After nearly 7 days at-sea, we arrived in Kodiak, Alaska during lunch. Never snowed, but I don't think the temperature once hit the 40's during that period on the ocean. Kodiak? 45F high. Some thoughts about cruising on the Oceania Riviera.
- The problem I had on our previous trip going east, last year for that 39-day Norwegian Encore from Seattle to Southampton, then two weeks on the Viking Tir for a Christmas cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, that of not being able to sleep, has largely disappeared. My body remembered that trauma, and kept me sleepy thoughout this current journey.
- The Oceania Riviera.
- Entered service in 2012.
- Capacity of 1250 passengers in 625 staterooms. 800 crew members. Quite adequate.
- 15 levels. We are in 8000, right up front on the eighth deck.
- If we had any chance to get a similar cabin on a future cruise, this would be ideal. This way we can see both port and starboard, with the same view as the captain and his crew.
- There is no engine vibration problem, as might get if your room is aft.
- The bed seems about queen-size, for two people. King would be a lot better.
- Limited TV, but a good selection of movies. Conclave is playing, and have not yet had a chance to watch it.
- It's possible that a decision could be made on Day One. It took 10 hours in 1503.
- In 1268, it dragged on for about 1000 days. This is where the term came from, for these voters were under lock and key, or conclave.
- If not winner, the paper ballots are burned, when black smoke rises.
- The betting odds favor Pietro Parolin.
- My guess is three days, and the new pope will be the first Asian, Pope Luis Antonio Tagle.
- The white smoke comes from chemicals also being burned.
The food is terrific. However, after a little more than a week, getting to feel like a cafeteria.
We've just had about everything on the ship we would want to eat. Tonight, second time in Red Ginger, the Asian restaurant.
- The entertainment is not as varied as the Norwegian Encore. But that ship had a capacity of 4000. The larger the ship, the greater the variety. For example, there must have been karaoke just about every night with a great sound system. On the Riviera, we've had two, went to one last night, and the crew struggled to manage it.
- Where would this ship rank of the nine we've been on?
- Perhaps at the midpoint.
- The Crystal Symphony and Diamond Princess are at the top.
- The Norwegian Pride of American at the bottom. Old with terrible wi-fi. The Norwegian Encore is not quite up to the Regent Seven Seas Explorer and Seabourn Odyssey, which were fine.
- The Queen Mary II is somewhat stuffy, while the European river cruise ships are much smaller with very limited activities, so would be near the Pride of America.
- In a way, the price reflects quality, save for the Diamond Princess, which ranks with the cheapest. This ship is made for the Japanese market, has good Japanese food, warm toilet seats and karaoke. And this is the ship that sort of started the COVID-19 Pandemic. We were on it a few weeks before this incident happened, and yet went back a couple years following that encounter.
- Is the largest Alaskan island at 3,588 square miles, and second to only the Big Island of Hawaii at 4,028 square miles, as the largest island in the U.S.
- Inhabited by Alutiq natives for over 7000 years.
- Home of the Kodiak Bear, brown bear.
- Settled by Russians in 1792.
- Is home to the largest Coast Guard base in the country.
- Population is dropping. Now, 5500, down from 6130 in 2010.
Dinner last night was at Toscana. Started with minestrone soup and garlic spinach with mushrooms. Wines were a sweeter German Piesporter and Australian Shiraz.
Off to our first karaoke session in Horizons,
Actually, the pedometer is up-side-down, and should read 1269 steps. Not much movement today.
Tomorrow, on to Anchorage and a tour.
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