Oceania’s New Wave M
Marina Shapes Up As ‘Ship Of The Year’ by Simon Veness
ary Hart did the Godmother honours and OCEANIA CRUISES welcomed their first completely
new ship in February when the 66,000-ton Marina officially joined the luxury fleet. At 36,000 tons larger than her three original sisters, Marina substantially raises the line’s capacity as well as their profile. She also carries 1,250 passengers instead of 684 but maintains the five-star-plus style of her smaller sisters. More importantly, the cruise insider buzz was extremely positive, with several observers backing up our observation this is very much a major ‘Ship of the Year’ contender. Entertainment Tonight host Hart pulled
the lever that sent a 15-litre Nebuchadnezzar of Champagne – custom-made by Armand de Brignac – crashing against the hull, and a gala evening in Miami culminated in a fireworks display before the ship sailed for the Panama Canal. For a line that has set new benchmarks for quality cruising since its debut in 2002, the newcomer provides more signs of their intent to raise the bar still further: • Fully TEN different dining venues • A grand purpose-designed Lalique stairway in the main atrium
• The first hands-on Bon Appétit Culinary Center cooking school at sea
• Ralph Lauren Home-furnished Owner’s Suites and luxurious accommodations by designer Dakota Jackson
• A Wine Spectator wine programme and wine pairing in La Reserve wine-tasting centre
• And the Canyon Ranch SpaClub, with its complementary SpaClub menus Among the other ceremony highlights were inspirational performances by the Marina Choir, assembled just for this event, and the appointment of Master Chef Jacques Pépin as honorary commodore. The ship also marks a watershed for the vision of Frank Del Rio, the founder of Oceania Cruises and chairman and CEO of parent company Prestige Cruise Holdings. He said: “The saying goes ‘Good things come to those who wait.’ Although
wanted it to set new standards for comfort, service and culinary excellence.”
marble and granite, fine wool carpets and lustrous leathers throughout the public rooms. The 10 impressive dining venues include six which are open-seating gourmet restaurants.
T
Marina’s arrival has been long awaited, she’s more than just good. She’s the most beautiful, sophisticated and stylish ship launched in the modern era of cruising – a span of some 50 years.”
Oceania President Bob Binder added:
“Marina is not just ‘another’ ship, she is special in so many ways. When we set out to design and build our first new ship, we
Marina continues her maiden season
by offering a spring season in the Mediterranean before repositioning to the Baltic for voyages from Stockholm, Copenhagen and Dover. In late summer and autumn she is back in the Med, returning to Miami in December for a winter Caribbean season of 10 and 12-night cruises. Perhaps the best news of all, though – sister ship Riviera will join the fleet this time next year, giving Oceania two identical big-ship options in future. More info: In the UK, call 0845 505 1920 or visit
www.oceaniacruises.co.uk; in the US, 1800 531 5619, or
www.oceaniacruises.com.
Spring 2011 I WORLD OF CRUISING 13
he hyperbole could well be justified, though, as the world’s newest ship is full of rich woods,
photo courtesy Oceania Cruises
photo by Mike Louagie
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