Oceania Cruises Offers Free Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay on a Range of Sailings in 2024 and 2025

Wazzup Pilipinas!?




Sailings explore destinations from Tokyo to Cape Town to Bali to Rio de Janeiro



Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has announced that it will offer guests a free pre-cruise hotel stay on a range of sailings throughout late 2024 and 2025. The offer means that curious travellers will have the convenience of arriving a day before their cruise embarkation as well as the opportunity to delve even further into the departure port on their itinerary before relaxing in the comfort of Oceania Cruises’ small, luxurious ships.

This valuable offer is available on 33 destination-immersive sailings exploring far-flung locations such as Brazil, the Canary Islands, Japan, Singapore, Bali, and New Zealand on incredible, destination-rich itineraries ranging from 11-day explorations to an expansive voyage of 35 days. The offer is available for reservations made between now and 31 May, 2024, giving guests ample time to choose their next bucket-list cruise.

With this generous offer, travellers can start their cruise vacation with an extra measure of comfort and ease. During the free pre-cruise hotel stay, they might choose to spend more time meandering through the Ginza District of Tokyo, admiring the breathtaking views of Table Mountain in Cape Town, or immersing themselves in the colourful, sun-soaked culture in Rio de Janeiro before venturing to their next destination.

“This exclusive free pre-cruise hotel stay gives our guests the opportunity to start their journey even more relaxed and experience some of the world’s great cities in a deeper and more authentic way,” commented Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. “We know that our guests revel in immersing themselves in the local lifestyle, and our destination-focused approach makes spending more time in enriching cultures, experiencing mouthwatering cuisines, and embracing iconic cities even easier for our valued guests.”

Available on more than 30 voyages, the offer extends across itineraries exploring Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, South America and beyond.



A sampling of featured voyages with free pre-cruise hotel include:

14 November, 2024 - Astounding Australasia, Singapore to Auckland: Spend more time meandering through the Gardens by the Bay and savour a Singapore Sling before setting sail for Jakarta aboard Regatta, and then exploring Bali, Papua New Guinea, and Australia before disembarking in Auckland.

27 January, 2025 - Exotic Atlantic Shores, Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town: Soak up the sun and the culture in Brazil’s most vibrant city before departing aboard Insignia to explore this exotic continent, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, and landing in Namibia before disembarking in Cape Town.

14 February, 2025 - Tropics of the Far East, Tokyo to Singapore: Spend an evening marvelling in the bright lights of the Ginza District, watching Tokyo’s bustling scene come alive, before embarking on Riviera to venture south exploring Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia, ending in Singapore.

22 May, 2025 - Africa Navigator, Cape Town to Barcelona: Pass the time in Cape Town on Boulders Beach with its resident penguins or between the colourful buildings of the Bo Kaap District before starting Nautica’s African exploration, calling at Namibia, Angola, São Tomé and Principe, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, Morocco, and a selection of ports in Spain before disembarking in Barcelona.

23 June, 2025 - Outback & Island Pearls, Bali to Papeete: Experience the lush countryside of Bali or settle in with a sundowner on the beach before stepping aboard Regatta and venturing to Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa before ending the cruise in Tahiti.

For additional information on Oceania Cruises’ small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call +852 800-967609 (Hong Kong), +65 31 651 677 (Singapore), 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 aboard the designer-inspired, small ships 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 is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.

Discover Shanghai in less than 24 hours: Trip.com Group launches free transit tours to turn your layover into a mini-vacation

Wazzup Pilipinas!?



International layovers don’t have to mean waiting for hours in the airport terminal; it’s also possible to make the most of the short window of time and explore the country you’re transiting in. Enter "Shanghai Express”, free layover city tours launched by Trip.com Group to show travellers the top highlights of Shanghai before their next flight – all within a few hours.

Starting from 15 April 2024, international travellers stopping by the Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) for over eight hours will have the opportunity to take part in these layover city tours – the first of their kind in Shanghai. You don’t have to worry about researching where to go and how either, as these tours take charge of everything: airport pick-up and send-off, attraction tickets, e-sim cards, and more. So, all you need to do is turn up.

The tours will be available to international travellers who are eligible for China’s 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy, as well as those holding a 24-hour temporary entry permit issued by the airport border inspection.

“As visa-free transit policies open up new avenues for international travellers to explore China, Trip.com Group is excited to unveil this innovative programme for those with just a short stopover,” said Ms Han Feng, Head of Marketing at Trip.com. “We will leverage our extensive resources to ensure a memorable tour experience and provide world-class customer service to help flyers enjoy what Shanghai has to offer.”



