Category Archives: Oceania

Unique Itineraries, Small-Group Shore Excursions, and Remote Ports Allow Guests to Dive into Local Life

MIAMI, July 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Oceania Cruises, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, is offering an extensive collection of voyages across East Asia in the first half of 2025 that boast destination-rich adventures for even the most seasoned world travelers.

Within the new collection of sailings, Oceania Cruises invites guests to explore the wildly diverse landscapes of Asia from the vibrant city of Hong Kong to the lush coves of Bali, and the ancient temples of Kyoto to the stunning turquoise coastlines of Phuket. Oceania Cruises' small, luxurious ships carry no more than 1,250 guests and are more than an elegant means of travel with exceptional guest-to-staff ratios. They are perfectly sized to access some of the most remote ports, giving guests the chance to completely immerse themselves in untouched ancient cultures.

"Asia is one of the most striking regions in the world to explore by sea; the powerful contrasts between its ultra-modern and historic influences are breathtaking," remarks Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. "Through our thoughtful itineraries and our incredible array of immersive small group tours, guests can enjoy the region's timeless heritage and impressive futuristic strides in one trip making guests feel like they're traveling through time. These destinations are truly not to be missed."

With Oceania Cruises' wide range of small-group shore excursions, guests can experience the vibrant cultures, cuisines and natural beauty of the region the way they want: Food-focused tours that range from cooking classes in Thailand to market visits in Vietnam; Wellness Discovery Tours that nourish the mind, body and spirit; Go Local Tours that invite guests to discover authentic local life; Go Green excursions that focus on sustainability practices in local communities; and more. For guests looking for even further adventure, there are endless opportunities to fulfill even the most ambitious bucket list items through Oceania Cruises' overland experiences. Guests can trek through jungle hills and mountains to discover the wet caves in the Tu Lan system in China, relax on the banks of the Red River in Hanoi, and tour Asia's most spectacular attractions, including Angkor Wat and the Terracotta Warriors Museum.

With itineraries ranging from six-day jaunts to 24-day journeys aboard a variety of Oceania Cruises' ultra-premium ships, these sailings are the perfect way to absorb the wonders of East Asia in world-class comfort. With the line's simply MORE value promise, guests will enjoy more value and greater convenience with 2 for 1 cruise fares, free shore excursions, free Champagne, wine and beer, and free WiFi as they discover the wonders of East Asia.

Highlighted Voyages

View All Featured 2025 East Asia Itineraries Here.

For additional information on Oceania Cruises' small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855-OCEANIA, or speak with a professional travel advisor.

About Oceania CruisesOceania Cruises is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's eight small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,250 guests and feature The Finest Cuisine at Sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences are available aboard the designer-inspired, small ships, which call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents, on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. Oceania Cruises has two additional ships on order scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028 or 2029[1]. Oceania Cruises is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visitwww.nclhltd.com.

[1]Delivery for the second Oceania Cruises ship is contractually scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2028, but may be delayed to 2029.

SOURCE Oceania Cruises

Continued here:

Oceania Cruises' Expansive East Asia Sailings Explore Celebrated Cities and Hidden Gems - PR Newswire

Buckingham Palace has confirmed that, come October, King Charles and Queen Camilla are headed to Oceaniabut, instead of their planned four country stop to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and Samoa, the couple will just be visiting Australia and Samoa, Hello reports.

The King and Queen will visit Australia at the invitation of the Australian government, and will feature royal engagements in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales; their state visit to Samoa will celebrate the strong bilateral relationship between the Pacific Island nation and the U.K., Hello writes.

The King and Queen will take their first international trip since the King's cancer diagnosis earlier this year in the fall, when they'll visit Australia and Samoa.

(Image credit: Getty)

A Palace spokesperson said of the visitCharles first international trip since announcing his cancer diagnosis in Februarythat The Kings doctors have advised that a further extension to Their Majesties trip should be avoided at this time to prioritize His Majestys continued recovery. As with all His Majestys recent engagements, his program in both countries will be subject to doctors advice, and any necessary modifications on health grounds.

