ABOARD OCEANIA RIVIERA, DAY 3 — You’ve heard about “Blow the man down”? That’s pretty much what you can expect on the outdoor decks today.
We’ve encountered blustery headwinds as we motor toward Antigua. The pool on Deck 12 more resembles a giant hot tub as water swishes this way and that across the decks. It doesn’t deter determined sun worshipers who take it all in stride with a good book or beverage.
The ship may be rocking, but it is Christmas Eve and everyone — well, most everyone — is in the holiday spirit.
Today is a day at sea, and there are presentations going on about spa treatments, bridge and bingo, team trivia and Jennifer is giving a class on shopping. Just what Pam needs: More tips on where to shop. She could teach that class.
One of the big headlines today is we are unexpectedly adding another island stop to our itinerary: Grand Turk. The captain explains that unfortunately we have a medical emergency onboard and one of the passengers will have to be dropped off the ship. Our thoughts go with them.
Today’s signature event is the Captain’s Cocktail Party, staged in Horizons on Deck 15. It’s a chance to not only meet the captain and officers, but also dress up and display a little glitz and glamour. Ladies wore their sparkly gowns, augmented in some cases with twinkling Christmas lights…proving you can have fun and be formal at the same time.
It was both well done and attended. While waitpersons brought around free champagne, cocktails and finger foods, The Riviera Band set the mood for dancing. A toast to Captain Gianmario Sanguineti for a party well done.
That evening, the headline show in the Riviera Lounge was the “Holiday Spectacular,” which cruise director Nolan Dean says happens only once a year — which makes sense. Dean also pointed out the entire production is planned and executed in-house. It was a fun mix of Christmas songs and audience participation.
We rounded out the evening with another trek to the Horizons lounge for DJ One-Twelve’s Christmas Eve dance party. Unlike the first two days, more people showed up and they were more in the mood to party. In fact, we ran into the Houston couple we met at La Reserve and ended up talking, drinking and dancing until 1 am.
And that means …it’s officially Christmas. Merry Christmas, all!
December 24, 2016
Photos by Gerry Barker
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
