Showing posts with label Amazon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amazon. Show all posts

Friday, 10 October 2014

Oceania unveils line-up of winter cruises from South Korea to South America




Oceania Cruises reveals its 2015-2016 Winter Collection,with a lineup that features a variety of longer, destination-rich itineraries travelling to ports in South America, Asia, South Africa, the South Pacific and Caribbean.   Of the 42 itineraries, 32 are voyages of two-weeks in length or longer and 27 sail on unique itineraries never before offered by the upper-premium line.  Among the winter itineraries are 12 new exciting destinations not previously visited by Oceania Cruises ships, including Jeju, South Korea and Luderitz, Namibia.

The Winter Collection will see the Oceania Cruises fleet travel to all four corners of the globe, including two Amazon River voyages in South America, six transits of the Panama Canal, a roundtrip Cape Town sailing exploring the southern tip of Africa and multiple overnight stays in dream destinations across Asia.

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Monday, 27 January 2014

Fred Olsen & The Amazon

Wildlife enthusiasts (and we know we have quite a few here at Time Spent At Sea!) will be intrigued by a rare opportunity from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ to take an extended voyage along the Amazon River this March, which promises to deliver an in-depth experience into this amazing region, sailing round-trip from the UK.

The 35-night ‘Amazon River & Beaches of the Caribbean’ cruise departs from Southampton on Boudicca on March 22 and will take guests deep into the heart of the rainforest, teeming with exotic flora and fauna. It will also visit some of the world’s finest islands in the Caribbean, including Barbados, St. Lucia and Dominica, offering beautiful beaches and the chance for some welcome relaxation in the sun.

Very few cruise lines are able to offer this sort of in-depth Amazon voyaging but, as Boudicca is a smaller-sized ship, she can take guests further up the River, where the people, culture and colourful wildlife never fail to inspire.

More info: 800 0355 242 www.fredolsencruises.com.
 
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 for 2014, see this link.





Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Expedition Amazon With Hapag-Lloyd



Anyone looking to experience the amazing Amazion River in true expedition style should give serious consideration to Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and their adventuring duo Bremen and Hanseatic.
Their small size means the ships can travel a particularly long way upstream, giving passengers first-hand experience of the wonders of the Amazon both on board and during extensive Zodiac rides. The shallow draft of both vessels actually enables them to travel the more than 4,000km passage from the mouth of the Amazon in Belem to Peru and back.

A total of 12 robust Zodiacs await to carry the maximum 164 guests aboard the Bremen on numerous detours into the fascinating Amazonian environment while the slightly larger Hanseatic can carry 184 passengers and has 14 of these inflatable boats to take guests exploring. 
After Manaus, the Amazon narrows and flattens but both ships to continue on to Iquitos in peru. The constant proximity to the world’s largest tropical rainforest, the unusual flora and fauna and the indigenous cultures combine to make Hapag-Lloyd's Amazon cruises a true adventure.

Example cruise:
Bremen: Expedition Amazon from April 10-26, 2015 (16 nights) from Iquitos/Peru, in the Upper Amazon to Manaus; onward journey downstream from the Lower Amazon to Belem/Brazil, from £5,700 (per person, cruise only).

More info: call +49 40 3001-4580 (English-speaking hotline), email salesteam@hlkf.de or visit www.hl-cruises.com.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in the free prize draw offer. See this link!

Wednesday, 13 February 2013

Sail The Amazon With Voyages of Discovery

Cruise the Amazon with Voyages of Discovery on board new ship MV Voyager and be immersed in Brazilian culture on the 14-day 'Portrait of The Amazon' voyage, including witnessing the ‘Wedding of the Waters’ in Santarem, where the crystal clear waters of the Tapajós meet the muddy Amazon. Guests can also enjoy the views of the rainforest and its spectacular wildlife on this amazing voyage.

A Portrait of The Amazon departs from Recife and calls at Natal, Fortaleza, Devil’s Island (French Guiana), Santarem, Boca De Valeria and Manaus (overnight) and starts from £1,999 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin and a March 12 UK departure).

