Oceania Cruise Review: Upper Premium Meets Intimate Luxury

Let me tell you about my recent adventure aboard Oceania’s Sirena, where I joined about 500 other passengers for what turned out to be two weeks of discovering what “upper premium” really means in the cruise world. Spoiler alert: it involves a lot more than just fancy soap in your bathroom (though the Bulgari products are divine). Welcome to your Oceana Sirena cruise review!

Refined Luxury On Oceania Cruises

The Oceania Sweet Spot: A Love Letter to Luxury (Without the Prenup)

I’ve spent enough time on cruise ships to know that luxury at sea usually comes with a high price tag. But here’s where Oceania gets interesting. They’ve carved out this brilliant middle ground that feels like finding an Hermès bag at a sample sale. You know it’s the real deal, but somehow you didn’t have to liquidate your assets to get it.

Let’s talk about their latest offering, rather cheekily named “Your World Included.” In typical Oceania fashion, they give a taste of the high life while leaving room for à la carte indulgence. They include dining experiences at any restaurant at no additional charge. Excellent barista-made complimentary specialty coffees, sodas, cold-pressed juices, and still and sparkling Vero Water® are served throughout the ship. Unlimited, free (basic) WiFi is available in your suite, stateroom and all public areas. In-room dining has a superb variety of hot and cold selections along with prompt delivery. Fruit smoothies, milkshakes, gelato, and gourmet Humphry Slocombe ice cream are always included. Group fitness classes at Aquamar® Spa + Vitality Center are free of charge. Gratuities are also included. And my personal favorite – a launderette and all supplies are free for all guests.

Think of it as luxury’s greatest hits album. You get the essentials that make life sweeter, without paying for the entire discography. And while their sister line Regent Seven Seas might be offering the whole enchilada (even excursions), Oceania’s approach feels more like having an excellent taco truck right outside your favorite wine bar – you can choose exactly how fancy you want to get.

Comfortable Public Spaces on Oceania Cruises

Life Aboard Sirena: Where “Cozy” Meets “Luxurious”

Remember that feeling of walking into an old-money country club? That’s Sirena. Not the flashy, Instagram-influencer type of luxury. It’s the kind where the staff remembers your name and knows exactly how you like your martini by day two.  During my holiday sailing, I discovered that even with families aboard (surprisingly well-behaved children, I might add), the ship maintained its refined atmosphere.

The Horizon Lounge View on Oceania Cruises

Finding Your Perfect Spot (And Yes, You Might Be Alone There)

One of Sirena’s magical qualities is its ability to make 500 people seemingly disappear. I often found myself the sole occupant of various lounges, living out my best “I own this yacht” fantasy. Let me walk you through some of my favorite hideaways:

The gorgeous library was excellent for evening solitude. In many weeks I never saw another soul there.  Horizons is a forward observation lounge and I loved having espresso here every morning overlooking the Caribbean Sea.  I enjoyed many nights at Martini’s for before and after-dinner drinks with newfound friends.  In the well-laid-out theater called the Lounge, my trivia buddies and I kicked booty every afternoon and at night, Oceania entertained with comedy, magic, and variety shows.  Of course, I can’t name my favorite places without including a place I visit daily – the fitness center.  For a small ship, there was a great selection of equipment.  And I was surprised at how many of my fellow passengers were there and how well it handled us all. 

Balcony Cabin on Oceania Cruises

The Balcony Cabin Experience: Your Home at Sea

My 216 sq. ft. veranda stateroom had well-thought-out spaces. Instead of rattling off a checklist, let me paint you a picture. Imagine a room where there’s a place for everything you brought on your vacation. You will get a good night’s rest on the ridiculously comfortable Prestige Tranquility Bed (not overselling it – this bed is a dream and they customized it to my liking without question – including the pillows!) to the thoughtfully arranged sitting area where I had many room service breakfasts and kept my champagne bucket on certain evenings. The marble bathroom, while compact, is equipped with everything I needed, like the glassed-in shower and those aforementioned Bulgari toiletries.

Here’s something that’s becoming rare in the cruise industry: twice-daily housekeeping service. And an evening turndown that makes you feel like royalty.  Equally impressive, let’s talk about their commitment to sustainability. Forget plastic water bottles. Oceania provides two aluminum water bottles in each cabin and uses the VERO water system throughout the ship. Choose for either still or sparkling water. Finding a refill station is easier than finding your sea legs.

Fine Dining Oceania Cruises

Dining: The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth

Now, about that “finest cuisine at sea” tagline… let’s have an honest conversation. While the food is generally good (sometimes great), it’s not consistently the finest at sea. But oh, when it hits, it really hits.

Wagyu Burger with Lobster Medallions at Waves on Oceania Cruises

Take the Wagyu beef burger topped with lobster medallions and truffle mayo at Waves Grill. It’s the kind of dish that makes you wonder if you’ve been eating burgers wrong your whole life. The Miso Sea Bass at Red Ginger? Let’s just say Nobu might want to watch their back. And don’t get me started on the Humphry Slocombe ice cream. Their Secret Breakfast flavor is the reason I needed to hit the gym every morning! 