Hello reports that this visit will be the first trip Down Under by a reigning monarch since 2011, when Queen Elizabeth visited for what would be her final time. Charles and Camilla last visited Australia in 2018, when they represented Her late Majesty at the Commonwealth Games there.

Including travel time, the King and Queen will be away for 10 daysthough the trip was originally intended to be closer to three weeks, The Daily Beast reports.

The couple's Oceania trip was cut in half, in terms of both length and number of countries visited.

(Image credit: Getty)

There has been a lot of debate in the Palace about how much Charles should be doing, a source told the outlet. There are plenty of people who think a long haul foreign tour is unwise when you have cancer. But ultimately the decisions are coming from the top, and the problem is he knows that if he doesnt do a trip to Australia as King now, it will probably never happen.

The trip is critical for the monarchys relationship with Australia, as the country is a very important country to him, a friend said. Its no secret that there are Republican rumblings Down Under, and he wants to do everything he can to keep the Aussies on board. But its clear he wouldnt be going unless he was on the mend and his doctors thought he could handle it. Its a hugely encouraging sign.

Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.

Visiting Australia is particularly important to Charles, as he wants to maintain the relationship between the monarchy and the country.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The trip to Oceania was also originally planned to include New Zealand and Fiji, but those legs of the tour have been scrapped.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

When pressed if cutting the New Zealand leg of the royal tour was a sign that the King was still struggling with his health, the friend said I think that would be a churlish interpretation. He has been very open about having cancer. It is absolutely plain to see that he is doing really well. Its very sad about New Zealand, but I think its just the reality of trying to work while being treated for canceryou cant do everything.

Original post:

King Charles Dramatically Shortened Royal Tour of Oceania This Fall Shows He Cant Do Everything, Friend Says - Marie Claire

Home CRUISE NEWS Join the Adventure as Oceania Cruises Sets Sail for East Asias Spectacular Shores in 2025

Friday, July 19, 2024

Oceania Cruises, renowned for its emphasis on culinary excellence and destination-centric voyages, has launched a comprehensive series of journeys through East Asia scheduled for the first half of 2025. These trips promise rich, cultural experiences tailored for avid globetrotters.

This new assortment of itineraries by Oceania Cruises provides an opportunity for travelers to delve into Asias vast diversityfrom the dynamic metropolis of Hong Kong and Balis verdant hideaways to the historic shrines of Kyoto and the pristine azure shores of Phuket. The fleets small yet opulent vessels, accommodating no more than 1,250 passengers, offer a unique travel experience with superior guest-to-staff ratios. Their compact size allows access to secluded ports, enabling travelers to engage deeply with the regions enduring traditions and untouched locales.

Asiais one of the most striking regions in the world to explore by sea; the powerful contrasts between its ultra-modern and historic influences are breathtaking, remarksFrank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. Through our thoughtful itineraries and our incredible array of immersive small group tours, guests can enjoy the regions timeless heritage and impressive futuristic strides in one trip making guests feel like theyre traveling through time. These destinations are truly not to be missed.

Oceania Cruises offers a diverse array of small-group shore excursions, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the rich cultures, flavors, and natural splendors of the region in personalized ways. These include culinary explorations with cooking workshops in Thailand and market tours in Vietnam; Wellness Discovery Tours that rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul; Go Local Tours for a deep dive into genuine local lifestyles; and Go Green excursions that emphasize sustainable practices within local communities. For those seeking grander adventures, Oceania Cruises provides overland adventures where guests can navigate jungle terrains to explore Chinas Tu Lan cave system, unwind along Hanois Red River, and visit iconic sites like Angkor Wat and the Terracotta Warriors Museum.

The cruise line offers a range of itineraries from six-day getaways to extensive 24-day expeditions on its ultra-premium ships, delivering an unparalleled experience of East Asias marvels in supreme comfort. With Oceania Cruises simply MORE value promise, guests enjoy added value and convenience, including 2-for-1 cruise fares, complimentary shore excursions, and free amenities like Champagne, wine, beer, and WiFi.

Highlighted Voyages:

See the original post here:

Join the Adventure as Oceania Cruises Sets Sail for East Asias Spectacular Shores in 2025 - Travel And Tour World

The Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships will be held in Macau on June 29-30. Competitions will be heldin Sport and Combat SAMBO among men and women. On the eve of the start of the tournament the draw of the participants was held.

