The ship: Oceania Cruises’ Regatta The cruise Sydney to Papeete (22 days) The ship Built 1999, refurbished 2019 Passengers 670 Crew 400 Decks 11 Length 593.7 feet (180.9 metres) Oceania’s Regatta.
The ship Regatta (like Nautica, Insignia and Sirena) is a Regatta-class ship, more intimate than the company’s Oceania-class ships, with fewer restaurant venues, but capable of docking in smaller ports. The company occupies a premium niche just below luxury lines, but often matches them in dining, and is favoured by those looking for a destination focus rather than shipboard razzmatazz. Boarding My familiarity with Sydney’s White Bay Cruise Terminal means I can direct my Uber driver around its unholy tangle of confusing approach roads, so I judge my arrival for 3.
30pm, the very last boarding time. I avoid any check-in queue and am affably processed onto Regatta in no time, ready for the superb sail away down Sydney Harbour. The design Understated with artsy flourishes.
.. Toscana restaurant.
Regatta doesn’t have the expensive finishes and furnishings of a luxury ship, but cleverly creates a luxury air. It eschews glitz for an understated colour palette and abundant artworks that are well worth a pause. The atrium off reception sets the tone: a lovely presentation of green and cream seating, inlaid floors, and stylish rugs of abstract design.
A split staircase rises around a huge mirror etched with magnolia blossoms. Overhead, glass icicles spear from a gigantic contemporary.