Terry Breen to lecture on board Oceania Cruises in Alaska

Author, lecturer and naturalist Terry Breen will lecture on board Oceania Cruises’ summer Alaska cruises on the elegant 684-passenger Regatta when the new itineraries debut in May 2011. Breen will give enrichment lectures and share personal insights with guests as they explore the Inside Passage and lesser-known Alaskan ports.

With 19 years of expedition experience, Terry Breen has honed her love for cultural anthropology and exploration and has become an acclaimed area specialist. Author of The Cruiser Friendly Onboard Guide series, the first and only guides that explore the world as seen from the decks of a cruise ship, Breen will share her invaluable insight and understanding of Alaska’s celebrated sights and uncultivated wilderness with guests.

“We are delighted to have Terry join the Oceania Cruises family for our maiden foray into Alaska,” states Bob Binder, president of Oceania Cruises. “Her style and in-depth knowledge of the Great State will complement our distinctive voyages.”

12-day Alaskan Grandeur starting at £1406 per person

Oceania Cruises’ 12-Day Alaskan Grandeur itinerary operates between San Francisco and Vancouver on May 26 and again Aug. 14. Fares start from £1406 per person, based on two sharing, with a $1000 per stateroom on board credit, when booked by Dec. 31, 2010. Ports include:

· Astoria – Known as the “Little San Francisco of the Pacific Northwest” due to colorful Victorian homes clinging to its steep hills, Astoria was established in 1811 and is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies.

· Wrangell – A former Tlingit Indian stronghold, then a Russian outpost, and finally an American settlement in 1867, on nearby Chief Shakes Island Wrangell guests can see a preserved tribal house and learn about the three gold rushes that transformed the Wrangell area.

· Juneau – For a state capital, Juneau maintains a surprising small-town charm, in part because it can only be reached by sea or air due to surrounding wilderness. Visitors to the Alaska State Museum can see collections from the indigenous people. More adventurous shore excursions are also available, including a Musher’s Camp & Sled Dog Discovery.

· Hoonah– Hoonah, which means “where the north wind doesn’t blow” in the language of the Tlingit Indians, serves as our gateway to Icy Strait Point. Here wildlife outnumbers people so guests will have ample opportunities to see bears and eagles in their natural habitats as well as humpback whales, which migrate to the area in the summer.

· Sitka – Called “Shee Atika” by the Tlingit Indians, then “New Archangel” by Russians who ousted them, Sitka boasts a multicultural heritage. Two dozen of its attractions are on the National Register of Historic Places, including Castle Hill and Building 29, built by Russian settlers in 1835. The Sheldon Jackson Museum exhibits one of Alaska’s oldest native culture collections.

· Ketchikan – Totem poles are one of Ketchikan’s main attractions and the best places to view them are the Saxman Village and Totem Bight State Park. Guests can also learn about the local cultures and ecosystems at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center.

Enjoy Gourmet Pacific Northwest Specialties

Guests will discover Alaska on board Oceania Cruises’ 684-guest Regatta – an intimate ship known for its gourmet cuisine, luxurious public rooms and accommodations and attentive service. As a special highlight, Pacific Northwest specialties will be featured during lunch in the casual Terrace Café and in the ship’s elegant Grand Dining Room. Regional specialties will also be showcased in all four of the ship’s open-seating restaurants; all of which are available with no surcharge.

Provisions are bought locally whenever possible and the ship’s executive chef seeks the freshest catch and shellfish, making on-the-spot decisions. Consequently, not all selections will always be available and there may be surprise menu additions. 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 favourite.

For more information, visit: oceaniacruises.com