Crystal's New England Golf Bonanza

For the first time in three years, Crystal Cruises’ popular Golf-themed cruise is revisiting New England/Canada, with a new itinerary and new courses along the way. From Boston to Montréal, golf enthusiasts can relish the New England Indian Summer while playing at premier clubs and gleaning tips from golf legend Billy Casper and PGA coach John Clark.

The 10-night cruise aboard Crystal Symphony departs September 16 and features maiden visits to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and Baie-Comeau, Québec, plus overnight stays in Boston and Montréal. 

Guests can practice their swing at:

• NEW: The Algonquin at St. Andrews-by-the-Sea (New Brunswick) – A historic course with a back nine waterfront sequence that has been challenging golfers of every skill level for more than 100 years.
• NEW: Le Blainevillier (Montréal) – Set in dense forest, with each of the 36 challenging holes isolated from each other.
• NEW: Chester (Lunenburg, Nova Scotia) – A classic New England par 70, where golfers tee off right on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
• Granite Links (Boston) – One of Golf Digest’s “50 Best,” with rolling fairways and greens elevated to nearly 300ft above sea level, providing impressive views.
• La Tempête (Québec City) – Québec City’s first metropolitan world-class course, spanning 200 picturesque acres.
• Kebo Valley (Bar Harbor) – A haven for precise golfers, with small greens and long terrains, right by Acadia’s Cadillac Mountain.

The full scope of Crystal’s theme programme is available for guests purchasing three or more rounds of golf and includes a VIP Golfers welcome cocktail reception; welcome kits with course info and gifts; complimentary storage and cleaning of clubs and shoes; and private group clinics with the golf pro. 

Golfing excursions include round-trip transportation to each course accompanied by a Crystal escort or pro; 45-minute warm-up; golf carts or caddies (where available); and pre-/post-round refreshments and cocktails. Casper also plays with all guests, speaks about his life and career and hosts a final awards party. Practice putting greens, driving ranges, golf clinics and private lessons are available on every Crystal cruise.   

All-inclusive fly/cruise fares for the New England cruise visiting Boston, Bar Harbor, Saint John, Lunenburg, Baie-Comeau, Saguenay, Québec City and Montréal, start at £3,492 per person if booked by June 28. Fares for the golf club Crystal Adventures start at $291 per person (cruise price includes £545 saving per person if booked by June 28).

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

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.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Pearl Seas Ready For 2014

The long-awaited arrival of new Pearl Seas Cruises (www.pearlseascruises.com) has finally been confirmed with the announcement this week that the brand-new Pearl Mist has arrived in Maryland for final outfitting before going into service in 2014.

The 210-passenger ship will operate various 7-, 10- and 11-night Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway, Canadian Maritimes, and New England cruises, with the vessel intended to define a new style of Luxury Adventure small-ship cruising, offering beautiful getaways on a brand-new luxury ship, which aims to combine the latest and highest standards in comfort, safety, technology and communication.

The Pearl Mist (below) features oversized and gracefully appointed staterooms, many with sliding glass doors to private balconies, a glass-enclosed dining room, and various spacious lounges. Guests will enjoy numerous luxuries and amenities.

She will also showcase some of the most beautiful, historic and exotic destinations in Canada and the United States. Guests will have a choice of dozens of magnificent destinations, a few being Québec City, Georgian Bay, Prince Edward Island, Newport, Halifax, Thousand Islands, Saguenay Fjord, Nantucket, Cape Breton Island, Percé, St. Pierre-Miquelon, Martha’s Vineyard and Bar Harbor.

 

Pearl Seas Cruises will offer captivating enrichment and entertainment programs aboard the Pearl Mist and exclusive shore excursions, which will offer fascinating insight and new perspectives into the distinctive splendors of each destination. 

Additional details on the Pearl Mist and its itineraries will be available in the coming days.

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.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Quark's New Arctic Explorations

Quark Expeditions has launched the company’s Arctic 2014 line-up, with an enticing season featuring 15 voyages that include three new Canadian Arctic expedition itineraries exploring the immense territory and majestic scenery of the final frontier, its indigenous peoples, history and diverse wildlife. 

The new 'Canadian Arctic & West Greenland' voyages are also aboard a new ship in Quark’s fleet, the 114-guest Sea Explorer (formerly Corinthian II, sister ship to Quark’s Sea Spirit). This ice-strengthened small luxury expedition ship features spacious ocean-facing cabins, all-inclusive bar and beverages and optional sea-kayaking adventures.

Three New Itineraries: 

• Arctic Quest: Greenland to Churchill – This new 16-day voyage in July and August ventures into the Arctic's far reaches, home of polar bears and walrus, where Inuit communities still maintain traditional ways of life. Explore the fjords of Greenland by ship and Zodiac and navigate the eastern-most channel of Canada’s historic Northwest Passage. Prices start from £5,095 per person for 15 nights (16 days) with three meals a day, all inclusive beverages, shore landings and on-board lectures.
• In the Footsteps of Franklin: Greenland & Canada’s High Arctic – Explore the best of Greenland’s west coast on this 13-day voyage in August and September, including Illulissat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the fastest and most active glaciers in the world. Crossing into Canadian waters en route to Resolute, cruise by spectacular limestone cliffs first sighted by explorer in the 18^th Century. Explore, on foot and by Zodiac, Beechey Island, landing site of the Franklin Expedition and the most notable landmark in the history of exploration of the Canadian Arctic. Prices start from £3,865 per person, including one night's accommodation pre and post-cruise in Reykjavik and Toronto, all inclusive beverages, shore landings and on-board lectures.
• Epic High Arctic: Baffin Island Explorer via Fury & Hecla – Follow a truly epic route explored by very few on this 13-day High Arctic voyage in September that will navigate the challenging Fury and Hecla Strait between Resolute and Iqaluit. Visit with world-renowned Inuit carvers and artists at Cape Dorset, marvel at the bird cliffs and spot walrus and polar bears while Zodiac cruising around Akpatok and Monumental Islands. Prices start from £3,525 per person for 12 nights (13 days), including one night's accommodation pre and post-cruise in Toronto and Montreal, all inclusive beverages, shore landings and on-board lectures.

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

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.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.