Desire Rio Cruise – Itinerary

Desire Rio Cruise – Theme Parties

While onboard, we highly suggest participating in the nightly themes. We find that guests who take the time to dress in theme report a more social night which lead to more fun. These parties are designed and also a great method to help the average shy couple step into expressing their inner desires.  If you can, just let go, and become a whole new persona for you and your partner.

How you dress is entirely up to you. You could go all-out on a theme, or simply accessorize yourself with something related to the nightly theme.

Not in the mood, or not feeling up to it? There are couples who choose not to dress up for every theme, or at all. This cruise is all about you and your partner enjoying this trip in the best way you decide.

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Looking for more information about Theme Nights and why we enjoy them? [Read our Theme Night FAQ]

Desire Rio Cruise – Dining, Ship Rules, and Accommodations

Desire Rio Cruise – Dining On Board

Fabulous Cuisine for every Taste
Our Desire Rio Cruise Portugal Gibraltar will offer a great choice of six unique and distinctive dining venues, including room service. From high-class cuisine to down-home cooking, we guarantee you will love the quality of fresh ingredients, careful preparation, and variety of menu choices in every meal.

Specialty Dining & Fine Wines
Desire Rio Cruise features two marvelous Specialty Restaurants, Aqualina and Prime C. Specialty dining at both locations will be complimentary for our suite guests (Club World Owner’s Suites, Club Ocean Suites, and Club Continent Suites). For our other VIP guests, there will be an added per-person charge of approximately $30. Reservations for these venues come highly recommended as they tend to fill up quickly.  You can make reservations when your online check-in is complete, or see the maitre’d as soon as you board.

Aqualina
Boasting a contemporary, inventive Italian cuisine, Aqualina has two new rotating menus.  Enjoy fresh experiences of the most famous Italian dishes including plates of pasta, as well as prime cuts of veal, chicken, and fish. Starter entrees include savory beef tenderloin carpaccio with orange oil, delicious lobster ravioli, and seared tuna wrapped in veal. Second courses include delicious sweet pea and fennel soup or fresh salads of watermelon and tomato or arugula and radicchio with prosciutto chips. The delectible main courses include mushroom risotto, a tender, perfectly-grilled veal chop, Venetian seafood platter or delicate dover sole. Be sure to save room for the famous desserts like lemon souffle, tiramisu, chocolate torte and marsala custard.
Hours: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Aft-Port – Deck 10
Sample: Menu 1 Menu 2

Prime C

The setting for this steakhouse promises a marvelous evening with stunning views and lush décor. Prime C’s menu will include juicy, tender steaks in a variety of cuts cooked to your perfection, along with fresh starters like crab cakes with remoulade, delicious lobster bisque, crisp wedge salad with bacon and blue cheese, and more. Other mouth-watering entrée choices may include pork, game hen, seafood, lamb or veal. Never miss a chance to indulge in the famous mini cinnamon-sugar donuts with a trio of dipping sauces for dessert.

The Wine Cellar
The Wine Cellar, a hot-spot for those interested in tastes from around the globe, will delight your palate with a wide selection of limited, small label, and vintage wines from California to France, and South Africa to Argentina. Knowledgeable sommeliers will assist you in picking the proper wines for your evening meal. Be sure to look at the onboard news for Wine Corner gatherings in the Mosaic Café, where you will be able to discover and sample wines with a sommelier’s help.
Something extra: Arrange a wine tasting here. Ask our sommelier or concierge for details.
Hours: Specialty restaurant dining hours and by appointment
Location: Prime C

Discoveries Restaurant
Having a wide selection of nightly options like filet mignon with black truffle sauce, the Discoveries Restaurant is hands-down one of our favorite spots for a sumptuous yet lively dining choice. Reservations are not need nor accepted, and you have the choice of being seated with your partner at a table for two, or apart of a larger group (Ask to be seated this way which is a great way to meet new people). Discoveries Bar is also a fantastic gathering spot for pre-dinner drinks before or after dinner.
Breakfast: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Lunch: 12 PM–1:30 PM Dinner: 6 PM–9:30 PM Location: Aft-Deck 5

