Cruise Watch: Oceania Loves the ABCs

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Photo by: Oceania Cruises

Think "Caribbean cruise" and mega liners populating harbors in The Bahamas and St. Martin immediately come to mind. But what if you could take a more intimate cruise, stray miles from the charted course, and be treated to a week aboard an architectural masterpiece with the cuisine and shore excursions to match? Enter Oceania Cruises and their southern Caribbean itinerary. The line's newest vessel, the Riviera, has yet to part Caribbean waves (the inaugural sail is actually November 29), however Oceania is already improving on their sailings that visit the ABC islands and their neighbors. The "Ultimate Southern Caribbean" cruise has stops slated for Aruba and Curaçao, as well as St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Barts, St. Vincent, Grenada, and Antigua, and Oceania is now throwing in Bonaire for good measure. Night departures from most ports allow you to make the most of each day: explore world-class diving, hike the pitons, or raid the local markets in preparation for your next Culinary Discovery Tour session, an exclusive on-board experience that matches you with local ingredients and an expert chef. To make the decision a no-brainer, Oceania is even offering free airfare, 2-for-1 cruise fares and deposits, and bonus savings of up to $5,000 per stateroom. So you can go ahead and scratch "find an incredible luxury cruise deal for this winter" off your to-do list.