Oceania Cruises’ new Marina is the first ship to offer luxury suites completely appointed from furniture and fabrics to lighting and bedding using the acclaimed Ralph Lauren Home collection.
The cruise line tapped award-winning designer Susan Bednar Long of S.B. Long Interiors because of her keen familiarity with the Ralph Lauren esthetic. Long previously oversaw the decoration of flagship retail stores for Polo across North America. Her designs have been recognized by House Beautiful, Elle Décor and House & Garden, among other publications.
The Entrance
The three Owner’s Suites on board Marina are unlike any luxury suites at sea. Upon entering the foyer guests are struck with a sense of awe, as though they have entered an opulent estate home. Walls of inset Georgian wood paneling are finished in an ivory gloss. Art niches on either side are framed with polished stone and mirrored to reflect the statuary. An ivory marble entryway with a David Hicks inspired black and camel mosaic tile inset is surrounded by plush black carpeting trimmed with a polished nickel metal edge.
The foyer also contains a mahogany gloss bar with three ivory leather and chrome stools, stately burnished silver armchairs covered in faux crocodile and brown and white faux zebra skins and an oversized ivory brocade and black satin chaise in front of floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping ocean vistas. An ebony baby grand piano serves as the room’s focal point while a brilliant alabaster and polished nickel chandelier hangs overhead.
Living And Dining Room
Guests can spend most of their time in the spacious living and dining room, which exudes the rich, clubby and refined elegance of a world-class yacht. Macassar ebony-veneered chests with silver hardware topped by faux Zebra-framed mirrors flank the entrance. Walnut herringbone wood flooring rings a field of camel carpeting with an inset chocolate border. A full wall of windows affords uninterrupted aft views.
A camel-colored, suede L-shaped Modern penthouse sectional is prominently positioned in the corner. To its side is a mahogany Anglesey end table and oversized, Mayfair tufted armchair upholstered in coffee-brown velvet; the Planar brushed stainless steel and acrylic coffee table centers the seating area. A 42” flat-screen TV mounted atop a striking nickel and mahogany entertainment center is anchored by a black teak and nickel Aldgate étagère.
An elegant mahogany Mayfair dining table with smooth caramel leather Clivedon dining chairs affords seating for six topped with a classic candelabra chandelier finished in nickel complete the dramatic dining area.
Wraparound teak-covered verandas feature stylish pieces custom-crafted from Ralph Lauren in white marine lacquer suitable for outdoor living.
Bedroom
For restful nights at sea the S.B. Long Interiors designers used ivory wainscoting and plush silvery grey carpeting to set the stage for the high-style and luxurious bedrooms of the Owner’s Suites. The walls above the wainscoting are covered in Austyn cashmere and all windows and balcony doors are dressed with ivory wool sheers and silver drapery panels in a shimmering, silk/cotton blend.
The bedroom’s centerpiece is the distinctive, Bel Air bed in a deep, library mahogany – its headboard, footboard and side rails upholstered in steel-blue mohair with polished nickel nail-head accents. To its left and right are City Modern bedside chests with stainless trim and hardware, finished in rosewood mahogany. Night-stands are topped with Faceted Crystal Prism lamps with white silk shades. A custom ceiling fixture in polished nickel with teardrop glass balls provides overhead boudoir lighting.
A Mayfair mirror with a burnished silver-leaf frame and beveled glass adorns one wall, framed by polished nickel sconces with white-pleated silk shades. Across the room is the Ralph Lauren Highbridge desk featuring stainless steel sawhorse base with glass top and Noble Estate side chair upholstered in camel wool seat base with contrasting ivory ribbed seat back and polished nickel nail heads. A Noble Estate settee upholstered in taupe leather with polished nickel sabos and two Hasley slipper-chairs upholstered in a light gray cashmere wool blend provide additional seating.
Throw pillows upholstered in both silver textured fabric with contrasting ivory cord and ivory brocade pattern with contrasting blue double-fringe trim add to the elegance.
Bathroom
The finishing touch on this grand boudoir is a marble, six-fixture master bathroom with both a separate shower and large soaking tub. The whimsical mahogany double vanity is topped with double portholes and accented with nickel ceiling-mounted round pivoting mirrors and Ralph Lauren’s classic small sconces with silk fabric shades.
