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.

As we boarded, we were greeted by a quartet singing Christmas carols in front of a very large Christmas tree in the atrium lobby.

Saying "good-bye" to Miami as we begin our journey

The lobby also featured a gingerbread village and train

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.

The only thing better than the food in the Grand Dining Room is the view.

In the afternoon, an authentic English afternoon tea is served in Horizons, on Deck 15, complete with a string quartet and scones.

That night we join other couples in a seven-course meal and wine pairing at La Reserve.

Santa makes an appearance
in the Riviera Lounge

We depart Nassau flanked by other cruise ships.

DAY THREE - At Sea

It's Christmas Eve, and the string quartet has donned Santa hats

DAY FOUR - Christmas

Social hostess Emmanuelle (far left) leads a chorus of volunteer passengers in Christmas songs

The Library on Deck 14 features 2,000 books and comfy chairs

Pam works on her New Year's Eve mask in the Artist Loft on Deck 12

Time to visit the lauderette and wash some clothes!

Dinner at Toscana, the Italian specialty restaurant. Bellissimo!

DAY FIVE - ANTIGUA

We were told on our tour musician Eric Clapton
owns a house on this point of land

DAY SIX - Martinique

Balata Botanical Garden in Martinique

Good place for a selfie!

Nelson's Dockyard on Antigua

Don't try the suspension bridge at Balata Garden
if you are afraid of heights

Balata Garden is located in Martinique's rain forest

DAY SEVEN - Barbados

Pam never misses a chance to shop

The view at Highland Adventure Center

There was a cruise ship traffic jam in Barbados

Back onboard, you can get a cappucino at Baristas on Deck 14

Or your favorite ice cream treat or smoothie at Waves

DAY EIGHT - St. George's, Grenada

A brief rain brings a rainbow with it

Not a bad backdrop for breakfast

Soothe those tired muscles in the spa

Another picture postcard view

We dine at Polo Grill, another specialty restaurant

DAY NINE
- St. Lucia

The sun sets as another cruise ship departs Grenada

The beach at Ansa La Raye

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

We dock at St. Philipsburg, on the Dutch side.
St. Maarten is half-French, half-Dutch.

St. Maarten is one of Pam's favorite shopping stops

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.

Here we are wearing the masks we created in the Artist Loft

A giant ice sculpture proclaims "2017" at the New Year's Eve gala celebration around the pool

DAYS ELEVEN AND TWELVE - At Sea

Sunday Brunch in the Grand Dining Room is amazing.

You had me at the chocolate fountain.

Talk about a restaurant with a view

A last night cocktail at the Grand Bar

Thank you for an forgettable cruise, Riviera. Until next time.