Wondering how to spend those sea days when sailing on the Oceania Vista? There is so much to do that you may have a hard time choosing!
When planning a cruise, you typically have your sights set on your chosen destination, as well as any excursions you have planned for when you go ashore. But seasoned travelers know that no cruise experience is without days at sea, and they can be just as fun!
If you’d rather see the Shetland and Orkney Islands, Scotland, Belgium, The Netherlands, and England, check out my Oceania Cruise Review for the Northern Islands and Gems itinerary.
On Oceania Cruises’ newest addition, the Oceania Vista, there were more than enough on-board activities to keep us entertained for the entire 12-day voyage, which included a few sea days. Have a look at some of our favorites!
Order Room Service and Plan Your Day
Nothing says vacation like room service! Oceania Vista offers a varied menu (including a piping-hot full breakfast!) that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your stateroom or suite.
This service is available around-the-clock, and if you happen to be staying in Concierge Level or above, you’ll also have access to lunch and dinner options from The Grand Dining Room.
If you’re on the move, you can stop by Terrace Café for a fluffy, savory omelet or Baristas for a perfectly-made cappuccino and pastry.
Each day, we received the daily shipboard newsletter, Currents, that went over all the special events, classes, and other options we could enjoy. While you enjoy your specialty coffee or breakfast, you can look over the itinerary and plan your perfect day.
Soak Up Some Sun
If you have more than one day at sea, you’ll absolutely want to spend one of them at the Pool Deck. Everything about this part of the ship says “relaxation”, from the shaded cabanas to the contemporary design.
You can catch some rays and enjoy the weather on a lounge chair or daybed, and then cool off with a refreshing swim.
Looking to stay active during your vacation? The lofty Deck 15 has a running track, where you can exercise while enjoying the fresh sea breeze. The adjacent Sports Deck has many activities to choose from as well, such as Pickleball and a Golf Putting Green. See if you can catch one of the occasional friendly competitions among cruise-goers.
Visit the Library or Take an Art Class
The Oceania Vista Library is one of the favorite peaceful places to relax onboard. While you sit back on a plush armchair or couch for a quiet read, you can enjoy a beautiful seascape through the Library’s glass walls.
If you’re feeling inspired, you may want to stop by the Artist Loft, where rotating classes are available for drawing and painting, as well as photography and sculpture. If you want to try something new, the ship has Artists in Residence waiting to give you step-by-step guidance and expert advice.
Search for Whales
You may not find this on your itinerary, but the Oceania Vista sometimes passes through areas of sea known for whale sightings. We weren’t expecting to see them during our trip, but we were in for an amazing surprise.
Even though I was on a lower deck and my husband was on our balcony, we both saw whales cresting at the same time! Ask if your cruise of choice has a chance of whale sightings along the way. If the answer is yes, bring a pair of binoculars and keep an eye out.
Choose a Restaurant for Lunch
After making the most of our morning, by midday, we were ready to refuel. There are plenty of lunchtime options when it comes to casual dining on the ship, so you can try something new each day.
Aquamar Kitchen is a great choice, and offers a menu focused on both wellness and taste (try the avocado toast)!
If you’re set on enjoying the weather, Waves Grill is a poolside location featuring all-American favorites. And to ensure you never expend all of your options, this restaurant transforms into an authentic Pizzeria every evening. Try one of the Burrata Focaccias, one of my favorite appetizers on the ship!
If you’re feeling peckish later in the day, there’s a delightful event you won’t want to miss. Each day at 4 o’clock, you can enjoy petits fours and finger sandwiches during Afternoon Tea. While a classical string quartet accompanies a perfect view of the sea, sip a cup of your favorite blend (or try something new) at this special celebration.
Souvenirs are great, but they’re even better when they’re duty-free. The Oceania Vista has a variety of boutiques where you can purchase duty-free merchandise like keepsakes and Oceania Cruises branded clothing, as well as fine goods like jewelry and fragrances.
These shops are perfect for finding the perfect gift for a lasting memory, or even just picking up a pair of sunglasses or a book to read by the pool.
Get a Spa Treatment
Need a little rejuvenation? The Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center is an oasis of wellness and relaxation, as well as one of the most beautiful locations onboard. Here, you can get a lavish spa treatment, acupuncture, peruse the new salon or stay in shape with a visit to the fitness center.
But that’s not all– even with those options on the table, the Aquamar Spa Terrace is the most distinctive feature. This hidden gem features an open-air deck, plush loungers, whirlpool spas, and plunge pools that you can enjoy before or after your spa experience, all alongside a fantastic view of the water.
