‘SS OCEANIC' REVIEW

Originally intended for Transatlantic service, the delightful 39,000 ton ‘SS Oceanic’ entered service in 1965, but with the dramatic downturn in demand for such liner voyages in the mid 60’s, she effectively went straight into the embryonic cruise industry as a new build.

I have experienced the considerable pleasure of cruising on ‘SS Oceanic’ in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Indeed at his table on Gala Dinner evening in 2005, Captain Roman Krstanovic declared : “This ship is a masterpiece – she has the most beautiful and perfect hull, and after forty years is still a perfect cruise ship!” His admiration and affection for the last remaining of the great Italian liners of the 60’s is eminently understandable. She is every inch a classic, and the ship has proven to be a great success for her current owners, the Spanish company Pullmantur, now part of the ‘RCCL’ empire.

Sailing on her regular Western Mediterranean weekly schedule, departing Barcelona every Monday, she has acquired a formidable reputation for excellence throughout the Spanish cruise market, and is often booked to capacity. Her loyal followers embrace all age groups, and there is usually a sizeable group of British ‘expats’ on board.

Language is simply not a problem. All the officers and most of the crew speak English, and the daily cruise news and all menus are produced in both English and Spanish.

Being powered by steam turbines, Oceanic does not suffer from any of the unpleasant vibration sometimes associated with diesel propulsion. This is particularly beneficial in the cabins overnight, when you sometimes wonder if the ship is actually moving at all! Being built originally for the North Atlantic, she is fully stabilized, and has very good ‘sea-legs’!

Food is generally excellent, and certainly lives up to the ship’s four star rating. Drinks are on an ‘inclusive’ basis, and this means very acceptable wines – a good Rioja for example - with lunch and dinner, along with branded whisky, gin, vodka, brandy and liqueurs on demand from the ship’s bars. There is a nominal charge for certain premium brands.

The ship is very well appointed and maintained throughout, and certainly does not show her age! She was also the very first ocean liner/cruise ship to be built with a large retractable ‘magrodome’ roof over her upper deck, enclosing when necessary the Riviera Pools, and providing a very flexible space which is used to the full for everything from sunbathing, through buffet dining, to the Captain’s Gala Cocktail party.

I recommend Oceanic without hesitation – she is a graceful and elegant vessel externally, but with a friendly and wholly unpretentious atmosphere within. Her passengers clearly know how to enjoy themselves – sometimes noisily – and Pullmantur certainly knows how to manage a successful cruise operation. Oceanic is a truly wonderful experience – enjoy her while she is still around!

Colin R. Miell, July 2007.

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