Alternatively, join the 17-day 'Amazonian & Caribbean Explorer' cruise to explore white-sand freshwater beaches and get up close and personal with giant water lilies and exotic wildlife along the world famous Amazon. Highlights of the trip include spectacular performances inspired by the famous Boi Bumba festival in Brazil and a visit to the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Aruba.

This voyage departs from Manaus on March 24 and calls at Parintins, Alter do Chao, Macapa, Devil’s Island, Trinidad, La Guaira (Venezuela), Aruba and Montego Bay (Jamaica, overnight) and is priced from £2,199 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Fares for both cruises include return flights from the UK, overseas transfers, all meals, entertainment, the guest speaker programme on board the ship and all onboard gratuities. Cabin number may not be allocated at time of booking.

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

Saturday, 29 September 2012

Regent's Christmas Crackers


This December, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers guests an extra dash of merriment with all-inclusive festive sailings to the South Pacific and South America. Each ultra-luxury voyage offers the fantastic value of free round-trip air, unlimited complimentary shore excursions and ultra-luxury, all-inclusive offering on board.

Regent's team of talented chefs will serve special European and American tasting menus on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Sample menu items include lobster and ricotta ravioli, Christmas goose, roasted turkey on chestnut-stuffing, Bûche de Noël, and traditional pumpkin pie. An interdenominational service is also held on Christmas Eve.

Toasting the season, travellers will sail along the mighty Amazon aboard the line’s all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner for a 22-night cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Miami departing 16. The 'Ultimate Amazon' sailing offers up to 43 free shore excursions and visits eight different ports in Brazil, French Guyana, Barbados (above), St. Barts and Puerto Rico. 

Departing December 19, the 21-night 'South Pacific Secrets' voyage from Bali to Auckland aboard the 700-guest all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager showcases the best of Australia and New Zealand. In addition to the 28 complimentary shore excursions, which include a winery tour in Western Australia, mountain biking in Tasmania and discovering sea lions on Kangaroo Island, guests can also enjoy the choice of a free three-night, pre-cruise land programme in Bali or a three-night, post-cruise hotel programme in Auckland. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

Sunday, 19 August 2012

Lindblad's New Voyages For 2013

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic will mark the fifth anniversary in 2013 of its flagship, National Geographic Explorer, with five new itineraries that will put you in the explorer’s seat and connect you to incredible places, cultures, and people around the world. 

The expeditions have been designed to provide one-of-a-kind moments, whether you’re spotting the legendary pink dolphins of the Orinoco, encountering the Inuit people who thrive at the Arctic’s edge or meeting former President of Poland, Lech Walesa, during our expedition in the Baltic. All voyages are set aboard the Explorer, a 148-guest state-of-the-art expedition ship. The new 2013 itineraries include: 

Epic South America - Jungle Rivers, Rain Forests & Colonial Coast: One of the most ambitious expeditions Lindblad has ever offered, the journey will begin in Trinidad and end in Buenos Aires, Argentina, visiting eight countries. Explore three legendary rivers—the Orinoco, Amazon and Essequibo—and experience the region’s exuberant cultures. Voyage the diverse coastlines and visit colonial towns such as Ilhéus and Parati, vibrant cities including Montevideo and Buenos Aires, and spend two full days in exhilarating Rio de Janeiro. A special focus on the region’s varied musical styles and cultural heritage will be woven into the voyage. The 38-day epic adventure departs September 18, 2013. Rates begin at $34,730 per person, based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.

