Oceania Regatta refurb tasteful, tasty

When Oceania Cruises' Regatta emerged from drydock in Vancouver in June and immediately embarked on a 10-day Alaskan cruise, it set sail to rave reviews by passengers like us, who had previously sailed on the Regatta or its sister ships, the Insignia and the Nautica, and wanted to see its many enhancements firsthand.

The 684-passenger Regatta was the last of Oceania Cruises' former Renaissance R-class ships to complete a total of more than $50 million in refurbishments this spring.

All three ships returned to sea with a fresh new palette throughout the accommodations and public spaces as well as new or refurbished furnishings, spaces and experiences.

Along with a new color scheme of lush golds, blues and reds that we found really brightened the ship, veteran Oceania passengers noticed the addition of the Baristas coffee bar, a cook-to-order grill at Terrace Cafe and a new outdoor recreation area on the Sports Deck. Baristas had been particularly popular onboard Oceania's 1,250-passenger O-class Marina and Riviera, and we found it an especially tasty addition to the Regatta.

Oceania President Kunal Kamlani, onboard the Regatta during the early part of the cruise, said the line added "features our guests adore from Marina and Riviera to Regatta, Insignia and Nautica."

Stressing that travel agents average about 90% of the line's bookings, he said typically half of their often sold-out sailings are repeat passengers.

The Regatta's refurbishment program for the staterooms and suites included significant enhancements to the four Owner's suites and six Vista suites, with new bathroom designs that include wall-to-wall marble, expansive granite vanities and oversized showers.

In addition, the 52 Penthouse suites received new furnishings that are reflective of the soft sea-, sky- and sun-based blue-and-gold palette found on the Marina and Riviera. Kamlani said all other staterooms received new decor elements, as well.

Caffeine kick

Located at the entry to the Grand Dining Room where there was once an under-used bar, Baristas coffee bar just may be the most popular addition on all three ships.

First introduced on the Insignia, the busy coffee bar's master baristas prepare complimentary Illy-brand espressos, cappuccinos, lattes and more throughout the day. Lots of lounge chairs and sofas enhance the space's cafe-like atmosphere, which turns into a predinner bar in the evening.

The Terrace Cafe is mostly new throughout, with updated furnishings, flooring and fixtures surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. The cook-to-order grill seemed particularly popular on the Regatta's first sailing, thanks to deliciously prepared chops, seafood and more, which the wait staff brought directly to our table when they were ready.

The Canyon Ranch SpaClub was also updated, with new decor, a flowing mosaic display, renovated changing rooms and new tile mosaics for the spacious steam rooms.

The fifth-level Promenade Deck still tended to be underused on the Regatta, with most passengers congregating on the upper decks when heading outdoors. On Deck 10, the Sports Deck now has a minigolf course, a relocated shuffleboard court and other deck games where private cabanas were once situated, which Kamlani said had been underused.

All of Regatta's lounges were refurbished, as well, with the popular Horizons lounge area receiving the Marina and Riviera's lush gold, blue and red palettes and furnishings; an enclosed and well-vented smoking area was added.

The Regatta Lounge and Martinis were also updated, and about 25% of the extensive and colorful artwork on the ship is new.

Return passenger's raves

Phil Gray, a veteran Oceania passenger from Vancouver, found noticeable improvements throughout.

"I'd previously sailed on Regatta and I love the new Baristas," he said. "They brought the barista from the Mariner, and he really knows his coffee. The Terrace Cafe is much brighter and inviting, and I love the new grill — amazing lobster and prawns."

The $50 million fleet upgrade for the Regatta, Nautica and Insignia brought similar enhancements to all three ships. However, work on the Insignia also included the addition of the line's Artist's Loft enrichment area, which Kamlani said was added exclusively to the Insignia because it will embark on two world cruises in 2015.

Due to the more intimate size of these three ships compared to the Marina and Riviera, we noted that certain offerings of the larger ships were not added. These include Jacques and Red Ginger specialty restaurants and the Bon Appetit Culinary Center. However, Regatta, Nautica and Insignia passengers will note menu items from both specialty restaurants in the Grand Dining Room as well as classic cooking shows from Jacques Pepin, Oceania Cruises' executive culinary director, on their cabins' flat-screen TVs.

While onboard, we generally found the Regatta's new style to be more in tune with that of the Marina and Riviera, especially the additions of new cabin decor elements and Baristas, both major improvements that will enhance the onboard experience on all three ships for years to come.