Oceania Cruises

The fancy older sister of Norwegian Cruise Line.

Oceania Cruises is a rare case in the cruise industry. They are a luxurious cruise line, placed a step above Holland America and Celebrity Cruises, but below Regent Seven Seas and Explora Journeys. They offer luxury without ultra-luxury prices, perfect for those who aren’t ready to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a cruise. And they deliver with high honors.

Part of Norwegian Holdings, Oceania operates eight small-to-mid-sized ships (670–1,250 guests) with more launching soon, visiting over 600 destinations worldwide including the Mediterranean, Europe, Caribbean, Alaska, Asia, Antarctica, South America and Africa. That’s an impressive number of itineraries for such a niche cruise line, giving you plenty of options when planning your next trip.

Oceania's defining feature is exceptional dining, backed by the tagline “The Finest Cuisine at Sea”, with two Master Chefs of France leading the charge. All restaurants are free and feature open seating, meaning you can dine wherever and whenever you like. Options include Italian cuisine, steakhouses, sushi bars, French restaurant Jacques, the Asian-inspired Red Ginger and a few more surprises. Food quality is excellent, and it’s one of the main ways a luxury cruise line stands out from the rest.

Your fare includes almost everything you need on a cruise. It covers gratuities, all specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi, soft drinks and onboard entertainment. Alcoholic drinks aren’t usually included, which is a bummer, but Oceania sometimes has promotions or special deals where cocktails, beer and wine are part of your fare. Famvia is always here to help you navigate that, of course.

Prices are actually quite accessible for luxury cruising, with weeklong cruises costing about $2,000 per guest. That’s fair considering the beautiful staterooms and how much is included once you’re onboard. And yes, you could even sail alone. Oceania is a great choice for solo travelers, with dedicated website sections, specially designed staterooms, social gatherings and activities for anyone choosing to sail solo.

Activities focus mostly on “enjoying a day under the sun”. They include yoga classes, libraries, piano bars and trivia competitions. Ships also have running tracks so you can stay in shape after spending two whole hours eating sushi. The atmosphere is always chill and polite, with most passengers being over 50 and looking for a place to sit back, enjoy the views and spend time with the love of their lives.

Oceania is a perfect choice for those ready to step into the world of luxury cruising. It isn’t as expensive as ultra-luxury cruise lines, but it takes service, food and onboard amenities up a notch compared to most other cruise lines. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is relaxed and the ships are clean and modern. Welcome aboard!