Un-Cruise Adventures Plans a ‘Best of The Best’ cruise in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez

Beginning January 2015, Un-Cruise Adventures offers a new adventure cruise in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez wrapping the best marine life adventures into one itinerary. The 84-guest Safari Endeavour sails the weeklong Baja’s Bounty! Whale Sharks, Whales & Mobulas itinerary roundtrip from San José del Cabo, Baja, Mexico.

The new itinerary launching in January combines active explorations with seasonal sea life encounters. When grey whales arrive to calve in Bahía Magdalena, an overland tour to board panga boats and see whales and calves up close is included (usually January-March). At other times of the year, a snorkeling excursion in Bahía de La Paz may bring guests up close to the largest known fish in the sea—gentle whale sharks.

Exploration cruising allows for a flexible itinerary with time to seek out wildlife. Other areas visited include Isla San Francisco, Isla San José, Bahía Agua Verde, Isla Coronados, Los Islotes, Ensenada Grande and Isla Cerralvo. A half-day port call in Loreto includes a guided walking tour of the historic town.

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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.

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Crystal's New California Shore Excursion Programme

Ultra-luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises is introducing 18 brand new shore-side excursions on its two unusual seven-night Crystal Symphony sailings round-trip from Los Angeles up the California and northern Baja coasts this autumn. Crystal Adventures will showcase the unique outdoor opportunities, culinary arts and varied scenery local to the remarkable Golden State region during cruises departing November 20 and December 4.

In Santa Barbara alone, adventure-seekers will have their choice of hiking, biking, horse-riding, paragliding, Segway-ing or kayaking through the area, learning about everything from California’s Chumash Indians to native sea life. Additional outdoor explorations range from kayaking past the Baja coast’s 100 foot-high blowhole to a jeep safari through Mexican countryside, with a winery as final destination.

California’s fine wines will be on full display via tasting trips to Santa Ynez and Napa Valley, the latter including a gourmet lunch at the famed Culinary Institute of America. Foodies can expand their epicurean acumen via tequila tasting/education, a Mexican cooking lesson outside Enseñada or a custom wine-blending competition in Santa Barbara. Guests can also explore the quaint Danish town of Solvang and hidden alleys of San Francisco’s Chinatown.

The two seven-night round-trip voyages visit Santa Barbara, San Francisco (overnight), Enseñada and San Diego, with prices from £2,524 per person, including return scheduled flights, transfers, seven nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks, port taxes and a $500 per person onboard credit.

For more info, visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk or contact the luxury cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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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.

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