The inaugural season itineraries for Oceania Cruises’ new Riviera have been announced and travelers who book by Aug. 31 will receive a free hotel stay and bonus savings of up to $3,000 per stateroom. Fares begin at $1,999 per guest and include free round-trip Economy Class air from 22 North American cities.

From April 14 through Nov. 29, 2012, Riviera offers 13 distinctive itineraries on a total of 21 voyages, calling on ports in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Turkey as well as Israel, Croatia, Cyprus, Montenegro, Morocco and Monaco.

Oceania Cruises’ 1,250-guest Riviera has been designed for epicureans and features 10 dining venues – six of which are open-seating, gourmet restaurants – including a French bistro by Master Chef Jacques Pépin. Facilities also include a Canyon Ranch SpaClub^® and Bon Appétit Culinary Center and Artist Loft enrichment center. Interior design highlights include a Lalique-designed grand staircase, elegant public rooms, spacious accommodations and Owner’s Suites furnished exclusively in Ralph Lauren Home.

Riviera Showcases Best of the Mediterranean -

Riviera’s maiden voyage, departing April 14, is a 10-day Mediterranean Tapestry cruise from Barcelona to Piraeus (Athens). Ports include Marseille (Provence), Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Civitavecchia (Rome), Taormina and Amalfi/Positano, as well as Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Santorini.

• From Piraeus Riviera operates a 12-day Ancient Grandeur itinerary, departing April 24. Ports include Alexandria and Port Said, Egypt; Haifa (overnight) and Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel; Rhodes, Patmos and Kusadasi before ending in Istanbul.

• On May 6, Riviera departs Istanbul on a 10-day Greek Glory voyage, call at Mitilini, Greece; Kusadasi, Mykonos and Piraeus before visiting Cephalonia (Argostoli), Greece – a maiden call for Oceania Cruises. Additional ports include Corfu, Dubrovnik, Split and Venice (overnight). The cruise is repeated, departing Aug. 3.

• Pearls of the Aegean, May 16, includes an overnight aboard ship in Venice before visiting Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Monemvasia, Aghios Nikolaos, Santorini, Kusadasi, Delos and Mykonos before ending in Piraeus. This itinerary is repeated Oct. 4.

• The 10-day Mediterranean Tapestry departs May 26 from Piraeus. Ports include Santorini and Kusadasi, Taormina, Amalfi/Positano, Civitavecchia, Livorno (overnight) and Marseille, before arriving in Barcelona.

• Riviera’s 12-day Exotic Lands begins June 5 in Barcelona and visits Mallorca, Valencia and Motril (Granada) – a maiden call for Oceania, Madeira, La Palma (maiden call) and Lanzarote, both in the Canary Islands; two ports in Morocco, and Cadiz (Seville) before Lisbon, where the cruise ends. The voyage is repeated Sept. 2.

• From Lisbon, Riviera embarks on a 10-day Iberian Odyssey visiting Casablanca and Gibraltar before heading to the Spanish ports: Motril, Valencia and Barcelona, where the ship remains overnight. The voyage continues to Marseille, Monte Carlo, Livorno and Civitavecchia. This itinerary is repeated Sept. 14.

• Accent on Italy is a 10-day cruise, departing June 27, from Civitavecchia to Monte Carlo, La Spezia (Cinque Terre), Livorno, Amalfi/Positano and Taormina. Additional ports include Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Venice (overnight). This itinerary is repeated Sept. 24 and Oct. 24 and operated in reverse Aug. 13.

• The 12-day Radiant Riviera, departing July 7, showcases the vessel’s namesake region. An overnight onboard in Venice is the prelude for calls at Dubrovnik, Corfu, Taormina, Sorrento/Capri, Civitavecchia and Livorno. Riviera highlights include Portofino, Monte Carlo, Saint-Tropez and Marseille prior to concluding in Barcelona.

