Oceania Celebrates as Marina's Keel is Layed

Frank Del Rio, chairman & CEO of Prestige Cruise Holdings (left) and Bob Binder, president of Oceania Cruises. (Photo courtesy of Oceania Cruises.)

Oceania Cruises' management and development teams had a lot to celebrate on March 7, when a keel laying ceremony for Marina was held at the Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa, Italy. This ship, being built by Fincantieri, is Oceania's first purpose-built vessel and it will accommodate 1,252 passengers and 780 crew members. Marina will be the first Oceania-class vessel to sail the seven seas and incorporates the best aspects of the Regatta-class ships—Insignia, Nautica, and Regatta—while increasing cruising speed by 20 percent.

Oceania fans are especially looking forward to cruising aboard the Marina with her six open-seating restaurants and spacious suites, 96 percent of which feature teak verandas.

"This is a momentous day in the history of Oceania Cruises, one which only be eclipsed on the day we take delivery of Marina in 2010," said Frank Del Rio, chairman and CEO of Prestige Cruise Holdings and founder of Oceania Cruises. "We want to express our sincere thanks to our loyal guests, travel partners, and the entire Oceania Cruises team for all their dedication and hard work in making this new ship become a reality."

Members of Fincantieri and Oceania's management teams were on hand for the keel laying ceremony. As you know, during this ceremony coins are often welded into the keel for good luck. The coins selected for Marina included a U.S. silver dollar and a pre-Castro silver Cuban peso.

For more information about Oceania Cruises, talk with your travel agent or visit Oceania's website.