Tag Archives: debut

Oceania Vista Ready for 2023 Debut

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Oceania Cruises’ new ship, the Oceania Vista, is joining the fleet in 2023.

The cruise line’s newest ship is being constructed by Fincantieri, as is Oceania Vista’s sister ship scheduled to arrive in 2025. Both are part of the brand’s new Allura class of ships.

The Oceania Vista will deliver the “Finest Cuisine at Sea” according to the company, with personalized service and a range of dining options for guests to choose from.

Aside from casual dining experiences such as a poolside burger, the ship will also feature private dining venues as well as Privée, a special venue for bespoke culinary celebrations for a maximum of ten guests.

The 67,000-ton ship accommodating 1,200 guests will embark on its maiden voyage from Rome, Italy to Barcelona, Spain on April 14, 2023.

Itineraries include visits to 24 countries across four continents for in debut season.

The Oceania Vista’s inaugural 2023 season will include:
● Exploring the Spanish, French and Italian Rivieras
● Greek Isles
● Holy Lands of Turkey and Israel
● Canary Islands
● Wine Country of Spain,
● Portugal and France
● The British Isles and Ireland
● Colonial America and Panama Canal

The itineraries will feature overnight stays in Lisbon, Venice, Istanbul, Jerusalem, Bordeaux, Montreal and New York City. The ship will also explore off-the-beaten-paths such as Port-Vendres, Bodrum, Kavala/Philippi, Bozcaada, Chania, Izmir, Salerno, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Killybegs, Saint-Pierre, Shelburne, Martha’s Vineyard and Corinto.

On April 26, the ship will embark on a ten-day journey from Barcelona, Spain with calls to the ports of Grenada, Tangier, and Lisbon. On May 16, the Oceania Vista will set sail on a 14-day Mediterranean Visions voyage.

Viking Octantis Floats Out Ahead of 2022 Debut

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Viking has announced its first expedition ship – the 378-guest Viking Octantis – was “floated out” at VARD, marking a major construction milestone and the first time that the new ship touches water.

Scheduled to debut in early 2022, the Viking Octantis will spend her maiden season sailing voyages to Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes.

A second, identical expedition ship, Viking Polaris, is set to debut in summer 2022 and will sail journeys to Antarctica and the Arctic. 

“Working with Fincantieri over the last eight years, we have built the world’s most beautiful ocean ships. We are pleased to continue our partnership with Fincantieri’s VARD and celebrate this important milestone in the construction of our first expedition vessel,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking.

“In creating ‘the thinking person’s expedition,’ we are perfecting polar expedition cruising, and we will usher in a new era of comfortable exploration in the heart of North America. Viking Octantis and her sister ship, Viking Polaris, will allow our guests to explore further – to the ends of the earth as well as closer to home. I would like to thank our partners at VARD and everyone working at the yard for the hard work and dedication on the building of Viking Octantis; we look forward to welcoming her to our fleet in early 2022.”

The float out is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float-out ceremony of the Viking Octantis took place on December 22; she was then moved to a nearby outfitting dock for further construction and interior build-out. After final outfitting, Viking Octantis will be delivered at Fincantieri’s VARD shipyard in Søviknes, Norway.

P&O Cruises’ Britannia to make St Lucia debut in 2016

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P&O Britannia

P&O Cruises’ newest ship, Britannia, is to sail from St Lucia for the first time as part of its winter 2016-17 deployment in the Caribbean.

An expanded fly-cruise programme of new seven-night cruises alongside traditional 14-night winter sun itineraries went on sale yesterday (Thursday).

Britannia will run a total of 28 Caribbean cruises from St Lucia or Barbados during its second winter season in the region.

The ships will depart from the new Caribbean port for the first time on November 12, 2016 on a seven-night itinerary with calls into Dominica, Antigua, St Maarten and Barbados.

The line described St Lucia as a “must-see” Caribbean destination for its passengers.

Marketing director, Christopher Edgington, said: “Introducing new itineraries which all depart or return St Lucia will offer a new dimension to our Caribbean cruises.

“St Lucia is a popular destination with passengers and no other cruise line has it as a home port, so we are looking to make the most of this by offering an exciting range of shore excursions to maximise the time there.

“It is also the first time we have offered a seven-night Caribbean cruise option. These new week-long itineraries will appeal to those wishing to escape the cold weather and see a number of destinations but who don’t have the time for a longer cruise.

“For passengers with more leisure time, our 14-night cruises provide the perfect opportunity to see more than seven islands in one holiday.”

Prices for seven-night Caribbean fly-cruises start at £1,099 per person for an inside cabin and a 14-nights from £1,299, including return flights from Gatwick.