• A 15-day Lands of Time, July 19, features overnights in Haifa and Istanbul. Beginning in Barcelona, Riviera cruises the Mediterranean before calling at La Goulette, Malta, Aghios Nikolaos, Alexandria, Port Said (Cairo), Ashdod (Jerusalem), Haifa, Limassol on the island of Cyprus, Rhodes, and Kusadasi before making her way to Istanbul.

• On August 23, Riviera explores the Azure Coasts on a 10-day itinerary which begins in Civitavecchia and visits Sorrento/Capri, Amalfi/Positano, Livorno, Portofino, Monte Carlo, Saint-Tropez, Marseille, Ibiza and Barcelona (overnight).

• Riviera next departs Piraeus on a 10-day Enchanted Grandeur cruise, departing Oct. 14, visits Kusadasi, Monemvasia, Argostoli, Messina, Sorrento/Capri and Livorno. The ship continues to Monte Carlo before ending in Civitavecchia.

• Rivera’s Europe season concludes with a 12-day Mediterranean Medley, departing Nov. 3 from Venice that calls at Dubrovnik, Corfu, Messina, Sorrento/Capri, Civitavecchia, Livorno (two days), Monte Carlo, Marseille, and Barcelona (overnight).

For more information or to order a brochure, contact a travel professional, visit www.Oceaniacruises.com or call Oceania Cruises toll-free at 800-531-5658.

Bookmark to:

When writing about new ships I try to avoid superlatives and take a more even-tempered approach.  But after a three-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises new Marina following the ship’s christening, this is what I think:  Marina is the most beautiful cruise ship I’ve ever seen and the food is the best I’ve ever tasted at sea.

The 1250-passenger ship is the realized dream of Oceania CEO Frank del Rio who, with President Bob Binder, built a ship that feels much more like a private estate than  a conventional cruise ship.    Marina is homey and comfortable, the ambiance far from pretentious (in fact, country-club casual is as dressy as it gets), the staff warm and welcoming.   Jacques Pepin supervises cuisine, Ralph Lauren and designer Dakota Jackson designed the suites and Lalique, the grand staircase.   Each evening I sank into blissful sleep on 1000 thread Italian sheets and bathed with Bulgari toiletries.   One bar had art by Picasso, another lounge was adorned with paintings by Wilfredo Lam and original modern art was spread throughout the ship.

There are a number of “firsts”:  the hands-on Bon Appetite cooking school; an Artists Loft, where one may take art and photography classes from resident artists;  the first restaurant at sea, Jacques, run by a culinary star, Jacques Pepin and six gourmet restaurants (none with a surcharge).     While Cunard Line also uses Canyon Ranch, it is still a rarity to find superb massages on cruise ships.  Marina’s Canyon Ranch facility is luxurious, the treatments divine.

Dinner with Jacques

One doesn’t dine on Oceania’s Marina, one gormandizes, thanks to culinary master Jacques Pepin who has created dishes that are truly memorable.   In the Asian restaurant Red Ginger I dined on Sea Bass wrapped in palm leaves that melted in my mouth, had the best steak of my life in Polo Grill, freshly made pasta cooked to order in the Terrace Cafe and equally sumptuous fare in the Italian restaurant Toscana and Jacques.   My favorite restaurant is the opulent Grand Dining Room which could be Hollywood’s version of an elegant Viennese restaurant.

Jacques personal restaurant is softly lit and romantic where one dines on simple yet sumptuous French country and peasant cuisine.  Art adorning the walls was either painted by him or comes from his private collection.  And, right outside the restaurant is an enormous painting (right) of Jacques Pepin commissioned by Oceania Cruises.

Marina’s Public Rooms

Rumored to cost around $650 million,  Marina is the rare cruise ship with no cost-cutting measures in sight.  While space is a premium on all ships, Marina’s public rooms and restaurants are enormous with high ceilings.  Furniture, all hand picked by Oceania’s CEO and President, boasts beautiful fabrics rarely found outside private homes.  (When I asked Frank del Rio about the normal wear and tear of constant use on furniture,  he said the ship carries four carpenters, two upholsters and huge bolts of fabric to ensure everything looks new.)

