November 28, 2003

Travel Times
By Sean Eastwood

New Regatta begins Caribbean voyages

Oceania Cruises’ new flagship M/S Regatta set sail on her inaugural Caribbean voyage to Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama and Jamaica this week. The balance of her winter season will find her cruising on 10- to 14-day voyages to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Central America and Mexico from its home port in Miami. The 684 passenger, 400 member staff cruise ship marks her North American debut and begins her Caribbean season. Some of the ports offered during its inaugural season include: Port Antonio, Jamaica; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, Roatan, Bay Islands, Belize City, Belize; Playa Del Carmen, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico, Gustavia, St. Barts; Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands; St. Johns, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica.

The Regatta is not a mega-ship nor is it yacht-sized. It occupies a middle-ground at just over 30,000 tons; large enough to provide upscale service, yet small enough to enter smaller ports not offered by other cruise lines. Passengers have the choice of open-seating in any of four restaurants: The Grand Dining Room, Toscana (Italian), Polo Grill (Black Angus Steakhouse), or Tides Cafe. Other public rooms include a Show Lounge Eight Bars, Observation Lounge, Casino, Spa, Fitness Center, Jogging Track, Beauty Salon, Shops, Library, Card Room, Photo Gallery, Self Service Launderette, Medical Center, and Internet Cafe. A majority of Regatta staterooms have private terraces. The Regatta originally entered service as the R2 for Renaissance Cruise Lines. For booking information, call (408) 972-0773.

New Hawaii cruise package offered by NCL

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced "Cruise-And-Stay" packages for Pride of Aloha Hawaii voyages effective Oct. 1, 2004. Passengers sailing on three- and four-day inter-island cruises may combine their cruise with car rental, transfers, gratuities and other amenities to form land/sea vacations ranging from seven to nine days. Pride of Aloha, currently sailing as Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sky, will transfer to the NCL America U.S. flag brand next year.

According to NCL, “Cruise-And-Stay” passengers receive a number of benefits including priority embarkation, express luggage delivery to the ship, and support through the hotel-based NCL Service Center at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort, where passengers may check-in for their cruise, pre-book shore excursions and register for a variety of activities at their convenience. For booking information, call (408) 972-0773.