Zegrahm's Indian Ocean Odyssey

Small-ship voyages are definitely a major trend for 2014, and it is interesting to see the wide array of cruise ideas rolling in from a great range of operators (be sure to see our Adventure Cruise News section in the new edition of World of Cruising, which is out this month, for a full look ahead).

 

The latest is from Zegrahm Expeditions, who are featuring two exclusive cruises to the Seychelles and Madagascar in 2014.

Titled Ultimate Aldabra and Voyage to Madagascar, the two journeys—which can be taken in combination—take travellers to the lesser-visited islands of the western Indian Ocean aboard the all-suite, 100-guest Island Sky (above).

Departing November 16, the 17-day Ultimate Aldabra, is a voyage to explore the remote islands of the Seychelles, which have remained largely untouched due to their inaccessibility, and offers the unique opportunity to witness a pristine natural environment. A highlight of the expedition is spending four full days at the magnificent Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is priced from $12,970 per person, double occupancy.

Then, departing November 28, the 19-day Voyage to Madagascar includes Zanzibar, Comoros, Réunion and Mauritius, with a fascinating combination of natural history and East African culture. Highlights include discovering the unique flora and fauna of Madagascar—photogenic lemurs, 32 species of reptiles, and over 100 species of birds--and wandering a labyrinth of serpentine alleyways in Zanzibar’s Stone Town, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is priced from $13,980 per person, double occupancy.

More info: call (in the US) 1800 628 8747 or visit www.zegrahm.com.

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Enjoy A Shorter Asian Cruise With Crystal

Those looking for a taste of the exotic but not able to indulge in the longer cruise options for regions like the Far East might be keen to know about something we've just spotted here at World of Cruising, with Crystal Cruises creating 19 new “Crystal Getaways” in Asia and the surrounding region for 2014.

Time-strapped travellers now have almost twice as many options to enjoy an ultra-luxury, all-inclusive cruise in Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Mauritius, Africa and Australia next year. 

The Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity voyages range from five to 10 nights, making them ideal to either enjoy on their own or combine with time ashore. Carved out from longer sailings, the “Getaways” cost from as little as £1,070 per person, double occupancy, if booked by January 3. 

Packed with local overnights, some of the choices include:

5 nights, from £1,070 per person: Feb 17, Shanghai (overnight), Hong Kong (two nights).

6 nights, from £1,836 per person: Apr 3, Ho Chi Minh City (overnight), Chan May, Hong Kong (overnight).

7 nights, from £1,142 per person: Feb 10, Tokyo’s port of Yokohama (overnight), Osaka (overnight), Nagasaki, Shanghai.

10 nights, from £2,861 per person: Mar 10, Singapore (overnight), Jakarta, Mauritius.

More info: call  020 7399 7601 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk.

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Crystal's Exclusive 'Rhino Excursion'

Well here’s another one to tempt you as we know many of our readers are ardent wildlife watchers when you’re cruising. In fact, it’s something we at World of Cruising are increasingly keen to focus on. So here’s what popped into our inbox recently.

Crystal Cruises’ newest Boutique Adventure promises an ultra-intimate and exclusive, hands-on “Rhino Conservation Experience” in Africa. Offered with Crystal Serenity’s March 10 voyage from Singapore to Cape Town, the excursion offers the opportunity to be a part of the vital local tracking and protection efforts aimed at keeping the animal from extinction. From helping locate rhinos to notching their ears while anaesthetised (enabling researchers to identify the animal and aide in the repopulation process), guests will assist the expert anti-poaching team from beginning to end.

The “Rhino Conservation Experience” is available only to guests also participating in Crystal’s mid-cruise, off-ship Overland Adventure to the Phinda Private Game Reserve. The Overland Adventure, which departs from Durban and returns to Port Elizabeth, features two nights of luxury accommodation and game drives in search of lions, elephants, buffalo and leopards. 

The full 21-night sailing departs Singapore for Jakarta, Mauritius, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town (overnight) with a two-night, inclusive pre-cruise programme to Bangkok and Cambodia beginning on March 7.  All-inclusive fly/cruise prices start from £6,344 per person if booked by January 3. The “Rhino Conservation Experience” costs $1,287 per person.

 

More info: call 020 7399 7601 or visit www. www.crystalcruises.co.uk.

 

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Crystal's Grand Far East Land Programme

Crystal Cruises is offering a new, complimentary inclusive three-night Extended Land Programme to Thailand and Cambodia with its March Asia-to-Africa World Cruise segment.

