A Look at the Future of Oceania Cruises’ R-Class Ships

Posted on 3 August, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

A Look at the Future of Oceania Cruises’ R-Class Ships

Oceania Cruises is set to undergo significant changes over the next few years with the debut of newbuilds and the retirement of its older vessels.

Having been fully repositioned into the luxury market, the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ (NCLH) brand is moving on from its older R-class ships, which are being sold off, repurposed or chartered.

Cruise Industry News looks at the company’s plans for the four ships, which originally debuted between 1998 and 2001.

Sirena
Capacity: 684
Tonnage: 30,200
Year Built: 2000
Fate: Sold to undisclosed buyer
Farewell Cruise: March 24, 2028

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced the sale of the Sirena in late July. While a buyer was not named, the ship is expected to be delivered to its new owners after its spring 2028 deployment.

Originally launched as the R4 in 2000, the 684-passenger ship was acquired by Oceania in 2016, after spending over a decade sailing for Princess Cruises.

Nautica
Capacity: 684
Tonnage: 30,200
Year Built: 2000
Fate: To become Oceania Aurelia
Farewell Cruise: October 15, 2027

The Nautica will remain in service for Oceania Cruises after undergoing a significant refurbishment in late 2027.

According to the company, the 2000-built ship will be reimagined as the “ultimate world explorer,” embarking on longer cruises and the brand’s 180-day Around the World Voyages. Renamed Oceania Aurelia, the vessel will offer larger suites and capacity will be trimmed from 684 to under 400.

Regatta
Capacity: 684
Tonnage: 30,200
Year Built: 1998
Fate: Chartered to My Cruises
Farewell Cruise: August 17, 2026

The Regatta will leave Oceania Cruises’ fleet this year having been chartered to My Cruises’ Explorations by Norwegian brand.

The Australian tour operator will operate world cruises onboard the 30,200-ton vessel, currently holding a two-year charter agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

“At the conclusion of the initial term, the charter may be extended for multiple years or, alternatively, the vessel may be sold to a third-party cruise operator,” NCLH stated in its 2026 second quarter earnings presentation.

Insignia
Capacity: 684
Tonnage: 30,200
Year Built: 1999
Fate: To remain in fleet for the time being
Farewell Cruise: TBD

The Insignia is staying in the company’s fleet for the time being. The 30,200-ton ship was previously slated to be withdrawn in 2027 to become a residential cruise ship for Crescent Seas but the plan later fell through.

While no new long-term plans have been announced, Oceania’s published deployment includes departures onboard the 30,200-ton ship through November 2027.

P&O Cruises unveils itineraries to mark 180th anniversary

Posted on 25 August, 2015 by Spacejunkie2

By Phil Davies, Travel Weekly

P&O Cruises is to run two full world cruises in 2017 to mark its 180th anniversary.

Aurora’s 104-night eastern circumnavigation from Southampton echoes the trade routes of the British Empire, calling at 35 destinations in 21 countries and sailing almost 30,000 nautical miles.

Departing on January 9, 2017, the cruise features 23 new ports of call, overnight stays in Dubai, Singapore, Sydney and San Francisco, seven evening calls and transits of both the Panama and Suez canals.

Arcadia’s 114-night western circumnavigation from Southampton calls at 37 destinations in 21 countries, sailing more than 36,000 nautical miles.

The voyage, departing on January 2, 2017, includes 22 new ports, overnight stays in San Francisco, Auckland, Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore and nine evening calls.

Prices lead in at £10,299 per person on a Select Price rate for Aurora’s world cruise, including onboard spending money of between £350 and £1,000, depending on cabin grade.

The sailings feature in a 2017 World Cruise Collection brochure which goes on general sale on September 9.

The programme also includes a 50-night Oriana cruise to the Caribbean and Amazon departing from the UK on January 3, 2017 and a 12-night Northern Lights itinerary including an overnight stay Alta and a late evening in Tromso. Prices start at £3,999pp and £899pp respectively.

The line’s marketing director, Christopher Edgington, said: “P&O Cruises has a reputation for offering original and appealing world cruise itineraries which we spend a lot of time planning, based on extensive research and trends.

“Our round the world cruises are not a once-in-a-lifetime dream but a truly affordable and realistic holiday for empty nesters looking for long haul adventure and ‘this is the life’ memories.”

Cunard kicks off 175th anniversary celebrations

Posted on 5 May, 2015 by Spacejunkie2

By Phil Davies

Cunard kicked off its 175th anniversary celebrations in the UK by having its three ships arrive in Southampton at the same time on Sunday.Queen Mary 2 led sister ships Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria down Southampton Water and into the Solent.

The ships arrived in Southampton from their respective three-month world cruises.

They then set off on their summer season of transatlantic crossings, Mediterranean fly-cruises, Scandinavian and southern European sailings.

Commodore of the fleet, Christopher Rynd, said: “It is wonderful to be back in our homeport of Southampton.

“All three Queens have just completed their world cruises and now we are sailing out in procession, into the Solent.

“What a glorious way to start our 175 anniversary celebrations.”

The three vessels will meet again in Cunard’s original home of Liverpool on May 25 as part of a weekend of celebrations which is expected to attract up to one million spectators, according to local reports.