Oceania Cruises: Casual Luxury & Fine Cuisine on the Regatta, Nautica, Insignia & Marina.

Oceania is an adults-only line that appeals to experienced travelers who want affordable luxury on a small ship cruise vacation where they can enjoy fine service and "outrageously good cuisine". Oceania is not kid-friendly. Popular Oceania cruises sell out well in advance, so book early. Comparable cruise lines include Azamara Cruises or all-inclusive luxury line Regent Cruises. 

Formed in 2003 by acquiring some of the former Renaissance Cruises ships, Oceania took the industry by storm, carving out a niche as a boutique cruise line in a new "upper premium" category with a "country club casual" ambience, and well-designed itineraries with select overnight calls. (Celebrity's newer Azamara brand also includes two former Renaissance Cruise vessels.)

Each Oceania cruise ship features desirable "Tranquility Beds" with duvets and down pillows, a Mandara spa, and cabaret-style shows. In lower categories staterooms are adequate but small. (See below) Those desiring more elbow room should book the higher-category staterooms, which are in demand. Guests booking suites enjoy butler service, in-suite dining if desired, priority dining reserations and concierge services.

While Oceania has created a solid niche offering smaller-sized 684-passenger ships, the line's new 1,260-passenger vessels will offer significantly larger staterooms, from 280-square feet to two-story, 2,000-square-foot Owner's Suites. (A current Veranda Stateroom on Insignia is 215 square feet including veranda; on Marina, it will be 312. Penthouse Suites on Insignia measure 322 square feet; on Marina, they'll be 429.

The Marina will be one of the exciting new ships this decade, with its high-grade residential furnishings, Lalique-designed grand staircase, more spacious staterooms, Canyon Ranch Spa, and high staff-to-guest ratio.

Oceania's calling card is its fine cuisine. Oceania's ships include open-seating dining in its restaurants, featuring cuisine by noted chef Jacques Pepin. Each evening, culinary experts demonstrate their talent at "The Perfect Table," artfully set with Versace china, Riedel crystal, and Christofle silver. Diners experience the finest cuisine, complementing vintages, deft service, and sophisticated ambience.

The menu includes Roasted Lamb Rack Provencale, Pheasant Breast Ballotine stuffed with Morel Mushrooms, and Pink-Roasted Duck Magret. Each meal includes alternative vegetarian dishes, Asian-influenced Woks of the Day, and authentic Italian pastas. Lighter, lower-calorie selections are available from the tempting Oceania SpaCuisine menu.

Oceania's Restaurants
Guests can select to dine in the Grand Dining Room or the Polo Grill Steakhouse, enjoy gourmet Italian fare in Toscana, or eat at the casual buffet in Tapas on the Terrace. For lunch there's also the Terrace Cafe, the Pizzeria, or the poolside grill.

While the smaller ships offer four dining venues, the newer vessels like Marina will offer ten, with six open-seating gourmet restaurants, including a French bistro operated by Master Chef Jacques Pepin, as well as a Bon Appetit food and wine culinary enrichment center with 24 work stations. There will be no charge for alternative dining.

Oceania cruise itineraries are port-intensive and designed to immerse passengers in the destination. TravelStore offers special deals on select sailings, and are ready to book your next Oceania cruise. Just call 1-888-779-7447 or contact one of our cruise experts. Read more about Oceania Cruises.

SIGN UP to receive our exclusive cruise specials
and enter our current travel sweepstakes.