Oceania Cruises

Based in Miami, Oceania Cruises is a relative newcomer to the travel industry. Renaissance Cruises was the former home for Oceania’s ships, and the old line sank into bankruptcy in September 2001. Today, Oceania is a mid-range line offering a taste of both mainstream and luxury cruise travel.

Oceania operates only three ships, the Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica, but each vessel offers casual elegance and unique appeal to every passenger.

Each of the three sister ships can accommodate just over 650 passengers per voyage. While they are small for mainstream vessels, they lack the flowing open spaces of larger liners and focus instead on intimate retreats without excessive crowds.

Many of Oceania’s itineraries are long, offering a variety of international departure ports depending on when passengers begin their voyage. Both Miami and Los Angeles serve as departure ports periodically. For updated information about where each ship is based, prospective passengers should consult a cruise travel agent.

Warm, dark woods and rich fabrics offer comfort and luxury aboard Oceania cruises. Marble and brass fixtures throughout the ships add glitter and elegance, while the ships’ libraries are outfitted with faux skylights and marble fireplaces for a decadent feel. Cabins are generally minimalist, with the highlight of each stateroom being the signature “Tranquility Bed” – a restful focal point with an extra-thick mattress, luxury sheets, down duvets, and abundant throw pillows.

Oceania Cruises offers vacations ranging from ten to over twenty-five nights in length, though the majority of their sailings are twelve to fourteen nights. The line focuses on less-frequented, exotic ports of call, and regularly sails to South America, the Mediterranean, the British Isles, Asia, Mexico, and the Panama Canal. Because the fleet is so small, the itineraries vary widely in order to present returning passengers with new destinations.

There are few organized activities aboard these vessels because they cater to a more refined, experienced crowd. Informal spa and beauty seminars are often available, as well as enrichment lectures themed to the ship's itinerary, but passengers will find very few games, contests, or other irreverent activities.

Oceania Cruises prides itself on luscious dining, and each ship offers four restaurants for a wide range of culinary experiences. All venues feature open seating within a three-hour window, allowing passengers the flexibility to dine whenever they wish. The two specialty restaurants – a steakhouse and a Mediterranean style bistro – do not have additional fees, though reservations are strictly controlled and passengers may find themselves on a waiting list. There are no regimented formal nights, though a resort casual dress code is encouraged. Vegetarian options, as well as classic dishes, are always available, as is the round-the-clock room service. For a sophisticated repast, many passengers participate in the high tea served each afternoon at 4 p.m.

Unlike most other cruise lines, Oceania Cruises does not offer revue-style shows. Instead, the entertainment options tend to lean toward a variety of music (pianists, string quartets, and jazz bands may all be on board), as well as more unique shows. Dance troupes, magicians, card trick artists, cabaret acts, and comedians all grace the lounges.

Because of the ships’ small size, fitness facilities are somewhat limited. There is a small jogging track and well-equipped oceanview gym, as well as shuffleboard courts, hot tubs, and a golf driving cage on each ship. For more relaxing fitness, spa treatments include the hydrotherapy pool, aromatherapy sessions, hot stone massages, wraps, and facials.

Each Oceania ship hosts a small casino with quaint 19th century décor. Slot machines and a small selection of table games are available for passengers willing to try their luck.

Oceania Cruises operates with a distinctly casual, relaxed atmosphere, though passengers in higher level suites are truly pampered with more luxurious facilities and attentive butler service. One bonus each ship offers is its strict non-smoking policy: smoking is only permitted in small areas of the pool deck or in the Horizons Lounge.

Passengers interested in a wacky, active vacation will not find much to do aboard Oceania’s ships, and neither will families – there are no organized children’s activities. Furthermore, the entertainment reviews can be quite mixed, and passengers should be prepared to entertain themselves with conversation, books, or simply enjoying the relaxation of the voyage.

Oceania Cruises is the perfect choice for passengers who want to avoid the crowded mass of humanity aboard modern megaships without sacrificing fine dining, attentive service, and other touches of luxury. Long itineraries and exotic destinations make each day a new discovery aboard this unique cruise line.

• Thanksgiving Cruises
• 3 Day Cruise Packages
• Princess Cruise Lines

• Adults Only Cruise Ships
• Cruise Ship Cabins
• Royal Caribbean Cruises
• Cruise Ship Formal Nights
• Carnival Cruise Line

• Amazon Cruise
• Palm Springs Cruises
• Port of Miami
• How Much Fuel Can a Cruise Ship Hold
• Taking Alcohol on Cruise Ships