MIAMI, July 8, 2013 – Oceania Cruises, the award-winning upper-premium cruise line, announced today its first ever Around the World in 180 Days cruise, a star-studded, port-intensive 180-day voyage aboard the 684-guest Insignia, setting sail round-trip from Miami on January 10, 2015.

This extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime voyage visits five continents, 44 countries and 89 ports of call and will feature 11 overnight calls plus 4 two-night calls in Cape Town, South Africa; Yangon, Myanmar (Burma); Singapore, Singapore; and Shanghai, China.

Insignia’s 180-day journey begins by visiting boutique ports in the Caribbean then steers south to South America and east to Africa before heading to India, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and Hawaii before returning via the Panama Canal to Miami on July 8, 2015.

“As the leading specialist in destination cruising, we wanted to create a unique port- intensive voyage that reflects the dreams of the true explorer, rather than speed across the seas racing to the next convenient port as is the norm in a typical 100- to 110-day world cruise,” said Kunal S. Kamlani, the line’s president. “By eliminating the 100-day time constraint, we freed ourselves to conceive a remarkable dream voyage designed to visit the world’s most fascinating destinations.”

In addition to crossing the equator four times and sailing through all 24 time zones, the Around the World in 180 Days cruise will traverse three oceans and 10 seas, call on 45 islands and offer the chance to visit 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Of the 89 ports visited on this extraordinary cruise, 13 are new to Oceania Cruises, including Corinto, Nicaragua; El Guamache (Isla Margarita), Venezuela; Langkawi, Malaysia; Santa Marta, Colombia; and Xiamen, China.

Guests will also enjoy a one-night pre-cruise luxury hotel stay in Miami and free exclusive shoreside events in Walvis Bay, Namibia; Myanmar; Bangkok; Beijing and Honolulu. Please click here to view the full itinerary.

Offer features 2-for-1 cruise fares, first class airfare, pre-paid gratuities, free luggage valet and free onboard medical service

Bookings for the Around the World in 180 Days cruise open at 8 a.m. EST on July 17, 2013, and feature two-for-one cruise fares, free FIRST CLASS round-trip airfare and free pre-paid gratuities. Additionally, guests will receive a free visa package including entry visas for 16 countries, unlimited Internet and laundry service, luggage delivery, round-trip transfers and free onboard medical service, a first for the industry.

“We expect that many of our Around the World guests will be experienced cruisers and therefore will be over the age of 60,” Kamlani added. ”In order to eliminate the stress of worrying about everyday medical issues, we have included free onboard medical service for our Around the World guests for the duration of the cruise.”

Guests must book by 9 p.m. EST on September 17, 2013, to receive early booking fares beginning at $39,999 per person.

Around the World guests will cruise aboard the Insignia, an elegant mid-size ship. Insignia is spacious enough to offer every modern comfort and amenity of larger ships, yet small enough to call on secluded bays and chic, seaside hamlets not accessible to most vessels. Gourmet cuisine crafted by acclaimed master chef Jacques Pépin is served in four open-seating restaurants, all at no additional charge. The ship features spacious, modern accommodations and a state-of-the-art fitness center, casino, boutique, large pool and the Canyon Ranch SpaClub®.

WOW Susan, that is something! We relish the wonderful memories we have doing 2 WC's on Regent. I wonder if this WC will be all inclusive once on the ship ? The price on this seems too reasonable.

Here is a link with details

http://www.oceaniacruises.com/around-the-world-cruise/


and here is a link with comparison to other lines that offer World Cruises

http://www.oceaniacruises.com/email...=ta&t=emint&d=070813&cid=atw

Can't believe the hefty SS of 200%. As a long time World Cruiser, that counts me out.

Wow, too bad I have to work. 180 days would be so cool, though I doubt I could get George to do that long of a trip. When I retire, I am going on a world cruise. He can come with me for as much or as little of it as he wants, but I am definitely doing one.

