As on any cruise worth its salt, one of the greatest pleasures aboard Oceania Cruises' ship Marina is simply soaking up the good life.
In fact, it is more classy private club than cruise ship – with an air of sophisticated elegance running from bow to stern, whether it isthe neon-pink Casino Bar dotted with Swarovski-studded bar stools, the eye-catching artwork, the plush Balinese day beds by the pool, the nine gourmet restaurants, or the ship's glitzy centrepiece: a grand stairway by French crystal designers Lalique.
Suffice to say, you could very easily spend the entire 12-night Baltic sailing simply eating, drinking and reclining.
But this is a cruise with a difference. The latest in a raft of so-called "enrichment cruises", this voyage isn't just about relaxation – it's about coming back improved: your skillset swelled, your grey cells rejuvenated, your talents cultivated. But mightn't it all feel a bit too much like hard work?
The glitzy centrepiece on board Oceania Cruises' ship Marina is a grand stairway by French crystal designers Lalique. Photo / Supplied
Eager to put this ethos to the test, I soon found myself surrounded by a glorious mess, a sea of colour, with rainbow-hued paints dripping wildly from my artist's canvas – which I had transformed into a swirling vortex of vivid turquoise shades – as our teacher, on-board artist-in-residence Andre, reassured his class of 12 keen-but-green budding Picassos. "You're doing just fine," he said encouragingly as he dashed between us offering creative support.
The purpose-built Artist Loft on Oceania Cruise's Marina is one of only two such studios on any mainstream cruise ship. Photo / Supplied
We were sitting around a vast table strewn with paint bottles, brushes and other artistic accoutrements during a complimentary painting class in the purpose-built Artist Loft on Marina – one of only two such studios on any mainstream cruise ship; the other of which is on Marina's sister, Riviera.
The temptation to splurge and squirt every one of the colours was irresistible and my abstract creation soon took on a life of its own, as I tipped the canvas this way and that, watching the paints meld and flood with childlike glee. I was utterly absorbed, and very sorry when our session came to an end and the canvasses were put aside to dry. My efforts may have been enough to make Old Masters weep, but I soon had more classes booked in, determined to brush up on my technique.
Culinary goddess incoming
But time enough for that later – first, it was on to the culinary centre, just a few paces from the Artist Loft, to awaken my latent culinary goddess. Under the watchful eye of chef Noelle, the class recreated well-loved dishes from Marina's popular Asian fusion restaurant, Red Ginger – my favourite – including its signature miso-glazed sea bass and lobster pad Thai (Oceania has a reputation as the "foodie's cruise line", and it is certainly deserved).
The enrichment programme on Marina, an Oceania cruise, teaches guests how to recreate well-loved dishes from on board-restaurant Red Ginger. Photo / Supplied
A first glance at the list of ingredients was rather daunting, but with Noelle's clear, expert tutelage, we were soon exuberantly cooking up a storm (confidence aided by the crisp glass of rosé included in the $170pp charge), and by the close of our two-hour class, I had not only whipped up a glorious feast but learned some handy tips too.
But the enrichment options don't end with hobby enhancing. Oceania also offers what is termed the OLife Series, a selection of lectures, quizzes and guest-speaker sessions – usually themed to complement the voyage so, in this case, addressing such topics as the Vikings and Norse gods.
Curious shore excursions
The enrichment philosophy is also evident in the comprehensive selection of shore excursions, with active biking and kayaking both on offer, plus exclusive, small-group options and Select Tours offering special or unique experiences.
Curious about the latter, I joined a tour to the Gothic German city of Lubeck – home of the famed Lubeck marzipan – and enthusiastically absorbed historic trivia from our affable, informative and – for maximum entertainment value – costumed guide as we pottered about the city's cobbled streets.
The old town of Lubeck, Germany, was just one of the highlights on a 12-day voyage on board Oceania Cruises' Lubeck. Photo / 123RF
But it was the marvellous 5km kayaking trip along the breathtakingly tranquil Minija River, near Klaipeda in Lithuania, that really left me buzzing. Lightly damp and utterly exhilarated, I was planning my next outing on the water from the moment I stepped out of the kayak, enriched in mind, body and soul – and not the slightest bit like hard work, after all.
OCEANIA CRUISESDETAILS
A 12-night London to Copenhagen sailing on Marina with Oceania Cruises is priced from $5410pp. Departs July 11, 2023, from Southampton, including calls at Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Visby and Riga in Latvia. oceaniacruises.com