Draw of the 1st Day of the Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships 2024

Sport SAMBO (men): 58 kg, 64 kg, 71 kg, 79 kg, 88 kg, 98 kg, +98 kg

Sport SAMBO (women): 50 kg, 54 kg, 59 kg, 65 kg, 72 kg, 80 kg, +80 kg

[VIDEO] Announcement of the Asia and Oceania SAMBO Championships 2024

Read this article:

Draw of the 1st Day of the Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships 2024 | International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) - International Sambo Federation

The 2025 season in the South Pacific will be Oceania Cruises' most expansive to date, with their elegant ships Nautica and Regatta traversing the remote region during both the winter and summer seasons. Both seasons' unique itineraries have been specifically designed to create a memorable and immersive experience for well-traveled, curious guests, allowing them to delve deeper into this fascinating region. Offering an ultra-premium experience, Regatta and Nautica are ideally suited to explorations in the region,featuring more veranda staterooms and more free specialty dining options than any other ship regularly based in Tahiti.

"Our 2025 collection of itineraries spanning Polynesia offers guests the opportunity to discover the astounding nature, rich culinary heritage and deep-rooted cultural traditions of the South Pacific," commented Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. "With only 670 guests on board our ultra-premium ships, there is no doubt that traveling through Polynesia with Oceania Cruises is by far the most relaxing and carefree way to experience the most relaxing and carefree place in the world."

At the heart of this extensive, diverse season are ten-day round-trip Papeete sailings, perfect for inquisitive travelers looking to explore the remote, nature-rich islands that characterize this region.

Wildlife-loving guests can look out for the abundance of spectacular marine life that frequent the sparkling turquoise waters around the islands, including spinner dolphins, whales and stingrays. The region plays host to a spectacular number of ancient archaeological sites, rugged mountains adorned with wild hibiscus and colorful ginger flowers. After a day exploring the untouched natural wonders of Polynesia, what better way to relax than to sit and watch some of the most stunning sunsets in the world from the deck.

The diverse selection of itineraries includes the must-sees in French Polynesia such as vibrant Papeete, the paradise island of Nuku Hiva, and a number of overnight stays in Bora Bora, the most romantic island in the world.

These voyages are perfect for travelers wishing to soak up the laid-back, island atmosphere, where they'll take in iconic views of the mountains and stunning beaches and enjoy only-in-Polynesia adventures such as tours of vanilla and black pearl farms, picturesque lagoon cruises and motu island picnics. Oceania Cruises' extensive range of highly curated shore excursions allows guests to discover the islands for themselves, absorbing the unspoilt, natural beauty that these islands radiate alongside the region's unique cultural traditions.

Additionally, Oceania Cruises offers a variety of longer voyages, giving guests the chance to explore Polynesia after visiting the spectacular topography of Hawaii or New Zealand, as well as World Voyages of up to 111 days long, ending in Singapore, Cape Town or Barcelona.

Shore Excursion Highlights:

Oceania Cruises has partnered with luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Cond Nast Traveler to bring globetrotters an exclusive collection of itineraries handpicked by the magazine's dedicated editors. Four of Oceania's Polynesia itineraries are included among the 23 Cond Nast Traveler branded itineraries, featuring editorial insights and unique tips in featured ports of call, sharing insider knowledge on what to discover, savor and experience in each destination.

An example of exclusive editor's tips in French Polynesia includes skipping the restaurants and heading to the food trucks, or roulettes as they're called in Papeete, for a cheap and cheerful al fresco dinner featuring local bites; strolling through downtown Papeete getting to know its storied history via its colorful colonial architecture while visiting landmarks like the Notre Dame Cathedral, town hall and the bustling 155-year-old Papeete Market; and swimming with reef sharks during an intimate boat tour aboard a small sailing catamaran with family-run tour operator Voila Moorea.

Additional shore excursion highlights include:

Aito Off-Road Safari:Traveling off-road in a four-wheel drive, soak up the exquisite beauty of Moorea, exploring the verdant mountains, deep valleys and white-sand beaches, stopping at a sacred ancient marae and learning about the pineapple crop on the way.