A Circumnavigation of Iceland: Cruise among magnificent icebergs in Jokulsarlon, and spend a day on the Arctic Circle spotting rich birdlife. Kayak into fjords and serene bays, and go hiking on spectacular and remote stretches of the coast. Explore Europe’s largest ice cap and discover the lava-sculpted landscapes of the Westman Islands. Soak in hot springs, and see boiling mud pots and the thundering Godafoss Waterfall. Go whale-watching on the shores of Iceland and its surrounding isles. Cap off the adventure with a soak in Reykjavik’s famous Blue Lagoon. Joining the voyage is Andrew Evans, National Geographic travel writer and author of the Bradt Travel Guide: Iceland. Departs July 10, for 10 days/8 nights, rates begin at $7,990.

Along the Viking Trail – From Iceland to Greenland: Follow in the wake of legendary explorers as you discover the dramatic landscapes and rich traditions of Greenland and Iceland. Explore Iceland’s western fjords by Zodiac; kayak among the magnificent icebergs of East Greenland and hike amid charming northern hamlets. Along the way, get immersed in Nordic history on visits to fascinating Viking sites and settlements with our experts. Joining the voyage is author and adventurer Tim Severin, one of the last traditional style explorers. Departs July 18, for 12 days/10 nights. Rates begin at $9,620. 

Arctic Quest: Greenland & Canadian High Arctic: Venture deep into the far reaches of the Arctic, where we will trace the rugged fjords of Greenland and navigate the mouth of Canada’s legendary Northwest Passage. Glide between soaring icebergs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord, spot polar bears on the pack ice, and watch for a wide variety of whales—from minke and killer whales to the rare narwhal. We will explore Uummannaq, site of Greenland’s impressive mummy find, and visit the historic Inuit village of Sermermiut, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Joining the voyage is Henning Thing, Ph.D, an arctic wildlife ecologist. The 17-day expedition departs July 27 and August 10 and rates begin at $16,160. 

A Circumnavigation of the Baltic Sea: Discover the nine countries united by the Baltic Sea, encountering fascinating cultures and histories. Meet former President Lech Walesa in his hometown of Gdansk, Poland. Stroll through the medieval Old Towns of Lübeck, Riga, and Tallinn, designated UNESCO World Heritage sites, visit the great maritime capital of Stockholm and explore the tiny islands along the Finnish and Swedish coasts by kayak or on nature walks. Then view one of the world’s greatest art collections at the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. Departs May 10 for 16 days/14 nights. Rates begin at $13,990. 

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

Tuesday, 17 July 2012

Luxury On The Nile And Amazon


After 15 years of part-closure, the Egyptian Government has announced that they are opening up the great Nile from Cairo to Aswan. This iconic 600-mile journey was one of Bales Worldwide’s most popular holidays prior to closure and the company is thrilled to announce plans recommencing this luxury voyage again, aboard its exclusive Dahabiyya sailboats, from this October. 

Some of only a handful of boats allowed to make this timeless journey, Dahabiyyas are fully inclusive and cater for just 12 passengers. Each sailing is accompanied by an Egyptologist, making it the ultimate way to discover Egypt’s rich cultural heritage whilst passing through the breathtaking views, dreamy vistas and riverside towns.

During the journey, guests can explore the lesser known sites of Middle Egypt, such as the rock-cut tombs of Beni Hasan, Tell el-Amarna and Abydos, a must for those who are fascinated by the history of Egypt. However, the greatest highlight of all may just be rediscovering the River Nile aboard one of Bales’ luxurious and traditional sailboats.

Bales has been arranging luxury tours to Egypt for over 50 years and will start these unique and exciting cruises in the cooler months of autumn after the new 600-mile itineraries have been finalised and to celebrate the company’s 65th Anniversary.

Or try a luxury Amazon cruise from £3,595pp:

Bales Worldwide are also offering a nine-day Amazon experience, including a four-night cruise on the M/V Aria of Aqua Expeditions and three nights in Lima. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing on a mixed board basis. Price includes all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on select departure dates from July to December 2012. 

For more information, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury river-cruise experts.

Monday, 16 April 2012

Regent's 2013 Programme Sets Sail

Regent Seven Seas has begun accepting reservations for their new Summer/Autumn 2013 sailings, featuring new ports of call and an enticing range of extended voyages in Europe, North America and South America.  

