Oceania Cruises reveals new European itineraries
Oceania Cruises has announced its 2012 European cruise collection and, following the launch of two new ships in 2011 and 2012, for the first time the company will operate four ships in Europe including Marina, which launched in January 2011, and her sister ship, Riviera, due to debut in April 2012.
The 2012 European season includes more than 72 sailings from April through to December. Other exciting firsts include a complimentary hotel stay before every voyage, an overnight stay on every itinerary, more late-night departures and the addition of three seven-night voyages.
Featuring 41 distinct itineraries, Regatta, Nautica, Marina and Riviera will cover the entire continent, calling at 145 different ports of call, 12 of which are new for 2012.
“Oceania Cruises’ guests value immersive experiences and have a real passion for discovery,” stated Bob Binder, Oceania Cruises’ president. “For 2012 we will offer Europe in its entirety, all of the most desirable destinations from east to west.”
Introducing Riviera, the sister ship to Marina
Riviera, Oceania Cruises’ new 1250-passenger ship launching April 2012, will set sail on her inaugural season of European voyages. From romantic favourites such as Provence and Positano and historic landmarks such as Jerusalem and Ephesus to new ports of call including Argostoli, Greece; Granada, Spain; and La Palma, Canary Islands; Riviera offers 21 voyages to choose from.
Marina, Oceania Cruises’ first new-build which launched in January 2011, will spend most of the summer sailing the Mediterranean visiting classic port calls, including Saint-Tropez and Monte Carlo. From 12th -22nd May 2012, Jacques Pépin, Oceania Cruises’ executive culinary director, will join Marina on her 10-day Tuscan Artistry itinerary to host cooking demonstrations, lead on-shore market tours and oversee the operations in his namesake restaurant, Jacques. Beginning in June, Marina will join Nautica in Northern Europe, visiting Dublin, Reykjavik, Oslo and Copenhagen.
Highlights of the 2012 European Collection
• The introduction of 1250-passenger Riviera, sister ship to Marina
• 41 distinctive itineraries, including Oceania Cruises’ first-ever voyage to Greenland
• 145 ports of call
• Complimentary overnight calls on every voyage, a total of 72 stays in all
• Three seven-night voyages to the French and Italian rivieras and the Greek Islands
• Increased number of sailings to the Holy Land
• 12 new ports of call including Akureyri, Iceland; Cephalonia for Argostoli, Greece; Batumi, Georgia; Cartagena, Spain;, Cherbourg, France;, Motril for Granada, Spain;, Horta, Azores; Qaqortoq, Greenland; La Palma, Canary Islands; Vigo for Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Tasiilaq for Ammassalik Island, Greenland and Trapani, Sicily.
For more information about the new 2012 European collection contact Oceania Cruises, visit: oceaniacruises.co.uk