Oceania Cruises
This informal smaller ship is good for those of a mature-age
The Ship. This ship is perhaps best suited to mature-age couples, and older solo travelers who like to mingle in a small ship setting with pleasing, sophisticated surroundings, and lifestyle, and are happy with reasonably good entertainment, and fairly decent food and service, all at an affordable price.
Formerly Ocean Princess (known as Tahitian Princess until 2009), Sirena is an ideal size for smaller ports. The value for money is good, and gives you a chance to cruise in comfort aboard a small ship with some attractive dining choices.
The interior decor is easy on the eye, with the traditional touches of a grand hotel, and a throwback to ship decor of the ocean liners of the 1920s and ’30s. This includes detailed ceiling cornices, both real and faux wrought-iron staircase railings, leather- and cherry wood-paneled walls, trompe l’oeil ceilings, rich carpeting in hallways with an Oriental rug-look center section, and many other interesting and expensive-looking decorative touches. The staircase in the main, two-deck-high foyer may remind you of the one in the movie Titanic.
The public rooms are spread over three decks. The reception hall has a staircase with intricate wrought-iron railings. The Nightclub, with forward-facing views, sits high in the ship and has Polynesian-inspired decor and furniture.
There are plenty of bars – including one in the entrance to each restaurant. Perhaps the nicest can be found in the casino bar/lounge, a beautiful room reminiscent of London’s grand hotels and understated gaming clubs. It has an inviting marble fireplace, comfortable sofas, and individual chairs. There is also a large card room, which incorporates an Internet center, with eight stations.
The Library, a grand room designed in the Regency style by the Scottish interior designer John McNeece, has a fireplace, a high, indented trompe l’oeil ceiling, and an excellent selection of books, plus some comfortable wingback chairs with footstools, and sofas you can easily fall asleep on – it’s the most relaxing room aboard.
There is no walk-around promenade deck outdoors, though there’s a small jogging track around the perimeter of the swimming pool, and port and starboard side decks. There are no wooden decks outdoors; instead, they are covered by a sand-colored rubberized material. There is no sauna. Stairways, although carpeted, are tinny. To keep prices low, the air routing to get to and from your ship is often not the most direct. There is a charge for using machines in the self-service launderette, and you have to obtain tokens from the reception desk – a change machine in the launderette itself would be better. Drinks prices are extremely high.
Accommodation. There are several different cabin types. The standard interior and outside-view cabins are extremely tight for two persons, particularly for cruises longer than seven days. Cabins have twin beds (convertible to a queen-size one), with good under-bed storage areas, personal safe, vanity desk with large mirror, good closet and drawer space in rich, dark woods, and a bathrobe. The infotainment television system carries a variety of programming, including round-the-clock movies. The bathrooms, which have tiled floors and plain walls, are compact, standard units, and include a shower enclosure with a removable, strong hand-held shower unit, hairdryer, cotton towels, storage shelves for toiletries, and a retractable clothesline.
The suites/cabins with private balconies (66 percent of all accommodation) have partial, and not full, balcony partitions, and sliding glass doors. Due to good design and layout, only 14 cabins on Deck 6 have lifeboat-obstructed views. The balcony floor is covered in thick plastic matting – teak would be nicer.
Mini-Suites are simply larger cabins than the standard cabins, because the sleeping and lounge areas aren’t divided. While not overly large, the bathrooms have a good-size tub and ample space for storing toiletries. The living area has a mini-fridge/ mini-bar, lounge area with breakfast table, and a balcony with two plastic chairs and a table.
There are 10 Owner’s Suites, the most spacious accommodation. These fine, large living spaces are located in the forward-most and aft-most sections; particularly nice are those that overlook the stern, on decks 6, 7, and 8. They have more extensive balconies that can’t be overlooked by anyone from the decks above. There is an entrance foyer, living room, bedroom, bathroom with Jacuzzi tub, as well as a small guest bathroom. The bed faces the sea, which can be seen through the floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass door.
The accommodation at the stern may suffer from vibration and noise, particularly when the ship is close to full speed, or maneuvering in port.
Dining. Flexibility and choice are what this mid-size ship’s dining facilities are all about. There is a choice of four different dining spots, including a self-serve buffet:
The Grand Dining Room has 338 seats (all with armrests), and a large raised central section. There are large windows on three sides, and several prime tables overlooking the stern. The noise level can be high, due to its single deck height ceiling. It is operated in two seatings, with dinner typically at 6pm and 8.15pm, while the other venues have open dining hours.
Red Ginger is a Pan-asian restaurant, with windows along two sides.
The Tuscan Steakhouse is an extra-charge, reservations-required venue featuring a mix of an American-style steak house and a rustic Tuscan eatery, complete with hardwood floor (but contemporary platinum/silver decor). The 98 seats all have armrests, and there are windows along two sides, but few tables for two.
The Lido Café has indoor and outdoor seating (white plastic patio furniture outdoor). It is open for breakfast, lunch, and casual dinners. As the ship’s self-serve buffet restaurant, it incorporates a small pizzeria and grill. Salads, a meat-carving station, and a selection of cheeses are provided daily. There is also a Poolside Grill and Bar for fast-food items.
Entertainment. The 345-seat Cabaret Lounge has a stage, and circular hardwood dance floor with banquette and individual tub chair seating, and raised sections on port and starboard sides. It is not large, and not really designed for production shows, so cabaret acts form the main focus, with mini-revue style shows presented by a troupe of resident singer/dancers.
A band, small musical units, and solo entertaining pianists provide live music for shows and dancing in the various lounges and bars before and after dinner.
Spa/Fitness. A gymnasium has ocean-view windows, high-tech muscle-toning equipment and treadmills, steam rooms (no sauna), changing areas for men and women, and a beauty salon with ocean views. The spa is operated by a specialist concession. A lido deck has a swimming pool, and good sunbathing space, while an aft deck has a thalassotherapy pool. A jogging track circles the pool deck, but one deck above. The uppermost outdoors deck includes a golf driving net and shuffleboard court.