Zegrahm's Grand Rainforests & Reefs Expedition

Adventure-cruise specialists Zegrahm Expeditions have unveiled their grand 15-day Rain Forests & Reefs expedition, departing February 7. At the crossroads of two continents, this expedition reveals the wonders of five countries, including Belize, Honduras, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama and is ideally timed during the centennial year of the Panama Canal.

A particular highlight in Panama will be the opportunity for travellers to not only complete a daylight transit of the Panama Canal, but also be treated to a VIP tour of the $5billion Canal expansion project that began a decade ago and is scheduled to be completed in 2015. Travellers will go behind the scenes at the Expansion Observation Center near the Gatun Locks on the Caribbean Sea and see the four billion cubic meters of structural concrete that is being poured into the ditches that comprise the new set of locks from a vantage point rarely visited by the public, plus they will have the opportunity to meet with one of the authorities currently working on the project.

Additional highlights of Zegrahm’s time in Central America include searching for Central America’s incredible diversity of wildlife during Zodiac cruises and nature walks—over 750 species of birds have been recorded in Costa Rica alone; meeting the Kuna Indians of San Blas and the Emberá Indians of the Darién who proudly preserve their cultural heritage; experiencing world-class snorkeling from Belize’s Half Moon Caye to one of the world’s largest marine parks in Coiba, Panama; and stepping ashore on seldom-visited Isla de Providencia, Colombia, where its long history includes tales of colonisation, conquest, and buried treasure.

This expedition is aboard the all-suite, 100-guest Island Sky and is priced from $11,980 per person. 

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

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Adonia's New Caribbean & Latin American Voyages

Adonia, the smallest ship in the P&O Cruises fleet, will offer a new Caribbean, Central and South America fly-cruise programme for the first time in spring 2015. The port-rich programme will boast 10 new destinations, including three maiden calls for P&O - Bequia in the Grenadines, Cayenne in French Guiana and Trujillo in Honduras.

With a choice of 11 different itineraries from January 4 to April 4, 2015, the programme encapsulates some of the lesser-frequented, smaller and more intimate Caribbean islands; two of the world’s largest rivers (the Amazon and Orinoco); the rainforests in Central America as well as the popular Caribbean destinations of Barbados, St Maarten, St Lucia and Grenada.

Other new ports of call for Adonia include Colon in Panama, Horta in The Azores, Kingstown in St Vincent, Mayreau in the Grenadines, Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe, Port of Spain in Trinidad and Puerto Limon in Costa Rica.

A choice of 14 and 28-night cruises starting and finishing in Barbados are available from £1,599 per person for a Vantage Fare. The 16 and 18-night transatlantic repositioning cruises are also available at the start and end of the season from only £1,349 per person for a Vantage Fare. A full list of cruises, with flights, include:
 

• A 19-night Caribbean Transatlantic cruise (D501) from Southampton to Barbados, departing January 4, 2015. Vantage fares from £1,499pp
• A 33-night Caribbean Transatlantic, Amazon and Orinoco cruise (D501A), from Southampton to Barbados, departing January 4, 2015. Vantage fares from £2,779pp
• A 15-night Amazon and Orinoco cruise (D502), round-trip from Barbados, departing January 22, 2015. Vantage fares from £1,599pp
• A 29-night Amazon, Orinoco & Eastern Caribbean cruise (D502A), round-trip from Barbados, departing January 22, 2015. Vantage fares from £2,579pp
• A 15-night Eastern Caribbean (D503), round trip from Barbados, departing February 5, 2015. Vantage fares from £1,699pp
• A 29-night Eastern Caribbean, Costa Rica & Honduras cruise (D503A), round-trip from Barbados, departing February 5, 2015. Vantage fares from £2,679pp
• A 15-night Costa Rica & Honduras cruise (D504), round-trip from Barbados, departing February 19, 2015. Vantage fares from £1,699pp
• A 29-night Costa Rica, Honduras & Eastern Caribbean cruise (D504A), round-trip from Barbados, departing February 19, 2015. Vantage fares from £2,679pp
• A 15-night Eastern Caribbean cruise (D505), round-trip from Barbados, departing March 5, 2015. Vantage fares from £1,699pp
• A 31-night Eastern Caribbean & Transatlantic cruise (D505A), from Barbados to Southampton, departing March 5, 2015. Vantage fares from £2,649pp
• A 17-night Transatlantic cruise (D506), from Barbados to Southampton, departing March 19, 2015. Vantage fares from £1,349pp

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

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Banana Coast Set For A Silver Debut

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises will be the first cruise line to sign on to the Banana Coast, the newest western Caribbean cruise destination, at Trujillo, Honduras, when the 296-passenger Silver Cloud calls there on December 17, 2014.

And Michael Greve, president of Global Destinations Development, one of the companies partnering in the port project, explained: "We are pleased to have a high-end brand like Silversea be the first to commit to call at Banana Coast. It's a testament to how we have carefully created a destination that is culturally and historically appealing to the most sophisticated travelers."

