Princess Cruises’ Australia sailings in 2016 on sale

Bookings can now be made on Princess Cruises’ Australia-based voyages in 2016. A total of 69 cruises are on offer, sailing from February to October 2016. They depart from Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle.

The cruises call at destinations including New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Hawaii and Singapore.

They feature a 113-day world cruise, split into 20 different itineraries, which will visit destinations as varied as Easter Island, Dubai, Machu Picchu and St Petersburg. Guests booking on the world cruise before 31 August 31 2015 will receive up to £600 on-board credit per person and a stateroom upgrade wherever possible.

Prices start at £1,549 per person for a 15-night sailing from  Australia to New Zealand, £889 per person for 10 nights in the South Pacific and £6,579 per person for the 49-night London to Sydney leg of the world cruise, which travels via New York, the Panama Canal and South America.

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Adventure Cruising blog

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Chimu's Antarctic Adventures

Specialist Antarctica and Latin America tour operator Chimu Adventures have released their new dedicated Antarctica brochure, including sailings from Ushuaia, Hobart and Bluff, as well as fly-cruise departures from Punta Arenas. These wonderful voyages take in the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula, mainland Antarctica and East Antarctica.

The brochure contains numerous trips from South America including Classic Antarctica,Quest for the Antarctic Circle, Falklands and South Georgia and the Weddell Sea Quest, along with Mawson’s Antarctica and Southern Ocean Safari from New Zealand.  

To add to the experience of the white continent, there are numerous excursions available. Clients can take excursions ashore, sea kayak, ski, dive, mountaineer and even camp. Additionally, there are a host of alternative adventure options available, including discovering the South Pole on a ski craft, exploring an Emperor Penguin rookery and expeditions from the remote Union Glacier Camp.

A 9-night Classic Antarctica cruise with Chimu Adventures costs from £2,800 per person.

More info: visit http://www.chimuadventures.com/country/antarctica

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!

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Great Offers From Oceania

If you're looking for the perfect New Year cruise bargain, this latest little selection from Oceania Cruises may be just the ticket.

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND

Feb 26: 16 nights, £3,589, saving £1,975
A $300 per stateroom onboard credit is being offered to guests booking Oceania's `Splendours Down Under’ cruise on the 1,250-guest luxury ship Marina, renowned for its culinary excellence, wine pairing centre and hands-on cookery school. The sailing of New Zealand’s south-eastern coastline concludes in Australia, to call into Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney.

CARIBBEAN

March 28: Caribbean Hideaways, 10 nights, from £1,809, saving £959
Cruise the Caribbean islands of Tortola (above), Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Barts on board new luxury cruise ship Riviera, also with a $300 per stateroom credit to spend in the ship’s bars, spa and boutiques. 

MEDITERRANEAN

July 3: 10 nights, Rome to Venice, £1,339, saving £1,590 
Oceania has a saving of £1,590pp off its `Italian Escapade’ cruise from Rome to Venice, calling into Livorno, Sorrento, Capri, Positano, Sicily, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Venice. The cruise is on the line's latest luxury vessel, the 1,250-guest Riviera. 

In all cases, the cruise price includes return UK flights, all meals, no supplement for specialty dining, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks.

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

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Bag A Last-Minute Holiday Cruise With Holland America

Holland America Line is gearing up for some great last-minute bookings for their festive sailings across the Caribbean, South America, Antarctica, New Zealand, China, Vietnam and the Canary Islands. While at sea, guests can choose to participate in a number of festive activities, from special film screenings, a visit from Santa and eggnog in the Atrium, to a delicious Christmas brunch and Santa’s milk-and-cookie late-night snack!

There will also be Catholic, Protestant and Jewish clergy on-board to perform religious services. Guests can take advantage of Holland America’s fantastic facilities to make it a Christmas to remember, from taking a cookery class at the Culinary Arts Centre and keeping fit at the onboard fitness centre to indulging in a sumptuous treatment at The Greenhouse Spa. 

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

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Crystal's Lord of the Rings Adventure

Known for its ingenuity in global adventure, Crystal Cruises is offering an exclusive new dinner experience on the “Hobbiton” set used for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the new prequel film. 

The unique shore-side opportunity will debut just days after The Hobbit opens worldwide when Crystal Symphony calls in Tauranga during a New Zealand/Australia holiday cruise beginning December 20. The Crystal Adventure will also be offered on a January 29 voyage through the region.

