Shipboard romance with Oceania
It was the itinerary that persuaded me to sail on the Oceania Marina, but it’s the ship that made me want to return to Oceania Cruises.
The 66,084-ton Oceania Marina, new in 2011, sailed 18 days in December and January from Valparaiso, Chile, to Papeete, Tahiti. Stops included Robinson Crusoe Island, where a castaway’s story from 1704 inspired Daniel Defoe’s novel; Easter Island (overnight); and Pitcairn Island, home to descendants of mutineers on the Bounty.
Then it was on to the French Polynesian islands of Fakarava (charming and non-touristy) and Bora-Bora (many over-the-water hotels) before disembarking in Papeete.
Oceania is a sister line to the deluxe, all-inclusive Regent Seven Seas. Oceania’s Marina and Riviera carry 1,250 passengers; three other ships carry 684 each. The line offers small-ship intimacy with upscale amenities and fantastic food at prices that are more affordable than at very high-end lines.
Some would go stir-crazy with 10 sea days, but I enjoyed relaxing and going to the Canyon Ranch SpaClub and culinary classes, playing deck games and listening to live classical and popular music. Competing for an easy chair in the library (with fake fireplace) was a popular sport.
The Marina didn’t have bigname lecturers or as many courses as many of the high-end lines, but the ship did have a wonderful blend of informality and elegance. You don’t have to dress for dinner. And, to our delight, fellow passengers were enthusiastic travelers and weren’t country name-droppers. They really wanted to discuss travel.