Oceania Cruises Is Giving the Marina a Head-to-Toe Makeover — Here's What's Changing

Oceania Cruises has announced an extensive refurbishment of its 1,250-guest ship Marina, scheduled to enter drydock in October 2026. The project marks the first vessel to undergo transformation under the line’s OceaniaNEXT program — a fleetwide initiative aimed at continuously elevating the onboard experience across the entire Oceania fleet.

According to Cruise Industry News, the overhaul will touch virtually every corner of the ship, from staterooms and bathrooms to restaurants, bars, and entertainment spaces.

Every Stateroom Gets Rebuilt from the Ground Up

The scope of the stateroom work is genuinely impressive. Every cabin aboard Marina will receive a complete redesign — new layouts, updated furnishings, and entirely new bathrooms featuring marble finishes and rainforest showers. Penthouse, Oceania, Vista, and Owner’s Suite categories will also be refreshed to align with recent upgrades made across the broader Oceania fleet.

For anyone who has sailed on one of Oceania’s newer ships and wondered why the older vessels feel a bit dated by comparison, this refurbishment directly addresses that gap.

Public Spaces and Dining Get a Fresh Identity

The changes extend well beyond the staterooms. Public areas throughout Marina will receive updated furnishings, new carpeting, and refined lighting to create a more cohesive, contemporary feel from bow to stern.

A few highlights stand out:

• The Grand Lounge is being expanded to introduce the Founders Bar, a new cocktail venue focused on artisanal drinks
• The Artist Loft is being replaced by a new Chef’s Studio, offering expanded programming including culinary demonstrations and tastings
• Baristas, the ship’s coffee house, is getting a bakery component offering French and Italian pastries
• Signature restaurants — Polo Grill, Red Ginger, Toscana, and Jacques — will all receive refreshed interiors and updated galley facilities

Jason Montague, Oceania’s Chief Luxury Officer, summed up the philosophy behind the investment: “We are constantly refining the guest experience, from elevating our culinary offerings to creating more intimate, immersive ways to explore the world’s most iconic destinations.”

Why This Matters for Travelers Considering Oceania

Oceania has built its reputation on the idea that smaller, destination-focused ships can offer a more refined experience than the mega-ship competition — but that promise only holds if the hardware keeps pace with rising guest expectations.

Marina entered service in 2011, and while she has been well-maintained, the gap between her interiors and Oceania’s newer ships has become more noticeable over time. This refurbishment puts Marina on equal footing with the rest of the fleet and signals that Oceania is serious about the OceaniaNEXT program as a real commitment rather than a marketing tagline.

If you have been eyeing an Oceania itinerary and specifically considering Marina, it is worth paying attention to the timing. Sailings after the drydock wraps in late 2026 will feature the fully refreshed product. Booking a voyage before October means you will be sailing on the pre-renovation version — which is still a strong offering, but notably different from what will come out of drydock.

For travelers who prioritize culinary programming and intimate ship experiences, the addition of the Chef’s Studio alone makes the post-refit Marina a more compelling choice than it was before.