Explore Europe’s most beautiful rivers in style with Hebridean Island Cruises

 

Hebridean Island Cruises offers guests a river cruise experience on board the elegant Royal Crown (above) with the introduction of a 10 per early booking offer. Valid for all bookings made before 31 October 2014. 

Itineraries include:

Vistas and Vineyards of the Rhine. This seven-night cruise departs from Basel on 3 July 2015. Prices start from £2,655 per person.

Danube Symphony. Seven-night cruise departs from Nuremberg on 10 July 2015. Prices start from £2,790 per person.

Treasures of the Danube. Seven-night cruise departs from Budapest on 22 August 2015. Prices start from £2,790 per person.

Discovering the Rhine. Seven-night cruise departs from Nuremberg on 29 August 2015. Prices start from £2,655 per person.

Prices for all river cruises include return travel by air and transfers to and from the ship, a full programme of excursions, all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and gratuities.

Subscribe to World of Cruising magazine here          Follow us on Facebook 

Adventure Cruising blog

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.

A Hebridean New Year

Not everyone thinks of the UK when it comes to cruising, but it is increasingly the case there are a wide variety of cruise options both in and around the British Isles and Ireland. It is a great way to see a lot of the country in real comfort and style, and there are now several dozen opportunities to give it a try.

 

However, one of the 'little secrets' of the cruise world is that there is a deluxe niche operation based in and around the west coast of Scotland that has been in business since 1989 and is really worth seeking out. We have featured Hebridean Island Cruises several times in World of Cruising itself and it is pretty clear that if the boutique-style of the Hebridean Princess is good enough for Her Majesty the Queen, it ought to be high on most people's wish list!

 

With that in mind, here are three typical Hebridean Island options in March, which we think are well worth highlighting, especially as they have special fares available for those booking in advance, a Hebridean New Year, if you like.

 

Take your pick from:

 

Treasures of the Clyde: 6-night cruise, departing March 5; prices start from £2,040 per person for an outside cabin. Enjoy the contrasts of the new season from the comfort and luxury of the Hebridean Princess with this new itinerary that takes in the diverse landscapes of the Scottish Islands, from grand castles to remote island retreats. 

Footloose to the Lochs and Isles: this seven-night cruise departs March 18, with prices starting from £3,430 per person for an inside cabin. Dust off those walking boots for the first Footloose walking cruise of the season with this new itinerary that introduces new walking routes alongside old favourites. 

Jewels of the Western Seaboard: a seven-night cruise, departing March 25, with prices starting from £2,260 per person for an inside cabin. Take in picture postcard villages, breathtaking lochs and wild glens with this journey of discovery around the western coast and Inner Hebrides.

More info: call 01756 704 700 or visit www.hebridean.co.uk.

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 our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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.

Three Cruise Lines, Three Round-Britain Cruises!

Here's a great trio of alternatives for the increasingly popular round-Britain cruises that many lines are now offering. They obviously all come with the benefit of no flights involved, and take in some fabulous parts of the United Kingdom. Here's what they say...

Voyages of Discovery

Departing from Portsmouth, discover the history, heritage and tradition of the British Isles. Around the shores of this island nation, discover stunning landscapes that inspired celebrated artists, and those that played starring roles in stirring epics. Set foot in atmospheric castles that hosted legendary figures, and stately homes where literary heroes penned immortal words. Turn the pages on Britain’s Royal story peopled by famous monarchs, and through great abbeys and cherished cathedrals trace the power of the church.

The 14-day National Treasures of the British Isles departs May 4 and costs from £1,939 per person. 

More info: call 0844 334 8389 or visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk.

Swan Hellenic

Travel from Portsmouth to Edinburgh, Scotland’s dynamic capital, and explore this historic city. Visit Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Hopetoun, Scotland’s finest stately home. Sail to the Caithness port of Scrabster to stand on the most northerly point of mainland Britain at Dunnet Head overlooking the Pentland Firth. Follow Bonnie Prince Charlie as he escaped over the sea to Skye and visit Dunvegan Castle, the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland, built on a rock in an idyllic loch-side setting. Enjoy inspirational scenic cruising as Minerva cruises off the west coast of Scotland, passing islands, glens and bays – including the tiny island of Staffa – en route to Oban, and then on to Liverpool.

