Just returned from 2 week cruise on the Oriana to Norway and the Lofoten Islands in the Arctic Circle. Lovely to be back on one of the more traditional mid sized ships again, and a positive experience on my first adult only ship. While this was not my first time on Oriana, it was the first time on her as adult only. How civilised!

We paid full price over a year ago for this cruise, as we wanted to cruise with friends, and it could have been annoying to hear the boasts of how little in comparison the savers had paid, but we didn't mind because my daughter and I were upgraded from an aft balcony first to a midships one then finally, 2 days before sailing, to a mini suite, which made our cruise!

Priority boarding, champagne lunch in the Pacific Lounge, and early availbility of our cabin with luggage delivered quickly so we were unpacked by 1.30 were all wonderful. The joy of being able to avoid the Snatch and Grab! Though it has to be said that Oriana's version, the Conservatory, is better laid out than the Azura's and passengers just a bit more polite. There is still a shortage of seats. on the odd occasion when I did use it, and people asked if they could share my table, I always said yes and they were surprised. I once sat down at a table and FAILED to notice a towel on another chair; boy did I get told off when Mrs Anti Social returned! Read more