Alumni find enriching travel experiences, new friendships on cruises

By Martin Haro ’05

Raul Chavez ’80 and his wife Angela Martinez love to travel and they love FIU. Through the Alumni Association’s Golden Panther Getaway program, the couple has found the perfect way to combine two of their passions and make memories to last a lifetime.

They have “thousands of photos” from four cruises to prove it.

Chavez and Martinez are two of the hundreds of participants who have taken an educational voyage organized by FIU with Oceania Cruises®, an upscale cruise line that emphasizes personal service and a destination-oriented experience. Martinez celebrated her last birthday on board the Oceania Regatta.

“We’re already planning for the next,” Chavez said. “They’re wonderful experiences. We’ve been to China and most recently we went to the Middle East. It’s a great opportunity to travel with old friends and make new ones.”

Chavez was among the 14 people who took the Roman Revelations trip last October hosted by Alumni Relations Associate Vice President Bill Draughon. Chavez appreciated that the journey provided him the chance to learn more about each of the historic cities and sites the group visited. Each cruise features an FIU professor who gives guest lectures about the destinations the group is visiting.

“My favorite stop was Jerusalem,” he said. “We had a faculty member from the School of Architecture with us and he was telling us about the city. My wife and I loved these cruises – they’re a great deal.”

For the 2010 season, the Alumni Association has organized two educational voyages on board the Oceania Insignia.

The European Legends cruise departs on Aug.10 for a 14-day voyage from Copenhagen to Lisbon. World renowned master chef Jacques Pépin will be on board for this special culinary sojourn. Guests will be treated to specially designed signature menus, engaging lectures, culinary demonstrations, book signings and much more. The cruise will visit seven countries – Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal. The FIU host will be Divina Grossman, FIU’s founding vice president for engagement.

The Ionian Inspiration, departing Sept. 5, will feature a 12-day cruise from Rome to Venice. You’ll see the best of the Mediterranean with stops in Portofino, Florence and Amalfi, Italy, plus Corfu, Greece, Dubrovnik, Croatia and other captivating ports of call. The FIU host will be Executive Dean Joyce Elam of the College of Business Administration.

Oceania Cruises will continue its legacy of generous donations to FIU based on alumni and friends participation. The donations will support student and alumni programming. For more information or to make a reservation, call Oceania Cruises at 1-800-404-6313 and request the FIU alumni promotion for your exclusive $200 shipboard credit and free airfare. If you would like to contact the FIU Alumni Association about the above cruises, call 1-305-348-3961 or send an e-mail to alumni@fiu.edu.