I've just returned from the Nautica Ancient Turquoise Seas 12-day cruise from Istanbul to Athens. I have never been a great fan of cruises and over the last 12 years have only been on three others - twice on Royal Caribbean and once on NCL. Oceania is definitely in a class much higher than these other two lines. Since the ports on this cruise have been well covered in other critiques, I'm going to limit this review to the cruise itself and some of the comments that I have read in other reviews and message boards.

My dislike of cruising has primarily been against the Las Vegas atmosphere of most cruises, the assigned seating at assigned times for dinner, and everywhere I turn someone trying to force me to join the party. Oceania is nothing like this.

Boarding the ship was like becoming a member of an exclusive club. The dEcor is refined, there are no bands playing at every turn, no photographers insisting that you pose as you board and disembark - just excellent service and outstanding food. Read more