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Insignia encores 180-day world voyage in 2017 with some new twists

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Insignia's 2017 circumnavigation has new stops in Ireland, Spain and Turkey
Oceania Cruises will chart Insignia's fourth 'Around the World in 180 Days' voyage in 2017. Sailing round-trip Miami, the ship will visit six continents, 36 countries, 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 98 ports, including stops in Ireland, Spain and Turkey not offered during its previous world cruises.

Overnights at 16 destinations and five exclusive shoreside events are planned. Overnight ports range from Singapore and Hong Kong to Burma's Yangon (two nights), Bangkok, Bordeaux and Bermuda's St. George's.

The exclusive shoreside events are 'Volcanoes National Park & Volcano Winery' (Hilo, Hawaii), 'Polynesian Lagoon Luncheon' (Bora Bora), 'Aberdeen Marina Club Dinner' (Hong Kong), 'Singapore Flyer: Dinner in the Sky' and 'Evening at Traditional Seville Fair' (from Cádiz).

Insignia continues to operate cruising's longest, most comprehensive circumnavigation.

'The fact we are now preparing a fourth iteration of this epic 180-day voyage is a testament to its appeal,' said Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer for Oceania Cruises.

Sailing from Miami on Jan. 6, Insignia will cross the Caribbean on a southern course to South America, pass through the Panama Canal and make several calls at Central America's Pacific coast. After San Diego, California, the ship will cruise to the Hawaiian Islands, French Polynesia, American Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

Following numerous stops throughout Australia and New Zealand, Insignia will cross the Timor Sea to Indonesia and explore the Java Sea before passing through the Karimata Strait to Malaysia. Sailing the South China Sea the ship will call at Brunei, the Philippines, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Thailand and India. From there the course continues to the Arabian Sea to the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Next Insignia cruises the Red Sea to Jordan and Egypt before transiting the Suez Canal to Israel and southern Turkey. An extensive period of time is planned in the Mediterranean, visiting Greece, Italy and Spain before reaching Gibraltar. The ship will sail along the Atlantic coast of Spain and call at Portugal and France before cruising the Celtic and Irish seas with several stops in Ireland.

Crossing the Atlantic, Insignia will arrive in Newfoundland before cruising up the St. Lawrence River to Québec. The ship will visit the New England coast, New York City and overnight in Charleston, South Carolina, before returning to Miami on July 6.

Sales open at 8:30 a.m. EST July 29. Travelers who book the full voyage by Sept. 30, 2015, will receive two-for-one cruise fares, free first class round-trip airfare from major US and Canadian gateways and early booking savings of up to 71%. In addition, they'll get the 'Exclusive Prestige Package' of pre-paid gratuities (valued up to $8,200), free on-board medical care, unlimited Internet, laundry services, a visa package, luggage delivery, one-night pre-cruise hotel stay and transfers.