We transferred yesterday from the Kempinski San Clemente Palace Hotel yesterday morning to the JWMarriott Resort and Spa. We had enjoyed the Kempinski Venice Hotel which is a grand beautifully furnished old monastery.

The Marriott is on the other hand a contemporary resort style hotel complex on its own island and we had a superb suite overlooking the garden and then across the Lagoon to St Marks square. We were transferred by motor launch from and two both hotels. The transfer from the Marriott to the cruise terminal was completed by Motor launch between 11.30am to 12.00pm. It was quite a rough but quick trip, as the w3ather was cold and windy and the water was rough.

At the cruise terminal we were ushered up a ramp, our luggage was collected and transferred to the ship.

Jeanette and a Ken were processed through immigration and customs then guided through the terminal, photos taken, checked in and then boarded the Oceania Riviera at 12.15pm. We were subsequently advised that lunch was served in the Terrace Restaurant on floor12 or we could have sandwiches or burgers on Waves Grill. We elected to dine in Terrace and enjoyed a spectacular lobster salad lunch and a glass of white wine.

At 1.15pm we were advised that Owners and Penthouse Suites were now available. We then exited the Terrace Restaurant, then caught the lift down 2 floors to Level 10 and walked along to Suite 10002. We were delighted, it is beautifully furnished, with separate marble bathroom and stand alone walk in robe.

Our butler, Binout, then called by to introduce himself, open champagne and take our Order for afternoon canapés.

We waited some 10 minutes for our luggage to arrive and quickly unpacked anD stored our cases under the bed.

Ken had arranged for us to attend another Concert this evening, but with weather so inclement, and appreciating issues getting back to the cruise terminal via the people transporter, which closes at 10.00pm, we reluctantly decided to forego the concert.

The weather only continues to deteriorate, with fierce squalls and thunder and lightning, with heavy winds. Unfortunately, the forecast for tomorrow, with our planned excursion to Murano and Burano is extremely poor.

We had planned to dine in Venice, but the weather changed our plans. Instead we had dinner in the stunning Grand Dining Room. We enjoyed dinner with 2 other couples. Ken always has a prime rib an$ baked potato and salad followed by Creme brûlée . He enjoyed a superb French Cab Sav from the Provence region. Following dinner we contracted Ken and Reesa and then Karen and Rich as to details re tomorrow mornings excursion.

Ken had also intended to visit the fish market, but the rain changed those plans. We have now seen Venice in almost every weather, beautiful but you want it to be dry and not extreme.

Breakfast was superb after we both slept very soundly. We arranged to meet at 8.30am in the level 5 reception area, before exiting the ship to catch the shuttle to meet our guide and then to do the first part of our launch boat tour down the Grand Canal.

It was still pouring rain, with wind gusts in the 30-40 km per hour. We met our guide then waited at the wharf for the launch, which was delayed 15 minutes because of weather restrictions.

We sailed down the Grand Canal with detailed descriptions of the many Palace stories and histories.

Thevwindows of our launch were quickly fogged and it was difficult to take in all of the scenery in such trying conditions, but we still enjoyed this part of the tour. We then travelled the 30 minutes to Murano Island where we visited the famous Murano Glass bowing factory, watching demonstrators produce superb glassware and vases of stunning colours and shapes and sizes.

Then into the sales rooms where we were shown a stunning variety of glass in every colour, shape and size. We came to Murano keen to purchase a piece for our lounge room. However, despite our interest, we were unable to identify any items of keen interest and the aggressive sales process only accentuated Jeanettes “determination “ not to be pushed into a purchase. In the end we walked away.

From here we travelled to the small picturesque island of Burano where we viewed the stunning coloured houses on the canals and th3 beautiful handiwork and lace work.

We also tasted several types of local food and biscuits. Then we had a drink and sandwiches.

This was a wonderful tour of Burano and the rain has finally stopped and the winds have diminished.

Our guide got us back to the cruise terminal at 3.30pm, from where we caught the shuttle to the ship as another heavy rain squall came through.

This has been a very enjoyable excursion with these 2 couples who we are hopeful of remaining friends with over the cruise.

We change into drier clothes, then go to the Riviera Lounge for the emergency briefing and pre cruise safety briefing. Here we receive the structured message, then put on our life jackets. The briefing concludes at 5.15pm.

Time to shower and change for dinner, but be prepared for the ships departure and sail through the Grand Canal. The ship departs at 6.00pm and we have a spectacular 30 minutes sailing down the Grand Canal. Unfortunately, it is dark so we don’t get the full beauty of the whole Venice scenarios.

Dinner is again in the Grand Dining Room. Just a superb evening with 2 couples. The show this evening is with an excellent singer.