Oceania Cruises' New Ship Marina Christened In Miami

Oceania Cruises’new upper-premium cruise ship Marina was Christened in Miami last Saturday. The ship’s godmother, Entertainment Tonight host Mary Hart, named the ship at a lavish, invitation-only gala ceremony, which culminated with a 15-litre Nebuchadnezzar of champagne, custom-made by Armand de Brignac, crashing against the hull. Among the ceremony highlights were inspirational performances by the Marina Choir, assembled for the event, and the appointment of Master Chef Jacques Pépin as honorary commodore of the Oceania Cruises’ fleet.

Marina is a ship of firsts, featuring the first Bon Appétit Culinary Center, Master Chef Jacques Pépin’s first namesake restaurant at sea, Ralph Lauren Home-furnished Owner’s Suites, luxurious accommodations by Dakota Jackson, a Wine Spectator wine program and a Lalique grand stairway.

The new vessel arrived in Miami after her maiden voyage from Barcelona. Following a short preview cruise, she departed on the first of two 18-day Panama Canal transits that visit San Francisco and San Diego, both new ports for Oceania Cruises. Marina then operates a 12-day Caribbean cruise, round-trip from Miami, departing March 16, before sailing along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard and on to Europe to begin her inaugural Mediterranean season.

Marina has been purposefully designed to carry guests to the world’s most alluring ports in elegance and style. She is full of rich woods, marble and granite, fine wool carpets and lustrous leathers which adorn public rooms. Facilities include 10 dining venues six of which are open-seating gourmet restaurants, an array of bars and lounges, a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub and fitness centre, swimming pool and hot tubs.

She joins current fleet-mates Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, which have taken guests around the world since 2002. Her sister ship Riviera will be christened in April 2012. A leader in destination cruising and defining the upper-premium market, Oceania Cruises offers gourmet cuisine, gracious service and award-winning itineraries at an exceptional value.

For more information, visit www.oceaniacruises.com/ or the uxury cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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