Archive for the ‘Oceania’ Category

Celebrity Cruises, Avalon Waterways and Trafalgar Tours Lead This Weeks Travel News

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
  • The formal naming ceremony for the new Celebrity Eclipse was held on April 24th.  Celebrity Cruises had initially planned a 2 day promotion, but instead assisted people stranded in Spain due to the volcanic ash get back to London.  They assisted approximately 2,200 travelers.  Celebrity Eclipse departed Southampton April 26th on a three-night Paris (Le Havre) cruise. She returns to Southampton to embark on the ship’s official maiden voyage departing April 29 with a four-night cruise to Cork (Cobh), Ireland, followed by a series of Mediterranean and Russia and Scandinavian cruises throughout the summer. Celebrity Eclipse will offer Caribbean sailings from the Port of Miami, Florida, beginning this winter.
  • Trip Advisor lists America’s top 10 Celebrity-owned restaurants in the world.  Nobu, NYC, One Sixtyblue in Chicago and P.J. Clarke’s in NY top the list. 
  • Book a 2010 Europe Globus or Avalon River Cruise air-inclusive vacation and receive $300 off per person. Europe Cruise-only bookings are eligible for the $150 off per person offer. Must book by May 25th for travel throughout 2010
  • A new overnight stay in New York and a maiden visit to Portland, Maine are among the highlights of Crystal Cruises’ New England & Canada series in fall 2010.  Four 11-day cruises aboard the award-winning Crystal Symphony will sail between New York and Montreal beginning September 19, each with two overnight calls and nearly 100 Crystal Adventures ashore to showcase the region’s natural beauty and rich history.   Departing September 19, September 30, October 11 and October 22, all voyages feature overnight stays in Montreal and either Boston or New York, plus visits to Newport, Rhode Island; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Quebec City, Quebec and either Bar Harbor or Portland, Maine. 
  • Passion Play tours for May and June are now sold out.  Only a handful of summer dates remain. 
  • Tauck tours announced two new Christmas Market river cruises: Offering two 8-day river cruises along the Rhine and the Danube. Learn more
  • Holland America Cruises has asked the Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands to be the godmother of their new Signature-class ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, in a ceremony in Venice, Italy, July 4, 2010. The 2,106-guest ship is the fourth to carry that name for the line and is being built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri-Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A. in Marghera, Italy.  Nieuw Amsterdam IV will be the 11th Holland America Line vessel launched by a member of the Dutch Royal Family. Previous ship dedications include ss Statendam III in 1929 by Prince Hendrik and ss Nieuw Amsterdam II in 1937 by Queen Wilhelmina. Then-Crown Princess Beatrix christened ss Statendam IV in 1957 as well as the ms Prinses Margriet in 1964. The ss Rotterdam V was launched in 1958 by Queen Juliana. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet dedicated ms Prinsendam II in 1973, ms Nieuw Amsterdam III in 1983, ms Rotterdam VI in 1997 and ms Oosterdam in 2003. Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands served as ms Eurodam’s godmother in 2008.  The naming ceremony will feature gala festivities in Venice, where an audience of special guests will witness an extravaganza of entertainment, the blessing of Nieuw Amsterdam and the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle across the ship’s bow as the finale.
  • Save $600 per couple with Trafalgar Tours on ANY 2010 air-inclusive Europe vacations.
  • Uniworld river cruises has released their 2010 itineraries.  Brochures are not yet available, but itineraries can be found online now.  The company is offering pay-in-full savings of up to $1,000 per person on 2011 Uniworld Europe river cruises or early booking savings of $300 pp off select 2011 river cruises.
  • Oceania Cruises to offer first ever Alaska cruises for summer 2011 onboard the 684 guest Regatta.  Ten departures are designed to explore Alaska’s Inside Passage in depth, including Sitka, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, plus less-visited outposts such as Kodiak, Homer and Hoonah. Depending on the itinerary, travelers will also cruise the awe-inspiring Hubbard Glacier, Gulf of Alaska, Tracy Arm and College Fjord.Travelers can choose from four exciting, new itineraries. With two-for-one fares and free air, a 10-day Alaska cruise starts at $3,499 per guest based on double occupancy.
    • Majestic Alaska – 14 days roundtrip from San Francisco, a maiden port for Oceania Cruises, visiting Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia; Sitka, Hoonah, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Astoria, Ore. Departures: May 12, Aug. 26.
    • Alaskan Grandeur– 12 days between San Francisco and Vancouver. Ports include Astoria and Victoria, as well as Wrangell, Juneau, Hoonah, Sitka and Ketchikan. Departures: May 26, Aug. 14.
    • Frontiers and Glaciers– 10 days roundtrip from Vancouver, calling at Sitka, Hoonah, Kodiak, Wrangell and Ketchikan. Departures: June 7, Aug. 4.                                                                                                                  
    • Glacial Wilderness– 12 days between Vancouver and Anchorage, with visits to Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau, Hoonah, Skagway, Sitka, Seward and Homer. Departures: June 17 and 29, July 11 and 23.
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    Oceania Marina : See the World from a New Perspective

