Monthly Archives: April 2015

Expectations for this cruise 1-15 April 2015

Expectations for this trip 1-15 April 2015
Indulge and enjoy the luxury of the ship experiences, sanctuary, spa, artist loft, library, balcony, room, lounges, food, and so much more

Hot sunny weather.  Smooth seas and wildlife sightings on the sea and land

Brilliant articulate writings. Mine to express, listen to audible, read in library, share 

Stay present to the moment. As many moments as I can hold
 Express gratitude in the form of kindness to everyone I meet, write notes
Successful shopping for treasures in ports of call and on the sea
Healthy vibrant and photogenic, feel and look my best, attention to details
Expand women’s travel club, talk it up, give out cards.  Share the passion.
Fantastic spectacular vistas in every port and out at sea
Moments that take our breath away
Artistic expression, freedom and enjoyment
Belly laughs, fun, fun, fun
Enjoy and encounter the brilliance of our Sunday morning calls, every day for 15 days.

Riviera

Riviera.  I am in awe.

Wow!  Now this ship is the most beautiful cruise ship I have ever seen.  My mouth has been hanging open since our arrival this afternoon and my first glance at the staircase in the center.  The elevators are glass and the artworks, the artist loft, the spa and spa terrace … Heated tiled lounge chairs ….. Larger pool deck than the smaller cousin ships Insignia and Regatta.  More and larger and more elaborate specialty dining venues.  Crystal glass lights in Martinis bar where we muster for safety drill at five pm.  
Bigger, bolder, brighter, shinier.  She glides out of Miami harbour and out to sea … As if it is not moving.  Our balcony view tells me we are ….  I cannot feel the motion.  There is no movement that I can feel, at all!
When we arrived in our concierge verandah stateroom I see my welcome bottle of champagne, a bottle of red chianti, a large floral arrangement and fruit basket … Many thanks from Oceania for my loyalty and training I have taken with them.  I am speechless.  Our room steward comes to visit, takes my wrinkled clothes to be pressed … Brings an extra Oceania bag and exchanges slippers to fit my feet.  Soft fluffy robes.  
I have never seen such a magnificent bathroom on a cruise ship!  Marble counters, tiles and  big bathtub … Separate shower with two kinds of shower heads …  Lovely lights … Bulgaria  toiletries.  Pinch me!
Movie on tonight in the Riviera lounge is Hundred Foot Journey … 9 pm.  after exquisite formal dining in Polo Grill … Which we found after the sail away party.    Already we can’t fit everything in … I am going from one thought to the next and next … I want to see and do it all!  What a magnificent ship!
The waiter greets me by name .. It is Roger …  One of the friendly happy waiters from Regatta just a few days ago!  He is my wait staff in Polo tonight.  He remembers my diet, my hot water to drink … He remembers my name and treats myself and my friend like royalty.  I will be writing a letter of appreciation to his supervisor … Who I also met tonight.
We enjoy a chilled bottle of Prosecco … Some remaining for tomorrow.  I have a virgin Caesar, extra spicy, with olives … Janie and Adrienne and I discovered them on the last cruise.  
Deb met a couple from Victoria and she used to work with him years ago in the Provincial government.  Friendly and fantastic.
We found the library …  I am speechless.  Seating areas, books in large wood shelves sorted by category … Large picture windows with a view of the sea.  
Over 800 staff for a maximum of 1200 guests.  This ship does not appear full for this sailing.  So far the service has been the best I have ever experienced, EVER!
There is an artist in residence!  Graham Denison is painting and hosting art events every day.  His works are exquisite.  We see the large boutiques only from a distance … I can hardly wait to discover  them another day!

Excursions and plans for this cruise

Excursions …. Narrowing the search.  I am looking for vistas, beaches, wine and walking through time.  

First stop, two days in Bermuda.  April 4 and 5.   I would like to see the island and also check out a beach, of Bermuda fame.  
Perhaps day two might be Quintessential Bermuda and St George’s.  KWF-003. A scenic coach ride passing botanical gardens and a Georgian mansion, followed by coastal drive to see swirling riptides and great views.  A visit to UNESCO world heritage sight of St George’s with cobblestone streets through historic old town.  Following a walk about, a drive by and stop at some pink beaches..  A five hour tour.  
The  previous day I think it would be great to return to a beach if the weather cooperates, and following a walk through the craft market and other shopping areas within walking distance of the ship. 
Funchal Portugal, 11 April another exotic island that I have never been to.  I think I would like to take the panoramic island tour in the morning.  Sights will include rugged picturesque shoreline, banana plantation, fishing village and the Cabo Girao escarpment
 more than 1900 feet above the sea promising spectacular views from Europe’s highest cliffs.  Fnc-016.  I would like to see the thatched roof quaint homes that dot the country side on this island.

Gibraltar, United Kingdom.  Arrival 8 am 13 April and planned departure 6 pm.  The Rock is the famous sight in this location.  Four years ago I was on the Rock and I remember it still.  Deb will likely want to see this sight.  I might pass on this excursion and just walk around town.  I remember not liking the feeling of large guns and cannons sticking out from the fortress walls throughout the city.  A violent place, with history warring. I see a picture of a sandy beach on this location, so perhaps I can find that on my day, and have a wee swim in the sea!  There is a cork farm and several famous wineries.  Shopping will be interesting and walking in town sounds like a peaceful way to coexist with this historic and vital entrance to Europe.
No time in Barcelona as we depart and head back to my beautiful home in Victoria.  

April 1 2015 and en route to Oceania Riviera

April 1, 2015 and I am on route again to board a cruise ship.  I seem to be living the dream of exotic world travel.  Yahooooo

After two brief sleeps at home in Victoria, I find myself back at the Toronto airport onmy way back to Miami.  Westjet has been the flight of choice this time, and because I have a brilliant Westjet MasterCard I don’t have to pay for luggage check in.  As well I was able to score leg room in emergency exit rows all the way from Victoria to Miami.  It has been awesome so far.  I slept the last flight, head down, blow up pillow and leg room.  Nice.
I have some selections to make for my June cruise, dining reservations and some shore excursions.  I know I have complimentary wifi while on this cruise so I can access the information and emails needed for my next trip to Europe in 8 short weeks.  It has been quite the year so far!  And still more to come.
  Later tonight or perhaps tomorrow.tonight I will explore the new ship, press some clothes and then specialty dining in the Polo Grill.  Large shrimp cocktail, lobster … Yumm.
My friend Debbie and I have a Concierge Veranda stateroom, so room service nightly will be fabulous.  I am hopeful to pick up a few bottles of wine before boarding this afternoon, just to have in the stateroom.  I believe I can expect champagne upon arrival and a bottle of chianti!  In addition I have some ship board credits so happy hour might be in order for tomorrow night.  For some reason they don’t offer happy hour on embarkation day, I learned on the last cruise.  
I am looking forward to relaxing, enjoying the new larger Oceania Riviera ship, the spa terrace, the concierge lounge, artist loft and other common entertainment venues.