Oceania Cruises unveils 2023 Europe and North America Collection of voyages

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line opened its recently unveiled 2023 Europe and North America Collection of voyages for sale to the general public. Featuring seven ships sailing 179 itineraries, which call on more than 260 ports, this new collection is the line’s most expansive and diverse offering to date.

Charting the alluring coastlines of the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Baltic and Scandinavia, Alaska, Canada, and the Colonial Americas, each voyage is a masterpiece of exploration that reveals iconic cities, off-the-beaten-path villages, and dramatic, unspoiled natural wonders

“These new voyages are ideal for discerning travellers seeking to re-discover the world,” stated Bob Binder, President & CEO of Oceania Cruises. “Whether they are retracing familiar paths or setting off to uncharted territories, they will find endearing smiles, enthralling cultural elements, and fascinating culinary experiences.”

Featuring 30 to 50 percent more time in port than premium cruise lines, this new collection of itineraries features 190 overnight/multi-day stays in both marquee and boutique ports of call, along with hundreds of evening and late-night departures, all of which afford guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the history, culture, and cuisines of the destinations.

2023 Europe and North America Collection Highlights

• Voyages range in length from 7 to 56 days
• Nine new, off-the-beaten-path ports of call: Kalundborg, Demark; Nordfjordeid, Norway; Oban, Scotland; Runavík (Faroe Islands), Denmark; Torbay, UK; Limnos, Greece; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Lipari, Italy; Eastport, Maine
• 57 Grand Voyages promise epic exploration opportunities
• The ultimate in small-ship Mediterranean immersion with 102 itineraries to choose from
• More than 40 cruises and Grand Voyages to the Holy Lands of Israel and Turkey
• Riviera offers 14 voyages to the British Isles, Ireland, Iceland, Norwegian Fjords and Greenland
• Marina reprises her perennial series of Baltic capitals and Russia voyages with more than a dozen sailings
• The inaugural season of Vista with 18 voyages in the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Holy Lands, British Isles, and Colonial Americas
• Regatta sails 13 Alaska cruises ranging from 7 to 20 days
• Insignia and Vista offer 14 departures from New York, Montreal, and Boston focusing on the Canadian Maritimes, Colonial Americas, and Bermuda

 

Top 10 Highlighted Voyages from the 2023 Europe and North America Collection

 

Picturesque Mediterranean | 14 April, 2023
Riviera: Venice to Barcelona, 10 Days
A truly outstanding showcase of culture, history, and exquisite cuisine is on display with nine ports of call in Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Italy, and France.

Turkish & Hellenic Gems | 4 May, 2023
Marina: Athens to Istanbul, 7 Days
This voyage overflows with history as it focuses entirely on Greece and Turkey with calls in Ephesus, Bodrum, Antalya, Rhodes, and Mykonos and culminates with an overnight stay in sultry Istanbul.

Scandinavia & Baltic Allure | 2 June, 2023
Marina: Amsterdam to Copenhagen, 12 Days
Discover the ultimate expression of the beauty and wealth of culture that the great Baltic capitals are known for with cities like Oslo, Aarhus, and Berlin. An overnight in St. Petersburg offers the special opportunity to experience the White Nights festival in all its glory. 

British Isles Discoveries | 11 June, 2023
Riviera: London to Belfast, 18 Days
An intriguing blend of marquee ports like Edinburgh, Belfast, and Dublin blended with off-the-beaten-path ports such as Killybegs in Ireland and Kirkwall on the Orkney Islands offers numerous surprises as the voyage explores a total of 16 ports in 18 days.

Vikings, Fjords & Legends | 1 July, 2023
Marina: Oslo to London, 10 Days
Sailing the return route of the Vikings, this voyage is a virtual kaleidoscope of fascinating history and fairytale landscapes. Exploring the best of Norway and the Baltic capitals, cosmopolitan flair is keenly balanced with natural splendour and the unparallelled majesty of the Norwegian fjords.

Greenland & Nordic Gems | 21 July, 2023
Riviera: Reykjavik to Oslo, 15 Days
Nature takes centre stage on this cruise showcasing the geysers and hot springs of Iceland, unspoiled glaciers of Greenland, ancient archipelagoes in the North Sea, and the unspoiled beauty of southern Sweden and Norway.

Alaska & California Treasures | 7 September, 2023
Regatta: Vancouver to Los Angeles, 20 Days
All of the premier Alaska ports, Hubbard Glacier, the Inside Passage, Astoria and an overnight in San Francisco come together in a great adventure brimming with variety and contrasts.

Legendary European Adventure | 26 September, 2023
Riviera: Amsterdam to Venice, 34 Days
This voyage encompasses the most iconic destinations of Europe’s North Atlantic and northern Mediterranean coasts with overnights in Bordeaux and Venice, plus Bilbao, Lisbon, Seville, Barcelona, Provence, Portofino, Florence, Dubrovnik, and more.

Holy Land & Aegean Majesty | 6 October, 2023
Nautica: Jerusalem to Rome, 11 Days
Experience 360 degrees of history with standout classics such as Rhodes, Ephesus, Athens, and Santorini, plus an overnight in Jerusalem, capped off with the inescapable allure of Sicily and the enigma that is Naples.

Canada & New England Charms | 19 October & 30 October, 2023
Insignia: Boston to Montreal, 11 Days
Incomparable fall foliage, romantic storybooks ports and a bounty of American and French culinary experiences define this itinerary that showcases the crossroads of European and American history.

For additional information on Oceania Cruises’ small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call +852 2165 6010 (Hong Kong), +65 31 651 677 (Singapore), or speak with a professional travel advisor.

Bicol International Airport is Igned, Sealed and Delivered

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Hurdling through all kinds of roadblocks along the way, the Bicol International Airport (BIA) will now start its first commercial operations on Friday, 08 October 2021, after President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Transportation Secretary Art Tugade inaugurated the international airport on the 7th of October 2021.

“Mr. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Sir, here is the Bicol International Airport, delivering to you for the use of the Bicolanos at ng buong sambayanan: SIGNED, SEALED, AND DELIVERED, Mr. President,” Secretary Tugade said, addressing President Duterte during the airport’s inauguration ceremonies.

Faced with a challenging task and having experienced unforseen mishaps and delays, Secretary Tugade said the BIA has “planted a seed for international connectivity and convenience. Not only national and domestic but international as well.”

Tugade said that he made it his personal commitment and crusade to finish the BIA despite criticisms and doubts after it broke ground last 8 December 2016.

“’Yung alinlangan at duda na ‘yan ay sinamahan ng unos at bagyo na kung saan naantala yung proyekto. Hindi nakuntento ‘yung unos at bagyo, dumating ang pandemya at naantala na naman ang proyekto. Hindi ‘ho natigil dyan, dalawang beses akong sinunugan dito sa project na ito,” Tugade explained.

President Duterte said the BIA is yet another milestone in the Build, Build, Build Program that fulfilled the administration’s mission of improving the lives of Filipinos by providing quality infrastructure projects that allowed greater connectivity and mobility, created more jobs, and boosted economic activities in other regions.

“This airport, dubbed as the ‘Most Scenic Gateway’ in the country, promises to provide unforgettable travel experience, not only of visitors but many Bicolanos,” President Duterte said.

“I am confident that once fully operational, this airport will be able to serve the needs of those which is expected—two million passengers annually and provide efficiency, reliability and safety standards to ensure the modern airport,” he added.

Tugade said the BIA is now night-rated and will start night operations in November.

With the iconic Mayon Volcano as its backdrop, the country’s “Most Scenic Gateway” will offer domestic and international passengers contactless properties that are innovative solutions during the pandemic, making airport travel effortless, safe, and convenient.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the BIA has tapped the services of the developer of the Clark International Airport (CRK) in Pampanga, which will equip the BIA with the same high-technology features of the CRK, including contactless baggage handling and a food ordering system in the near future.

Once operational, the BIA can accommodate a total of two (2) million passengers annually and is expected to boost air traffic in the Bicol Region.

Tugade stressed that the BIA will transform Bicol Region into an economic powerhouse and provide economic, tourism and employment benefits to its neighboring provinces once it starts operations.

Rappler called out for not including Leody De Guzman as among presidential candidates

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

When you think about it, yes, maybe Ka Leody is indeed a nuisance — in the fullest sense of the term. A nuisance to the system. A nuisance to the unimpeded functioning of an electoral system designed to keep power in the hands of the elite.

