This was my 4th or 5th Oceania cruise, over the past 7-8 years. On the whole, experience has shown that the smaller ships (Nautica, Regatta) are distinctly better than the larger ones (Marina, Riviera). Still, this most recent experience was distinctly inferior to any prior Oceania cruise, regardless of size of ship. Cabin and butler service were quite good, but the overall quality of the food, the variety, and the dining room service has declined markedly over the time I've known the line.

For example, the Terrace Cafe, with the buffet offerings, had a very repetitious, even if wide, selection. (Stuffed mussels, for example, must have been offered at least half, and perhaps 3/4, of the evenings.) This has tended to be the plan on the larger ships, whereas my last trip on Nautica there was almost no repetition over the course of the cruise. And the waitstaff, which in the past has been exemplary in their solicitousness and assistance, had to be summoned for beverages, etc., sometimes with annoying delays. (This, like much of the experience, was variable. There were some among the waitstaff that were notably helpful, but one has the sense that the supervisors, and the training program, have not been kept to the standard of prior years. Perhaps it's understandable that, shortly after coming out of bankruptcy as Renaissance several years ago, there was a premium on showing class. Now that Oceania has been rolled up with Regent and Norwegian the value and distinction have evaporated.)

The fact that the weather was cool and overcast was, of course, beyond the control of the company. The fact that there was a Norovirus outbreak materially impaired the trip. Amazingly, there was no notification UP FRONT that the ship had been troubled by prior recent outbreaks, and no timely encouragement for special attention to hand sanitation. That notification came only AFTER the outbreak was established. And, on looking at the CDC report site, I see outbreaks are continuing. (~ 10% of passengers on the cruise ending tomorrow are reported as afflicted, according to the CDC report.)