Highlights of the new 2013 collection include calls to Ajaccio and Porto Vecchio (Corsica), Arrecife (Lanzarote) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Tenerife), extended voyages in Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, South America and a wonderful 24-night Amazon voyage, round-trip from Miami, as well as sailings combining the best of Alaska, New England and the Panama Canal. 

All 2013 sailings include a pre-cruise overnight luxury hotel stay and guests booking Penthouse suites or higher on Med and Northern European sailings will enjoy free Business Class upgrades. Regent also includes all return flights and transfers, all-suite accommodations, award-winning cuisine, premium spirits and fine wines, live entertainment, free and unlimited shore excursions, gratuities and taxes, and a pre-cruise hotel stay on all 2013 sailings in cruise fares.

2013 Summer Collection Highlights:

Seven Seas Voyager begins the season in the vibrant enclaves of Iceland and the Norwegian fjords. A series of 7-to-10 night voyages follows, discovering baroque palaces, soaring cathedrals and medieval towns surrounded by the natural wonders of the Scandinavia and Baltic coastlines. 

With two overnights in St. Petersburg, guests will have three full days to explore. Or, choose a longer voyage of up to 36 nights to the British Isles, the Baltic and Western Europe

For booking details, click on this link to The UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Thursday, 12 January 2012

SeaDream Yacht Club's New Brochure For 2012/13

SeaDream Yacht Club has introduced a newly-designed, glossy, 64-page brochure reflecting SeaDream’s yachting lifestyle and featuring the 2012/13 voyage schedule, destination information, pricing and a comprehensive look at the chic, twin, 344ft vessels SeaDream I and II.

The new brochure details SeaDream’s Caribbean, Mediterranean, Amazon, Black Sea and Trans-Atlantic voyages. In 2012, the deluxe line will feature 102 different ports in the Mediterranean, with 17 in Greece alone. SeaDream’s onboard amenities include all gourmet dining, open bar with select premium brands, gratuities, golf simulator, complimentary mountain bikes and a water sports marina with motorised and non-motorised water toys.

Popular Mediterranean itineraries commence in May with the 112-guest, SeaDream I sailing the French & Italian Rivera itinerary, while her twin, SeaDream II starts the summer with sailings in the Greek Islands. 

The 2012/13 brochure also details a number of new voyages. Among them are: the Amazon River, with SeaDream II sailing from Barbados to Iquitos, Peru, round-trip on two 20-night voyages beginning February 13, 2012. SeaDream II returns to the Amazon in 2013 and offers a shorter, 7-night upper-Amazon itinerary sailing Iquitos round-trip. Additionally, the brochure highlights expanded ports of call in Turkey (10 ports) and Croatia (11). This year also includes calls to Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Albania and Russia.

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

Thursday, 29 December 2011

Southampton's £10million World Cruise Windfall

P&O Cruises will boost the local Southampton economy by some £10million in January as around 6,000 people depart on four world cruises from the South Coast port for the first time.
 
Collectively, the four cruises will visit 148 ports of call and highlights include overnight stays in Buenos Aires, New Orleans, Sydney and Cape Town, as well as scenic cruising in the Amazon, Cape Horn, Beagle Channel and the Amalia Glacier in Patagonia.
 
All four ships will be flying the 175th Anniversary flag as P&O kicks off a full year of celebrations to mark the 175th anniversary of the formation of the famous Peninsular Steam Navigation Company.
 
World cruises offer unrivalled value for money with prices for the 2012 itineraries starting at £82 per person per night, including all meals, entertainment and accommodation on board. They are also increasingly seen as the ideal way to travel the world in comfort and style.

