We just completed our third Oceania and second Regatta cruise. Somehow it didn't seem up to the same level as our two previous experiences: an Alaskan cruise on the Regatta in 2011 and a Baltic cruise on the Marina in 2012.

This was also our first experience with a non veranda cabin, a decision I will weigh very carefully before making again. I like taking pictures from the ship and a window gets covered with spray and rain very quickly, and only gets rinsed when that side is is pier-side. To be totally honest, we did take a downgrade buy-out when the price became irresistible.

The excursions seemed to be lacking a in quality control were of very uneven level, in transport and satisfaction. Some were done in school buses - not cool. The excursion we had booked for Bar Harbor was substituted due to the Government Shutdown and lack of access to Acadia National Park. The substitute did not have any photo stops or go into the villages on its loop, perhaps due to local regulations or coach size. It seems to me that given the length and advance notice of the shutdown a more suitable alternative could have been arranged. The free circulator bus was more satisfactory for stops and photos, albeit without a commentary. Read more