    Monday, March 29th, 2010

    Oceania Marina, the newest member of the Oceania Cruises fleet, is now open for reservations.

    The Oceania-Class Marina represents an evolution of the line’s extremely popular Regatta-Class ships. Since the inception of Oceania Cruises, their ships have delivered an unparalleled onboard experience. So many of the indulgences are a direct result of the ships’ ideal mid-size, a tradition that Marina will proudly continue, but in an even more refined incarnation. She personifies the Oceania experience and then some.

    While larger than her consorts Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, Oceania Marina remains comfortably mid-size, adroitly utilizing the additional space for even greater amenities. She rewards guests with our signature “finest cuisine at sea” in six restaurants, including two new gourmet venues — Jacques and Red Ginger. Her new La Reserve holds enlightening wine and food pairings. For special coffees and snacks, there is Baristas Coffee Bar. The new Bon Appétit Culinary Center offers hands-on cooking instruction under the guidance of master chefs. Similarly, artists-in-residence teach fine arts in Artist Loft, a new enrichment center. Intimate lounges abound. Accommodations in every category are incredibly spacious, especially with regard to the lavish bathrooms.

    Yet remarkably, with so many additions, the onboard ambiance and experience remains comfortably familiar. We have retained everything guests adore about our ships and raised the bar ever higher.

    Oceania – Class Facts

    Marina: Debuts Late 2010
    Guest Capacity: 1,258 (Double Occupancy)
    Tonnage: 66,000
    Builder: Fincantieri; Sestre Ponente, Italy
    Length: 782 feet
    Width: 105 feet
    Draft: 24 feet
    Cruising Speed: 20 knots
    Propulsion: Diesel Electric, 2 controllable pitch propellers
    Restaurants: Six Open Seating Restaurants
    Accommodations: 629 Guest Staterooms and Suites:

    • 3 Owner’s Suites
    • 8 Vista Suites
    • 12 Oceania Suites
    • 124 Penthouse Suites
    • 200 Concierge Staterooms
    • 244 Veranda Staterooms
    • 20 Oceanview Staterooms
    • 18 Inside Staterooms
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    Oceania Regatta Review

    Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

    We just toured the Regatta and it was a wonderful day.   First, we were sent to the Horizon Lounge which is on Deck 10.  It’s absolutely the most beautiful and comfortable Observation Lounge ever!   Sofas and chairs have large colorful pillows, sheer drapes adorn the windows and there is a combo and dance floor.

    The specialty restaurants, Toscana and Polo Grill are on the same deck and they both offer their own bar area and luxurious seating with fabulous menus….no extra charge of course.  In between the restaurants is the largest library I’ve seen on any size ship and also the most inviting.  It was like an English Manor drawing room, with bookcases and books piled upon tables, a central fireplace with sofas and love seats, again with comfy pillows propped everywhere…wanted to stay there,

    The Lobby area is stunning with its double staircase in wrought iron and gold, carpeted in red and black.  Surrounding the area are oversized chairs and sofas inviting you to sit and chat.  When you ascend the grand staircase, feeling as if  you’re in “Gone With the Wind”, you enter the Upper Hall which has  boutiques, a beautiful Grand Bar and a very inviting Martini’s Bar and a very small casino.  Forward is the lounge which also has a dance floor.  There is a wonderful feel of casual elegance all over the ship.  Aft is the Grand Dining Room which is also lovely and we enjoyed a multi course delicious lunch with white glove service.   The cuisine on Oceania Cruises is considered one of the very best at sea.

    I would certainly wholeheartedly recommend Oceania to all but the under 40 set as there are not a lot of different venues as offered by the larger ships.

    Oceania Cruises runs wonderful promotions throughout the year including 2 for 1 rates, free airfare and more.  Call us at 800-942-3301 for more details on the latest Oceania Cruise deals.

    Written by: Laura Unger
    laura@atlastravelweb.com

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    Oceania Cruises 2011 Deals

    Thursday, January 28th, 2010

    Announcing Oceania
    2011 cruise deals.

    This season enjoy 13 new itineraries and 30 new ports of call.

    New for the 2010-2011 Oceania Winter Collection:

  • Acclaimed Canyon Ranch SpaClub® treatments and cuisine
  • Free and unlimited soft drinks and bottled water throughout the ship
  • Voyages to Africa for the first time in the history of Oceania Cruises
  • All-New itineraries in South America
  • The Best Values in Luxury Cruising are listed below:

    Amazing Adventures
    2 for 1 Cruise Fares with Free Airfare plus up to $7,000 Bonus Savings per guest

    These epic journeys are not to be missed. Consider a venture off to exotic Asia and beguiling Bangkok, Singapore and Ko Samui, cities so rich in culture and history that they will leave you breathless. Or witness the splendor and majesty of South America and Antarctica’s natural treasures along with the urban feel of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.

    Samba Serenade
    Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro | January 2, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Insignia
    2 nights in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Punta Del Este, Rio Grande, Porto Belo, Su, Prati, Ilha Grande, Bis and Rio De Janeiro

    Antarctica and the Fjords
    Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso | January 14, 2011 | 22 Days onboard Insignia
    Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Punta Del Este, Port Stanley, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Puerto Chacabuco, Puerto Montt, and Valparaiso

    Asian Wonders
    Singapore to Hong Kong | January 15, 2011 | 15 Days onboard Nautica
    Singapore, Ko Samui, 2 Nights in Bangkok, Sihanoukville, 2 Nights in Saigon, Da Nang, 2 Nights in Hanoi, Canton, and Hong Kong

    Ancient Jewels
    Hong Kong to Bangkok | January 30, 2011 | 16 Days onboard Nautica
    Hong Kong, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Manila, Kota Kinabalu, Muara Siberut, Nha Trang, 3 Nights in Saigon, Sihanoukville, and 2 Nights in Bangkok

    Secrets of South America
    Valparaiso to Buenos Aires | February 5, 2011 | 14 Days onboard Insignia
    Valparaiso, Puerto Montt, Puerto Chacabuco, Laguna San Rafael, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia, Port Stanley, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires

    Exquisite Empires
    Bangkok to Beijing | February 15, 2011 | 24 Days onboard Nautica
    2 Nights in Bangkok, Ko Samui, 2 Nights in Saigon, Da Nang, 2 Nights in Hanoi, 2 Nights in Hong Kong, Taipei, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, 2 Nights in Shanghai, Seoul, and Beijing

    Samba Serenade
    Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro | February 19, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Insignia
    2 Nights in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Punta Del Este, Rio Grande, Sao Paulo, Parati, Ilha Grande, Buzios, and 2 Nights in Rio de Janeiro

    Samba Serenade
    Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires | March 3, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Insignia
    2 Nights in Rio de Janeiro, Buzios, Ilha Grande, Parati, Sao Paulo, Rio Grande, Punta Del Este, Montevideo, and 2 Nights in Buenos Aires

    Imperial Explorations
    Beijing to Hong Kong | March 13, 2011 | 15 Days onboard Nautica
    Beijing, Seoul, 2 Nights in Shanghai, Hiroshima, 2 Nights in Kyoto, Okinawa, 2 Nights in Taipei, and Hong Kong

    Route of the Explorers
    Hong Kong to Athens | March 26, 2011 | 45 Days onboard Nautica
    2 Nights in Hong Kong, Da Nang, 2 Nights in Saigon, Singapore, Phuket, 3 Nights in Rangoon, Mumbai, Port Oaboos, 3 Nights in Dubai, Fujairah, Port Raysut, Agaba, 2 Nights in Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, Jerusalem, Haifa, Cairo, Alexandria, and Athens

    Caribbean Jewels | 2 for 1 Cruise Fares with Free Airfare plus $1,000 Bonus Savings per guest

    What better way to spend the winter season than by following the sun deep into the tropics? You might snorkel the fabled waters off Roatan, shop for French perfumes in St. Barts, bicycle through a rainforest on lush St. Lucia, or simply wander about Tortola with nothing on your mind other than enjoying the serenity.

    Islands in the Sun
    Miami to Miami | January 2, 2011 | 10 Days onboard Regatta
    Miami, Spanish Town, Cruz Bay, Gustavia, Tortola, Samana, and Nassau

    Mayan Mystique
    Miami to Miami | January 12, 2011 | 10 Days onboard Regatta
    Miami, George Town, Cozumel, Belize City, Santo Tomas, Roatan, Costa Maya, and Key West

    Caribbean Pearls
    Miami to Miami | February 03, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Regatta
    Miami, Spanish Town, Gustavia, Roseau, Castries, Cruz Bay, Tortola, Samana, and Nassau

    Caribbean Pearls
    Miami to Miami | February 25, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Regatta
    Miami, Spanish Town, Gustavia, Roseau, Castries, Cruz Bay, Tortola, Samana, and Grand Turk

    Southern Treasures
    Miami to Miami | April 12, 2011 | 14 Days onboard Regatta
    Miami, 2 Nights in Charleston, Williamsburg, 2 Nights in Hamilton, San Juan, Samana, and Grand Turk

    Announcing the 2011 Summer Collection | Alaska, Canada & New England
    2 for 1 Cruise Fares with Free Airfare plus up to $1,000 Bonus Savings on Select Voyages*

    It’s all new — the enticing itineraries, the dramatic destinations and even the regions of North America where we will be sailing in 2011. It’s a new world for Oceania Cruises, and we have bestowed the honor of leading the way to Regatta.

    Beginning in May 2011, Regatta will enter the pristine waters of Alaska and expand our world exponentially. Throughout the summer, the absolute prime season to sail here, she will offer brand-new breathtaking itineraries.

    All the marquee destinations of the 49th state will be showcased, from the modern capital of Juneau to cosmopolitan Vancouver. Of course, being mid-size, Regatta can go one step further and also present Alaska’s boutique ports in a warm and intimate manner not possible on larger ships carrying thousands of passengers. On some voyages, she actually sails all the way north to Anchorage itself.

    Then, in early September, Regatta heads for New England and nearby Canada, via the Panama Canal and arrives at the height of the fall as the leaves are exploding with color. What a glorious time to be sailing through New England, Nova Scotia, and up the St. Lawrence River to exquisite Montreal.

    Majestic Alaska
    San Francisco to San Francisco | May 12, 2011 | 14 Days onboard Regatta
    San Francisco, Victoria, Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Juneau, Kechikan, Vancouver, and Astoria
    $1,000 Bonus Savings per stateroom

    Alaskan Grandeur
    San Francisco to Vancouver | May 26, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Regatta
    San Francisco, Astoria, Wrangell, Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria, and Vancouver
    $1,000 Bonus Savings per stateroom

    Frontiers and Glaciers
    Vancouver to Vancouver | June 7, 2011 | 10 Days onboard Regatta
    $1,000 Bonus Savings per stateroom

    Glacial Wilderness
    Vancouver to Anchorage | June 17, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Regatta

    Glacial Wilderness
    Anchorage to Vancouver | June 29, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Regatta

    Glacial Wilderness
    Vancouver to Anchorage | July 11, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Regatta

    Glacial Wilderness
    Anchorage to Vancouver | July 23, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Regatta

    Frontiers and Glaciers
    Vancouver to Vancouver | August 4, 2011 | 10 Days onboard Regatta

    Alaskan Grandeur
    Vancouver to San Francisco | August 14, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Regatta

    Majestic Alaska
    San Francisco to San Francisco | August 26, 2011 | 14 Days onboard Regatta

    Ultimate Panama Canal
    San Francisco to New York | September 9, 2011 | 21 Days onboard Regatta

    Colors, Coasts and Coves
    New York to Montreal | September 30, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Regatta

    Colors, Coasts and Coves
    Montreal to New York | October 12, 2011 | 12 Days onboard Regatta

    *Offer expires August 31, 2010. Special Offer discounts are per guest based on double occupancy. Any indicated discounts for 3rd and 4th guests and single supplement savings are off applicable rates. All fares and special offers are subject to availability, may not be combinable with other offers and are for new bookings only.  2 for 1 fares are based on published full brochure rates.  Other restrictions may apply, please call for details.

