We didn't choose this cruise so much as we were forced into it. Back Story: In 2020, we booked Oceania's Scandinavian Baltic cruise. And then COVID-19. We were "assured" that if cruise would be canceled again, we would receive a a refund. Lie Number 1. As COVID-19 began to ease, we sailed on both Celebrity and Viking waiting for Oceania to re-open. Final Straw, we were booked on the August Scandinavia itinerary, but Putin decided to invade Ukraine. That put St. Petersburg off the itinerary so we "used up" our credit.

Before boarding, previous cruisers raved about the Dining. In truth, we have had better steaks at Ponderosa than in the Polo Grill. We always share a table and 90% of our fellow diners expressed less than stellar reactions to the food. At the Toscana specialty dining "experience", all six at our table left the entrée an chose to partake of the Deck 9 buffet.

The staff we interreacted with were a bright exception to the lackluster offerings of the culinary staff. Our cabin steward earned an extra tip for his efforts. Read more