Hot Promos for the Week of 3/13/2011

Here are this week's hot promotions from Sand & C Travel®!

-4 Night Western Caribbean on Celebrity Century departs Mar 24 from $279* Outside/$349* Concierge! (must be booked on Mar 15)

-7 Night Eastern Caribbean on Celebrity Solstice departs Mar 20, Mar 27, Apr 3, Apr 10 or Apr 24 from $549* Inside/$599* Outside/$699* Veranda! (must be booked on Mar 15)

-7 Night Eastern or Western Caribbean on Celebrity Eclipse departs Mar 19, Mar 26, Apr 2 or Apr 9 from $549* Inside/$599* Outside/$699* Veranda! (must be booked on Mar 15)

-7 Night Eastern Caribbean on Oasis of the Seas departs Apr 9 from $799* Inside/$899* Outside/$999* Balcony! (must be booked on Mar 15 [Crown & Anchor members can book this on Mar 14])

-12 Night Mediterranean/Holy Land on Mariner of the Seas departs May 23 from $649* Inside/$799* Outside/$1049* Balcony! (must be booked on Mar 15 [Crown & Anchor members can book this on Mar 14])

-10 Night Panama Canal on Coral Princess departs Apr 14 from $999* Inside/$1199* Outside/$1699* Balcony/$1999* Mini-Suite!

-15 Night Roman Passage on Star Princess departs May 3 from $599* Inside/$649* Outside/$1099* Balcony/$1599* Mini-Suite!

-Book a select 2011 air-inclusive Insight Vacations Europe tour by Mar 15 and save $1000 per couple!*

-Book a select Summer 2011 Globus Family of Brands Europe departure (includes Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterays) by June 14 and save up to $1200 per person on Business Class air!**

-A Unique Opportunity! Jewish Themed Blue Danube Cruise on Avalon Waterways! One departure only….October 29, 2012 with Jewish touring included. Inquire about Sand & C Group Space!

-CRUISES SAILING 2012-2013 OPEN FOR SALE OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS….FOR THE BEST PRICING & AVAILABILITY BOOK EARLY! If you are planning a dream cruise this is the time to book…..to get exactly what you want!

FOLLOW Sand & C Travel ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR LINKED-IN! Join the conversation with Sand & C and other travelers at our blog!

The Sand & C Travel ®Presentation Series

Your opportunity to learn more about the destinations, cruise lines and tour operators that offer the vacation that you desire.

Date	Supplier
April 6, 2011	Isram World of Travel
May 4, 2011	Viking River Cruises
June 2, 2011	Oceania Cruises

All presentations begin at 7:00PM and will take place in our office.

PLEASE RSVP AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE PRESENTATION BY CALLING OUR OFFICE OR E-MAILING US AT INFO@SANDCTRAVEL.COM AND INCLUDE YOUR NAME, PHONE NUMBER,

E-MAIL ADDRESS AND DATE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND.

Space is limited and guests will be limited to attending 2 of the above events.

Contact Sand & C Travel® for more information today!

(561) 736-3880 or (877) 736-3880

9851-F Military Trail

Boynton Beach, FL 33436

info@sandctravel.com www.sandctravel.com

*-All rates are per person, cruise only, no air, based upon double occupancy, and subject to availability at time of booking. Offers are subject to immediate withdrawal at any time by the respective cruise line or tour operator. Significant restrictions apply. Rates include non-commissionable cruise fare. Government taxes, fuel surcharges, and fees are additional. When air booking is processed through Sand & C Travel, either through the tour operator, cruise line or separately, an agency service fee will apply. Gratuities, which are mandatory with certain cruise lines, are also additional. Optional insurance is strongly recommended for an additional charge. Offers are for new bookings only and are not combinable with any other promotion, including groups, shipboard credits, etc. See respective cruise line or tour operator's brochure for complete terms and conditions, as we ll as respective ship's registry, if applicable. All offers based upon faxes or e-mails received by Sand & C Travel, Inc. during the period Mar 4-11, 2011 from the respective cruise line or tour operator. Note that outside and/or balcony cabin pricing may include obstructed view cabins. Offers may apply to limited or categories. Sand & C Travel is not responsible for mis-prints or typographical errors. All passengers are required to carry proper proof of citizenship. For cruises or tours with a total cabin commissionable cruise fare of under $500, a Sand & C Travel booking fee will apply in addition to the cruise line or tour operator charges.

**-Must be booked at least 60 days prior to departure. Book and deposit select 2011 Globus, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon air-inclusive Europe vacations only on Lufthansa or another Star Alliance carrier from applicable U.S. gateways to select European cities to receive the special Business Class fares. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between February 16 and June 14, 2011 for travel between June 28 and September 2, 2011. Offer not valid with any other air offer but is valid with Journeys Club coupons and any land only Globus family of brands promotions. Applies to new 2011 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Due to limited availability, offer may be withdrawn at any time by the Globus family of brands and Lufthansa. Sample Lufthansa Business Class fares shown are per-person, roundtrip high season, mid-we ek travel include fuel surcharges but do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $200-$375 depending on your itinerary. For current prices, please see our web site. Additional restrictions may apply.

Carnival Short Cruise Program

CARNIVAL TO LAUNCH NEW ONE-OF-A-KIND SHORT CRUISE PROGRAM FROM PORT CANAVERAL

MIAMI (March 10, 2011) – Carnival Cruise Lines today announced a unique and exciting new “Fun Ship” cruise program from Port Canaveral, Fla.

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy will operate four- and five-day Bahamas cruises from the Space Coast beginning November 7, 2011. The move further bolsters Carnival’s position as Port Canaveral’s largest cruise operator with three year-round ships carrying approximately 600,000 guests annually.

“In addition to offering a convenient departure point for millions of consumers in the southeastern U.S., along with attractive port facilities and excellent flight options into nearby Orlando, Port Canaveral is an extremely popular homeport and we’re excited to provide our guests with some fantastic new cruise choices from Central Florida,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. On the Carnival Ecstasy’s new schedule, two different four-day itineraries will be offered, along with two different five-day itineraries.

Carnival Ecstasy will depart Thursdays on four-day ‘long weekend’ cruises visiting Nassau and Half Moon Cay or Freeport. Five-day cruises will depart Mondays and Saturdays and call at Nassau, Freeport and Half Moon Cay or Key West.

With Carnival Ecstasy’s new four- and five-day schedule, combined with year-round three- and four-day Bahamas cruises aboard Carnival Sensation and seven-day eastern and western Caribbean voyages on Carnival Dream, the line will offer an unprecedented array of cruise lengths and itineraries from Port Canaveral.

Prior to repositioning to Port Canaveral, the Carnival Ecstasy will continue to operate from Galveston, Texas through September 8, 2011 and then from New Orleans September 22 through November 5, 2011, as previously scheduled.

Carnival Elation from New Orleans

Carnival Elation will reposition from Mobile, Ala., to New Orleans to operate year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises beginning November 5, 2011. On this route, four-day cruises will depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel, one of the Caribbean’s most popular ports, while five-day voyages will call at both Cozumel and Progreso.

Carnival Elation’s new schedule from New Orleans replaces the previously announced program from that port on the Carnival Ecstasy.

Carnival Elation will join the Carnival Conquest in New Orleans, marking the first time Carnival has operated two ships from New Orleans in six years. Carnival will be the only cruise line with two ships based year-round in New Orleans, carrying more than 350,000 passengers annually.

Guests with Current Reservations

As a result of these deployment changes, Carnival will no longer offer cruises from Mobile, Ala. Guests booked on those voyages will have the option of re-booking from an alternate homeport and receive a $25 per person onboard credit, or they can elect to receive a full refund.

Guests booked on cruises from New Orleans on the Carnival Ecstasy that will now be operated on the Carnival Elation are being automatically shifted to the Carnival Elation. Itineraries on the Carnival Elation will be identical to those that were scheduled for the Carnival Ecstasy. The two vessels are sister ships with largely similar features, amenities and staterooms. (Those guests who were booked in standard balcony staterooms on the Carnival Ecstasy - a cabin category not featured on the Carnival Elation - will be contacted individually to discuss their preferences.) The movement of bookings from Carnival Ecstasy to Carnival Elation will be completed by Friday, March 11, 2011.

New Reservations

Carnival will begin accepting reservations for the Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Elation’s new programs from Port Canaveral and New Orleans beginning Friday, March 11. For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com

Celebrity Deployment 2012

Hot Promos for the week of 3/6/2011

Here are this week's hot promotions from Sand & C Travel®!

-4 Night Western Caribbean on Navigator of the Seas departs Mar 31 from $279* Inside/$329* Outside/$379* Balcony! (must be booked on Mar 8 [Crown & Anchor members can book this on Mar 7

-7 Night Eastern Caribbean on Celebrity Solstice departs Mar 20, Apr 3 or Apr 10 from $699* Veranda! (must be booked on Mar 8)

-7 Night Eastern or Western Caribbean on Celebrity Eclipse departs Mar 19, Mar 26, Apr 2 or Apr 9 from $699* Veranda! (must be booked on Mar 8)

-7 Night Eastern Caribbean on Oasis of the Seas departs Apr 9 from $799* Inside/$899* Outside/$999* Balcony! (must be booked on Mar 8 [Crown & Anchor members can book this on Mar 7])

-10 Night Ultimate Caribbean on Celebrity Equinox departs Apr 22 from $749* Inside/$899* Outside/$949* Veranda! (must be booked on Mar 8)

-12 Night Trans-Atlantic on Jewel of the Seas departs May 6 from $499* Inside/$649* Outside/$799* Balcony! (must be booked on Mar 8 [Crown & Anchor members can book this on Mar 7])

-12 Night China & Japan Explorer on Ocean Princess departs Mar 20 from $699* Inside/$799* Outside/$1099* Balcony/$1599* Mini-Suite!

-12 Night Med & Aegean on Star Princess departs May 18 from $1599* Inside/$2599* Outside/$2599* Balcony/$2999* Mini-Suite!

-Celebrity Europe Cruise Sale…March 7-9…Book an ocean view to veranda stateroom on a select 2011 Celebrity Europe departure and save $300 per cabin with a reduced deposit requirement! (New bookings only, inquire for details.)*

-Book a select Summer 2011 Globus Family of Brands Europe departure (includes Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterays) by June 14 and save up to $1200 per person on Business Class air!**

-A Unique Opportunity! Jewish Themed Blue Danube Cruise on Avalon Waterways! One departure only….October 29, 2012 with Jewish touring included. Inquire about Sand & C Group Space!

FOLLOW Sand & C Travel ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER OR LINKED-IN! Join the conversation with Sand & C and other travelers at our blog!

The Sand & C Travel ®Presentation Series

Your opportunity to learn more about the destinations, cruise lines and tour operators that offer the vacation that you desire.

Date	Supplier
April 6, 2011	Isram World of Travel
May 4, 2011	Viking River Cruises
June 2, 2011	Oceania Cruises

All presentations begin at 7:00PM and will take place in our office.

PLEASE RSVP AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE PRESENTATION BY CALLING OUR OFFICE OR E-MAILING US AT INFO@SANDCTRAVEL.COM AND INCLUDE YOUR NAME, PHONE NUMBER,

E-MAIL ADDRESS AND DATE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND.

Space is limited and guests will be limited to attending 2 of the above events.

Contact Sand & C Travel® for more information today!

(561) 736-3880 or (877) 736-3880

9851-F Military Trail

Boynton Beach, FL 33436

info@sandctravel.com www.sandctravel.com

*-All rates are per person, cruise only, no air, based upon double occupancy, and subject to availability at time of booking. Offers are subject to immediate withdrawal at any time by the respective cruise line or tour operator. Significant restrictions apply. Rates include non-commissionable cruise fare. Government taxes, fuel surcharges, and fees are additional. When air booking is processed through Sand & C Travel, either through the tour operator, cruise line or separately, an agency service fee will apply. Gratuities, which are mandatory with certain cruise lines, are also additional. Optional insurance is strongly recommended for an additional charge. Offers are for new bookings only and are not combinable with any other promotion, including groups, shipboard credits, etc. See respective cruise line or tour operator's brochure for complete terms and conditions, as we ll as respective ship's registry, if applicable. All offers based upon faxes or e-mails received by Sand & C Travel, Inc. during the period Feb 25-Mar 4, 2011 from the respective cruise line or tour operator. Note that outside and/or balcony cabin pricing may include obstructed view cabins. Offers may apply to limited or categories. Sand & C Travel is not responsible for mis-prints or typographical errors. All passengers are required to carry proper proof of citizenship. For cruises or tours with a total cabin commissionable cruise fare of under $500, a Sand & C Travel booking fee will apply in addition to the cruise line or tour operator charges.

**-Must be booked at least 60 days prior to departure. Book and deposit select 2011 Globus, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon air-inclusive Europe vacations only on Lufthansa or another Star Alliance carrier from applicable U.S. gateways to select European cities to receive the special Business Class fares. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between February 16 and June 14, 2011 for travel between June 28 and September 2, 2011. Offer not valid with any other air offer but is valid with Journeys Club coupons and any land only Globus family of brands promotions. Applies to new 2011 bookings only, and offer will not be applied to pre-existing bookings. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Due to limited availability, offer may be withdrawn at any time by the Globus family of brands and Lufthansa. Sample Lufthansa Business Class fares shown are per-person, roundtrip high season, mid-we ek travel include fuel surcharges but do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $200-$375 depending on your itinerary. For current prices, please see our web site. Additional restrictions may apply.

The Blue Danube Discovery- Jewish Heritage Theme

The Blue Danube Discovery with Jewish Heritage Theme

October 29th - November 10th, 2012

13 days from Budapest to Prague

Avalon Tapestry

In addition to the regular sightseeing, the following planned excursions will be included at no additional charge:

• Budapest - Included visit to the Jewish Museum and Synagogue.


• Vienna - Jewish history tour.


• Regensburg - Sightseeing visits to the Jewish quarter and, if possible, a visit to the excavations beneath Neupfarrplatz where a Gothic Synagogue and the remains of a Romantic Synagogue were found.


• Prague - Jewish Prague with included visit to the Jewish Museum, Synagogue and


• Cemetery.


• Terezin - Concentration Camp and Holocaust Museum.

Day 1 ~ Arrive in Budapest, Hungary

Welcome to Budapest, Hungary's lively capital. The remainder of the day is free to start exploring Eastern Europe's most cosmopolitan metropolis.

Day 2 ~ Budapest

Budapest straddles both banks of the Danube, with seven bridges, including the famous Chain and Elisabeth Bridges, connecting ancient Buda on the right bank with Pest on the left. The massive hilltop castle complex with FISHERMEN'S BASTION and the Matthias Church is among the many sights your Local Guide will show you. Shop for renowned peasant embroidery, Herend porcelain, and paprika. (Breakfast)

Day 3 ~ Budapest (Embarkation)

This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4 ~ Budapest-Vienna, Austria

A day to relax on board and marvel at the beautiful scenery on both banks of the Danube. Hungary is on your left as you cruise upriver and Slovakia is on your right. The two countries share the Danube for a 58-mile stretch, with the border in the middle of the river. Vienna, Austria's capital, is known as the "City of Music" and inspired the creative genius of Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 ~ Vienna Once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, Vienna has much to offer: lavish Hofburg Palace, the impressive Vienna Opera House, the majestic Ring Boulevard, and awe-inspiring St. Stephen's Cathedral, to name just a few of the sights you will enjoy during your city tour. You do not rush through Vienna; you waltz, taking your time to savor each classic sight and sound. Shop in the Kärntnerstrasse and enjoy Sachertorte or Apfelstrudel in a neighborhood café. An optional concert is available during your stay. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 ~ Dürnstein-Melk

Dürnstein, known for the magnificent baroque Stiftskirche with its blue façade, lying right in the heart of the Wachau wine region. Above town are the ruins of the castle where England's King Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192. This afternoon: Melk, whose magnificent BENEDICTINE ABBEY dominates the town from its commanding hill site and is one of Europe's largest monasteries. The view you have from the terrace over the Danube and surrounding countryside is breathtaking! This evening you'll be able to sample some of the Wachau Valley's FAMOUS WINES. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7 ~ Linz-Passau, Germany Linz, Austria's third-largest city, lies on both banks of the Danube and is an important industrial town and busy river port. An optional full-day excursion to Salzburg takes in the popular Sound of Music sights. Passau, ideally located at the confluence of the Rivers Inn, Ilz, and Danube, is a city of graceful arcades and cobblestone streets. St. Stephen's Cathedral houses the world's largest church organ with more than 17,000 pipes. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 ~ Regensburg

Regensburg is one of Germany's best preserved medieval cities. Architectural highlights on your guided tour include the Old Town Hall and Porta Pretoria-gates to an ancient Roman fort built in 179 AD. The city is the capital of Upper Palatinate, a bustling university town, and one of Bavaria's cultural centers. It is here you will find Germany's oldest restaurant, the 12thcentury Historische Wurstküche (Old Sausage Kitchen). (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9 ~ Nuremberg

Although Nuremberg suffered extensive damage during WWII, much of it was restored to its original style. Marvel at this historic city with its fabulous gothic churches and elegant patrician houses-all explained by a local expert. Nuremberg's traditions include famous Lebkuchen, toy making, and metal working. After dinner we'll introduce you to some of Germany's FAMOUS BEERS. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10 ~ Nuremberg (Disembarkation)-Prague, Czech Republic