I never expected to find an extraordinary collection of art, all personally picked by Messrs. del Rio and Binder during their travels, including works by Picasso’s and  Wilfredo Lam.

The centerpiece of the ship is the Lalique Grand Stairway (photo above) with crystal pillars,  a Lalique “Cactus table” and  an enormous vase filled with fresh flowers.   Adorning the large sweeping iron staircase are large etched crystal medallions  that reflect the soft lighting.   While Oceania execs won’t admit the cost of this magnificent piece of art, it was rumored to cost around $300,000.

The most popular watering hole is Martini’s, a homey lounge with soft lighting and comfy chairs and sofas boasting a custom-built Steinway piano made of ebony costing in the range of $25,000.  On top of the ship is Horizon’s with dancing and live music, frequented by passengers at the end of the day.

Suites & Staterooms

Standard veranda staterooms on Marina are 282 square feet with ample closet space and larger balcony than is found on most ships.  One may pay a premium to use the Concierge facilities but personally I didn’t think the service was worth a surcharge.    Standard stateroom amenities include custom built “Tranquility Beds”, TV with flat-panel monitor, wireless internet access, refrigerated mini bar, security safe, writing desk and stationary, plush cotton robes and slippers, direct-dial satellite phone and and large bathrooms, separate shower and full-size tubs, handheld hairdryer and French-milled toiletries.

Owners Suites.  With more than 2000 square feet of space, the three owner’s suites are beautifully decorated with original art, have walls covered with cashmere and inlaid wood, enormous bathrooms, a living room with high end electronics and enormous balcony with hot tub.

Oceania Suites, designed by Dakota Jackson, are a new category of accommodations for Oceania Cruises, are 1,030 square feet of luxurious living area. The layout is comprised of a large living and dining area, media room and separate bedroom. As a highlight, a large veranda features a hot tub.    Vista Suites, also created by Mr. Jackson, range in size from 1,200 to 1,500 square feet and offer the same features as Oceania Suites but with the added benefit of floor-to-ceiling windows affording sweeping views over the ship’s bow.  Especially impressive is the exercise room with equipment.   Penthouse Suites are identical in decor to standard veranda stateroom, only larger (402 square feet) with walk-in closets and double sink in the bathroom.

Fitness, Entertainment & Relaxation

I had one of the best massages of my life in the Canyon Ranch Spa combined with large gym boasting all the stretching and pulling machines one could desire.  The pool area with teak deck has sun beds and chaise lounges and a seemingly endless amount of deck space for for those who want to while away a day at sea either in the sun or shade.

One of Marina’s biggest hits is the Bon Appetit Culinary Center with fully equipped individual work stations, each with induction cook tops – a first at sea – where one may take classes — priced at a reasonable $49 — catering to all levels of aptitude, from beginner to master chef.   The culinary experience is also brought ashore with market tours where guests shop for local ingredients with the chef.  Additionally, guest chefs may arrange for students to have private tastings at wineries and access to famous shore-side kitchens.

Itineraries & Fares

Oceania Marina winters Caribbean and Panama Canal during peak season 2011 and 2012.  From April through November, Marina sails in Europe

Oceania Cruises fares are far from cheap (roughly $350 per person, per day),  but luxury cruise lines like Seabourn, Crystsal, Silversea and Regent can run twice the amount.    A 12-day August, 2011, Rome-to-Venice cruise starts at $5899 per person, double occupancy, including airfare if purchased during early booking periods.

For additional information visit Oceania Cruises‘ website.

(Photos courtesy of Ralph Grizzle of Avid Cruiser)

Bookmark to:

Oceania Cruises’ new ship Marina departed from Barcelona Saturday, Jan. 22 at 6:00 pm (local time) on her Maiden Voyage. The 13-day passage to North America will call at Malaga, Spain; Casablanca and the Canary Islands before crossing the Atlantic. Seven days at sea will give guests time to explore Marina from stem to stern before she arrives in Miami for christening festivities beginning Feb. 4, 2011.

