Oceania Cruises doesn’t have to announce that its new Oceania-Class ships, scheduled to debut in 2010 and 2011, have rock-climbing, croquet, fencing or bowling to grab my attention.  When someone inquires about my favorite ships, this cruise line is at the top of the list.  So, new ships with more single open seating restaurants — sans surcharge of course — and larger staterooms is plenty exciting.

At present, Oceania operates three 720-passenger ships, all ex-Renaissance Cruises vessels, and has made a name for itself with very high levels of food and dining and fabulous itineraries (most with an overnight stay in at least one port).   How popular are these ships?  In January, 90% of the cruises are sold out for the year.

Like the popular Regatta-class ships, the new ships will be awash in rich, dark woods, Italian marble, fine wool carpets and leather furnishings.  The color palette will feature a mixture of dulcet tones which will be accented and offset by earthen and jewel tones.

For this cruiser, the most exciting feature of the new ships is six single-seating restaurants which include an elegant Italian restaurant plus a French, Asian and steak house.  Add to that a large main dining room with continental fare and a spot for casual dining.  

The new Oceania-class vessels will carry 1,252 passengers in 626 staterooms and suites (96% with private teak verandas).  The 66,000-ton ships will each carry 780 staff members so there will be a high passenger/space ratio. This translates into a high level of personal service.  The cruise line will keep its policy of not dictating formal nights – ”country club casual” recommended instead.

The only negative I can see is that we’ll have to wait until the fall of 2010 for Oceania 1 to enter service.

Bookmark to: