Cruise Holidays Irish Cruise Blog

Cruise Italy with Oceania

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Italians seem to have it all, great weather, fascinating history, beautiful people, dramatic scenery and exquisite food. Indeed many people proclaim it as their favourite holiday destination and perhaps that’s why Oceania Cruises is introducing two 2011 voyages timed for autumn foliage in Tuscany as well as the French Riviera.

Inspired by the strong response it received to its new seven-day itineraries for 2012, the upper-premium cruise line has created two week-long Saturday departures this autumn in the Mediterranean.

“Tuscan Charms” sails from Barcelona on October 29, 2011, to Rome, visiting Provence (Marseille), Monte Carlo, Portofino, Florence/Pisa/Tuscany (Livorno) and Sorrento/Capri en route.

“Italian Treasures,” from Rome to Venice, departing November 5, 2011, calls at Amalfi/Positano, Taormina, Corfu, Bari and Dubrovnik. Guests enjoy an overnight aboard ship in Venice at the end of the cruise.

“These two cruises depart on Saturdays so that our working guests can enjoy a week in Europe,” according to Oceania Cruises’ President Bob Binder. “Fall is one of the best times to visit the destination because there are no crowds and the weather is pleasant.”

Travellers will cruise the Mediterranean and Adriatic aboard Oceania Cruises’ 684-guest Insignia – an intimate ship acclaimed for its open-seating dining in four gourmet restaurants, all with no surcharge; luxurious public rooms, sumptuous accommodations, and warm, attentive service.

Are you tempted?

 

Oceania's Marina impresses its first customers

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Oceania Cruises’ new Marina arrived in Santa Cruz de Tenerife yesterday, the last call on her inaugural cruise before crossing the Atlantic for Miami, and the 1,250-guest ship has raised the bar on upper-premium cruising.

“Marina has been handling great since leaving Barcelona,” stated Captain Dimitrios Flokos, the ship’s master. “She is running very well which is exactly what we expected.”

Marina left Barcelona on Jan. 22 and called at Morocco, where many guests took a tour highlighting the architectural heritage of Casablanca. Guests have also discovered Marina’s many onboard amenities including participating in the first Bon Appétit Culinary Center class making frittatas and scones.

“We are so impressed,” explains guest Leslie Deemer, who like many other guests, booked his stateroom on the maiden voyage over a year ago. “When I walked into the Grand Dining Room, it felt like I was in a movie.”

Guest Doug Moreland shared, “Marina is beautifully finished, which is what you expect from Oceania Cruises. She is truly first-class and the artwork is exceptional.”

When will you experience her delights?

 

Further enhancements for Oceania fleet

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

As part of its ongoing Pillars of Distinction initiative Oceania Cruises has announced further enhancements with expanded cuisine, original productions and upgraded technology.

These multi-million-dollar updates are in addition to the physical enhancements being made during the regularly scheduled dry-docks for Regatta, Insignia and Nautica.

"As the leader in upper-premium cruising, we continually raise the bar to exceed our guests’ expectations and offer unrivaled value," stated Bob Binder, president of Oceania Cruises. “This latest phase of our Pillars of Distinction program reinforces the three hallmarks of the Oceania Cruises experience: cuisine, service and comfort.”

CUISINE

• An expanded menu of “Jacques Pépin Signature Items” in the Grand Dining Rooms, which include Cotes d’Agneau Grillees – grilled lamb chop served with ratatouille and lamb gravy with thyme, and Gambas Sauté Provençal – sautéed shrimp in olive oil from Nice with garlic, parsley and tomatoes
• Evening menus in the Terrace Café will focus on regional specialties from the area the ship is sailings in addition to each evening’s ever changing range of traditional favorites
• Gourmet VIP canapé service for all suite guests now includes a wider array of specialty, gourmand-inspired delicacies which are presented on new, custom designed china
• Espresso and Cappuccino from the famed Illy Coffee of Italy

SERVICE

• Free shuttle service in more than 90 ports worldwide where the ship is docked away from the city center
• Introduction of production shows created by the legendary Gary J. Musik company that feature a full ensemble, original choreography, lavish costuming and rousing musical numbers
• Dramatically faster internet speeds as a result of new partnership with MTN
• Complimentary in-suite newspaper delivery for Owner’s, Vista and Oceania suites

COMFORT

• Upgraded bath amenities and toiletries in all accommodations, including Bulgari for Concierge-level and suite guests
• Laptops, currently featured in all Owner’s and Vista suites on Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, will be added to all Penthouse Suites
• iPads for all Owner’s, Vista and Oceania suites

Pillars of Distinction amenities will be featured on Oceania Cruises’ new Marina, scheduled for delivery in January 2011, and sister ship Riviera, which joins the fleet in April 2012 and be introduced aboard Regatta, Insignia and Nautica in the spring of 2011.