Ka Leody is already being written off even when the campaign season hasn’t even begun.

Let’s prove them wrong. Make some noise for Ka Leody (or at least his right to be in the field)! 

Leni Robredo has my vote, but the outright erasure of Ka Leody de Guzman in this line up does not sit right with me.

This sort of erasure isn’t funny. Ka Leody—and other ordinary people—filing for the presidency are serious candidates too.

At least pretend to be interested in Ka Leody's campaign naman.

There were some legit candidates even before Leni Robredo announced her candidacy as President. Ka Leody is an example! They are just not as popular because they lack the financing, political or showbiz background and media exposure.

I say, the disrespect to Ka Leody's advocacies and the sector who rally behind him. They really chose to include Bongbong over Ka Leody?

As always, VP Leni Robredo came prepared; everything in that speech was well thought out and you know she meant every word. I'm excited to see these two challenging each other to push for reforms that will prioritize the welfare of common people.

One thing about her is she's been consistently good; there was never a time she let up or neglect her duties to focus on her own political agendas.

I just wish her team was as active in reaching out to other progressive groups such as Ka Leody's as they were with Manny or Isko's team. I mean, the reason why Ka Leody was running, after all, was because there weren't any candidates (at the time) with sincere intentions. It was only lately that Leni Robredo finally decided to run as President.

Unlike Isko, Pacquiao, and those other pretenders, except for Leni Robredo, Ka Leody also represents the real opposition: A former garments worker who became politicized during the 1980s, he was fighting the Marcos dictatorship before Toni Gonzaga was born. 

Even after Marcos was deposed, he continued to march against the human rights abuses committed by the more "democratic" post-Marcos administrations. He was at the forefront of the fight against corruption during the time of Erap, GMA, and Noynoy.

He was ready to join us as we used our bodies to physically block Marcos’ burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani. And he was there with us in so many protest actions against Duterte’s war on the poor.

Life is full of uncertainties, but I think we can be certain of one thing: unlike Isko, Ka Leody will never offer a cabinet position to Duterte if he wins — he will put him in jail.

But not only does Ka Leody, just like Leni Robredo, represent the real opposition, he represents that part of the opposition that is uncompromisingly on the side of the poor, of women, of the LGBTQ+, and of other oppressed groups.

Finding who to vote for president this upcoming 2022 elections? Search for Leody De Guzman. a labor leader, socialist worker and activist. unlike other candidates for presidency, they say that the true opposition is represented by Ka Leody. That opposition includes those who are oppressed including the poor, women and the LGBTQ+ community. 

Ka Leody de Guzman will run for president in #Halalan2022 under Partido Lakas ng Masa.

He ran but lost in the 2019 midterm senatorial elections placing 38th overall.

Ka Leody will unify the agenda of the working class and not of the elite. Ka Leody never divided the opposition, when the working class has always been the opposition.

Check out https://t.co/U66yFzZTqR to know more about him. Ka Leody is historically the first socialist labor leader to run for PH presidency. Here are some of his stances on key issues: 

As an observer, one can critically see media activities in digital platforms during the election coverage. Multiple videos and photos, dedicated art cards, and interviews for some personalities…while others only have one.

Media’s role in the elections is important: the public consumes the news. What you ‘feed’ to the people matters. Review your ethical guidelines. 

Nakalulungkot man pero hindi nawala ang envelopmental journalism.

There are personalities getting a full coverage from church to their COC filing to their personal vehicles to secure an ‘exclusive’ interview. Others have little to none.

Media, knowingly or unknowingly, drum up recognizability.

This practice has long been done, pre-digital platforms era. It is just amplified now. 

“But personalities are story makers what can we do?” 

It is a journalist’s responsibility to articulate the coverage. Add context, follow up with critical questions. It is your duty.

Journalists are watchdogs. They are not documentation teams. There is space for improvement.

Rappler and other mainstream media should include Ka Leody De Guzman in its list of major presidential candidates. He's running under a registered political party with robust social movement backing. He's also the only socialist and labor candidate in the presidential race.

And note the angling and framing. When Ka Leody announced his candidacy, Rappler led its headline with “Despite 2019 landslide loss…”, almost as if to paint him as a nuisance candidate. Non-political elite candidates are treated without seriousness as curiosities and oddities.

