Oceania Vista Rome to Athens 12 nights
We set sail from Athens and the boarding was very efficient.
We had a lovely room with a balcony. The bathroom was large with large walk in shower and plenty of storage. The room had a sofa but the wardrobe space was limited. We had lunch in terrace Café with large outdoor shaded seating area. There was a good buffet selection. Wine and beer was included with lunch and dinner but we upgraded to the all inclusive package and the selection was very good.
The evening entertainment good. There was a pianist/vocalist in Martni Bar, a classical string quartet in Grand Lounge and an excellent band in the Horizons lounge We had our first dinner in main dining room. I chose lobster bisque, sea bream in ginger, vanilla souffe with caramel sauce.
31 Oct we were in La Spezia, We took ferry to beautiful Portovenere which was only 15 euros per person return. Weather 34c. We had excellent, reasonably priced lunch in seafood restaurant. Speciality restaurants are included in the price and we had dinner in the Polo Grill for dinner, speciality restaurant. I had Clam Chowder, rack of lamb, chocolate brownie & ice cream, We felt we were a bit rushed so we were invited back again.
1st Nov we called at Toulon and it was only a, short walk to centre. The buffet lunch was excellent buffet lunch and the lasagne the best.
The outside area round the pool and on deck was never crowded and it was never a problem to get a sun bed. There is a putting green, pickle ball court. on deck. In the evening we ate in another speciality restaurant, Red Ginger, an Asian fusion restaurant for dinner. I had calamari and soft shelled crab. The portions were large.
2nd Nov was a sea day. There was a Mexican buffet lunch. Entertainment in the evening Lorraine Brown, excellent singer. For dinner we decided on a pizza in Waves cafe. The pizzar was a proper Italian one and was excellent.
3rd Nov Valletta. Quite busy on a Sunday with locals 23c. There was a ferry from ship to shore. We had lunch in Waves café, wagu beef and lobster medallions burger. Very nice but a bit rich and rather large. In the evening we ate in Polo Grill again. I had French onion soup, halibut and 7 layer chocolate cake excellent. 50/60s night in Horizon lounge
4th Nov Catania. This was rather a run down place and we wished we had booked a trip to Taormina, We had a buffet lunch and dinner in main dining. I had Lobster bisque, rack of lamb, apple souffle. The evening entertainment was comedian William Caulfield – very good. We also enjoyed the band in Horizons lounge
5th Nov. We should have been in Crotone but could not dock. The pilot said not safe but sea was very calm. No explanation. Dinner main dining room. I had bisque, sword fish, lemoncello souffle. Lorraine Brown singer again – excellent.
6th Nov Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is always busy so we took a ferry to Cavtat, 20euros per person. 35mins on speed boat. Pretty, small and quiet. We had a pizza lunch. Dinner was in Ember and we found it very disappointing, the food was not very warm and menu not great.
7th Nov Kotor, lovely walled city. Quite busy but pretty. It was 21c, and is a pleasant place to walk round. We had lunch back on board. We had dinner in the main dining room. I had Dover sole and souffle. The theatre act was Spanish Guitarist, There was Karaoke in the Horizon. lounge.
8th Nov. We docked in Corfu town. There was a free shuttle to the centre and the temperature was about 22c. The town was not too busy at this time of year. We had lunch in the buffet and dinner in the main dining room. I had Dover Sole and a souffle.
9th Nov. A day at sea, We had a buffet lunch and dinner in the main dining room. I had borsch, sirloin steak and chips. Souffle. Production show average. There was an ABBA night in the Horizon Lounge.
The age profile onboard was around 70 and they were mostly from the USA. Most were smartly dressed. There are no formal nights. The dress code is resort elegant in the evenings. It was a good experience with a variety of dining options, sometimes in the main dining room the food was not as hot as I would like it but I did mention it and they did their best. The service was generally good but some of the staff in in the dining room did not seem as experienced as others. The service in the speciality restaurants as excellent. It would be interesting trying one of their smaller vessels with 700 guests.