Oceania Cruises for 2011/12

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

 

Our favourite luxury liner has just revealed their exciting new itineraries for 2011/12, including their first ever South Pacific season.

 

The beautiful Regatta will journey for the first time through Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, American Samoa, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and the Cook Islands. Oceania Cruises also returns to Australia and New Zealand, with Regatta picking up the popular cruises Down Under last run in 2009-2010 by Nautica.

If your set on a winter break in the Caribbean then Marina will depart from Miami, taking over for Regatta, but adding a couple new itineraries before and during the holidays.

Insignia will continue her popular 12-day and 19-day South America cruises while adding an all-new itinerary sailing 16 days roundtrip from Valparaiso. This will allow guests the opportunity to take tours of both Machu Picchu and the rarely-visited Nazca Lines.

Nautica returns to Asia and Africa once again but adds an all-new itinerary from Dubai to Capetown down the east coast of Africa and then offers a second Africa cruise from Capetown to Singapore. Nautica also returns to Europe with a single 35-day Hong Kong to Athens cruise.

 

Crystal Cruises voted world's best large-ship cruiser

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

 

Crystal Cruises is the world's best large-ship cruise line according to a survey carried out by Travel and Leisure magazine.

For 15 years now the magazine has been asking its readers to reveal their favourite travel companies, hotels and destinations for its World's Best Awards. This year Crystal Cruises won the category covering large-ship operators with a satisfaction rating of 90.47 out of 100, while Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises completed the top three.

Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line and Royal Caribbean International all featured in the top ten with scores of 81 or above.

The favourite cities category saw Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand taking the top two spots, followed by Florence, San Miguel de Allende in Mexico and Rome.

The Galapagos emerged as readers' favourite island destination, while Kauai, the Cyclades, Bali and Hvar also featured in the top five.

Oceania Cruises gets a facelift

 

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Posted by Susan O'Driscoll

 

Oceania Cruises has begun a multi-million dollar upgrade to its three-ship fleet and says this will be “the most significant” upgrade to ships Regatta, Nautica and Insignia in its history.

 

The revamp, called Pillars of Distinction, will include new “one of a kind” shore excursions, healthy life-style menus, new stateroom décor including chamomile-infused beds and lifestyle classes and workshops.

Nautica is already undergoing its revamp while Insignia will get the make-over in November when it is in dry dock. Regatta's turn comes next January. Oceania’s two new ships which are under construction in Italy, the Marina and the Riviera, will also echo the new standards of the existing ships once upgraded.

The line’s founder and chairman/CEO of parent company Prestige Cruise Holdings Frank Del Rio said: “Oceania Cruises has set new industry standards since we launched the line nearly eight years ago. With our new Pillars of Distinction initiative we have raised the bar in upper-premium cruising to ensure that the Oceania Cruises experience remains unmatched."

 

Wine tasting aboard Marina

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

 

Marina has it all, Ralph Lauren-decorated suites, laptops in every cabin, Chef Jacques Pepin's first restaurant and now a wine tasting centre, “La Reserve”.

 

La Reserve situated on Deck 12 will boast decadent yacht club décor, with seating for up to 24 guests as well as a patio for al fresco sipping. Guests will learn about fine wines and sample produce selected by the experts at Wine Spectator magazine, some of which may reflect the area of the world where Marina is sailing. La Reserve will also host premium tastings for more intimate gatherings.

Oceania President Bob Binder said, “Marina is truly a ship for epicureans. Complementing our acclaimed cuisine with the ideal wines is the ultimate enrichment for our gourmand guests.”

The Marina's maiden voyage departs Barcelona on January 22nd, 2011.