Brought to you by: Martine Nunes, Oceania Cruises
Ship: Regatta
Sailing: 7 x nights, Jan-Feb 2020
Destination: Trans-Tasman from New Zealand to Australia
Itinerary: Auckland to Sydney via Dunedin, Milford Sound, Burnie and Melbourne
Highlights
- Learning new skills from Renowned Chefs. A real highlight was meeting the chefs personally, watching their cooking demonstrations and learning invaluable tips that can be taken home with you! I often serve a ‘Tuna Pattie Recipe,’ which I learnt onboard and now cook regularly for the family – it’s become a household classic!
- Enjoying High Tea while cruising the Milford Sound. Cruising Milford Sound is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Combining it with Oceania’s famous High Tea ensures that the experience will be cemented in your memory for years to come. High Tea is served daily at 4 o’clock in the Horizons Lounge, which features floor-to-ceiling glass windows that allow you to be comfortable if you wish to avoid the cool air. Sit back while the staff offer wonderful commentary about the breathtaking natural wonder within the surrounding region.
- Going plant-based for a day. Even if you are not vegetarian, be sure to try the new plant-based menus offered in The Grand Dining Room and Terrace Café. Oceania Cruises is proud to have the most extensive and creative plant-based menus at sea, with more than 200 healthy dishes available on each of our ships. The chefs can also add your favourite protein to any of these dishes if you don’t want to miss out!
- Learning the tango. The dance classes are a fantastic way to meet other guests, have a giggle and do some low-impact exercise to burn off some of The Finest Cuisine at Sea® you’ve been enjoying.
Top Tips
1. Eat in the Grand Dining Room at lunch. On one of your sea days, be sure to make your way to the Grand Dining Room for the lunch service, which features wonderful signature dishes from the specialty restaurants; Jacques and Red Ginger.
2. Try The Finest Avocado Toast at Sea. As a favourite breakfast item for many Aussies and Kiwis, being able to have Avocado Toast evokes the feeling of home when you are sailing aboard one of Oceania’s ships. I ordered it on more than one occasion for breakfast in the Grand Dining Room and from the room service menu, and it was made and served perfectly every time.
3. Impress newfound friends at trivia. After a day ashore exploring, a wonderful spectrum of enriching activities awaits you on board, including engaging guest lectures, Aquamar Spa treatments, a bridge tournament or my personal favourite, trivia contests. Not only are these afternoon contests a great way to meet other guests, they are also a lot of fun.
4. Order food à la carte. In all of Oceania Cruises’ restaurants, all dishes are made to order. At the Terrace Café, be sure to try freshly cooked seafood or steak cooked exactly to your liking. The staff can also create a bespoke tossed salad for you to accompany it.
5. Upgrade your beverage package. If you choose the House Beverage Package as part of your OLife Choice amenities package, I would recommend upgrading to the Premium Beverage package for $US20 per day. This is great value and meant that I could enjoy cocktails poolside without having to pay any extra surcharge or tips.
6. Try a ‘seafood and eat it’ diet. If you like seafood, you will be spoilt for choice on an Oceania Cruises voyage. The daily offerings of locally sourced seafood are incredible. Among my favourites were the Octopus Carpaccio with Champagne Vinaigrette starter from Toscana, and the Whole Maine Lobster Gratinée from Polo Grill.
7. Walk the deck. Walking the deck at sunrise or sunset is a great way to start or end the day, and a popular form of exercise for guests, with 13 laps adding up to a mile.
8. Upgrade your experience. If you prefer a stateroom with a veranda, then consider upgrading to a Concierge Level Veranda on your next voyage. The added bonus of free laundry, a dedicated concierge staff member to assist with restaurant bookings and complimentary access to the Aquamar terrace and mineral spa equates to great value, plus guests also receive a complimentary bottle of champagne on arrival!
9. Pre-book your shore excursions. If you like taking shore excursions, be sure to lock them in before you sail. If you pre-book six shore excursions, you will benefit from a 25% discount.
10. Book onboard and save. If you’re like me and start thinking about your next holiday as your current one is coming to end, you’ll be pleased to know that you can actually benefit from trying to get ahead of the post-holiday blues with Oceania Cruises. Be sure to visit your onboard Oceania Club Ambassador to discuss your next cruise and learn about exclusive onboard savings. If you book through a Travel Agent, your booking information will be forwarded to them to look after once you return home.