Vanilla Flavor & Taha'a Motu Picnic: Cruise to the island of Taha'a from Raiatea source of 70% of the vanilla grown in French Polynesia to explore an intoxicatingly fragrant vanilla plantation and visit a tiny islet for a Polynesian picnic lunch and some beach time.

Sail Bora Bora by Catamaran:Discover Bora Bora's famously gorgeous lagoon by catamaran, comfortably watching the views of the magnificent extinct volcanoes and spotting colorful tropical fish above the crystalline reef.

Discover Tahiti's West Coast:From the Robert Wan Pearl Museum and Marche de Papeete to the tranquil Jardins Paofai, observe the surfers on their longboards alongside natural treasures like the thundering Faarumai Waterfalls, Arahoho Blowhole, and the Maraa Fern Grottos, home to the largest underwater cave in Tahiti.

Visit to Taipivai Valley: Set off on a guided adventure in a four-wheel-drive vehicle into the lush valley described in Herman Melville's 1846 novel, Typee. A famously rugged paradise, Taipivai Valley is spectacularly beautiful, rich in archeological sites, and yours to discover during this fascinating excursion.

Shark and Stingray Snorkel Safari in Bora Bora: Explore Bora Bora's turquoise, unspoilt lagoon via boat before slipping into the gin-clear waters to discover the ancient crater rim of Moti To'opua, gliding alongside the island's graceful stingrays and parrotfish.

Ship Highlights:The better-than-new Regatta and Nautica blend sophistication with a contemporary flair to create a casually elegant ambiance that embodies the most treasured elements of our celebrated ships. Both ships feature more free specialty dining options than any other ship regularly based in the region, in addition to offering an array of relaxed yet refined dining experiences. A refreshed color palette of soft earth, sea and sky tones encourages relaxation in suites and staterooms, and guests can indulge in a soothing massage or rejuvenating treatment in the Aquamar Spa + Vitality Center on board.

Polynesia Voyage Highlights:

Tahitian &Hawaiian Hues: 18 days from Los Angeles to Papeete aboard Nautica,overnighting in Bora Bora and Papeete and visiting Lahaina, Honolulu, Hilo, Raiatea and Moorea. Departs January 8, 2025.

Papeete to Honolulu:15 Days from Papeete to Honolulu aboard Regatta,from overnighting in Bora Bora, Raiatea, Rangiroa, Nuku Hiva, Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Lahaina, Nawiliwili and Honolulu. Departs September 15, 2025.

Tahitian Legends:10 days roundtrip from Papeete (Tahiti) aboard Regatta, a Cond Nast Traveler branded itinerary, traveler will overnight in Papeete and Bora Bora and visit Moorea, Fakarava, Nuku Hiva, Rangiroa and Raiatea. Departs August 16, 2025.

All sailings include Oceania Cruises' simply MORE value promise, meaning virtually everything is included in the voyage fare: complimentary vintage Champagnes, premium wines and international beers during lunch and dinner; and a shore excursion credit of up to $1,400 per stateroom (credit varies by voyage length). Created to elevate the guest experience, simply MORE means travelers receive ultimate value on top of an ultra-premium cruise experience.

For additional information on Oceania Cruises' small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855-OCEANIA, or speak with a professional travel advisor.

About Oceania CruisesOceania Cruises is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line's eight small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,250 guests and feature The Finest Cuisine at Sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences are available aboard the designer-inspired, small ships, which call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents, on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. Oceania Cruises has two additional ships on order scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028 or 2029[1]. Oceania Cruises is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visitwww.nclhltd.com.

[1] Delivery for the second Oceania Cruises ship is contractually scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2028, but may be delayed to 2029.

SOURCE Oceania Cruises

More here:

Oceania Cruises Offers More In-Depth Exploration In Polynesia Than Ever Before - PR Newswire

As he is affectionally know in the Northern Mariania Islands, Coach Robbie Badminton Ocenanas Coaching & Development Manager, is on his fourth visit to Northern Marianas, working with 20 local players plus two from neighbouring Island Guam, facilitating the National Junior training camp. Assisting with this camp is current Oceania Mens Singles Champion and participant in the upcoming Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open 2024 and Dove Saipan International 2024 tournaments, Edward Lau.

