NORWEGIAN Cruise Line Holding’s (NCLH) Oceania Cruises brand has embarked upon its OceaniaNEXT initiative, a US$100 million refurbishment program that will see four of its 684-guest Regatta-class ships have their accommodation, dining and bar areas upgraded and redesigned for a more luxurious feel.
In what the cruise line refers to as a “re-imagining” of its fleet, the Regatta, Insignia, Sirena, and Nautica vessels will all receive major upgrades under the scheme.
“OceaniaNEXT will be the most extensive and comprehensive suite of product and guest service enhancements that we have ever undertaken,” said Oceania Cruises chief executive officer Bob Binder.
“We have opened a new chapter, innovating in every way as we look to the future and the way our guests want to travel — we can’t wait for our ‘new’ ships to launch,” Binder added.
The first vessel to undergo the lavish makeover will be Insignia, which is scheduled to flaunt her new look to the public by 7 December this year.
Coming closely behind are her sister ships Sirena in May 2019, Regatta in September 2019 and finally Nautica in June 2020.
Stylistically, the foursome of smaller Regatta-class ships will be inspired by the aesthetics of the brand’s Marina and Riviera vessels, with finer touches to be added such as furnishings from Baker and Donghia, a sparkling new grand staircase framed by intricate railings and inset with crystal accents, as well new bathrooms outfitted with carrara marble and polished granite.
Managing the refurb is the Miami-based Studio DADO, which specialises in luxury residential redesign.
“The guests we spoke with kept telling us how dearly they loved the ships, so it was important that we kept the intimacy and warmth in the redesign,” said Studio DADO’s founding partner Yohandel Ruiz.
By the numbers, the renovations will entail the installation of 1,400 new marble bathrooms, 12,000 new sofas and chairs, 8,000 new light fixtures, and 1,368 refreshed suites and staterooms.
