Oceania Cruises Blog Posts

More About Oceania Cruises

Considering the uncompromising quality, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of an Oceania Cruises voyage is its incredible value.

Boldly claiming to serve “The Finest Cuisine at Sea™” might seem to be a hyperbole, but we wouldn’t make such an immodest assertion if not for the tremendous contribution of the legendary Master Chef Jacques Pépin. As our Executive Culinary Director, he inspires our chefs to perform feats of gastronomic wizardry. The intimate and luxurious ships afford their chefs the luxury of cooking for fewer guests. Never having to rush or create dishes en masse liberates them to meticulously prepare your individual order, exactly as you wish and just as you would expect in the finest restaurants, using only the freshest, highest quality ingredients. In harmony with its philosophy of encouraging a healthy, balanced lifestyle, Canyon Ranch® also offers its delicious and wholesome gourmet cuisine onboard our ships. Memorable dining begins with open-seating, as it allows you to dine when you are ready and with whomever you choose. Regardless of where you dine, there are never surcharges.

The Grand Dining Room
The Grand Dining Room is a study in stateliness, a tribute to the spirit of Europe’s marquee restaurants in 5-star hotels that inspired its dignified yet convivial ambiance. Handsomely decorated in rich woods, classic fabrics and soothing colors, the expansive dining area exudes splendor. Tables are beautifully set with elegant bone china, sparkling Riedel crystal, gleaming silver, and fine cotton linens. Remarkably, as sumptuous as the Grand Dining Room’s décor is, guests always feel completely at ease within its grandeur. Much of that is a direct reflection of the formally attired and classically trained wait staff, graciously serving course after course of European-inspired cuisine or delectable alternatives such as healthy, savory Canyon Ranch® selections or Jacques Pépin’s signature dishes.

Polo Grill
Polo Grill embodies all the elements of a classic steakhouse, expressing them with timeless reverence. Mindful of tradition, the décor features crisp, white linen tablecloths, dark wood furnishings and supple, burgundy leather chairs. Each course stands as the very definition of a time-honored favorite, most notably the beef dishes, all of which are USDA Prime and dry-aged for 28 days to enhance tenderness and flavor. Succulent seafood dishes, such as whole Maine lobster, are also classics in their own right. Caesar salads are prepared according to tradition as well, tableside and with gusto.

Toscana
In Italian, Toscana means Tuscan, and every aspect of this magnificent restaurant pays homage to this beloved region of Italy. Just as Tuscan cuisine evolved from rich family traditions, many of our recipes originated with the grandmothers and mothers of our own Italian culinary staff. Similarly, the sommeliers are from long lines of wine-producing families, so they inherently know the characteristics of each vintage, which ensures that their recommendations perfectly complement the simple yet keenly balanced Tuscan cuisine. Presented on elegant, custom-designed Versace china, each dish is a masterpiece that exemplifies the essence of Tuscany and celebrates Italy’s culinary passion.

Jacques
Exquisitely decorated with heirloom antiques, pickled wood furnishings and art from Jacques Pépin’s personal collection, Jacques was modeled after a Parisian bistro. Comfortable and eclectic, the ambiance is pure French, as is the cosmopolitan yet wonderfully embraceable cuisine. Luscious aromas waft from the gleaming show rotisserie, where chicken, duck, pork and veal roasts slowly turn. Each dish is a classic, ingeniously reinterpreted by Master Chef Pépin. Absolutely magnifique, Jacques is featured aboard Marina and Riviera.

Jacques Bistro
The Grand Dining Room offers a surprise transformation into an authentic French bistro each afternoon during lunchtime. Inspired by the family recipes of our Executive Culinary Director, Jacques Pépin, Jacques Bistro offers classic dishes that capture the essence of French cuisine. The menu reflects the rich range of flavors from regions throughout France with an emphasis on seasonal dishes such as Herb-Crusted Free-Range Chicken with Pumpkin Gratin, Five-Peppercorn Flap Sirloin Steak with Brandy Demi-Glace and Lemon Sole Fillet with Caper Butter & Crispy Croutons. Bon appétit!

