Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Oceania's Riviera to host world premiere of PBS documentary series

Oceania's Riviera to host world premiere of PBS documentary series
Oceania Cruises and Artful Travelers teamed to host the world premiere for the new PBS documentary series, 'The Italian Americans.'

Passengers on Riviera's 10-day voyage departing Oct. 29 from Athens to Monte Carlo will have the opportunity to interact with producers, writers and directors involved in the development of the series, while traversing the Mediterranean and Italy's coast.

Narrated by Academy Award–nominated actor Stanley Tucci, 'The Italian Americans' consists of four, one-hour documentary films that chronicle the history of Italian Americans from the mid-19th century to the present. It examines the struggles and ideals shared by many Italian immigrants and how, as a group, they left a mark on America’s political, social and cultural landscape. 

During the cruise, filmmakers will host screenings for each episode. Prior to the showing, they will provide insight into the making of the film, and there will be question-and-answer sessions after each screening.

Scheduled to appear during the voyage is Jeff Bieber, executive producer for 'The Italian Americans' and veteran executive producer for public television documentaries, specials, news and cultural programs at WETA, the public broadcasting station for the Washington, DC area.

Also booked are John Maggio, writer, producer and director for 'The Italian Americans' and producer and director for PBS series 'Finding Your Roots,' 'American Experience' and 'FRONTLINE.' Maria Laurino, creative nonfiction professor at New York University and the author of the national bestseller 'Were You Always an Italian?' is scheduled, too.

Held in the Riviera Lounge, the screenings and question-and-answer sessions with the filmmakers are free and available to all passengers.

Additional experiences available for a fee include wine tastings featuring some of Italy’s finest vintages and Italian-inspired cooking adventures at the Bon Appétit Culinary Center. There will also be a book signing event with Laurino, who penned a companion book for the series entitled 'The Italian Americans: A History.'

Special experiences with limited capacity, such as private dinners and intimate cocktail functions with guest speakers, will be available to cruisers booking 'The Italian Americans' package using code 'ARTFUL.' In addition, exclusive shore excursions tying into the theme can be purchased.

The package is available at no additional cost for those booking the Oct. 29 voyage. When booking, passengers or their travel agents need to request the promotional code 'ARTFUL' to be added to the reservation. Space for this promotion is limited to the first 300 people who sign up.