After sailing with many cruise lines—and spending as many as 75 days on a single voyage—Dave and I know what makes a cruise truly memorable.
We are currently exploring Alaska aboard Oceania Riviera, and this journey has reminded us why Oceania continues to be one of our favorites. We are curious about the world, love discovering different cultures and appreciate wonderful food, personal service and longer, more immersive journeys. Oceania seems to fit us perfectly.
When a ship becomes your home for more than two months, you quickly discover what truly matters. It is not the size of the water slides or the number of activities on the schedule.
It is how you feel while you are there—and Oceania feels like home.
It Feels Like Family
One of the things we love most about Oceania is its people.
Many crew members remain with the cruise line for years, so it is not unusual for us to recognize familiar faces from previous voyages. There is something very special about boarding a ship thousands of miles from home and hearing someone say, “Welcome back!”
The crew remembers your name, how you like your coffee and perhaps even your favorite cocktail. The service is polished and attentive, but it never feels stiff or overly formal.
Before long, the ship begins to feel like home—and the people aboard feel like family.
Every Day Brings a New Adventure
For Dave and me, the itinerary is one of the most important reasons to choose a cruise.
Oceania’s smaller ships can visit fascinating ports that many of the enormous cruise ships cannot reach. Their journeys combine famous destinations with smaller communities, seaside villages and places we might never have discovered on our own.
Here in Alaska, one day might begin with a floatplane soaring above mountains and glaciers. Another could bring whale watching, a search for bears or a visit to a wilderness lodge surrounded by spectacular scenery.
In other parts of the world, you might wander through a colorful local market, taste wine at a family-owned vineyard, meet local artisans or explore an ancient city with someone who has called it home for a lifetime.
These are more than sightseeing tours. The best experiences allow you to understand how people live, what they value and what makes each destination special.
We often return to the ship tired, happy and filled with stories about what we have seen.
The Food Makes Every Day Special
Of course, we cannot talk about Oceania without talking about the food!
Oceania is known for The Finest Cuisine at Sea®, and dining is truly part of the experience. The ingredients are excellent, the menus are imaginative and the presentation is beautiful—but the atmosphere still feels comfortable and welcoming.
Specialty restaurants are included, so we can enjoy French cuisine one evening, Italian favorites the next and a perfectly prepared steak or fresh seafood another night.
Even the casual moments feel special. Just this morning, Dave and I enjoyed breakfast while watching a pod of whales frolicking in the ocean as we sailed past! Where else can you begin your day like that? It was pure Alaska magic—and a moment we will never forget.
For us, food is an important part of discovering the world, and Oceania makes every meal feel like another part of the journey.
Sea Days Can Be as Fun—or Relaxing—as You Choose
Some travelers worry about having too many days at sea. I happen to love them.
A sea day might include a cooking class, an interesting lecture, an art workshop, a wine tasting or a visit to the spa. On one Oceania cruise, we even participated in a style show, which was lots of fun! We might also attend afternoon tea, relax beside the pool, read a book in the library or simply sit on our veranda and watch the world pass by.
There is always something to do, but never pressure to do everything.
That is one of the luxuries of traveling with Oceania. You can fill your day with activities—or give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing.
Elegant, but Never Stuffy
Oceania has a wonderfully relaxed sense of sophistication.
The atmosphere is adults-only, peaceful and refined, without the theme-park attractions and constant commotion found on many larger ships.
We also appreciate the country club casual dress code. There are no formal nights and no required suits or ties. Guests can be comfortable during the day and dress nicely for dinner without packing an entire formal wardrobe.
The atmosphere is relaxed, comfortable and welcoming—it feels like home.
Evenings can be whatever you want them to be. We might enjoy a wonderful dinner, listen to live music, dance, attend a show, have a cocktail in one of the lounges or try our luck in the casino.
Other nights, we are perfectly happy returning to our stateroom with a good book and getting ready for the next day’s adventure.
Oceania’s Ships—Today and Tomorrow
Oceania currently has eight ships, ranging from the intimate Regatta-class ships to the newer Vista and Allura. We are sailing aboard Riviera now, and each ship offers its own personality while maintaining the food, service and comfortable atmosphere we love.
The future is exciting, too. Oceania Sonata, the first of a new class of ships, will debut in August 2027 with more space, new dining experiences and room for only 1,390 guests. We will be on an early 36-night sailing from London to Istanbul!
Later in 2027, Oceania Nautica will be completely reimagined as Oceania Aurelia—The Ultimate Explorer. Designed for longer, immersive journeys, Aurelia will become a boutique hotel at sea for Grand Voyages and the 2028 and 2029 Around the World cruises.
An Around the World cruise is high on my bucket list, so sailing aboard Aurelia would be especially appealing. I love that Oceania continues to evolve while preserving what makes it feel so personal.
Why Oceania Feels Different
There are larger ships with more attractions, louder entertainment and busier schedules. Oceania is not trying to be that kind of cruise line.
It is for travelers who want to experience the world while enjoying excellent cuisine, warm service and the comfort of a beautiful ship.
It is for people who become excited about an unusual port, a wonderful local meal, an unexpected wildlife sighting or a conversation with someone whose life is completely different from their own.
It is for travelers who want their vacation to feel relaxing, enriching and fun.
That is why Dave and I continue to return.
We can spend the day exploring a fascinating destination, tasting its cuisine and learning about its people. Then we return to the ship for a wonderful dinner, a favorite glass of wine and an evening with people who may soon become friends.
And sometimes, we step aboard and discover that old friends are already there, waiting to welcome us back.
After sailing with many cruise lines and spending as many as 75 days on a single voyage, we know what matters most to us.
Oceania continues to feel like one of our homes at sea.
Is Oceania Right for You?
If you enjoy extraordinary food, culturally interesting destinations, smaller ships, personalized service and an elegant but relaxed atmosphere, Oceania may be a wonderful choice for you, too.
Whether you dream of sailing through Alaska, exploring Europe, discovering Asia or setting out on an Around the World journey, I would love to help you find the Oceania itinerary that fits your travel style.