2020 Around the World Exclusive Event in Montevideo, Uruguay

Just a few days ago, our 2020 Around the World guests headed into the vineyard-dotted countryside of Uruguay for the unique opportunity of experiencing one of the oldest estancias in the country, the legendary La Baguala. During this exclusive event in Montevideo, locals donning traditional late 19th-century dress welcomed guests, accompanied by the festive rhythms of Uruguayan creole guitars and gauchos’ payadas – improvised musical dialogues.

This historical estancia encourages visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Uruguay and that’s exactly what 2020 Around the World guests did. They took scenic cart rides around the picturesque property, they explored the farmhouse and enjoyed amazing views of Rio de la Plata and the beach just below the estate. Later, everyone gathered together again to savor a delicious barbecue lunch featuring local specialties and enjoy each other’s company, lifelong friendships already being forged. A series of dance performances including Afro-Uruguayan, candombe, folk, malambo, milonga and tango rounded out the memorable afternoon, showcasing the rich heritage of the country.

Since this is the first exclusive world cruise event of the year, it made me reflect on when I first became involved with the world cruise events a few years ago. A passionate traveler myself, I really wanted to create profound experiences that guests would remember long after their cruise. As with this event in Montevideo, Uruguay, we always consider how we can connect the guests with unique aspects of the local culture more deeply as they cruise around the world. Each one of our guests who chooses to embark on an Around the World cruise has a true sense of adventure and a real commitment to getting the most they can out of life. We see it in their photos during these 180 days and we hear it in their stories for a long time after the journey has ended. They’re seeking the best and most unique travel experiences out there and we’re all committed to help them experience that. There are so many stories I’ve heard over the years…about anniversaries, birthdays, retirements and other meaningful milestones and life events that are being celebrated and honored during this special time traveling the world.

One of the reasons that drew me to the cruise industry years ago was finding a job that would contribute to people’s happiness. And with each event I plan, I feel the reward of having played a role in the joy, the discoveries and the connections made in these moments. These events are my contribution and way of adding to their story, adding special memories to their life’s journey.

As Insignia now sails the coast of Brazil soon to cross the Atlantic to Africa, I’ll be eagerly awaiting what our guests’ reactions are to the exclusive world cruise event we have planned in Cape Town, South Africa. Stay tuned for updates and more photos documenting this incredible once-in-a-lifetime journey.

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About Ileana Fraga, Director of Destination Services
Ileana Fraga has enjoyed working in the cruise industry for more than 30 years and has been with Oceania Cruises for more than 16 years, proudly witnessing the company’s growth and evolution. She has been dedicating her passion and energy to the Destination Services team for many years, initially working on hotel programs and more recently focusing on land-based services, including land programs, exclusive ATW events and turnarounds. Ileana has worked for several cruise lines in a variety of areas in the industry, including Passenger Services, Sales and Marketing. In fact, her very first job in the cruise industry was as a pier-side check-in staff member as a teenager. Her enthusiasm and love of travel fuel her continued explorations of destinations around the world.

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