Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas are to expand their fleets over the next few years, with up to five new Sonata-class ships for Oceania and four new Prestige-class ships for Regent.
Speaking at a breakfast hosted by Cruises International and Encore Cruises, Marcel von Rotz, Senior Sales Manager, Benelux, Scandinavia & Africa for Oceania and Regent, said Oceania’s new Sonata class would cater for demand for larger accommodations.
“For Oceania, we have no fewer than five ships on order in the Sonata class – a new class, which is going to be about 26-27% bigger but with only about 16% more guests, providing more options, more space and more suites as well.”
He added that about one-third of accommodation on the new ships would be suites.
Oceania Sonata will debut in August 2027, followed by Oceania Arietta in 2029 and the unnamed Sonata class III, IV and V from 2032.
Oceania Sonata will feature two brand-new culinary concepts – La Table and Nikkei Kitchen. Nikkei Kitchen will blend Peruvian ingredients and Japanese techniques and La Table will be a wine-pairing experience. Nikkei Kitchen will form part of the line’s included speciality dining options while La Table will incur a surcharge.
Other updates to Oceania’s offering include:
- All Oceania cruises shifted to an adults-only policy in January. According to Von Rotz, 95% of clients never cruised with children and two-thirds preferred an adults-only environment.
- A new voyage inclusions programme launched late last year allows guests to choose between a shore excursion credit of up to $600 (R10 126) or a complimentary wine and beer package during their meals.
- The Best Value Guarantee for early bookings ensures that if a better offer or promotion becomes available later, guests receive either a price adjustment, onboard or future cruise credit, or an upgrade.
- The Ambassador Programme for Oceania Club members, introduced in February, offers both the referring guest and first-time traveller $200 (R3 375) savings.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has four ships on order in its new Prestige class.
“Every two to three years, there is going to be a new ship joining this completely new class. These ships will be more than 40% bigger, with only a 10% increase in passengers,” said Von Rotz.
The first ship in the new class, Seven Seas Prestige, is expected to debut in late 2026 with what is said to be the largest all-inclusive, ultra-luxury cruise suite in history. The Skyview Regent Suite will be 817sqm and will be one of 12 suite categories on the ship.
The ship will also feature a brand-new Mediterranean dining venue in addition to its speciality restaurants. Azure will feature Mediterranean flavours from Europe as well as North Africa.
Von Rotz also announced that Seven Seas Navigator would leave the fleet at the end of the year and would be handed over to Crescent Seas, a new brand offering luxury residences at sea.
