ABOARD THE OCEANIA SIRENA – A friend asked me what there is to do on the Sirena cruise ship. A lot. Or nothing. The choice is up to each cruiser.
The four-page Oceania Currents that is placed on our beds each night at turndown is filled with activity listings and information. The daily newsletter announces where we will be the next day, the weather forecast, when the sun will rise and set, and what time the ship will depart if we are in port.
The newsletter also has a bit of background on the next port as well as locations of Sirena’s sister ships, the hours that ship services will be open, dining times, when shore excursions will meet and where, plus a reminder to take our ID card when we leave the ship.
Much of the newsletter deals with the upcoming day’s activities, such as ping pong, shuffleboard, golf putting, bean bag toss, bridge card games, bingo, trivia, guest speakers, blackjack tournament in the casino and afternoon tea.
Sirena has a large computer room with a computer expert, a card game room, big library, small casino and two high-end shops that carry limited clothing, souvenirs, expensive jewelry and toiletry items. The Canyon Ranch Spa offers traditional massages, hair styling, manicures and pedicures and a wide range of exercise classes such as yoga, mat Pilates, Zumba and circuit training.
The top deck has a lovely pool that is never crowded, plus two hot tubs and many comfortable recliners in both shady and sunny places. The pool area is spotless, as is the whole ship. If a pool towel is used and placed across a recliner, it seems to disappear immediately and a fresh rolled-up one appears. The ship’s top deck also has a walking track that seems to be a popular way to try and exercise off pounds from the delicious dining.
I’m told the 2001 movie “South Pacific” with Glenn Close and Harry Connick Jr. will be shown one afternoon in the Sirena Lounge. A lei making and pareo (wraparound cloth worn by both male and female Tahitians) demonstration also will be offered one day.
For live entertainment, the five-piece Sirena Show band plays several times an evening as well the Quadrivium String Quartet and Greg Sampson at the piano. The Sirena Production Company will present four musical programs during our cruise. The first one called “Get on the Floor and Dance” is a tribute to the music of dance.
Other performers include violinist Martin Lass, comedian Tom Drake, vocalist Domenick Allen (billed as a former member of the Foreigner rock band), pianist Carl Doy and dueling divas Fiona and Penny. I watched the first performance of the Sirena Production Company. The four young singers and two dancers are enthusiastic and energetic. I also saw part of the performances of Martin Lass and Domenick Allen.
The theater seems packed and the audience seems to enjoy the entertainers. The show band is top notch and usually brings dancers onto the floor.
The evening performances start at 9:30 p.m. It is only my preference but what I want to do at that time of night is put on my nightgown and sit on my balcony to watch the waves of the South Pacific. To each his own but I can see musical entertainment like that anytime.
What I can’t see in Indiana is the Sirena cruising through a lovely star-filled night while the moon rides high in the sky. I want to savor every moment of my outstanding cruise through Tahiti and French Polynesia. It’s wonderful that Sirena offers so many choices to make me and other guests happy.
Photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch
