Traveling the Ocean & Sea's

These are the Sea's and Ocean's we will sail in.  Some of them we have sailed in them but a lot are new. Since we are on a smaller ship we can travel to many of these.

Andaman Sea
Arafura Sea
Atlantic Ocean
Cape of Good Hope
Caribbean Sea
Coral Sea
East China Sea
Gulf of Guinea
Gulf of Thailand
Hainan Strait
Indian Ocean




Java Sea
Karimata Strait
Mozambique Channel
Old Bahama Channel
Pacific Ocean
South China Sea
South Pacific
Straits of Florida
Tasman Sea
Timor Sea
Yellow Sea
Panama Canal Transit

Our ship

                                                Our home for 180 days

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free shore events on the 180 days

Exclusive Shore Events...Yes these are free one's

OPEN-AIR DINNER AT SWAKOP RIVER CANYON
February 11, 2015. This is in Nambia

Just beyond Walvis Bay, the Swakop River Canyon has been likened to a moonscape with its unusual rock formations and dry riverbeds seared into the landscape by the glaring sun. Sunset is the most stunning time of day to visit this canyon, as the fading light casts dramatic shadows across the stark environment. Tables draped in linen are an elegant contrast to the glowing desert, and myriad candles surround the festivities, creating an ethereal glow as they reflect off the canyon walls. After a dinner featuring local dishes, the relaxed atmosphere will be enhanced by conversation around a crackling fire.
ROYAL MANDALAY
March 15, 2015 (Option One) This is in Rangoon Burma
Amarapura, the "immortal city," is a former royal capital and home to Mahagandayon Monastery, one of the largest in Myanmar. Nearby you can cross U Bein's famous teak footbridge, one of the longest wooden bridge in the world. Mandalay, the last royal capital of the Myanmar Empire, was founded by King Mindon in 1859. Visit its most sacred shrine, the Mahamuni Pagoda, where gold leaf is applied regularly to the revered Mahamuni Buddha. The Kuthodaw Pagoda houses the world's largest book, inscribed with the canon of Buddhist scripture. Climb holy Mandalay Hill for a serene view of the beautiful city below.
ANCIENT TEMPLES OF BAGAN
March 16, 2015 (Option Two)
Originally founded in 849 AD, Bagan became the first capital of a unified Myanmar Empire under the reign of King Anawrahta. Home to more than 2,000 religious shrines, it is one of the richest archaeological sites in Asia and one of the architectural wonders of the world. You will be awed by the details of each monumental masterpiece. Visit the Ananda Temple, the Gubyaukgyi Temple and the Dhammayangyi Temple, the most massive in Bagan.

PRIVATE COCKTAIL PARTY AT
JIM THOMPSON HOUSE
March 27, 2015  Bangkok Thailand

Often credited with reviving the Thai silk industry, Jim Thompson retired to Bangkok after serving in World War II and created the Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. Since his disappearance in 1967, little has changed at his house, once the city's most celebrated social center. You will be welcomed by an Angkalung band and treated to a fascinating tour of the residence. Enveloped by a beautiful jungle garden, the complex is made up of six Thai-style teak houses. The evening concludes with a cocktail party and an award-winning traditional Thai puppet show.
EXCLUSIVE TOUR & LUNCH AT THE
GREAT WALL OF CHINA
April 15, 2015
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China is over 2,000 years old and 5,500 miles long, beginning at the Yellow Sea, crossing five provinces and ending at the Gobi Desert. Guests will experience this incredible landmark in a unique setting. Surrounded by lush greenery, enjoy a delicious lunch in an exclusive venue at the foot of an original section of the wall. After lunch explore the Great Wall of Badaling, the first section of the wall opened to tourists after being restored in 1957.
1940s PATRIOTIC EVENING ABOARD
THE BATTLESHIP MISSOURI
June 14, 2015 Honolulu Hawaii
Located on historic Battleship Row in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, a mere ship-length away from the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri is best known as the site of the end of World War II. Often referred to as "Mighty Mo," the decks of this battleship were where General Douglas MacArthur accepted the official surrender of Japan in September 1945. As the sun sets behind the Waianae mountain range, tour this hallowed vessel and enjoy hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and patriotic performances of tunes from the 1940s.

Food & Entertainment

Sailing around the globe offers the chance to sample some of the finest cuisine in the world at the very best shore side restaurants. Sailing around the globe with Oceania Cruises means we will enjoy equally exquisite cuisine onboard the ship. Inspired by the legendary Master Chef Jacques pépin, who is Executive Culinary Director for Oceania Cruises, the talented chefs onboard Insignia create culinary masterpieces. From Continental classics in the grand Dining Room to authentic Italian cuisine in toscana to perfectly prepared steaks and seafood in the polo grill, the options are nearly endless. Of course, a voyage of this scale must take full advantage of the opportunity to explore world cuisines, so special events will highlight fabulous local fare. perhaps the buffet in terrace Café features delicious Thai specialties while cruising the gulf of Thailand, or a deck party takes on a polynesian flair as you sail the South Pacific. Regardless of the region, an array of culinary delights awaits you.

