Marina Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We chose this cruise for its ports in the Baltic, and also to try out Oceania which has been inundating us with brochures (which eventually worked, I guess:) Much about the ship and cruise suited us. We wanted a smallish ship that did not have big family groups and children for this cruise and that was the case. On the other hand there were some younger couples on board so it was not a totally retired people cruise.
We don't care about shows, which was good because their entertainment in general was pretty weak. We do like good food, and on the whole the experience lived up to the line's reputation there. We had very good meals in Jacques and one in Toscana. Our first in Toscana I received a lobster that was seriously overcooked, which made me hesitate about ordering it anywhere again. Polo was good, but not as good as it should be. The food in Polo could use more seasoning.
The Main Dinning room on the whole was better than average but there were some nights when I had difficulty finding a main course I wanted to eat, and some of the options were odd--like a lobster and sweetbreads dish, as if anyone wants to eat brains with lobster. I asked the waiter how many had ordered it and out of 26 people that night only 2 had and 1 had asked that they skip the sweetbreads. You would think with stats like that they would change the menu, no?
Cabin Review
Concierge Level
Laid out like most cruise ship cabins, but with a little more room all around. Big closet but awkwardly placed close to side of bed. We did not benefit from the early embarkation but did use the benny of some free pressing and also enjoyed the free bottle of champagne. Could use more outlets or even a few usb ports for charging up electronics. The desk mirror has "make up" lighting which is helpful since you also have to use the hair dryer there. Our room had a big umbrella and a tote bag and nice Bulgari amenities (these last two may be a concierge benefit) See review about the showers.
Port Reviews
Tallinn
Lovely town to for walking around. Old town is well preserved/reconstructed.
St. Petersburg
This port is the real focus of the cruise and we were there three days. It was not our first visit so we hired a private driver and guide and did some of the less predictable sites. There is a duty free shop before you get back on the ship that has good prices for liquor and cigarettes (which if you care, are unbelievably cheap in Russia.)
Helsinki
Helsinki has to work hard to put together an excursion of sites for tourists and you won't miss much if you miss them all. The cruise provides a shuttle to one of the main squares and the other is two blocks away and frankly, unless you take an excursion out of town, that is pretty much it. We rode around on a hop on hop off bus and then went back for lunch. We have been here before, so we know what a "tour" consists of. This is a half day city at best.
Riga
We did not know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised. A very nice old town, very walkable with interesting old buildings and cafes, etc. No shuttle here because the old town is a 10 minute walk from the ship. But of course if one is mobile impaired that is a problem.
Berlin
We don't do Berlin but instead stay in the seaside town where the ship docks. It is a delightful resort with charming "beach" cottages and winding back streets right on the water.