Cross the Czech border in the Bohemian Forest and head for Prague, the "Golden City." (Breakfast)

Day 11 ~ Prague

Prague is a 1,000-year-old city preserved in time. See its best-known treasures such as the Old Town's Astronomical Clock, once the envy of all of Europe; HRADCANY CASTLE GROUNDS, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Charles Bridge. Browse the shops for hand-cut crystal or art books. Mix with the locals in Wenceslaus Square or stroll along the Vltava River. (Breakfast)

Day 12 ~ Prague

A free day for you to explore the city at your own pace. Your Cruise Director will have other suggestions for things to do. (Breakfast)

Day 13 ~ Prague

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

Meals:

Full buffet breakfast in Budapest and Prague; superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a welcome reception, Captain's reception, and farewell dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements; complimentary regional wine, beer, or soft drinks with all onboard dinners; complimentary coffee and tea available throughout the day

Hotels: BUDAPEST InterContinental (SF), PRAGUE Hilton (SF) or InterContinental (D)

ALL THIS INCLUDED:

~ Avalon Travel Insurance with Optional Travel Protection Plus

~ Round-trip transfers from a central location in Boynton Beach to a South Florida Airport.

~ Current port charges as of March 2, 2011.

~ Superb dining with all meals on board.

~ Complimentary wine, beer or soda with dinner.

~ Guided sightseeing in each city you visit.

~ Baggage assistance.

FEATURES AND AMENITIES:

~ All deluxe, 172 sq. ft. outside staterooms; 85% feature French balconies.

~ All meals, snacks and buffets served onboard including: early riser breakfast, full buffet breakfast, late riser breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee/tea/cake, dinner and night fare.

~ Entertainment, port lectures and other activities.

~ Choice of complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks served with dinner each evening: complimentary soft drinks with lunch.

~ Daily shore excursion in each port with audio headsets.

~ Daily program and port information provided to guests.

~ Captain's Welcome Reception and Gala dinner.

~ Deluxe 7 Night River Cruise

~ All staterooms are Riverview.

~ Comfort Collection by Avalon featuring premium mattress covers, Egyptian super-combed cotton linens and European-style duvets, choice of soft or firm pillows.

~ Premium L'Occitane bath amenities

~ Flat screen satellite TV

~ Complimentary bottled water

~ And much more!

Cruise Starting Price: $3459 per person (Catagory E)

Stateroom Upgrades:

B Category:: $3959 per person

A Category:: $4005 per person

P Category:: $4095 per person

*Rates are based on double occupancy. Prices subject to change.

Oceania Marina

Cathy and I had the privilege of spending this past weekend on the magnificent new Oceania Marina. Other than my Steelers losing the Superbowl, it was an incredible cruise. We were fortunate enough to witness the christening of the ship by it's godmother, Mary Hart from Entertainment Tonight. (Cathy got to meet Ms. Hart, which was a big thrill having watched ET for 30 years.)

This ship is absolutely magnificent. While Oceania considers itself a Premium Deluxe line (priced above the Premium lines such as Holland America and Celebrity, but below the deluxe lines such as Seabourne, Regent 7 Seas and Silversea), I found the ship as attractive and deluxe as any that I have experienced.

Oceania Cruises was formed 8 years ago, utilizing one of the ships from Renaissance Cruise Lines, which shut down after September 11. The ship, Oceania Regatta, holds about 800 passengers, and was an immediate hit among those looking for a smaller ship experience. Oceania purchased 2 more of the Renaissance ships and has been a three ship line for the last few years. The Marina is the first ship specifically built for Oceania, and management put their heart and soul into it. Oceania is best known as a destination cruise line, with a heavy focus on cuisine. Most of the restaurants are complimentary, and there is truly fine dining on board.

This morning, the following article written by Art Sabarsky appeared in “Cruise Week”, a newsletter for travel agents. This article gives you a great summary of the ship. In addition to reading this article, you can click this link to our Facebook page where we posted our pictures from the ship.

At just over 66,000 gross tons with 1,258 lower beds, Oceania's newest ship,

Marina, now on its maiden voyage, is by far the line's biggest ship. It's also the
first ship they've built based on their own design and imagination.

Apart from size, which has allowed them to add in lots of features and public
spaces, especially restaurants, there are many similarities to earlier ships, which
should ease the transition for Oceania regulars. First-timers should have no
trouble recognizing the benefits of the ship on its own.