The two local cultures of New Zealand and “Middle Earth” will come alive, starting with a private,  after-hours guided tour of the village movie set. From Frodo and Bilbo Baggins’ Hobbit holes to the Brandywine Bridge, guests will enter buildings and stroll rolling hills, while learning about the massive efforts undertaken to build the site. On the grounds of the hobbit-frequented Green Dragon Inn, with a beautiful sunset view overlooking the lake and Mill, guests will enjoy a bevy of  extraordinary local wine and beers, a traditional Kiwi barbeque and other fresh dishes served by waiting staff in Lord of the Rings garb.

The cost of the Hobbiton dinner and village exploration is $265/person. A second Lord of the Rings-themed Adventure is also offered on both cruises, visiting Edoras’ home, Mt. Potts Station and Lodge, and New Zealand’s Southern Alps from Christchurch.

The December 20 voyage - which also offers gourmet holiday cuisine, festive décor, a Master Photographer capturing memories and a complimentary New Year’s Eve extravaganza in Sydney Harbour - overnights in Auckland before sailing through Tauranga, Napier, Christchurch, Dunedin, Sydney (double overnight), Melbourne (overnight) and Dusky, Doubtful and Milford Sounds. All-inclusive “Book Now” fares for the 16-night Christmas/New Year’s sailing start from £7,600 per person. 

The January 29 cruise also stops overnight in Auckland then overnights in Tauranga and proceeds through Napier, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin and the Sounds before concluding with an overnight in Sydney. All-inclusive “Book Now” fares for the 13-night sailing start from £4,672 per person, with £1,563 in savings if booked by December 31.

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

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Oceania Expands Culinary Tours To South Pacific

Oceania Cruises is expanding its Culinary Discovery Tours to the South Pacific in 2013, on the award-winning mid-sized luxury cruise ship Marina. Uniquely designed for each port, Culinary Discovery Tours provide guests with the opportunity to explore local food markets, vineyards and farms in small groups, side-by-side with an expert chef from the ship’s Bon Appétit Culinary Center. Participants then join the chef in the fully equipped cookery school for a hands-on cooking lesson of the regional cuisine in one of 24 workstations.

The new South Pacific Culinary Discovery Tours are offered in the Bay of Islands and Tauranga, New Zealand on the 18-day South Pacific Paradise cruise. Departing Papeete, Tahiti, on February 7, the cruise calls on 11 ports throughout French Polynesia, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia before arriving in New Zealand.

“A Chef-Insider's Food & Wine Feast” Culinary Discovery Tour in the Bay of Islands visits Kerikeri, a horticultural centre and home to Ake Ake winery for a tasting with the head vintner and a meal created from locally grown foods depending on what's fresh that day. Guests might expect a regional dish prepared with seafood from the Bay of Islands, such as Pan-Roasted Snapper with Capsicum Coulis.

The Culinary Discovery Tour in Tauranga, “Maori ‘Kai’ Cooking Demo and Kiwi Fruit,” explores a flourishing kiwi orchard followed by a trip to the lakes of Rotorua for a traditional Maori luncheon featuring native herbs and ingredients used by the indigenous people of New Zealand.

Marina also sails three additional South Pacific voyages with highlights that include overnight calls on Easter Island and Bora Bora, cruising the Tuamotu Archipelago and crossing the international dateline. Additional sailings include:

Ancient Legends – a 20-day holiday sailing between Valparaiso, Chile, and Papeete, visiting Robinson Crusoe Island, Hanga Roa (Chile), Adamstown (Pitcairn Islands) and Fakarava, Moorea and Bora Bora (French Polynesia). Departure: December 27, 2012.

Tahitian Breeze – an 11-day voyage round-trip from Papeete, with visits to Bora Bora and ports in the Marquesas Islands. Departures: January 16 and January 27.

With free air, bonus savings of up to £3,184 per stateroom and free pre-paid gratuities, guests will find exploring the exotic South Pacific with Oceania an extraordinary value. Bonus savings and free pre-paid gratuities are offered on bookings made by December 31.

The Bon Appétit Culinary Center on Oceania's Riviera and Marina features 24 fully equipped workstations. Induction cook-tops and convection ovens afford participants the opportunity to gain a hands-on cooking experience. Classes cater to all levels of aptitude, from beginner to master-chef level.

