We are committed to: Award-winning Service, Lowest Prices, Client Satisfaction

Category: TRAVELER REVIEWS

Review: Oceania Riviera Cruise

By: Alissa Ashley, Senior Travel Consultant (CTA)

I had a wonderful relaxing time on my Oceania Cruise aboard the Riviera. Unfortunately, the main port of the cruise was Bermuda and was canceled due to bad weather and 30 Ft waves. Oceania did their best to accommodate by adding a stop at Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas which was also canceled due to the currents being too dangerous to boat passengers from the ship over to the island.  Oceania then reported that the itinerary changed to 3 days at sea, 2 days in Jacksonville, FL, 2 days in Charleston, SC and 1 day Port Carnival As you can imagine there were some very upset passengers upon boarding and with the port replacement of Jacksonville. I was very impressed with how Oceania did their best to address the passengers, empathize and tried to add some additional activities. At the end of the day mother nature has a mind of her own and therefore out of Oceania’s control with the main priority being safety.

SOLO Travel:

I decided to travel alone which was a great experience.  For the first 3 nights they offered a single traveler gathering where passengers could get to know each other.  However, I had no problem making friends with passengers traveling together.  All of my shared tabled guests were inviting and fun to sit with.

Cabins:

The veranda cabin I was staying in felt like I was at a very high end hotel.  Rooms were very contemporary, lots of rooms with a sitting area, large bathrooms with a rain shower and the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in.  I’m actually thinking of ordering their beds. 

Ship Feel:

For only having 1150 passengers and 800 staff, I have to say that I saw more staff than passengers.  The boat never seemed crowded except for embarking and disembarking at the ports.  There was always plenty of seating around the ship and in dining areas.  The ship is decorated in art and paintings everywhere.  It actually felt like you were in a museum in certain areas. 

Service:

The Ship Crew and service was impeccable.  I never saw one crew member not in an upbeat mood or willing to assist a passenger with questions or needs. My 2 attendants Soe Soe and Jaun made me feel very welcomed and anything I needed they were able to assist.

Optional Excursions:

Most of the excursions I had paid for were in Bermuda but I did do the Full Day private Island with Lunch in the Bahamas and a city tour of Charleston. Charleston was a very charming town and I walked everywhere within the city admiring the houses, trees and architecture.   All were very organized and Oceania did a great job keeping all the passengers together.

Entertainment:

The offered a wide range of entertainment from comedy shows, listening to the string quartet, wildlife educational talks, yoga classes, karaoke and more.  My favorite activity was High Tea  with the string quartet at 4 pm daily.  It was a nice day to relax and view the ocean.

Dining:

I was able to try all 4 of the Specialty Restaurants, but my favorite was Jacques, the atmosphere made me feel like I was in France. The courses were beautifully presented, delicious and consistent across all courses. My morning ritual was the coffee bar, Barista’s, where I had lots of friendly conversations with other passengers and staff. The juice bar was also one of my regular stop bys to make sure I got my greens for the morning.  The Terrace which was the buffet always had a variety of choices for every kind of eater.  I did hear several past passengers say that they felt that the food was not as good as it was before COVID.

Best Learning Tip:

The biggest learning that came from the cruise was not only experiencing the ship itself but actually listening to the passengers talk about their prior experience with Oceania, the other itineraries they have taken and other competitor cruise lines that they enjoyed. 

I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience Oceania Cruise of the Riviera. Thank you so much for allowing me to go.  I definitely would like to take another cruise with them and actually experience the set itinerary of ports.

Review: Cosmos – Highlights of the Canyonlands

By: Lynette Ehlert, Senior Travel Consultant (CTA)

I had such an amazing adventure on my tour.  It started in Las Vegas and went on to the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, Antelope Slot Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park.

When we arrived at the Grand Canyon and walked out to the south rim the sheer beauty made me cry!  The following morning I took the excursion helicopter ride over the Canyon.  It was so amazing to see from different viewing levels.

Each park we went to I thought wow this is my favorite but in the end Zion National Park was my perfect match!  

I really enjoyed the educational information (history and Science) that the tour director informed us about as we drove from location to location.  I noticed everyone in our group really enjoyed her personality and when things didn’t go as planned she was very quick at finding a resolution.  

Taking this tour has helped me now understand this process from door to door.  Tours are really wonderful for people not looking for just a vacation but an immersive experience.

Review: Bermuda Aboard Oceania Riviera

By: Richard Doll, Senior Travel Consultant (CTA)

After taking many cruises with many different lines I just had the opportunity to sail with Oceania.  I have to say it did not disappoint.  The highlight of our itinerary was to be three days in Bermuda, which I was really looking forward to.  Alas, Mother Nature did not cooperate, at boarding we were informed the ship would not be able to make it to Bermuda due to inclement weather and high seas.  This put a lot of pressure on the staff to keep the guests happy, and they really did a great job.  Oceania is known for having “The Finest Cuisine at Sea”, and now I know how they earned that distinction.  From the Grand Ballroom main dining room, to the four specialty restaurants we dined in, everything was spectacular.  

