June 2014

Holland America Line’s ms Volendam to Add 21 Lanai Staterooms and Mix Bar Area at End of 2014

Published Thursday, June 5th 2014

Holland America Line

When Holland America Line’s ms Volendam completes dry-dock in December 2014, the ship will feature 21 new exclusive lanai staterooms, the contemporary bar area Mix and updated bathrooms in all suites and select other stateroom categories. With the conversion of existing outside staterooms to the new lanai accommodations, Volendam’s guest capacity of 1,432 will not change.

The unique lanai accommodations feature large sliding-glass doors with direct access to the Lower Promenade wrap-around teak walking deck. Each lanai stateroom includes reserved deck chairs, and the sliding-glass doors have a one-way mirrored coating to ensure privacy. Holland America Line ships already outfitted with lanai staterooms are ms Maasdam, ms Rotterdam and ms Veendam.


“Volendam’s itineraries in Alaska and other scenic parts of the world are ideal for direct promenade deck access and the enhanced views of the popular lanai layout,” said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line’s executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest relations. “We’re also making other exciting enhancements to the ship, and adding Mix presents a stylish multi-themed venue for our guests to mingle and enjoy themselves.”


During the dry dock, all suite bathrooms will also be updated to feature new whirlpool bathtubs, stone vanities, lighted mirrors, Grohe fixtures, floors, walls and sinks. Several additional categories, including the Lanai Staterooms, will also receive new bathroom appointments and walk-in showers.


Mix and Mingle in New Branded Theme Space
Volendam’s centrally located bars will be reconfigured to feature Mix, a space that incorporates three specialty theme bars: Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales.


Martinis serves 19 Grey Goose martinis elegantly offered in individual shakers as well as a full range of cocktails. Guests can also enjoy a martini flight made up of several mini martini concoctions. A featured cocktail is Holland America Line’s signature martini, the Yellow Tulip, a mixture of Grey Goose vodka, lychee juice, pineapple juice, guava juice, coconut cream and fresh lime juice.


The bubbly flows at Champagne, which offers a selection of 20 champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world. This venue will offer events such as late champagne breakfast, pre-lunch Mimosa and Bellini hour, champagne tea time and pre-dinner champagne hour with caviar canapés. Spirits & Ales features an international selection of beers and premium whiskeys and brandies sure to impress even the most discerning connoisseur. Here guests can drop by to enjoy a wide array of beers on tap while watching sporting events or relax after some shopping in the nearby boutiques.


Ships that already have Mix are ms Maasdam, ms Rotterdam, ms Ryndam, ms Statendam and ms Veendam.


For more information, contact a travel professional.

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Oceania Cruises records 1,000,000th booking!

Published Thursday, June 5th 2014



Oceania Cruises records 1,000,000th booking

Travel advisor Jenny Malka of Atlanta-based Century Travel, a Virtuoso affiliated agency, booked Oceania Cruises’ one-millionth reservation earlier today. This is a significant milestone for Oceania Cruises, which was founded by cruise industry veterans Frank Del Rio and Bob Binder with three, 684-passenger ships – Insignia, Nautica and Regatta. A little more than a decade since its first voyage, the line now operates a five ship fleet following the construction of two additional ships, Marina and Riviera, which debuted in 2011 and 2012 respectively.


“I couldn’t believe that I made the one-millionth booking,” said Malka. “I book many of my clients on vacations with Oceania Cruises because consumers are seeking exceptional value for their vacation dollar and Oceania Cruises delivers that value while providing an upscale experience.”


“Virtuoso has been a trusted partner with Oceania Cruises since its early days, so it only seems fitting that one of our affiliate agencies made this booking,” shares Matthew D. Upchurch, Chairman and CEO of Virtuoso. “We’re honored and very proud to be a part of this remarkable achievement.”


Malka is a Toronto based travel advisor who joined Century Travel in 2002. Century Travel is based in Atlanta and was started in 1985 by Gene Lashley and Peter Lloyd. Century Travel joined the Virtuoso network in 1998 and currently has over 60 advisors throughout North America.


The ambitious mission of Oceania Cruises is to deliver “best in class” cuisine and service while in an inviting, country club-casual environment, all while exploring the world on a wide variety of unique itineraries ranging from 7-days to 180-days. An industry pioneer, Oceania Cruises was the first line to provide two-for-one cruise fares and free airfare with every booking.


