A Nation Of (Holiday) Explorers!

According to the latest research on British holidaying ambitions, we are a nation of explorers. This probably won't come as a major surprise to the many cruise lines that already offer adventure and expedition-style voyages.

But exploration is definitely the key holiday trend for 2014 according to Celebrity Cruises, who say two thirds (65 per cent) of Brits are keen to experience something new on holiday this year.

In addition, Britons are proving their holiday ambition grit with over a third (35 per cent) believing they will be able to tick off their bucket list of top destinations to visit in their lifetime. One in ten think it is likely or very likely that they will experience them all, according to the research from Celebrity.

Brits are keener than ever to venture into the unknown with trips that will exercise the mind, rather than the body. The biggest holiday ambition is to visit a famous site (30 per cent), followed closely by being able to see wildlife (25 per cent) and experience a new culture (18 per cent).

Celebrity commissioned the research ahead of the launch of ‘Ben Fogle’s Great Adventures’ – a series of unique and exclusive shore excursions developed for those keen to add an alternative element to their holiday and really make the most of their time away. 

 

Writer, broadcaster and explorer  Fogle was appointed as Celebrity's ‘Destination Expert’ in 2013 to share his knowledge of the world with the cruise line’s guests and even shape the experiences they have on holiday. From life as a castaway on a Scottish island, to racing across the Antarctic and trekking the Sahara, he is certainly well qualified to advise on adventure and how to add a different dimension to holiday programmes. 

 

The new shore excursion programme includes speedboat rides and snorkelling with salmon in Norway, a gastronomic tour through Sicily, triathlon trails in Croatia and kayaking through the Stockholm archipelago.

Commenting on the survey results, Ben said: “It is really encouraging to see Brits realising  holidays can be more than a break away and an opportunity to try something different. Many are keen to realise their ambitions to take the road less travelled and immerse themselves in new cultures and experiences. With the launch of my Great Adventures, Celebrity Cruises are leading the way in innovative and exclusive shore excursions across the globe that will add a new and exciting dimension to their cruise holidays in 2014 and beyond.”

Ben Fogle’s Great Adventures were launched yesterday (January 24). For more information visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk/BenFogle or call 0844 493 2043. 

 

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate of 50% off for 2014, see this link.

 

 

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Husky Excursions with Northern Lights

Here's something you don't get the chance to do every day - take a husky sled-dog excursion while taking in the Northern Lights. But Norwegian cruise specialists Hurtigruten are offering all this - and more - on their Classic Winter Voyage this November.

The thrilling sled-ride excursion takes place on the island of Kvaløya, where guests hop aboard the special snow sledges and let the huskies pull them over the frozen landscape, enjoying stunning views of the ocean, mountains and open plateaus. During the polar night, the only light comes from your headlamps, the uniquely Nordic starry sky and, if you’re lucky, the magical Northern Lights. Afterwards, you are invited into a Sámi lavvo (tent) with an open fire and a hot drink. The excursion lasts 5 hours and costs £129 per person. 

This excursion is available on the 12-day Classic Winter Voyage on board MV Ricard Smith, which costs from £1,177pp, including flights from UK, and departs November 29.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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Norwegian Offer New Stingray Encounter

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced details of a new Stingray Encounter and ‘Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure,’ now available on Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s 250-acre private island in the Bahamas. In addition, coming soon is a brand new Lighthouse Beach Bar presented by spirits brand Patron. 

The launch of these three brand new experiences mark more exciting additions to the island as part of the ongoing $30million enhancement project.

Located inside Bertram’s Cove, on the right hand side of the main beach, the Stingray Encounter invites guests to interact with 18 specially-trained stingrays in an enclosed area. Each of the stingrays has a name and its own unique personality, and guests will enjoy feeding, watching and holding them, for the perfect photo opportunity. Also included in the experience is use of a mask, snorkel and snorkel vest so guests can peer below the surface to examine the rays up close. 

The hour-long excursion includes 45 minutes of interaction with the rays and is $29 per adult and $19 per child. 

Norwegian is also launching a new snorkel trail experience called Fate of the Fancy Snorkel Adventure, for guests to enjoy during their time on the island. Snorkelling is one of the most popular activities on the island and Norwegian has now enhanced that experience with the snorkel trail.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading cruise-agent specialists.