Pool Grill
Dine poolside on made-to-order fish-kabobs, burgers, fries, and salads. There’s more: Don’t miss the famous pool deck parties, when servers may include a few friendly officers. These parties are legendary for great food, music, and conviviality.
Hours: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Midship-Deck 9

Windows Cafe
Take in the fresh breeze at an outdoor table in Windows Café, our casual buffet offering made-to-order breakfasts and a large variety of lunch and dinner options. Choices change daily and include fresh sushi, stir-fry and pasta, salads, smoked lox and other cold fish, a carving station and sumptuous desserts. There’s more: Don’t miss the buffets! Indian, Mexican, Spanish, Italian, and other regional cuisines. Our international crew takes pride in their native cuisine and it shows. Hours: Early Riser: 6:30 AM–7 AM, Buffet Breakfast: 7 AM–10 AM, Late Risers’ Lite Breakfast: 10 AM–11 AM, Lunch Buffet: 12 PM–2:30 PM, Afternoon Tea: 3:30–4:30 PM, Casual Dinner: 6 PM–9:30 PM Location: Aft-Deck 9

Mosaic Cafe
Sink into a comfortable chair at the Mosaic Café and enjoy an espresso or hot tea with fresh biscotti, tea sandwiches or scones—on the house, of course. Centrally located on deck five, the Mosaic’s congenial service and atmosphere make it a favorite gathering spot for conversation, cards and trivia games. When: Most of the day, from early morning to late night Where: Amidship-Deck 5 Dining: What (and What Not) to Wear

In all of our dining rooms, we encourage guests to follow a “resort casual” dress code, following good taste and common sense. Because this is a Desire Cruise you can be sexy… very sexy. The bottom line rule is that all ‘naughty bits’ must be covered. Guests dress for dinner much the same way they do at the resort. Sexy and dress to impress.

Room Service
The best time for room service? Whenever you say it is, 24-hours a day. Order from the full breakfast menu between 6:30 AM and 10:00 AM, and they will deliver at your appointed time. Lunch and dinner room service features a menu of hearty soups, fresh salads, gourmet sandwiches, pizzas and desserts.

Desire Rio Cruise – Rules of the Ship

Note: Desire dress is always much sexier than a regular voyage on this same ship.

• Bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, bathing suits, shorts, and jeans are not allowed in the main dining room or two specialty restaurants. (Khakis and other trousers are fine.)
• When dining at Windows Café, guests must wear footwear and a cover-up or shirt.
• In Prime C, Aqualina and Discoveries Restaurant, many guests enjoy dressing up. Formal evening wear (tuxedos and gowns) is not expected. We recommend that men bring a Sport coat or suit; this attire comes in handy for evenings onshore as well. For women, dining attire includes dresses, skirts, blouses with pants and capris, and other appropriate attire.

Desire Rio Cruise – Accommodations

The ship is completed a complete renovation in April 2016.

Seen Above – Club World Owners Suite

Seen Above – Deluxe Verandah Stateroom

Ship and Stateroom Details
All staterooms come with:

• Complimentary stateroom attendants
• Daily fruit basket
• Fresh cut flowers
• 24-hour room service
• Sweet surprise on your pillow each evening
• Afternoon canapés
• Complimentary shoe-shine service
• 23″ plasma television
• Personal Stationary
• Elemis bathroom products
• Two nights of complimentary specialty dining
• One complimentary large bottle of water
• New European bedding
• Complimentary use of binoculars, umbrellas and plush robes
• Destination-influenced entertainment and enrichment programs
• Meals and room service
• Selected house pouring wine with lunch and dinner is now included
• Specialty Dining in Prime C and Aqualina available (complimentary for suite guests), with a minimal upcharge for guests in Club Veranda, Club Oceanview, and Club Interior staterooms

All suites come standard with all of the above, plus

• English butler service
• Priority check-in and departure
• Priority luggage delivery at boarding
• Three nights of complimentary specialty dining
• Complimentary garment pressing (limit of two items per person upon embarkation
• Opportunity to book in-suite spa services
• Priority tender service
• Welcome champagne

Desire Rio Cruise – What’s Included?

