FTB43: Oceania Cruises: An Ocean of Style

ISSUE 43 AUTUMN 2015

bridge from the

Modern majesty

Holland America Line’s Koningsdam is fit for a king

The rhythm of LA

Discover the real pulse of vibrant Los Angeles

GAME CHANGER

Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas is turning heads

PRESENTED WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF:

Cruise Line Update | FROM THE BRIDGE

tyle

AN OCEAN OF

Bookings for sailings on Oceania Cruises’ new ship, Sirena, are now open

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Regatta cruises the Alaskan coast

Delight in the wide view from Insignia’s Pool Deck

Oceania Cruises continues to focus on boutique cruising, with an extensive ship refurbishment program and a new addition to the fleet.

WORDS: RODERICK EIME

O

ceania Cruises occupies its own special niche in ocean cruising, with a current fleet of five modestly sized ships delivering a refined, casually elegant travel experience. The focus is on superior cuisine, personalised service and expansive itineraries that include more than 330 ports worldwide, many being destinations where larger ships can’t venture.

Oceania Cruises’ operations began in 2003 with the purchase of 684-guest Regatta from Renaissance Cruises; by 2006, identical ships Insignia and Nautica were also in operation. In 2011 the cruise line’s first new build, the sophisticated 1250-guest Marina, was launched, followed by sister ship Riviera in 2012. Now, another Renaissance vessel is set to join the fleet; 688-guest Sirena, previously Ocean Princess, will join her sisters after a $40-million overhaul in dry dock.

Sirena’s upgrades include making space for Oceania Cruises’ signature specialty dining restaurants Toscana and Polo Grill, plus more recent additions such as Baristas and Terrace Café. By the time you read this, Sirena’s itineraries in 2016 will be public, with bookings opening in March 2015.

As some of you may already know, Oceania Cruises’ parent company, 20 AUTUMN 2015

Dance the night away on Insignia

Prestige Cruise Holdings, was purchased by the world’s third-largest cruise company, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), in September last year. However, NCL assures us that Oceania Cruises will continue to offer the boutique experience we’ve come to enjoy.

Furthermore, Insignia, Regatta and Nautica completed an extensive six-week, $50-million modernisation and refurbishment program last year to bring them into line with the newer Marina and Riviera. Cruise critics have deemed this the ‘Best Ship Refurbishment’ and ‘Best Dining’ (all ships) for 2014.

As well as a new outdoor recreation space on the Sports Deck, there are elegant new furnishings and decor in all public rooms, suites and staterooms. The ships’ already plush staterooms now boast original artworks and the Owner’s and Vista suites have new bathroom vanities and oversized showers.

The Grand Dining Room and the Italian specialty restaurant Toscana have been expanded with more intimate tables for two, while the casual Terrace Café now has a brand-new cook-to-order grill serving guests gourmet fare such as prime steak and lobster tails.

Another much-talked-about enhancement is the addition to Regatta of Baristas, a gourmet

coffee bar that is already popular on Riviera and Marina. Baristas uses premium illy coffee beans to make luscious cappuccinos, rich espressos and satisfying cafe lattes, which are complemented by baked goods such as warm croissants, Italian biscotti and delicate finger sandwiches.

All fresh and ready for a wealth of new experiences, Oceania Cruises’ fleet is offering a range of sparkling itineraries in 2015. Among those is the mid-sized Marina’s enlightening 10-night Scandinavian Treasures: Copenhagen to Stockholm cruise departing June 27, 2015.

Cruise Line Update | FROM THE BRIDGE Enjoy elegant dining at Jacques on board Marina

CRUISE ITINERARIES

Marina’s Penthouse Suites are tranquil and luxurious

Picture yourself sailing in style to the cities of Helsinki, Riga, St Petersburg and Tallinn, where you can indulge your passion for history, culture and architecture in these glorious metropolises. Russia’s former imperial capital known as Leningrad, St Petersburg continues to enthral visitors with its strong European influences, grand residences, world-renowned museums and extraordinary monuments to its glittering regal past.

Meanwhile, smaller ship Regatta will sail North America on the 10-night Majesty of Alaska: Vancouver to Seattle cruise departing

May 19, 2015. Cruising the famous Inside and Outside passages along the Alaskan coast, you’ll visit key ports Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. Wander the delightful wilderness ports or take tours to sights such as the retreating Mendenhall Glacier and its entrancingly icy lake. Icy Strait Point offers rare insights into Alaska’s Indigenous culture and wildlife.

If you’re keen to see the world in style, without emptying your hip pocket, a cruise on board one of Oceania Cruises’ ships might just be the ticket. n

Marina’s 10-night Scandinavian Treasures: Copenhagen to Stockholm cruise departs Copenhagen on June 27, 2015.

Ports of call include Berlin, Klaipėda, Riga, Helsinki, St Petersburg and Tallinn.

Cruiseco’s 14-night fly, cruise and stay package includes return economy-class international airfares from mainland Australian capitals; 2-night pre-cruise stay at Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Copenhagen; 10-night cruise; 2-night post-cruise stay at Radisson Blu Strand Hotel, Stockholm; and port charges, government fees, onboard gratuities and air taxes.

Package fares start from AU$6480 per person, twin share.

Regatta’s 10-night Majesty of Alaska: Vancouver to Seattle cruise departs Vancouver on May 19, 2015. Ports of call include Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan in Alaska and Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. There are full days spent cruising the Inside Passage, Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point (Hoonah) and the Outside Passage. Cruiseco’s 12-night fly, cruise and stay package includes return economy-class international airfares from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane (add AU$325pp ex Adelaide, add AU$490pp ex Perth); 1-night pre-cruise stay at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver; 10-night cruise; 1-night post-cruise stay at Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle; and port charges, government fees, onboard gratuities and air taxes. Package fares start from AU$6335 per person, twin share.

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