This 15-day Treasures of the British Isles cruise departs July 1 and costs from £2,470 per person. 

More info: call 0844 488 0716 or visit www.swanhellenic.com.

Hebridean Island Cruises

A voyage into the unknown - join Hebridean Princess on the annual ‘Surprise’ cruise where the Captain will decide the itinerary. Enjoy the magnificent scenery of Scotland’s west coast and Hebridean islands as the Captain decides on the itinerary day by day. While the itinerary is unknown, the level of comfort and service on board  is assured. The cruise departs from Oban with only 50 guests, fine food and wine with spacious, elegant well-appointed cabins

The 7-night An Island Surprise voyage departs April 1 and costs from £2,660 per person. 
More Info: call 01756 704 700 or visit www.hebridean.co.uk.

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 our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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.

Hebridean's New Cruises For 2014

The world’s smallest luxury cruise line, Hebridean Island Cruises, is offering 10% off new 2014 itineraries when bookings are made before the July 12.The offer coincides with the launch of the line’s new 2014 Cruise Directory which sees Hebridean Princess return to Norwegian waters for the first time in five years. 

Followers of the line can also book one of 12 new Scottish itineraries, including private visits to Ardkinglas House, Dundonald Castle and the private apartments at Inveraray Castle, or sail to the far flung islands of St Kilda, Orkney and Shetland. Hebridean Island is also offering new partnership cruises with NADFAS and the National Trust for 2014, including Houses and Castles of the Clyde and Gaelic Discoverer.

Those in search of a cultural break can join Hebridean Princess as she returns to Norway on board the seven-night Norwegian Symphony cruise. Passengers can opt to join the crossing from Invergordon to Bergen before being treated to a performance from traditional folk dancers in Ulvikfjord and an exclusive evening concert at Ole Bull’s Villa (Lysøen). Prices start from £4,923 per person (based on two sharing a cabin, including 10% early booking offer discount), for the August 4 departure.

History buffs can join the eight-night Island Kingdoms of the Vikings cruise, visiting Orkney, Lewis and the Western Isles, which were all once part of the Norse Kingdom of the Vikings. Passengers will be joined by special Guest Speaker, Dr. Donna Heddle, an expert in Scottish and Northern Isles cultural history and Nordic studies, who will bring each port of call to life with her stories of her work. Prices start from £4,167 per person for the August 28 departure. 

Keen walkers can join one of the five specialist walking itineraries in the 2014 programme, including the new Footloose to the Lochs and Isles. Guests who want to stretch their legs a little further afield can join Footloose in the Fjords to explore destinations like Bergen, Fjærland and Vik by foot, with the help of special walking guides. Highlights include a full day glacier walk, a visit to the Norwegian Wild Salmon Centre (Lærdal) and the Sogn Folkemuseum in Sogndal. Prices start from £5,211pp for the August 11 departure.

Prices for all cruises include transport between Glasgow/Inverness and the ship or free car parking for Scottish departures and return Flights for Norwegian departures, meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions, free Wi-Fi, gratuities and all relevant port taxes/fees. All Hebridean Island Cruises bookings also come with the added benefit of free single trip travel and cancellation insurance. 

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

Want to read more? Why not subscribe to World of Cruising magazine - Europe's leading cruise publication.

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.

Finding The Perfect Luxury Cruise

Finding a cruise these days isn't difficult. There are adverts and commercials for cruise lines almost everywhere you look, and special offers abound online. Type in 'Cruise Sale' in Google and you will get roughly a bazillion responses (OK, so it was only 173,000,000, but what's a gazillion or two between friends?).

So it's certainly not a question of not being able to find anything these days.

The question of finding the RIGHT cruise for you is far more relevant, though, especially as cruise ships now number more than 200, and lines vary from the 5,000-passenger behemoths of Royal Caribbean to the boutique vessels of the likes of Hebridean Island Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club and UnCruise Adventures carrying a mere handful (as few as 30 or 40 in some cases).

In particular, the word 'luxury' is bandied around with utter abandon by just about everyone, including media sources that should know better.

The likes of Carnival and P&O Cruises may offer a great-value product, but they are far from a deluxe experience in most cases. And even some of the high-quality mid-range lines, like Princess, Holland America and Celebrity, while featuring some genuinely upscale touches, are still not the full six-star item.

It's like having a great stay at a Marriott Hotel and insisting it is on a par with Four Seasons or the Waldorf-Astoria. It's good, but it just isn't the pinnacle of holiday luxury.

Happily, there are still a handful of specialist agents that DO make a habit of featuring only the best and most luxurious cruise options and it is worth seeking these out for advice, customer service and - very often - the best deals on the 5 and 6-star lines.

It's interesting to see a company like The Cruise Line, based in Sussex and a company we know well, going one further and introducing their new Luxury Cruise Quiz.

As well as being good online fun, it provides some great insight into the true deluxe companies and genuinely produces the ideal matches for those who take the time to take it seriously and search through the various combinations and choices.

I've been playing around with it quite a bit this week, looking at the various permutations and seeing at how accurately it matches me with my various cruise 'wish list' ideas, and I'm impressed at how well it produces a valid end result. It offers a serious of images that you pick from in eight categories and it builds up to an 'ideal' match, as well as several alternatives.

It's fun and informative, so why not give it a try on this link: http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/Luxury-Cruise-Quiz.

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.

A Classical Cruise Of The Hebrides

Guests joining Hebridean Island Cruises’ music-themed cruise, A Classical Cruise of the Hebrides, will be able to enjoy two exclusive performances from artists at the celebrated Mendelssohn on Mull festival, whilst on the voyage.

The luxury cruise line is one of  the  sponsors for the annual classical music event, which celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year. Young violin soloist Colin Scobie will be performing Mendelssohn’s Hebridean Overture for passengers inside Fingal’s Cave, which provided the original inspiration for the piece. Guests will also be able to enjoy a special concert by a string quartet from the festival after the ship has called at Duart Castle.

A Classical Cruise of the Hebrides starts from £5,090 per person (based on two sharing an outside cabin), departing from Oban on July 2 and calling at Jura and Port Ellen, Staffa and Ulva, Tobermory, Muck and Ardnamurchan, Fort William and Craignure before returning to Oban. 

The price includes transport between Glasgow and the ship or free car parking, meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions and gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. All 2013 Hebridean Island Cruises bookings also come with the added benefit of free single trip travel insurance. Terms and conditions apply – see website or brochure for details.

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

Why not subscribe to World of Cruising magazine?

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.

Hebridean's Norwegian Return

Hebridean Island Cruises, operator of the world’s smallest luxury cruise ship, Hebridean Princess, will be returning to Norway in 2014 for the first time in five years.

They will offer a total of three different itineraries in August next year, sailing to some of Norway’s best known fjords, including Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord, Ulvikfjord and Raunefjord. The decision follows a survey conducted amongst loyal guests asking for suggestions on cruising areas.

Hebridean will also extend its popular Footloose walking programme to include Footloose in the Fjords, featuring a variety of walks in Balestrand, Laerdral, Fjaerland, as well as the unique opportunity to join a glacier walk in Sogndal.

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.

Grab A Last-Minute Saving With Hebridean

Luxury cruise line Hebridean Island Cruises is offering up to 30% off last-minute bookings for this autumn. Guests can save up to £1,720 per person on cruises departing from October 2 to November 6.

Itineraries available include:

• The Small Isles and Skye: a seven-night cruise from £3,410 per person – a saving of £1,140pp. Cruise departs from Oban on October 9 and calls at Eigg and Canna, Skye, Uig and Portree, Plockton, Inverie, Rum and Muck and finishes in Oban.
• Gems of The Inner Isles: a seven-night cruise from £2,750 per person – a saving of up to £1,190pp. Cruise departs from Oban on October 16 and calls at Rum, Shieldaig, Portree, Inverie, Eigg and Glenmore, Tobermory and Craignure before calling back at Oban.
• Lochs And Isles: a seven-night cruise from £2,295 per person – a saving of £765 per person. Cruise departs from Oban on October 30 and calls at Rum and Eigg, Inverie, Plockton, Kerrera, Lismore, Fort William and Ballachulish, before finishing in Oban.

Prices for all cruises include transfers between Glasgow and the ship or free car parking in Oban, all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions and gratuities, plus all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, 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.

Hebridean Maintaining Royal Fever

With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee still fresh in the mind, Hebridean Island Cruises is continuing to celebrate all things royal this summer.

Guests on board the nine-night 'North to Orkney' and 'Home From The North' cruises will pay a special visit to The Queen Mother’s former holiday home, the Castle and Gardens of Mey, situated on the north coast of Caithness.

Guests can follow in The Queen’s royal footsteps as the ship calls at Scrabster – the port of choice when The Queen and her family visited the Castle of Mey aboard the former Royal Yacht Britannia every August. 

North to Orkney costs from £4,800 per person (based on two people sharing an outside cabin), departing from Oban and calling at Gairloch, Loch Eriboll, Scrabster, Kirkwall, Stronsay, Papa Westray, Westray, Stromness, Helmsdale and Invergordon. Price based on a June 27 departure. 

Home From The North costs from £3,440 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin), departing from Invergordon and calling at Helmsdale, Kirkwall, Skara Brae, Scrabster, Loch Eriboll, Stornoway, Skye, Rum, Glenmore and Oban. Priced based on a July 15 departure.

Prices also include all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions and gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, free parking and transfers to ship or domestic flights/train travel.

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

Sample An Orkney Summer

Join Hebridean Island Cruises' small luxury cruise ship Hebridean Princess this summer and discover the charm of Orkney's Nordic heritage in sumptuous style from just £5,550 per person.

The nine-night 'North to Orkney' cruise sails on June 27 and explores the island's prehistoric sites, including Cape Wrath and the Castle and Garden of Mey. Special guest speaker and archaeology expert Dr Coleen Batey will also be on board to give an insight into the iconic buildings and Orkney's largest chambered tomb, Maes Howe.

The voyage departs from Oban and calls at Gairloch, Loch Eriboll, Scrabster, Kirkwall, Stronsay and Papa Westray, Westray and Stromness, Stromness, Helmsdale and Invergordon. 

Alternatively, guests on the nine-night 'Home From The North' cruise  departing July 15 can pay a visit to Orkney's legendary cathedral, St Magnus, which has dominated the Kirkwall skyline for over 875 years. Prices start from £3,700 per person.

'Home From The North' departs from Invergordon and calls at Helmsdale, Kirkwall, Skara Brae, Scrabster and Loch Eriboll, Stornoway, Skye, Rum, Glenmore and Oban.

Prices include all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions and gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees (based on two people sharing a castle grade cabin).

For booking details, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury adventure 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.

Hebridean Island Cruises Supports New Marine Charity

Hebridean Island Cruises have become the first cruise line to come out in support of new marine conservation charity Sea-Changers.

In its 25th Anniversary year of cruises on the Hebridean Princess, the company will provide their guests with the opportunity to make a significant contribution towards sea-going environmental concerns. A recommended donation of £20 for each booking will be requested as the booking is made (guests can donate more, if they prefer).

Guests will not be under any obligation to make the donation, but all the donations made in this way will be collected by Hebridean Island Cruises and handed to Sea-Changers, which was established by keen conservationists Helen Webb and Rachel Lopata in 2010.