Our Desire trips are such a great value because there is just so much included with the cost of your cabin, this includes all meals at all restaurants and room service. (With the exception being the specialty restaurants, where you may have a slight per-person charge.)

The entertainment and nightly theme parties are also included. Sexy pool parties by the daytime, sensual theme parties and dancing each night. Plus, the Desire sexy signature playroom for exploring the more sensual parts of this trip.

Your excursions and treatments at the Spa are things you will want to budget some extra money for.

** Special for the Desire Rio Cruise **

Every booking will receive a Premium Beverage Package complimentary with your purchase! What an added value!

Desire Rio Cruise – Premium Drink Package: 

Spirits: Absolut, Ketel One, Stolichnaya, Canadian Club, Crown Royal, Jameson, Johnnie Walker Red Label, Captain Morgan, Myers’s Original Dark, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Disaronno Amaretto, Kahlúa, Southern Comfort, and more…

Desire Rio Cruise – Ultimate Drink Package: 

Carry on Wine: As a possible consolation, Desire’s policy for carrying on wine is also not as strict as other cruises.  We’ve carried on wine in far excess of the usual 2 bottles per cabin rule.  On past cruises we have also restocked in port and carried on full bottles of liquor.

Amenities Included:

• Select house wine served during lunch or dinner only
• Unlimited Bottled water, soft drinks, specialty coffees and teas
• Concierge services for personal guidance and reservations

For Suite Guests:
All standard amenities plus:

• English butler service
• complimentary Internet minutes
• One free bag of laundry service per suite, all seven days
• Complimentary dining in the specialty restaurants
• Afternoon tea service in suite

Not available online thru online check-in: Lifestyle, clothing-optional shore excursions, specialty dining packages and bundles.   

We want to make sure You know that what is included in a full ship charter is different than a regular Azamara Cruise.  Just an FYI for you good research types, the details & prices listed on the cruise lines web site do not apply to this charter.

Since the Desire Rio Cruise is still in the ‘Pre-sale’ stage, pricing has not been made available as of yet. However, our insider tip is that the best pricing strategy is to book early, namely once the cruise is launched which would be now. Prices will always be released at their lowest possible rate and get steadily higher the closer to sailing we get.

• Suites sell out almost immediately.  Book Early

Desire Rio Cruise – Policies

*Reservation Policy* Please read this document carefully, and follow the instructions found in the confirmation e-mail. In case you need to change, cancel or do not show-up, this reservation policy will apply.

– Initial deposit for a guaranteed reservation will be required
– Credit Cards Accepted: Visa, MC & American Express
– All Charges will appear on your bank statement as: “OPERADORA DE YATES DE CANCUN SA DE CV”

*Balance Payment Calendar:
March 23rd, 2020 – 20%
June 22nd, 2020 – 20%
October 05th, 2020 – 20%
December 14th, 2020 – 20%
February 1st, 2021 – 20%

Note: Payment % will be adjusted for all bookings made after May 23, 2020.
Check your actual invoice for your exact % payment schedule.  Payment in full Due Feb 1, 2021.

Desire Cruise Cancellation Policy
**Once the initial payment calendar is available we will update this section**

Important Notes: 
a) American Express: All American Express charges are reflected in Mexican pesos, based on the daily exchange rate. Be aware that if you pay with American Express, your card will be subject to a surcharge in Mexican pesos, according to the hotels current exchange rate, which is variable.
b) Please be advised that your bank might charge you a fee when using your credit cards (Master Card, Visa OR American Express) for international transactions.
c) On your bank statement the charges will appear as: “OPERADORA DE YATES DE CANCUN SA DE CV”.

*Requirements* Due to new Government Regulations requiring cruise liners to submit final department manifests at least 60-minutes prior to sailing, guests are requested to complete their Online Check-in no later than 5-days prior to the cruise. Guests that have not completed their Online Check-in, will be required to complete this process at the pier, 2-hours prior to the published sailing time.

Please note: All guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than 60-minutes prior to the published sailing time or they will not be permitted to sail.

