Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, showcases premium offerings, exclusive excursions and the finest cuisine at sea. Contrary to other cruise lines, Oceania Cruises features much smaller ports, that allow them to explore where others can’t. Their customers come from London and New York and go to the best restaurants, so expect the best food. Therefore, Oceania Cruises use premium artisan ingredients sourced from around the world, from Castilla-La Mancha saffron, to fine French flour custom-milled to exact specifications.
Oceania Cruises recently unveiled the better than new Sirena, fresh from her dramatic re-inspiration. The top to bottom re-build, which has resulted in a better than new ship, is part of the $100+ million OceaniaNEXT brand enhancement programme.
Boasting 342 completely new staterooms and suites along with dramatically transformed public spaces, Sirena debuts some additional refinements above and beyond. These enhancements include brand-new entry doors for suites and staterooms, full-length mirrors in all suites and staterooms, new wall sconces in the Spa and additional crystal chandeliers in the public spaces and stair lobbies.
Topping off the awe-inspiring transformation of the Sirena are elements of the multi-million-dollar art collection that are unique, even personal expressions that are emblematic of the brand’s very personal nature.
Hanging prominently in the re-styled Baristas, the ship’s social hub and coffee bar, is an original by the legendary Jacques Pepin, which was specially commissioned for the Sirena. Pepin, best known for having been chef to numerous heads of state, writing dozens of cookbooks, and of course, his long-running and Emmy-award-winning cooking shows on PBS, has always found cooking and painting to be remarkably similar forms of artistic expression.
“Shapes in Color #3” by Jacques Pepin
He also found a very special joy in doing a piece for “his daughter’s ship” as Claudine Pepin christened the Sirena when she entered service in 2016.
At the centre of the ship, the deck and a half tall French-glass mirror that crowns the ship’s Reception Lobby and iconic Grand Staircase contains a hand-painted willow tree that symbolises balance, learning, growth and harmony. Insignia, the first of the ships to be re-inspired, aptly features a Tree of Life which portends positive energy and a bright future.
Nearby in the Reception Lobby, is a commissioned piece by Soumiya Lakshmi Krishnaswamy that hangs next to the portrait of Claudine Pepin, the ship’s Godmother. This piece is particularly meaningful as Soumiya is a life-long friend of Claudine Pepin and was her roommate at university.
Sirena’s Grand Staircase and painting by Soumiya Lakshmi Krishnaswamy
“I knew I was creating something that would be living aboard the Sirena. I love the water and to be out on the middle of an ocean. I made this piece as part of a collection that seeks to capture the spirit of adventure that lies in the sea and with people who follow in pursuit of it,” stated Soumiya.
To book, go to www.oceaniacruises.com/, or call 0345 505 1920.
