Agents enjoy Oceania Sirena

THIS group of cruise experts were among a horde of travel industry people who were hosted aboard Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Sirena in Sydney yesterday.

The agents met with vice president of sales, Lisa Pile and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Asia-Pacific md Steve Odell after a tour of the 684-passenger vessel which is visiting Australia for the first time.

Odell confirmed that Australia is now Oceania’s second biggest global market after the USA, with the local office overtaking the UK in just the last week or so.

Sirena set off last night full of excited Aussie passengers for a 34-night circumnavigation of the country visiting destinations such as Kangaroo Island, Tasmania, Broome and the Whitsundays - as well as calls in Bali, Komodo and Papua New Guinea.

The ship is fresh from a US$50 million makeover and offers four gourmet restaurants, six lounges and bars and an on board Canyon Ranch SpaClub.

The group pictured were hosted for lunch in the Grand Dining Room, while Sirena also offers the new Red Ginger Asianinspired eatery on the top deck, alongside the new Tuscan Steak culinary concept which is inspired by Oceania’s popular Polo Grill steakhouse and the Toscana Italian restaurant.

Odell said the Oceania brand was particularly popular with local cruisers because it “suits our lifestyle” with casual informality, no jackets or ties and extensive culinary offerings.

Public areas aboard Sirena have been totally revamped from her former identity as Princess Cruises’ Pacific Princess, while accommodations have also been upgraded with new beds in every cabin featuring Oceania’s signature mattresses.

The Australian circumnavigation will be followed by a 14-day trans-Tasman cruise and then Sirena will head across the Pacific for her North American summer sailing season.