As one of Oceania Cruises top-selling travel partners and a founding member of the line’s prestigious Connoisseur’s Club of elite travel agency partners, Travel of America was honored recently to attend a special “reveal” in Beverly Hills for the cruise line’s exciting new ship, Marina, currently under construction in Genoa, Italy and slated to sail her inaugural voyage in January 2011. Attending the gala event were Pat Boskovic, Senior Cruise and Tour Specialist; Jim Petzel, VP, Marketing; and President & CEO, Richard Molander.

    In conceptualizing the new Marina, the team at Oceania took as their inspiration today’s concept of ‘home’ being a sanctuary and nesting place, a refuge where friends and family come together to relax, re-charge and renew.

    Indeed, aboard Marina comfort has been elevated to new heights with the addition of furnishings in the owner’s suite from the Ralph Lauren Home Collection, while the prestigious New York design firm, Dakota Jackson, has been selected to furnish the Vista and Oceania suites. Guests in other stateroom categories will enjoy larger, more luxurious accommodations with the finest high-end home furnishings.

   While Marina is larger than Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, and she carries almost double the number of guests – 1,258 – Travel of America Customers can rest assured that the fabulous cruise experience they enjoyed on the other ships will not be compromised aboard Marina.

    As Chairman and CEO, Frank Del Rio, explained, “There is an 80% increase in passenger capacity on Marina, but a 120% increase in the size of the ship, so the size makes for a more comfortable ship. The guest-to-space ratio is much higher on Marina than on our existing vessels.” Additionally, Frank pointed out that the crew-to-passenger ratio on board Marina has also been significantly increased.

    With all that comfort on board to create a memorable cruise, Oceania has also taken a thoughtful approach to dining on Marina – equally important to an outstanding cruise experience in the eyes of guests. Jeff Drew, Senior VP of Sales, commented on how Oceania consistently delivers such a phenomenal dining experience (which Travel of America Customers continually rave about), “It’s no secret in the cruise industry that Oceania outspends every other cruise line in the business in the area of food for its guests.” And he insisted that Marina will follow in that tradition by offering the finest dining at sea for guests.

    Travel of America Customers who sail aboard the new Marina will enjoy the hallmarks of the Oceania Cruises dining experience – the Grand Dining Room; the clubby Polo Grill, home to the finest 28-day dry-aged prime steaks; and Toscana, where cherished Italian family recipes, lovingly handed-down through generations, are recreated each evening.

    In addition, Marina adds two new signature restaurants for guests to enjoy. Red Ginger will feature the bold flavors of the Orient, and guests will dine in contemporary elegance in a setting surrounded by six crystal Buddhas. Bob Binder, President of Oceania Cruises, stated that the acclaimed Slanted Door restaurant in San Francisco is currently consulting with the cruise line in developing Red Ginger’s menus.

    The other exciting new dining venue is Jacques, world-renowned chef Jacques Pepin’s eponymous and first-ever restaurant at sea. Here, in surroundings that reflect the provencal countryside of France, guests will dine on Jacques Pepin’s classic and distinctive dishes. Jacques himself will contribute to the décor of the room by featuring some his personal copper pans and other mementos from the celebrated “Julia & Jacques” television series.

    Also announced, an exciting onboard art enrichment series in the ship’s Artist’s Loft where guests can attend classes in oil painting, watercolors or sculpture taught by a resident artist. Across the hall, guests can partake in a hands-on cooking school taught by chefs who will provide their unique insights.

    While Marina’s first five sailings sold out in record time, Travel of America still has limited space set aside for our Customers on the ship’s TransAtlantic, Panama Canal and Exotic Caribbean voyages. And this week, the line will open the books to reservations for the remainder of Marina’s inaugural year sailings in Europe.

    To lock in your place on this exciting new ship, or to learn more about this exciting new addition to the Oceania Cruises family, call a friendly, knowledgeable Oceania Cruises expert at Travel of America today: 1-800-228-8843.

Editor's Note: Travel of America's Jim Petzel muses on a few of his favorite discoveries and experiences during a visit to the elegant city of water and bridges, Venice.

One of the most captivating and beautiful cities in the world has to be Venice. Built on 118 separate islands, this noble Italian city charms visitors with its many faces – just like the elaborate masks worn by Venetians through the ages to celebrate Carnevale, the festival prior to the start of the Lenten penitential season.