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

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Meet Shackleton & Scott With Quark Expeditions

Quark Expeditions, the leader in polar adventures, has announced Jonathan Shackleton (cousin of Sir Ernest Shackleton) and Falcon Scott (grandson of Robert Falcon Scott) will be guest lecturers aboard their 11-day Antarctic Explorer voyage, departing February 9 from Ushuaia, Argentina.

Shackleton and Scott will join the voyage as part of a unique Expert-in-Residence programme available exclusively aboard the Ocean Diamond featuring noted scientists, photographers and historians, renowned for their expertise in the Polar Regions. Their lectures will add additional insight to the voyage and will afford passengers the opportunity to experience the expedition with them in an intimate and conversational environment as well as within the context of the lecture theatre.

Jonathan Shackleton is a leading expert on the life and achievements of Ernest Shackleton and is author of Shackleton: An Irishman in Antarctica and The Shackletons of Ballitore (1580-1987). Falcon Scott maintains a long-time interest in the Antarctic and his grandfather's expeditions, and recently spent more than a month in Antarctica working with New Zealand’s Antarctic Heritage Trust as a restoration carpenter to weather-proof his grandfather’s famous expedition base hut.

Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent – 11 days from £5,370 for a twin cabin. Quark is currently offering a special promotion on this voyage: book one passenger and the second saves 50% on this voyage or any Quark 2012/13 Antarctic voyage if reserved by November 30. 

For more info on Antarctica cruises, follow this link The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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Regent's New Winter Collection

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has a special offer to go with the unveiling of its new Winter Collection for 2013/14, which features voyages to South America, Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, the Caribbean and Alaska.

As part of the launch, the ultra-luxury line is offering a complimentary one-night, post-cruise luxury hotel package on all Winter Collection itineraries booked by December 31. Additional collection highlights include three new ports, five Grand Voyages with exclusive amenities, and special offers on pre and post-cruise land programmes.

Recognised as the most inclusive luxury cruise experience, all Regent sailings also include all-suite accommodations, 97% with private balconies, gourmet cuisine, premium spirits and fine wines, free shore excursions, gratuities, and a pre-cruise luxury hotel stay, at no additional cost.

2013-2014 Winter Collection Highlights

From November 2013 through to June 2014, the all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Voyager visits the South Pacific and Asia (above), with stops in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, China, Japan and India, offering guests a variety of itineraries ranging from 10 – 136-nights including four Grand Voyages.

Regent also offers a specially priced three-night pre or post-cruise land programme for £318pp on select South Pacific and Asia itineraries. These include Angkor Wat, Beijing and the Great Wall of China, Hong Kong and Sydney, as well as Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, two new land programmes.

Seven Seas Mariner returns to South America where guests can sail along the mighty Amazon, cruise around Cape Horn, explore the Panama Canal and visit the largest Magellanic Penguin colony in the world. Sailings range from 10 to 70 nights including the coveted “Circle South America” Grand Voyage.

In March 2014, the 700-guest, all-suite, all-balcony ship heads back to the Mediterranean with a grand crossing from Rio de Janeiro to Barcelona featuring maiden calls in Dakar, Senegal, and Tangier, Morocco

The newly refurbished, all-suite Seven Seas Navigator explores the tropics, with 16 departures round-trip from Miami to the Caribbean, ranging from seven to 24 nights and including a maiden call in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The ship then departs Miami on April 21 for an 18-night voyage to San Francisco, transiting the Panama Canal to begin its  popular cruises in Alaska.

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

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Crystal's Wine & Food-Themed Cruises

Australasian and Balinese culinary arts will kick off ultra-luxury Crystal Cruises’ 2013 Wine & Food-themed series, with regional star chefs and wine experts headlining two new, 12-night Crystal Symphony itineraries: Australia/New Zealand departing January 17 and Australia/Bali departing February 11.

Connoisseurs can also indulge in optional, intimate Vintage Room dining experiences, offering multiple courses paired with extraordinary wines.

The voyages offer intimate access to each country’s culinary capitals, from the renowned wine regions of South Australia and Wellington to New South Wales’ fine dining and Northern Territory’s outback pubs. The January “Koalas and Kiwis” itinerary explores Brisbane, Newcastle and Sydney (overnight), before sailing through stunning Milford, Doubtful and Dusky Sounds en route to Dunedin, Christchurch/Lyttelton, Wellington, and Auckland. 

The February “Reefs and Rainforest” voyage overnights in Sydney before venturing north through the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane, the Whitsunday Islands/Hamilton, Cairns, Darwin and Benoa/Bali.

