A Week Onboard Oceania Marina: Timeless Elegance & Sophistication

• Elegant staterooms and veranda cabins featuring marble bathrooms, rainfall showers, Bvlgari toiletries, and spacious balconies with ocean views.

• Incredible dining with speciality restaurants including Jacques, Toscana, Polo Grill, Red Ginger, and the healthy Aquamar Kitchen.

• Relaxed onboard lifestyle with a spacious pool deck, live entertainment in Horizons Lounge, chic bars, a spa, sports facilities, and afternoon tea service.

Oceania Cruises is known for offering a refined, elegant cruising experience with a focus on gourmet dining and stylish surroundings. One of its most celebrated ships is Oceania Marina — a mid-sized vessel that combines timeless sophistication with modern comforts.

A member of the Cruise.co.uk team, Holly Giles, recently stepped onboard in Belfast to discover what life is really like at sea with Oceania. From the luxurious cabins and fine dining to evening entertainment and poolside relaxation, here’s their experience onboard Oceania Marina…

Well, where do I begin! As soon as I walked up the gangway of Oceania Marina in the port of Belfast, I felt right at home. As soon as you walk on the ship, you're greeted with the timeless elegance and sophistication of the atrium - a real wow moment!

After checking in, I was told my suite was ready, but I had to stop off for a quick coffee at Baristas first. The cafe offers speciality espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, alongside teas, snacks and pastries - lovely for a little mid-morning treat!

Then it was onto the cabin - now to say I was taken aback is an understatement. I have never had the fortune of staying in a veranda cabin before, and it did not disappoint! I opened the door and was met with a cabin I loved.

My cabin reminded me of what I imagine cruising used to be - smart wooden decor, plush marble bathrooms, and even a bath! In this cabin, elegance is a statement - you won’t find any shower curtains here, just a bath to relax and chill out in alongside a stand-up rain fall shower head plus Bvlgari toiletries (and they smelt divine).

The veranda was a very good size, and I just loved to be able to come back and look out across the ocean. There’s something about it that was so mesmerising, it totally calms you, no matter what day you have had.

Also during my time on Marina, I loved to just sit and relax by the pool area as well as my veranda. There was no running or reserving of sun beds near the pool, there were plenty no matter what time of day it was.

The pool also had its own grill, which offered everything from gorgeous burgers and toasted sandwiches to entrees such as ribs and speciality offerings for that day like paella. Perfect for those lunches around the pool or for less formal dinner option.

Another option located by the pool area is the Aquamar Kitchen, a wonderful new concept that offers everything good for the body, mind and soul. Here you can get everything from pressed raw juices and super food smoothies, avocado toasts, energy bowls, banana pancakes and savoury omelettes.

Talking about food, whilst onboard I was lucky enough to experience all the speciality options. On the first night, we attended the French restaurant onboard Jacques. I had lobster baked in a shell for my main course, which was divine and tasted like luxury. To finish, I had an apple tart - again, just scrumptious.

On the second night, I dined in Toscana. This was again a wonderful night, I loved the little attention to detail with the luxurious Versace plates and the fact that a specialist olive oil expert came round to guide us through our choices of both the oil and vinegar! It was such an elegant touch.

To begin, I had the sautéed shrimp in a tomato sauce, and the sauce was just a taste sensation. This was followed by both a soup and a lasagne, which were both delicious. For the main, I had the filet mignon, which was cooked to absolute perfection.

On the third day of the cruise, we decided to have afternoon tea at Horizons, which was served by white gloved waiters - just the perfect service. We had a wide variety of teas to choose from, from normal breakfast tea to flavoured teas. Then came the sandwich and cake cart, which was full of sandwiches and the most lovely-looking cakes.

The fourth night onboard Oceania Marina, I was looking forward to the most - an evening at Polo Grill, and it did not disappoint! It should be number one on anybody’s list for this kind of dining experience.

I had the succulent pork belly to start with, and it just melted in your mouth. It came with the biggest prawns I have seen in my entire life, and the taste was phenomenal. I followed this by having the lobster bisque, which again was lovely.

I then had the surf and turf for main, and, my oh my was it good! An actual lobster tail served with a filet mignon, just one of the best things I’ve ever eaten!

During my penultimate night onboard, I visited Red Ginger. I loved the little details included as part of dining in here, including the waiters attending the table with a choice of chop sticks. This is just another little thing that sets the service apart.

To start, I had the caramelised prawns along with the chicken satay. I and a few of the other people I was cruising with shared a few dishes too, including a mix of skewers, sushi and tempura, which were all really lovely. For main, I had the chicken noodle broth dish - something I had never tried before, and the flavours just bursted in my mouth! I washed this all down with a trio of sorbets, a lovely, refreshing way to end the meal.

As for entertainment, onboard, I thoroughly enjoyed the evening entertainment in the Horizon Lounge! The band were brilliant, always singing tunes people could have a great sing-along to. We also got the chance to visit the theatre to see the headline show in action, and wow, I’m so glad I got to see the show! They sang "All The Best From The West End" which was just spellbinding.

On a visit to the Martinis bar, I got to see a gorgeous string orchestra live, and it was exquisite. For those who are interested in sport, the ship has its own running track, plus an 18-hole putting green and spa to indulge yourself.

I had a truly amazing time onboard and would very much like to cruise again with Oceania Marina in future!

Author: Holly Giles

Role: Commerical Trading Executive