A ship of firsts, Marina features the Bon Appétit Culinary Center, the first hands-on cooking school at sea, Master Chef Jacques Pépin’s first namesake restaurant at sea; Ralph Lauren Home-furnished Owner’s Suites; luxurious accommodations by designer Dakota Jackson; Wine Spectator wine program; and Lalique grand stairway. Moreover, Marina has been designed for epicureans offering an unprecedented 10 dining venues – comparable in quality to the very best shore-side restaurants.

When she arrives in Miami on Feb. 4, a celebratory welcome will commence and continue throughout the weekend. At a lavish ceremony on Feb. 5 ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT Icon Mary Hart will name Marina and christen her with a 15-liter Nebuchadnezzar of Champagne, custom-made by Armand de Brignac. The festivities culminate with a gala sailaway party and fireworks display in Biscayne Bay overlooking the Miami skyline.

After the christening festivities in Miami, Marina sets sail Feb. 8 on the first of two 18-day Panama Canal transits that visit San Francisco and San Diego, both new ports for Oceania Cruises. Marina then operates a 12-day Caribbean cruise, round-trip from Miami, departing March 16, before sailing along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard and on to Europe to begin her inaugural Mediterranean season.

Bookmark to:

While the biggest cruise ships get the most publicity,  I’m personally more interested in the best ships.   For this cruiser, a ship designed for foodies really gets my attention.

While execs at Oceania Cruises go to great lengths to never use the word luxury to describe their ships, the brand new Marina sounds pretty ritzy to me: culinary star Jacques Pepin overseeing the cuisine, large staterooms decorated by Ralph Lauren, the Grand Staircase designed by Lalique and a spa operated by Canyon Ranch. Add to this Marina’s high staff/passenger ratio:  787 officers and staff will serve 1,258 passengers.

Her christening is scheduled February 5 in Miami.   The 66,000-ton Marina carries 1258 passengers which puts her outside my criteria for luxury ships (maximum capacity of 1000).   However,  I’d rather have more space invested in restaurants and Marina offers its passengers a choice of six, none with a surcharge and all single, open seating.  So that puts her back in my luxury category.   Add to this large cabins (the smallest 282-square feet), fabulous itineraries with overnight stays in selected ports and and a big emphasis on delivering a truly memorable culinary experience.

DINING

Oceania Cruises as what happens when you let a bunch of foodies run a cruise line.    Jacques Pepin is a hands-on culinary consultant who will have his own signature restaurant, Jacques, (drawing left) on Marina with savory dishes like freshly roasted chicken plus duck and lamb cooked on Marina’s rotisserie.

Another new specialty dining experience aboard Marina will be the Pan-Asian Red Ginger, where you may dine on a five-course tasting menu of Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine.

One of the most romantic dinners I’ve ever had was on the aft deck of an Oceania ship where we dined alfresco under the stars by candlelight, the tables and chairs made elegant with fabric.  You’ll also find this on Marina, probably in the Terrace Cafe

Dine at Toscana if you love gourmet Italian, Polo Grill for steaks and continental cuisine in the Grand Dining Room, where dinner is a six-course affair.

The ultimate dining facility is Privee, a Chef’s Table seating eight people who dine on delicacies like Kobe beef, Brittany lobsters, foie gas, caviar and truffles.   This is the only restaurant with a surcharge, $1000 for the room and food.

Oceania teamed up with Wine Spectator editors to create La Reserve, a private room with tastings and seven-course pairing diners with premium wines.  There is an extra charge for wine.

First cooking school at sea. Marina will offer a state-of-the-art culinary studio with 12 work stations — each with its own oven — so passengers can have hands-on cooking classes.  Bon Appetit magazine is working with Oceania to develop classes that run from 45 minutes to three hours.

