We booked this cruise as a result of an excellent previous Oceania cruise (on Riviera) and corporate publicity for their 'new' ship. I will endeavour to be honest and truthful with regard to my comments and facts. The company Oceania (now owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines NCL) recently purchased this ship from Princess Cruise Lines where it had two names, Tahitian Princess and Ocean Princess. Built in 1999 it first sailed under the Renaissance flag. Oceania advertised a multimillion dollar refurbishment but this may well be somewhat of an exaggeration. When first boarding one is confronted with some very new decor in the public area and care has apparently been taken to ensure a good first impression.

However, when you arrive in your penthouse suite, and my comments can only be on that type of accommodation, what a disappointment. It was blatantly obvious that, apart from the bathroom, no major work had been undertaken. The built-in furniture had not been replaced, badly fitting cupboard doors and drawers, a mini television tucked away in a difficult to view but moveable position. This was on a concealed bracket within a cupboard and if you forgot to return it within the cupboard when retiring, it was a certainty that if you got up in the night, one could have sustained personal damage. Cabin and balcony chairs, together with the vary small tables would appear to have been replaced as had the carpet and curtains. The refrigerator and safe appeared to be original. This was a very poor example of a Penthouse suite and it is most interesting that, if comparing it to the sister ship Ocean Princess, that cruise line call that level as Mini-Suites, which is a more truthful description. Both have an area of 322 sq.ft and even the suite numbers are the same. On talking to other guests, all had the same view about the 'refurbishment'. As one person said, a lick of paint and new carpet seemed to be the order of day.

The vast majority of staff were excellent, given the pressures they were under. The entertainment was somewhat less then average and there would appear to be a strong need for a replacement cruise director. Read more