I wonder why they are doing it on the small older ship rather than the newer larger one?
That's going to be one "cozy" six months of togetherness in those tiny cabins, IMHO.
On the other hand, it would be great for newlyweds or honeymooners.

My guess is the bean counters figure they can fill smaller ship more easily.

If demand is high they could switch ships.

I wanted to just note that the comparison chart contains several errors that I caught and there could be more.

Seabourn does include Gratuities. Chart says none.
Crystal provides $500.00 per person luggage credit not 2 bags as seems to be implied. Also, Internet is not complimentary nor is a portion of the Laundry. There is some complimentary laundry and internet but that is for selected rooms on the ship.

There could be more errors but those are ones that jumped out at me.

Some of the comparisons when it comes to pricing can be misleading since all cruises lines don't include the same items.

I do think that Oceania should update the chart with accurate information.

Keith

Thanks Keith, welcome to LCT.

FYI, Keith is one of the top 5 (maybe top 3) posters on Cruise Critic with over 50,000 posts (most being on Crystal, but many on the Luxury (Regent, Seabourn, Silversea, et. al.,) board's.

and Keith is very helpful on the Disney board with newbies like me.

You a newbie!!! I have a bridge for sale!

Ray, Marcie is a newbie to Disney cruises only! Some of us have to start all over from time to time

Welcome to lct Keith! I have been "reading you" for years on CC! Including last year's WC on Crystal (along with another blogger who sent wonderful food photo's) where I often saw pix of Ray and Pat and other LCT people or others I've met on Ngaire's cruises. Nice to have your wisdom here as well as on CC. Lol, I don't hesitate to say this is a much more civil board! I know you just don't get into that, ever.

haha Ray, and I'd probably buy it !

Thank you all for the very nice welcome and kind words. It is very much appreciated.

Keith

Busy day at Oceania. At this point only availability for World Cruise is A1, A2, A3 guarantee or C2. Of course most of the reservations are just options and have not been deposited so there may be more availability next week if guests do not deposit by next Wednesday.

Sort of makes you wonder why Regent cut out the WC's with such a loyal following.

That's for sure Olivia....and 4 months was just the right length of time for a WC.

Unfortunately the Regent WC never sold out in one day. As of this morning Oceania is offering guarantees only in lower balcony staterooms. Of course, availability will change as deposits are not made, and options expire.

It will be interesting to see if all the options deposit today. I know that every category is on waitlist.

Yes it will be interesting. Do you know how many from B&K are thinking about going?

I checked this morning and it is still showing every category on waitlist. I know I had one guest that decided not to deposit but obviously there was a waitlist for her stateroom because that never became available. .

an update: all the most expensive cabins are wait listed or sold out as are the least expensive but the middle levels are available.

Peggy

Peggy,
Thanks for the heads up. Clay and I are in!

Debbie

enjoy!

Peggy,
Thanks. You were keeping a pretty close eye on this...are you going?
Debbie

No, I'm not . . . . I'm booked on the Crystal WC.

Sorry we won't see you, but best wishes on your Crystal WC!

I loved Keith's blog from last year's Crystal WC, and of course, Oceania gets great reviews. Have fun, Peggy and Debbie!

I'm sure Keith will do a blog again for the '14 trip (and others going forward) . . . I enjoy his as well.

Debby: Are you planning to do one for the Insignia cruise? I hope so . . please let me know or put me on your list!

Peggy

Right now, Ron and I are also signed up!

Olivia, Thanks! It is a long way off.

Peggy, Probably, but it is a long way off. If I do, I'll let you know though!

Dixie (sorry I don't know your real name!) I hope Clay and I will meet you & Ron in 2015!

Debbie

Peggy my name is Sally. I think we may be talking about 2 different WC's. We are booked on the Oceania 2014 WC.

Hi Sally,

I think you meant me and not Peggy. Sorry, I didn't realize Oceania was doing a WC in 2014. We are booked for Jan 10 2015. If we are on different cruises, then I apologize for the confusion!
Debbie