OCEANIA CRUISES ANNOUNCES 2014 SUMMER COLLECTION

It is one of the most exciting days of the year in the offices of Oceania Cruises, as today we unveiled our 2014 Summer Collection, featuring 90 voyages, 10 new ports of call and an almost entirely new line-up of European itineraries. Perhaps most exciting, Insignia will return to the fleet in the summer of 2014 after a two-year charter. All five ships in the fleet – Riviera, Marina, Regatta, Insignia and Nautica – will sail to more than 180 destinations throughout the world. The 2014 cruise collection features 70 European cruises, 93 percent of which are new itineraries, plus 10 Alaska voyages, seven all-new Canada/New England cruises and three Panama Canal voyages. 

Oceania Cruises President Kunal S. Kamlani said he is thrilled about the new line-up of itineraries. “Our newest cruise collection is the largest in the company’s history with five ships visiting Europe, Alaska and Canada/New England,” he said. “Our guests will love the new and exciting options for exploring the world with a wide range of seven- to 24-day cruises, a mix of overnight and extended stays, and new ports of call in Albania, France and Greece, to name a few. 

“Bookings open today, and we are encouraging travelers to act quickly to secure the suite or stateroom of their choice. In addition to our two-for-one cruise fares, free airfare and bonus savings, guests who book by May 31, 2013, receive the added value of complimentary pre-paid gratuities on every sailing,” Kamlani added.

We hope to welcome you onboard for a wonderful voyage with Oceania Cruises in the summer of 2014!

POST FROM THE PRESIDENT: ANNOUNCING NEW 2013 ITINERARIES

One of the most exciting days of the year for Oceania Cruises is the day we release our new itineraries. And I’m happy to announce that day has arrived, as our fabulous new 2013 itineraries are now open for bookings. We have spent months designing the sailings for the summer and fall of 2013 to showcase the very best of Europe. Our ships will sail throughout the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and the Baltic, calling on historic cities such as Barcelona, Venice, Istanbul, Stockholm and St. Petersburg.

Those of us who love cruising know that, while the destinations are fascinating and often determine which sailing we select, life onboard is one of the things that makes cruising the best way to travel. That is why we work so hard to create an Oceania Cruises experience that exceeds your expectations in every way. But with so many exotic destinations to explore, our guests tell us they often wish they had more time to enjoy all the amenities and activities onboard. So in our new European itineraries, we’ve incorporated more days at sea and ensured there is at least one sea day on almost every sailing to allow plenty of time to appreciate the pure joys of cruising.

But Europe isn’t the only continent we will visit. You may have already seen on Facebook or in the USA Today article that after a one-year hiatus, Regatta will return to Alaska in the summer of 2013. Regatta’s size makes her perfect for exploring the Inside Passage, so we just had to give her another opportunity. There is simply no better way to experience the magnificent landscapes of Alaska. Several of these Alaskan voyages embark in Seattle, a new port of call for us. I love Seattle, and I’m thrilled that guests will have the chance to experience it as part of a journey with Oceania Cruises. When summer comes to an end, Regatta will sail for eastern shores, as I can’t think of a better place to be in the fall than Canada and New England. If you haven’t been there in autumn, you can’t imagine the brilliant display of color from the fall foliage. Daniela (my wife) and I have spent at least one week a year over the past ten years taking a fall foliage trip. It’s simply not one to miss.

While my wife and I have had the privilege of enjoying several cruises to regions all over the world, I can tell you we never tire of planning our next cruise. I hope you’ll visit the Oceania Cruises website and look over the new itineraries and take a moment to envision your next dream vacation. And then of course, I hope you’ll let us make that dream a reality!

Video Postcards From Alaska

One of our most avid fans sent us these videos from his family cruise to Alaska aboard Regatta. Suffice it to say, the scenery and wildlife is beyond breathtaking.

We hope you enjoy these "postcard moments" as much as the Prietos enjoyed their Alaskan adventure.  

 

 

 

Of Alaska and Alanya

       

There's nothing better than receiving emails from the ships on a Monday, especially ones containing stunning photos. The intrepid explorers onboard Regatta and Nautica did a wonderful job of showcasing exactly how diverse the destinations we sail to are. Nautica sojourned in Alanya, Turkey.

The fortifications surrounding Alanya are astounding and date back to the Middle Ages.  If you are not familiar with this spectacular city, it is on the "Turkish Riviera," about 50 miles east of Antalya. Beautiful beches rim the gulf, and it's where ancient history meets today's "jet set."

