Aurora Expeditions launch 2015-2016 brochure

Aurora Expeditions have launched their 2015-2016 Expedition Guide. For the first time ever, the guide encompasses expeditions across all seven continents featuring 21 itineraries, 18 destinations and over 80 individual departures, and is jammed packed with a range of new bonus inclusions.

The expanded program includes a new 15-day 'African Cruise Safari' to some of the most concentrated wildlife regions of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The expedition highlights include a four-day cruise on the Chobe River on board luxury riverboat Zambezi Queen, with game viewing from special excursion crafts, as well as nights in traditional safari lodges and game drives through Chobe and Hwange National Parks. 

In Scotland passengers will receive a 12-month National Trust membership and an onboard genealogist will assist passengers in tracing their Scottish ancestry. Free artist workshops along the Kimberley coast will allow budding artists to create their own Kimberley masterpiece.

Other inclusions include complimentary kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and polar snorkelling in Alaska and free camping in Antarctica. 

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Gane and Marshall announce early bird savings on new Arctic cruise

Gane and Marshall have announced early bird savings on a new Arctic cruise itinerary ‘Voyage to the Frozen North’. Newly launched for 2015, the six-day cruise provides an overview of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago.

If the weather is favourable, passengers will venture to the 80^th Parallel, as far north as it is possible to get on open water. There will be regular departure dates from 7 June to 24 August 2015.

Prices start from £1,345pp, including early bird booking discount, until 31 October, for travel in June – August 2015. The cruise begins in Longyearbyen and continues to Barentsburg, Ny-Ålesund and Magdalenefjord.  Price rises to £1,445 if booked after 31 October. 

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Clean up the Arctic with Gane and Marshall

               

Gane and Marshall  has a  seven-day cruise where passengers take part in a clean-up operation of the Arctic shores, whilst enjoying a thrilling adventure through fjords dominated by spectacular glaciers, spotting polar bears and harbour seals along the way.

The “Cleaning the Shores – Special Arctic itinerary” departs from Longyearbyen (above) on 28 August 2015 and guests will benefit from a 20 per cent discount on the price of the standard North Spitsbergen itinerary.

Cleaning will take place on four days of the seven night cruise, with passengers being split into two groups; one half will clean in the morning, whilst the second half enjoys an excursion, and the two groups will switch roles in the afternoon. 

The cruise departs from Longyearbyen, and passengers have the opportunity to explore the town and its sights before embarkation. The ship visits Raudfjord and Lingbukta on the north coast of West Spitsbergen, where sea polar bears can often be spotted, and also the island of Moffen, where a big herd of walrus can be found.

The ship will sail 81 degrees north and barely 500 miles from the North Pole, this is the northernmost area the cruise will reach during the expedition. Prices for Gane and Marshall’s seven-night “Cleaning the Shores – Special Arctic itinerary” itinerary start from £2,550 per person (including the 20 per cent discount), including return flights from London Heathrow to Longyearbyen, transfers to and from the ship and seven nights full-board accommodation on Oceanwide Expeditions’ Ortelius ship, plus excursions.

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Exploring the Poles with Fred

The absurdly-named Fred.\ has launched a new travel brand specialising in Polar Expedition cruises.  Offering a selection of  polar expedition cruise holidays from seven specialist expedition operators, Fred.\ Expeditions will act as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for intrepid travellers searching for anexpedition cruising holiday.
 
Expedition cruise lines on offer from Fred.\ Expeditions include G Adventures, Hurtigruten, Quark Expeditions, Oceanwide Expeditions, Poseidon Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions and Silversea Expeditions. In addition to the cruises themselves, passengers can take part in on-shore expedition activities including camping, fishing, helicopter tours, hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, photography workshops, polar diving, ski-trekking and exploring the coastlines via Zodiac.