*Credit Cards Safety* At www.originalcruises.com we want you to feel safe and secure booking your trip with us online. For this very reason, we use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt your credit card and other important information while making your reservation. The process of encryption prevents unauthorized viewing of your information, as it is securely transmitted over the Internet. Once received, your credit card information will not be transmitted over the Internet again.

*Travel Documents* Your final travel documents will be e-mailed to you as soon as we receive FINAL payment. Please check your documents for accuracy immediately upon receipt. Call Original Cruises immediately if you have any questions. Original Cruises reserves the right to charge processing fees in the event of refunds, cancellations or additional services. Should a dispute occur, charge-backs will be reviewed on an individual basis. You will be charged/billed for all accumulated costs involved, taking into consideration our liabilities, policies & responsibilities.

*Disclaimer of Liability* Original Cruises is acting only as an agent for suppliers in selling travel related services, or in accepting reservations for services that are not directly supplied by Original Cruises (such as air & ground transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, tours, cruises, etc.).

Original Cruises, therefore, shall not be responsible for breach of contract or any intentional or careless actions or omissions on part of such suppliers, which result in any loss, damage, delay, injury or death to you or your travel companions or group members. Unless the term “guaranteed” is specifically stated in writing on your ticket, invoice or reservation itinerary, we do not guarantee any of such suppliers’ rates, bookings, reservations, connections, scheduling or handling of personal effects.

Original Cruises shall not be responsible for any injuries, damages or losses suffered by any traveler in connection with terrorist activities, social or labor unrest, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, criminal acts or abnormal conditions or developments or any other actions, omissions or conditions outside the control of Original Cruises.

Travelers assume complete and full responsibility for, and hereby release Original Cruises, from any responsibility in: checking and verifying any and all Passports, Visas, vaccinations, or other entry requirements of each destination, and all safety or security conditions at such destinations, throughout the length of proposed travel.

For information concerning the possible dangers in international destinations, contact the Travel Advisory Section of the U.S. State Department.

For medical information, call the Public Health Service. By embarking upon his/her travel, the travelers voluntarily assume all risks involved in such travel, whether expected or unexpected.

Travelers are warned of such risks and are advised to obtain appropriate insurance coverage against them. Traveler`s retention of tickets, reservations or bookings after issuance shall constitute consent to the above, and an agreement on his/her part to convey the contents hereto to his/her travel companions or group members.

We recommend travel insurance.

Desire Rio Cruise – Travel Insurance

Yikes, travel insurance is not a fun topic but a lot of you have asked…
This is about what happens if you are paid, packed and ready to go… and there is a problem.

The biggest 2 reasons people take insurance are:

• Trip Cancellation
• Medical Expenses or Medical Evacuation

Full Ship charters are better than regular cruises in many ways, however, the penalties and potential for a loss if you have to cancel is higher. Shortly after final payment, most full ship charter cruises become non-refundable. That means if you have to cancel your trip not only do you have that disappointment of a canceled vacation, but I have to tell you that you don’t get your money back.

Our most popular insurance is ‘World Wide Trip Protector’ and provides full coverage when purchased up to 21 days after your vacation purchase.

The best value just to make sure you have coverage is ‘Trip Protector Lite Expanded.’

We recommend Travel Insured – Get a quote and buy insurance  
Note: this link opens a window for Travel Insured – if you have questions pleases phone our office for assistance.

Please consider purchasing Travel Insurance

Since everyone pretty much likes me right now and I’d like it to stay that way, please consider purchasing travel insurance. Or at least don’t say I didn’t warn you if there is a problem.

Other coverages that take the worry out of travel:

• Trip Interruption – Return air only
• Trip Delay & Missed Connection coverage
• Baggage Loss or Delay
• Cancel for Work Reasons Options available on select policies

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your upcoming cruise. There are hundreds of circumstances that could cause you to cancel your trip, return home early or force you to seek emergency medical treatment while traveling. Travel insurance offers coverage for unforeseen problems such as an unexpected financial change or scheduling conflict, a canceled flight or a serious illness. You even have the option where you can cancel for any reason. We recommend Travel Insured – Get a quote and buy insurance