Nancy Kelly's Inaugural Experience on Oceania's Marina February 5th, 2011 By: Nancy Kelly

There is always an aura of excitement and anticipation every time a cruise line introduces a ne ship to the travel world. On February 5th I had the pleasure of attending the Inaugural Ceremony to christen Oceania’s new cruise ship, the Ms Marina and sail on board for three magical days. It was a pleasure to leave the remains of one Chicago’s worst blizzards to fly to Miami for the memorable event.

Mary Hart, the ship’s Godmother delighted invitees with her grace and charm in performing her special duties which included the release of the large champagne bottle to officially name the elegant new Marina. What a gorgeous ship! Oceania, take a bow for creating the most magnificent new cruise ship in the world.

Oceania Cruises fleet of three small ships has always been popular because of their unique and innovative marketing .They offer an incentive for early booking that includes FREE AIRFARE from select departure cities and 2-FOR-1 CRUISE RATES. The Insignia, Nautica and Regatta carry a maximum of 700 guests. Perfect size for those of you who love the more intimate cruise experience.

What makes the Marina so special you ask? For one thing, it really has the look and feel of an elegant resort. Beautiful furniture that is pleasing to the eye and very comfortable to relax in. The fabrics used throughout this new ship are so rich in color and design that you will want to touch and feel them. The Owners Suite is furnished with Ralph Lauren furniture and fabrics. It’s so beautiful and comfortable that it literally takes your breath away.

A fortune was spent on art, beautiful crystal and china. This is a ship that you will want to explore from one end to the other. But there is more! Doesn’t it always come down to the people who are there to serve the guests and how they make you feel? OCEANIA’S Crew is happy and well trained in the area of serving guests and making them feel special and cared for. Credit must be given to Frank DelRio, Chairman of Oceania and Bob Binder, President. Their vision for uniqueness and perfection has come to fruition. These Gentlemen worked tirelessly on the minute details… from selecting the perfect Captain and crew to selecting fabrics, art, menus, entertainment and designs.

Bathrooms are appointed with elegant grey and brown-colored marble and granite. There is a separate shower as well as a bathtub to keep everyone happy. Ladies will appreciate the caliber of lighting, not only in the staterooms, suites and bathrooms, but throughout the ship.

The décor on the Marina is stunning, elegant and chic. As I walked through the entire ship to be sure not to miss anything, I felt at times as if I had entered a 6 Star luxury resort or hotel. The attention to detail was everywhere. There is drama when you first see the Lalique staircase, the intimate Martinis bar, the magnificent Venetian art objects and the abundance of Baccarat chandeliers throughout the ship.

Dining was a rare treat with so many different restaurants; the challenge was choosing one! There are actually ten dining venues, six of which are no-charge gourmet restaurants. We strongly recommend you make your reservations on line prior to sailing in the specialty restaurants as reservations are required. These are dining experiences you cannot miss!

The Polo Grill was my favorite choice for dinner. It has an extensive menu and the appetizers, soups, salads and main entrees were beautifully presented by friendly waiters who made dining on board the Marina an experience to be remembered. Normally I skip dessert, but these were too tempting and delicious to say “no” to!

The Grand Dining Room is stunning with elegant, custom-designed fine china, crystal and silver. Here you will enjoy open seating (no reservations required) and dine when and with whom you choose. The room has a warm and elegant feel with plenty of tables next to a window. Enjoy European inspired cuisine or select from the Canyon Ranch Spa Menu. The seating capacity is 566 guests.

Red Ginger is a contemporary restaurant featuring Asian classics. It was getting top accolades from fellow passengers on my cruise. I anticipate that this will be a real favorite with guests and do suggest that you make your reservations on line as early as possible. Capacity is 124 guests.

Jacques: The legendary Master Chef, Jacques Pepin created all of the menus and they are mouth watering French classics taken to new heights. I think you will want to dine in this casual restaurant that combines Parisian ambiance, fine wines and heirloom antiques. Capacity is 124 guests.

Toscana: If you love Italian cuisine this is a “must” for you to try one evening. You’ll enjoy an eight course menu featuring Tuscan specials and regional favorites. Capacity is 124 guests.
Only La Reserve and Privee have an extra charge for dining. La Reserve offers exclusive food and wine pairing dinners that are quite an experience. All the other specialty restaurants are free of charge, but do require reservations.

Privee: has a charge of $1000 for up to ten guests and the Chef works with you to create a private 7-course dinner party with your own special menu. Doesn’t that sound like fun? Actually, it is a real value.

My favorite lunch on board was at the Waves Grill, located on Deck 12, adjacent to the pool area. The freshly grilled Surf & Turf was delicious. And, if you had room for dessert, the Gelato stand is right next to the Waves Grill area.

Oceania Cruises invited me to be their guest for a private cooking lesson conducted in the sleek Bon Appétit Culinary Center with Chef Kathryn Kelly from the CIA (Culinary Institute of America). What fun! We donned our crisp white aprons and optional hats for two hours of hands-on cooking. During our lesson, famous Chef Jacques Pepin paid us a visit and autographed his signature cookbook. He was a delight to meet.

Canyon Ranch SpaClub is beautifully appointed and offers an impressive list of services to rejuvenate both body and spirit.

There is a wide range of shipboard accommodations and prices to choose from on this dazzling new ship. After inspecting every category, I feel very comfortable making recommendations to our clients.

Tip: Unless you make your reservation six to 18 months in advance you may not be able to get the sailing you want. Oceania Cruises is known for good value and exceeding expectations, offering Free Airfare, 2-for-1 Rates and superb service. Kelly Cruises has pre-blocked group space on Oceania for our clients.  We offer pre-paid gratuities on dozens of cruises throughout 2011 and 2012. Call us for details.

The Owner’s Suites on board are the most beautiful and seductive suites that I have ever seen. My photos don’t do them justice. Just look at how magnificent they are!

The Vista Suites are a very spacious and beautiful 1,200-1,500 sq. ft. Having your own Butler and private lounge with amenities will add to your pleasure.


Kelly’s Tips: What you should know about Oceania Cruises and the Marina:

• Oceania rewards Guests who book early with Free Roundtrip Airfare from select cities. ”Two for One” Rates mean real value.

• Casual atmosphere – no formal wear is required.

• Reputation for the best dining experience at sea, but book your alternative restaurant reservations on line and early.

• Exciting destinations worldwide including Africa, Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Caribbean, New England, South Pacific, Europe and South America.

• More time visiting ports with fewer days at sea.

• Entertainment just got better. Enjoy production shows, musical reviews, jazz nights, eight piece orchestra, movies under the stars and nine bars and lounges to choose from.

• Free unlimited soft drinks and bottled water throughout the ship.

• Artist loft, Enrichment Center, well-stocked library and well-staffed internet center

• Canyon Ranch Spa Club with wellness lectures and healthy cooking. Book early!

• Kelly Cruises is one of Oceania’s Top Cruise Specialists offering valuable amenities on select sailings along with first-hand knowledge and personal service.

Statistics:

There are a total of 15 decks with 11 designated as Passenger decks. Total capacity is 1,258 based on double occupancy. The staff size is 793. The Ship is registered in Majuro, Marshall Islands and was built in Sestri Ponente, Italy. The Captain of the Marina is Dimitrios Flokos. He has been a Captain of various cruise ships since 1975.

All of us at Kelly Cruises look forward to assisting you in planning your Oceania cruise. And I personally am available to further discuss my experience aboard the Marina. Trust me; this is a cruising experience you don’t want to miss!