…
Construction of Oceania Cruises’ much anticipated new 65,000-ton, 1,252-passenger ship, "Marina", the company’s first custom built cruise liner, has officially started, following the Keel Laying Ceremony (Genoa, March 6th) attended by management from the shipyard and from Oceania Cruises, including Frank Del Rio, Chairman and CEO of Prestige Cruise Holdings, founder of Oceania Cruises and Bob Binder, President of Oceania Cruises.
During the ceremony the first of fifty-five steel blocks were lowered into the building dock at the Sestri Ponente shipyard, Fincantieri nr. Genoa, and two coins, a US Silver Dollar and a pre-Castro Silver Cuban Peso, were welded into the keel, a long standing maritime tradition believed to solicit good fortune for the ship, its crew and passengers.
Marina’s is the first custom built ship for the Oceania fleet, which currently comprises of three mid-sized, Regatta-class vessels, "Insignia", "Regatta" and "Nautica", each 30,277 tons with capacity for 684 passengers. The new luxury ship is set to debut in September 2010, with a sister ship scheduled to launch on July 30, 2011.
Marina will provide luxurious accommodation, with leather, wood and marble adorned interiors for up to 1,252 guests in 626 staterooms and suites, to be served by more than 780 staff members. 96% of all accommodations will feature private teak verandas and guests will dine in their choice of six open seating restaurants, new “French country" and Pan-Asian restaurants being added to those available on the existing fleet. Wheelchair-accessible staterooms will be available in every category and for the first time, Owner’s and Vista Suites will feature outdoor whirlpools.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