    St. Mark’s Square is the historic center of Venice and a good starting point for any exploration of the city. Monumental St. Mark’s Basilica awes visitors with its gilded mosaics, a nod to the Byzantine world. After all, Venice was positioned as the crossroads of trade between West and East.

    Adjoining the cathedral is the gothic Doge’s Palace, the seat of government during the days when Venice was a republic. View the elaborately apppointed receiving rooms to gain insight into this city’s commanding place in history. After sipping a cappuccino at a sidewalk café in the enormous piazza, you can admire the exquisite work of Venetian craftsmen on display in the shops along the loggia. On the nearby island of Murano, incredible hand-blown glass creations are brought to life.

    From St. Mark’s Square you can easily take a stroll along the Grand Canal to view the ornate palazzi of the Venetian nobility. With their balcony doors open to the morning sun, you’ll catch a glimpse of ornate interiors and imagine life as it was. Or better yet, indulge your romantic side and let charming gondoliers serenade you on a regal trip along the canal to Rialto bridge.

    After a luncheon of Venetian specialties blending traditional Italian recipes with the flavors of eastern spices, you may opt for a quiet stroll. You’ll also discover more facets of bella Venezia as you walk from St. Mark’s Square to Piazzale Roma on the mainland side of the city. Getting lost is inevitable and has never been quite so enjoyable! As you make your way down the maze of narrow streets, the crowds of tourists begin to thin, until quite suddenly, you find yourself alone in tiny, tranquil neighborhoods, each one displaying its own character.

    Here you will discover school children in their uniforms playing ball in a large square and mothers shopping at the local market for this evening’s dinner. Craftsmen ply their trades in their workshops and grandmothers keep a close eye on rambunctious toddlers. Once you arrive at Piazzale Roma you can mingle with the Venetians on a leisurely ride aboard a vaparetto,  a ‘water bus’ to return to St. Mark’s Square.

    For other sides of Venice, take a ride to the island of Burano with its colorfully decorated houses and where the locals still practice lacemaking by hand. Art lovers will enjoy a visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection which includes a fine selection of works by Kandinsky, Klee, Picasso, Dali and other masters, while a short train ride from Venice, the city of Ravenna boasts impressive Byzantine mosaics at the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinari in Clase.

    Travel of America has put together a fabulous cruisetour vacation that includes a two-night stay in Venice, offering you ample opportunity to explore the sights and surroundings of this unique and incredible city. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, click here. 

Travel of America's Jim Petzel files another report on his recent trip to Florida to cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's brand new Oasis of the Seas. 

Having mastered the exhilarating Zip Line (where I raced across the Boardwalk’s open air atrium while suspended nine decks above) and surf-simulating FlowRider (I opted for the Boogie Board since it’s wider and by hunkering down, I could use my body weight to keep the board balanced, ride the wave and not wipe out), I decided to check out Oasis of the Seas’ amazing Vitality at Sea Spa & Fitness Center the next day.

   Billed by Royal Caribbean as a place to soothe mind, body and soul, this state-of-the-art facility – arguably the largest at sea – designed for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, combines the most advanced spa and anti-aging therapies, the latest fitness equipment and even healthy dining options. At the breezy spa café I began my day sipping a strawberry smoothie (with extra protein powder to both bulk up and slim down) followed by a fresh fruit, Greek yogurt and nut parfait. Healthy snacks, juices and nutritious entrees round out the menu.

    In this welcoming retreat, guests can enjoy the benefits of a relaxing massage, including a new therapy featuring warm bamboo shoots and essential oils to soothe tired muscles. Or how about a 24-karat gold facial to restore the skin’s youthful glow with the application of a pure gold leaf mask. Couples can share the pampering experience in one of the spa’s many couples massage suites, plus there’s an entire area for teens and kids to enjoy specially catered services. Oasis’ Vitality spa also offers medi-spa enhancements including Botox, Restylane and Perlane cosmetic therapies, acupuncture and advanced tooth whitening treatments. A hair salon with the Elemis line of products complements the wide range of facilities.

    At the center of the spa’s treatment area lies the Thermal Suite. Here you can find bliss and contentment as you take in a selection of aromatic steam rooms and sauna. Just outside are heated loungers, perfect for relaxing before or after your treatment.

