Oceania Cruises Unveils Inaugural Itineraries For New Marina

Oceania Cruises has begun accepting reservations for its highly anticipated new flagship Marina, which sets sail Jan 22, 2011. Priority reservations opened this week for Oceania Club members, which is comprised of past guests. On Jan 18 reservations will open to the general public. The 1,258-guest Marina is destined to set new cruise industry standards for her elegant and spacious accommodations and 10 dining venues, which include six, gourmet restaurants. Rich woods, marble and granite, fine wool carpets and lustrous leathers adorn public rooms. Facilities also include sophisticated bars and lounges, a full-service Canyon Ranch® SpaClub and fitness center, Bon Appétit Culinary Center, swimming pool and hot tubs.

“We are delighted to unveil the alluring itineraries that have been crafted for Marina’s inaugural season,” said Bob Binder, the line’s president. “Travelers can visit intriguing ports in the Caribbean and Mexico along with San Francisco and New York City, both of which are maiden calls for Oceania Cruises.”

High Style Hits the High Seas
The maiden voyage of Marina is a 13-day transatlantic cruise from Barcelona to Miami, departing Jan 22, 2011. The itinerary calls 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. From Miami, Marina will transit the Panama Canal, departing Feb 8, and visiting Cartagena, Colombia, whose Old Town is a medieval wonderland of mansions, monasteries and cobblestone streets, and Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The ship includes two ports in Mexico: Puerto Chiapas, the gateway to Mayan ruins, and the popular resort Cabo San Lucas before calling at Los Angeles and San Francisco, a new port for Oceania Cruises.

The ship returns to Miami with a never-before-offered Panama Canal itinerary, departing Feb 26. The fascinating voyage departs San Francisco, cruising California’s Pacific coast before calling at San Diego, another maiden port for Oceania. Guests enjoy a Latin interlude in Puerto Chiapas before transiting the Canal and making landfall at Cartagena. A stop in George Town, Grand Cayman, will offer time to rest and relax before disembarkation in Miami. Next, Marina embarks on the definitive Caribbean cruise. The 12-day voyage departs Miami March 16 for the British Virgin Islands, before calling at St. Barts, Dominica, St. Lucia and Grand Turk.

Before Marina returns to Barcelona to begin her summer season she will sail along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard, departing Miami March 28 and visiting Savannah and Charleston before making her curtain call in New York City, where an overnight stay allows guests to visit the Great White Way. From Manhattan the ship sails for Hamilton, Bermuda. Five uninterrupted days at sea provide sufficient time to savor Marina’s many dining options before visiting Funchal, Portugal and Barcelona. For reservations or to order a brochure, contact a travel agent, visit Oceania Cruises' web site, or call toll-free at 800-531-5658.