Staterooms

Staterooms boast flat-panel TV’s, laptops with wireless access, “Tranquility Beds”, French-milled toiletries and high-end linens.  Passengers traveling in suites will also have butler service, Hermes and Clarins bath amenities plus 42″ Plasma TV’s.  And, if you can’t tear yourself away from television, simply order food from any of the ship’s restaurants.

Oh yes, the rest of the ship.  I’ll definitely book a massage in the Canyon Ranch spa and I’m sure there will be a cozy piano bar where I can hang out between meals.

Bookmark to:

If fine dining is a prerogative,  I suggest checking out Oceania Cruises’ 2011 Alaska cruises where guests will dine on the finest Northwestern cuisine.   The 684-passenger Regatta will be provisioned locally to ensure that guests regularly dine on the finest delicacies like fresh halibut, Alaska King Crab and Alaska Salmon, prepared with other local ingredients.

Depending on the voyage and venue, appetizers might include Fresh Halibut Velouté – a creamy fish soup with saffron rice and julienne leeks – or Alaskan King Crab Legs, sure to be a guest favorite. Entrées may include Alaskan King Crab Risotto, Grilled Halibut with orange and red onion chutney and Thai-spice Encrusted Alaskan Halibut Filet.

From May 12 through August 26, 2011, Regatta will sail on 10- to 14-day voyages from Vancouver and San Francisco. Highlights include two full days of glacier cruising and a mix of marquee and off-the-beaten-path Inland Passage ports.  Fares for a ten-day voyage start at $3,499 per person, double occupancy and include round-trip airfare.

2011 Alaska Itineraries

• 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.

Visit Oceania Cruises’ website for additional information.

Bookmark to:

Oceania Cruises has launched a multi-million dollar initiative to update and enhance its fleet of three 684-passenger vessels as it readies to greet it’s newest ship, Marina, scheduled to enter service in January, 2011.

Called  “Pillars of Distinction”, the program centers on the three hallmarks of the Oceania Cruises experience: comfort, cuisine and service.

Nautica, the first Oceania Cruises ship to undergo its Pillars of Distinction update, re-entered service June 4. Sister ship Insignia will incorporate Pillars of Distinction this November, followed by Regatta in January 2011. All work will occur during regularly scheduled dry-docks.

You’ll find the amenities on Oceania’s two new ships, currently under construction in Italy. The 1,258-guest Marina joins the fleet in January 2011 and a sister ship, Riviera, is scheduled for delivery in April 2012.

Staterooms and Suites

Prestige Tranquility Beds raise the standard even higher. The bed is composed of 400 encapsulated springs in seven zones that are covered by two inches of memory foam; a two-inch thick cushion filled with gel and wrapped in Chamomile-infused fiber tops the mattress. In addition, all beds will be dressed with 1,000-thread-count, Egyptian cotton linens and duvets and a plush down comforter.

All accommodations will also be outfitted with refrigerated mini bars, wall sconces and bedside reading lamps, as well as updated furnishings and bath amenities.

Oceania Cruises’ staterooms and Penthouse Suites will be enhanced with more luxurious amenities and stylish new décor highlights. Custom, tufted headboards with nail-head trim mounted on floor-to-ceiling Wenge walnut panels provide the dramatic focal point.

Steakhouse, Spa Cuisine

Acclaimed for its gourmet cuisine and no-charge specialty restaurants, Oceania Cruises will refine its culinary offerings with new décor in Polo Grill, enhanced menus in Terrace Café and Toscana, and the introduction of sublime Canyon Ranch Spa Cuisine.

Polo Grill is Oceania Cruises’ most popular alternative restaurant where passengers  enjoy the finest dry-aged prime beef, chops and poultry, plus seafood such as Maine lobster. Pillars of Distinction enhancements include new leather chairs, carpeting and drapes in hues of crimson, claret, gold and hunter, which evoke the glamor of a sophisticated, yet classic American steakhouse.

Terrace Café, a casual venue with both indoor and al fresco seating will expand its lavish breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. Sushi, sashimi and made-to-order pasta dishes will be complemented with regional delicacies in selected destinations.