Prices start from around £2,349 per person for a seven night ‘Realm of the Polar Bear’ cruise aboard MS Expedition with G Adventures, departing 1 June 2015. This includes cruise only, onboard accommodation with meals and some beverages included. This itinerary visits Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Spitsbergen:  

A 13 night ‘Journey to Antarctica: the White Continent’ cruise with Lindblad Expeditions aboard National Geographic Explorer, priced from £7,299 per person to include cruise only, onboard accommodation with meals and some beverages included. Itinerary includes Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and Antarctica.  

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Quark New Arctic Season Offers 14 Arctic Circle Voyages

The new edition of World of Cruising has a feature on Arctic adventure cruising. Incredible wildlife, legendary routes, ice-filled fjords, culture and history all feature prominently in Quark Expeditions Arctic 2015 expedition line-up. The company begins its Arctic season May 28, 2015, at the onset of the Arctic summer, on three ice-strengthened small expedition ships.

New destinations include:   

Northwest Passage: Franklin’s Legend – Aboard the nimble small ship the Sea Adventurer, Quark returns to the fabled Northwest Passage in August. This 18-day voyage visits Thule and Inuit communities of Greenland and the Canadian Arctic. 

Iceland Circumnavigation: Ultimate Fire and Ice – This 11-day voyage features all the highlights of the island of fire and ice. Departing from the capital city of Reykjavik.  Iceland’s people, their unique cultural heritage and the island’s birdlife also feature largely on this itinerary. Prices start from £4,245 departing 18^th August  2015. 

Greenland’s Far North: Ultimate Thule–A 14-day voyage that explores the Thule region, synonymous with ‘the true Greenland’ for its untouched icescapes and sparsely populated Inuit communities. Prices start from £5,455 departing on 4^th August^, 2015.


Book by  May 30, and receive up to 25% saving as an early booking incentive.  

More info: 0808 120 2333  www.quarkexpeditions.com  

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Take A Virtual Arctic Or Antarctica Expedition

Here at World of Cruising, we're always looking at new ways of getting to the polar regions, as they remain one of the greatest adventure cruise experiences on the planet.

And, if you're thinking about going and want to dip your toe into the ice -cold waters from your front room first, so to speak, Quark Expeditions may well have the answer as the company has launched an immersive and comprehensive new website promoting expedition travel in the Arctic and Antarctica. 

Far more than an online booking tool, visitors to the site will be captivated with all aspects of a Polar expedition and will (hopefully) be inspired by high-resolution images, most of which have been submitted by Quark passengers from their own voyages. Also available are videos which take you through a typical day in the life of an Arctic or Antarctic voyage, as well as how to pack for the Polar Regions. All content will be available for social sharing.

Be inspired to walk among giant penguin colonies, explore stretches of the Antarctic Peninsula by kayak, or view an incredible display of the northern lights from the ship’s deck; it's all on offer in these amazing regions, and can be explored in more detail at the new site.

More info: www.QuarkExpeditions.com.

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Aurora Expeditions Polar Voyages For 2013/14

