Cruise industry stalwart Lisa Pile, whose growing title includes VP Sales and GM Asia Pacific for Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, talks exclusively to Karryon about her recent promotion, the cruise lines’ expansion plans and the evolution of the luxury cruise space.
Everyone in the luxury cruise scene knows Lisa Pile. The popular, always glamorous and highly regarded industry leader joined Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises in 2015, worked solely for Regent for eight years, and is now looking after both Regent and Oceania in her new role as VP sales and GM in Asia Pacific.
“It’s been a privilege to work with the two lines and see how they have evolved over 11 years,” she enthuses.
“Yes, the workload has doubled, but so has the fun. I now get to speak to our trade partners across both brands in even more depth. The nuances are very different, but both brands have incredible stories to tell.”
Regent and Oceania are both undergoing historic expansion programs.
The first of Regent’s new Prestige-class ships debuts in December, followed by three sister ships in 2030, 2033, and 2036.
Oceania’s ninth ship, Oceania Sonata, will make her maiden voyage in August 2027, and four more Sonata-class ships are scheduled for 2029, 2032, 2035 and 2037.
“The scale of this investment is significant for a couple of reasons,” Pile says.
“Firstly, it shows the ongoing appetite for luxury cruising, both in the entry-level space and the ultra-luxury space. Secondly, it speaks to the commitment and confidence we have in the luxury ocean cruise sector. It’s part of a deliberate strategy, an evolution.”
Lavish makeovers
The OceaniaNEXT refurbishment program began in 2018 and involves continuous upgrades across the fleet. Oceania Marina is next in line for her ‘re-inspiration’, scheduled for October 2026.
“We’re also investing US$125 million in a fleetwide upgrade program for Regent – Seven Seas Mariner underwent a complete refurb in November, and Voyager is in the shipyard as we speak,” Pile says.
Navigator is also due for her makeover later this year, before she embarks on her first three-month Australian winter season in May 2027.
“The transformation of Oceania Nautica to Oceania Aurelia is another exciting project. She’s being redesigned specifically for longer voyages and world cruises.
“When Aurelia sets sail in November 2027, she will have larger suites, new dining options and a very high crew to guest ratio – 400 crew to 478 guests – and still one chef for every eight guests.
“Aurelia’s inaugural Mediterranean cruises, Grand Voyages for 2027 and 2028 and World Cruises for 2028 and 2029 went on sale in March, and we’re seeing great results.”
Distinguishing between luxury and ultra-luxury
“Regent has been around for 33 years and Oceania for 23 years. During that time, Oceania has evolved from an upper premium brand to a ‘luxury by choice’, adults-only line, while Regent is renowned for its all-inclusive, ultra-luxe offerings,” says Pile.
“They are two very different products with two very different guest profiles and price points. Both lines have incredible hardware, crew, service and itineraries, but Regent’s ships offer all-suite, all-balcony accommodation and have exceptionally high crew-to-guest and space-per-guest ratios.
“There are more guests on Oceania’s ships, and the accommodation comprises about 70 per cent staterooms and 30 per cent suites.
“Both lines offer culinary immersion, destination immersion and cultural immersion, but for Oceania cruisers, the love language is food. Regent offers ‘epicurean perfection’ but the major focus there is on destination and cultural immersion.
“I’ve just come back from the Asia segment of Oceania Vista’s world cruise, and I was blown away by the food. Allura and Vista each have 11 dining options, and Sonata will have 13, including the new Nikkei Kitchen and La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France.”
Trends and bestsellers
Pile says winter cruising, Asia-Pacific itineraries and longer voyages are booming.
“For many years I’ve cruised the Mediterranean with Regent on the last sailings of the season – I call it the happy season. The weather is gorgeous and classic cities are way less busy.
“Next year, we’re taking the quiet Med season a step further with Oceania Allura sailing through the shoulder season and into winter. There’s been a very positive uptake from clients across the APAC region.
“Sales for Navigator’s first Australian winter season have also been hugely successful – we weren’t too sure how they were going to go, but we’re just about sold out. We knew the demand was there, and I think we were probably very fortunate with the timing because there has been a big focus in the past six to eight months on close-to-home sailing.
“Asia-Pacific cruises are attracting a lot of long-haul travellers as well as local travellers – people are entranced by Asia’s cultural and geographic diversity.
“Guest profiles are changing, too, on both lines. Longer voyages increasingly attract younger guests who can work remotely from anywhere in the world – they’re putting lifestyle first and taking their work with them.”
Looking to the future
The words “evolution” and “innovation” pop up frequently during our discussion. Pile says these values are at the heart of the sister lines’ success.
“A lot of forecasting and research goes into the ships we are building today, which are designed to last for the next 20, 25 years or longer. We love classic ocean cruising, and that’s what we focus on in the luxury and ultra-luxe space – we’ve stayed in our lane.
“However, to continue operating successfully, you must constantly innovate. And innovation not only comes from within, but also from your guests’ feedback. We listen; we act. There’s always room for improvement, and we’re always looking at how to achieve that.
“Take the next generation of ships, the Sonata and Prestige-class ships. They are magnificent. Can we get any better? It’s mind-blowing. Cruise is such a dynamic industry.
“If you had said to me 12 years ago, ‘Lisa, you’ll go from luxury hotels to luxury cruising’, I would’ve said you’re bonkers. Today, I count myself incredibly lucky to have a job that combines my three great loves: the Asia-Pacific region – Asia being my second home; ocean travel – I love everything about being at sea; and grand hotels – these ships provide everything the most discerning hotel-lover could desire.”
For more information, visit Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