All-inclusive prices are £4,627 per person fly/cruise and £2,610 per person cruise-only respectively. Three additional Wine & Food-themed voyages are also scheduled for May, July and November in other regions.

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

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Noble Caledonia's New Zealand Sky

Those of you who have travelled on Noble Caledonia’s Island Sky will already know what a superb vessel she is. Now the company have announced that her sister ship Caledonian Sky will be luxury small-ship cruising in New Zealand and Australia in January and February 2013.

If you are going to travel half way around the world, you need a good reason, and what better reason could you have than the desire to visit one of the most beautiful places on earth? New Zealand is a land of stunning landscapes and warm people, which is why it is always high on travellers’ wish lists. With vast open spaces filled with stunning rugged landscapes, gorgeous beaches, spectacular geothermal and volcanic activity, a temperate climate and fascinating animal and plant life, it is a land of rare beauty.

A circumnavigation of the North Island offers the unusual opportunity to visit the lesser known west coast. Call into the quaint city of New Plymouth, explore the Waipoua Kauri Forest, one of the largest remaining tracts of native forest in Northland, and discover the awe-inspiring scenery of the Bay of Islands. Visit the iconic cities of Auckland, Napier and Wellington and journey to the thermal springs at Rotorua, a myriad of gurgling mudpools, steaming ground and expansive vistas. 

Now: Book by October 31 and save £1,000 per person.

Special note: Although this cruise is not classified as expeditionary, on some days it will be necessary to use the Zodiac landing craft to access remote ports and land ashore. 

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

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Zegrahm Add Caledonian Sky To Fleet

We're big fans of adventure-cruising here at World of Cruising, and Zegrahm Expeditions are always a company we're keen to hear about, so they definitely got our attention this week when they announced a new addition to their line-up. As a quick aside, the Caledonia Sky (above) has also sailed for upmarket British adventuring company Noble Caledonia and was also the Hebridean Spirit of Hebridean Island Cruises. Here's what they say:

Zegrahm Expeditions, the leader in small-ship cruising and overland adventures, has announced a new addition to its fleet, the Caledonian Sky.

Zegrahm will introduce the 100-passenger deluxe expedition vessel on its July 2013 Wild Alaska and  Bering Sea Expedition. During the winter of 2011-12, the ship underwent an extensive renovation, which included upgrading the cabins and public areas with contemporary furnishings and décor, as well as overhauling the engine and air-conditioning systems.

“Zegrahm is very excited to have this luxurious all-suite vessel for our 2013 season,” stated Jon Nicholson, President of Zegrahm Expeditions. “The Caledonian Sky and her fleet of Zodiacs will provide our guests easy access to remote shorelines and islands, and provide them with the ultimate Alaska expedition experience.”

Caledonian Sky is equipped with the latest safety, navigation and communications equipment along with roll stabilisers to minimize the ship's motion. The yacht-like suites are arranged over five decks. Each suite has outside views and affords considerable comfort with a sitting room and en-suite bathroom, while suites on the Bridge Deck offer private balconies.

Guests can take advantage of the spacious lounge and dining room, an elegant bar with piano, and a library stocked with fiction and reference books along with a selection of games. In addition, there is an outdoor restaurant and bar and a sun deck with comfortable furniture for sun-bathing or relaxing with a book.

Other itineraries on the Caledonian Sky include:

Best of the Russian Far East: Jul 24-Aug 13, 2013
Australia’s Kimberley, Voyage to the Outback: Sep 12-26, 2013
Tasmania, New Zealand & Sub-Antarctic Islands: Nov 25-Dec 15, 2013

For bookings, see this link for The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's leading adventure-cruise experts.

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Crystal's Special Regional Flights Offer

Crystal Cruises has teamed up with Emirates Airlines to offer its guests direct departures from Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham on a selection of Australia/New Zealand voyages this winter.

Flights from these regional airports (via Dubai) are now available for the following cruises: 

December 20: 16-night “Southern Summer Holiday” from Auckland to Melbourne with fly/cruise prices from £7,582 per person (based on ex-Glasgow flight).

January 5: 12-night “Southern Australia Sojourn” from Melbourne to Brisbane with fly/cruise prices from £4,179 per person (based on ex-Newcastle flight).

January 17: 12-night “Koalas & Kiwis” from Brisbane to Auckland with fly/cruise prices from £4,638 per person (based on ex-Birmingham and Manchester flights).