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    Oceania Marina Itinerary Information for Inaugural Season

    Thursday, January 14th, 2010

     The Oceania marina is Oceania Cruise Line’s newest cruise ship.  Atlas Cruises & Tours is pleased to announce that past Oceania guests can now book the new Marina.

    The Oceania Marina opens for reservations to the public on January 18th, 2010. Oceania Cruise Line is not offering the inagural itineraries on their site until the 28th, so here is a sneak peak!

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    Oceania Marina Cruise Ship : Exclusive Offer for Past Passengers

    Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

    It’s almost time! Reservations for the Oceania Marina will open exclusively for past guests tomorrow, January 13th. Oceania Club Members may make their reservations during an Exclusive Five Day Members only reservation period.  Itineraries and fares will not be posted on Oceania’s website until the 18th when Marina opens for reservations to the general public.

    The Oceania-Class Marina, sailing in 2011 represents an evolution of the line’s extremely popular Regatta-Class ships. Since the inception of Oceania Cruises, our ships have delivered an unparalleled onboard experience. So many of the indulgences are a direct result of our ships’ ideal mid-size, a tradition that Marina will proudly continue, but in an even more refined incarnation. She personifies the Oceania experience and then some.

    While larger than her consorts Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, Marina remains comfortably mid-size, adroitly utilizing the additional space for even greater amenities. She rewards guests with our signature “finest cuisine at sea” in six restaurants, including two new gourmet venues — Jacques and Red Ginger. Her new La Reserve holds enlightening wine and food pairings. For special coffees and snacks, there is Baristas Coffee Bar. The new Bon Appétit Culinary Center offers hands-on cooking instruction under the guidance of master chefs. Similarly, artists-in-residence teach fine arts in Artist Loft, a new enrichment center. Intimate lounges abound. Accommodations in every category are incredibly spacious, especially with regard to the lavish bathrooms.

    Yet remarkably, with so many additions, the onboard ambiance and experience remains comfortably familiar. We have retained everything guests adore about our ships and raised the bar ever higher.

    Contact us for more information or Reservations at 800-942-3301.

    Learn more about the Oceania Marina

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    Oceania Cruises : Experience Value Without Compromise

    Sunday, November 15th, 2009

    oceanialogoThe experience of sailing with Oceania Cruises is unlike any other.  You will immediately be struck by the sense of calm and comfort, a feeling that puts you completely at ease.  Smiles are genuine, service impeccable and the ambiance wonderfully casual. Being away from home has never felt so much like home.

    oceaniamarinawavesrestaurantThe difference is the happy consequence of Oceania’s ships being mid-sized, with space for only 684 guests. It’s the ideal proportion for the staff of 400 to work wonders by offering highly personalized service, the finest cuisine at sea and a level of luxury not found on larger ships.  The staff takes great pride in knowing your name and remembering your preferences, liberating you to enjoy life at your own pace and according to your schedule.

    Oceania ships also cruise where others cannot, an advantage clearly reflected in their itineraries.  Unique destinations such as stunning Cinque Terre and colorful Amalfi fold beautifully into itineraries that also feature classic cities such as Rome, Athens and Istanbul  Another advantage is the generous time afforded in port with many evening departures and overnight stays.  These are hallmarks of Oceania Cruise voyages, allowing you to explore more deeply, enhancing your enjoyment ashore.

    The Atlas Advantage offers over 30 Oceania cruises with value added amenities such as ship board credits, pre-paid gratuities and more.   Due to the size of Oceania ships and the unique itineraries they offer, most sailings do sell out at least six months in advance.  Begin researching your Oceania Cruise for 2010 today!

    To learn more about Oceania, including the new ship the Oceania Marina, we invite you to read our blog.

