New Oceania ship to offer South Pacific, Australia cruises

The new Oceania ship debuting in 2016 will spend its first winter sailing across the Pacific to Australia.

Oceania on Wednesday announced the 684-passenger Sirena would begin a journey westward from Miami in November 2016 with a 16-night voyage through the Panama Canal to Los Angeles.

After two sailings out of Los Angeles to Mexico in December 2016, the former Princess vessel will travel from Los Angeles to Tahiti in January and operate South Pacific cruises through early February before continuing on to Australia. The ship will sail around Australia and New Zealand for about two months before returning eastward to Tahiti and Los Angeles.

Currently sailing as the Ocean Princess, Sirena will join the Oceania fleet in April after a massive, $40 million makeover that will include a significant overhaul of its top decks, lounges and 342 cabins.

First look: Oceania Cruises' soon-to-debut Sirena

With the addition, Oceania will have six vessels in its fleet.

Sirena is a sister to three ships already in the Oceania fleet -- Regatta, Insignia and Nautica -- and will offer a similar array of amenities including a fitness center and spa; six lounges and bars; and a casino. It's scheduled to enter service for Oceania on April 27, 2016 with a 14-night cruise from Barcelona to Venice.

Sirena also will share many of the features found on the line's newest vessel, Riviera. For a deck-by-deck tour of the ship, scroll through the carousel below.