MS Marina

The first Oceania class ship to be constructed, the MS Marina is the largest vessel in the Oceania Cruises fleet. It was launched in January 2011 and, along with its sister ship, the Riviera, it's intended to help bring a completely new element of luxury and world-class cruising to the company.

About twice the size of the cruise line's previous vessels, the Marina offers plenty of space and amenities for its passengers. The guest-to-staff ratio is a surprisingly high 1.57 to one, meaning that you can be sure to receive excellent service throughout your voyage.

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During the summer months, the Marina departs on voyages around the Mediterranean, with ports of call including Barcelona, Monaco, Dubrovnik, Florence, Rome, Kusadasi and Athens.

In the autumn, it goes on a transatlantic journey to Miami. For the winter, it sails around the Caribbean and then returns to Europe.

While the vessel is still smaller than many that can be found in these waters, it offers plenty of extras that set it apart from the competition.

For example, the vessel offers luxuries not found on other liners - even the lowest-priced rooms include the comfort and service that you'd normally find in a high-end hotel. And since the ship does not feature any dedicated children's amenities, it generally attracts young couples and older cruisers without their families, making it perfect for a quiet and relaxing getaway.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 1,252
Year entered service: 2011
Beam (ship width): 105 feet
Draught (ship depth): 24 feet
Length: 782 feet
Tonnage: 66,000
Crew: 780
Maximum speed: 20 knots
Number of passenger decks: 11
Number of lifts: 6
Number of swimming pools: 1
Number of cabins: 647

Food, cuisine and dining

With ten different restaurants, the Marina offers plenty of options for hungry passengers.

The Grand Dining Room is the ship's main eatery and it offers both the food and service that you would expect from a five-star restaurant. It is lavishly decorated in shades of cream and gold and a stunning chandelier offers a breathtaking centrepiece, while floor-to-ceiling windows afford amazing sea views.

Three delicious meals a day are provided in this venue, by highly trained staff in formal attire. And while dinners are a traditional affair, with six-courses and fine bone china, there are no set services, giving guests complete freedom in when and where they eat.

If you'd prefer a meal in an alternate restaurant, options include:
• Jacques
• Red Ginger
• Polo Grill
• Toscana
• Terrace Cafe
• Waves
• Privee
• La Reserve

Unlike on other cruise lines, many of the alternative restaurants are free of charge, although reservations will be necessary as tables fill up fast.

Room service is available 24 hours a day and a traditional afternoon tea is served every day.

On-board entertainment and activities

The Marina is the first ship in Oceania's fleet to tackle the logistical challenge of a dedicated show venue. The Marina Lounge has a large stage and theatre-style seating and plays host to a variety of productions throughout each voyage.

Whether you enjoy musical numbers and concerts, comedy performances, magic shows, movies or cabaret acts, you're sure to find something you'll enjoy. It's also used for informational lectures during the day.

Live music can be found in other bars and lounges across the ship and there are plenty of interesting workshops available to teach you about topics like arts and crafts or photography.

One new feature on the Oceania-class ships is the Bon Appetit Culinary Centre, where you can learn some of the secrets to preparing a gourmet meal under the tuition of a master chef.

There's a small casino for those who want to try their luck at blackjack or the slots, while the Horizons Nightclub is the place to go for dancing in the evenings.

Spas and fitness facilities

The fitness centre is a fully equipped venue with treadmills, stair climbing machines, cross trainers and stationary bikes, as well as a number of resistance machines and free weights. The large windows provide spectacular views across the ship and out to sea, and there is also a dedicated space for a variety of exercise classes like aerobics, spinning, Pilates and yoga.

If you're interested in learning more about your health and wellbeing, personal training sessions can be booked, as well as health assessments and workshops to teach you about subjects like back care, nutrition and weight loss.

You may also wish to unwind with a specialist treatment in the Canyon Ranch SpaClub. Therapies include everything from body wraps to massages and acupuncture. Or why not spend some time in one of the steam rooms, saunas or whirlpools?

Cabins

There are nearly 650 rooms on the Marina, which span a wide range of price ranges. This means that options are available for most budgets, whether you're looking for cruise deals or something a bit more opulent.

The most extravagant accommodation can be found in the Owners Suites. These massive rooms measure around 2,000 square feet - nearly three times the size of the average UK home - and offer a number of luxuries like private hot tubs and stylish Ralph Lauren furnishings.

Veranda staterooms are the most common type of room available. Measuring around 280 square feet, they also include a private balcony and plenty of space and comfort.