News
The latest dry dock news from the luxury fleet and what it means on board.
The headlines tend to go to the new ships, but some of the most interesting changes this year are happening to vessels already at sea. Across Silversea, Regent, Crystal and Oceania, a run of dry docks is reshaping suites, dining and pool decks, and several are worth knowing about before you book.
Silversea
Silver Spirit has emerged from Fincantieri's Palermo yard with the line's S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) concept fully installed: a S.A.L.T. Kitchen for destination-led menus, a S.A.L.T. Bar pouring regional spirits and a S.A.L.T. Lab for hands-on cooking classes. Alongside it is Riviera, a new Mediterranean-inspired pool deck concept that runs from morning wellness to evening cocktails, with a pool bar, daybeds and a golf putting green, while the Venetian Lounge has been modernised with an LED wall. The introduction of Riviera, with a more casual menu including salads, wraps, burgers, plant-based options, and seafood such as ceviche and fish of the day, marks the end of Hot Rocks, the popular lava-stone dining venue where guests grilled their own steak and seafood, a feature some regulars will miss. The work follows a similar refit of Silver Muse, completed at the same yard last December, and Silver Spirit now spends the summer in Northern Europe before a 50-day Grand Voyage Mediterranean from Lisbon later in the year.
“Riviera, a new Mediterranean-inspired pool deck concept that runs from morning wellness to evening cocktails”
Regent Seven Seas
Under its Pursuit of Perfection programme, Regent has refreshed its two oldest ships, Seven Seas Mariner late last year and Seven Seas Voyager this spring. Every suite has been updated with new furnishings, hardware, and lighting, and the top suites have gained fully redesigned marble bathrooms, with new colour palettes and furniture that give them a more residential feel. The Pool Grill has been reworked too, with a new wood-fired pizzeria for casual dining on deck. The aim is to bring the look and feel of the Explorer-class ships across the fleet, ahead of the new Prestige class arriving this year.
Crystal
Crystal Serenity heads to Lisbon this October for a three-week dry dock, following the template set by sister ship Symphony last year. The Aquamarine Classic Suites are being refitted, while the Atrium and Crystal Cove gain a new marble dance floor and a striking De Castelli mosaic. A new pool bar arrives on
Deck 12 beside the Seahorse Pool, and the yard period also brings technical upgrades below decks. She returns to service in November on a transatlantic crossing from Lisbon to Fort Lauderdale.
Oceania
Oceania has the busiest plans of all. The 1,250-guest Marina goes in for a stem-to-stern refresh this autumn, with redesigned staterooms, reworked public spaces and new venues including a Founders Bar, a Chef's Studio and a Bakery. The bigger story comes in late 2027, when the much-
loved Nautica reappears as Oceania Aurelia, rebuilt for long voyages. Guest numbers drop to under 500 and most of the 238 accommodations are suites, the largest reaching 1,000 square feet and many with butler service. The ship is being designed as a club-like home at sea for the line's around-the world and grand voyages. A refit can change a ship's character as much as its carpets, so the era you sail in matters. If you would like to know which of these ships and which point in its life, suits you best, we are glad to talk it through.
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