   To my surprise, the Fitness Center rivaled the gym where I work out at home – LA Fitness – with an impressive array of resistance equipment and free weights. For cardio, I could choose from banks of treadmills, recumbent bikes and elliptical crosstrainers. Spinning enthusiasts will find a dedicated area featuring well over two dozen bikes. You can also join optional classes in kickboxing, yoga and Pilates.

    A stairway from the fitness center led one deck below to a covered jogging/walking track with rubber flooring that encircled the perimeter of the ship and offered stunning views from both sides and aft. (The embarkation deck area also doubles as the staging platform for the ship’s eighteen rescue craft which, unlike other vessels, do not need to be lowered into position for boarding.) Motivational slogans incorporated into the bulkheads above your head challenge you onward to complete each lap.

    Feeling pumped up from the protein in my breakfast smoothie, I opted for a Kinesis class to tone my body and strengthen my muscles. Our instructor, Devin, who hailed from England and helped to set up the Fitness Center on the TransAtlantic crossing from the shipyard in Finland, informed us that Kinesis, a whole new way to work out, is slowly being introduced aboard cruise ships, and that we would be some of the first to participate in this new form of training which increases the body’s strength, endurance, flexibility and mobility.

    Utilizing equipment similar to the Total Gym, endorsed by Chuck Norris and Christie Brinkley, Devin led nine of us through a series of toning and sculpting exercises utilizing fluid, natural movements which focused on all areas of the body – legs, thighs, back, shoulders, chest and arms, even the neck.

    Based on resistance and gravity technology – not weights – the equipment’s rotating pulleys and cables gave me an incredible work out plus unrestricted body movement. Just minutes into the class, I was huffing and puffing and sweating more than I had since my P.E. classes – several lifetimes ago – but I felt inspired to persevere knowing that Kinesis exercise burns 30% more calories than traditional machines. (Maybe at dinner tonite I could splurge on a second chocolate soufflé with Grand Marnier sauce, after all!)

    After class, I thanked Devin for his encouragement and advice, but when he asked me if I would like to join the class again the next morning, I demurred. After all, being a good travel agent, there was so much more of the incredible Oasis of the Seas I just had to uncover – like the uber-chic Solarium – so that I might share more of my experiences aboard this revolutionary ship with you!

Travel of America has been privileged to collaborate with KFI AM640’s award-winning host, Bill Handel, for close to ten years, orchestrating his popular cruises for his listening audience. It’s been two years since Bill’s last listener trip to the Black Sea.

    Bill and his wife, Marjorie, are avid travelers, and recently they made the decision to take their sojourns in a new direction for 2010. We’re pleased to inform you that they are inviting their friends and listeners to join them on a fabulous cruise along the scenic Rhine river from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, this coming July 15-25, 2010.

    You may be asking yourself, What makes a cruise with Bill Handel so special? We recently caught up with Bill who had this to say (as only Bill knows how!) “We travel together, we eat together, we hang out together, and we constantly talk about each other behind everyone’s back… all together, too much fun!!”

     Truth be told, Bill and Marjorie look forward to meeting each and every one of their friends and listeners who join them on this special adventure (whether it’s your first time or you're one of their longtime “travel buddies”), and you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with them and other KFI AM640 listeners throughout the trip at festive dinners and informal get-togethers which we’ve arranged exclusively for you. (You’ll also find Bill to be out and about on his listener cruises – whether he’s sightseeing on a tour, enjoying a Coke in the lounge, or taking in the incredible river views from the Sun Deck.)

    Travel of America has carefully selected for your river journey Avalon Felicity, a deluxe vessel built for Avalon Waterways just this year. Unlike the mega-ships, your river ship carries just 138 special guests in comfort and style. On board, there’s a casual vibe that prevails both day and night. What’s more, there are no long lines or waiting.

     Making your away around the ship is a breeze. You’ll discover a fine restaurant and at the front of the ship, a panoramic lounge with large picture windows which offer commanding views of the passing scenery along the Rhine from three sides. We guarantee you’ll be mesmerized by the sights – from towering castles that date back to medieval times and vine-clad hills growing Germany’s prized Riesling grapes to neat villages and cosmopolitan cities.

    What makes river cruising so captivating is the bond that develops between you and the river along with the surrounding countryside. The result – a robust vacation  experience that will be both uniquely personal and memorable. When Avalon Felicity arrives at its destination for the day, it will usually dock right in the center of town. The ramp is put down and you can step off to explore and get back on with ease.

