Photography, Marine Biology and Kids in Nature

Adventure travellers with a passion for marine biology, photography or with young kids in tow can choose a theme cruise catering to their interest this winter as Un-CruiseAdventures (formerly American Safari Cruises) continue to develop their unique style with 10 sailings in the Hawaiian Islands and Mexico’s Sea of Cortés.

Photography and marine biology theme cruises include an expert guest host on board for the week. Special presentations will be held in the lounge and guests are free to interact with the guest host throughout the week aboard the boat or on excursions. One-on-one time allows for questions to be answered and hands-on help with photography. The new 'Kids in Nature' departures cater to families traveling with children 12 and younger. The expedition team gears the programme to a variety of ages and activity levels with a focus on educating kids of all ages. Hiking excursions, kayaking trips, skiff explorations and snorkelling all provide hands-on learning in a fun environment. Active explorations in nature and wildlife sightings engage all ages.

“Themes bring together people with common interests and this option adds one more benefit for booking these dates,” said Tim Jacox, executive vice president of sales and marketing.

2013 Theme Cruises in Hawaii

• Jan 5: Photography and Whales with Flip Nicklin, regarded as the premier whale photographer in the world.
• March 9 and 30: Kids in Nature; spring break departures for the whole family.
• April 6: Photography with Peter West Carey, a professional photographer whose love for travel has taken him around the world.

2013 Theme Cruises in the Sea of Cortés

• Jan 12: Marine Biology with Rodrigo Rocha Gosselin, a La Paz resident passionate about conservation and nature.
• Feb 16: Photography with David Julian, a professional photographer with 30 years’ experience capturing the essence of places, people and light with creative vision.
• March 16: Photography with Ellen Barone, an intrepid traveler, freelance writer and photographer.
• March 30: Marine Biology with Giovanni Malagrino, an oceanologist and professor of marine biology.
• March 9 and 23: Kids in Nature; spring break departures for the whole family.

For Luxury Adventures in the Hawaiian Islands, the line’s 36-guest Safari Explorer sails seven-night cruises between Hawaii, the Big Island and Lana’i (or reverse) with two days of activities on Moloka’i. Flexible yacht itineraries focus on the leeward side of the eastern-most Hawaiian Islands, with explorations of Lana’i, Moloka’i, Maui and Hawaii, the Big Island.

In the Sea of Cortés, the 86-guest Safari Endeavour sails Luxury Adventures round-trip from La Paz in Baja, Mexico. An unstructured itinerary explores hideaways such as Isla Espíritu Santo, Isla San Francisco, Bahia Agua Verde, Los Islotes and Loreto.

In the Hawaiian Islands and the Sea of Cortés, guests can be as active as they like and activities include trekking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, snorkelling and skiff excursions. Expert naturalists provide interpretation on guided excursions ashore and at sea. The unstructured itinerary also allows time for viewing wildlife, such as whales and dolphins.

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

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A Sea Of Cortes Adventure

American Safari Cruises' refurbished 86-guest Safari Endeavour will spend its first winter sailing luxury adventure cruises in Mexico’s Sea of Cortés this winter. Travellers interested in what ASC call "an un-cruise adventure" - or up-close access to nature and wildlife and exclusive excursions - can now choose a warm water adventure exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site & Biosphere Reserve.

Week-long 'Baja’s Bounty' expeditions sail round-trip from La Paz, Baja, in Mexico from November to April 2013. As an added incentive, guests booking by September 30 earn a $300 travel credit per couple for travel.

An unstructured itinerary explores hideaways such as Isla Espíritu Santo, Isla San Francisco, Bahia Agua Verde, Los Islotes and Loreto. Labelled the “Aquarium of the World" by Jacques Cousteau, the relatively unknown Sea of Cortés rivals the pristine environment and geo- and biological diversity of the world-renowned Galapagos Islands. Flexible itineraries spend time seeking out dolphins and a variety of whales. At Los Islotes, guests enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime adventure snorkelling with playful young sea lions.

Guests can be as active as they like and activities include hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkelling and skiff excursions. A swim-step and kayak launch platform on the stern of the vessel serves as the hub for guests embarking on water-borne adventures. Expert naturalists provide interpretation on guided excursions ashore and at sea.

Cruise fares start at $2,995, based on double occupancy. Transfers are included from either Los Cabos or La Paz airports. The inclusive cruise includes all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; a massage; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2.5 to 1. Yachts can be booked as a private charter or by individual stateroom.

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

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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Hawaii & The Sea Of Cortes The American Safari Way

American Safari Cruises expands its warm-water itineraries this winter with new adventure cruises among the Hawaiian Islands, in addition to its voyages in Mexico’s Sea of Cortés. The upscale yachts specialise in active, outdoor explorations with flexible itineraries and a full component of adventure gear.

In 2011, the 36-guest Safari Explorer begins sailing new inter-island Hawaiian adventure cruises between Maui and the Big Island (and reverse). From November through April, week-long Hawaiian Seascapes and 10-night Traditional Shores itineraries explore Maui, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Molokini and the Big Island.

Meanwhile, the 22-guest Safari Quest sails week-long Aquarium of the World itineraries in the Sea of Cortés from November through April. Sailing round-trip from La Paz, Mexico, the flexible itinerary takes time to seek out the myriad marine life in this World Heritage biosphere reserve and explores Isla Partida, Isla San José, Bahia Agua Verde, Los Islotes, Isla Coyote, Isla San Francisco and Isla Espiritu.

In both destinations, the two yachts feature exciting and novel holiday travel – Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day (with a special Hawaii Romance Package), Easter and special 'Kids in Nature' family departures during popular spring break weeks in March.

A relaxed itinerary of cruising from cove-to-cove among islands in Hawaii and the Sea of Cortés maximizes the yachts’ ability to act as a platform for water-based adventures such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming from the yacht’s swim step, snorkelling, braving the rope swing, sailing, skiff explorations and tubing. Guided excursions are led by expert onboard naturalists.

In both destinations, exclusive cultural explorations ashore are included and led by the yacht’s expedition leaders. Guests in the Sea of Cortés visit Isla Coyote, a small island inhabited by the Cuevas fishing family, where guests will tour the village and visit with the family. On Hawaii’s Moloka’i, guests meet a local family for guided walks through the valley focusing on history and archaeology, a chance to help restore ancient taro terraces and a traditional Hawaiian pa’ina—celebration and feast.

The inclusive cruises include all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. All yachts feature a hot tub, Tempurpedic mattresses, heated tile floors in all bathrooms and upper category balconies. Some also feature saunas, a complimentary massage and Jacuzzi tubs. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2 to 1. Yachts can be booked as a private charter or by individual stateroom.

For more info, look up www.americansafaricruises.com or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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