The record quartet of 2012 world cruises are:

·        Aurora (pictured, above), 98-night westabout full world circumnavigation, departing January 4
·        Oriana, 97-night eastabout full world circumnavigation, departing January 5
·        Arcadia, 109-night Grand Odyssey, departing January 9
·        Adonia, 87-night South America Grand Adventure, departing January 13
 
A number of cabins are also still available on the full Aurora world cruise, with prices from £8,799 for the 98-night voyage.  A range of shorter sectors of the world cruises are also available and priced from £1,349 for a 17-night voyage from Southampton to Dubai on board Oriana.

For booking details, be sure to check with the UK's leading cruise agent specialist of The Cruise Line Ltd on this link.

Monday, 28 November 2011

Lindblad's Latest Adventure Options

Starting this month, Lindblad Expeditions' Peruvian Amazon expedition will be the first to offer kayaking in the Upper Amazon, providing guests even more accessibility to the lagoons, small tributaries and creeks of this pristine region.

The intimate and stately vessel, the Delfin II, will be equipped with five 2-person kayaks to provide this in-depth experience. Guests will be able to enjoy the signature Lindblad Expedition, a combination of elegant accommodation, knowledgeable experts and uniquely close encounters with the nature and culture of the region.

Or how about this fabulous itinerary: Vietnam & Cambodia — Along the Mekong River, including Angkor and Saigon. Lindblad's 14-day voyage takes in the sublime temples of Angkor Wat, the floating villages and vibrant markets along the Mekong, and the cities of Phnom Penh and Saigon. Sail aboard the new 48‐guest Jahan, with accommodations of a standard not available here before. Rates begin at $7,980 per person, based on double occupancy.

To find out more, see this link to visit the UK's adventure cruise specialists, the Cruise Line Ltd.

Thursday, 13 October 2011

Listen Very Carefully, I Will ‘Sail’ This Only Once!

Two stars of the BBC’s much-loved Second World War comedy, ’Allo ’Allo!, Herr Otto Flick of the Gestapo (Richard Gibson) and Private Helga Geerhart (Kim Hartman), are to join two Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ voyages in 2012. Both actors will be lecturing and performing on the theme of ‘Comedy’ as part of the line’s award-winning cruise enrichment programme, Vistas.

They will be taking centre stage on board Boudicca’s 14-night ‘Canaries & Morocco’ cruise in January and on a 25-night sector of Balmoral’s epic ‘New World’ cruise, in March.

Boudicca’s voyage is a 14-night cruise, departing from Southampton on January 5, calling at the islands of Madeira, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote, then Agadir in Morocco and a final call into Lisbon before returning home. Prices start from £1,189 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘H’, and include all meals and entertainment on board, as well as port taxes.

Balmoral’s cruise is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 9 to Southampton, also calling at Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza and Santarem (all in Brazil), then the Cape Verde Islands and, finally, Funchal, Madeira, before reaching Southampton on April 3. Prices for this exciting cruise sector start from £2,684 per person, based on two adults sharing a superior outside twin cabin, Grade ‘B’, and include all meals and entertainment on board, as well as flights from London to Rio and port/airport taxes. There is no extra charge for enjoying the company of Herr Flick and Private Helga!

Find out more at www.fredolsencruises.com or consult the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Monday, 12 September 2011

Azamara's Amazonian Adventure

The special offers keep rolling in this week. Here's another one worth passing on:

Join Azamara Club Cruises’ Azamara Journey for an 18-night Amazon River cruise from only £2,899 per person (based on two people sharing an inside stateroom).

The price includes the 18-night Amazon cruise, departing Manaus (Brazil) and cruising the Amazon River, calling at Parintins, Boca Da Valeria, Alter Do Chao, Macapa, Devil’s Island (French Guyana), Bridgetown (Barbados) and Mayreau (Grenadines) before arriving into San Juan (Puerto Rico); all meals and room service; destination-influenced entertainment and enrichment programmes; housekeeping and dining gratuities; bottled water throughout the cruise; house wines with meals; speciality coffees and teas; and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Flights are not included.

The price is based on a November 7 departure.

For more information, visit www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk or the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Saturday, 20 August 2011

SeaDream Honoured By Cruise Critic

In the first annual Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice Awards, SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream I has been placed as No 1 for Service in the Small Ship category.

