Oceania tries themes and other cruise news

Oceania Cruises for the first time is sailing towards theme cruises, introducing 10 voyages exploring culinary, wine, music, and health and wellness themes.

Typical activities will include seminars, hands-on classes, concerts and wine tastings. Guests will include up-and-coming jazz musicians and noted editors.

“While groups that share the same interests have regularly sailed with Oceania Cruises in the past, our new ‘Signature Sailings’ create a special opportunity for guests to experience the cruise in the company of fellow travelers who share their passion for the theme,” said Bruce J. Himelstein, the line’s president.

A new feature will include loyal past passengers as guests of honor for two special reunion cruises that the line says will include “memorable surprises both onboard and ashore.”

In other up-to-date cruise news:

—New York City is about to gets its largest ship ever to home port there when Norwegian Cruise Line’s new 4,000-passenger ship Breakaway arrives in May of 2013. The ship will have at least 88 cruises from the Manhattan Cruise terminal. Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise line to homeport year-round in New York City beginning in 2003. Norwegian Cruise Line also announced that pop icon Peter Max, has been commissioned to paint the signature hull artwork for Norwegian Breakaway. This is the first time Norwegian has asked a well-known artist to paint the hull artwork on one of its ships.

—Carnival Cruise Lines has unveiled Fun Ship 2.0, a program that it says will “dramatically transform its on-board guest experience to deliver even more memorable vacations.” The multi-year effort will offer guests” new dining choices, more exciting bars and lounges, and captivating entertainment options through innovative partnerships and new branded spaces.” In the first phase alone, which extends through the end of 2015, Carnival will invest more than US$500 million across its fleet.

—Disney Cruise Line is adding a second Hawaii cruise to its 2012 schedule.  "We listen to our guests, and shortly after we announced our first Hawaiian voyage it was clear our guests wanted more options to visit Hawaii," said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. "This second sailing to Hawaii is part of a wide variety of Disney Cruise Line vacation options for families in 2012 including new itineraries, regional homeports and the debut of our newest ship, the Disney Fantasy."

—Norwegian Cruise Line also announced a new partnership with GroundLink, an online and mobile private car service, to provide a luxurious transportation option to and from its cruise ships. Guests now have the freedom and flexibility to book a variety of transfer options online from airport or home to pier and vice versa, as part of the cruise booking process.  Services can be booked up to an hour before departure. GroundLink's fleet includes thousands of luxury vehicles from town cars and SUVs to stretch limousines available for private transfers at Norwegian's embarkation ports around the world including Miami, New York, Barcelona and Venice.

—Seabourn has launched a “Seabourn Moments” contest on Facebook calling on its fans to share their most memorable cruise. The top story based on judging will win a seven-day Seabourn cruise for two next year.

—In recognition of National Cruise Vacation Week, Carnival Cruise Lines is offering a promotion offering “cash back” of up to $300 per stateroom for bookings made before October 23. The promotion is available in conjunction with a wide range of three- to 12-day “Fun Ship” departures through December 2012.

By David Wilkening