Multiple open-seating dining venues for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Continental cuisine at the elegant Grand Dining Room

Steaks, chops and seafood at Polo Grill

Gourmet Italian dining at Toscana

Casual and alfresco breakfast, lunch and dinner served at Terrace Café

Poolside dining at Waves Grill, including gourmet burgers and
hand-dipped milkshakes

Extensive wine cellar

Classic English-style afternoon tea

Authentic pizzeria, ice cream and sundae bar

Gourmet canapés delivered nightly to all suites and served in all bars and lounges throughout the ship

FREE room service 24 hours a day

All this and we don't even need to bring any formal ware.....Bob is happy on that note.  This cruise is a very Club Casual Dress.  Cant wait.


Entertainment

While the magnificent worldwide destinations are certainly the star attraction on this grand voyage, we will enjoy an abundance of entertaining activities onboard the ship as well, many designed to further enhance our experiences ashore. A bevy of experts will share personal insights on the history, arts, culture and cuisine of the fascinating ports of call that we will visit, so you can experience each to its fullest. Other special guests will be onboard to help celebrate the pure joys of cruising. Enjoy a bridge tournament conducted by a master of the game, listen to a talented pianist interpret a classic concerto or learn the secrets of regional cuisine from a local chef. On days when you wish to simply relax, the luxurious Canyon Ranch Spa Club®, the plush English-style library or a Balinese day bed poolside offer the perfect retreat in which to savor every moment of this wonderful journey.

What a deal .....

2 for 1 Cruise Fares

FREE FIRST CLASS
Roundtrip Airfare*

Early Booking Savings
up to 70%

——— PLUS ———We get all this

• Free Pre-Paid
  Gratuities
• Free 1-Night
  Pre-Cruise
  Luxury Hotel Stay
• Free Onboard
  Medical Services
• Free Luggage
  Delivery*
• Free Laundry Services
• Free Unlimited
  Internet
• Free Exclusive
  Shoreside Events
• Free Visa Package
• Free Roundtrip
  Transfers*
• Free dining at all specialty restaurants. Free and unlimited soft drinks, bottled water, cappuccino, espresso, teas and juices  Free shuttle service from ship to city center in many ports of call – a daily value of up to $50 per guest  Free and unlimited access to Canyon Ranch SpaClub® private Spa Terrace  Free room service dining 24 hours a day Free concierge service  Free gourmet canapés served daily in suites, bars and lounges  Free cocktail parties hosted by the Captain and Senior Officers

Cruise Critic use it all the time

Bob & I use this all the time to find great deals for port excursions. We always meet a lot of nice people as well.

Love to cruise?  Do you know about Cruise Critic?  The name may be confusing, making you think it is nothing but people complaining about their cruise.  But actually, Cruise Critic is a community of people interested in cruising...

When you first go to Cruise Critic you will see categories like, “Reviews”, “Find A Cruise”,  “Deals”, “Destinations”, “How to Cruise”,  “News”,  and “Community”.  Most of these have a pull down menu with specific information.  If you are reading the reviews, remember to take them with a grain of salt.  They are very subjective – what one person finds unforgivable might not bother another person.   Very few cruises are going to be totally horrible or totally fantastic.  A good rule is to eliminate the top 20% and the bottom 20% of the reviews.

 

For me, the best part of Cruise Critic is the “Community”.  This is where you will find dozens of forums covering just about any aspect of cruising.  Here are just a few of the forum topics:

Honeymoon and Wedding Cruises

Luxury Cruising

First Time Cruisers

Disabled Cruise Travel

Solo Cruisers

Cruising Technology

World Cruising

Most of the mainstream cruise lines have a separate forum where you can ask (and answer) the questions of fellow members.  Sometimes these discussions can become very heated and the board moderators have to step in and encourage everyone to “play nice”.

There also are “Roll Calls” where people who are going to be on the same cruise can chat with each other.  Roll Calls are interesting as some of them become very popular and others just sit there.   For this cruise I have been very lucky to be part of an amazing roll call.  We have discussed all kinds of topics of interest from excursions, setting up meet and greets, what to wear, to the pain of getting visas for China and India (more about that in a future post).  Even if you are traveling solo, you do not feel like you are traveling alone because of all the great people you have met on the roll call.

If you need to find out information about your ports of call, there is a forum for that.  This is a great place to find out some of the best places to visit (or avoid) as well as reputable excursion providers.  Cruise Critic is owned by Trip Advisor which is another great site to learn about the places you will be visiting.

One of my favorite forums is the “Cruise Fashion and Beauty”.  Almost everyone on the forum is positive and helpful (even if they disagree).  There is even a recycling thread where people offer clothes, shoes, handbags, etc. that they have grown tired of, don’t fit any more, or they are just downsizing their closets.  If you are the lucky recipient of an item all you have to do is to send a check for the shipping to the giver and post a picture of yourself and the item on the thread.

So, if you are interested in cruising, give Cruise Critic a try.  http://www.cruisecritic.com  You can read all the information but must register in order to post.

The map Sorry it's so big.