Exploring the city between flights

Upon passing customs after arrival at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, travellers may head to the Trip.com Group currency exchange counter on Island A in the Departure Hall of Terminal 2 for in-person registration. A professional guide will be available at the counter one hour before the start of each tour to assist with the registration process. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Travellers will be able to choose from several tour timings. Each free tour accommodates a maximum of ten travellers and lasts five to six hours, including transportation from and back to the airport.

The tours feature some of the top attractions on the AI-powered Trip.Best list for Shanghai based on user reviews and expert curation, leading visitors on a journey through the past, present, and future of the bustling metropolis.



Current itineraries include:

Ÿ Shanghai Highlights City Tour (9:00-14:00): a tour of classic Shanghai highlights, including exploring traditional Chinese architecture in the Yu Garden and viewing Shanghai’s iconic and futuristic skyline at the Bund.

Strolling Under the Trees Citywalk Tour (16:00-22:00): a tour for the romantics and urban history lovers, which includes a city walk through the old villas and charming cafes along the beautiful Wukang Road, an immersive visit to the Yu Garden, and a stroll along the historic Bund.

Huangpu River Cruise Sightseeing Night Tour (18:00-23:00): a unique experience in the city that never sleeps – including the breath-taking night view of the Bund aboard the Huangpu River Cruise and a deep dive into the bustling Yu Garden at night.

Led by English-speaking guides, each tour includes transportation, tickets, e-sim cards, and team insurance. Those seeking to travel light may store their luggage at the airport or on the shuttle bus if space permits. Please note that the free tours do not include meals, though our guides will be more than happy to offer dining recommendations.


Rise in international transits via China

The Shanghai Express Tours are expected to enrich the experience of travellers as they transit in mainland China, sparking their interest in more in-depth trips in the future.

The International Air Transport Association reveals that transit numbers have been on the rise, with over 330,000 travellers experiencing layovers in mainland China last December alone. This represents a monthly growth of 47%. International airports in mainland China, particularly in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, have been hubs for international flights particularly to and from the Asia Pacific region.

Singapore is amongst the top 10 international departure countries transiting into Shanghai Pudong Airport. Transit times vary between eight hours to 144 hours.

Currently, nationals from 54 countries are eligible for the 72/144-hour transit visa-free policies in 23 cities across mainland China. As long as they hold valid international travel documents and interline tickets to countries or regions with confirmed dates and seats, they can apply for visa-free transit at border inspection in designated city ports.

Additionally, foreign nationals with international connecting flights within 24 hours can transit through nine designated airports in mainland China without immigration procedures. Those interested in exploring the local city within this timeframe may obtain a 24-hour temporary entry permit by presenting their passports and connecting ticket flights and fill out the Temporary Entry Card.


Discover the beauty of China with ease

The Shanghai Express Tours are set against the backdrop of Trip.com Group’s various initiatives to support international travellers to discover the beauty of China with ease as the country relaxes visa requirements.

With visa-free entry extended to Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg on 14 March, China is now visa-free for eligible travellers from 15 countries.

Trip.com Group witnessed a triple-digit year-on-year rise in international travel bookings to China in the first two months of 2024. Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Chengdu drew the most attention from global travellers, with theme parks like the Shanghai Disney Resort and historic sites like the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum capturing significant interest.

Trip.com recently launched an initiative with the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site in Xi’an to provide overseas online integration to offer international travellers deals, guided tour options, and more information about its astounding Terracotta Warriors and remarkable history.

Trip.com Group has also been working with airlines to provide international and domestic flight combos to encourage more travellers to venture beyond traditional hotspots. The “Explore China” campaign, launched with Air China in March, gives travellers from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland a free additional flight within China when they purchase a single round-trip flight to the country.

The “Beyond Shanghai: Experience China” campaign, launched with China Eastern Airlines in February, also rewards customers booking flights to Shanghai with a complimentary domestic flight within mainland China.

To enhance convenience for visitors to China, Trip.com Group has implemented various initiatives. Notably, the China Travel Guide on the Trip.com app offers practical information on navigating the country. It covers topics such as entry requirements, internet access, payment, transportation and more with easy-to-follow tips and explanatory videos. Since its release in September 2023, the guide has served more than 100,000 international travellers planning to visit China.

Furthermore, to streamline payment options for visitors, Trip.com Group has also partnered with Alipay, a leading digital payment and lifestyle service platform. Through this partnership, selected packages and travel guides are available on the Alipay app, providing support for international visitors.