The players train twice a day from 9am-12pm and then again from 2pm-4pm. The sessions cover all aspects of badminton including physical, tactical and technical. Coach, Robbie Thackham believes the players have been working hard since his last visit saying Theres been a big improvement in the players since the last training camp which was held in October 2023.

Two of the participants, LIna Tsukagoshi (NMI) and Allan Zeng (GUM) are part of the Tier 2 Badminton Oceania development programme that will be training in Thailand at the end of 2024.

Originally posted here:

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES TO THRIVE IN THE NORTH PACIFIC - Badminton Oceania

According to a United Nations Development Programme report, approximately 75% of the population of Pacific island nations are affected by natural disasters. The report also states that the impact of climate change in the region is largely overlooked and poses a serious threat, particularly to young people and future generations who face the potential loss of their homelands, cultural identity, and work opportunities resulting from rising sea levels. The report estimates that sea levels will rise between about 10 inches to 23 inches by 2050.

Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has been outspoken on the need for the care of creation as well as the integral human development of all people, particularly the poor and vulnerable. In addition to his encyclical Laudato Si (2015) and apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum (2023), the Holy Father has addressed the issue of climate change and its rising human cost to world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly in 2015 as well at COP, the annual U.N. climate change conference.

At Oceania Speaks, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations Archbishop Paul Gallagher echoed Pope Francis concern for people facing hunger, exploitation, and poverty due to climate change and emphasized the urgent need for a unified global response to the crisis.

In the context of Oceania, the impending threat posed by rising sea levels to many small Pacific islands states is deeply alarming, reaching beyond mere geographical boundaries, Gallagher said at the gathering. Entire villages [are] on the brink of destruction, forcing local communities particularly families into perpetual displacement that erode their distinct identities and cultural heritage. We should also take into consideration the risk of degrading their natural heritage.

Sister Philomena Waira of the Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea also shared her testimony at Oceania Speaks and highlighted the ecological and social impacts of foreign mining and logging in Papua New Guinea.

In the past, people had no problem with food and water. [People] were able to grow crops without fertilizers, Waira said. As the years went by the governments are allowing foreign investors into our countries. After the mining is done, it has affected climate change, peoples fishing, and animals have also run away.

View original post here:

Conference in Rome highlights Pacific islands' climate peril - Catholic News Agency

Ahead of the OFC Nations Cup final, both New Zealand and Vanuatu have players in serious doubt to make the big fixture.

Both New Zealands Darren Bazeley and Vanuatus Juliano Schmeling have key figures who may not make the final, they both confirmed at the pre-match press conference ahead of Sundays final.

For NZ it is Tim Payne, who hobbled off the pitch in the semi final against Tahiti.

Tims in recovery process today. Hes getting medical attention today. So well find out later how serious that injury is.The medical department dont make quick decisions until theyve really diagnosed it properly. Ill probably know by the time I get back to the hotel how hes feeling, Bazeley said on Football in Oceanias question about the teams injury situation.

But apart from that, were in pretty good shape. Everyones recovered. And weve got a bit of a quiet day today where theyre doing some recovery. But we should be at full strength.

For his counterpart, Schmeling, he had to see Bong Kalo coming off the field in the first half in their semi final. And the playmaker is unlikely to make the big game.

At the moment, were still in that phase of investigating, try to see the doctor and see whats the real situation of Bong. He got a very small chance to be part of the final, to be honest, at this stage. But well see the results. And start getting more clear this afternoon in his situation. Apart from him, I think we are pretty much at full strength, taking Bong out of the list, Schmeling said.

Both coaches now look forward to an exciting final, with both praising the other. Bazeley says he saw a performance full of heart in Vanuatus match against Fiji.

I thought they played some really good football and was brave in possession. You know, when you look at the two teams,Vanuatu was a team, you know, trying to play out from the back and trying to play through the thirds and to try and get it to those tricky wingers they have that I thought performed very well on the day.

I think us and Vanuatu are the teams that have progressed quite nicely through the tournament. In regards to each game, probably stepping up and getting slightly better each performance.