But how do agents position this ship to clients in the grand scheme of things?
The line has been positioning the ship as premium-plus--somewhere between
the premium brands (Celebrity, Holland America, and Princess) and the luxury
category. But the word "luxury" does creep into their descriptions of certain
features; for example, they use "the finest dining at sea" promotionally--a very
high claim.

During the three-night promotional cruise I was on, I had a chance to
experience three of the ship's alternative restaurants, Toscana, Red Ginger, and
Jacques, as well at the Grand Dining Room. Toscana, with a new menu that is
also now on their three earlier ships, is full of dishes to whet the appetite. Maybe
the best dishes are the appetizers; I had two and they made a meal by
themselves. Then there's their well-promoted olive oil and balsamic vinegar
menu; it was fun trying out a few different blends.

Red Ginger, with its minimalist oriental decor, is beautiful, and everything I
sampled from the Asian menu was delicious--right-sized portions, clever <>combinations, wonderful flavoring, etc. They even bring around a box with a
variety of wood, plastic, and metal chopsticks from which guests can choose their
weapon of choice. A variety of teas are fresh brewed and served in individual
glass teapots--a delightful touch.

Jacques, the first ever eponymous restaurant of Chef Jacques Pepin, serves
an eclectic French menu with clever combos and great flavors.

The main dining room is an homage to the golden era of cruising, with high
ceilings, large windows all around (best during daylight hours), and an off-white
decor (ok, maybe the lighting is a bit bright). The entry way is a ramp gently
sloping down giving people entering a chance to view the entire room in all its
glory.

In addition to the main dining room and four alternative restaurants (all five of
which carry no surcha rges) there are extra-fee restaurants I did not try, Prive and
La Reserve, for wine and food pairing or specialized menus.

The coffee spot, Baristas, has a terrific view over the pool deck, and the
Waves Grill and Terraces Cafe, with casual pool-deck dining, has items way
beyond normal fare, including Kobe beefburger, fresh cut prosciutto, and
specialized buffets (such as Italian). And perhaps no menu item is as evocative
of luxury as caviar, and Marina serves up a caviar brunch on sea days in the
main dining room during brunch hours and then during lunch hours in the Terrace
Cafe.

So, food was certainly a highlight of the experience, which it should be based
on Oceania's positioning. I could easily envision rotating between the four
alternative spots and never even visiting the main dining room. Foodies should
be sated.

One unique concept onboard is the Bon Appetit Culinary Center, where up to
24 guests at one time actually make their own menu items under a chef's
tutelage. I've never really cooked before, but I learned an awful lot about even
some basic things, such as a great way to combine olive oil and vinegar for salad
dressing and that feta cheese kneaded into lamb for burgers adds flavoring
without being too obvious--delicious.

Beds & Bath
Another area where Oceania has taken advantage of the added space is in
staterooms and suites. Their older ships had rooms that were very small by
comparison to their competitive set. But, on Oceania, they have mostly solved
that problem. The inside rooms (and there are only 18 of them) are 174. Once
you get above that and move into Deluxe Ocean View Staterooms, the square
footage goes up to a very pleasant 242.

What makes these rooms stand out is that each of them has a floor to ceiling
panoramic window. For those people to whom a verandah is not critical, this
category is perfect since you get the extra light that verandah doors add to the
mix.

The next two categories up, Verandah Staterooms and Concierge Level
Verandah Staterooms measure 282 with the balcony. Some of the rooms in
these categories, most notably the forward and aft ones, have oversi ze balconies
which are terrific; on the downside, some balconies are under the over hang,
eliminating most of the sun.

Even in the lower categories, the LCD flat-screen TV is very large (larger
than ones I've seen recently on some ships in the luxury category). The
bathrooms are much larger than they are on the line's older ships and all outside
staterooms have both full bath plus a shower stall. Unfortunately, the raised floor
design for the stall makes it difficult for taller people to enjoy the rainshower
showerhead and the size of the stall is going to make it less-than-ideal for wider
people to move around.

Categorically Speaking

The end result is a product that spans several different levels. As such, it's
also going to appeal to lots of different levels of cruiser, with Oceania's value pricing philosophy being a big draw as well.--Art Sbarsky

If you are looking to try a smaller ship experience, I cannot imagine a better place to start than the Marina. And, if you have already sailed on Oceania in the past, I think you will adore this ship. As with most Oceania ships, sailings are booking up very early, so contact your Sand & C Travel Consultant if you would like more information as early as possible at (561) 736-3880 or (877) 736-3880 [toll free].

Sincerely,

Alan Rosen

Sand & C Travel