Meeting the needs of all kinds of travellers, whether you’re just passing through or planning a deep dive, Trip.com Group is committed to using its expertise and resources to make such trips memorable, and help you explore China’s endless possibilities.





About Trip.com Group



Trip.com Group is a leading global travel service provider comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group helps travellers around the world make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services and enables partners to connect their offerings with users through the aggregation of comprehensive travel-related content and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of apps, websites and 24/7 customer service centres. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group has become one of the best-known travel groups in the world, with the mission "to pursue the perfect trip for a better world". Find out more about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com.

Inspired by the visit of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In the last third of April of this year, the Philippines will witness a unique and exceptional event, because it does not happen often, and it has an importance that makes it exceptional, and the event is the visit that His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, “may God protect him,” will pay as part of... A tour of the Far Eastern countries of the Asian continent, emphasizing the strengthening of that strong bond that connects the Far East of the continent with its Near East.

Perhaps it goes without saying that we point out the international status achieved by a Qatar. This can only be achieved with clarity of vision, insight, absence of a hidden agenda, and lack of ambiguity of positions, which has made the State of Qatar an acceptable mediator for resolving disputes, and success has always been its ally. There are multiple models, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Darfur, and the example is Alive and fresh, the mediation between Israel and Hamas, and the resulting release of many detainees held by Hamas, including Filipinos, was praised by the President of the Republic, Ferdinand Marcos, who expressed his gratitude for the Qatari role, and Foreign Minister Enrico Manalo also wrote, “We acknowledge and greatly appreciate “The crucial Qatari mediation role and efforts in opening the Rafah border crossing, allowing foreign nationals, including Filipinos, to exit Gaza, and we and Qatar are united in our goal of achieving lasting peace in the region.”

The visit of His Highness the Emir to the Philippines comes 12 years after the visit of His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, on April 11, 2012, and he witnessed with the former Aquino the signing of many agreements, in addition to a number of memorandums of understanding, where a memorandum of understanding was signed. for tourism cooperation, a second for cooperation in the legal field, a third for agriculture and fish resources, and a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the investment field. The Philippine President awarded his guest the Lackndula Medal, the highest honor in the Philippines, in appreciation of His Highness and for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

On April 16, 2017, former President Rodrigo Duterte strengthened relations with a visit to Doha and met with the Emir of the country, His Highness Sheikh Tamim, and they witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding in the cultural, educational, health, and investment fields.

This April 2024 coincides with the forty-third anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of the Philippines. Over the course of four decades, relations have been in steady development. Within the framework of legislative reforms, the wise leadership has paved the way for labor policy reform, representing a new era for the labor market. A road map that many countries described as a “giant step” reflects the state’s commitment to granting migrant workers more freedom and protection, and provides employers with more options. The State of Qatar was the pioneer and initiator, as these reforms became a model for countries in the region to emulate, and received praise from countries. In the world and its international organizations, the State of Qatar is considered the first Arab country to actually carry out important reforms in labor policies.

It is essential to mention that the State of Qatar attaches great importance to its bilateral relations with the Philippines, and seeks to deepen its partnership in various fields. Bilateral cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Republic of the Philippines expanded during this era to broader horizons, to include the humanitarian and popular fields.

The State of Qatar hosts more than 246,000 Filipinos working in various sectors. There are more than 737 Filipino companies operating in the Qatari market, 8 of them with 100% capital, and the rest with partial purchased capital, in various activities, and based on principles based on justice and fairness, the State of Qatar always appreciates and values the role played by Filipino workers, and their contributions to the development that The country is witnessing, especially the vital role in preparing to organize the World Cup competitions, a step that was a real challenge, and yet it was impressive.

It should be noted that Qatar Airways was the only airline that remained operating during the closure period, in evacuating Filipinos and returning them to their homeland, and in transporting vaccines, safety and medical protective equipment to the Philippines and others, when there were no options.

It is so crucial to say that the Philippines, with its picturesque nature, diversity, and hospitable people, has formed an important tourist destination for many Qatari citizens, and the opportunity is favorable to revive trade exchange between the two countries, through the current signing of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry in developing trade exchange and developing economic cooperation between the private sector in both countries. The two countries, by establishing economic partnerships between Qatari businessmen and their counterparts from the Philippines, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Davao, which will play an important role after activation and entry into force.

This was a quick highlight before the exceptional event, as I mentioned, the visit of His Highness the Amir, which will undoubtedly be an important imprint and a milestone in the process of Qatari-Philippine relations. Welcome, Your Highness, and we await your arrival in April, which will no longer be a month of lies