When you are on a port-intensive cruise there is less time to discover the joys of the ship, but on sea days and in the evenings I managed to do some exploring. The rest of the time I would wander back from wherever we were and collapse into my Tranquility Bed... but not for long. I'd rouse myself to watch us leave port, either from my veranda or up on deck, and then I'd shower to get ready for dinner, often wandering through the public areas en route to whatever restaurant we had chosen for the evening.

The small casino is surprisingly lively, and I saw people winning a fair amount on slots, video poker and blackjack. At least at the beginning of the cruise. I too won a little bit on a 25-cent slot machine, which I gave back over the course of the trip (and added more of a donation as well.) There is a roulette table but no craps, a range of 25-cent and dollar slot machines, two blackjack tables and some video poker.

The Regatta Lounge is beautiful. It's a large room but made cozy because it's designed with little seating groups. Entertainment was appropriate for this type of cruise, with musicians, a fantastic magician, vocalists. In Bordeaux, the cruiseline brought aboard a folkloric dance troupe. I often dined late; by the time the meal was finished, so was the entertainment. I didn't mind, though, because the presentation of the extraordinary meals was entertainment in and of itself.

The computer room on board, known as Oceania@Sea, was always in use. It's a big, bright room with many state-of-the-art laptops, a friendly, engaging, knowlegable staff, and several free classes. Unfortunately the operating hours are very limited and during many of those hours classes were being held, keeping non-class attendees from access. The prices seemed very expensive too; an hourly rate is charged that begins from the second you log on. Because the system is so slow it can cost several dollars before you have even managed to get into your e-mail program. Oceania contracts with a private vendor to run Oceania@Sea; they are aware of the problems and are working together to resolve them.

The pool on the ship isn't big but the pool deck is fantastic. With its new teak decking and tile surround, it's pretty and appealing. On one of Regatta's initial cruises in Northern Europe, an Oceania executive spotted a series of fish sculptures created by an artist in Oslo and purchased them on the spot to hang beneath the radar stack. They are just whimsical enough to remove any pretension from the elegance of the surroundings, and I absolutely loved their presence.

The cruise I was on was full, and it was warm out, but the deck never once seemed crowded or loud. The two hot tubs were always in use, guests snoozed on the comfortable teak loungers with pads or read or sunbathed. The band would occasionally play during the day, and the pretty tables with umbrellas at the Waves Bar was a perfect place to relax with a drink and chat with friends.

In fact, that brings up one of the things I liked best about The Regatta -- there are so many places on board to be social, to sit and chat, to enjoy the company of your fellow guests. Many of these places are bars and lounges, but you are never pressured to purchase a drink if you don't want to. You can choose a cozy setting à deux in Martini's or a settee in The Grand Bar for four of your new acquaintances. Smokers have no options, however, except for the two spots in which they are allowed to congregate, and those get very crowded and very, very loud... not at all conducive to intimate conversation.

On deck 11, at the bow, there is a wide expanse of sundeck and a golf cage. Those so inclined can practice their swing on the open seas.

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