Regatta was formerly one of a series of eight almost identical ships, originally built for the now-defunct Renaissance Cruises, the cruise industry’s first totally non-smoking cruise line. The ship’s present owners (Cruiseinvest) have chartered the ship to new start-up company Oceania Cruises. The exterior design manages to balance the ship’s high sides by painting the whole ship white (it previously had a dark blue hull), with a large, square white funnel. The addition of teak overlaid decking and teak lounge chairs have greatly improved what was formerly a bland pool deck outdoors – but the front rows of double sunloungers are called cabanas, and it costs $100 per day to use them.
The interior decor is stunning and elegant, a throwback to ship decor of the ocean liners of the 1920s and ’30s, with dark woods and warm colors, all carried out in fine taste (but a bit faux in places). This includes detailed ceiling cornices, both real and faux wrought-iron staircase railings, leather-paneled walls, trompe l’oeil ceilings, rich carpeting in hallways with an Oriental rug-look center section, and many other interesting (and expensive-looking) decorative touches. It feels like an old-world country club.
The public rooms are spread over three decks. The reception hall (lobby) has a staircase with intricate wrought-iron railings. A large observation lounge, called the Horizon Bar, is located high atop ship.
There are plenty of bars – including one in each of the restaurant entrances. Perhaps the nicest is the casino bar/ lounge, a beautiful room reminiscent of London’s grand hotels and includes a martini bar. It has an inviting marble fireplace, comfortable sofas and individual chairs.
The Library is a grand Regency-style room, with a fireplace, a high, indented, trompe l’oeil ceiling, and excellent selection of books, plus very comfortable wingback chairs with footstools, and sofas you could sleep on. Oceania@Sea is the internet connect center.
The dress code is “smart casual.” Gratuities are added at $10.50 per person, per day (accommodation designated as suites have an extra $3 per person charge for the butler). A 15% gratuity is added to bar and spa accounts. Onboard currency: the US dollar.
There is no walk-around promenade deck outdoors (there is, however, a small jogging track around the perimeter of the swimming pool, and port and starboard side decks). Stairways, though carpeted, are tinny. Oceania Cruises is a young company with a refreshing vision and desire to provide a high level of food and service in an informal setting that is elegant yet comfortable, and that is exactly what it has achieved in a short space of time. Passenger niggles include all the “inventive” extra charges that can be incurred.
Unofficial Guide © 2009
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