Travelore Cruise News: Oceania & Regent Ships Will Travel To Cuba

Havana/flickr/Marika Bortolami

Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, is expecting a call any day giving final approval from the Cuban government for several of the company’s ships to cruise to the island. The ships will come from the Oceania line, but ships from the flagship lines could also be included.

At a press briefing onboard the Seven Seas Explorer — Regent’s new “world’s most luxurious ship” — Cuban-born Del Rio said he’s already received tentative approval to send Oceania Cruises’ 684-passenger Regatta to Cuba before the end of the year. That ship is expected to offer itineraries that include circumnavigations of Cuba.

Also headed to Havana (assuming the final okay) will be the Oceania line’s 1,250-passenger Marina in 2017. Del Rio mentioned that other NCLH ships will visit the island on Western Caribbean and Panama Canal itineraries, but he stopped short of saying whether the ships would be in the fleets of Norwegian Cruise Line or Regent.

However, when I asked what port he might drop in favor of Havana, he was quick to say Key West — which happens to be on some Western Caribbean itineraries of theNorwegian Jade, Norwegian Pearl, Seven Seas Mariner, and Seven Seas Explorer.

Del Rio also suggested that Havana could be substituted for a day at sea or even Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private Bahamian island.

“We want to use Havana as much as possible,” he said. “It’s an incredible place. I cried more than once when I went there in September… I have traveled the world, and I just marveled [at Cuba].”

Currently, the only American brand cruising to Cuba is Carnival Corporation’s social impact line Fathom, with the 705-passenger Adonia doing bi-weekly cruises out of Miami. Royal Caribbean is also looking to launch cruises with its 2,020-passenger Empress of the SeasASAP — meaning as soon as they get the green light from Cuba.

by Fran Golden

Where To Find Some Of The Finest Cuisine At Sea

Some cruise lines focus on the fun, others love their luxury and then there are those like Oceania that know the way to a guest’s heart is through his/her stomach.

Speaking on board Oceania Marina during her Sydney visit last month, the line’s local boss, Steve Odell, said dining across the line’s fleet is a priority because food plays a large role in the brand’s reputation.

According to the Managing Director of Asia Pacific, Oceania is famed for having the ‘finest cuisine afloat’, which keeps passengers coming back for more.

In fact, the line’s standard of food is so popular amongst guests that Oceania Cruise Line’s parent company, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, has started rolling out the higher quality of food aboard its Norwegian ships.

If you’re rolling your eyes and thinking, “what makes this line’s food so special?”, here’s the answer:

FOOD WAS CREATED BY THREE STAR MICHELIN CHEFS

EVERY MENU TAKES AROUND TWO YEARS TO BE PUT TOGETHER

AND STARTS WITH HUNDREDS OF TESTINGS

BUT THE INGREDIENTS USED ARE THE MOST VITAL PART

OCEANIA SELECTED AND EVEN CREATED ITS OWN INGREDIENTS THAT TASTE THE SAME REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER

FOR EXAMPLE, THE LINE WENT TO A FLOUR FACTORY IN FRANCE WHERE IT CREATED AND TESTED A SPECIFIC FLOUR THAT WOULD SURVIVE REGARDLESS OF THE WHICH PART OF THE WORLD IT WAS CRUISING IN

Have you ever tried an Oceania dish? What did you think?

BY NAHRAIN JOHN

 @karryontravel

Legendary Chef Jacques Pepin Gets His Own Oceania Cruise

Culinary travel is one of the hottest trends in travel right now, andOceania Cruises is tapping into that white-hot market with a new itinerary specially prepared for the foodie traveler.

Oceania Cruises announced that its 1,250-passenger Marina cruise ship would host a Mediterranean itinerary featuring world-renowned chef Jacques Pepin, which is scheduled to set sail on Nov. 1, 2016.

CRUISE | OCEANIA CRUISES | DONALD WOOD |

Photo courtesy of Oceania Cruises

Pepin is a legendary master chef and longtime executive culinary director for Oceania Cruises, and he has been tapped to host the Jacques Pepin Cruise. The 10-day voyage will take passengers from Venice through the Mediterranean before finally returning to Rome.

Guests onboard the Marina cruise ship will be treated to book signings, meet-and-greets and a special culinary demonstration hosted by Pepin himself. Add in specially designed menus in the restaurants, epicurean-infused shore excursions and hands-on culinary instruction taking place in the Culinary Center on board, and passengers will be immersed in Pepin’s signature style.

Pepin released a statement about the Oceania Cruises journey next year, saying, “It’s such a joy sailing aboard Marina with guests who share the same passion for food, wine and overall enjoyment of life. This Mediterranean itinerary is a beautiful mix of long-established culinary destinations and some burgeoning epicurean hotspots.”

As for how much a journey like this will cost, fares for the Jacques Pepin Cruise start at $3,899 per person. Passengers can also purchase a ticket for Oceania Cruises’ Reunion Cruise that departs November 11, making it a 20-day voyage. A ticket for both cruises starts at $6,599 per person.

For more information about the Jacques Pepin Cruise, check out the Oceania Cruises' official website.