We did visit Charleston, SC and that was a very charming historic town.  The general consensus among the guests was the cruise was very nice, the food was outstanding, and everyone I talked to just decided they would have to book a new cruise to Bermuda.  That seems like a fantastic idea to me!

Review: Western Caribbean aboard Carnival Vista

By : Jason Hogan, Senior Travel Consultant (CTA)

Day 1: Galveston; Embarkation

We started our morning at the Sunflower Café down the street from the Port of Galveston. It is an
excellent choice for breakfast that never disappoints. With full bellies, we parked at Lot B and headed to
the Cruise Terminal nearby.
We purchased Faster to the Fun which turned out to be a great decision throughout our cruise. We
breezed through security and check-in, and we were on the ship in less than 10 minutes. Our rooms
were already available when we boarded, so we relaxed before heading out to explore the ship.
That evening we were surprised with a brand-new menu featuring dishes curated by Emeril Lagasse. This
menu debuted on the Carnival Dream on June 20, 2023. We were lucky to be the first guests to try it out
on Carnival Vista and the food was delicious!

Days 2 and 3: Sea Days

The next two days we took it slow, enjoying the various amenities around the ship. We played in the
Casino which had a great selection of newer slots, as well as table games. We checked out the water
park, WaterWorks, and the kids enjoyed the water slides. We tried the included Pasta Bella pasta bar for
lunch in Cucina del Capitano. Service was quick, and the food was very good. We also visited Cherry on
Top where the kids got some candy, and we went to one of the shows called Rock of Ages in the Liquid
Lounge. The band and performers were great, and they covered quite a few well-known rock songs from
the 70’s and 80’s. These days were well spent while we rested up for our port days to come.

Day 4: Mahogany Bay, Roatan

After a light breakfast at the Lido Marketplace, we headed to the gangway for our day in Roatan. We
had a spot in mind already at the beach in Mahagony Bay. Instead of walking, we took the Magic Sky
Ride gondolas to the other side of the port. This dropped us off right where we wanted to be, and we
were the first to arrive at our beach spot.
The kids snorkeled most of the morning and saw a myriad of sea life including flounder, crabs, conch,
rockfish, lionfish, angel fish, pipe fish, and even an octopus. After an exceptional morning at the beach,
we rode the gondolas back to the main port area for some shopping. We then headed back to the ship
to rest up before dinner.
Our Maitre’d, Melvin, invited us to a private tasting of the new dishes on the menu that evening. We
were given an exclusive tour of the galley before meeting the head chef and being presented with
several dishes to sample. We tried each one and it was difficult to critique any of them because they
were all so tasty. This was an awesome experience for us to see how the kitchens operate on such a
large scale to accommodate everyone onboard.

Day 5: Fort Street Tourism Village, Belize City, Belize

Faster to the Fun came in handy this morning as it provided a priority tender into port. Instead of having
to collect a tender ticket early that morning and queue with the rest of the ship, we were able to hop
right on our priority tender to shore.
We did not have plans for Belize, so we explored the port area for a few hours and did some shopping at
the many stores located here. Before boarding our tender back to the ship, I decided to pick up some
Lobster Fritters from the Wet Lizard. My family and I enjoyed them on our way back to the Vista. Many
people on the tender commented on how good they smelled and believe me they were amazing! These
will now be a must when we call on Belize.

Day 6: Terminal Maritima Puerta Maya, Cozumel

Today we booked our family at Paradise Beach Cozumel. We were the first ship in port so getting off was
quick and easy. We made our way to the taxi stand and quickly had a ride to Paradise Beach.
Less than 10 miles from port, Paradise Beach is a newer, family friendly beach club with a large pool,
water inflatables, and an extensive menu of food and drinks which are all included with the all-inclusive

day pass. We also rented a day bed here which was well worth the money. This afforded us a semi-
private spot for the whole family to enjoy while we were there.

The kids decided to snorkel most of the day here as well since the water was teaming with sea life yet
again. This time they saw starfish, lobster, sea urchins, and many different types of fish. We also
sampled quite a few dishes and drinks from the all-inclusive menu during our time there, and the wait
staff were very attentive to our needs. All in all, I would highly recommend Paradise Beach if you are
ever looking for a beach club in Cozumel.

