Overall, very nice trip and the ship was fine. I will cruise again possibly on this line but will never use one of their shore excursions again.
Embarkation
1 out of 5
Very Poor. The time slots were a waste of time and people who arrived late were let into the line and people who were on time were left waiting. Over an hour to board and worse than a much larger ship.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
This was the best part of the trip. Service and food were excellent. We really enjoyed the food on board.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Overall standard activities and a very quiet ship which is the benefit of only 619 passengers the count on our voyage.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
I was very surprised because the Guest Entertainment was top notch, and we had a great time in the small show lounge. They don't have the big production shows but not a big deal for us.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Very pleasant, accommodating, and tried to honor your special request. Got to know staff a bit more like the dining room Manager. Super nice guy and on top of all needs.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
I loved this ship. This was our 44th cruise and hands down my favorite ship. No lines, no crowds, easy to get around, nice gym, coffee bars, Explorer Lounge was amazing with nice views, two happy hours a day, and a super nice daily tea. Was a great place while transiting the Amazon River.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Bathroom needs some repairs, and the ship is close to drydocking. Very clean and super comfortable, nice bedding.
Ship tip
Book your own shore excursions, Oceania doesn't guarantee the shore excursions and the Shore Excursion Manager is worthless and an embarrassment. We booked Bongo Baths in Dominica, and the tour operator changed the tour without telling anyone. We were dumped out with no instructions, had to make an unsafe climb down the side of a mountain, a wet unsafe climb back up, the baths were full of locals, and you couldn't access the pools (loads of Kids), too crowded overall. Complained to Shore Excursions and got a letter from NCL stating "Sorry about your experience with Bongo Baths".
Town was shut down for a holiday when we visited. The Port Authority has a shuttle bus that takes you downtown, it is not a short walk, use the bus. We were able to get out look at what was open and then get back on the shuttle. This is the same route and downtown location the ship tour uses. You can get to the same tour locations (we open) for no additional cost.
Excellent stop! Local Port Authority had pre-approved bike tours for $20 plus tip per person. You sit on a covered seat while the guide bikes through town showing you all the sites. This is the home of Bumba which is similar to the Carnival. You see the stadium, floats, club locations, local church, town, and lots of street art. Very few cars, lots of bikes, and motorcycles. Super nice, safe, and clean little town.
Super scenic, very small beach town. Very safe and friendly with a natural lake that has a white sandy beach. The docking point for the tenders also has a big sandy beach, vendors, and places for cold drinks. Make sure you continue through the vendors and walk a short distance downtown (about 4 blocks) to the lake and town square. Good place to go to the pharmacy or grocery store. Nice little shopping area.
Went to the Boatyard Beach Club. Cab is $5 to the club and the return trip to the ship is included in the Boatyard entrance fee. Super nice and long day at the beach. Don't waste your time with ship 3 hours beach excursion.
Major problems with ship excursion, booked "Bongo Bath" and the tour operator changed to a place called Tia's Baths. Crowded, dirty, lots of local families, very steep steps down and up (no rails in locations) on the side of a hill. The driver said on the way back that the Bongos were closed, but we were never told this. Asked Shore Excursions for refund and I was denied claiming we went to Bongo Baths. The denial was from NCL in Miami and is why NCL is a trash cruise line. Don't book ship excursions, they are not guaranteed, and the shore excursion staff has not been to most of them. Others complained about the shore excursion and NCL was tone def.
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