When seeing this I couldn't help thinking of the scene in the '97 Titanic movie where Kate Winslet came walking down the staircase in her evening gown to join Leonardo DiCaprio. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Oceania intentionally tried to recreate that feeling of opulence aboard this, one of their finest cruise ships.

Space comes at a premium aboard ships. This next next photo is of one of their more expensive rooms. Notice the extra lounge area with room divider next to the bed? In addition to the extra space, and a balcony, this room comes with it's own butler that'll be at your beck and call for whatever you may need. I'm pretty sure he'll even serve you grapes one by one if that's what you desire. :)

On our way to the pool deck I noticed this little lounge area off to the one side, just over the way from where a lone pianist sat softly stroking a set of pearly-white keys. Imagine sitting here for an afternoon, talking with interesting people from far-away lands while enjoying high tea. I have a feeling it wouldn't take much for me to get used to that kind of life!

Leading from the buffet restaurant (I'll tell you about the food in my next post) we came across the library in the next photo. You can't see a great deal of it from this view, but isn't what you can see beautiful? The narrow library stretches along for about 30 or 35 meters and is lined with books. Interspersed are small seating areas, each with three or four comfy chairs like the one in this photo. I'm pretty sure you could imagine sitting in silence, reading a book, while enjoying the freshly-brewed illy coffee from the barista station conveniently located right next to the library. ;)

You can imagine spending 7 or 14 days aboard the Oceania Marina, can't you? Just in case you're in two minds about it - consider this: NO CHILDREN. Well, not "no children", not really. Oceania tends to cater more for sophisticated adults. They try to create a quiet environment, free from loud music, frequent announcements, and screaming-running-playing-crying children. While they don't mind having kids aboard, they don't offer special entertainment or facilities for kids. And given that they don't have many kids as passengers the kids that do find themselves tagging along with their parents are normally the quiet and reserved kinds - you know, like the adorable Evan Taylor that Freddie Highmore played in the 2007 film August Rush. :)