However, not everything reached these heights. The massive 40-oz porterhouse at Tuscan Steak (one of only two specialty restaurants aboard Sirena, Red Ginger is the other) was more show than substance. It was all size, no sizzle. And while I appreciate the consistent appearance of lobster on their menus, someone in the kitchen needs a lesson in lobster tail cooking times (unless you like your lobster with the texture of shoe soles).  I, after my first “hammered” tail, made sure to ask for them “rare”!  

Speaking of specialty restaurants, here’s the deal: you get a certain number of reservations based on various factors, but don’t let that worry you. With a bit of flexibility, same-day reservations were surprisingly easy to snag. I dined specialty 10+ nights. And most were day-of-reservations.  Also, unlike many cruise lines, the desserts here DO taste as good as they look – a rare feat indeed.

Solo Cruising Oceania Cruises

Solo Cruising: Not Just Welcome, But Celebrated

Let’s address the solo elephant in the room: Oceania got it right for solo travelers on my cruise. From dedicated solo meetups to ensuring you never dine alone (unless you want to), they’ve mastered the art of catering to independent travelers. Even celebrating a solo passenger’s 132nd Oceania cruise on one of our sea days – talk about loyalty!  I met ladies and men from ages 50 to 94 traveling alone.  Many were repeat customers, due partially to the feeling of comfort Oceania gives solo cruisers.

Here’s some good news for solo travelers: Sirena (plus Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica) has solo Oceanview cabins. The new Vista ups the ante with Concierge Level Solo Veranda Staterooms (though they’ll cost you a pretty penny). You’ll typically pay 150% of the double occupancy rate for a solo cabin. Better than the usual 200% – yet it’s still a consideration for your solo budget.

Should You Sail?  Oceania Cruises

Who Should Sail Oceania?

You’ll love Oceania if:

-You appreciate the understated elegance of old money versus the flash of new

-You appreciate quality food but don’t need every meal to be a Michelin-starred experience

-You prefer docking closer to town instead of taking an hour-long bus ride to see anything

-You can be both a social butterfly and a peaceful introvert (the ship accommodates both beautifully)

-You understand that luxury isn’t crystal chandeliers. It’s about service personnel that anticipate your needs and make you feel comfortable

Skip it if:

-Your ideal evening involves dancing until dawn (the nightlife here is more “nightcap” than “nightclub”)

-You need constant entertainment and activities

-You want absolutely everything included in your fare

-Your happy place is a mega-ship with rock-climbing walls and water slides

Improvement Opportunities of Oceania Cruises

The Paper Trail: Where Oceania Could Use Some Polish

My promise to all of my VOYAGERS is to give authentic, unbiased advice, including supplier reviews.  So, one area where Oceania shows its age – and not in a charming, vintage way – is its pre-cruise communication and administrative processes. While competitors flood your inbox with exciting pre-cruise information and clear instructions, Oceania maintains an almost monastic silence. I found myself initiating contact multiple times just to get basic information, and the confirmation paperwork you do receive feels more like a corporate invoice than the start of a luxury vacation experience. It’s all there, but it requires some decoding.

Here’s a pro tip that shouldn’t be quite so “pro”: If you’re a shareholder in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (100 shares or more), you’re eligible for onboard credits across their brands – including Oceania, Regent, and Norwegian. But while Norwegian processed my shareholder benefit request for my January cruise within a week, Oceania’s response crawled along at a glacial pace. Despite submitting my request well in advance, approval didn’t arrive until midway through my cruise!  And that credit never made it to my onboard account. These aren’t deal-breakers by any means, but for an upper premium brand, the pre-cruise experience feels surprisingly outdated and could use the same attention to detail that they lavish on their onboard experience.

Pickleball on Oceania Cruises

The Bottom Line

Oceania Sirena offers what I’d call “refined fun” – it’s luxury without pretense, elegance without stuffiness. The service is personalized yet unobtrusive, the atmosphere is sophisticated and comfortable, yet the cuisine might not always live up to its marketing, when it hits the mark, it really hits it out of the park.

Think of it as the difference between old money and new money in cruise form – there’s less flash and more substance, fewer announcements about bingo, and more impromptu conversations with fascinating fellow passengers. It’s a place where you can be country club casual at dinner, where the staff knows your name but doesn’t hover, and where you can be as social or as solitary as you please.

How did you enjoy this Oceana Sirena cruise review? Wondering if I would sail with them again? In a heartbeat – just maybe with slightly tempered expectations about that porterhouse, and I wish they’d eliminate their solo cruiser upcharge.  ; )

Feel free to ask questions about Oceania and other cruise lines you may have an interest in.  Reach out to stephanie@Luxurytravelauthority.com

Luxury Travel Authority Review of Oceania Cruises Sirena

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