Schmeling knows his Vanuatu side will need to pull off a small miracle to get the win, but he has found some weaknesses in the NZ team, but he is for obvious reason not sharing them.

We have analyzed them but we are not able to say something to you. Especially because theyre next to me as well, he said, inciting a round of laughs from the attending media.

So, we know the challenge we have and yeah, they have special players, but the structure they have is a very disciplined team, definitely have some strength. And we try to do our best. Therefore, like I said, for Sunday, we need to do a perfect game with no individual mistakes. If we can do that, we know that our group will fight to keep going, fighting like they did yesterday. And why not dream for the title?

Enter the text or HTML code here

A passion for everything football and especially in Oceania. Owner of Football in Oceania.

Continued here:

Coaches update on injuries ahead of thrilling final - Football in Oceania

By Coen Lammers

Football fans are currently enjoying a smorgasbord of action from Euro 2024 and the Copa America, but in the outer reaches of the football map, in the tiny island nation of Vanuatu, Oceania is serving up its own wonderful and unique football flavours.

On Sunday, Vanuatu and New Zealand will square off for the Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup, the pinnacle event in this part of the world and the stadium will heave with excitement.

The stadiums in Germany have been bouncing with fans from all over Europe, but few of those crowds will match the near-fanatical masses packing into the Freshwater Stadium in Port Vila the past two weeks.

OFC Nations Cup matches, especially those involving the host team, have been the hottest tickets in town, and the 7,000 tickets sell out within a couple of hours. That figure represents the official capacity, but with thousands of youngsters under 12 getting free entry, there is barely a spare blade of grass left.

The locals know that need to get there early if you want one of the 1,500 seats in the covered stands, and are usually filled two or three hours before kick-off, bringing their own lunches and leaving behind a mountain of peanut shells.

Normal rules, of course, do not apply to local VIPs who want to bask in the glory of Vanuatus pinnacle event.

With every seat already filled, the unannounced late arrival of Ministers with their entourage has been causing some major juggling acts and diplomacy for the local organisers, trying to keep the officials and the paying punters happy.

An estimated 10,000 packed VFF Freshwater Stadium for Vanuatus dramatic semi-final win over Fiji, which is a quarter of the population of Port Vila, with thousands more watching from rooftops, car trunks, woodpiles and any other form of elevation.

To say Vanuatu is football-mad would be an understatement, and the nation has been proud and grateful to host their first-ever OFC Nations Cup to commemorate the 90-year anniversary of the VFF.

The insolvency of Air Vanuatu threw a late spanner in the works and forced part of the tournament to be moved to Fiji, but would not stop the enthusiastic local organising committee from pulling out all stops to make their guests feel welcome.

Vanuatu and its football federation have significant economic and logistical challenges, that would make football administrators in other countries curl up in the foetal position, but the tournament has so far been gone off without any major glitches.

Some teams raised concerns about the quality of the training pitches, which highlights one of the major challenges Vanuatu football faces for their own development.

Aside from the FIFA-funded Freshwater Stadium, other venues are run by the local government and the pitches are not always their top priority, while the broadleaved island grass makes it difficult to create a smooth surface.

The ground staff at Freshwater tried to grow a pitch with thinner grass like players are used to in New Zealand, only to see the local grass take over in a matter of weeks.

The best training pitch on the main island of Efate turned out to be at the Montmarte School, far in the hills above Port Vila, surrounded by dense tropical bush which can only be reached after some serious off-roading.

The All Whites used Montmarte as their training base, where the support staff got a bit of a fright in their first session, retrieving wayward balls from the bushes and being confronted by huge spiders, allegedly the size of small dogs.

As a result, some of the balls were left behind in the bush for the local school kids to retrieve, and the shooting drills were moved to the other goal.

As coach Darren Bazeley had predicted, the OFC Nations Cup was an eye-opener for some of the New Zealand professionals, cramped into mini-buses, playing on unfamiliar surfaces, against unfamiliar teams and having to get changed in a wooden shed outside the main stadium for the semi-final, because the two main dressing rooms were used for the second semi-final.

This is back to basics. Some of these guys havent seen a shed like this since they played in the under-14s, joked one of the Kiwi support staff.

