Oceania Regatta

FACT FILE:

Line: Oceania Cruises

Launched: 1998

Size: 30,277 tonnes

Passengers: 684

Crew: 400

Crew to passenger ratio: 1 to 1.71

Cabin sizes: 15 to 93 sq m

ADULTS ONLY AREA: Whole ship – kids have to be “well behaved and well educated” to sail on the Regatta, we were told.

FOOD: Oceania Regatta’s battle cry is that it has “The Finest Cuisine At Sea.’’ So dining on board is all about choice. There’s the Grand Dining Room and Jacques Bistro, which offers authentic French bistro food at lunch time and classic French cuisine inspired by celebrity chef Jacques Pepin. There’s also Polo Grill, a classic steakhouse, the informal Terrace Café where you can dine inside or alfresco and Waves Grill by the swimming pool for all-American favourites.

We dined at Toscana – and the food was, indeed, fabulous. Our mains of lobster and dover sole were sensational, and the crème brulee was perfect.

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT: A fitness Centre with gym and stretch/exercises classes on offer. Canyon Ranch Spaland has a private spa terrace with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. There’s a heated swimming pool, two whirlpools and a sports deck where you can play mini golf and shuffleboard. There’s also string quartet and lively evening entertainment at its theatre. For quiet moments, there’s a well-stocked, English-style library with over 2000 books and periodicals and a 24-hour internet centre.

BEST FOR: Experienced cruisers who are also foodie aficionados. The ship has a cosy and casual atmosphere that appeals to guests.

OUR VERDICT: If you enjoy eating, cruising, seeing the world and spending more overnight stays in port to learn about the culture, cuisine and history of the destination, then Regatta is your ship. Australia has already given its verdict on Oceania – we’re their second biggest market after America.