Having previously traveled on other smaller luxury cruise lines, I think our standards and expectations were set too high.

From what we had heard, Oceania is a good, mid level luxury cruise line so we had a certain level of expectation. We booked a penthouse suite expecting over-the-top service. I must say that we were disappointed with the butler service at the PH level. We concluded that for the difference in price, a regular suite sans butler service would have been fine for us, though the one advantage to the PH level is early embarkation.

Our dining room experiences were also a disappointment. The food was incredible, particularly in Toscana, (kudos to the executive chefs!) but the service was poor in the main dining room. We traveled with two friends (repeat Oceania customers) and they agreed that the wait staff was lacking in attentive service (empty water glasses, no coffee refills unless we sought them out, waiting for drink orders to be taken). Another small issue that may not bother other passengers is the constant need to present your world card any time you order a drink. It really was a nuisance, not major, but worth mentioning. Read more