Oceania Cruises is all about the special voyage. Recently the line unleashed a flurry of press releases announcing a whole host of fascinating itineraries that combine vibrant ports of call with notable onboard speakers.
At the top of the pack are two special Mediterranean voyages in 2016 aboard the 1,250-guest Marina that are designed to appeal to culinary aficionados and staunch cruisers alike.
Jacques Pépin, master chef and longtime Oceania Cruises Executive Culinary Director, will host an appropriately named “Jacques Pépin Cruise” on November 1, 2016.
The Venice-to-Rome voyage will include book signings, meet-and-greets and a special culinary demonstration hosted by Pépin. Over the course of the 10-day voyage, all guests will be treated to specially designed menus in the restaurants, specially designed shore excursion program and hands-on culinary instruction taking place in Oceania Marina’s state-of-the-art onboard Culinary Center. At the heart of these experiences will be Pépin’s signature style and passion for culinary excellence.
“It’s such a joy sailing aboard Marina with guests who share the same passion for food, wine and overall enjoyment of life,” Pépin says. He adds that Marina’s Mediterranean itinerary is a beautiful mix of long-established culinary destinations and some burgeoning epicurean hotspots.
Oceania also took the opportunity to officially announce the 13th annual “Oceania Cruises Reunion Cruise,” which follows the special Pépin sailing. Departing on November 11, 2016 aboard Oceania’s Marina, this Magical Mediterranean itinerary sails from Rome to Lisbon. In total, guests aboard Marina will visit eight ports of call in Italy, Monaco, Spain, Gibraltar and along the French Riviera.
So what if you want to do both voyages? You can book the Jacques Pépin Cruise and the Oceania Reunion Cruise as a single 20-day voyage.
As a bonus, Oceania notes that special exclusive amenities will be available for Oceania Club members, or past guests of Oceania Cruises. Extras for Oceania Club members include special cocktail parties, celebratory dinners, special wine pairing events in La Reserve by Wine Spectator, exclusive shore excursions, a reunion cruise gift and other surprises.
Earlier this year, Oceania also announced seven new Grand Voyages – journeys that range in duration from a 90-night round-trip journey from Miami to a 40-night sailing from Vancouver to Montreal.
The 90-day Grand Voyage from Miami will explore exciting destinations of North America, the magnificent fjords of Greenland, iconic locales in the Mediterranean and exotic lands in Africa, including stops in less traveled ports La Goulette (Tunisia) and Algiers (Algeria). The 40-night Grand Voyage from Vancouver to Montreal will visit ports on both coasts of North America including stops in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia plus an exhilarating Panama Canal crossing.
In total, the Oceania fleet will visit 20 new destinations as part of its 2016 summer and fall itineraries.
