinner menus. These dishes were so tasty, you wouldn't have known they were meatless!!<p><p> - The best meals were at La Reserve. This specialty restaurant partnered with Wine Spectator & Dom Perignon & Jacque Pepin to create absolutely amazing meals! These meals all begin outside of the restaurant where guests lounge with a glass of bubbly or two along with a canape. The meals lasted 3 to 3 1/2 hours each with a maximum of 24 guests. The service and attention to detail from the culinary and dining team was very special. They made sure we always had enough wine available to sample with each bite! Would do these again on my next voyage!!<p><p> - "The Odyssey" was a wonderfully paired 7 course meal. Highlights included the biggest scallop I have ever seen seared with a teriyaki glaze, Maine lobster with a sea urchin bisque and veal wellington - all dishes worked really well with the wines presented. If you enjoy all types of wines (bubbly, sweet and dry white, along with red) you will enjoy this meal. <p><p> - The Don Perignon dinner was a 6 course meal of indulgence!! Grade 9 Waygu beef, blue lobster in a curry broth, gold leaf in a black truffle risotto and a mole sauce so complex served with scallop & foie gras... the food was amazing. Oh yes and the entire meal was paired with three different vintages of Don Perignon. While the wine & food pairings were not as strong as those in the Odyssey menu, I would not have changed anything with this experience.<p><p> - There are plenty of foodie activities not tied with meals! The Culinary Center teaches one or two 90 minute classes each day with topics ranging from pasta making to grilling to knife skills. You are paired up at cooking stations to learn hands on with the chef instructor. Bring your appetite as you get to eat what you make along the way!! There were culinary demos in the theater where we could watch the culinary team prepare some of our favorite restaurant dishes. And there is also many culinary excursions to pick from in port that included visiting local markets and cooking in a local kitchen - learning local dish recipes.

APRIL

This ship is a first class experience. The mid sized ship has all the features of the larger ships and less people. It is beautifully decorated. The crew was there to pamper and please and were actually happy to be doing their jobs. They live up to their tag line of the finest cuisine at sea. All the dining options were fabulous. All food at the buffet served to you. Kobe beef and lobster burgers at Waves grill were amazing. Dinner buffet was spectacular. Entertainment was very good... the resident troop of 12 were so talented. First rate shows. The fill in entertainment was also quite good. No problem with seating anywhere on the ship.

APRIL

Service was first class........any problem was handled immediately. Other than the fact that it is not "all inclusive", if you only have a glass of wine with dinner, don't do the "free" shore excursions, especially in the Caribbean, it is the best bang for your buck!! Only thing that does not put them in the luxury category......................as I said before, food in the 4 restaurants is superior to any on Regent or Crystal.

FEBRUARY

Wonderful restful holiday.

JANUARY

Would sail with them again. This was our 2nd trip. Food superb, choice of 4 great restaurants included in price. Country club casual dress. Very comfortable. Mattresses excellent.

DECEMBER

Oceania Riviera has something for everyone. There is plenty of room to relax in the library or other public rooms, play trivia, take a dance or yoga class. Learn how to make pasta in the Culinary Center. Listen to lectures or play bridge. There are so many dining options to choose from. Red Ginger (Asian), Polo Grill(steak and Lobster), Jacques(French), Toscana (Italian) as well as the Grand dining room with daily specials. Do not forget your specialty coffee in Baristas on deck 14. There is so much to see and do and the longer itineraries allow you to enjoy it all.

NOVEMBER

<div>I would recommend this itinerary as well as this cruise line!</div>

OCTOBER

As you can see, we love Oceania and most especially the Riviera. We are always made to feel welcomed and appreciated.

SEPTEMBER

The ship size was perfect and easy to navigate. The decor is very pleasing and the beds were super comfortable! The staff were attentive and very personable.

SEPTEMBER

Overall a wonderful cruise. Ports were great other than Alicante. Needed more time in Lisbon. All else was fantastic!

SEPTEMBER

Riviera is a great ship and overall the crew was fantastic. We were very satisfied for our first cruise!

AUGUST

Oceania is a great cruise line for those that enjoy wonderful food and wine. The cabins and large and the beds are heavenly! O life is a good option as some of the shore excursions offered seemed a little pricey. The staff was great and always made you feel at home

JULY

<div>The Riviera is a nice ship, great ports. We enjoyed most of our excursions, the culinary related tours were special. One of our favorite spots was Barista&rsquo;s then enjoying our beverage in the Library. The specialty restaurants were great! The food was very good. Nice staff.</div>

JULY

<div>Very pretty ship with attentive crew. After the first couple of days the bartenders in Martini knew my name and drink preference (the guy with the big watch drinks Marker&#39;s Mark).The boutique could carry a few more &quot;drugstore&quot; items but it was pretty adequate. Overall we were very pleased with the ship and the crew.</div>

JULY

This was our first cruise. The crew could not have been friendlier or more helpful, the accommodations were clean & beautifully maintained. Excellent restaurants, delicious food, good wine lists. If I were to cruise again, I would look harder at the itinerary, & choose one that had no anchorages; the tenders were very difficult for me. And, if we do cruise again, it will probably be in low season. We are used to immersing ourselves in a destination when we travel; the cruise provides only a taste of a destination, making the experience somewhat incomplete. Most of the ship's on-board activities held no interest for us, although, if we were to cruise again, we would probably sign up for cooking classes.