Toscana, the line’s upscale Italian venue, will enhance its menu with the addition of a gourmet olive oil menu and new favorite family recipes from staff and crew.

In the second phase of its proud partnership, breakfast, lunch and dinner menus in both the Grand Dining Room and Terrace Café will feature “Spa Cuisine” selections developed by the culinary team at Canyon Ranch Health Resorts, the number one healthy living company in the world. Canyon Ranch opened the onboard spas in 2009.

Visit Oceania Cruises’ web site to see photos of the ship and itineraries.

Bookmark to:

If you let a bunch of foodies run a cruise line what you end up with is Oceania Cruises.   The company’s top execs — CEO Frank Del Rio and President Bob Binder — were in town to announced that renowned chef Jaques Pepin will have his own restaurant on Oceania’s Marina, a 1258-passenger cruise ship scheduled to debut December, 2010.

Bob Binder positively glowed when describing the lengths Oceania will go to in creating the best food at sea:  “We hired a consultant to tell us how to make the best croissants on earth.  When he told is we must use a rare flower and extra high-fat butter (only available in France) to make them, we quickly brought those ingredients aboard our ships.”

In fact, the 66,000-ton Marina will lead the pack in terms of on-board culinary innovations:

* Marina will offer a state-of-the-art culinary studio with 12 work stations — each with its own oven — so passengers can have hands-on cooking classes.   Bon Appetit magazine is working with Oceania to develop classes that run from 45 minutes to three hours.

* Passengers will have the option of dining in six open-seating restaurants, none with an extra charge.

* The new “Jacques” restaurant will offer  Jacques Pepin’s favorite French bistro fare from his home town, Lyon France, with savory dishes like freshly roasted chicken plus duck and lamb cooked on Marina’s rotisserie.   Before you even look at a menu a waiter will deliver a bread basket with three different baguettes along with Country Petit Pate, Rillettes of salmon and foie de volaille.

* In addition to a steak house and Italian restaurant, another specialty dining experience aboard Marina will be the Pan-Asian Red Ginger, where passengers may dine on a five-course tasting menu of Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine.    Start with spicy Thai lemongrass-flavored coconut soup with prawns then move to entrees with mouth-watering choices like roasted Chilean Sea Bass marinated plum-miso sauce, Lobster Pad Thai or Asian-spiced Rack of Lamb with truffle oil.

Starting this September, all spas aboard Oceania Cruises ships will be designed and operated by Canyon Ranch.  Canyon Ranch SpaCuisine will debut aboard Regatta, Insignia and Nautica in April and May, 2010 and aboard Marina in late 2010.  Those with the courage to bypass rich croissants and Jacques Pepin’s savory fare can actually loose weight during their cruise.

Marina’s passenger/staff ratio is exceptionally high:  787 officers and staff will serve 1,258 passengers.  Staterooms will boast flat-panel TV’s, laptops with wireless access, “Tranquility Beds”, French-milled toiletries and high-end linens.  Passengers traveling in suites will have butler service, Hermes and Clarins bath amenities plus 42″ Plasma TV’s.  And, if you can’t tear yourself away from television, simply order food from any of the ship’s restaurants.

Oceania CEO Frank Del Rio insists that none of Oceania’s ships — including Marina — are luxury vessels despite the trappings of single open seating dining and one of my favorite features, evening dining on deck beneath the stars.  Add to this Jacques Pepin, Oceania’s Culinary Director, has overseen the culinary offerings aboard ships in the fleet since 2003, the line’s inception.

Del Rio describes the experience as “upper premium”.  It’s true that Oceania’s  two-for-one fares (which include airfare) are comparable to Holland America’s suite rates and are significantly lower than the price of a Seabourn, Crystal or Regent cruise.

Personally, I don’t think one dines aboard Oceania’s ships, you gourmandize.  Add to this, no one tells me when I can dine or sticks me with strangers. I don’t have to travel with formal attire.  So if this isn’t luxury, it’s certainly good enough for this cruiser.

