From Europe to North America: Oceania Cruises Wants to Change Your Mind

In yet another sign that demand for some European cruises may be eroding further, Oceania Cruises has announced it will offer Canada and New England cruises for fall 2012 in place of previously scheduled Mediterranean voyages. In total, nine itineraries have been changed. Some of those previously scheduled included Egypt or Tunisia port calls, which now have less appeal for cruise travelers after political turmoil in the region.

Scenic highlights of the new itineraries include cruising the Bay of Fundy, Saguenay Fjord, and St. Lawrence River. Optional excursions enhance the destination experience and include a horse-drawn carriage tour of Quebec City; visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg fishing village; and a lobster lunch at Dalvay by the Sea, the 19th-century summer home built by then Standard Oil chief Alexander MacDonald. Outdoor pursuits include cycling Acadia National Park and Prince Edward Island and kayaking coves in Maine and Nova Scotia.

Travelers will discover these destinations aboard Oceania Cruises’ 684-guest Regatta–an intimate ship acclaimed for its open-seating dining (and no surcharges for its two specialty restaurants), upscale public rooms and accommodations, and warm, attentive service.

• Aug 30: Mediterranean Splendors, 12 days, Istanbul-Lisbon
• Sept 11: Colonial Passage, 14 days, Lisbon-New York
• Sept 25: Colors, Coasts & Coves, 12 days, New York-Montreal
• Oct 7: Colors, Coasts & Coves, 12 days, Montreal-New York
• Oct 19: Autumn Vistas, 14 days, New York-New York
• Nov 2: Enchanted Amazon, 25 days, New York-Miami
• Nov 27: Caribbean Interlude, 7 days, Miami-Miami

Whatever the reason for the redeployment–which Cruise Diva is frankly happy to see–Oceania Cruises has offered a nice explanation for the change.

“Our 2011 Fall Foliage cruises have been so well received by our travel agent partners and their clients that we decided to redeploy Regatta from Europe to Canada and New England in fall 2012,” stated Bruce J. Himelstein, Oceania Cruises’ president. “These new voyages offer exceptional value with two-for-one fares and free round trip air.”

For more information on the above new itineraries, visit the Oceania Cruises website.

Image Courtesy of Oceania Cruises