A wonderful juxtaposition to the hot and sunny clime of Alanya, these photos come to us fresh from Regatta in Alaska. Everyone knows that one of the highlights of this great land is the wildlife, but we can't forget the memorable experiences our domesticated friends can provide!

 

 

 

 

These snapshots are from a recent Glacier and Dog-Sledding excursion. I'm not sure who has more fun, the guests or the dogs!

Reveries from Regatta: ADVENTURES IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS

      

Regatta has been exploring the amazing natural wonders of the great state of Alaska this summer, and guests have enjoyed numerous adventures in the Alaskan wilderness.

In Sitka guests took an ocean raft through narrow inland passages and open bays to observe the magnificent array of wildlife native to the area.

Most travelers who come to Alaska hope to spot a humpback whale, and guests on this excursion from Sitka were not disappointed.

 

 

Guests also spotted this majestic bald eagle during their adventure.

In Icy Strait Point, one excursion offered the opportunity to kayak the pristine waters and observe whales, sea lions and porpoises up close and personal.

Thrill-seeking guests chose to go for an exhilarating ride on the world's longest zipline.

Guests sped along just 300 feet above the dense green forest at speeds approaching 60 miles per hour.

 From their vantage point on the zipline, guests could enjoy sweeping views of Port Frederick, Icy Strait Point and Regatta at anchor in the bay.

Regatta also sails the seas along magnificent Hubbard Glacier during her voyages in Alaska.

  The charming town of Ketchikan is known as "The Salmon Capital of the World." Guests joined an excursion with a group of seasoned Bering Sea fishermen to explore the incredible scenery along the coastal waters of Ketchikan.

But these fishermen weren't hunting salmon. As guests observed, the skilled fishing crew hauled in crab pots filled with king crab. Guest could even "interact" with the catch of the day if they so desired!

Next on the itinerary was Juneau. Many flightseeing tours are offered from Alaska's capital city, and guests onboard Regatta joined an excursion to see the snow-capped mountains, lush forests and cascading waterfalls en route to Taku Glacier Lodge.

The scope of the glaciers was nearly inconceivable.

After a day of viewing the majestic glaciers, guests were treated to a delicious lunch of freshly caught salmon.

This black bear couldn't resist the aroma of salmon on the grill!

Guests certainly had many wondrous tales to tell of their day's adventures when returning to Regatta after each day exploring Alaska's shores.

Even after the sun dips below the horizon, there is no end to the spectacular views to be witnessed along the Alaskan skyline.  

OCEANIA CRUISES' 2012 EUROPEAN COLLECTION OPENS TO RECORD BOOKINGS!

   

It's been an exciting week here at Oceania Cruises. On Wednesday, reservations opened for the collection of European cruises we'll be offering in 2012, including the Maiden Voyage of our newest ship, Riviera. By mid-afternoon we had already broken Oceania Cruises' record for the most reservations in one day. People are extremely excited about Riviera's debut and also about all of the fantastic special offers we will feature next year.

As part of our continual commitment to exceeding guests' expectations, we are constantly looking for ways to take the Oceania Cruises' experience to an even higher level of excellence. We realized that, especially when guests are traveling overseas to board our ships, the journey prior to embarkation can be a source of anxiety. Flight delays or lost luggage can make for a rocky start to an otherwise perfect vacation. We at Oceania Cruises decided to help alleviate this challenge for our guests by offering a FREE one-night pre-cruise hotel stay in the port of embarkation for all of our Europe 2012 itineraries. Now guests can fly in a day ahead, relaxed in the knowledge that they have plenty of time to meet the ship, even if unforeseen circumstances delay their travels.

Of course, once onboard the ship, the ability to relax and savor each moment is equally important, especially with so many alluring ports of call to explore. As specialists in destination-rich cruising, we have ensured that each of our 2012 European itineraries has at least one overnight stay in port, and many itineraries feature several overnight visits. We also offer numerous departures late in the evening, allowing guests time to fully experience every fascinating destination.

For those guests with more limited time available for travel, we are offering in this collection our first 7-day voyages in Europe. Each still features the overnight stays and late evening departures that will allow guests to explore in depth at every port of call.

We are thrilled to see that these offers have been so well received by our guests and that bookings are filling at an unprecedented pace. If you would like more information on these fabulous cruises and Riviera's Inaugural Season, click the Promotions link above. Our 2012 European Collection brochure will go out soon, and I've shared a sneak peek of the cover below.  

Thank you again to all of our loyal guests, and we look forward to seeing you onboard in 2012!