Oceania Cruises offers new 2013 signature sailings

[Jason]

Oceania Cruises announced its line-up of "Signature Sailings" for 2013 featuring Master Chef Jacques Pépin, travel industry veteran Wendy Perrin from Condé Nast Traveler, acclaimed jazz artists, wine and culinary experts and much more.

With hands-on classes, culinary demonstrations, concerts, bridge tournaments and food and wine tastings, the line is creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for its guests.

Wine & Food Celebrations Aboard Marina and Riviera

Epicureans onboard two Wine & Food Celebration voyages will enjoy presentations from celebrated chefs and wine connoisseurs, culinary demonstrations, wine tastings and more.

On Marina’s May 6th Wine and Food Celebration cruise, South American wine expert Daniel Soto will host wine lectures and tastings featuring the best of South American wines. Soto will be joined by chef and culinary author Paulette Mitchell, who will demonstrate classic South American dishes.

During the Caribbean segment of the cruise, Bacardi Rum’s Brand Ambassador Kate Dahlen will be onboard to host a tasting of Bacardi’s best and share the rich history of rum in the Caribbean. The executive culinary team from Grand Cayman’s Ritz Carlton will join Marina’s onboard team to demonstrate some favorite Caribbean dishes. Guests will also have the opportunity to attend wine lectures, tastings and pairing presentations featuring flavors of America with wine expert Karen King and the executive chef of the Bon Appétit Culinary Center, Kathryn Kelly.

In addition, the May 6th departure features special guest lecturer Wendy Perrin from Condé Nast Traveler, who will be sharing her latest crop of “Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know.”

On Riviera’s June 23rd Wine & Food Celebration cruise, Chef Kelly will be joined by several culinary experts, including the Culinary Institute of America’s Master Baker Eric Kastel, who will share the secrets of great bread making.

Renowned New York wine educator, businessman and sommelier Tony Didio will lead a series of wine lectures, tastings and wine pairing presentations throughout the voyage. To complement the wine experience, Master Cheese Expert Max McCalman will be onboard to share the secrets of great cheeses and advice on wine and cheese pairings.

Recording artist and Cape Coral restaurateur Valerie Elam will join both the May 6th and June 23rd cruises to perform for guests during the wine events.

Marina “Grand Panama Canal” – May 6, 2013; 20 days, Lima to New York City

Riviera “Mediterranean Grandeur” – June 23, 2013; 10 days, Monte Carlo to Rome

Wine Connoisseur Cruise

Guests onboard Marina’s “Baltic Odyssey” voyage will enjoy master winemaker Armando Fumanelli, owner of the famed Italian winery Marchesi Fumanelli, who will host a series of wine lectures, tastings and pairings featuring the best of Italian wines and flavors. Located near Verona, the setting of Romeo and Juliet, the Fumanelli winery has been creating exceptional wines since 1470. Young actors from Verona’s drama academy will be onboard to perform during select Fumanelli wine dinners offered at La Reserve by Wine Spectator.

Marina “Baltic Odyssey” – September 3, 2013; 10 days, Copenhagen to Stockholm

Jacques Pépin Cruise

Master Chef Jacques Pépin serves as Oceania Cruises’ executive culinary director. On Riviera’s “Mosaic Masterpiece” sailing in September, guests can see the master up close at a culinary demonstration and take part in a question and answer session with Oceania Cruises’ culinary enrichment director, Chef Kathryn Kelly. Pépin will also host classes in the Bon Appétit Culinary Center.

Riviera “Mosaic Masterpiece” – September 19, 2013; 10 days, Barcelona to Lisbon

Explore Europe to the Tune of Gifted Musicians

Jazz Festival Cruise

As Riviera sails the Aegean Sea, she will play host to stars in the jazz world performing both contemporary and traditional jazz music throughout the sailing. Featured performers include acclaimed singer and master entertainer Clint Holmes, who was named Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year three times, vocalist Rene Marie, jazz vibraphonist Christian Tamburr, pianist Scott Giddens, bassist Billy Thornton and drummer Grey Wyser-Pratte.

Riviera “Aegean Gems” – May 5, 2013; 10 days, Venice to Athens

Summer Music Festival Cruise

The breathtaking fjords of Norway and the lush green coast of the Emerald Isle are colorful backdrops for the enchanting sounds of gifted musicians performing throughout Nautica’s 12-night sailing round-trip from London.

Guests will enjoy a line-up of classical programs featuring David Coucheron, the youngest concert master for a major symphony in the U.S., and his sister Julia, who is music director for the Fjord Cadenza Academy. Guests will also enjoy a special rock orchestra concert featuring the music of Steve Miller. Composed by Steve Miller and Rune Bergmann, this concert wowed audiences for two nights last summer in Los Angeles and will feature some of the original musicians from the California production.

The popular vocal group The Fabulous Platters will also perform on the cruise.

Nautica “Isles & Fjords” – August 15, 2013; 12 days, London to London

Get Competitive While Crossing the Panama Canal

Bridge Games

With accredited teacher Joyce Ryan from the American Contract Bridge League onboard to conduct classes and tournaments, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy and perfect their bridge game.

Regatta “Ultimate Panama Canal” – August 22, 2013; 21 days, San Francisco to New York

Experience Oceania Cruises as a Guest of Honor

Oceania Club Reunion Cruise

Loyal past guests of Oceania Cruises are the guests of honor for a special Reunion Cruise, which features exclusive cocktail parties, celebratory dinners and private shore excursions, among other surprises.

Marina “Baltic Odyssey” – August 24, 2013; 10 days, Stockholm to Copenhagen

Source: Luxury Travel Magazine

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[WeCruiseToo]

Wow – some of these cruises sound really marvelous! We think Oceania Cruises will be a good fit for us – we just haven’t come across the right combination of itinerary and value to give them a try yet.