We recently returned from a 10 night eastern Caribbean cruise on Oceania Riviera. This was a make up cruise from last year's disaster on the Insignia ship where an engine exploded. This ship was so much better (and not just because it didn't explode). Here's why. Even though it is a bigger ship in passenger load, it also is physically bigger so at no time did I feel crowded because of other passengers. Yet it is still not too big (about 1200 passengers) compared to other mega ships out there. Just right for me.

Being newer, the staterooms were also bigger by about one third compared to their older Oceania vessels. That makes a real difference for me. Another plus is having 4 specialty restaurants instead of two as does the smaller older ships. And all four specialty restaurants were outstanding in all aspects. Oceania's evening buffet has a deserved outstanding reputation, but we also really enjoyed the main dining room sit down and be served dinners, all of which he had were very very good as well. Breakfast and lunch was as good as other cruise lines in my opinion, but the evening meals (main dining and especially specialty restaurants) were a cut above. Shore excursions were satisfactory. One tour in the Dominican Republic to a small out island of sorts was particularly good from our standpoint as beach lovers. All general services were good to excellent. I would recommend the newer Oceania ships for cruising for all the above reasonings.