Categories: Cruise News

Oceania to refurbish Marina, adding three new dining venues and upgrading all areas

Oceania Cruises has announced that Marina will undergo an all-encompassing refurbishment in May 2024, with new dining areas, reimagined public spaces, upgraded cabins and more.

The 1,250-passenger ship will see dining options added that first debuted aboard the new Vista, including Aquamar Kitchen, a wellness-focused dining venue which debuted on Vista this year.

The ship will also get an expanded poolside ice cream parlor serving milkshakes and smoothies, plus inventive flavors from artisan ice cream company Humphry Slocombe, and a new casual al fresco trattoria offering sumptuous Italian dishes, including freshly-made pizzas at Waves Grill.

Marina of Oceania Cruises

This refit and refurbishment of Marina marks the end of Oceania’s major fleetwide upgrade project to bring its existing vessels in-line with the new ships added in recent years, particularly the Vista class, with the latest addition Allura due for delivery in 2025.

“Marina is a ship designed by foodies, built by foodies, for foodies,” said Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. 

“This refresh of Marina will see her updated to offer three exciting new dining venues. We are especially thrilled to expand the Aquamar Kitchen concept to Marina, following its incredible reception from guests since it was unveiled aboard Vista in May,” he added.

Marina and Riviera were the first ships ever to have an onboard cooking school and at the time of their launch had more galley space and more fresh food storage than any other ship. 

Oceania Cruises also has the highest percentage of culinary personnel devoted to the dining experience than any other cruise company, with one chef for every ten guests and half the crew onboard dedicated to the cooking or serving of food. 

Aquamar aboard Vista

Aquamar Kitchen is a new Oceania Cruises signature restaurant which presents wellness-inspired menus, with a hint of indulgence. 

At breakfast, there are smoothies, cold-pressed juices and energy bowls, while at lunch it offers avocado toast selections and globally inspired salads and wraps. 

Heartier options include an Impossible burger, yellowfin tuna tacos and a crunchy chicken sandwich among several others.

To reflect the wellness-inspired dishes, the beverage menu will feature a selection of premium, award-winning non-alcoholic wines, Pierre Zero from France as well as a refreshing collection of mocktails crafted with Lyre’s non-alcoholic spirits. 

Aquamar Kitchen will be open for breakfast and lunch and does not require reservations, and as with all other onboard restaurants, is complimentary for guests.

With the addition of Aquamar Kitchen, Oceania Cruises’ signature pairing dinners featured in La Reserve will be showcased in Privée, Marina’s exclusive private dining space. 

Privée aboard Marina will feature new dishes

This intimate venue will host culinary aficionados for long-standing favorite pairing menus of La Reserve, including the Odyssey Menu and the Dom Pérignon Experience.

In the evening, Waves Grill will transform into an al fresco trattoria featuring freshly made pizzas, grilled Italian specialties, spicy dry-rubbed chicken wings, salads, rosemary focaccia with burrata and a range ofdesserts.

An all-day ice cream parlor will be added to the pool deck offering options from Humphry Slocombe, plus milkshakes and smoothies.

In addition, Marina’s private and public spaces will be refreshed and upgraded. Classic steakhouse Polo Grill will be enhanced with new carpet, stylish window treatments and a fresh design of the dining chairs.

Vista Suite Living Room (Marina’s Penthouse Suites will be upgraded to a similar style)

Favorite public spaces including Martinis, Horizons, The Grand Dining Room and Library will also be updated with plush new carpets and refreshed upholstery.

All upper suites will be revamped and made lighter and brighter to make them feel more spacious, while the Penthouse Suites will be completely refurbished with custom-crafted furniture as well as new closets and cabinetry to increase guest storage space.

The suites will also get new carpets and upholstery, updated modern lighting and thoughtful details such as more outlets and USB ports. 

Each Penthouse Suite will have a sleek restyled bathroom, with distinctive Italian marble throughout, abundant drawer space, and generous over-sized showers.

The refurbished ship will debut on May 18th, 2024, and sail a series of cruises in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Shaun Ebelthite

Founder and editor of Cruise Arabia & Africa. I try to create the best news and information specifically for cruise passengers taking cruises to and from Dubai (where I live) and South Africa (where I was born). You can contact me at shaun(at)cruisearabiaonline.com.

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