About Chris Pearmund 

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Our Host, Chris Pearmund, is synonymous with Virginia wine.  Simply search "Chris Pearmund" using your favorite internet search engine, and you will find Chris mentioned in countless online and print publications.  And it's no wonder.  Chris has been involved in the wine industry for more than 20 years.  Throughout his impressive career, he has been engaged in all aspects of the wine industry, from wine making to assembling, to final filtering and bottling.  All told, Chris has worked for 40 wineries across 10 states.

In 2003, Chris realized his ultimate dream, founding Pearmund Cellars, located in Broadrun, Virginia.  In its 5-year history, Pearmund Cellars has racked up countless awards for its varieties of red and white wines, and recently was voted Virginia's favorite winery.  Pearmund Cellars is a warm, welcoming place to spend a leisurely weekend day among the vineyard, soaking in the stunning Virginia countryside, with rolling hills, blue sky, and acres of grape vines.  In addition to Pearmund Cellars, Chris was a driving force and founder of another award-winning winery, Winery at LaGrange, located in Haymarket, Virginia.  The historically-rich 1790s home that has become Winery at LaGrange creates a unique and inviting winery that welcomes guests year round from across Virginia and the country.  Today, Chris continues to serve as a sought-after consultant to wineries throughout the Commonwealth.  Chris' dynamic and engaging personality, his extensive knowledge of wine and the wine industry, and the incredibile itinerary offered on this upscale Oceania cruise assure guests of a remarkable, truly unforgetable vacation.

 

About the Cruise

 

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We will sail from Rome, Italy to Barcelona, Spain In 11 days.  Our journey will take us to 11 ports of call across 4 countries -- Italy, Monaco, France and Spain.  See below for the exact itinerary.  En route, you will have the unique opportunity to join Chris in some exciting, truly unique excursions to wineries and vineyards in Italy and France.  Chris is working directly with the wineries to create special excursions for you that are not available anyplace else.  You will benefit from Chris' insights and knowledge of wine on each of the amazing shoreside trips.

In addition, onboard, Chris has exciting wine-themed events planned.  You will enjoy a private cocktail reception to meet Chris, his wine maker, DJ, and other wine enthusiasts.  It's your opportunity to make new acquaintances who share the same love of wine as you do.  You also will enjoy two (2) complimentary onboard wine tastings and a private wine and food pairing dinner, just for our group (subject to minimum participation requirements).  Plus, Chris plans to offer one or more lectures on such topics as the history of winemaking and the wine industry.

 

What is Included?

 

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What does it cost you to participate in this fun-filled wine cruise?  No more than it would cost you to book directly with Oceania Cruises.  Our rate is the same, but you will enjoy so much more.

For your fare, you will enjoy all of the following:

• Airfare from select North American gateway cities;
• 10-night Mediterranean cruise;
• Luxurious accommodations featuring Oceania Cruises' signature Tranquility Beds;
• All onboard meals and entertainment;
• 2 complimentary onboard wine tastings;
• 1 complimentary wine and food pairing dinner (subject to minimum participation requirements);
• 1 complimentary onboard cocktail reception;
• Informative and entertaining onboard lectures by wine expert, Chris Pearmund;
• $150 per stateroom amenity credit;
• Option to book unique shore excursions customized for our group and lead by Chris Pearmund.

 

 

What is life like on the cruise?

 

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• Country-club casual attire.  Think khakis and polo shirts.  No formal wear required.
• Very attentive staff.  Guest-to-staff ratio of 1.75 to 1.
• Exceptional cuisine, with menus designed by famous master-chef Jacques Pepin.
• Open-seating dining in 4 unique onboard dining venues (with no upcharge for any of them!).  Select the main dining room, or, if you prefer, Toscana for Italian cuisine, Polo Grill for surf and turf, or Tapas on the Terrace for outdoor dining on cuisine with a Mediterranean flare.
• Just 684 guests on the ship total.  What this means for you is no long lines, more intimate environment, better-quality service than on most cruise lines.
• Our group is limited to just 45 staterooms. 

 

What you need to know to book

 

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• Deposit required:  $750 per person.  You may use MasterCard, Visa, or American Express, or pay by personal check made payable to Cruise Holidays of Alexandria.
• Final Payment Date:  March 19, 2009
• Cancellation Policy:  If cancelled on or before COB March 18, 2009, receive $700 refund per person. March 19, 2009 and later, we recommend travel insurance to protect your investment.  Rates on travel insurance depend on the total cost of your trip and your age.  Please ask us for an exact quote at the time of booking.  You may purchase travel insurance anytime, and it does not need to be purchased at the time of booking.
• Fare includes cruise, airfare, and port charges.  Not included are Oceania-imposed fuel surcharge ($150 per person), cruise-related government fees and taxes ($260 per person), air taxes, air fuel surcharge, and Oceania-imposed ticketing charge ($509 per person).  Also not included are transfers between the ship and airport, shoreside activities, onboard grautuities (approximately $115 per guest), and alcoholic beverages and soft drinks (except as provided at wine tastings, wine and food pairing dinner, and cocktail reception).

 

Arranging Air Separately from Oceania

 

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If you have frequent-flyer miles or wish to arrange air separately from Oceania Cruises, then you will receive a $950 per person credit off the fares listed below.  In addition, you will not be charged the air taxes of $509 per person.

• We will be attempting to secure special airfare likely on United Airlines, for our group.
• You may remove the air from your cruise booking at any time up to final payment (and in most cases, even later than that).  We recommend you keep your airfare on the booking at the time of your reservation to guard against any increase in airfare; if you find separate airfare that you prefer after you book, we can simply remove the air from your booking and you will receive the $950 per person credit on your cruise fare.

 

By when should you book?

 

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• Book now to assure your selection of stateroom.  We have already sold out of our interior staterooms (Categories G and F), meaning that Category E ocean view staterooms currently are the lowest category of staterooms we have available, beginning at $3,299 per person, based on double occupancy.
• We only have 45 staterooms available in our group.  We have sold over 1/3rd of these staterooms already, and are on track to be 50% sold within the next several weeks.
• By booking now, you guard yourself against increases in the fuel surcharge, government fees and taxes, and cruise fare.  We anticipate the cruise fare will increase at the end of August, but the fuel surcharge and government fees and taxes can increase at any time without notice, until you are booked and deposited.

 

Earning extra shipboard credit

 

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• Shipboard credit defrays your expenses onboard your cruise.
• As part of our group, you automatically receive $150 per stateroom shipboard credit to enjoy as you wish.
• If you book and then refer others who book and travel on this cruise, we will provide you an additional $50 per stateroom shipboad credit for your referral.

Call us today with any additional questions, or to book.  You may reach us 7-days per week at 703-706-0011, or toll free at 866-368-7327.

Our space is strictly limited to 45 staterooms (90 guests), and we are already over 1/3rd sold out.  Don't be disappointed.  Secure your space today with a deposit of $750 per guest.  No further payment is due until final payment, March 19, 2009.  Deposit, less $50 per person, is refundable up until 91 days prior to departure.  Book today.

Call us at 703-706-0011, or toll free at 866-368-7327.