Have a Martini at Martini’s or a Cocktail by the Pool
Did somebody say martini? As dinner time approaches, you’ll find plenty of great spots to indulge in an aperitif. There are a number of bars and lounges on board, such as Martini’s with its signature Hollywood Collection.
If you’re by the pool, Waves bar is just a few steps away and provides delicious frosty drinks and cocktails during Happy Hour.
For an upscale cocktail adventure, the Oceania Vista has a wide array of additional Mixology Experiences, as well. You can sip in a finely crafted whiskey as part of The Macallan Rituals, or try your hand at mixology with the Brugal 1888 & Ice Cream Masterclass. The brand-new Founders Bar is also upscale and fun.
For the ultimate wine-tasting experience, you can book an unforgettable dinner at Priveé that’s limited to eight lucky diners per evening, featuring choices of wine by La Reserve.
Dine at a Specialty Restaurant for Dinner (and Don’t Forget Dessert)
Once evening arrives, the Oceania Vista comes to life with an incredible array of fine dining specialty restaurants. You can sample Continental dishes in the magnificent Grand Dining Room, enjoy American classics at Ember, or indulge in contemporary Tuscan eats at Toscana.
And there’s more– Jacques (named after the legendary Jacques Pépin, the Oceania Vista’s Executive Culinary Director) offers a sophisticated menu of French delights, and Red Ginger specializes in bold Pan-Asian fare.
Want to keep it simple, yet refined? Polo Grill offers the ultimate steakhouse experience, and might be the perfect choice for you. Each location features its own choice of fine dining and desserts, so take advantage of the variety!
Though the specialty restaurants are wonderful, don’t forget the Terrace Cafe. They will have special menus each day, so be sure to take a look at your Currents schedule. One day, I found one of the chefs making fresh pasta!
I told him I had never seen fresh pasta being made on a ship, and he said they do it all the time. It was heavenly.
Test Your Luck at the Casino
If you’re feeling lucky, you can join your fellow shipmates at the Casino for exciting games of chance. Soak up the luxurious atmosphere and art nouveau decor, have fun, and see if you can win big.
Whether you prefer card and table games or you’d like to try your hand at the slot machines, the casino crew members are always on site to show you the ropes or help you get started.
Check out the Live Entertainment
When we cruise, we like to end our day with live music or one of the ship’s live performances. The Oceania Vista has some really fabulous shows.
From enjoying a cocktail while listening to a quartet playing classical music to dancing to a DJ, these events are always in rotation. Take a look at your Currents schedule for times and locations.
The productions exclusive to this cruise ship’s inaugural season are:
- The Anchor Inn, a lighthearted show featuring classic British numbers.
- Headliners, a showcase of some of today’s most iconic music and talented artists
- Into the Night, a stylish dance performance choreographed by Britt Stewart of “Dancing with the Stars” fame.
Rest Well in Luxury Accommodations
After a day of relaxation and excitement, your comfortable room awaits. The accommodations aboard the Oceania Vista are absolutely luxurious.
The warm and cozy atmosphere of the cruise ship’s Staterooms are accentuated by your choice of regular or French Veranda, and each comes fitted with a comfy, queen-sized “Tranquility Bed”.
The beautifully appointed bathrooms feature rainforest showers, and lots of storage space. You can unlock even more amenities if you upgrade to Concierge Level.
We stayed in a Veranda Stateroom, and it was lovely! If you’re feeling extra indulgent, you can opt for the ultimate comfort of the spacious Oceania Suites, complete with butler service, included laundry service, and more.
Even though unique experiences ashore are often the star of a vacation, with so much to do aboard the Oceania Vista, you won’t catch me complaining about a day at sea! We had a fabulous time, both on land and on board. If you’d like to learn more or book your voyage, you can explore all that Oceania Cruises Vista has in store this summer and beyond.
Tips for Sailing with Oceania Cruises
- Grab my cruise packing list to help you decide what to bring. It’s free and you can print as many as you need. I almost always carry on, and with Oceania’s laundry service, it makes it easy to take less.
- If you’re a wine drinker, take a look at the bottles. We fell in love with the La Cave Pinotage and the price was a little less than 4 glasses would cost. You can also cork the bottle and save it for the next day.
- Be sure to read the Currents daily schedule every day. You don’t want to miss the pop-up Bloody Mary bar, Bubbly Bar, or other special event!
Let me know if you cruise sail Oceania Cruises. I just received my brochure of itineraries in the mail and I’m already dreaming of new places to visit. Order a free brochure to see what Oceania has in store.
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