Not one to rest on its laurels, Oceania Cruises has made it a habit of continually raising the bar on virtually every aspect of the guest experience, and 2018 was no exception. This year promises more of the same.

Last year, the line unveiled the $100 million OceaniaNEXT initiative to renovate its four Regatta-class ships. Insignia, the first of the ships to undergo a facelift, set sail in December 2018 with an entirely new look, new staterooms and suites, new marble bathrooms and major enhancements to its public areas.

Refurbishments to Sirena, Regatta and Nautica will be completed in May 2019, September 2019 and June 2020, respectively.

New Order for Two Ships

In January, Oceania announced plans for two Allura-class ships, which boost the line’s fleet to eight vessels. The 1,200-passenger ships will be delivered in 2022 and 2025. The four Regatta-class ships carry 684 guests, while Marina and Riviera accommodate 1,250 guests.

Competitive Features, Amenities

The line distinguishes itself on three fronts: its intimately sized ships, destination-focused itineraries and quality culinary experiences. A pioneer in destination cruising, Oceania offers an itinerary roster that virtually blankets the globe.

“We’ve offered overnights and longer stays for longer than most people can remember—and with more than 450 destinations, we can take travelers to more and more unique destinations and offer them experiences they cannot get anywhere else,” said Nikki Upshaw, the line’s senior vice president.

Since its 2003 launch, Oceania has been laser-focused on offering its guests extraordinary culinary experiences. “We not only promise but deliver on our culinary promise and we invest more in the culinary experience than any other cruise line. Period,” she said.

The Travel Agent Equation

From the beginning, agents have played a significant role in Oceania’s success. “We would not be the cruise line we are today without our agent partners,” Upshaw said. “We went from one ship to three in the first two years of business and very quickly had to order two new ships—and within two years of Marina and Riviera, we acquired Sirena, which joined us in 2016.” She added, “Travel agents will always be our focus, will always be our partners, and will also be the driver of our success.”