A private country club at sea is the best and probably the most accurate way to describe a cruise experience on Oceania's beautiful ship "Regatta." Although we had traveled on this former Renaissance vessel before, the $10 million refurbishing by Oceania of the Regatta proved to make the vessel an even finer cruise experience. With only 660 passengers on board this 30,000 ton vessel, the ship offered a wide variety of activities as well as gleaming decor and eye-appealing art work.
For my wife and I, one of the most important features of a country club on land or at sea, is the staff training and their response to requests and service. This mix of young men and women from countries all over the world always greeted passengers with a smile, anxious to be of service. Professionally trained, the staff at all levels catered to our every wants and needs.
The two-week Mediterranean cruise set sail from Venice, Italy and ended in Barcelona, Spain. Ports of call included Dubrovnik, Croatia; Corfu, Greece; Sorrento, Italy; Amalfi, Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome); Bonifacio, Corsica; Livorno, Italy, Portofiono, Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Marseilles, France. The weather cooperated in the Med style with smooth sailing and only one day of rain. A sweater and a light jacket took care of most touring days. The destination services staff arranged educational and interesting tours, although expensive, at each port. We traveled with two couples, the Shaws and the Proctors, all of Sarasota and experienced cruise folks.