This was a crossing that lasted 23 days. We chose it largely for the ports. Unfortunately we were closed out of several due to Covid or weather. I understand weather as a reason for not docking, but I don't get the poor transparency. We all had to jump through the Bermuda protocol hoops prior to embarkation but then we didn't go there- likely due to folks not understanding the protocols. Miami is never helpful with the protocols or anything regarding what is really going to happen with the cruise, but hey this was not my only bad experience with oceania communications this year. They didn't cancel SA synergy on marina until 2 weeks prior to us going to San Antonio, Chile to embark. It was really sad to stand on the outer deck and watch Malta go by. The food was mediocre at best. We mostly ate in specialty dining but even that had its issues. having to wear N-95 masks was obnoxious- I know it was the EU demanding it but even in Turkish waters we were mandated to masks. It made communications with staff impossible. I could never hear explanations of food in the buffet or from our Butler. The ship is refurbished with lovely furnishings but the mattress was awful- I think they left old ones on the bed (PH1). Its still an old ship in its bones and our room had a horrible squeaking sound when we were going full speed at night or when it was rough seas. maintenance could not fix it and it kept me awake many nights. Our friends didn't have air conditioning in their PH1 for over a week. The lectures were the best thing about the whole cruise- Jennifer E was fantastic with giving us college level lectures. The pastries were pretty bad- luckily I didn't need to eat them anyway. The shore excursions were really pretty good- we didn't go off on our own until Istanbul (we have been there many times) All in all a very disappointing cruise by oceania and nothing compared to our one previous experience on nautica in 2009 where the food really was the best at sea. After sailing in the retreat on celebrity and dining in luminae 4 months prior to this sailing- well- it was a crashing disappointment. Though we have not sailed with Azamara since 2019, we will return to them for small ship experiences in the future- food better, longer port stays, more overnights. Oceania had better wake up and not rest on its past. There were many loyal oceania folks on this cruise who agreed- this is not the Oceania we once knew.