Join us as we embark on a new 110-day cruise around South America from Miami to Miami.
We joined the beautiful Marina ship with Oceania Cruises on 18 December and disembarked in Miami on 6 April.
Over 110 days, we explored three continents, 17 countries, and 51 destinations, including a few bucket list destinations: Amazon, Panama Canal, and Antarctica. We look forward to sharing our four months at sea, but first, we share our first few days at sea and our Oceania experience from Miami to the Caribbean.
It was our first time sailing with Oceania Cruises, and from the moment we embarked to the very last day of our 110 days, Oceania were exceptional. The crew was and is an absolute delight.
The level of care and service was limitless, the energy and friendly nature of all the staff were infectious, and we quickly became friends and family. We also have left with many new friendships from our sailing, both crew and guests, which we treasure and look forward to finding each other again on our travels.
The food is divine, and after four months, we still missed out on some dishes we were hoping to try. (If you recall our last three-month cruise with Hurtigruten, they repeated the same menu for two days in the suite restaurant with only three options, and then this would repeat the following week for three months; this was very disappointing), and it was refreshing to be on a ship with outstanding dining.
Marina has four specialty dining restaurants (all-inclusive), and each restaurant prepares a distinctive set of dishes based on its culinary expertise. From classic French fare at Jacques to vibrant Asian cuisine at Red Ginger or Toscana, where Tuscan cuisine evolved from rich family traditions, mothers and grandmothers of Oceania's own Italian culinary staff recipes, and, of course, a favourite steakhouse at Polo Grill, all restaurants are world-class.
The Grand Dining Room and a terrace cafe (buffet restaurant) serve continental cuisine. A fantastic selection of worldly cuisines changes daily, approximately on a two-week cycle. You are spoilt for choice.
There are two private dining venues, Privee and La Reserve (both at additional cost). Privee is an opulent, intimate dining venue that transforms dinner between Polo Grill and Toscana into a luxurious affair. At La Reserve, you can enjoy a unique dining menu that creates distinctive pairing dinners. You also have Baristas with illy coffee (included in your cruise fare) for your morning coffee fix and afternoon tea in Horizons to treat yourself to tea and scones.
Red Ginger - Asian (Specialty Restaurant)
Toscana - Italian (Specialty Restaurant)
Jacques - French (Specialty Restaurant)
Polo Grill - Steakhouse (Specialty Restaurant)
The Grand Dining Room - Continental and International cuisine (Lunch - sea days and dinner)
Afternoon Tea in Horizons
Marina, the ship, was built in 2011 and has a capacity of 1250 passengers and 800 crew. We found the ship spacious; you could always find a quiet, relaxing spot.
The staterooms are spacious, too, and it was a treat to have a bathtub in the room. The beds are heavenly and have ample storage; you pop your suitcases under the bed, so there is no clutter. We spent much time in our balcony room and didn't feel claustrophobic.
We loved the cruise over Christmas and New Year; it was a lovely way to celebrate and see all the decorations sprinkled around the ship. We were also impressed with Oceania's beautiful Christmas gifts: a gorgeous handmade wooden chopping board and a card.
What a wonderful journey. I blog our travels also and enjoy reading others. We love Oceania and have been on a few (maybe 5?). I will definitely read your other posts. Thanks for the good read. www.travelwiththediva.wordpress.com
Such wonderful memories. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.