Aurora Expeditions has launched its first ever Polar Voyages Brochure for 2013/14. In keeping with the company's continued efforts to be environmentally friendly, they have produced just one brochure encompassing all of their spectacular voyages to Antarctica and The European Arctic over the next 18 months. Available in ebook and printed format, the new brochure showcases some of the most spectacular Polar regions on earth, introducing readers to the concept of enriching travel through close encounters with wildlife, breathtaking scenery, informative talks and small group camaraderie (groups of 54 or less). The Polar Voyages 2013 and 2014 are expected to fill fast, with Fly/Sail options to the Antarctic Peninsula already showing strong demand. Departing South America, these voyages have been designed to reduce sea time and increase time at the destination. The new 'Across the Arctic Circle' voyages are also showing particularly strong demand, giving passengers the opportunity to sample the Scottish, Norwegian and Spitsbergen coasts over 14 days. With adventure levels to suit all tastes, exciting activities across the programme include sea kayaking, camping, photography, climbing and polar scuba-diving. Aurora, the pioneers of ship-based adventures, are committed to small, low-impact groups keen to experience the Polar Regions in many ways whether by walking, scuba-diving, sea kayaking or sitting quietly and absorbing the surrounding magnificence. The 2013/14 itineraries reflect this commitment. Voyages to The European Arctic start from AU$6,700 and to the Antarctic Peninsula from $6,365. Aurora can also book your full travel arrangements: flights, hotel accommodation, tours and transfers, making them a one-stop shop for your trip of lifetime. Voyage prices include: Ship accommodation. All public areas are open to passengers. All meals on board. All Zodiac and shore excursions from the ship. Lectures, videos, slide and film shows and guide services. Medical services. There is a resident medical officer and well-equipped clinic on board. Port taxes and port charges imposed by government authorities. Not included: Air transport to and from the ship. Visa, passport and vaccination charges and airport departure taxes. Hotels and meals not included in cruise itinerary. Optional excursions not included in cruise itinerary. Laundry, postage, personal clothing, medical expenses, travel insurance and items of a personal nature such as bar charges, phone calls and optional end of voyage tips. Credit card surcharge, if making your final payment by credit card. Emergency evacuation charges. For more info, see Aurora Expeditions, or, for more adventure-cruise ideas, follow this link to the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure cruising specialists. 

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Ponant Set Sail For Arctic

Compagnie du Ponant, the luxury French yacht cruise operator and specialist in soft expeditions and great journeys around the world, has run Antarctic cruises for years and is currently developing a new Arctic itinerary cruising through the North-West Passage for its brand new ship Le Soléal, which launches in July 2013. 

The newcomer will feature Iceland, Greenland and Arctic Canada in its first season, before going on to a series of unique voyages in the Russian Far East and Japan via the famous North-West passage in September and October.

Le Soleal will be a sister ship to Ponant's two ground-breaking super-yachts Le Boreal and L'Austral (above), which made their debuts in 2010 and 2011 respectively, taking 260 passengers in deluxe style.

With many themed-cruises, from music, golf, and gourmet cruises taking place throughout the year, the luxury cruise line also offers guests a unique product with world-famous French savoir-faire.

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

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Quark's New Polar 2013 Season

Quark Expeditions is pleased to announce the company’s Arctic 2013 season, featuring icebreaker adventures to the North Pole and luxury ship expeditions to Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland.

Many of the Arctic region's most sought after destinations are coming back for the 2013 season, with two North Pole voyages departing June 19 and June 30, as well as the “Three Arctic Islands: Iceland, Greenland, Spitsbergen” trip, which was named as one of the “50 Tours of a Lifetime” in 2011.

New Expedition Added

New for next year's season is the “Greenland Explorer: Valleys and Fjords” expedition, which follows the dramatic coast of the world’s largest island. Passengers will get to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Illusiat Ice Fjord, one of the largest and fastest moving glaciers. It travels approximately 100 feet per day while dropping huge icebergs into its narrow coastal inlets.

Explorers will also encounter indigenous communities as well as the rich animal life surrounding this beautiful country, including many varieties of seals, whales, dolphins, polar bears and sea birds. The journey takes passengers to two of the world’s most northern capitals, beginning in Ottawa and ending in Reykjavik (the reverse itinerary is also available). Prices start from £4,120 for 14 and 15-day itineraries for departures in August 2013.

For more adventure cruise ideas, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading adventure-cruising specialists.

