 On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
#240303
01/23/14 04:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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We have boarded. So far it is ok, but not great. There was a big line to embark. We are in a concierge suite, so ours moved pretty fast. But George is a little antsy. Too many people in his view. And I am frustrated at the lack of storage space. Spoiled by regent. I did find a place for everything, but stuff is really crammed in, and my 12 pairs of shoes are all stacked up. I will be posting on the CC board, but may check in here from time to time as well. We have signed up for the unlimited Internet (have to be connected to work) and the drinks package because George is not going to be caught dead having to sign each time.
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 Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240304
01/23/14 05:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,762
seadog
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Thanks for checking in ! Hope you have a great time even though it was a little bit of a rough start. 12 pairs of shoes?? They must take up as much luggage / closet space as the total of what I pack!
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Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240308
01/23/14 08:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,967
jhp
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Hope you and George have a wonderful time, Rachel. lol, about that luggage and seadog, having traveled with her, I can attest to her (and Alice) being the ultimate efficient packers!
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Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240310
01/23/14 10:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,171
KarenS
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Rachel, I am glad you are checking in here! I am looking forward to your O opinions!
Karen
Live long and prosper
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Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240313
01/24/14 08:51 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 558
TedC
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We have boarded. So far it is ok, but not great. There was a big line to embark. We are in a concierge suite, so ours moved pretty fast. But George is a little antsy. Too many people in his view. And I am frustrated at the lack of storage space. Spoiled by regent. I did find a place for everything, but stuff is really crammed in, and my 12 pairs of shoes are all stacked up. I will be posting on the CC board, but may check in here from time to time as well. We have signed up for the unlimited Internet (have to be connected to work) and the drinks package because George is not going to be caught dead having to sign each time. 24 shoes for TWO FEET?
 "Life is far too serious to be taken seriously."
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Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240314
01/24/14 09:11 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,033
lonestarlady
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We did 2 weeks on Regatta over Christmas. I have to agree with your comment: "... it is ok, but not great". Regatta is the older and smaller ship - rooms teeny tiny. We too got a drink package for the same reason, but warn George that even though you don't have to "sign" for every drink, they are compulsive about asking for your key card every time so they are sure to get the gratuity (it's included in the package, but the server who swipes your card get's awarded the gratuity, so most of them ask for it right away!).
Looking forward to your review. We probably won't go back to Oceania.
Cindy TravelingTexasDuo.com"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
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Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240318
01/25/14 09:23 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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Thanks for the nice words regarding my packing, jhp. I can get a lot in a suitcase for sure.
Cindy, we certainly have encountered the swiping thing. They are quite eager to do so. Your explanation makes sense.
Jacques the first night was outstanding. Red Ginger last night was just ok. Everyone raves about the miso glazed seabass, but I thought it was soggy and did not like the texture at all. Would not order again.
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Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240328
01/27/14 08:10 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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Warm and beautiful weather. La Reserve was delicious though I would have preferred more red wines rather than whites. Food was perfectly prepared.
Tours have been identical to Regent. People complain about having the wait in the theater with a big mass of people for tours on Regent. It is exactly the same procedure here. I am not complaining as I know the drill. But there was a lot of grumbling yesterday as it was a tender port.
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Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240397
01/30/14 08:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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Toscana last night was excellent--the best meal on the ship so far. I am not loving Terraces in the evening. Too chaotic. I don't like all the people wandering around back and forth to the buffet. And the MDR was just average.
Our wine server in Toscana did the proper wine service, paying attention to when we needed refills. On the mid cruise comment card, George had complained about having to track down a wine server everytime you want a refill. Apparently this guy got the memo as he was right there on top of things.
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Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240398
01/30/14 09:07 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,924
Ngaire
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Toscana my favorite restaurant as well. The Dover Sole was served in a copper pan - fantastic!
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Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240415
02/01/14 09:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,033
lonestarlady
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We had a TERRIBLE experience with wine and drink service in Toscano, so we cancelled our second reservation. But everywhere else it was excellent - but keep in mind that my DH David always makes a point of learning the servers names right way, and being friendly to them and calling them by name seems to help immensely. Plus, we eat late so it is not quite as busy.
Cindy TravelingTexasDuo.com"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
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Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240440
02/05/14 07:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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Final thoughts--riviera is a beautiful ship, ESP the public areas. But George will not go on her again as he thinks she is too big for him. He likes getting to know all the waiters and bartenders, and on riviera, there are simply too many dining venues for this to happen. We did get to know a few. And the having to have your card scanned for drinks drove him crazy. Once we got up and left before our cards were scanned. When we realized it, he took them back because we were afraid the waiter would get in trouble.
Some of the staff definitely have an attitude problem. A girl at the pool deck salad bar greeted him with " what do you need?" Sort of like a truck stop. George told her he needed her to smile!
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Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240450
02/06/14 07:42 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 254
englishusa
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Thanks Rachel. The Riviera was not on my list, but if it were I would cross it off! I'm with George, scanning is for the plebs!
David
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Re: On board riviera now Jan 23-feb 2
[Re: RachelG]
#240462
02/06/14 09:33 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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Glad to help, David! I love it when someone else does something and reports, so I don't have to experience it my self!
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