Back in April, we were invited to a lunch and ship tour of Oceania Marina. Oceania is an upper premium/luxury cruise line with six ships in the fleet, carrying between 684 and 1,250 guests per ship. Prior to this, I had not been on board an Oceania ship, so was not quite sure what to expect.
Oceania is known for having intimate and luxurious ships, which became very clear as we toured the Marina. The details and furnishings were fabulous. There were plenty of intimate spaces as well as spaces for gatherings. Oceania is also known for having the finest cuisine at sea, which became evident as we sat in the Grand Dining Room for lunch. When sailing Oceania, all dining is open seating, so you can dine when you want and with whom you want. You can also choose to dine in the onboard specialty restaurants (varies by ship) at no additional charge.
Service was impeccable. There are more than two crew members for every three guests, which is one of the best ratios in the hospitality industry. You can find Butler service for all suites (butlers are trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers). There are dedicated concierges to attend to every request. This brings your vacation to a completely different level!
A couple of things that really interested me while onboard … On the two larger ships (Marina and Riviera) you can find La Reserve by Wine Spectator. Here you can find wine seminars and tastings. But what really got my attention was the gourmet dinner which will pair fine wines with delectable courses (surcharge applies). Also onboard Marina and Riviera, you can visit The Culinary Center, the first hands-on cooking school at sea, teaches you how to prepare a variety of exquisite dishes at your own fully equipped workstation in a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen. Master chefs from around the world offer guidance and inspiration to fine-tune your techniques, but each dish is prepared by you. Our Culinary Discovery Tours™ take culinary exploration one step further - at select ports accompany chef instructors while shopping for fresh ingredients ashore at local markets, and experience authentic regional fare in private homes or chef- selected restaurants.
We were so excited about Oceania after we disembarked, we knew that we had to set sail on board. We have decided to do an escorted group on board Oceania Riviera, which will set sail on November 15, 2019, on a 10 night Sun and serenade itinerary from Miami, Florida. The ports of call will be: Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Phillipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John’s, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; and Gustavia, St. Barts before returning back to Miami. Rates start at $2,099 per person for this sailing. Inclusions with this cruise will be internet, dining in all specialty restaurants, unlimited soft drinks, bottled water, specialty coffee, teas and juices, and room service to name a few. You also have a choice from Oceania’s OLife promotion, which you can choose one of the following: $300 per person ship board credit (guests one and two); three free shore excursions per guest (guests one and two) or a beverage package that will include beer and wine. Also, as part of our group, you will receive pre-paid gratuities for guests one and two and a $150 ship board credit.
Interested in setting sail with us on board Oceania Riviera? You can reach us anytime by phone, 321-735-0202 or 888-885-5793; by email at kfreer@dreamvacations to lock in your spot ($750 deposit for two guests in a stateroom) or if you have any further questions.
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