I wish media would give Ka Leody the platform, publicity too the way they are doing with BBM/Manny/Isko. Mas deserve ni Ka Leody yun unlike those trapos.

is it just me or is media treating Ka Leody as nuisance candidate kaya hindi man lang sila interesado sa kung ano ang kaya ni Leody for Filipinos when apparently it couldve have had an effect to thousands who might get to see news about his presidential run.

Tumindig yung manggagawa kasama ng Rappler when they were attacked by this administration; huwag ganyan, maghilaan tayo pataas. Baka naman hindi kailangang ganyanin ang isang grassroots worker-led campaign.

Ang balita ko 500-strong ang mamamayang nasa likod ni ka leody kahapon sa filing!!! disrespect sa mga nakipagkiskisan sa kapulisan amidst a pandemic para suportahan si Ka Leody.

"Kailangan system change, hindi lang palitan si Duterte, hindi lang para palitan ang mukha ng pangulo sa Malacañang, kundi dapat palitan ang buong sistema ng gobyerno." - Leody De Guzman

Labor leader and presidential aspirant Ka Leody de Guzman explains that one of main reasons why he ran for presidency is because the opposition has long been divided.

Ka Leody is every bit right....Maybe the best that we can get from this election is to end the myth of the aquinos as the anti thesis of the marcoses. Here's to hoping Leni and Chel will be honest when faced with questions of abuses etc committed by their political predecessor.

Leody De Guzman’s candidacy means so much. To dilute it into a roadblock to unifying the opposition is a disservice to those he hopes to represent and a disservice to the idea of “unity” and “democracy.”

Most of the biggest declines are on labor issues, and some progressives' initial reactions to a labor organizer's nomination for presidency were dismissive. This is why we should take Ka Leody seriously. Opposition forces definitely should reach out to Laban ng Masa-PLM-BMP.

Now that all the talk about Leni running for president is in everyone's minds right now, I just hope we remain steadfast in our commitment to the people, no matter how we go about our right to suffrage. Because more than Leni, Ka Leody represents us the most.

While the whole Twitterverse celebrates for Leni, let's not dismiss that Ka Leody could be the representative of the unheard masses. After all, he is a labor leader.

I just hope he gets a seat in the cabinet.

After researching, mas lalo akong humanga kay Ka Leody. Knowing that Ka Leody is an ordinary person fighting for the working class who chooses to do things independently even if sobrang slim ng chance niya in winning really makes me proud of him. 

Now that all the talk about Leni running for president is in everyone's minds right now, I just hope we remain steadfast in our commitment to the people, no matter how we go about our right to suffrage. 

Off the cuff, Ka Leody's presidential run makes sense for the purpose of agitating for a Left alternative in the highest office. This can be a welcome development. What's delusional is the commentator's claim that this is in fact the key to achieving radical change.

I really despise the fact that all of these asshole politicians such as BBM still has platforms to work with, that he’s still well-known and shit. While other better alternatives such as Ka Leody is working thrice as hard just to be recognized, even though he literally carries the will of the masses. It’s sad.

The elites have done nothing for the workers. He calls out contractualization and low wages. 

Ka Leody points out that workers build the wealth of this country, pay taxes dutifully, but are given only a pittance of what they make. 

He calls out the current state of affairs: every 6 years, we merely choose a new set of elites to replace the old ones. He calls on the construction of workers’ power. 

“Atin ang bukas!”

He calls the workers to unite for their sake. 

Ka Leody points out that people are tired of the same elites ruling only to forget them once elected. He points out there is a silent majority who is tired of all this.

Leody says that the coalition building isn’t done. He stresses building coalitions with environmental and health worker groups. Environmental candidates may join the slate.

I really wish that the Philippines would get its shit together and choose the better people.

Kudos pa rin kay Ka Leody!

May he never lose heart to continue the fight despite being surrounded by popular presidential candidates.

His voice and represent ation for the working class & ordinary masses speak so much of an impact already!

it's disheartening to hear people pushing him to run for lower office or worse that his candidacy is 'delusional.' It's always the working class pushed to the sidelines, it's always them who needs to sacrifice. This is exactly why Ka Leody needs to run, to carve out space.

Let's not forget tho that it's the disillusionment from "elite democracy," and the promises of EDSA that birthed a fascist leader like Duterte.