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Oceania Introduce Pre-Book & Save Excursions

Oceania Cruises is introducing more than 1,000 new tours and excursion packages that allow guests to custom-design their destination experience and enjoy significant savings. This product enhancement is in addition to previously announced new beverage packages. Both constitute the third phase of the line’s ongoing Pillars of Distinction initiative.

 3 new ways to explore

Commencing with the 2012 European season, Oceania will offer three distinct sightseeing options and more than 1,000 new excursions worldwide, many designed for the traveller who may be experiencing ports for the second or third time. In each case, guests enjoy substantial savings by booking prior to the sail date. Package highlights include:

· A la Carte – As before, individual shore excursions can be purchased in advance or onboard the ship. However, starting with the 2012 Europe season, guests who book excursions prior to sailing will enjoy 10 per cent off on-board prices.

· `Your World’ Collection – This option offers guests the flexibility to select a combination of excursions that most appeals to them and save 25 per cent off on-board prices. The minimum number of excursions per package varies based on the number of ports on the itinerary. For example, on a voyage with eight ports, the minimum is five excursions.

· Unlimited Passport Collection – Designed for travellers who wish to fully experience
a destination in depth, this package offers unlimited shore excursions throughout the voyage – a saving of up to 40 per cent. Guests pay a set fee for the entire cruise and will be able to book an unlimited number of excursions. Package prices will vary based on the number of ports on the itinerary. For example, the package price for a cruise with seven ports is $699 per person. As an added bonus, guests who purchase the Unlimited Passport Collection also receive discounts on limited-availability tours.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Crystal's New 'Private Adventure' Shore Excursions

Do you love to see legendary sites, but dislike group tours? Renowned for unique and creative land tours that complement its luxury cruise experience, Crystal Cruises is introducing a private shore excursion alternative for individualistic adventurers. Crystal’s new “Private Adventure Option” enables guests to take already-organised group excursions – in a more intimate fashion.

Beginning this August/September, parties of two, four or six can opt for a personal guide and private vehicle to tour Ephesus, Pompeii or the city of Barcelona, for example – on a shore-side itinerary already carefully crafted by Crystal’s Land Programmes team and its worldwide tour operators.

Crystal’s Vice President for International Sales & Marketing, Philip Ordever, says he was inspired to create the programme by his own holiday: “While I heard how much guests appreciated the ‘creative content’ of our Crystal Adventures, some said they would love to take the same tour by themselves to make it even more personal,.

“At Crystal, we are committed to giving our guests choices. Being able to really personalise your experience is the hallmark of a perfect luxury holiday.”

For several years, Crystal has offered guests a “Crystal Private Adventure” programme, which offers customised land itineraries for individuals, their families and friends. The new “Private Adventure Option” is similar, but follows established excursions in a private way. If guests prefer to modify their “Private Adventure Option” or expand the group, the trip would then become a custom “Crystal Private Adventure.”

Launching on August 14 on Crystal Serenity and September 13 on Crystal Symphony, the Private Adventure Option can be pre-reserved at least one week prior to embarkation by emailing crystaladventures@crystalcruises.com. Prices will be at least 25% more than group tour fares, but vary depending on excursion length, vehicle size, guide costs and sites visited.

This autumn/winter, Crystal's two ships will cruise the Mediterranean, New England/Canada, Panama Canal, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Pacific Coast and Hawaii. Crystal’s huge Autumn Fare Sale offers savings up to £5,078 per couple.

For more info, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd

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Crystal's Northern Europe Sensory Adventures

Feel perfectly-chilled vodka slide down your throat while sitting snugly inside a Scandinavian "ice bar"; smell fresh-cut grass while swinging your 9-iron across championship golf courses in Ireland; hear the Russian Imperial Guard march to symphonic crescendos while welcoming you to the Royal Catherine Palace; taste homemade goat caramel among Norwegian fjords; and view Stockholm by hot-air balloon.

