Oceania Cruises Becomes First Ultra Premium Line to Sail Out of Tampa
Small Ship Luxury Sailings from Port Tampa Bay to the Panama
Canal and Caribbean on 670-Guest Insignia® Starting Winter 2026
Insignia at sea, download images here and credit
Oceania Cruises
MIAMI,
FL – August 28, 2024 – Oceania Cruises®, the
world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, is adding a
range of new Caribbean and Panama Canal winter sailings in early 2026 departing
from Tampa on Florida’s west coast. The line’s 670-guest Insignia will make history in March 2026 as it becomes the first
ultra-premium cruise line to sail from Port Tampa Bay.
Oceania Cruises will journey
from the ebullient shimmering Gulf Coast gem of a city on a collection of seven-
to 20-night itineraries exploring picturesque Caribbean islands including St.
Thomas, St. Kitts, and Tortola; calls in Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Belize City; plus,
a daylight transit of the iconic Panama Canal and overnight stay in Panama
City. These mesmerizing voyages can be easily accessed by the 41 non-stop
flights offered from Tampa International Airport.
Tampa is the perfect
match for the world’s only true foodie cruise line thanks to its vibrant
culinary scene including street food experiences, high-end gourmet dining at
venues from a
variety of Michelin Guide restaurants, and immersive
culinary tours led by local experts.
“Port Tampa Bay
represents an exciting new chapter as Oceania Cruises becomes the first
ultra-premium cruise line to have dedicated voyages from Tampa, opening the
door as a convenient gateway to Florida’s west coast and the Gulf of Mexico,”
said Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. “This is a natural
expansion for our brand, as Tampa echoes the cosmopolitan essence of our
beloved hometown of Miami with its diverse mix of international influences and cultures.”
“We are thrilled to
welcome Oceania Cruises to Port Tampa Bay,” said Paul Anderson, President and
CEO of Port Tampa Bay. “The arrival of
Insignia marks a significant milestone, enhancing Tampa’s status as a
premier cruise destination. We look forward to welcoming new guests to our
beautiful city and gateway, as the increased tourism will create substantial
economic opportunities for our region, workers, and businesses.”
Shipboard Highlights:
Aboard Insignia, travelers will enjoy Oceania
Cruises’ relaxed yet refined luxury, its elegant home-away-from-home ambiance,
and the line’s signature always included gourmet specialty dining experiences.
The
stylish and charming Insignia, which accommodates just 670 guests, is served by a dedicated team of 400
attentive crew members. The boutique ship boasts gourmet specialty restaurants Polo
Grill, which is a classic American steakhouse, and Italian venue Toscana; spa
and fitness classes at Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center; sports deck with putting
greens and shuffleboard; an expansive top-of-ship library, plus vibrant lounges
and bars, and a casino.
New Insignia
Sailings to and from Tampa
Tropical Harmony: February 22 - March 3, 2026, 9 Days from Bridgetown to Tampa: Bridgetown,
Oranjestad (Aruba), Montego Bay, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Tampa.
Leeward Isles Serenade*: March 3 - 18, 2026, 15 Days from Tampa
to Tampa: Tampa, San Juan (Puerto Rico), St. Thomas, Philipsburg (St.
Maarten), St. John’s (Antigua), Roseau (Dominica), Basseterre (St. Kitts),
Frederiksted (St. Croix), Tortola (British Virgin Islands), Tampa.
*This sailing features exclusive insider tips from Condé Nast Traveler editors who have handpicked
their favorite ports on select 2025 and 2026 itineraries and share their
invaluable insider knowledge on what to see, eat, and experience.
Their tips for San Juan, Puerto Rico, include
buying a custom-made hat in Old San Juan at hidden gem Olé, a
highly regarded maker of Panama hats and woven fedoras; and exploring the
city’s enticing dining scene including Chef Martin Louzao’s duo of high-concept
restaurants, Cocina Abierta and Oriundo.
Be sure to check out his latest venture, Café Caleta, a
small tavern with countryside vibes and an enticing international menu. The café
spills into a charming cobblestoned street in Old San Juan, a stone’s throw
away from the city’s main cathedral, the Basílica Menor de San Juan Bautista.
Western Caribbean Escape:
March 18 - 25, 2026, 7 Days from Tampa to Tampa: Tampa, Cozumel, Belize City, Roatan
(Honduras), Costa Maya, Tampa.
Palms & Panama Canal:
March 25 - April 4, 2026, 10 Days from Tampa to Panama City: Tampa, Cozumel, Costa Maya,
Belize City, Roatan (Honduras), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Colon (Panama),
Panama Canal Daylight Transit, one overnight stay in Panama City.
Panama Canal Connoisseur:
March 25 - April 14, 2026, 20 Days from Tampa to Miami: Tampa, Cozumel, Costa Maya,
Belize City, Roatan (Honduras), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Colon (Panama),
Panama Canal Daylight Transit, one overnight stay in Panama City, Panama Canal
Daylight Transit, Cartagena (Colombia), Willemstad (Curacao), Oranjestad
(Aruba), Montego Bay, George Town (Grand Cayman), Miami.
Ultimate Value
Oceania
Cruises offers guests the ultimate value in ultra-premium cruising thanks to a
host of always included amenities, such as dining at all specialty restaurants;
unlimited WiFi; butler service for guests in Penthouse Suites and above; in-room
dining; juices, still and sparkling Vero Water®, plus coffees and
teas.
For
additional information on Oceania Cruises’ small-ship luxury, exquisitely
crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855-OCEANIA, or speak with a
professional travel advisor.
About
Oceania Cruises
Oceania
Cruises is the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line.
The line’s eight small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,250 guests and
feature The Finest Cuisine at Sea® and destination-rich
itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences are
available aboard the designer-inspired, small ships, which call on more than
600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents,
on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. Oceania Cruises has two
additional ships on order scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028 or 2029.
Oceania Cruises is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.
Delivery for the second Oceania Cruises ship is contractually scheduled for the
fourth quarter of 2028, but may be delayed to 2029.
About Port Tampa
Bay:
Port Tampa Bay is
Florida’s largest and most diversified port, handling over 34 million tons of
cargo per year, encompassing 5,000 acres. This includes containers,
refrigerated cargo, bulk and break-bulk commodities, as well as being a major
cruise homeport and a hub for shipbuilding and repair. The Tampa Bay/I-4
Corridor is home to the largest concentration of distribution centers in the
State.
CONTACT: (For
Media Professionals Only)
Alexis Whitley |
MMGY 501-351-2201 | oceaniacruisespr@mmgy.com
