Oceania Marina – Cruise Ship Review

Marina ship review: a fantastic six course meal!

Date: 14 June 2016

Reason for being on board: ship visit

Who are you? Bella from Ocean World Travel

Name of the ship: Marina

Cruise line: Oceania

Marina ship review: what I loved most of my day on board…

Food: There are plenty of dining options on board Marina. For a relaxed and easy option you can head to the Terrace Café, a buffet restaurant where the staff actually serve you instead of you helping yourself. There is so much to choose from and a visit to the grilling station is a must, and don’t forget the home-made ice cream station. Another informal dining option is the Waves Grill where guests can help themselves to burgers, pizza, steak, ice cream and freshly made milkshakes.

There is definitely a variety of dining options on board, especially within the specialty dining restaurants. An extremely popular restaurant is the Polo Grill, an American steak restaurant. The Polo Grill is a specialty restaurant (guests can dine once in each of the specialty restaurants during their cruise free of charge). The restaurant is open dining, from 6:30pm – 9:30pm and the dress code is casually elegant. Another specialty restaurant is Tuscana, a gourmet Italian food serving fresh and delicious Italian dishes. Jacques is the place to go for fine French cuisine. The interior design of the restaurant exudes elegance and class; it is also renowned for its impeccable service. Red Ginger is a must to visit during your holiday. It has been voted one of the best restaurants at sea which offers its guests a mind-blowing fusion of Asian and Japanese cuisine. The interior and style of the restaurant is so impressive, it’s worth a visit just to see it! The final restaurant which offers something slightly different is La Reserve. The restaurant offers an 8 course food and wine pairing and holds up to 24 guests at a time. La Reserve is ideal for small groups and special occasions.

Grilling Station

Private Dining Suite

Versace Tablewear from Polo Grill

I was lucky enough to trial some of the food from a selection of different restaurants on board Marina. Our 6 course meal started with fingerling potato with sturgeon caviar, followed by asparagus risotto with black truffle, followed by poached scallops gnocchi with lobster, followed by roasted beef tenderloin with foie gras and truffle sauce and finally milk chocolate mousse cake and macaroons to finish. The food was absolutely divine. I have to admit; I did struggle with 6 courses but it was a brilliant way of trying a dish from each of the restaurants on board. I’d highly recommend the beef tenderloin!

Fingerling Potato with Caviar

Asparagus Risotto

Entertainment: The Marina lounge theatre can seat every single passenger on board. Guests can enjoy various different performances which are relevant to the location of the holiday.

Facilities: Oceania was the first cruise line to introduce the cookery school. Their current Master Chef, Chef Kelly holds cookery sessions from $49 (for an hour and a half). The ship also has complimentary wifi which is a real bonus to customers who need to keep up to date with their emails during their holidays. They also have upgraded their computer software and now have the fastest internet at sea. Other facilities on board include the library, cards room, enclosed tennis and golf courts as well as table tennis.

Cookery School

Library

For an afternoon of relaxation why not head to the Canyon Ranch Spa Club where guests have the choice of 10 different treatment rooms offering various different treatments such as; Botox, teeth whitening, hair-cuts/styling, massages etc. Guests can book these appointments prior to their departure and also have full use of the gym, fitness classes and spa facilities which is all included in the cost of the holiday.

Hot stone beds

Marina pool on top deck

It is also important to note that there are no kids club facilities on board. Oceania cruises really do appeal to the older market and promise to provide their guests with the ultimate relaxing holiday. If guests book a concierge stateroom or higher they will have access to a private spa and sun bathing terrace.

Accommodation: The cabins on board Marina were by far the most impressive cabins I had seen so far. They were extremely luxurious with ample space. The Concierge rooms have a large balcony and full size bath tub. The Oceania suites are usually the first to sell as they are great value for money. The Owner’s suites are something else. They are designed by Ralph Lauren and have a balcony that stretches across the whole of the deck including hot tub Jacuzzi (with TV). Customers who book one of these top suites also have butler service, complimentary champagne, access to the executive lounge on board which is ideal for reading the papers with a coffee and also the facility to book restaurants from their room. All of the beds on board Marina cost £5000 each! They are all American queen-sized beds with a memory foam topper which is infused with chamomile to ensure the best possible night sleep. Guests who book in suite rooms and above can also enjoy course by course meals in their stateroom.

Jacuzzi on balcony

Gym equipment in suite

Dining area in cabin

Bed in concierge room

Type of décor: The décor on board Marina is very stereotypical of high-class British style. From the cabins to the public rooms the whole ship has had both a lot of thought and money spent on it. Oceania is a premium cruise line and the style of this ship definitely portrays that.

Grand staircase

Swarovski chandelier

Atrium

Courtesy of the staff: The service on board was second to none. All staff were extremely friendly and welcoming. I really got the impression that they thoroughly enjoyed their job and were extremely passionate about delivering exceptional customer service.

What did you like most about the ship?

I have to say both the design and style of the ship was astonishing. I also think the food was incredible, probably the best I’d ever tasted!

What did you like the least of this ship?

I don’t think I have anything negative to comment on Marina other than lack of facilities for children/young families. I would certainly recommend!

Ship stats

• CREW MEMBERS 780
• PASSENGER CAPACITY 1,252
• NUMBER OF CABINS 626
• ENTERED SERVICE 2010
• GROSS TONS 66,000