This was our first cruise on Oceania. We chose this cruise for the itinerary, which was rewarding for the spectacular scenery and wildlife. The excursions were generally good. After cruising on Viking and other cruise lines, we found the Regatta to be aged, worn and dark in decor. It was like returning to the 1980s. The staff were generally well trained and responsive to our needs, although there were some issues with language.

Embarkation in Vancouver was a taxing experience, as the facility was not designed to be used as a cruise terminal and involved a lot of unnecessary walking and up and down escalators in order clear processing and board the ship.

Dining was hit and miss. The speciality restaurants were comfortable and well serviced. However, the food quality was less than what we are accustomed to. Over ten days, Regatta's kitchens failed to deliver one serving of meat done at the requested medium rare temperature. At our first dinner in Toscana, my veal was so tough that it was unchewable. Dining in the Terrace buffet was inconsistent, but probably average for a cruise ship buffet. Service in the Grand Dining Room was often slow and inattendant. Oceania's claim that it has the best cuisine at sea is not accurate. Read more