Tuscan Steak
Tuscan Steak, our all-new specialty restaurant, exudes the warmth and Italian flair of Toscana while preserving the classic appeal of Polo Grill. Featuring glossy wood paneling with platinum and silver accents, the elegantly appointed interior of Tuscan Steak aptly reflects its modern take on the traditional steakhouse. The innovative and diverse menu features the best of both worlds, so you can savor Filet Mignon and our Signature Bistecca alla Fiorentina cooked to perfection, along with rustic Italian favorites such as Hand-Rolled Potato Gnocchi. Seafood lovers will delight in succulent dishes such as Maine Lobster alla Gratinata and Linguine Cioppino.

Red Ginger
With a nod to feng shui, Red Ginger radiates harmony and tranquility aboard Marina, Riviera and Sirena. The interior simply glows with ebony woods, hand-blown glass light fixtures and striking, modern Asian artworks. To complement the stunning décor, Red Ginger’s chefs have created contemporary interpretations of Asian classics. From the miso-glazed sea bass to the lobster pad Thai, Red Ginger’s gustatory pleasures are as striking as the visual ones.

Terrace Cafe
Informal and carefree, Terrace Café is wonderfully inviting whether you dine indoors or alfresco. First thing in the morning, the entire space is infused with natural sunlight, stimulating the appetite for the sumptuous breakfast selections. Come lunch, the expansive menu of international dishes changes entirely, beautifully complemented by flavorful roasted meats and the magic of the pizzeria’s oven. In the evenings, the cuisine takes on a local flair, such as a hearty paella in Spain or a rich beef bourguignon in France. The following day, an entirely different series of menus will delight you.

24-Hour Room Service
After a day of enriching shore excursions or relaxing activities onboard, you may wish to dine in the privacy of your suite or stateroom. An extensive room service menu is available 24 hours a day. Owner’s, Vista, Oceania and Penthouse Suites also feature Butler service, allowing guests to enjoy course-by-course, in-suite dining with cuisine selections from the onboard restaurants.

Grand Dining Room
An elegant ambiance combined with a comfortable atmosphere makes The Grand Dining Room a popular choice for breakfast and lunch. Consider a fluffy made-to-order omelette for breakfast or a wonderful lunch of pan-seared sole. Regardless of the occasion, open-seating ensures you can always dine when you choose and with whom you wish.

Afternoon Tea
A ritual that dates back to 19^th century England, afternoon tea is still a cherished tradition the world over. But few tea times are as anticipated and inspired as ours, a celebratory daily event that irresistibly draws guests to Horizons. As a classical string quartet plays softly in the background, our staff glides through the room presenting bountiful four-tiered pastry carts filled with freshly made finger sandwiches, colorful petits fours, richly textured scones with traditional clotted cream, and wonderfully sinful desserts. Of course, a tempting selection of teas is the essential centerpiece of this splendid afternoon pastime.

Terrace Café
It’s hard to resist the sumptuous, ever-changing breakfast and lunch buffets in Terrace Café. An array of choices awaits you. The ambiance is warm and inviting, whether you dine outdoors on the beautiful deck with views of the sea or enjoy the indoor seating that glows with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Waves
Sometimes the ultimate luxury is casual dining, a style laid-back Waves Grill epitomizes. Located in a spacious, shaded area steps from the swimming pool, Waves Grill offers an extensive luncheon menu. Watch the chefs grill gourmet burgers, tangy barbecue and succulent seafood to order in the open galley, accompanying them with side dishes like garden-fresh salads and crispy, hand-cut fries. Then top it off with a decadent dessert, such as a creamy homemade gelato, a made-to-order hot fudge sundae or a thick, hand-dipped milkshake.

When you travel with Oceania Cruises, you become part of our family, and we look forward to welcoming you home time and time again. Once you have taken your first vacation with Oceania Cruises, you immediately become a part of the Oceania Club. This complimentary club offers many benefits, which are exclusive to you as a member. The more you cruise, the greater the rewards.

Onboard Benefits
Enjoy an exclusive Oceania Club cocktail party hosted by the Captain and Senior Officers for members only. As you continue to sail with Oceania Cruises, you become eligible to receive valuable onboard amenities, such as shipboard credit, FREE pre-paid gratuities, FREE Canyon Ranch SpaClub® treatments, and FREE cruises. In addition, an Oceania Club Ambassador is there to assist you on every voyage.

