Stephanie Serino's Travel Blog

Oceania Cruises is celebrating their tenth anniversary, so they hosted agents for lunch and a ship tour on the Marina while she was in New York on May 26, 2013.  Launched in 2011 for 1250 guests, she is gorgeous. Here's a link to my photos . Oceania Cruises is all about the food, and this ship was the first vessel they designed from scratch. There's a Bon Appetit Cooking School which offers hands-on classes (the first at sea). There are TEN dining options on-board and Jacques Pepin is their Master Chef (Specialty restaurants include his signature restaurant called Jacques , and Red Ginger , a sexy Asian venue). Wine Spectator hosts tastings, classes and wine dinners at La Reserve. La Reserve As if that didn't offer enough sensual pleasures for one vacation, there's a Canyon Ranch SpaClub with full-service salon and fitness center too. The staterooms aren't bad either, but the suites are superb, especially the 2000 square foot Owner's Suite. I...

The long-awaited Marina has set sail on her maiden voyage January 22 for a trans-Atlantic cruise from Barcelona to Miami. 1,250 guests are pampered by a crew of 800. She has ten dining venues, including a Jacques Pepin signature restaurant.  Here's a link to my  Photo Tour . Here is an e-brochure of the  Marina .  There are two new features which really excite me: - Bon Appetit Culinary Center with hands-on cooking school, the first at sea. -La Reserve by Wine Spectator , a wine-tasing center with seminars and tastings by day, and private seven-course wine dinners at night ($75 per guest plus 18% gratuity, maximum of 24 guests) Oceania Cruises is  offering 2-for-1 Cruise Fares with FREE Airfare and up to $1000 Shipboard Credit per stateroom on  Select 2011 Alaska & Europe Voyages .  PLUS, if you book select Europe Voyages by March 31, you'll receive our exclusive amenity package which includes: Prepaid Gratuities,   $100 Shi...