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​oceania riviera

12 Days of Christmas in the Caribbean

INTRO

What better way to celebrate the holidays than on a cruise? So when we had the opportunity to board Oceania  Riviera for its "Sunny Celebrations" voyage to the West Indies, we started packing our bags. Our starting point was the Port of Miami. Over the next 12 days, we visited seven different ports and enjoyed five-star food and service on Riviera. Please join us as we recapture our experience in this photo diary. Welcome aboard!

To read the complete day-to-day coverage, go to
​
ALL THINGS CRUISE, where you'll find my blog.


DAY ONE

The first day is getting settled in your stateroom, enduring the "muster drill" (we did have to don our lifejackets) and exploring the ship, which is beautiful in every respect.
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As we boarded, we were greeted by a quartet singing Christmas carols in front of a very large Christmas tree in the atrium lobby.
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Saying "good-bye" to Miami as we begin our journey
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The lobby also featured a gingerbread village and train
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Our first meal was in one of ship's four specialty restaurants, Red Ginger, famous for its Asian cuisine.
 DAY TWO - Docked in Nassau

Having seen Nassau on several occasions, we remain on the ship and discover more of what Riviera has to offer.
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The only thing better than the food in the Grand Dining Room is the view.
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In the afternoon, an authentic English afternoon tea is served in Horizons, on Deck 15, complete with a string quartet and scones.
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That night we join other couples in a seven-course meal and wine pairing at La Reserve.
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Santa makes an appearance
in the Riviera Lounge
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We depart Nassau flanked by other cruise ships.
DAY THREE - At Sea
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It's Christmas Eve, and the string quartet has donned Santa hats
DAY FOUR - Christmas
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Social hostess Emmanuelle (far left) leads a chorus of volunteer passengers in Christmas songs
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The Library on Deck 14 features 2,000 books and comfy chairs
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Pam works on her New Year's Eve mask in the Artist Loft on Deck 12
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Time to visit the lauderette and wash some clothes!
Dinner at Toscana, the Italian specialty restaurant. Bellissimo!
DAY FIVE - ANTIGUA
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We were told on our tour musician Eric Clapton
owns a house on this point of land
DAY SIX - Martinique
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Balata Botanical Garden in Martinique
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Good place for a selfie!
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Nelson's Dockyard on Antigua
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Don't try the suspension bridge at Balata Garden
if you are afraid of heights
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Balata Garden is located in Martinique's rain forest
DAY SEVEN - Barbados
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Pam never misses a chance to shop
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The view at Highland Adventure Center
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There was a cruise ship traffic jam in Barbados
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Back onboard, you can get a cappucino at Baristas on Deck 14
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Or your favorite ice cream treat or smoothie at Waves
DAY EIGHT - St. George's, Grenada
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A brief rain brings a rainbow with it
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Not a bad backdrop for breakfast
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Soothe those tired muscles in the spa
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Another picture postcard view
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We dine at Polo Grill, another specialty restaurant
DAY NINE
- St. Lucia
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The sun sets as another cruise ship departs Grenada
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The beach at Ansa La Raye
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The view from the veranda at St. Marks residence is breath-taking. That's the Riviera in the background.
DAY TEN - St. Maarten - New Year's Eve
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We dock at St. Philipsburg, on the Dutch side.
St. Maarten is half-French, half-Dutch.
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St. Maarten is one of Pam's favorite shopping stops
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Jacques, named for master chef Jacques Pepin, is the signature specialty restaurant on Riviera. The goat cheese souffle, above, is to die for.  All the food and the service is magnifique.
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Here we are wearing the masks we created in the Artist Loft
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A giant ice sculpture proclaims "2017" at the New Year's Eve gala celebration around the pool
DAYS ELEVEN AND TWELVE - At Sea
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Sunday Brunch in the Grand Dining Room is amazing.
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You had me at the chocolate fountain.
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Talk about a restaurant with a view
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A last night cocktail at the Grand Bar
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Thank you for an forgettable cruise, Riviera. Until next time.
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Contact us: [email protected]

© COPYRIGHT  2024  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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  • Home
    • Weather >
      • Hurricane Readiness
  • Cruise/Travel
    • Cruise Reviews and Stories
  • Gigi in the 561
    • Gigi's Wine Shelf
    • Gigi in the 561 Interviews
    • Cora
    • My Father's Tales >
      • My Father's Tales - Photo Album
    • Travel Bistro
  • Blogs
    • Gerry Pronounced Gary
    • Rock and Roll Rewind
    • Susan Goldfein -- Blog >
      • Susan Goldfein
  • Video
  • Explore
    • October Odyssey >
      • Cartagena, Columbia
      • Panama Canal
      • Antigua, Guatemala
      • Cabo San Lucas
      • Birds and Bees Speakeasy in Los Angeles
      • We Love LA
      • Coast Starlight
      • Napa Wine Tour
      • California Zephyr
      • California Zephyr Part Two
      • Chicago
      • Amtrak Capitol Limited
      • Washington DC
    • Pam - Traveling in Style
    • Road Trip! >
      • Road Trip! -- Tucumcari, New Mexico
      • Road Trip! -- The Painted Desert
      • Road Trip! - Sedona, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - Sedona Wineries
      • Road Trip! Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
      • Road Trip! - Mogollon Rim
      • Road Trip! - Verde Canyon Railroad
      • Road Trip! - Jerome, Arizona
      • Road Trip! - California
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Celebrity Tour
      • Road Trip! - Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
      • Road Trip! - Festival in Palm Springs
      • Road Trip! - Willcox, Arizona and Apple Annie's Orchard
      • Road Trip! Willcox Wineries
      • Road Trip! Chiricahua National Monument
      • Road Trip! Tombstone, Arizona
      • Tombstone, Part Two
      • Road Trip! - Epilogue
    • Traveling With Joe >
      • Beartooth Highway
      • North Cascades National Park
      • A Visit to the Philippines
      • Grand Canyon National Park
      • Glacier National Park
      • Yellowstone National Park
      • Hiking in Bear Country
      • Crater Lake National Park
      • Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
      • The Kerrville Folk Festival
      • Building Hope in the Rio Grande Valley
      • Yellowstone Camping Tales
    • Unknown Yellowstone >
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Heart Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Summit Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Shoshone Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Grizzly Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Riddle Lake
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Pelican Cone
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Mt. Washburn
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Specimen Ridge
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Avalanche Peak
      • Unknown Yellowstone - Divide Creek
  • Contact
    • Media Kit
    • Pamela Barker - Author
    • The Story of StarText
  • Search