    Let’s say, for example, after having toured Amsterdam by day, you make your way back to the ship to meet up with friends over dinner. Afterwards, all of you decide to return to the city to stroll along some of the magical tree-lined canals that are illuminated in the evening. In a matter of minutes, you can find yourself at a sidewalk café in Dam Square among the locals, enjoying coffee or a glass of wine.

    Are you ready to join Bill and Marjorie Handel and friends on this wonderful cruise next summer? For all the details, click here. Then call one of Travel of America’s professional Consultants who will be happy to answer your questions and assist you in securing your place on board. But don’t wait – space is selling out quickly on this popular cruise, and you don’t want to miss out!

Travel of America's Jim Petzel files another report on his recent trip to Florida to cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's brand new Oasis of the Seas.     

When I first stepped aboard Oasis, I made my way to the Windjammer Marketplace on Deck 16 to grab a quick lunch. Besides a wide variety of popular dishes – from soups, salads, entrees, and Asian dishes to burgers and fries and just-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies, cheesecakes, and pies, this signature Royal Caribbean venue also offers spectacular ocean views, along with my first glimpse of the Boardwalk and AquaTheater below plus the Sports Deck.

    Some guests were already trying out the Zip Line and watching them fly over the Boardwalk as I savored my spaghetti a la carbonara and a glass of chardonnay, I figured I was up for the challenge. Bring it on! I can handle this – after all, I am now a citizen of Royal Caribbean’s nation of “Why Not!”

    So I immediately headed off to take flight. But before I could make my maiden flight, there were a couple of things I had to do. The first was to sign a waiver which would cover my use of both the Zip Line and Flowrider. This is something you can do online before you even leave home. I would suggest you do this because it saves time when you get to the ship.

    Next, I had to book an appointment. Currently, you cannot walk up to the Zip Line and ride. You can only go off at your appointed day and time. Again, I would suggest that you make your Zip Line reservations when you board the ship. Royal Caribbean is committed to making sure everyone who wants to ride is able to do so, however, because this is such a popular attraction, it makes sense to book right away and also to schedule your ride during the earlier part of the cruise when demand may be somewhat less.

    You should also know that the Zip Line cannot operate when it rains, it’s windy outside, or at night. And finally, you must wear dry pants (don’t go from FlowRider to Zip Line), shoes and socks (no flip flops), you cannot have anything in your pockets, and glasses or sunglasses are not permitted.

    So I returned to Deck 16 at my appointed time, once again pumped up and ready for my debut. This time I entered the staging area for the Zip Line where I was suited up in a full body harness and given a helmet. Three attendants checked and re-checked the harness, tightened all the straps and gave me the low-down on what was about to happen. (The process takes about ten minutes.) It was then that my bravado began to weaken - slightly.

    The staging area for the zip line is right along the edge of the deck overlooking the Boardwalk, which when I timidly glanced down, now appeared to be not nine decks but several miles below. The carousel looked so tiny, and the people maybe measured an inch tall. I began to harbor thoughts that maybe this was not such a good idea, what had I gotten myself into, and perhaps I should turn back…. But then I surmised that I couldn’t make a quick exit because I was already strapped into the harness and it would take another 10 minutes to get out of it.

    I kept making my way to the launch platform and tried not to look down, but by now my palms were starting to sweat. As I saw the grip bars which I was to hold on to moving into position, I thought, What if my hands slip? Would I be left to dangle above the Boardwalk for everyone in Windjammer to see?

    I didn’t have any more time to speculate my fate because it was my turn to launch. I was secured to the line and after some (repeated) coaching from the attendant, my body assumed a sitting position, the bar was raised, I lifted my legs, and I was off, racing 82 feet diagonally over the open air atrium of the Boardwalk.

    Honestly, I did not scream. I looked down just once but then looked back up right away because it all happened in less than a minute, and by now I was preparing for landing – getting my legs and feet into position to brake my flight.

    All too soon, the attendant at the other end of the line caught me and my solo flight was over. My knees were a little wobbly and my heart was pumping as I made my way back to the staging area to return the gear. But I also felt exhilarated and a tingling rush at having conquered the world’s first zip line at sea aboard Oasis. And so I proudly made my way to Flowrider to face my next challenge of the day. But that’s another story.