Regatta Review

4.5 / 5.0
423 reviews

Missed ports, average food, service far below what it once was

Review for Australia & New Zealand Cruise on Regatta
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howardk686
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Jan 2020
Cabin: Concierge Level Veranda Stateroom

Oceania admits they charge more because they offer SIZE, SERVICE, and PORTS. All we got on this cruise was Size. Our renovated cabin had a large depression in the floor next to the bed that was a major tripping hazard. Housekeeping said it had been reported but management chose not to fix it. We asked for a different cabin and had to keep asking and eventually we were given a different cabin (same size, different floor) but had to pack ourselves. After 3 trips with keys that didn't work and 30 minutes of waiting for someone to open a door and several wasted hours, we dragged our carry on bags up the stairs while the ship did send someone with a trolley that could hold the 2 large suitcases. Shame on Oceania !! We should not have had to move ourselves because you gave us a room that should not have been in use.

There was terrible service in the dining room almost every night and we were usually a party of 6 or 8. Exceptions were the days after we finally complained to the heads of dining. For example, they offered menu's and didn't return to take orders without us going to the maitre'd and asking for someone. They served a delicious sole with bone in, but failing to de-bone or tell us the bone was in. In the premium restaurant, the same entree was automatically de-boned prior to serving. For this we got an apology and strawberries in our room. Waiters rarely offered suggestions and often did not know about substitutions. In one case our waiter did not know the ship had romaine lettuce even though ceasar salad was a nightly offering. I reminded several that the ladies at the table should be asked for orders first and served first. To make matters worse, the head of dining services argued with our party one night insisting we were in error and had misunderstood his invitation. He could and should have just apologized for the misunderstanding or said nothing at all, but he chose to argue he was right and we were wrong. I could hold it no longer and reminded him that the customer may not always be right, but they are always the customer.

As to quality of the food, there were times that it was very good. They have chosen to make many of their dishes very low in taste so as not to offend guests who don't like spices. For people who have more adventurous taste buds, but menus are lacking. On our final night, when most cruises have a special dinner, when our waiter asked us what we wanted, 3 people at our table asked for a different menu - it was disgusting! We ordered from the "always available" section. How sad is that.

Cabin Review

Concierge Level Veranda Stateroom

Our first cabin was on deck 6 and should not have been given to guests. The giant depression in the floor was covered by carpet but was obvious when you stepped in it and you couldn't avoid it since it was between the bed and the table / couch. If you weren't prepared you could easily trip while getting out of bed and fall into the table.

Our second cabin was just like our first except it didn't have the large depression in the floor between the bed and the table.

The cabins have been refreshed and are clean, bright and have plenty of storage room and outlets. The bathroom and shower were not changed from the past and are very small. Bring 2 bars of soap into the shower because if you drop one you probably won't be able to pick it up.

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