Cruise Critic Editor-In-Chief Carolyn Spencer Brown explained: “Cruise Critic members who have reviewed the ship are clearly very happy with their cruise experience. SeaDream I gets excellent ratings for service, which is attentive and formal, without being fussy or intrusive.”

Cruise Critic-issued awards are based entirely on reviews/ratings submitted by cruisers when they posted a review. Cruise Critic, the online guide to cruises, is one of the most influential travel sites on the web. With a world-renowned editorial staff, it provides objective cruise reviews, features, ports-of-call profiles and destination information.

Acknowledging the award, Bob Lepisto, President of SeaDream, said: “The crew aboard SeaDream I & SeaDream II are to be thanked for their tireless efforts to ensure each guest is well taken care of. Independent reviews like this reaffirm our claim of providing unbeatable service.”

Just last month, SeaDream I was showcased in London, at Tower Bridge, to over 400 UK travel industry professionals and the media, with a series of exclusive invitational events. Following her first visit to London, the ship sailed to Hamburg for a 20-day dry-dock and now, for the first time, is positioned for her northern-summer season in the Baltic, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Together with sister vessel, the ships are rated the ‘World’s Best Small Ship Cruise Line’ (source: the Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships). The expression “yachting” is not only a statement about size, it describes a lifestyle aboard the intimate vessels. Chic and stylish, SeaDream’s 56-stateroom vessels are favoured for their elegant informality, personal service provided by a crew of 95, state-of-the-art facilities, inclusive open bar and gratuities, ocean-view accommodations, luxury spa and world class cuisine. Itineraries include the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Amazon.

For more information, visit www.seadream.com or contact the luxury-cruise experts of booking agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Friday, 8 July 2011

SeaDream's Small Ship Luxury

Those looking for a true small-ship experience, as well as genuine luxury at sea, should definitely make sure they have SeaDream on their Wish List.

SeaDream are a rarity in today's cruise world, visiting the yachting playgrounds, intimate harbours and ports where larger ships cannot go and providing an in-depth port experience along the way, often with overnight stays to enjoy the evening entertainment.

The two ships, SeaDream I and SeaDream II spend May-October in Northern Europe, the Baltic, Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and reposition to the azure waters of the Caribbean in the winter and spring.

With only 112 guests being pampered by an award-winning crew of 95, they ensure some of the most personable and distinctive cruising on the high seas, including new, specially-designed exclusive voyages to the Amazon from Barbados (above) to Iquitos, Peru, in 2011/12.

For more info, look up www.seadream.com or visit the UK's luxury cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Tuesday, 28 June 2011

John Blashford-Snell & The Amazon with Fred Olsen


As part of Vistas, its wide-ranging cruise enhancement programme, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is proud to welcome on board the famed explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell. Lecturing aboard Braemar’s cruise of the Brazilian Amazon, M1203, appropriately he will be talking about ‘Amazonia’ and expeditions to this fascinating region.

There could hardly be a better guest speaker for such an exciting cruises as Blashford-Snell has led some of the most ambitious expeditions ever undertaken. In 1968, when Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia invited the British Army to send a team to explore the Blue Nile, the then Royal Engineers’ Captain Blashford-Snell was invited to select and lead a team. The success of that venture led to many more, including the first vehicle crossing of the Darien Gap in 1971/2, and in 1974/5 the navigating of 2,700 miles of the Great Zaire River (also known as the Congo).

Colonel Blashford-Snell has led more than 100 expeditions, resulting in many important discoveries and supports numerous charities. His knowledge and experience will no doubt make him a fascinating and well-informed speaker.

The cruise departs on February 2, 2012, with flights from London-Gatwick and Manchester, to join the ship in Bridgetown, Barbados. Braemar then sails for the mouth of the Amazon, and cruises deep into the heart of this mighty river, visiting Santarem, Parintins and Manaus. The vibrant rainforest, with its colourful flora and fauna, will be brought even more vividly to life by the expert talks courtesy of Col. Blashford-Snell.