To their credit, the young All Whites squad and their coaches took their new surroundings in their stride without complaints and focused on getting the job done.

Many of the squad had experienced football in the islands during previous U-17 and U-20 campaigns and went out of their way to engage with the locals, shake hands and pose for selfies wherever they travelled.

Instead of being intimidated, the All Whites seemed to feed off the energy of the raucous crowd, who were only a couple of metres from the playing surface, embracing Vanuatu and its football passion.

The script for the tournament could not have been better, with the local heroes making their first-ever final against the overwhelming favourites from New Zealand.

Whatever the result on Sunday, the final will be the biggest day in the annals of Vanuatu football and possibly the most famous day in the history of the friendly island nation.

READ MORE: Vanuatu make history to reach Sundays OFC Mens Nations Cup final>>>>

Games to be played on Sunday June 30, 2024

Play-off for third place

Tahiti v Fiji VFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu, 12pm (NZT)

Final

New Zealand v Vanuatu VFF Freshwater Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu, 4pm (NZT)

This story was first published on June 30, 2024

Coen Lammers is a long-time football enthusiast and writer. Based in Canterbury, hes followed and reported on football around the world.

Original post:

Oceania's pinnacle event becomes a showcase for true football passion - Friends of Football

The good news? It seems that King Charles planned tour to Oceania will continue this fallbut, in some less great news (especially for those countries who were looking forward to seeing the King visit them), it seems the trip has been scaled back significantly in light of Charles cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

The King has been encouraged by his wife, the Queen, to slow down his work as he continues to receive cancer treatment; it remains unknown whether he's been listening to her advice.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Following a routine prostate procedure in late January, cancer was detected, and the King announced his diagnosis publicly on February 5, the same day he began receiving treatment. He returned to public duty on April 30, after about three months away.

According to The Daily Mail, the King and Queen Camilla were expected to visit Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji in October, but both the New Zealand and the Fiji legs of the Oceania tour will likely be dropped imminently as the Kings medical team orders Charles to pace himself as he continues his cancer recovery.

In addition to visiting Australia, the couple is also reportedly still expected to visit Samoa for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that same month.

Officials first decided to drop Fiji and then New Zealand, because a trip like that is quite strenuous, a source speaking to The Daily Mail said. The tour will probably last around 10 days, covering Australia and Samoa.

Charles and Camilla are still planning to visit Oceania in the fall, but it will be a heavily scaled back visit and subject to scale back even more, depending on Charles' ongoing treatment.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The tour is reportedly being referred to as the autumn tour by courtiers, and The Daily Mail writes that, while planning is still very much underway for it, it continues to be subject to medical advice and any necessary modifications.

Back in March, Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Charles and Camilla would be visiting come October, depending on the Kings health and cancer treatment, and when Charles returned to public duty in late April, sources said he was hopeful that the visit would go ahead. On Friday, reports emerged that the scaled-back plans would be a bitter disappointment on both sides, as Charles is keen to make up for lost time. New Zealands opposition MP Adrian Rurawhe said of the Kings potentially canceled plans to visit the country that I was in Samoa recently, and the organization for the visit is quite advanced, Rarawhe said. There is a lot of excitement in the country and a huge operation in preparation. Nothing has been announced so far over here, but if the royal visit is canceled, New Zealanders will be typically reasonable about it.

Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.

The King and Queen are in the middle of a busy month, including hosting a Japanese state visit this week.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The King was honored earlier this month at Trooping the Colour, the monarch's annual birthday parade, on June 15.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Charles is a known (and lifelong) workaholic, and his busy summer schedule has raised eyebrows and concerns about how his doctors feel about it. The Court Circular suggests that the King has taken only three days off over the past two weeks, cramming in audiences, receptions, and key events such as Royal Ascotwhere he missed only one day, The Daily Mail reports. Palace sources say the Kings diary is adapted on medical advice, but the full schedule echoes the words of friends who told The Sunday Times in May that Charles was a bloody caged lion.

Read more here:

Major Changes Are Apparently Afoot to King Charles and Queen Camilla's Planned Oceania Tour This Fall Amid the ... - Marie Claire