A delicious cruise on Oceania's Marina
For all the hoopla about the gourmet food on the Marina, Oceania Cruises' newest ship, one might suspect it is the house that Jacques built.
Guests can dine on frog legs with Parisian herb gnocchi in riesling sauce in Jacques, the restaurant named for legendary chef Jacques Pepin, who is Oceania's executive culinary director. They can eat Malaysian beef Penaeng and a salad of watermelon in Red Ginger, a pan-Asian restaurant. Those are in addition to the main dining room, the steakhouse and the Italian restaurant that carried over from Oceania's older ships and gave the company a reputation for great food.
ABOUT THE SHIP
The Marina, which can hold 1,250 passengers, was christened in Miami on Feb. 5. It is the first new ship built for Oceania, a line that's been operating for eight years with three smaller ships. A twin to Marina, the Riviera, is scheduled to join the fleet next April.
More significantly, the new ships reinforce Oceania's niche as what Frank del Rio, chief executive of Oceania's parent company, calls an "upper premium" line catering to experienced travelers -- generally smaller ships, more space and staff per passenger than Celebrity, Princess or Holland America, but bigger and less intimate than luxury Seabourn and Silversea vessels.
Unlike most premium ships, Oceania doesn't charge a fee for dining in alternative restaurants. On the other hand, gratuities, wine and spirits, are not included in the base price of an Oceania cruise.
Oceania's guests view the line's cruises as a good value, said Susan Reder, president of Frosch Classic Cruise & Travel in California.
Although prices aren't exactly comparable because cabin sizes, itineraries and amenities are different, per-person per-night fares on Marina generally run significantly less than on luxury lines, yet significantly more than Celebrity, Princess, Azamara Club or Holland America ships.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Marina is a graceful ship -- plush and elegant. It has intimate nooks in public spaces and an overall sense that this is a place to relax (there are no tie racks in the closets). Overall, the decor is understated, but accented by splashy art and a few over-the-top pieces: a Lalique staircase, a Dakota Jackson electric piano.
The Marina has 625 staterooms; all but 34 have balconies. The basic veranda stateroom is roomy at 248 square feet plus a 36-square-foot balcony. Other staterooms include suites with 24-hour butler service and walk-in closets, among other amenities.
All Oceania ships have Canyon Ranch Spas, but Marina guests have free access to the spa lounge, sauna, steam room and hot tubs.
DINING
Besides the main dining room and pool deck buffet-grill, Marina has four specialty restaurants, including newcomers Jacques and Red Ginger.
Reservations in all restaurants are staggered, just like in shore-side eateries. Over the course of a cruise, guests are guaranteed a dinner in each of the four specialty restaurants; they also may be able to reserve tables on other nights.
Also new: Baristas, a no-fee coffee bar serving specialty coffee drinks, and Privee, a private dining room where a custom eight- or nine-course menu can be served to a group of up to 10 for $1,000.
Guests "love the dining,"have responded to Oceania's emphasis on gourmet food, said Deborah Brye, an agent with Unique Travel of Palm Beach. "They love the dining. It's open seating, and there's no additional cost. They can go to the main dining room when they want. The food is outstanding -- that's where they put the money on all their ships."
ACTIVITIES
Recreational facilities include a driving range and an 18-hole putting green. The pool on Deck 12 is small but deep enough for swimming.
Oceania has partnered with Bon Appétit magazine to offer hands-on cooking classes in its Culinary Center, which has 24 cooking stations, making it the largest at sea. Courses start at $49 for a two-hour class.
In the Artist Loft, artists-in-residence offer classes in areas such as needlepoint and painting with watercolors.
High tea is served daily, with scones, finger sandwiches and music by a string quartet.
OCEANIA MARINA BY THE NUMBERS
CAPACITY 1,250
PASSENGER DECKS 11
ITINERARY Currently sailing European cruises, the Marina will return to Miami in December and sail the Caribbean until March 2012.
SAMPLE FARES $5,799 veranda stateroom for a 10-day Baltic cruise in June; $5,899 veranda stateroom for a 12-day Aegean Sea cruise in September; $1,499 inside cabin for a 10-day Caribbean cruise in January 2012.
DEALS Oceania is offering two-for-one cruise fares with free airfare on certain cruises booked by Aug. 31.
INFO 800-531-5619, oceaniacruises.com