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    Oceania Marina Pictures

    Tuesday, August 25th, 2009

    oceanialogoThe Oceania-Class Marina represents an evolution of the line’s extremely popular Regatta-Class ships. Since the inception of Oceania Cruises, our ships have delivered an unparalleled onboard experience. So many of the indulgences are a direct result of our ships’ ideal mid-size, a tradition that Marina will proudly continue, but in an even more refined incarnation. She personifies the Oceania experience and then some.

    While larger than her consorts Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, Marina remains comfortably mid-size, adroitly utilizing the additional space for even greater amenities. She rewards guests with our signature “finest cuisine at sea” in six restaurants, including two new gourmet venues — Jacques and Red Ginger. Her new Yacht Club holds enlightening wine and food pairings. For special coffees and snacks, there is Biscottos Coffee Bar. The new Bon Appétit Culinary Center offers hands-on cooking instruction under the guidance of master chefs. Similarly, artists-in-residence teach fine arts in The Studio, a new enrichment center. Intimate lounges abound. Accommodations in every category are incredibly spacious, especially with regard to the lavish bathrooms.

    Yet remarkably, with so many additions, the onboard ambiance and experience remains comfortably familiar. We have retained everything guests adore about our ships and raised the bar ever higher.

    Take a sneak peek at artist renderings & images of the new Oceania Marina.

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    Oceania Cruises Marina

    Saturday, August 8th, 2009

    oceaniamarinaThe Oceania-Class Marina represents an evolution of the line’s extremely popular Regatta-Class ships. Since the inception of Oceania Cruises, our ships have delivered an unparalleled onboard experience. So many of the indulgences are a direct result of our ships’ ideal mid-size, a tradition that Marina will proudly continue, but in an even more refined incarnation. She personifies the Oceania experience and then some.

    While larger than her consorts Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, Marina remains comfortably mid-size, adroitly utilizing the additional space for even greater amenities. She rewards guests with our signature “finest cuisine at sea” in six restaurants, including two new gourmet venues — Jacques and Red Ginger. Her new Yacht Club holds enlightening wine and food pairings. For special coffees and snacks, there is Biscottos Coffee Bar. The new Bon Appétit Culinary Center offers hands-on cooking instruction under the guidance of master chefs. Similarly, artists-in-residence teach fine arts in The Studio, a new enrichment center. Intimate lounges abound. Accommodations in every category are incredibly spacious, especially with regard to the lavish bathrooms.

    Yet remarkably, with so many additions, the onboard ambiance and experience remains comfortably familiar. We have retained everything guests adore about our ships and raised the bar ever higher.

    Click here for most posts on Oceania Cruises
    Click here to learn more about Jacques Pepin restaurant onboard the new Oceania Marina

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    Jacques Pepin Signature Dishes

    Monday, July 27th, 2009

    oceanialogoMany cruise line’s boast that they have the best cuisine, but Oceania Cruises is the only cruise line that has been inducted into the Maître Cuisiniers de France, led by the menus of Jacques Pepin, Dean of Special Programs at the French Culinary Institute and holder of the Legion d’honneur. Pepin’s new menus will be introduced in May and December, and each new cycle typically includes 350-400 new items.

    Twenty-five percent of the staff on each Oceania ship is galley staff, and the company says it has twice as many chefs as other lines.  Oceania’s onboard chefs have previously showcased their talents at prestigious culinary destinations.

    In addition, many of Oceania’s suppliers provide products tailored to the line’s specifications. The company has its own exclusive producer of foie gras in France; lobsters are raised exclusively for Oceania at its farm in Marin; and Viron flour from the Beauce region of France is exclusively produced for its ships, allowing Oceania to claim the only authentic French baguettes at sea. The baguettes are only one facet of the line’s special bread program, which was developed by Star Boulanger and Executive Corporate chef Frank Garanger. Each dining room has its own distinctive breadbasket – to fill them all, the staff bakes more than 60 varieties.

    Another very carefully crafted aspect of the dining experience is the regional cuisine offered on board, much more than a tip of the hat to the countries to which Oceania cruises. To ensure you are getting an authentic representation of each country, Oceania works with distinguished chefs from London to Mumbai.

    Here is a sample of the menu at the Grand Dining Room onboard Oceania.

    If you have sailed on Oceania, we’d love to hear your feed back on the cuisine.

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