Aurelia

Aurelia at a glance

Aurelia is an Oceania Cruises ship built in 2000, measuring 181 metres in length and weighing 30,277 gross tonnes, with 238 cabins. She is known above all for two things: a culinary programme that rivals the best restaurants at sea, and a global itinerary roster that stretches from the Transatlantic to Polynesia, South America, South East Asia, the Mediterranean and round-the-world voyages.

• Cruise line: Oceania Cruises
• Cabins: 238
• Signature experience: culinary enrichment, including hands-on cooking classes and four specialty restaurants

Current sailings depart from ports including Miami, Barcelona, Lisbon, New York, Los Angeles and Sydney, with voyages reaching South America, Japan, the Western Mediterranean, Polynesia, Central America and Australia. Round-the-world voyages of up to 186 nights are also on sale.

Dining on Aurelia

Aurelia carries eight dining venues — more specialty restaurants than ships of comparable intimacy typically offer — and the flagship, The Grand Dining Room, is included in every fare.

The Grand Dining Room anchors the experience: daily-changing menus feature at least ten starters and ten main courses each evening, blending continental classics with global flavours and the Executive Chef's own tasting menu. For more relaxed meals, the Terrace Café serves everything from fresh pastries at breakfast through to grilled lobster, rotisserie and fresh sushi in the evening, all included in your fare. Poolside, Waves Grill delivers made-to-order burgers, herb-marinated fish and hand-dipped milkshakes throughout the afternoon — again at no extra cost. Aquamar Kitchen adds a bright, health-focused option, from avocado toast and smoothie bowls at breakfast through to Lebanese bowls and fish tacos at lunch.

Four specialty restaurants carry a cover charge or à la carte pricing. Polo Grill serves premium aged USDA Angus beef and seafood — grilled swordfish and Maine lobster among them — in classic steakhouse surroundings. Jacques presents classical French cuisine reimagined by Master Chef Pépin, from Coq au Vin to Confit de Canard, with an extensive cheese and wine list. Toscana recreates an authentically Italian atmosphere — Chianti leather, hand-blown Venetian glass and Carrara marble — and serves dishes on exclusive Versace porcelain. Red Ginger blends Thai, Korean, Japanese and Malaysian flavours, from spicy duck oil watermelon salad to seven-spice lamb rack, with a drinks list of premium sake, Asian beers and exotic fruit cocktails. For something truly exclusive, Privée seats just eight guests per evening for La Reserve wine-paired tasting menus, set beneath a blossom-shaped ceiling installation and chandelier with floor-to-ceiling sea views — a cover charge applies.

Enrichment and things to do on Aurelia

Aurelia's enrichment programme is built around learning, creativity and the destinations the ship visits — most activities are included in the fare.

The Culinary Center offers hands-on cooking classes led by onboard chefs, focusing on the regional cuisines of each destination, and optional chef-led food tours ashore extend the experience into port. The Artist Loft provides painting, drawing, sculpture and photography classes with guidance from experienced onboard artists; classes vary by voyage and are included. The LYNC Digital Center offers complimentary smartphone and travel photography tuition for all ability levels. The Library, enclosed in warm wood panelling with floor-to-ceiling ocean views, provides a quiet retreat for reading or destination research — one of the ship's most popular spaces at sea.

The Casino is inspired by classic European gaming rooms, with roulette, blackjack and a bar; entry is complimentary, though wagers are charged separately. Ship boutiques carry a curated range of essentials, holiday wear and fine jewellery. On deck, the pool area is designed with organic aesthetics that mirror the surrounding ocean; shaded cabanas and waterside daybeds are available for an additional charge. The Running Track and Sports Deck offer open-air exercise with sea views, included in your fare.

Wellness is anchored by the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center, which combines a modern Fitness Center — with treadmills, strength equipment, a Kinesis® wall, and complimentary group classes from yoga to pilates — with a full spa and salon; personal training and individual spa treatments are available for a fee. Baristas, with its Viennese coffeehouse charm and sweeping 270-degree sea views, serves complimentary Illy coffee and fresh pastries throughout the day.

Cabins and suites on Aurelia

Aurelia's 238 cabins span four grades, from well-appointed inside rooms to the expansive Owner's Suite — full details and deck plans are on the Aurelia cabins and deck plans page.