On the return journey, Braemar visits Tobago, then returns to Barbados for the flights home. Prices start from £1,939 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. The price includes return chartered flights and transfers, accommodation and all meals and entertainment on board, in addition to port and airport taxes. Flights are with a fully-escorted exclusive Fred. Olsen charter.

Find out more about this cruise by visiting www.fredolsencruises.com or more about the Vistas enhancement programme at www.fredolsencruises-vistas.com or, for bookings, contact the UK's leading specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Hapag-Lloyd's 2012/13 Expedition Season


Hapag-Lloyd Cruises announces the arrival of their March 2012-May 2013 expedition brochure. Their small and beautifully appointed expedition ships, MS Hanseatic and MS Bremen, will be offering 12 international (English/German) itineraries next season.

They include travel in Antarctica, the Northwest Passage, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Norway, the Amazon, the South Seas and New Zealand. In addition, the expedition itineraries feature new ports of call in Madagascar and Mozambique and a maiden voyage through theSea of Okhotsk in Russia’s Far East.

The two ships were created to provide intensive exploration in the most elegant surroundings for a maximum of 184 guests on Hanseatic and 164 on Bremen.

Expedition Highlights:

Sea of Okhotz

For the first time, Hanseatic sets out to circumnavigate the Sea of Okhotsk in Russia’s Far East, taking guests to volcanoes, geysers and glaciers. Zodiac stops will include Iony, a tiny island populated by sea lions, and Shantar Islands and Malminskie Islands, natural sanctuaries for songbirds, birds of prey, seals and sea otters.

Indian Ocean

Guests will experience lemurs in pristine nature, animals in the wild, and wonderful beaches on romantic coasts through Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa. This tropical 16-day adventure will include ports in Madagascar and a first time stop in Mozambique.

The Northwest Passage

In 2012, the popular exploration route will be offered on board Hanseatic. It starts in Nome/Alaska amidst impressive testimonies of the Inuit culture before sailing through the Canadian Arctic, the heart of the Northwest Passage and ending in Reykjavik/Iceland.

Antarctica

Glaciers, icebergs, deep fjords and bays offer the setting for an unforgettable Antarctic expedition. In addition to observing bird colonies, guests will also have the opportunity to explore the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, bath in the hot springs on Deception Island and observe whales in the Antarctic Sound.

For more info, visit www.hl-cruises.com or contact the UK's expedition cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Tuesday, 15 March 2011

Oceania Cruises adds South Pacific and Hawaii

New for Oceania Cruises’ 2011/12 winter collection are 27 unique itineraries, of which 16 are totally new, along with new destinations that include Hawaii and South Pacific, including Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga and American Samoa, as well as a return to Australia and New Zealand. Cruise-only fares start from £499 per person (Marina, January 3, 2012, 10-night Caribbean Islands in the Sun voyage).

Oceania Cruises specialises in exceptional cruise experiences with a focus on cuisine, comfort and service, with a wide choice of fine dining restaurants – including speciality dining at no extra charge - on each of their four ships. The brand new (in January) 1,250-guest Marina also adds two speciality restaurants and two private dining venues.

New itineraries include an 11-night sailing around the spectacular and exotic islands of French Polynesia on the 684-passenger mid-sized luxury cruise ship, Regatta. The `Tahitian Breeze’ itinerary departs from Papeete on January 6, 2012, and costs from £1,061pp, including all meals, no supplement for specialtiy dining, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks (excluding flights).

Other highlights include a new Dubai to Cape Town cruise, showcasing Arabia and Africa; popular Amazon River cruise to depart from New York City; a new 16-day South America cruise round-trip from Valparaiso, offering the opportunity to discover rarely-visited Nazca Lines, plus Machu Picchu; and a g
rand 35-day Hong Kong to Athens adventure via the Suez Canal.

