US says Department of Commerce employee subjected to exit ban in China
"We can confirm that a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee, while traveling to China in a personal capacity, was made subject to an exit ban in China. We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible," a State Department spokesperson said.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is part of the federal Department of Commerce.
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Ever since its founding in 2002, Oceania has pitched itself as a premium foodie cruise line serving 'the finest cuisine at sea' – a tag line the company has trademarked. Backing up the claim, its ships have one chef for every 10 passengers and, because there's no point serving good food unless people eat it, there is no charge to dine in its speciality restaurants, unlike on other ships. The company originally chartered two small ships, Insignia and Regatta. Now it has eight vessels, including four larger new builds. The latest, Oceania Allura (1,200 passengers), launched in July 2025. Another new ship, Oceania Sonata, is due in 2027, with three sister ships to follow between 2029 and 2035. In recent years, Oceania has added 'leading destination line' and wellness to its attributes, along with excursions designed to connect passengers to places and cultures through history, food, yoga and 'go local' trips to quieter villages and places off the tourist trail in big cities. Since 2014, Oceania has been part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent of mass-market Norwegian Cruise Line and ultra-luxury Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 1. Where does Oceania cruise? Eight ships are enough to cover pretty much all corners of the world. Chances are wherever you want to go, Oceania can take you there, even if you want to go penguin-spotting in Antarctica. Staying with long-haul, Oceania has cruises in Asia, South America and through the Panama Canal, and island-hopping voyages in the Caribbean almost exclusively round-trip from Miami. Cruises in French Polynesia from Tahiti are among its best-selling cruises. Closer to home, cruises in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles in the summer and autumn visit popular places including Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Santorini and Rhodes. However, Oceania's ships are small enough (they hold 670-1,250 passengers), to call into lesser-known ports inaccessible to large vessels. 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Sails to: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Panama Canal, Canada and New England, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific and Africa Oceania-class ships Oceania Marina and Oceania Riviera (1,250 passengers) Oceania went larger with its first new vessels, almost doubling the size of its Regatta ships, so it could add two more restaurants – the French Jacques and Asian-inspired Red Ginger – as well as the first cookery schools at sea. Three butler-served Owner's Suites span the width of the ships and are furnished in Ralph Lauren Home. A Lalique staircase dazzles in each atrium; elsewhere expect an elegant, conservative look. Allura-class ships Oceania Vista and Oceania Allura (1,200 passengers) Oceania fans had to wait 10 years after Riviera for another new ship, with Vista launching in 2023 and Allura following in 2025. They are slightly smaller but the layout is similar and the look much brighter. Notably there's a larger culinary centre and a new restaurant, Aquamar, serving healthier food but only for breakfast and lunch. French restaurant Jacques makes a comeback on Allura (it will be added to Vista in October 2025). Sails to: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, British Isles, Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Panama Canal, Asia, Canada/New England, world cruises 4. Loyalty scheme Cruisers become members of the Oceania Club after their first sailing and then work their way up through seven levels, earning everything from bottles of wine and on-board credit to free drinks packages and even free cruises. 5. Access for guests with disabilities All ships have wheelchair-accessible cabins and lifts to all decks, except a half portion of deck at the very top, and front of the ships.