• Inside cabin G (14 m²): Located exclusively on Deck 4, a lower, quiet deck position that minimises the sensation of wave motion — a practical choice for guests who prefer a steadier voyage. Sleeps up to four.
• Ocean-view cabin C (15 m²): A large panoramic window delivers unrestricted sea views and natural daylight without the balcony surcharge. Sleeps up to four.
• Concierge Level Balcony cabin A1 (20 m²): A private balcony brings direct access to fresh sea air and open views — outdoor space unavailable to inside or ocean-view guests. Sleeps up to four.
• Owner's Suite OS (92 m²): The largest accommodation on board at 92 m², designed as a private residence at sea. Sleeps up to four.

Suite guests — including those in Concierge Level and above — access the Suite & Concierge Privileges enclave, which includes the Executive Lounge and Concierge Lounge. Both are keycard-access private spaces with a dedicated concierge team and complimentary drinks, coffee and snacks throughout the day.

Where Aurelia sails

Aurelia's current programme covers some of the world's most diverse itineraries, sailing the Transatlantic, South America, South East Asia, Mediterranean, Polynesia, Japan, Australia, Central America and round-the-world routes.

Australian guests looking to sail closer to home can find Australia cruises departing from Sydney, with Aurelia offering one Sydney departure in the current programme. For those drawn to the Pacific, Japan cruises from Australia are available, as are Polynesia voyages — browse all departures via the Papeete sailings page. The most ambitious travellers can explore world cruises from Sydney or the full round-the-world cruise programme from Australia, with Aurelia offering voyages of up to 186 nights.

Mediterranean itineraries sail from Athens, Barcelona and Lisbon — see Mediterranean cruises in 2027 or all-inclusive Mediterranean cruises for current availability. Transatlantic sailings connect the Americas and Europe, departing from Miami, New York and Lisbon among other ports.

Why book Aurelia with Cruise1st

For the vast majority of Aurelia sailings — which depart from ports in the United States, Greece, Spain and elsewhere — the cruise sits in the middle of a longer trip. Cruise1st packages the flights, hotels and transfers alongside your cruise as one complete holiday, so there is a single booking, a single point of contact, and nothing to coordinate separately.

One sailing departs from Sydney: for guests based in New South Wales, that means no flight at all. Travelling from another state, it is a short domestic hop rather than a long-haul flight — still the simplest way to join a ship.

Whatever the itinerary, Cruise1st's Australian cruise experts are available seven days a week to help you choose the right cabin grade and fare inclusions, and the Best Price Guarantee means you can book with confidence.

Alternatives to Aurelia

If you are weighing up options, the following ships share several of the same departure ports and destination regions as Aurelia and are worth considering.

• Azamara Quest (Azamara Cruises) — sails from the same ports as Aurelia and calls at many of the same countries, including the United States, Spain, Portugal and France. A straight alternative with no flight required to reach the ship.
• EXPLORA II (Explora Journeys) — also departs from the same ports and shares key destination countries. No flight required to reach the ship.
• Seabourn Ovation (Seabourn) — departs from the same ports as Aurelia and calls at destinations including the United States, Spain, Portugal and France. No flight required to reach the ship.

Other ships in the Oceania Cruises fleet you may be choosing between include Regatta, Riviera, Nautica, Sirena and Marina.

Common questions about Aurelia

Are specialty restaurants on Aurelia included in the cruise fare?

The Grand Dining Room, Terrace Café, Aquamar Kitchen and Waves Grill are all included in your Aurelia cruise fare. Polo Grill, Jacques, Toscana, Red Ginger and Privée each carry a cover charge or à la carte pricing, meaning dishes or tasting menus are priced separately when you dine there.

Which cabin grade should I book on Aurelia?

It depends on what matters most to you. If a private outdoor space is a priority, the Concierge Level Balcony A1 adds a private balcony at 20 m². If you would like the quietest possible position with minimal wave motion, the Inside G cabins on Deck 4 are specifically situated for that. Suite guests — from Concierge Level upwards — also gain access to the private Executive and Concierge Lounges. The Aurelia cabins and deck plans page has full details of every grade.

Do Aurelia's cooking classes cost extra?

No — the hands-on cooking classes at The Culinary Center are included in your cruise fare. Optional chef-led food tours that extend the experience ashore are available at additional cost.

Can I book Aurelia from Australia without a long-haul flight?

Most Aurelia sailings depart from ports in the United States, Greece and Spain, so international flights are part of the journey — Cruise1st can package those with your cruise, hotel and transfers in one booking. There is currently one departure from Sydney: if you are based in New South Wales, no flight is needed; from another Australian state, a short domestic connection is all that is required.

What is the longest voyage available on Aurelia?

The current programme includes round-the-world voyages of up to 186 nights. You can explore the full range through the round-the-world cruises from Australia page or the Oceania World Cruise and Grand Voyages page.