Days 7 and 8: Sea Day and Galveston; Debarkation

Needless to say, we were exhausted after our beach time and exploration in the ports. Our last sea day
was spent packing up and enjoying a couple of things we had not yet tried. Guy’s Burger Joint and Blue
Iguana Cantina are lunch options located by the Beach Pool on Lido Deck. We tried both, but we really
enjoyed the burgers from Guy’s. We also decided to take in a movie at the IMAX Theater onboard. They
get the newest releases, so we decided to see Blue Beetle which had just come out the day before. Our
theater experience was surprisingly good, so much so, I forgot I was on a cruise ship until the movie was
over.
Faster to the Fun saved the day again on debarkation day. We were able to go directly to the Liquid
Lounge to be the first guests allowed off the ship. The process only took about 15 minutes once our
group was called. After clearing customs, we made our way back to Lot B and headed home. We
reminisced on all of our experiences, and we all agreed that we had a wonderful time. Overall, an A+ for
Carnival and the Carnival Vista!

Simulation Cruise and New Health Protocols

By: Leah Jorgensen

On July 28, I received an email. I was offered a 4-night Caribbean sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas’ Simulation sailing. The kicker? It was sailing on August 1, and only available to fully vaccinated guests. So I quickly contacted my mother since she is retired and always up for an adventure, made sure we both had our passports and vaccination records, and accepted the offer! Three days later, my father and brother drove us down to Galveston to the ship!

For a Simulation sailing, just about everything is the same, but the guests are at 10% capacity, and the CDC was disguised onboard. Having 400 guests on a ship that has the capacity for 4,370 passengers made it feel like the ship was just ours! It was a little eerie how empty it was, but there was never a line or a wait for anything! The entire crew is vaccinated and had been in quarantine on the ship for 2 months already. They were thrilled to be working again after 15 months, and so happy to just see other people on board. I’ve never seen a happier crew, happier entertainers, and happier guests.

Embarkation was seamless! We could only arrive at the port at our assigned time, and everything was organized. Passports were checked, vaccination records were checked, recorded, and photographed, quickly went through security, and then we were allowed onboard!

One of the biggest headaches of starting any sailing is the safety drills. Due to Covid, they are no longer safe since social distancing needs to be followed. But Royal Caribbean now has a fantastic app for your phone! Once we made it to our rooms and picked up our Sea Passes, we watched a video on our apps of how to find and wear lifejackets, what to do in an emergency, and played the sound clip of the ship’s emergency notification horn. Then it was time to find our assigned lifeboat. Once there, a crew member verified we had watched the safety video and placed a sticker on our Sail Passes to show we had completed the safety drill.

Now I’m not one who wants to keep my phone on me when I’m on vacation (isn’t the point to get unplugged and out of reach?), but the app really was handy! Easy to use and find scheduled activities, we were able to make dinner reservations, reserve show tickets, and make our own personalized schedule. If you’re not sure where something is, the deck plans are there at your fingertips! Don’t worry about waiting in line at Guest Services- your on-board account is already in your hand!

Speaking of hands, we are still living in a pandemic. Every doorway now has hand sanitizer, but instead of just sitting there available, we were asked (required) to use it every time. And outside the Windjammer restaurant, soap and water stations have been installed, and are required to be used before entering. The amount of food has not changed, and the crew will happily put whatever you would like on your plate for you. (Really- I suggest taking the stairs as much as possible so you can fill up with less guilt!) The crew was constantly sanitizing hand rails, chairs, tables, anything that could be touched, and often disinfected the walls. The ships have always been clean, but it was spotless- all of the time.

Relaxing in the pool

Being vaccinated, I was allowed into any venue, activity, public area, and restaurant. But being a simulation, there were some people that were chosen to be “un-vaccinated”. Those who are vaccinated are given a purple plastic bracelet to wear- and they were often checked too. Those who were un-vaccinated had specific shows, time and location for main dining, and activities they were allowed to enter. They still had a full schedule and throughout the sailing were still allowed to see and do everything, but there were just specific times they were allowed to do certain activities. Everyone is still required to wear masks while moving around the ship, but we were allowed to take them off while sitting and actively eating and drinking, and while outside. The crew is still required to leave their masks on even while outside.

When we arrived in Cozumel, we parked next to the Adventure of the Seas, that is currently sailing out of Nassau, Bahamas. Vaccinated guests are allowed to leave the ship, but unvaccinated guests are only allowed off for a Royal Caribbean excursion. On the docks, we got the chance to talk with some very happy folks from Michigan who told us what a fantastic vacation they were having! Their sailing had about 900 guests and they were getting the Royal treatment as well! Mom and I were able to find a taxi (William in taxi 318) to get us to a beach to stick our feet in the water, which is all we were looking for, and back to the dock (I do not normally suggest ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ as there’s always a chance of being late and being left!)! All of the shops in Cozumel were ecstatic to see people shopping there again- the pandemic and halting of travel has really affected us all.

All-in-all, I felt extremely safe. The safety protocols are working and people are able to be back at work. This sailing was a dream, but I hope we don’t have to live through this again in my lifetime. If you do get a chance to sail on the Independence of the Seas, especially before January (and contracts move workers), tell pianist Timothy Boaz, guitarist Darla Fox, and waiters Sanjay and Red that I sent you!