$50m upgrade for Oceania trio

Oceania Cruises is to spend $50 million upgrading its original three ships – Regatta, Insignia and Nautica – and to add features which were introduced on the newer Marina and Riviera.
The work will be carried out in dry dock at Marseille and Vancouver between April and June next year.
The three ships were originally launched in 1998 by the now-defunct Renaissance Cruises, and are almost identical in design to P&O’s Adonia and Azamara’s Journey and Quest. Each carries up to 684 passengers
The upgrades include the refurbishment of suites, staterooms and some public rooms. The ships’ top accommodations, the Owner’s and Vista suites, will receive new bathrooms including the addition of oversized showers and new vanities. Original artwork, in-line with the celebrated collection on Marina and Riviera, will be commissioned for all suites and staterooms.
The ships’ Terrace Cafés will be completely refurbished and gain a grill to prepare dinner specialities such as lobster tails, steaks and lamb chops. Barista coffee bars will be installed, serving complimentary espressos, cappuchinos and lattes as well as croissants, biscotti and finger sandwiches throughout the day.
Horizons, the observation lounge, will also be refurbished with a new colour scheme and décor. In addition, the company will completely enclose the ships’ only indoor smoking area, located in Horizons, with glass and install a state-of-the-art air filtration system.
The Grand Dining Rooms and Toscana, the Italian restaurant will be expanded with more tables for two. Finally, the ships’ show lounges will be refurbished, Martinis will be outfitted with new furniture and the Canyon Ranch SpaClub® will receive new steam and changing rooms.
“This refurbishment programme is an incredible undertaking but we are excited by the opportunity to bring some of the best features of our O-Class ships to Regatta, Insignia and Nautica,” said Kunal S. Kamlani, president of Oceania Cruises.
“We will preserve the personality, elegance and comfort of these vessels while furnishing certain areas with the updated décor and amenities that are found on Marina and Riviera. This will ensure a consistent experience across the fleet that we know our guests will love and appreciate.”
The dry docks are scheduled from April 24 to June 6, 2014 with Insignia and Nautica being refurbished in Marseilles, France and Regatta in Vancouver, BC.
The renovated Insignia will debut on May 8, 2014 in Barcelona for her 7-day Jewels of Europe cruise. This will be Insignia’s first cruise after her two-year charter to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises as Columbus 2. Nautica will debut on May 16, 2014 in Civitavecchia for her 10-day Cliffs & Coves cruise and Regatta on June 7, 2014 in Vancouver for her 10-day Majesty of Alaska cruise.