Alaskan Cruise August 2014 Enjoy this short Oceania Regatta Review of the Dining Room and Barista Bar, but it will give you an impression of the high standard that Oceania has brought to this recent (Oceania Regatta was refurbished in Spring 2014). The Oceania Regatta matched all expectations. A veteran of more than thirty cruise holidays, I think I have just about seen everything that you can experience on a cruise ship, including a real ship wreck! (‘Sun Vista’ 1999, Straits of Malacca ( G oogle ‘My Cruise Holiday From Hell ”) The Oceania Regatta was stately, with superb service standards, and certainly my maiden Alaskan Cruise Holiday was enhanced by the quality of the food, and for the first time, every meal freshly prepared… You will get some indication of the quality level and spaciousness of the Oceania Regatta as I walk you through the Upper Floor to the Barista Bar and the Grand Dining Room.
However, in all fairness ,I have included the review from Cruise Critic ”Regatta Overview” by Carolyn Spencer Brown, Editor in Chief (4.0) 4.0 out of 5+ star rating
”When Oceania Cruises launched in 2003 its first ship was 694-passenger Regatta. If the cruise line was brand new, Regatta itself was not, even then. It had been built by Renaissance Cruises and debuted five years earlier as one of the most innovative ships of the time. Unconventionally, its design featured a high ratio of balcony cabins, restaurants that were all open seating and a distinctive Titanic-like curved staircase.
A major refurbishment in June 2014 saw Regatta return, in most respects, looking new and feeling fresh. All cabins, particularly its biggest suites, got major upgrades, including new mattresses, carpeting, furniture and bedding. The popular Barista’s coffee bar, which up until the refurbishment had only existed on Oceania’s Marina and Riviera, was installed. The sundeck received gorgeous new mosaic tiling, ultra-comfy lounges and teak decking. The Grand Dining Room’s new table arrangement featured plenty of tables for two, always a hot ticket on cruise ships.
Even before the refurbishment there was a lot to like about Oceania’s Regatta. The ship is a perfect size; with just 684 passengers, it’s large enough to feature a range of facilities, from lounges like the Horizon’s top-ship observatory to the Martini Bar and from restaurants such as the Italian Toscana to the best-grill-at-sea-worthy Waves Grill. And even better: Regatta’s size gives it a cozy sociable ambience and means it can access out-of-the-way ports of call that are off-limits to mega-ships.
If you define luxury as unparalleled service, outstanding cuisine, an intimately sized ship with just enough of the key bells and whistles (variety of dining options, a gorgeous spa and a range of entertainment venues), then this ship, with its intriguing itineraries and ambience of warmth, definitely belongs in that niche. On the other hand, there are also “mass market” factors that don’t necessarily hew to luxury standards: Drinks and other extras are priced on an a la carte basis, standard cabins can be small (cozy, but small) with shower-only bathrooms, and there are plenty of inside cabins.
The beauty of Regatta — and its nearly identical siblings Insignia and Nautica — is its ability to keep a steady foot in both camps. It offers enough of the sophisticated amenities that will only become more important as cruising continues to evolve and attract a new type of passenger. At the same time, the line is savvy in positioning its fares for a range of travelers, from those who consider suites and butlers necessary amenities to those who value luxury without the Mercedes pricetag.
Regatta Fellow Passengers
Oceania attracts primarily English-speaking passengers who hail from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. On most cruises, the passengers fall into the mature traveler category — and most are well-traveled to begin with. In other cases, we were pleased to meet numerous newcomers to the line who represented first-time cruisers.
Regatta Dress Code
Plan for country club casual, and you’ll be fine (pretty flowing skirt/pants outfits for women, jackets and maybe one tie for men at night, and casual tropical wear during the days onboard). There are no formal evenings, though many passengers did dress for the welcome dinner.”
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