Bookmark to:

As the whole world knows, on Sunday, Nov. 31 Oceania Cruises‘ 684-passenger Nautica was fired upon by pirates in the Gulf of Aden .  When officers spotted the small boat, Nautica increased speed and easily left the pirates in the dust — er, in the water.   From start to finish, the incident lasted five minutes, hardly a disruption in the voyage.

But this is the third time cruise ships have been approached by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden so the situation bears exploring.   First of all, cruise ships either repositioning (the Mediterranean to Asia) or on a world cruise cross the Suez Canal because the only alternative would be to sail around Africa, a continent loaded with very boring ports.    

 Cruise lines have a firm policy of never discussing security.  Those East Asian men checking you on and off the ship are typically Nepalese Ghurkas, considered to be the finest soldiers on earth.  You may spot an Israeli, also top notch.  Prior to 9/11, this was the extent of a cruise ship’s security force.   And while European warships patrol the gulf, the Somalis have been very successful at stoping ships and boarding them. 

According to the web site ShipTalk, there have been around 95 pirate attacks in 2008, with 40 freighters held for ransom. 

 By the way, when you think about Somali pirates trying to capture a cruise ship, do not envision Johnny Depp.  Somalia has no government, its population is starving, so some citizens try to make a living by capturing a ship — cargo or passenger, it doesn’t matter — to hold for ransom.   The pirates, who apparently feel misunderstood, recently agreed to be interviewed by the New York Times saying they only want food and money. 

Shiptalk reports that companies around the world are increasing private security firms to accompany vessels through this area.   Nick Davis, chief executive of the Anti-Piracy Maritime Security Solutions, says his company has 10 teams on board ship in the region.   According to Davis, when pirates approached a ship with his men aboard, they abandoned the vessel upon discovering that there were professionals aboard.    Personally I won’t be surprised if cruise ships start carrying weapons for self-defense when cruising in the Gulf of Aden.

Seabourn Cruises’ ships have been approached twice by pirates.  During the first incident in 2005, officers turned a Sonic Gun on the pirates.  Created by the U.S. Defense Depart, the device emits an hellishly loud sound that repels pirates.   While the government is sharing its technology I have no way of knowing which cruise lines use it.

So, should you be concerned enough to avoid cruising in this area of the world?  It wouldn’t stop me.   You see there’s a big difference between a freighter carry a crew of 10 who know how to tie ropes and a cruise ship with hundreds of staff, including the best soldiers in the world. 

Bookmark to:

Oceania Cruises took the first step in building a ship at the ceremony commemorating the cutting of the first piece of steel and announced the new vessel’s name:  Marina.  The first of two new ships to enter the fleet will set sail September, 2010.  The 66,000-ton Marina will carry 1,252 passengers in elegant creature comforts.    

Oceania will continue its policy of single open seating and aboard Marina, passengers will have six restaurants to choose from, none carrying a surcharge.  Staterooms will be 50% larger than those currently found aboard the cruise line’s Regatta-class ships; standard cabins will be 312 square feet and Penthouse Suites will be 429 square feet with a living room, separate sleeping area, walk-in closets and space for in-suite dining.  All staterooms will have marble bathrooms with separate shower and tub.

Oceania’s sister ship, still unnamed, will enter service in July, 2011.

Bookmark to:

Oceania Cruises will eliminate the port of Myanmar, which was severely damaged by a cyclone, from the Nov. 18, 2008 repositioning cruise of the 680-passenger Nautica.  The ship, which was originally scheduled to spend three days in Yangon, Myanmar, will instead visit the Indian ports of Goa and Mangalore plus Penang and Port Klang in Malaysia.  In addition, an additional overnight visit is scheduled in Dubai and Bombay. 

Sailing from Dubai to Singapore, Nautica’s revised itinerary is Dubai (two nights); Bombay (one night), Goa, Mangalore and Cochin (India); Phuket, Thailand and Penang Malaysia.  The cruise line has also added an optional three day overland tour to the Taj Mahal.

Bookmark to: