2017 Around the World Quilt: A Patchwork of Memories

By David & Anna Smith, Guest Lecturer & ATW Quilt Coordinator

With 36 guests participating during the 180-day Around the World voyage aboard Insignia this year, the colorful ATW quilts have been beautifully completed and raffled. This year, guests created more quilt blocks than expected so two quilts were created, one with 72 blocks and the other with 25 blocks. Each block represents a world port of call visited on the world voyage or life on board. About $2000 was raised in the raffle for the Around the World quilts and was donated to the Insignia crew welfare fund. 

Oceania Cruises: 3 Insider Ship Tips

By Guest Lecturer Sandy Cares

The more you cruise aboard Oceania Cruises, the more you get to know the ins and outs and little secrets that make life on board feel like home. Since I’ve been lecturing aboard the ships since 2010, I have a few secrets to share that I’ve picked up along the way. Whether it’s your first time sailing or your tenth, these insider tips will help make your time on board and ashore a breeze.

1. There’s a simple trick to figure out which way to turn to find your stateroom when you exit the elevator. I see it over and over again. For the first few days of a new cruise, guests emerge from the elevators and ask, “Do we go right or left to our corridor?” I have a simple tip – look for the telephone. The phone is on the side of the even room numbers.

2. The complimentary Bulgari amenities in your stateroom have a flip-top lid. I can’t tell you how many times I have squeezed and shaken and pleaded with them to release the contents only to end up with a big blob at my feet. One day I put my glasses on in the shower for a closer inspection. That’s something I don’t usually do in the shower but it paid off – I discovered the bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion all have wonderfully convenient flip-top lids! All you have to do is flip the lid and voila! The contents will pour out like silken honey.

3. Plan ahead in getting small bills for your time ashore. I hear about it all the time. Guests don’t bring enough small bills for tips and tchotchkes before going ashore and the Reception desk can run out of small bills. Go to the casino the night before and ask the casino cashier to help you break big bills. They will also help toward the end of the cruise when you need small –or big – bills for tips for the fantastic crew!

Stay tuned for more insider ship tips from me in the coming months! 

 

 

 

 

Inspirations at Artist Loft with Noel Suarez

Join Noel in Artist Loft this summer aboard Riviera, from June 14^th through June 28^th and again from July 25^th through August 22^th. We recently caught up with him to learn more about his recent classes in the Caribbean and hear about his favorite Mediterranean inspiration and his plans aboard Riviera this summer.

Sail & Sustain: Our Top 5 Green Initiatives

 

We recently released our first ever Environmental Report along with our new global environmental initiative, “Sail & Sustain.” This program reflects our mission of providing enriching and memorable vacation experiences for you while continually improving our sustainability culture and minimizing our impact on the environment.

Below are some highlights of the ways in which these initiatives will have a positive impact across our oceans and local communities worldwide:

4 Unforgettable Experiences in Hong Kong

By Oceania Cruises Guest Mariela U.

One of the great cities of the world, Hong Kong is fast-paced, filled with dizzying bazaars, amazing restaurants and a dynamic cultural landscape. It’s also constantly transforming. I recently visited Hong Kong before my cruise aboard Insignia with my husband, and we had the chance to experience this city for two full days. From delicious dim sum to the treasured Tian Tan Buddha, here are four of my favorite experiences in Hong Kong.