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Grand Voyage To Greenland

Join Noble Caledonia this autumn for a remarkable expedition cruise, sailing from Iceland across the Denmark Strait to begin a voyage around the fjords and islands of southern Greenland. Following in the wake of the great Norse settlers, who risked life and limb some 900 years ago when they left the shores of Iceland, this grand expedition cruise takes in the full majesty of coastal Greenland, which is marvellous to behold with its great towering cliffs, walls of glacial ice, winding fjords, vast ice-sheets and flowing glaciers. It is one of the last great wilderness areas where man has made little difference to the landscape and tourists are still a rarity. For most visitors, their first encounter with Greenland is a humbling experience as they witness nature in the raw and look out across a magnificent Arctic world. Highlights of the cruise will be numerous and Noble Caledonia guests aboard their MS Caledonian Sky will make good use of a fleet of Zodiacs in exploring numerous small bays and viewing icebergs of all shapes and sizes. The exploration includes Prins Christian Sund, a region with a jagged coastline that is home to a rich animal kingdom. In addition to the onboard team, TV expert Dui Landmark will also be joining this voyage. Dui was born in Iceland and studied photography and film-making in Paris. He has worked as a guide since 1987 and graduated from the Icelandic guide school in 1993. He speaks fluent English and French and is very knowledgeable on the nature, geology and history of both Iceland and Greenland. He has also worked as a film director and producer since 1994 on numerous TV programmes, documentaries and commercials for both Icelandic and foreign networks. Many of his films focus on birdlife, travel, hunting and fishing. These films are shot on location all around the world with many being shot in Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. This voyage costs from £4,495, including economy class scheduled air travel, 12 nights aboard the Caledonian Sky on a full board basis with house wine and beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, expedition team, shore excursions, gratuities to crew and whilst on excursions, transfers, port taxes, airport taxes, overnight accommodation in Copenhagen on bed and breakfast basis. Book by July 31 and save £500/person.  For bookings, follow this link to the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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The Quad Berth Expedition

Following recent reports that the price of cruising in the Antarctic is set to rise, adventure travel specialist G Adventures has announced the introduction of its brand new - and better value - quad berths onboard their M/S Expedition.

The new quad berth cabins will be available for the 2012 Arctic and Antarctic season providing more capacity for travellers onboard, welcome news at a time when industry prices are set to rise, due to the recent introduction of new fuel regulations banning the use of heavy oil in this region.

Here's a typical G Adventures Arctic voyage:

Realm of the Polar Bear

Price: £2269pp; category 1A Quad; departure, July 6, 2012; duration, 8 days.
Description: Spot whales and polar bears, explore incredible scenery, brave the Arctic waters swimming, encounter Ny-Ålesund, birdlife and glaciers, discover breathtaking ice-covered fjords, glimpse herds of Svalbard’s many species of reindeer and take in daily lectures.

For more information, visit www.gadventures.com or contact the UK's adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Noble Caledonia's New Arctic Cruises

Svalbard is a remote and spectacular archipelago of immense glaciers, narrow fjords and abundant wildlife, somewhere we have featured several time in World of Cruising in recent issues. And here's a new opportunity to visit it in style and comfort:

Let Noble Caledonia's small but comfortable sister expedition ships, the MS Quest and the MS Ocean Nova, take you on a memorable journey into the realm of the polar bear. In Spitsbergen, there are twice as many polar bears and walrus as there are people. The polar bear population is estimated at more than 3,000 and we hope to encounter some of them during our summer voyages.

Our guests will witness a vast geological spectacle of soaring mountains and immense glaciers. A photographer’s paradise unfolds before us: black basaltic islands rise from shimmering waters punctuated with gleaming ice sculptures, and lush tundra blazes with purple saxifrage and moss campion. Within this dramatic landscape resides a wealth of wildlife: seals, walrus, whales, Arctic foxes and, our ultimate goal, polar bears. The area is also home to hundreds of thousands of breeding seabirds, including kittiwakes, murres, dovekies, puffins and rare ivory gulls.

Guests will take full advantage of the long daylight hours and embark on numerous Zodiac excursions to view the profuse wildlife up close.

In the beginning of the season, Spitsbergen’s flowers are in full bloom and the bird colonies are bustling with life. In the latter part of the season we have very good possibilities of exploring the eastern parts of the archipelago when the ice is slowly starting to lose its grip.

Our expedition ships have the highest ice class and can carefully break through the pack ice, which is also home to seals, walrus and the king of the Arctic, the polar bear.

