Why I Wish I Were Frank Del Rio And Other Thoughts From A Q&A With The Chief Of Oceania

On March 9, 2010, In Marina, Ocean Cruises, Oceania Cruises, By Ralph Grizzle

Why I Wish I Were Frank Del Rio

I’m successful, well-educated (go Tar Heels!), well-traveled, have fulfilled most of my dreams, parent two lovely children and enjoy a good lifestyle. But despite all of those trimmings of a happy life, I’ve decided that I no longer want to be me. No. I’m finished with this persona. From now on, I want to be Frank Del Rio.

FDR, of course, is the out-spoken Chairman and CEO of Prestige Cruise Holdings, parent of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. I say outspoken because FDR, with all respect, has no filter. He says what’s on his mind, and most times that’s refreshing and insightful, as you’ll read in the Q&A below.

He has made a fortune, rising from the ashes of Renaissance Cruises, which, in failing financial health, ceased operations on September 25, 2001. Like the mythical Phoenix, FDR flapped his expansive wings (with two former Renaissance vessels tucked underneath) and launched the upper-premium brand Oceania Cruises in 2002. It was pure genius.

FDR and company had found an untapped niche tucked between the premium brands and the luxury brands. Oceania’s positioning of upper premium not only had marketing cachet, but also appealed to a whole lot of people, which is why eight years later, Oceania’s three vessels still have a huge and loyal following, and why the company is building not one, but two, new ships.

The reason I want to be FDR is not because he’s rich (though I wouldn’t mind having a bulging wallet) but because of his passion and commitment. FDR knows what his brand stands for, and equally important, what it does not. I only wish I had such clarity of focus.

Thinking about it, it’s probably a good thing I do not inhabit FDR’s persona, because let’s be frank (ha!), I would have done something really dumb, like positioning the company as ”lower luxury” instead of “upper premium.” And that would have never worked. Or would it? Let’s leave that for contemplation and go have a chat with the chief.

Q & A With Oceania’s Frank Del Rio

During a walkthrough of Oceania Marina, under construction in Genoa, Italy, Frank Del Rio, Chairman & CEO of Prestige Cruise Holdings, talked with the Avid Cruiser about the new ship, the Oceania brand and the line's upper-premium positioning.

Ralph Grizzle: With Marina, you’re nearly doubling the capacity of your existing ships. What impact will that have on the guest experience?

Frank del Rio: There is an 80 percent increase in passenger capacity on Marina, but a 120 percent increase in the size of the ship, so the size makes for a more comfortable ship. The guest-to-space ratio is much higher on Marina than on our existing vessels.

[Editor's note: Oceania's newest ship will have similar capacity to Holland America Line "S Class" vessels, such as Maasdam, but Marina will have 25 percent more space.]

Also, we will have a higher crew-to-passenger ratio than we have on our existing ships [800 crew to 1,258 guests]. We’re elevating the Oceania experience by improving everything that we can — entertainment, the number of restaurant offerings, the guest-to-space ratio and so forth.

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When In Amsterdam, Do As The Dutch Do, Straddle A Saddle

On March 9, 2010, In Amsterdam, Destinations, Europe, Netherlands, By Ralph Grizzle

Everyone, from crib to coffin, pedals a bike in Amsterdam.

Cruising to or from Amsterdam? Why not do what the Dutch do and straddle a saddle? Hop on a bike and pedal your way through Amsterdam and the beautiful countryside.

Everyone, from crib to coffin, pedals a bike in Amsterdam. The entire country of the Netherlands is mostly flat and ideal for cycling, but the best part is that cyclists pedal along roads either with no cars at all (with tiny traffic lights for bikes) — or with drivers who actually pay attention to cyclists.

That is why Dutch cyclists are 30 times less likely to be killed than their stateside counterparts, according to Bicycling magazine. And that is why for tourists, cycling is a match made, well, in the Netherlands.

You can pedal in the city center, of course, but the real pleasure comes in getting out in the countryside. During my visit to Amsterdam, the rental agency, Mac Bike, recommended a route called “The Great Waterland Bicycle Tour.”

I followed the route, well described on the map, through Amsterdam, riding past charming canals, beautiful architecture, past pedestrians (and nearly over one or two who stepped in front of the bike) and alongside other cyclists and eventually found my way to the train station and the ferry across to Waterland, north of Amsterdam.

Join other cyclists on the free ferry toward Waterland.

The ferries are free and transit every five minutes or so. A ramp lowers and you push your bike on.

In fact, I don’t think there is any public facility that hasn’t been set up for bikes. Even outdoor stairways, have a steel gutter to accommodate the bike’s wheels.

The ferry transit is only a couple of minutes, and I stood there among a throng of other cyclists waiting to reach the other side.

Once on the other side, I and the others pedaled off. After about an hour of pedaling past attractive countryside, I stopped for lunch in a beautiful seaside village, where I dined on a plate of mussels, french fries, salad, bread, applesauce and cole slaw.

It's hard to imagine a better meal or a more deserved one — after cycling.

Fortified, I pedaled again. I rode along a dyke through Uitdam and to the charming village of Marken, where the fishermen’s houses were built on poles.

Precious cargo!

The town is a tourist attraction, where all the homes are painted a dark green with red tile roofs.

During my ride, I learned at least two things about cycling in the Netherlands. The first was how to carry three ice cream cones on a bike. I saw a girl doing just that.

To carry three, she turned one cone upside down on top of the other so that she had only to contend with two cones in one hand. Smart.

I also learned how to carry twins. I saw a woman riding a bike with the front end having two wheels and a cart in between. Up front were the twin girls. I learned that this is quite common in the Netherlands.

I continued to ride to Monnickendam, a charming village, then to Zuiderwoude, where I could see the “Welcome to the town limits” and “You Are Leaving the town limits” signs as I pedaled in. There was a wonderful teahouse there.

In the countryside, take a break at the teahouse in Zuiderwoude.

I rode along the Amstel, past barges and boats to the small village of Ouderkerk ann de Amstel, older than Amsterdam. I stopped there to have an apple shortcake from a century-old bakery and a Witte beer at a restaurant dating back to 1624.

Older than Amsterdam, Ouderkerk ann de Amstel makes for a good stop to have a beer.

I picked my way back to the ferry. The complete circuit took more than six hours and was so enjoyable. I hope to do it again one day.

Everyone cycles in Amsterdam. I was told the SH on the bike pictured indicated that someone with a hearing handicap was the owner.

Update: ‘Foul’ Smell On Carnival Dream? Recent Cruiser Says No

On March 8, 2010, In Carnival Cruise Lines, Carnival Dream, Ocean Cruises, By Ralph Grizzle

With his family booked on a March 2010 cruise on Carnival Dream, Avid Cruiser reader Scott W. writes to say he’s worried about a potential foul odor on the ship. Scott worries that the odor could jeopardize his family’s ‘Dream’ vacation.

I cruised Carnival Dream for a few nights out of New York and noticed no such odor. I should also note that Avid Cruiser contributor Geoff Edwards mentioned no such smells during his weeklong Dream voyage late last year. You will find Geoff’s account on on Avid Cruiser’s Carnival Dream page. But perhaps Avid Cruiser readers could help out.

Have you cruised Carnival Dream? If so please share your experience by commenting on Avid Cruiser’s Carnival Dream page, where you can read Scott’s comment or below. Anyone is welcome to comment.

Update: And someone did comment. Wayne Miller just returned from Carnival Dream and did a thorough olfactory inspection. Putting all areas to the smell test, he found no foul odors. In fact, Miller even went so far as to call his vacation on Dream, the best of seven cruises. Thanks Wayne!

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