The Genuine Hospitality Aboard Oceania Cruises
Over coffee recently, when asked by an acquaintance what was the most valuable lesson learned about the human condition in over two decades of adult psychiatry practice, my physician friend quickly responded to her, “It’s not what someone says or what someone does, it’s how the recipient is made to feel by those words or the conduct.” Sounds simple enough, but in fact it’s a rather profound human truth.
Oceania Cruises has taken this concept and somehow managed to integrate it into a corporate policy and philosophy in the cruise industry that has caused, not only to set it apart from its luxury cruise competitors, but also as a natural result, to provide a new and enviable standard of true hospitality giving its guests the best cruising experience possible at sea.
Genuine Hospitality in Elegant Surrounds
In March I was again aboard the Allura, Oceania’s newest and most beautiful addition to her fleet. Having traveled on five of Oceania’s eight ships multiple times, without doubt, the Allura is truly a sight to behold, both inside and out.
Designed by Miami-based Studio DADO, it boasts a contemporary, modern feel that is simultaneously invitingly warm and inherently comfortable. Upon entry to the Allura, guests are bowled over by the massive two-story flowing, breathtaking crystal chandelier that graces the Atrium’s curved marble staircase.
This seamlessly sets a stellar stage of what’s to come. All public areas are chic and spacious with textured seating wherever guests stop to linger or relax. Light marble, clean lines, and élan are the prevailing emotive sensations caused by its ingenious and gorgeous design. If luck is the residue of good design as American legendary baseball executive stated, then DADO designers should go purchase lottery tickets.
While the surrounds are elegant, this type of modern luxury is defined by understated elegance that delivers a sense of calm and repose. Even the museum quality art collection throughout the ship from talented artists around the globe adds a connection to the world writ large while traveling in style and comfort.
This was a 14-day jaunt roundtrip from Miami with a stop in Charleston, SC, and overnights in Norfolk, VA, Bermuda, and the Bahamas, including five glorious sea days as we crisscrossed the Atlantic.
It quickly became clear that this concept of genuine hospitality is deeply woven into the 800-crew members hailing from over 45 countries, ensuring an authentically warm experience. Allura’s capacity is 1,200 adult passengers, though as the public spaces are large, it ensures guests consistently experience a sense of space, and waiting is never on the menu. The enviable guest-to-crew ratio is a remarkable 3:2, which serves to make great service a constant reality. These are not superficial smiles and gestures, but a strong desire to make guests truly feel as though the ship feels as if it is their home away from home. Only far better.
From the moment I stepped onboard, crew members delivered the warmest of greetings and guests were treated as returning family members, even if their first Oceania experience. Not the family members one has to tolerate at the annual Thanksgiving table, but the family members you look forward to seeing, cannot wait to host throughout the year, to break bread, commune, and rejoice in collective good fortune. Given how busy the future sales office was throughout the voyage, it was no surprise that many first-time Oceania guests and even first-time cruisers were booking future voyages.
Consistent Connection
Shortly after entering my Concierge Veranda suite decorated in a cream, taupe, and white palette – that had me taking deep breaths and kept me in a perpetual state of Zen – my stateroom attendant stopped to introduce herself, ask if I had any questions about the suite, inquired if I needed anything, and queried how I would like my suite’s refrigerator stocked and replenished daily. It was like having a fairy godmother whose role it was to make every wish come true. She and her assistant kept my suite spotless throughout the journey, while always inquiring after my needs. After a few days, there was a real risk she would be hijacked home with me. She is still sorely missed.
Being an admitted coffee addict, I immediately went to Barista’s Café for an ultra-hot, Stevia-laden, soy milk cappuccino. Thereafter, without fail, every single morning with an enormous smile and a cheery good morning, the barista prepared my cappuccino from memory. This daily dose of perfectly made java was often accompanied by a warm, buttery croissant that would have made Marie Antoinette bow her bouffant in glee. While sometimes gifts are seemingly too good to be true, this was a gift that kept on giving. Every single day, sometimes twice.
At Toscana, Allura’s northern Italian signature restaurant, the olive oil sommelier described in detail the wide variety of these Mediterranean elixirs in her cache. When indecision invariably struck between the buttery variety, or the one with a bit of heat, the sommelier simply poured me both and of course came back to inquire if I wanted more, or to try a new one.
During afternoon tea at Horizon’s Lounge set to live classical music, attendants provided gourmet teas, cakes, finger sandwiches, tarts, and other delights as if they were serving the Queen Mother herself. Afternoon teas at Horizon’s Lounge also reminded me that a party without cake, is simply put, just a meeting. And a boring one at that. Happily, boredom does not exist on Oceania.
Without fail, at every single meal, whether at pan-Asian Red Ginger, Polo Grill classic steakhouse, Jacques French restaurant, Aquamar Kitchen’s healthy eatery, The Terrace Grill, or The Crêperie, I was always pleasantly greeted with my last name. I remain in awe of this well-honed skill when I often forget a person’s name 10 seconds after learning it. How this is done with 1,200 passengers onboard is from my perspective an enormous feat. Moreover, anytime I went to the Grand Dining Room for dinner, the sommelier always remembered which wine I liked poured. If this is not the height of comfort, surely I will never know what is.
Welcome Home
Upon returning to the ship from one of the many curated excursions Oceania offers, or from a solo exploratory outing, in addition to the offered chilled hand towels to refresh, I often heard the phrase, “Welcome home.” When out in the world, and out of one’s familiar element, there is something so comforting in knowing your home away from home awaits.
Throughout the voyage, I was asked by crew members how my days ashore were, what I did, what I enjoyed most. This might at first blush seem perfunctory, but it most certainly is not. Recounting the many great experiences with others permits a traveler to relive them with joy as they are shared with an interested audience. This of course also adds to the overall warm experience.
As I was traveling solo on this journey, one would think that I engaged with various crew members a bit more than other guests. That was not at all the case. Guests were often fully engaged with crew, and it was clear that the crew enjoyed this good will ambassador aspect to their roles of providing guests with a wonderful experience. As this leg of the cruise ended, I saw numerous guests hugging various crew members prior to debarkation with incredibly warm and heartfelt sentiments stated.
To paraphrase entrepreneur Sarah Dusek, travel is not a frivolous act. It is a vital act of connection that nurtures our well-being, strengthens global empathy, and fuels preservation of this glorious planet. Oceania Cruises takes this concept and makes it a very part of the guest experience.
Wherever your itinerary takes you with Oceania Cruises, and regardless of which ship in the fleet you embark on, there are many gospel truths: You will eat like a king or queen in keeping with the line’s mantra of “The finest cuisine at sea.” You will divinely sleep like an innocent babe on Oceania’s Tranquility beds where you will discover the art of deep rest. You will participate as much or as little as desired on the ship’s many offerings – destination and history lectures, nightly entertainment, fitness classes, spa experiences, culinary classes, digital and photography classes, bridge playing, or learning something altogether new in the well-stocked library. You will see and experience the world in comfort and style. Above all, you will be genuinely cared for and truly at home on the high seas among friends as you traverse the globe on your great adventure. Happy Travels!