The new marine conservation charity was specifically set up to establish partnerships of this kind. All of the money raised by Hebridean customers will be passed on to relevant marine conservation charities and projects, with no administration costs subtracted. Sea-Changers will distribute the money to a range of projects, within one of the following areas:

• Marine Reserves/Protected Marine Areas
• Direct Marine Clean Up Action
• Education, Campaigning and Awareness Raising
• Species Protection and Research

For more information on Sea-Changers and their work, be sure to look up their website at http://www.sea-changers.org.uk/ or call 07909 897867.

For booking details of Hebridean Princess cruises, log on to this link with the UK luxury cruising experts, 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.

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

Last-Minute Spring Fling With Hebridean Island Cruises

Here' a great idea to start the cruise year - join Hebridean Island Cruises’  luxury small cruise ship Hebridean Princess for a spring voyage around the west coast of Scotland.

Guests can also save up to 30 per cent on brochure fares on the North from Kintyre seven-night cruise, which now costs from £1,575 per person (based on two people sharing an inside double/twin cabin). Highlights include Auchindrain open air museum – the last farming township in Scotland – and the beautiful National Trust Arduaine Garden.

Departing from Greenock, Hebridean Princess visits Crarae, Rothesay, Loch Long, Loch Goil, Arran, Campbeltown, Jura, Crinan, Craobh Haven and Kerrera with the final port of Oban. Price is based on a March 20 departure.

There is limited availability on this all-inclusive cruise and prices include all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions and gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

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

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

Hebridean Island Cruises set for Glasgow Cruise Show

Hebridean Island Cruises, operator of the renowned small cruise ship, Hebridean Princess, will be on hand to showcase their 2012 itineraries and talk about the launch of their new dedicated river cruises programme on the Rhine and Danube rivers at The Daily Telegraph Cruise Show, being held at the Glasgow SECC, from 22 to 23 October 2011.

The much anticipated exhibition is designed to showcase the range of different cruises available with Hebridean Island Cruises offering a unique cruise experience on board a ship often compared with an opulent country house. Representatives at the show will be distributing current brochures for both Hebridean Princess and the new Hebridean River Cruises programme. With the recent announcement that Hebridean River Cruises inaugural season will see sailings on the Rhine and Danube rivers during June and September 2012 there is sure to be a lot of interest in stand E7.

For more information visit www.hebridean.co.uk or small ship specialists The Cruise Line.

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.

The Princess Royal

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Well, if it's good enough for Her Majesty the Queen to sail around the Western Isles on, then the Hebridean Princess must be highly worthwhile having a look at.

The point is, though, that a lot of people are under the illusion the waters of western Scotland are the only area the company (Hebridean Island Cruises) features but, in fact, MANY more destinations are on offer for 2011.

These include Scotland's east coast, Northern Ireland, northern France, the Channel Islands and the Isles of Scilly. Of course, you don't have to stay on board, but be aware it's difficult not to with this lovely five-star, luxury vessel.

As well as ports of call, there is the company's excellent Footloose guided walks programme, which lets you take in some spectacular hill walking, loch and mountain trails and, of course, this wouldn't be Scotland if there wasn't a nip of malt whisky and a hearty meal waiting for you on your return.

Indeed, the inglenook fireplace and the herringbone brick-work at times enhance the Scottish appearance and you could almost be the laird settling down in your big, comfortable armchair at night. It is this ambiance of the Scottish country house and the lack of organised entertainment that makes it impossible not to relax on this vessel.

With just 50 cabins - of which 10 are dedicated for single travellers - and a crew of 38, it's no wonder Hebridean Princess has such loyal repeat business. Most of the cruises of four and ten nights depart from Oban, reaching destinations as far as St Kilda and the Shetlands.

Each all-inclusive cruise is carefully researched and planned by the company to make sure you get the best out of each port of call and its surrounding area. There is a range of privately escorted tours, often visiting places uniquely open for ships guests, and, if that doesn't appeal, why not borrow one of the ship's bicycles or arrange a fishing trip?