Prior to sailing from Singapore to Cape Town onboard Crystal Serenity, guests will embark on an exotic overland journey, first exploring Bangkok’s energetic markets, nightlife and heavenward temple spires, and then flying to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where they will visit some of the world’s most awe-inspiring spiritual monuments and landmarks such as:

• Angkor Wat – the world’s largest religious monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 12th century.
• The Grand Palace – a vast complex of buildings, pavilions and gardens, the palace has been the primary residence and official ceremonial site for Kings of Siam since 1782.
• Temples of the Emerald, Golden and Reclining Buddhas – the most sacred temple in Thailand, the world’s largest solid gold statue and one of the largest overall Buddha statues in the world, respectively.
• Angkor Night Market – open until at least midnight with more than 100 shops and merchants, the market sets the perfect scene for post-dinner shopping.
• Khmer Ruins – an array of ancient Cambodian architectural masterpieces, from Bayon Temple, known for its forest of heads and maze of dark rooms and galleries, to Ta Prohm, an Indiana Jones-like lost temple in the jungle, entwined in massive tree roots.
• Apsara Dance Performance – prima ballerinas from the Royal Ballet of Cambodia will perform this elaborate traditional dance exclusively for Crystal guests.

Included for guests sailing on the single “Temples & Safaris” itinerary (the fourth segment of Crystal’s 2014 World Cruise), the land programme begins on March 7 and features meals, inter-Asia transportation and a night at the Peninsula Bangkok, followed by two nights at the five-star Sokha Angkor Wat Resort. The cruise voyage begins March 10 with an onboard overnight in Singapore, then sails to Jakarta, Mauritius, Durban and Jakarta before finishing with an overnight in Cape Town.

With £452 per person in savings if booked by October 31, prices for the 21-night land/cruise itinerary start from £5,129 per person.

More info: call Crystal Cruises on 020 7399 7601 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk.

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Hapag-Lloyd's 2012/13 Expedition Season

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises announces the arrival of their March 2012-May 2013 expedition brochure. Their small and beautifully appointed expedition ships, MS Hanseatic and MS Bremen, will be offering 12 international (English/German) itineraries next season.

They include travel in Antarctica, the Northwest Passage, Greenland, Spitsbergen, Norway, the Amazon, the South Seas and New Zealand. In addition, the expedition itineraries feature new ports of call in Madagascar and Mozambique and a maiden voyage through theSea of Okhotsk in Russia’s Far East.

The two ships were created to provide intensive exploration in the most elegant surroundings for a maximum of 184 guests on Hanseatic and 164 on Bremen.

Expedition Highlights:

Sea of Okhotz

For the first time, Hanseatic sets out to circumnavigate the Sea of Okhotsk in Russia’s Far East, taking guests to volcanoes, geysers and glaciers. Zodiac stops will include Iony, a tiny island populated by sea lions, and Shantar Islands and Malminskie Islands, natural sanctuaries for songbirds, birds of prey, seals and sea otters.

Indian Ocean

Guests will experience lemurs in pristine nature, animals in the wild, and wonderful beaches on romantic coasts through Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique and South Africa. This tropical 16-day adventure will include ports in Madagascar and a first time stop in Mozambique.

The Northwest Passage

In 2012, the popular exploration route will be offered on board Hanseatic. It starts in Nome/Alaska amidst impressive testimonies of the Inuit culture before sailing through the Canadian Arctic, the heart of the Northwest Passage and ending in Reykjavik/Iceland.

Antarctica

Glaciers, icebergs, deep fjords and bays offer the setting for an unforgettable Antarctic expedition. In addition to observing bird colonies, guests will also have the opportunity to explore the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, bath in the hot springs on Deception Island and observe whales in the Antarctic Sound.

For more info, visit www.hl-cruises.com or contact the UK's expedition cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands

By guest blogger Steve Newman

If you’re new to cruising or are simply looking for one of the best cruise-holiday package deals around, then why not have a look at MSC Cruises?

During their South Africa cruise for example, their classic ship MSC Melody (above) will stop off at Port Louis, the capital and main port on the island of Mauritius. Offering an interesting and relaxing day trip on shore, Port Louis is just one of the exciting and varied destinations that you’ll find along the company’s South African cruise itinerary.

Glimpsed from the ship, this island in the Indian Ocean rises out of a shimmering sea, displaying its famous ring of mountains that shelter the bustling harbour and port, a centre of commerce and trade for the island. Historically in Dutch and French ownership, the two cultures have left their mark on this charming city.

Port Louis has conserved many historic and colonial buildings through the years and elegant, well-preserved French buildings from the 17th century are a treat for architecture buffs. Those in the mood for a spot of shopping will find plenty of enticing items, either in the covered markets, the amazing Port Louis Bazaar or along the well-appointed main streets lined with palm trees.

The cruise starts and ends at Durban in South Africa and includes ports of call at Point Des Galets on the fabulous French speaking, wildly tropical island of Reunion with its spectacular scenery and volcano, and Fort Dauphin on Madagascar, one of the world’s most incredible islands with its forests and Lemurs.

MSC also offer mini-cruises in South Africa on MSC Sinfonia. If you need to find out more, have a look at http://www.msccruises.co.uk/

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