Cruise Specialists Blog

Luxury Cruise News & Reviews

Blog Home / Cruise News

A New Look at Oceania Cruises

Ralph Grizzle

It has been a successful year for Oceania Cruises. This past April, the line officially christened its newest ship, the elegant 684-guest Sirena in a ceremony in the Port of Barcelona. Her arrival brings the company’s total fleet count to six, and allows it to offer an increasingly diverse array of routes and itineraries. It also frees up sister-ship Insignia to continue operating her massive, six-month-long World Cruise voyages each January.

Oceania Sirena at anchor off Monte Carlo, Monaco on her maiden voyage in April, 2016. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

Oceania Sirena at anchor off Monte Carlo, Monaco on her maiden voyage in April, 2016. Photo © 2016 Aaron Saunders

But the arrival of Sirena is important for more reasons than just increased capacity and better itineraries. Sirena is one of eight R-Class cruise ships that were originally built for now-defunct Renaissance Cruises back in the late 1990’s. When that company went bankrupt in 2001, those eight ships were scattered to the wind, taken in by new operators who ran them with varying degrees of success.

Now, Oceania has become the primary operator of R-Class ships in the world, with four in their fleet. It’s fitting, since the company’s founder, Frank Del Rio, was heavily involved with Renaissance Cruises, acting as its Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Co-Chief Executive Officer for nearly a decade.

Given this, we’ve taken the time to update our Oceania Cruises company overview with information on Sirena, along with updated reviews of the line’s ships. We’re slowly working our way through them, adding new photos and, where relevant, mentioning refit details and or any small (very small) differences that might exist between the fleet.

We’ve also added a brand-new ship review for Sirena, and have updated our Insignia review with newer photographs and more up-to-date information.

Oceania Marina will host two very unique voyages to the Mediterranean next year. Photo courtesy of Oceania Cruises

The introduction of Marina and Riviera set new standards for Oceania Cruises. Photo courtesy of Oceania Cruises

What’s truly fascinating is that when Oceania was founded back in 2003, it virtually created the Upper Premium cruise category. Now, it finds itself surrounded by some pretty formidable competition, including Azamara Club Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises.

The debut of Sirena is just one more way that Oceania can innovate. With six ships, new destinations and new features being introduced all the time, it’s Oceania’s game to lose.

 

More from my site

  • Windstar Mediterranean Cruise ReviewWindstar Mediterranean Cruise Review
  • World Cruise 2018, A Roundup Of Voyages From 114 Days To Six MonthsWorld Cruise 2018, A Roundup Of Voyages From 114 Days To Six Months
  • Oceania’s New Ships – Marina and RivieraOceania’s New Ships – Marina and Riviera
  • Viking Ocean Sailings for 2017-2018Viking Ocean Sailings for 2017-2018

Cruise News, Oceania Cruise Reviews

SEARCH ARTICLES

Article Categories

  • Cruise Destinations
    • Africa Cruise Reviews
    • Alaska Cruise Reviews
    • Amazon Cruise Reviews
    • Antarctica Cruise Reviews
    • Arctic Cruise Reviews
    • Asia Cruise Reviews
    • Australia/New Zealand
    • Baltic Cruise Reviews
    • Canada/New England Cruise Reviews
    • Caribbean Cruise Reviews
    • Cuba Cruise Reviews
    • Europe Cruise Reviews
    • Galapagos Cruise Reviews
    • Grand Voyages
    • Hawaii Cruise Reviews
    • Iceland/Greenland
    • Mediterranean Cruise Reviews
    • Mexico Cruise Reviews
    • Panama Canal Cruise Reviews
    • Scandinavia and Northern Europe Cruise Reviews
    • South America Cruise Reviews
    • South Pacific Cruise Reviews
    • Transatlantic Cruise Reviews
    • World Cruise Reviews
  • Cruise FAQs
  • Cruise Lines
    • Abercrombie & Kent Reviews
    • AmaWaterways Cruise Reviews
    • American Cruise Line Reviews
    • American Queen Voyages Reviews
    • Aqua Expeditions Reviews
    • Atlas Ocean Voyages Reviews
    • Avalon Cruise Reviews
    • Azamara Cruise Reviews
    • Celebrity Cruise Reviews
    • Celebrity Galapagos Cruise Reviews
    • Crystal Cruise Reviews
    • Crystal Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Crystal World Cruise Reviews
    • Cunard Cruise Reviews
    • Cunard World Cruise Reviews
    • Disney Cruise Reviews
    • Explora Journeys Cruise Reviews
    • Holland America Line Cruise Reviews
    • Holland America World Cruise Reviews
    • Hurtigruten Reviews
    • Lindblad/National Geographic Reviews
    • Norwegian Cruise Line Reviews
    • Oceania Cruise Reviews
    • Oceania World Cruise Reviews
    • Paul Gauguin Cruise Reviews
    • Ponant Cruise Reviews
    • Princess Cruise Reviews
    • Quark Expeditions Reviews
    • Regent Cruise Reviews
    • Regent Seven Seas Cruise
    • Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
    • Royal Caribbean Cruise Reviews
    • Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yacht Reviews
    • Scenic River Cruise Reviews
    • Seabourn Cruise Reviews
    • Seabourn Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea World Cruise Reviews
    • Star Clippers Cruise Reviews
    • Tauck Cruise and Tauck Land Tour Reviews
    • UnCruise Adventures Reviews
    • Uniworld River Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Ocean Cruise Reviews
    • Virgin Voyages
    • Windstar Cruise Reviews
    • Zegrahm Expeditions
  • Cruise News
  • Cruise Ports
  • Cruise Specialists Benefits
  • Expedition Cruises
  • Hosted Cruises
  • Ralph Grizzle
  • River Cruises
  • Ship Reviews
  • Solo Cruising
  • Tom Mullen
  • Tours, Trains & Resorts
    • Palace Resorts Reviews
    • Safari Reviews
    • Shore Excursions
    • Trains

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Maggie Blehert

Her ideal travel day: venturing to a new place, learning something interesting and sharing a smile.
View My Blog Posts

Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer
Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their round the world journeys.
View My Blog Posts

Ralph Grizzle

The Avid Cruiser. Well-traveled and insightful. Helping you make informed cruise decisions.
View My Blog Posts

FOLLOW US ON

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter