This was a spur of the moment decision made 3-months before embarkation. A deeply discounted price and exotic destinations on the Amazon River got us to book. We were not even considering a 2017 cruise. My wife and I have been on 16 cruises, most on Silver Sea and Quark Expeditions--quite a range. We made one prior Oceania cruise on the Insignia that was quite nice, leaving us well disposed toward a 684 passenger vessel. We have booked a 2018 trip on the larger Marina.

The ship and cabin were consistent with a 5-star experience. Our 320 sf Penthouse Suite was well appointed, very quiet and comfortable, and well maintained by housekeeping and maintenance staff. [Need maintenance when the refrigerator broke and the room A/C underperformed.] Our butler and maid were first-rate.

Now to food: Oceania went out of their way to provide frozen but excellent kosher beef, lamb, and chicken for my wife. The chefs sought and took guidance from her about preparation and she was very pleased with her dinners. [Breakfast and lunch were vegetarian and just fine for her.] I get to be the curmudgeon where food is concerned. Our first dinner in main DR was rotisserie chicken, over-cooked to the point of dryness it was not possible to swallow. Plus, it was tasteless. Other main DR featured and regular dishes were quite bland. Read more