Beef, Lobster and a $10,000.00 Bar Stool!!

I spoke to someone today and we were talking about the top Luxury cruise lines, we spoke about Celebrity, Crystal and Regent, I then suggested Oceania and the response was ‘Oh  no dear, I don’t want P&O’ and it made me smile, I then went on and said no Oceania Cruises, not the Oceana cruise ship.

Oceania Cruises are a premium branded cruise line, and they offer a luxurious product, although compared with the likes of Regent and Silver Sea where you have your drinks included whereas on Oceania you have just your soft drinks, tea and coffee included please do not let this put you off.

Oceania spend the most on food compared to any other cruise line, the Beef used on board is the most expensive cuts you can have, Oceania are only able to offer this as they have a farm in the U.S, where they have the very finest Black Angus cattle the Midwest has to offer. They then dry age the beef for a minimum of 28 days, impairing a buttery taste and melting tender texture that many beef connoisseur herald as the ultimate beef experience. Think you can take on the Ultimate Kings cut 32 oz Prime Rib or for those less daring the Queens Cut 16 oz Prime Cut! The beef on board the Oceania Ships have been praised as being some of the best beef available in any restaurant.

Once the beef has been aged it is vacuum package and flown all over the World to the different Oceania Ships, the only reason Oceania can offer such fantastic beef is because the own the Cattle ranch.

As they say the World best Lobster comes from Maine, just across from News Brunswick which is what my last Blog was on about so this area has to much to offer and should you do a cruise with Oceania you can take advantage of the Light House and Lobster you can see what this wonderful place really has to offer. The company that supply Oceania cruise with there Lobster, Oceania is there only customer!

Now on the the $10,000.00 Bar Stool and I was not joking, in the Martini bar, the stools have been designed and built by Swarovski and contain actual Swarovski Crystals, these have been embedded so you cant get them out although after a couple of drinks you might be tempted!!

The Owners suites on the Marina, each more than 2,000 square feet at the back of the ship reaches right from Starboard to port giving you outstanding views and have been furnished to the Ralph Lauren Home Collection, the is as you expect separate bathroom with tub, separate bathroom and bedroom but also a separate pantry for the Butler with his own entrance!!

Now for the more down to earth staterooms the veranda staterooms are a good size averaging 260 square feet, most bathrooms on the Newer Oceania ships even have a Bath and shower which is rather uncommon on cruise ship below the suites. It is said size for size Marina has some of the largest staterooms at sea, they even offer some of the most comfortable beds at sea.

The ship has been designed to such a high standard and not a penny has been spared, when you enter the main entrance of the Marina you are greeted by the main Grand Staircase which has been commissioned by Lalique, the famous French artists of Jewelry and Crystal to design to staircase.

Oceania “The Grand Staircase is an icon aboard all the ships of the Oceania Cruise and a signature element of our brand. It is only fitting that Marina, being the design masterpiece that she is, will welcome her guests with this magnificent two story display of the world’s finest artistry and craftsmanship” stated Bob Binder, President of Oceania Cruises,

The Grand Stair starts are the base is graced by Lalique’s highly prestigious Cactus table surrounded by etched crystal screens and flanked by newels capped with prominent crystal finials. An exquisite Lilique Vase, the Grand Staircase feature a double staircase and balcony with Balustrade of Crystal medallions and scrolled iron. Six crystal pillars rising from the landing adorn the two-story, glass elevator surround. It is said that the Grand Stair case is worth around $5 Million. Lalique sculptures and crystal is also found all over the ships as part of Marina’s multi million dollar art collection.

Could it now be that Luxury cruising is down to the Quality of the cruise, rather than having the All Inclusive Exclusivity of the other high end cruise lines?

With Oceania having two ships in Southampton in the near future look out for more details the ships and the dining experiences on Oceania Cruises!!