For more info, visit Noble Caledonia or contact the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Voyaging To World's Last Frontier

Aurora Expeditions is once again pushing the boundaries of expedition travel with voyages to the Russian Arctic and Russian Far East; a land of complex history, unique cultures, inspiring landscapes and astounding wildlife.

Aurora Expeditions' ‘Voyage to the End of the Earth’ is a 14-day adventure to the Russian Arctic departing Murmansk, with prices starting from $8,080 per person.

Discover a region so remote and wild that few have ever been. The 191 pristine islands that make up Franz Josef Land were the planet's last major landmass to be discovered. Uninhabited, minus a few Russian border guards, this is the realm of the polar bear, walrus, seals and the elusive beluga whale.

Only accessible by sea, the region has been open to foreigners only since 1991. This geological wonder really is the world’s last frontier, virtually untouched and waiting to be explored.

Last Minute offer: Receive 15% off 'Voyage to the End of the Earth'

Aurora's ‘The Ring Of Fire’ voyage will then unlock the mysteries of the Kurils, taking you deep into a wildlife and geological wonderland. Departing Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, this 13-day voyage will showcase the lush valleys, lakes and rivers, and snow-capped volcanoes of Kamchatka’s east coast, where brown bears feast on berries and salmon. The ship's fleet of Zodiacs will take visitors to intimate viewings of spectacular seabirds, Stellar sea lions, whales, otters and seal colonies. Prices start from $7,250 per person.

Special offer: Receive 10% off 'Ring Of Fire – Kuril Islands'

Both voyages will set sail on Aurora Expeditions' brand new ship, Akademik Shokalskiy. This ice-strengthened research ship was built in Finland in 1982. Fully refurbished in 2008, it provides accommodation for a maximum of 54 passengers as well as two dining rooms, lounge bar, lecture theatre, sauna and an ‘Open Bridge’ policy.

For more info, see www.auroraexpeditions.com.au or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Great Arctic Early Booking Deal!

By guest blogger Steve Newman

If it’s your dream to see polar bears, walrus, reindeer and whales in their natural habitat, then look no further than Gap Adventures M/S Expedition. Gap Adventures is offering an early booking bonus of 25% off expeditions to Norway and Spitsbergen in May, June and July 2011.

Terms & Conditions: Promo code is ArcticEBB. Discount is 25% off Arctic expeditions for 2011. Excludes Arctic Highlights (XVAHNX) tour. Valid for new bookings only in a category 2 and higher cabin only. Cannot be combined with any other offer, promotion or discount. Does not apply to air fare, hotels, transfers or other in-country services or on-board ship charges.

The offer is available until January 31.

Realm of the Polar Bear is just one of the amazing deals Gap Adventures has on offer for travellers.

Now: £2339 pp (was £3119 – save 25%) Departs: July 10.

Highlights: Svalbard Islands and Longyearbyen, Isfjorden, whales, Spitsbergen, Hinlopen Strait, polar bears, incredible scenery, Arctic swimming, Ny-Ålesund, birdlife and glaciers.

Enjoy an eight day trip from just £2339 per person. Price includes seven nights aboard the M/S Expedition, all meals onboard, Zodiac excursions with expert expedition team, lecture and educational programmes, Longyearbyen airport transfers depending on passengers flight details, live evening entertainment, waterproof boots supplied and Arctic destination guide.

For full details, visit: http://www.gapadventures.com/. For more great ideas on adventure cruising and the Arctic North, look up the Adventure Cruise Collection.

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New Year in Norway with the Northern Lights

By guest blogger Steve Newman

How about ringing in the New Year in Norway with the Arctic landscapes as the backdrop? Hurtigruten are offering a New Year's banquet which can be enjoyed with dancing in the bar after dinner, before heading up on deck at Midnight where there will be fireworks and a toast for the New Year. Depart on December 30 for a five-night ‘Venture into the Arctic’ voyage onboard MS Midnatsol travelling from Bergen in the south to Tromsø in the north and hopefully seeing the Northern Lights along the way. And what better way to kick off 2011 than with a dog-sledding excursion or snowmobiling, which can be added to the trip.