JUNE

Wine selection was ok, but reasonably priced. Food was great. A lot of great food and wine related activities on ship. I wish I had more time to do those. Regular group tours were large (approx 40 people) which made it hard to hear the guide and get pictures (a little stressful for me). Small tours were great! Food and Wine program activities and excursion were great! The were informative, interesting and fun! Just as I had hoped. I didn't experience ship entertainment

JUNE

Overall wonderful experience. Exceeded expectations. Have only done river cruises in the past. A bit wary of larger ship. But shouldnt have been concerned. This size ship still offers personal service and attention to detail that we had learned to appreciate on the smaller river ships.

JUNE

One of the most amazing experiences we have ever had. We were treated like royalty - the staff was amazing. The ship was gorgeous. The food was amazing!!

JUNE

<div>Best cabin attendants and wait helps in all restaurants. Food wise, Jacque&#39;s and Toscana are excellent, same as Terrace and Wave Grill. Red Ginger and Polo need to upgrade on the food. The biggest sin is La Reserve where they charge $165 pp for food and wine dinner. I walked out midway simply because the food was so poorly prepared, although nicely plated, but carried no taste nor texture. Wines did nothing to bring dinner pleasure. Whoever planned this must go back to culinary school for another education. By far the most disappointing meal in my life and I hated myself for believing &quot;online reviews&quot;. Avoid this place.</div>

MAY

Overall a splendid trip.The ports were varied and Tangier was a disappointment. Perhaps Fez might have been better? Seville and Maderia and Lanzarote were my favourites.Next time I would choose my own flight details as My trip was lengthier than needed. Others had difficulty from Vancouver Island as well.

FEBRUARY

Very nice experience. Too many ports required tenders and the seas were too rough for the tenders

FEBRUARY

outstanding trip and ship was great.

FEBRUARY

We had a wonderful time with our friends and were lucky to have good weather and calm seas. The only disappointment was having to by-pass Santa Marta, Colombia due to high winds. We appreciated the paid gratuities and cruise credits. All of the specialty restaurants were outstanding.

FEBRUARY

Hurrah for everything

JANUARY

I would definitely book Oceania again., Overall it was great

NOVEMBER

I love, love, love this cruise line! I felt like a queen and whenever I needed something or had a question, it was delivered with promptness and with a smile. We will probably not use any other cruise line as Oceania spoiled us!

OCTOBER

We enjoyed it so much and will miss everything!

OCTOBER

Loved the informal nature of the ship, ability to meet people and have dinner with them as opposed to being assigned tables, and the overall customer service on the ship.

OCTOBER

WOULD LIKE UNLIMITED BAR PACKAGE DON'T LIKE CHARGES FOR EVERY DRINK, AROUND POOL COULD STAND A LITTLE BETTER MUSIC CHOICES SEEMED SO DEAD AND COULDN'T HEAR OR NOTHING PLAYING MOST OF THE TIME

SEPTEMBER

Elegant, beautiful cruise. Top notch!

SEPTEMBER

Ate the first night in the Dining Room and was very disappointed. Did not go back. The Buffet was better and more consistent.

MAY

Needed another day in Jerusalem. So much to see and not enough days there.

MAY

none

APRIL

The only bad thing was the internet access. It hardly ever worked and when it did it was not consistent and very slow. The entertainment could be better but it was ok.

MARCH

Dr Ford, the lecturer was terrific, the last minute change in port due to a medical emergency was unfortunate, but (again) not Oceania's fault, everything else was up to the lines high standard.

MARCH

<div>Would rate this sailing a 4 star</div>

FEBRUARY

The Ship's officers and crew were extremely professional and courteous. The cruise director and assistant were very pleasant and helpful, as was John Ekin, the social director. Having been on so many previous Caribbean cruises, we didn't take any shore excursions, but our traveling companions did and had some uncomfortable experiences. We weren't very impressed with Grenada. However, to be fair, St. Barts is the only island of all W.I. ports which is attractive to us. Just can't beat the Caribbean weather. Last year both my wife and I signed up for the VIP liquor packages, but this year only she did. I think the package is too expensive, and I'm glad I didn't take it this year.

FEBRUARY

<div>The Riviera was beautiful. The ship offered four specialty restaurants which did not charge a fee. Reservations were required. Besides the main dining room, there was a casual restaurant which served buffet style. I was surprised to view how casual some of the guests dressed to eat in the casual dining area. There were a variety of activities during the day, both of sea days and while in port. The shows began at 930pm which was late for the passengers dining early. Several passengers remarked on the hour the shows began and wished they were earlier. The staff was extremely outgoing and courteous at all times. Shawn Carter, the cruise director was visible all day and evening and did a great job. &nbsp;</div>

FEBRUARY

If comparing Riviera to prior cruise a few years ago on Nautica, would have to say that Nautica overall was much better. Overall experience was good but would have to consider which ship to take if on another Oceania voyage

FEBRUARY

Great ship, service and food!