For more information, visit http://www.oceaniacruises.co.uk/ or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line.

Saturday, 30 October 2010

Reef and Rain Forest Cruises

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Reef and Rainforest is proud to present an unparalleled range of first-rate wildlife cruises on carefully selected small ships and expedition vessels, mostly to destinations in which they have years of experience. The emphasis is on wildlife and natural history, both above and below water. None of the ships has more than 150 passengers, and many a good deal fewer, so that pristine natural locations won't be swamped. On most cruises, biologists, conservationists and other specialists act as your guides, better to reveal the hidden mysteries of the natural world.

Destinations include North and Central America, Peru, Brazil, Galapagos Islands, Antarctica, Arctic, India, Africa and Indian Ocean, Madagascar, Seychelles, Papua New Guinea.

Highlights include:

Antarctic Fly Cruise - Antarctica XXI the first air cruise to Antarctica. Jumping over Cape Horn and the mythical waters of the Drake Passage, Antarctica XXI invites you to a unique experience that will take you to one of the most remote places on earth, the coldest, highest, windiest, driest, and most inhospitable continent - Antarctica. In less than 2 hours of flying from Punta Arenas to King George Island, the largest Island of the South Shetland Archipielago, you will be at the gates of the white continent. From King George Island we will navigate for six days and five nights along the Antarctic Peninsula, visiting the most wonderful places and enjoying the best wildlife sites of Antarctica.

Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness -
Cruise length: 8 days
Highlights: Spend a full day in Glacier Bay National Park; kayak and zodiac among icebergs in Tracy Arm Fjord; visit favoured summer feeding areas of humpback whales; and explore coastlines with some of the highest densities of nesting bald eagles

Amazon cruise (Above): Iquitos to Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
Cruise length: 4, 5 or 8 days
Highlights: Explore small inlets, winding river systems, local villages and the wildilfe rich Pacaya Samiria National Reserve. The wildlife of the Reserve includes 13 species of primates and 200 species of birds

7-night Naturalist Cruises in the Galapagos
Cruise length: 8 days
Highlights: Explore one of the world's great natural wonders where geographical isolation has led to the evolution of may unique species, including marine iguanas, giant toroises and Darwin finches.

For more information loook at Reef and Rain Forest Cruises

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

Jack Hanna joins Aqua Expeditions!

This November, Aqua Expeditions will host naturalist and TV personality Jack Hanna and his film crew as they explore and document one of the most remote areas of the Peruvian Amazon, the Pacaya Samiria Reserve. Taking viewers Into the Wild, Hanna will sail on a three-night journey on the MV Aqua through various Amazon river tributaries and come face to face with the mystical pink dolphin, cayman, sloth, giant lilies and hundreds of other rare and exotic Amazon animal and plant species.

And, in a very rare opportunity, Aqua Expeditions has been granted access to a limited number of cabins for travellers to join Jack and his crew on this adventure.

Departing Iquitos on November 6 (returning November 9), this exclusive itinerary will allow Aqua guests to meet Jack and his staff in the luxurious and intimate 12-suite vessel.

*Space on the three-day departure is extremely limited. To reserve, contact Dalia Gibu at dgibu@aquaexpeditions.com or by calling toll-free in the US on 1866 603 3687.

ABOUT JACK HANNA

Jack Hanna is an icon in the world of wildlife conservation and exploration. Jungle Jack Hanna's hands-on approach has won him widespread acclaim as Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, conservationist, author, television personality and lifelong adventurer. After twelve years hosting Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures, he launched his latest syndicated TV series, Jack Hanna's Into the Wild. In 2008, Into the Wild received an Emmy for Outstanding Children's Series, and Jack was nominated for Best Host of a Children's Series. Recognised around the country as America's favourite zookeeper, Jack has made countless television appearances since 1983 on shows such as Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman, Larry King Live, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Maury Show, Fox News Programs, and CNN News Programs. For more information, visit http://www.jackhanna.com/.