Prices start from £895 per person and include four nights half board on the ship, one night B&B accommodation in Tromsø at the end of the voyage and return flights from Gatwick. No single supplements apply.

To book, log on to http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk/ or visit cruise specialists The Cruise Line.

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The Adventure Cruise Collection

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Adventure cruising is the fastest growing section of the market, with more and more people of all ages wanting to 'get up close' to nature.

The Cruise Line have just launched their new Adventure Cruise Collection brochure, and I strongly advise you to get a copy if this is your style of cruising.

From watching bears fishing for salmon in Alaskan rivers to swimming with turtles in the Caribbean, getting up close to polar bears in the Arctic or lying on the snow to snap away at Emperor Penguins, this is a must for any adventure cruiser. Destinations include the Galapagos, Hawaii, New Zealand, Central America and a whole lot more. Find out more by logging on to the http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/ or call them on 0800 008 6677.

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Polar Bears and Canaries

By guest blogger Steve Newman

If you think of cruises along the Norwegian coast and the high Arctic, then there’s normally one name that springs to mind first. Now Hurtigruten have announced their new 2011 brochure and the details for their two specialist ships for polar exploration, MS Fram (above) and MS Polar Star.

Polar Star is the first former ice-breaker to be fully converted to expedition cruising, whilst Fram has an ice-classed hull to reduce the risk of grounding and oil spill. The ship has 128 stylish and comfortable cabins and many high standard suites. What you have here is a vessel that was built to handle polar waters but also provides a luxurious cruise holiday environment.

Where Hurtigruten score is the combinations they offer, from classic Norway cruises to 'polar bear discovery' and the breathtaking beauty of Svalbard (where the company actively participates in the eco-friendly ‘Clean Up Svalbard’ campaign).

Spitsbergen, also known as the Svalbard Archipelago (immediately north of Norway) is only 800 miles from the North Pole. The Svalbard wilderness is spectacular, untouched and virginal - almost. Unfortunately, there are beaches which are littered with empty plastic oil drums, fishnets and other waste. Hence guests are invited to take part in volunteer action by collecting rubbish.

New cruises are also on offer to Greenland, Antarctica and the Chilean Fjords and the company have also extended their range closer to home now with voyages in the Baltic, British Isles and even a cruise along the west coast of Europe and North Africa, from Denmark to the Canary Islands, also calling at Casablanca.

Why not find out more at The Cruise Line website?

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Antarctic Camping and Hiking

By guest blogger Steve Newman

The sight of the mouth of a humpback whale no more than ten feet away from your Zodiac really epitomises what adventure cruising is all about. As this picture proves, it may not happen that often but, when it does, you're not going to forget it in a hurry.

Zodaics of course are an essential part of this genre and One Ocean Expeditions use them to their full extent. With expedition cruises to both the polar regions, you even have the chance to camp overnight on the Antarctic continent! This night ashore under the midnight sun has proved very popular with the lullaby of ice groaning, whales snorting and the waves gentle lapping on the pebbled shore wafting you gently off to sleep.

Sea Kayaking, whale watching and even hiking are also on offer here. Hiking in Antarctica? Well, yes, why not? Designed for the more active traveller, the trips last for about three hours and cover quite difficult terrain.

As far as the Arctic goes, the star looks to be the 12-day High Arctic and Greenland explorer visiting the amazing seabird colonies at Prince Leopold Island and watching out for Arctic foxes, polar bears and that unicorn of the seas, the narwhal. The human side of this ecosystem is viewed, too, with a visit to the Innuit at Nunavat, a people who still cling to their ancient ways of symbiosis and respect for the land.

One excellent idea is the on-board photographer and multi-media studio where you can download your images to hard drives and be shown how to tweak and improve them using photographic manipulation software. Why don't all cruise companies do that?

Either way I'm sold - it's just a question of which one to do first.

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