At Home Benefits
Special pricing, complimentary amenities, and other exclusive privileges are offered on select sailings. You will receive periodic communications with information of interest on upcoming cruises and special offers for members only.

Reunion Cruise
On these extraordinary voyages, our valued past guests have the opportunity to attend exclusive cocktail parties and hosted dinners, reserve shore excursions specially-tailored to these sailings, and enjoy additional surprises and special events as well.

Even though guests of all ages are welcome on board Oceania, the unregimented lifestyle and upscale onboard ambiance are designed for adults and do not provide the care, entertainment, or supervision of children.

Our Oceania@Sea Internet Center is open 24 hours a day so that you can stay connected with loved ones through email, check the latest business news or research your next port of call. Because Oceania Cruises features wireless Internet access, you can even use your own laptop throughout the ship. You will also find laptops have been provided in all suites, while Marina and Riviera extend this amenity to guests in Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms as well. As an added convenience, guests in all Owner’s, Vista and Oceania Suites have use of an iPad^® throughout the voyage. Note that Internet usage rates apply.

The generous proportions of our suites and staterooms afford the ultimate in luxury. Interiors are decorated with traditional hardwoods, rich fabrics and fine furnishings. A fashionable color palette blends sea, sky and comforting earth tones to create a soothing environment that invites relaxation. Plump the goose-down pillows of the Prestige Tranquility Bed, an Oceania Cruises exclusive, and relax in bed while reading the latest bestseller. Watch live news broadcasts or the latest Hollywood blockbuster on the flat-screen television. Lose yourself in the romance of the sea on the private teak veranda that graces the vast majority of accommodations.

Our suites are uncommonly spacious for an added measure of comfort. Penthouse Suites boast oversized living and dining areas, marble and granite-clad bathrooms with a bathtub and, on Marina and Riviera, a separate shower and walk-in closet, as well as a shower on board Sirena. Our palatial Owner’s Suites, Vista Suites and Oceania Suites offer everything you would expect in a world-class hotel, elevating seagoing opulence to new levels. Resplendent with custom Empire-style furnishings from Italy aboard Regatta, Insignia, Nautica and Sirena, each has its own bedroom, whirlpool tub and so much more. Marina and Riviera’s lavish Owner’s Suites feature iconic furnishings from Ralph Lauren Home, and their Vista and Oceania Suites have been designed and furnished by the wizardry of famed New York designer Dakota Jackson. Whatever your desires in accommodations, our ships will fulfill them beautifully.

There are a variety of travel insurance options available.  Please speak with your travel consultant to discuss the best plan to meet your needs.

If you prefer to plan the day in advance, you might take part in numerous scheduled activities, such as stimulating lectures or a tasting of rare vintage wines. If you'd rather create your own diversions, you might lounge by the pool, curl up with a book in the English-style library, or try your luck in the casino. No matter what you choose, you're sure to enjoy every moment you spend aboard Oceania Cruises' ships.

Ship Lounge
From headline acts to comedians to lively jazz ensembles to full-scale production shows, our ship lounges are the center of nightly onboard entertainment.

Grand Bar
Before savoring a gourmet meal, enjoy a glass of fine wine and spirited conversation with newfound friends amidst the opulence of the convivial Grand Bar.

Horizons
With dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views from the bow of the ship, Horizons lounge is the perfect place to sip your favorite libation or dance the night away.

Martinis
Martinis serves various incarnations of this famous cocktail and many others in an intimate atmosphere featuring live piano music.

Casino
Whether blackjack is your game or roulette is more your style, try your hand in the Monte Carlo–style casino.

La Reserve by Wine Spectator
This onboard wine-tasting venue available on Marina and Riviera offers both connoisseurs and neophytes the opportunity to enhance their appreciation of fine wine and perfectly paired cuisine. During the day, you might sample a flight of regional wines that the head sommelier has hand-selected from the wine cellar. Evenings are an exclusive affair for a maximum of 24 guests, allowing for an intimate, epicurean experience. You will be treated to a seven-course gourmet dinner, where each course is delightfully paired with an appropriate premium wine.