With great fanfare and anticipation, Oceania Cruises welcomed the
newest addition to their fleet, Vista, in a magnificent ceremony held at
the picturesque Valletta, Malta.
The event was attended by over 1,200 guests, including members of the
travel industry, global media, and top executives of the cruise line.
The christening celebration and naming ceremony of Vista were the
highlight of the evening, filled with breathtaking performances, lively
music, and a spectacular fireworks display. Travel Weekly Asia was among
the fortunate few to witness this historic event on 8 May, marking a
milestone for Oceania Cruises after more than a decade since the launch
of their last ship.
In a heartfelt speech, Harry Sommer, the future CEO of Norwegian
Cruise Line Holdings, expressed his gratitude to Frank Del Rio, the
founder of Oceania Cruises, for his exceptional leadership, mentorship,
and friendship.
Sommer's appreciation was not limited to Del Rio alone, as he
extended his heartfelt thanks to the entire staff, his family members,
and travel partners, who had played an instrumental role in supporting
the company over the years. His words resonated with the audience, who
shared in the sentiment of appreciation and recognition for the hard
work and dedication that had gone into making Oceania Cruises a leader
in the cruise industry.
Archbishop of Malta, Monsignore Charles Jude Scicluna and Rabbi Marc Labowitz blessing Vista. Photo Credit: Xinyi Liang-Pholsena
Applause rang out for Frank A Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises,
who expressed his pride and excitement to lead the cruise line founded
by his father two decades ago. “A few months ago when we made the
announcement of me becoming the president of Oceania, I came across a
headline in one of the trade papers that read, ‘Like father like son, Del Rio rises up the cruise ranks’. Like father, like son. Wow, I really made it.”
Gratitude was a key theme of the senior Del Rio’s speech, who thanked
a long list of people and partners who helped made the launch of
Oceania and its early days possible. He also gave tribute to the very
first travel advisor who made a booking at Oceania.
With the historic city of Valletta as an awe-inspiring backdrop, both
the Archbishop of Malta, Monsignore Charles Jude Scicluna, and Rabbi
Marc Labowitz blessed Vista to ensure safe and smooth voyages ahead,
while the ship’s godmother Giada De Laurentiis – Italian-American
celebrity chef and Emmy Award-winning food personality – presided over
the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle.
The evening capped off with a brilliant fireworks display that lit up the Maltese sky. Photo Credit: Xinyi Liang-Pholsena
The night's festivities reached a crescendo with a showstopping
performance by Harry Connick Jr. As the evening progressed, the
excitement and anticipation culminated in a breathtaking fireworks
display that illuminated the night sky above Malta, bringing the event
to a stunning close.