Oceania Cruises celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and it’s a joyful occasion for the cruise line.
To mark the occasion, Oceania has launched a limited-time 20th Anniversary Sale, featuring a special gift of up to US$800 (R14 500) in Shipboard Credit per stateroom or suite, on 110 voyages.
Bernard Carter, SVP and MD EMEA of Oceania Cruises, reminisced with Travel News in an exclusive interview, saying that when he joined the company 18 years ago, Oceania had just two ships. It currently has six vessels and in May this year will raise the number to seven, with the launch of Vista. Come 2025, Oceania will count eight ships in its fleet when another new-build, Allura, sets sail.
Yet, despite the line’s success and its rapid growth, Carter says Oceania is still very much a “family business”.
“Our ships are a home away from home, with unobtrusive, yet excellent service. We take comfort at sea to a whole new level – the type of comfort and service a passenger would expect on a 200-pax vessel – they are going to get that on any of our ships.”
Which clients will enjoy an Oceania cruise? Carter described the perfect guests as “adventurers”, those seeking a less-busy ship, relaxed passengers seeking a high level of quality. “We know South Africa has a great clientele for this type of cruise.”
Oceania’s most popular cruises in the South African market are those in Europe, the Baltic, South America and, increasingly, Alaska. These South African clients picked longer itineraries and higher-grade accommodation, said Carter.
Smaller ships
Because Oceania’s ships are ‘smaller’ ships (600-1 200 pax), they can enter smaller ports. This means they can get passengers to more fascinating and off-the-beaten-track destinations and give them immersive experiences.
Oceania’s excursion menu offers a number of styles, reflecting what travellers now want, post COVID.
“People have become more in tune with what they really want. They now shop for memories rather than items,” said Carter.
Excursion styles
*Beyond Blueprints – for clients who enjoy architecture and design, these provide a behind-the-scenes look at some of the world’s most iconic and fascinating architectural landmarks.
*Culinary Discovery Tours – culinary enrichment both aboard the ships and ashore, Oceania Cruises connects you with local culinary culture.
*Executive Collection – private bespoke tours with a driver and English-speaking guide. Guests design their itinerary ashore according to their interests.
*Oceania Exclusive Excursions – for travellers who prefer an added measure of privacy, intimacy and flexibility; 16 guests maximum.
*Food & Wine Trails – designed by a local culinary expert (sommeliers, chefs and wine writers) giving unique insights and behind-the-scenes experiences.
*Go Green Tours – enriching opportunities to experience how local communities and businesses conserve and sustain their environment.
*Go Local Tours – immersive destination tours that invite guests to engage with local communities for one-of-a-kind experiences.
*Wellness Discovery Tours by Aquamar – wellness and healthy-living tours to nourish mind, body and spirit in hand-picked locales.
Alaska itineraries
Oceania is fielding a group of Alaska cruises on board the 656-guest Regatta, offering an abundance of immersive experiences in ‘The Last Frontier’ series. Sailing from Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver, these voyages aim to go beyond the typical Alaska tourist sights, to discover unique perspectives on local cultures and cuisines.
More than 250 tours and excursions are offered in Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell and beyond, and the cruises offer plenty of opportunities for exciting glacial explorations, authentic culinary classes, native tribal site visits, craft beer tastings, national park excursions and, of course, an opportunity to savour the region’s beguiling natural beauty. In the Go Local tour series, guests can participate in exclusive small group excursions to experience destinations in a different way – guests are welcomed into local homes and businesses and immersed in the local way of life to learn about generations-old traditions.
Allura
Oceania’s eighth vessel, Allura will debut in the Northern hemisphere spring of 2025. It will accommodate 1 200 guests and be staffed by 800 officers and crew, offering industry-leading space and staff-to-guest ratios. Allura highlights include the largest standard staterooms, and an array of inventive new dining experiences including Ember, an upscale signature restaurant serving reimagined American classics, and Aquamar Kitchen, both debuting on Vista in May, plus a new Chef’s Studio.
Allura’s inaugural season, which will feature an intriguing array of marquee and boutique destinations across Europe and the Americas, will go on sale in the summer.
South Africa cruises
Oceania’s Nautica is coming to South Africa in 2024, and will cast away from the Port of Cape Town’s Cruise Terminal on May 9. Nautica will sail a 12-day roundtrip from Cape Town, Walvis Bay, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Richards Bay, Mossel Bay and back to Cape Town.