“When we started the business, we envisioned a fleet of midsized ships taking people to exotic and interesting locales around the world, serving the finest cuisine at sea and providing exemplary service to our guests.” explains Oceania founder Frank Del Rio. “We’re extremely proud of our efforts, and yet humbled by the loyalty of our guests who embraced this new way of cruising, and the never-ending hard work of our employees, crew and travel partners who all helped us reach this milestone.”


The upper-premium line made a name for itself by offering destination-intensive sailings at a tremendous value, and ongoing partnerships with Bon Appétit and Wine Spectator, as well as a focus on all things culinary have also earned the line the unofficial reputation as the “cruise line for foodies.” Oceania also made major headlines in recent years by launching two new ships – Marina and Riviera, and by announcing a massive $50 million refurbishment of Regatta, Insignia and Nautica.


Oceania Cruises headquarters opened on January 6, 2003 in Miami. The 30,277-ton, 684-guest Regatta, the company’s flagship, was christened in June of that year in Barcelona, and sailed her maiden voyage on July 5 departing from Barcelona on a 14-day voyage to London. Regatta was followed by sister ships Insignia, christened March 2004 in Monte Carlo, and Nautica, christened November 2005 in Istanbul. The first new build for Oceania Cruises, Marina, debuted in February 2011, followed by sister ship Riviera in March 2012.

Contact a Cruise travel agent.

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Costa Cruises’ Costa Diadema to Feature a Spectacular Promenade

Published Sunday, June 22nd 2014

Costa Cruises

A 1,640-foot promenade on Deck 5 of Costa Cruises’ new Costa Diadema, will provide guests a new way to experience the Mediterranean. The ship will feature large, split-level public rooms directly overlooking the sea and conveniently interconnected to create an atmosphere similar to a lively seaside resort.

The outdoor promenade on Costa Diadema, Costa’s new flagship fondly nicknamed Regina del Mediterraneo (Queen of the Mediterranean), will provide a spectacular vista of the sea. As the longest promenade of Costa’s fleet, it provides a 1,640-foot walk that will feel like a stroll on a gorgeous Italian shore or along Sanremo Passeggiata dell’Imperatrice the seafront of Santa Maria di Leuca in Italy’s Puglia region.

Roberto Bixio’s two large glass mosaics titled “Riviera Ligure” featuring imagery from the Mediterranean coasts embellish both the left and right side of the promenade and cover a total area of 4,700 square feet.

The spacious promenade measures 16 feet across and up to 26 feet wide where the six cabanas and two Jacuzzis are located. The cabanas and hot tubs extend out from the side of the ship, creating the sensation of being suspended over the sea. In the cabanas guests can relax over drinks or enjoy a romantic sunset dinner, comfortably sheltered from the wind.

Bars and restaurants overlook the promenade, re-creating the atmosphere of a summertime Mediterranean beach. Guests can order a glass of topquality Italian regional wine at Vinoteca Gran Duca di Toscana or a beer from Birreria, which offers a selection of bottled beer from renowned Italian and foreign brewers along with a range of beers on tap. Alternatively, guests can have an aperitif at Bar Bollicine, which features a wide selection of the most prestigious Italian brands of Prosecco and Spritz aperitifs.

Costa Diadema also is introducing several new dining venues, including an authentic Japanese Teppanyaki restaurant. Guests who want typical Italian food can enjoy a slice of pie in the casual atmosphere of the Pizzeria or taste a delicious ice cream, Italian pastry, crepe, hot chocolate or pralines at the Gelateria Amarillo. Gourmands can savor the delicacies of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine in the a la carte Club Restaurant or healthy spa dishes at the Samsara Restaurant.

After having a drink with a view of the sea and a stroll along Costa Diadema’s promenade, passengers will reach the elegant Teodora Bar at the stern.

The ship’s christening ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 7, 2014, in Genoa, Italy.

Starting Nov. 8 and for the rest of the 2014-15 winter season and the 2015 summer season, Costa Diadema will depart Savona on seven-night cruises to the western Mediterranean, calling at Marseille, France; Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Naples and La Spezia, Italy.

For reservations and more information on Costa Diadema, contact your travel professional.

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