JANUARY

Our only complaint was they really do not want to seat guests alone in main dining room. They insist you share a table and make a fuss if you also insist on sitting alone. Sometimes there are reasons why we want to be alone at dinner and they embarrass the guests while checking in for dinner. This happened often with us and many other guests. Otherwise the service and food in the main dining room was excellent.

DECEMBER

Toscana and Red Ginger continue to be the best specialty restaurants on the ship but the Grand Dining room is also a favorite. Also it is nice having Happy Hour in several venues.

NOVEMBER

I brought twelve people from my company on this cruise. All of them were first time cruisers and were blown away by the Oceania experience. I have already booked a cruise for Fall of 2017.

OCTOBER

<div>Loved the Lounge on each floor for internet, snacks, concierge assistance. Having a laundry on each floor was very helpful, too. The tours varied. Some good, some not so good. Some tour leaders talked way too much and lost their audience. Staff was excellent. Couldn&#39;t have been more helpful. Our agent arranged hotels in Athens and Rome. Great choices.</div>

JULY

This is my first experience with Oceania... overall I would highly recommend your company for the wonderful staff and service. However because of my experience with the long distance walks and lack of accommodation for seniors...I am not sure of repeat business.

JULY

Alicante was a beach day for us. We chose an excursion 1 1/2 hrs away and we could have stayed near port (Walked there)at a public beach. Almeria was a pleasant stop. Gibraltar was great. Definitely worth seeing the top of the Rock and St Michaels cave and Siege tunnels. Casablanca is an armpit!! Don't know why we stopped there. Lots of things closed due to Ramadan. Very dirty city. So dirty when we returned to the ship they had mats drenched with sanitizer to clean our shoes as we walked to board and hand sanitizer st hat they insisted we use before boarding. Glad they were being safe, but why even stop there then. Loved Seville. We did a day on our own there. Very easy city to get around. Great day. Would go there again. Lisbon was a fun city too. People were friendly lots to see and do there. We enjoyed the social life due to the euafa 2016 cup Portugal vs France. It was a massive celebration and fun to be a part of. I recommend this ship if you're a foodie and have done your research on ports. If your looking for night life this is not the cruiseline for you. Also there are speciality restaurants on board. Book them early before you go. They book up fast and are worth it. There is a cooking school that I have attended classes. Very fun. Also the La Reserve wine pairing dinners are fantastic and very fun.

JULY

We had the most amazing time and met the greatest people from all parts of the world. The food was excellent and the dining experiences was the best. The excursions were the best you that we have ever experienced.

JUNE

Poor staff service across the board; excessive anchoring and tendering ; disorganized; language difficulty; rather stingy with products eg one tote bag per room; destructive laundry service; etc.

JUNE

This was my first cruise. In general, my expectations were exceeded and I would recommend Oceania Cruises to others.

JUNE

Wonderful, professional quality entertainment. The productions were the best we ever saw on a cruise. Superb staff. Each one was 5 star. Great food. The veranda stateroom had excellent closet space but tiny, useless drawers. Don't overpack! Otherwise I love this ship. The Marina too. The port of Zadar in Croatia should be replaced by Dubrovnik. More tours with only one to two hours of walking would be appreciated. Three stars for value because when cost of excursions, wine, Internet, spa, culinary class, and gratituities are added, the total is the same as Crystal and Regent. That being said, The Riveria or Marina are first in my heart.

MARCH

<div>Thanks for taking the time to work through the possibilities. e chose the right cruise line for our group. The ship itself was beautiful; the quality of the decor.....fabrics, woodworking, carpeting, art work, all were worthy of high compliments. Staff had received fine training, and it showed. They were courteous, almost to a fault. This is one place where &quot;the customer is always right&quot; is actually being lived today. My entire group was full of praise for your attentive service; your follow-up phone calls, your patience through questions, questions, questions. You got the #1 travel agent award !!!!&nbsp;</div>

OCTOBER

We booked this cruise for our 25th wedding anniversary. It was the perfect getaway for our special occasion.The ship was absolutely beautiful and the specialty restaurants were great!!! This was a trip of a lifetime we will never forget!!!

SEPTEMBER

Trips on shore need improvement. Lots of time doing nothing.

MAY

Toscana dining room has good food, lousy service. It is severely understaffed. We had an 8 PM reservation and didn't get bread and water till 8:50 PM. After we ordered wine,took wine steward 25 minutes to come back and tell us he was out of that vintage (with 5 days to go on the cruise!). Got wine at 9:15 PM. Sent my Osso Buco back cause it was too dry (after warning them when I ordered it). Disembarkation was amazingly orderly and prompt. We were at the Venice airport 35 minutes after leaving the ship! Worst port of call was Argostoli (Greek Island) boring--they need to replace it. Butler service for our Penthouse suite was extraordinary! Cruise more enjoyable and informative because of butler. Entertainment on ship was mediocre, bordering on amateurish. Chef Kelly and culinary staff are amazing! Recommend their excursions in Taromina, Sicily and Koper, Slovenia.

APRIL

Beautiful Ship, amazing staff, best food at sea!