The elegant dining room has large windows to watch the scenery as you enjoy your meals - using the freshest local produce where possible, such as cheese from the Isle of Mull and, of course, the wonderful haggis. Whether, like me, you prefer to pour a wee dram over your haggis on the plate is entirely up to you.

But, just like the Hebridean Princess herself, I'd thoroughly recommend it.

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.

Set Sail for Adventure!

Adventure cruising is promising to become one of the big, growing options for savvy cruisers in the near future, with various types and levels of this expedition-style of voyaging.

The All Leisure Group, who operate Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery and the boutique little Hebridean Island Cruises, have recently taken ownership of the 15,000-ton MV Alexander von Humboldt (originally the Crown Monarch of Crown Cruise Line) , which has recently been sailing or German operator Phoenix Reisen. And, while they have yet to indicate which of their brands it will sail under, it is clear ALG have significant plans to grow this 'niche' market into something not-quite-so-niche.

When you also look at how other adventure/expedition companies continue to do well, the likes of Norwegian Hurtigruten, Abercrombie & Kent, Noble Caledonia, Hapag-Lloyd, Lindblad Expeditions and many more, there is clearly a keen and expanding appetite for this type of holiday.

And now comes a new Dutch operation which promises to add still further to this highly enticing array of cruise choice. Oceanwide Expeditions is offering more small-ship adventuring specialising in polar expedition voyages using the 110-passenger MV Plancius. here's what they say:

MV Plancius – Oceanwide Expeditions’ new Polar expedition vessel is now afloat

This is the start of a new Era in polar expedition cruising: the Dutch flagged expedition vessel Plancius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions from Vlissingen, the Netherlands, is almost ready to set sail to Antarctica, offering the maiden voyage on 8 January 2010. Plancius shall be christened on 14 November and will depart on 5 December for her ocean voyage to Ushuaia in Tierra Del Fuego , Argentina , the starting point of Antarctic voyages.

Oceanwide Expeditions: the pioneer in the Polar regions

Oceanwide Expeditions is the pioneer and one of the market leaders in the Polar Regions and has – since 1996 - been offering expedition-style cruises to the Arctic and Antarctic regions with chartered ice-strengthened Russian vessels, very suitable to offer exploratory voyages with passengers. However, in order to increase comfort-standards, Oceanwide Expeditions decided to build its own vessel, complying with the latest safety regulations and technology.

Oceanwide Expeditions: World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator 2009

We proudly announce that Oceanwide Expeditions has won the World Travel Award 2009 in the category World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator. The presentation of this international prize took place during a gala performance in London on Sunday 8 November. It was the second time that this prestigious award was categorized by the World Travel Awards Committee. The first time was in 2005 and Oceanwide Expeditions was also the winner of the contest.

MV Plancius: Setting new standards in expedition cruising

Plancius will set new standards to the world of expedition cruising: spacious yet small ship character, comfort & style, modern technology and safety appliances. A base camp for active, adventure and wildlife minded modern explorers, including hiking trips, kayaking, overnight field camping and even scuba-diving.

Plancius was built in 1975 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named Hr. Ms. Tydeman. The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 and was finally purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions in December 2006. The vessel was completely rebuilt and converted to a 110-passenger vessel which complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea) and is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London . The ship sails under the Dutch flag.

It’s a small ship operation: Plancius can accommodate 110 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 triple private cabins, 39 twin private cabins (ca. 15 square meters ) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters ).

The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) with large windows, offering full panorama view. Plancius has large open deck spaces with full walk-around possibilities, giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. The vessel is comfortable and nicely decorated, but the ship is not a luxurious vessel. Voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible.

The vessel measures 89 meters in length (267ft), has a breadth of 14.5 meters (43ft) and a draft of 4.8 meters (15ft) and is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the engines considerably. The 3 diesel engines generate 1.230 horse-power each, giving the vessel a speed of 10-12 knots. The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages.

Plancius is manned by 17 nautical crew, 18 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman and 10 stewards/cabin cleaners), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides-lecturers) and 1 doctor.

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.