3 Oceania ships to receive makeovers. Who's sailed Oceania?

Jason · August 7, 2013

It's makeover time at Oceania Cruises.

The upscale line this week announced that all three of its older R-class ships -- the Regatta, Insignia and Nautica -- will enter dry dock in 2014 for significant overhauls.

Oceania says every cabin on the 684-passenger vessels and select public rooms will be refurbished, in some cases in the same colors and style of the line's newer, 1,250-passenger sister ships Marina and Riviera.

In addition, the vessels' top accommodations, the Owner's and Vista suites, will receive new bathrooms including the addition of oversized showers and new vanities.

Among public areas getting overhauls on the ships are their casual Terrace Cafés, which will get new grills allowing for grilled dinner specialties such as lobster tails, steaks and lamb chops.

The company also is adding a Baristas coffee bar serving illy coffee drinks and homemade pastries to each ship. The concept first debuted on Oceania's Marina in 2011.

The Regatta, Insignia and Nautica originally debuted between 1998 and 2000, sailing for Renaissance Cruises before its demise in 2001. Oceania's Marina and Riviera debuted in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Take our photo tour of Riviera.

"We will preserve the personality, elegance and comfort of these (older) vessels while furnishing certain areas with the updated décor and amenities that are found on Marina and Riviera," Oceania president Kunal Kamlani says in a statement accompanying the announcement. "This will ensure a consistent experience across the fleet that we know our guests will love and appreciate." Take our photo tour of Marina.

Also getting refurbishments are the ships' Horizons observation lounges, Toscana Italian eateries, main dining rooms and show lounges. The Canyon Ranch SpaClubs on the vessels will receive new steam and changing rooms.

The dry docks will take place between April 24 and June 6, 2014, and cost $50 million in total.

By Gene Sloan, USA Today

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