Oceania Cruises has welcomed its 1,250-guest ship, Marina, back into service after a comprehensive refurbishment.
This upgrade includes the introduction of three new dining options: the wellness-focused Aquamar Kitchen, a poolside ice cream parlour, and an Italian restaurant offering al fresco pizzas.
The Aquamar Kitchen, which debuted on Oceania Vista, will offer wellness-inspired menus of smoothies, cold-pressed juices and energy bowls for breakfast, and plant-based dishes like avocado toast, salads, and the Impossible Burger for lunch.
Its drinks offerings are equally health-focused, including soft beverages like non-alcoholic wines and mocktails made with Lyres’ non-alcoholic spirits. Guests will not be required to make reservations nor pay extra to dine at the restaurant.
The Waves Grill, which serves all-American bites in a casual diner setting during the day, will turn into an al fresco pizzeria by night.
Guests will be able to enjoy freshly-made pizzas, grilled Italian specialities like rosemary focaccia with burrata, and traditional desserts such as Nutella pizza.
Marina’s pool deck has also been fitted with a new ice cream parlour, where cruisers can enjoy frozen treats made by artisanal ice cream company, Humphry Slocombe.
Marina, which launched in 2010, joins seven other Oceania ships to undergo refurbishment. The ship offers the world’s first onboard cookery school complete with expert-led classes and ashore culinary appreciation tours.
“Marina is the first ship designed by foodies, built by foodies, for foodies,” said Oceania Cruises president Frank A. Del Rio.
“The addition of these three relaxed yet refined eateries to Marina perfectly highlights that ’The Finest Cuisine at Sea’ doesn’t always mean a white linen tablecloth and starched napkins at one of our award-winning specialty restaurants.
"It can also be a perfectly prepared pizza with a chilled glass of white wine enjoyed on deck as you sail with a warm breeze, or a decadent poolside ice cream or smoothie as you relax on your sun lounger.”
All 124 of Marina’s penthouse suites have also been refurbished, with updated lighting and additional power outlets and USB ports installed to meet the modern customer’s needs.
There’s also been a spruce-up of the furniture, with new closets, cabinetry, carpets and upholstery all adding an updated look to the spacious cabins. The penthouses’ bathrooms, which feature Italian marble, have also been redone to feature more drawer space and larger showers.
A number of public spaces on Marina, including Martinis, Horizons, the Grand Dining Room, the Library, and the Polo Grill, have also been refurbished.
Oceania has also recently appointed new executive culinary directors, chefs Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale, to reimagine menus across all venues on each ship.
