ONBOARD THE REGATTA -- The lounge chairs around the pool all were
reserved by 10:30 a.m., couples bickered over which shore
excursions to book, and the bar service advertised "drinks of the
day" -- just like any regular cruise.
But the Regatta's inaugural cruise from Barcelona, Spain, last
week was not just another cruise. It marked the launch of Oceania
Cruises, a new venture for Frank Del Rio and Joseph Watters, CEO
and chairman, respectively, of the new line.
And it gives the Regatta, the former R2 of Renaissance Cruises,
a new lease on life.
This connection to the defunct Renaissance was not lost on the
Regatta's guests, many of whom were fans of the former line, eager
for the return of the 684-passenger vessel.
Others were recommended by friends and family who had sailed
with Renaissance.
Sally Goldwasser of Unique Travel in Delray Beach, Fla.,
escorted about 30 clients, several of whom had sailed with
Renaissance.
Although Goldwasser had never been on a Renaissance sailing, "I
had faith because of Joe [Watters] -- but we weren't quite sure
what to expect," she said. "We were very pleased. The way it's
furnished, there are so many comfortable spots."
About seven inside cabins went unsold on the Regatta's first
cruise. Del Rio said the ship was virtually sold out for the next
eight cruises as well as for its December holiday cruise.
"Passengers tell me, 'We're glad you're back in business; these
are our favorite ships,' " Del Rio said.
The company is on track to bring the Insignia, currently on a
charter to a French company, into the Oceania fleet in April.
Oceania also picked a name -- Nautica -- for the R3, for which it
has an option.
Oceania paid low prices for the R ships, which contributed to a
"very lean cost structure," Del Rio said.
The Regatta is fresh off a multimillion-dollar face-lift, which
concentrated mostly on sprucing up the three alternative
restaurants and the pool deck, changing a top-deck sports bar to a
sophisticated club and replacing soft goods. More than $1 million
was invested in new flooring and furniture for the pool deck.
Comments about the new bed linens, which include down pillows
and 350-thread-count cotton sheets, were uniformly positive.
Staff members were eager to please, and passengers praised their
friendliness. Service was uneven at first, but many passengers took
it in stride. "This is an inaugural," one said. "You can't expect
it to be perfect."
Del Rio said the line hired a younger, greener crew to bring
"freshness and friendliness" to the experience. "We wanted to mold
them," he said.
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For more details on this article, see the July 14 issue of
Travel Weekly.