Oceania Cruises this week welcomed the return of Regatta to Sydney Harbour and Australian waters after some 1,000 days hiatus for the boutique cruise line.
Since her last visit, Regatta has been re-inspired as part of Oceania Cruises’ OceaniaNEXT initiative and is sporting all new-suites and staterooms, restyled public spaces, along with chic and stylish residential furnishings.
Regatta arrived in Sydney on Monday [12 December 2022] morning ahead of a near fully booked season in local waters, which includes a sold out circumnavigation of the country that also stops in Bali. Regatta is offering seven destination-intensive itineraries while here.
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“This is the first time we’ve had an Oceania Cruises ship in Sydney since 2019, so we are delighted to welcome Regatta back to the region,” said Jason Worth, Vice President Australia and New Zealand, Oceania Cruises. “She will be in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and South Pacific waters for the entire summer season, with plenty of opportunities for immersive exploration.”
Martine Nunes, Oceania’s Business Development Manager for home-based advisors in Australia and New Zealand, hosted a group of frontline sellers and media aboard Regatta for a ship tour and update. During a presentation, Nunes highlighted Oceania Cruises’ positioning in the global market, with its average daily rate of $300-$450 per day and ‘Upper Premium’ scale putting it in the same field as the likes of Viking and Azamara.
Nunes said the culinary-focussed cruise line has no surcharges for its array of top-end dining experiences, which makes it stand out from its competitors. And unlike other cruise lines, Oceania collects produce at every stop en route to ensure the freshest of menus. That also includes lobster being flown in from Nova Scotia on a regular basis wherever the ship sails, making it possible for guests to dine on the crustacean every day.
Onboard there are now 300-plant based meals for guests to enjoy across dining venues.
Oceania Cruises was also the first cruise line to have a hands-on cooking school, and the brand’s new ship, Vista, launching in May next year, will offer a larger culinary school with an adjoining restaurant where guests can enjoy their own freshly prepared and cooked meals.
Travel advisors a board the Regatta dined in the stunning Grand Dining Room and were treated to a sumptuous four-course lunch, dished up on stunning Versace plates.
Regatta will remain Down Under until 28 February 2023, before heading off on a 28-day voyage from Sydney across the South Pacific bound for Papeete. The ship is due back in these parts over the summer of 2023/24, and has availability on its 35-day circumnavigation of Australia that departs on 21 December 2023.
Lead image: Pictured in the Horizons Lounge aboard Regatta on Monday morning, from left are: Mark Spurway, MTA; Martine Nunes, Oceania Cruises; Ann-Catherine Jones, Frontier Travel; Ariana Wong, Smart Flyer; Louise McCarthy, TravelManagers; Deb Molino, Helloworld Bowral; and Angharad O’Malley, TravelManagers. In front are: Alicia Phillips, MTA; Wai Wing, Flight Centre and Samantha Lang, Travel Associates.