These are but a sampling of the extraordinary "sensory adventures" guests can savour as part of Crystal Cruises’ Northern European voyage collection that begins this May. Other shore-side excursions include:

Pop culture-related destinations such as Stieg Larsson’s Stockholm; the Beatles’ Liverpool; Belfast’s Titanic shipyard; St Andrews University, where Prince William and Kate Middleton met; and the Da Vinci Code’s Rosslyn Chapel in Edinburgh

Historical journeys related to Vikings in Stockholm, Dublin and Roskilde (near Copenhagen); genealogical emigration and the Cold War in Hamburg; and life behind Berlin’s Iron Curtain

Architectural tours spanning the Art Nouveau in Ålesund, Norway to the Modern in Berlin, plus eco-conscious trips like bird-watching in Runde Island (near Ålesund) and Shetland; kayaking the Finnish Archipelago (Helsinki); and exploring the wind-powered town of Paldiski (near Tallinn) by 4x4.

Adrenalin-fuelled adventures such as racing rally cars in Estonia; cosmonaut training, including zero-gravity weightlessness, near Moscow; and, in Crystal’s most over-the-top excursion of 2011, flying a MiG fighter jet over Russia - for $39,300.

Expanding on its “You Care, We Care” voluntourism initiative, Crystal is also offering a couple of excursions where guests can “give back” by packing and donating food at the Estonian Food Bank or volunteer at the Rostock Zoological Garden. These excursions are complimentary with Crystal Cruises, covering all logistical arrangements and costs.

Prices for Crystal’s Northern European voyages start from £4,207 per person (based on a May 22 departure), including free return economy flights, 11 nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window, with all meals, soft drinks and port taxes.

In addition, as part of Crystal's "All Inclusive - As You Wish" promotion, guests on this voyage will also receive onboard spending money of $1,000 per person, which can be spent on shore excursions, spa treatments, alcoholic beverages, purchases in the onboard boutiques, gratuities or Vintage Room experiences.

For reservations, see www.crystalcruises.co.uk/ or contact the UK's leading luxury-cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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From Cooking to Cage-Diving!

Here's a tempting press release from Crystal Cruises this week, highlighting the amazing range of shore excursions available on Crystal Serenity's grand World Cruise, departing Miami on January 10:

Cage diving with great white sharks off the coast of South Africa. Sicilian-style cookery classes in Italy and paragliding over the Spanish countryside are among the 400 Crystal Adventures in store for guests on Crystal Cruises’ 2010 World Cruise. The excursions, nearly 100 of which are brand new, allow guests to experience destinations in unique ways. Whether atop an elephant in Africa, via race car on a circuit track in the Middle East or by private plane over Spain ’s stunning Basque country, intrepid World Cruise guests will find pursuits for virtually any interest. The 108-night itinerary departs Miami for Southampton on 10th January onboard Crystal Serenity.

In addition to new African safaris and dozens of Crystal Overland Adventures, shore-side highlights include:

High Adventure…

NEW - Race a Caterham in Bahrain
NEW - Explore Iran ’s ancient Persepolis
NEW - See the highlights of Oman by 4 x 4
NEW - Hike Sochi ’s Mount Akhun
Cage dive with great whites

Aerial Adventures…

NEW - Take in Abu Dhabi ’s sites by Cessna
NEW - Helicopter above Durban ’s mountainous landscape
Soak up the Seychelles ’ scenery via helicopter
Paraglide above Barcelona ’s landscapes

Regional Culinary Insights…

Prepare a meal at Lisbon ’s Albatroz Palace hotel
Visit a villa in Catania for a Sicilian cooking lesson
Create Catalan cuisine at a Barcelona cooking school
Learn culinary secrets at a Michelin-starred Sorrento restaurant

Conservation…

Explore an African elephant sanctuary
Visit an Abu Dhabi Falcon care and rehabilitation hospital

As well as maiden calls to Iran, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the World Cruise also visits South America, Africa, India and Europe, visiting 41 ports in 37 countries. The cruise is also offered in 12- to 21-night segments.

Prices for the full World Cruise start from £38,955 per person based on two people sharing a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks, port taxes and transfers. Also included are complimentary Club Class flight from London to Miami; complimentary gratuities; seven complimentary shore excursions; two exclusive shoreside events in Abu Dhabi and Ashdod; complimentary bon voyage gala party and $6,000 onboard credit per person.

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