Greve said construction at Banana Coast, which began in August 2011, is now 80 per cent complete, and the facility is expected to have a soft opening in January 2013. The port will be open to host ships throughout 2013 and beyond. "We have met with several other lines and have hosted site inspections by cruise line executives," he added. "We expect that several lines soon will commit to adding Banana Coast to their itineraries."

Plans for Banana Coast Landing call for the construction of a 50,000sq ft shopping facility and transportation hub on 10 acres of beachfront land. Themed "Where the Rainforest Meets the Sea," the $20million project currently employs 150 construction workers, engineers and architects. A future phase will see construction of a two-berth, post-Panamax pier.

In March 2012, the developers unveiled an ambitious and diverse shore excursion programme designed to offer something for everyone, including cultural, soft-adventure and eco-tour offerings. The tours enable guests to explore the area from land, air and sea. In addition to the signature tour -- Campo del Mar Nature Park & Beach Break -- highlights include a VIP airplane ride to the Mayan ruins at Copan; a snorkelling adventure at a beautiful starfish bank, and kayaking in the pristine Guaimoreto Lagoon. Guests looking to stay on land have the chance to discover the port’s appeal through an exciting mountain ATV ride, a culinary tasting tour or a trolley ride through the colonial town of Trujillo.

Future plans include creation of the 100-acre Campo del Mar, which will incorporate an integrated heritage park, river park, wildlife park and nature park -- all easily accessible from Banana Coast Landing. 

For Silversea bookings, be sure to check this link for The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

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Zegrahm's Wild Central & North America

Small-ship adventure-cruise specialist Zegrahm Expeditions is offering two unique wildlife excursions in 2013 that feature amazing biodiversity in North and Central America, with an abundance of wildlife and a chance examine the long and significant human history of the regions visited.

The Wild Alaska itinerary focuses on the rich marine and wildlife habitats of the North Pacific, while the Rain Forests & Reefs itinerary explores Central America and offers a tremendous variety of flora and fauna, exceptional birding and many opportunities for terrific snorkelling.

Zegrahm President Jon Nicholson explained: “Our expeditions allow travellers to have up-close interactions with wildlife that inhabit some of the most remote coves, forests, and marine geological formations. In addition to the many wildlife excursions, we also provide many opportunities to learn about the history and people of the places we visit.”

The 15-day Wild Alaska journey allows guests to take full advantage of the long hours of mid-summer to trace pristine shores, cross the Arctic Circle and step ashore and back into history on both American and Russian lands. Travellers will enjoy numerous Zodiac excursions, negotiating sea cliffs and sculpted basalt formations for up-close sightings of nesting seabirds. 

 

In addition, there are excellent opportunities to view and photograph the region’s iconic wildlife, including brown bears, fur seals, walrus and Arctic foxes. This expedition departs July 11 and is priced from $11,980 per person.

At the crossroads of two continents, the 15-day Rain Forests & Reefs expedition reveals the wonders of five countries, including Belize, Honduras, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama. 

 

Travellers will have numerous opportunities to snorkel and dive over colourful reefs teeming with tropical fish, as well as discover an abundance of birds and wildlife during nature walks and Zodiac cruises, particularly during the journey through Costa Rica. This expedition departs March 8 and is priced from $11,980 per person.

 

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

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Miami, Honduras & Mexico

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Central America and the Western Caribbean have always had a fascinating appeal to many dedicated cruisers. With that in mind, Norwegian Cruise Line have put together a voyage in the region. Their incredible new ship Norwegian Epic (above) is reinventing cruising once again with new entertainment options and amazing nightlife, including the first true Ice Bar at sea.

Norwegian Epic also has innovative and flexible accommodation, from Studios designed and priced specifically for solo travellers, with exclusive access to their Studio Lounge, to the private Villas on board. Add twenty different dining options, a huge aqua park for all the family and you’ll see why the company say this is Freestyle Cruising on a truly grand scale.

The beauty of cruising is that it encompasses all forms of tastes - whether you prefer adventure voyages and getting up close to nature, red in tooth and claw, or the sort of family, single holiday that’s full of the fun and entertainment that Norwegian are so good at offering.

The company say there’s only one thing to do with rules – scrap them. So that’s what they’ve done. They pick the ports and the rest is down to you. NCL visits destinations from the Caribbean to Hawaii, Alaska to New England, Bermuda to Mexico and Europe.

In her maiden season, Epic has a series of departures up until the end of April 2011 visiting The Western Caribbean. Departing from Miami, she will call at Costa Maya in Mexico, The Roatan Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras and the tiny tropical island of Cozumel, 12 miles off Mexico’s coast before returning to Miami.

Among the highlights is the chance to steer a personal All Terrain Vehicle along the jungle trails on the wild side of Cozumel; take a thrilling ride along zip lines from Roatán’s Creation Rock to a party on Tabyana Beach; and see the Mayan ruins in Tulum, built on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean.

NCL Line are exhibiting at the Cruise Show in Birmingham.

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