January 29: 13-night voyage from Auckland to Sydney with fly/cruise prices from £4,697 per person (based on ex-Newcastle flight)

All fares are based on double occupancy and are subject to availability. Prices include return economy flights from Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle or Birmingham with Emirates (via Dubai), overseas transfers, one night pre-cruise hotel stay, post cruise hospitality and onboard accommodation in a deluxe stateroom with picture window, with all meals and soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages, gratuities and port taxes.

 

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

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Hapag-Lloyd's Expedition Season

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is offering 12 expedition itineraries operated in English/German in the season 2013/2014. Their small and beautifully appointed expedition ships, MS Hanseatic and MS Bremen will be travelling to Alaska, Spitsbergen, Iceland, Greenland, the Northwest Passage, the Amazon, Chilean Fjords, Antarctica, the South Seas, New Zealand, Antarctica, Africa and Madagascar. 

The Hanseatic, a 5-star expedition ship and the Bremen, a 4-star-plus version, were created to provide intensive exploration in elegant surroundings for a maximum of 184 and 164 guests respectively. Here are the highlights.

The Earth’s Most Southern Continent – Antarctica

Antarctica Circle: This 18-day itinerary on Hanseatic is from February 13-March 3, 2013. Rates start at $12,760 per person. The 18-day itinerary on Bremen is from January 9-27, 2014, with rates from $10,890.

Secrets of the Exotic Pacific – New Zealand and The South Seas

New Zealand: This 15-day itinerary on Bremen is from March 4-19, 2013, from Bluff to Auckland, with rates from $7,240.

South Seas Spring

This 17-day itinerary on Bremen, with stops in Australia, New Caledonia and Fiji, is from March 19-April 5, 2013, from Auckland to Fiji, with rates from $8,100.

South Seas Fall

Hanseatic's 22-day cruise in 2013 makes stops in Palau, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Island, from October 15-November 6, sailing from Manila in the Philippines to Fiji, with rates from $11,390 per person.  

Three Adventures in One – Spitsbergen, Iceland, Greenland

This 18-day itinerary is from July 14-August 1, 2013, from Longyearbyen/Spitsbergen to Kangerlussuaq/Greenland, with rates from $11,740.

The World’s Most Mysterious Route – The Northwest Passage

Sailing a 24-day itinerary is this offering from August 16-September 9, 2013, from Kangerlussuaq in Greenland to Nome, Alaska. Rates for this itinerary start at $20,320 per person.

Paradise on Earth – Expedition Madagascar and Africa

This 17-day itinerary is from December 1-18, 2013, from Port Louis in Mauritius to Cape Town, South Africa, with ratyes from $7,020.

For more info on Hapag-Lloyd's adventuring cruises and bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK’s leading adventure-cruise specialists.

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Golf Cruising In New Zealand

Well known for spectacular mountains, towering fjords and lush forests, New Zealand is also renowned as one of the world’s top destinations for golfers. Orion Expedition Cruises’ South Pacific Golf Expedition from Lyttleton to Auckland will open the door to a number of spectacular and challenging New Zealand golf courses. Included on the world’s top 100 list, these courses are on every golfer’s wish list - made all the better by experiencing them from the comfort of a small floating hotel, the highly awarded luxurious expedition cruise ship, Orion.

This voyage includes green fees for five rounds of golf at Royal Wellington, Cape Kidnappers (two rounds) and Kauri Cliffs (two rounds), cart hire and golf club transportation to and from the ship for each golf course visited.

Friends or partners who are not yet keen golfers have not been forgotten as there is much to delight and excite them on this voyage. While golfers may be hitting an Albatross, their partners may be observing nesting gannets at Cape Kidnappers or sipping a crisp white at one of New Zealand’s renowned wineries.

Each day will reveal something special. From Wellington, where colourful Victorian houses grace the steep hills surrounding one of the prettiest harbours in the southern hemisphere, to the dramatic coastlines and extraordinary seascapes.

The eight-night South Pacific Golf Expedition departs Lyttleton on February 16, 2013, and visits Wellington, Marlborough Sound, Napier and Whangaroa before finishing in Auckland. Prices are from £4,385 per person, including eight nights onboard Orion, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, green fees, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

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



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Australia Tops For Zegrahm's Adventure Cruisers

Zegrahm Expeditions, a leader in adventure travel for the past 20 years, is excited to announce the findings of a recent survey of adventure travellers. When asked to share regions of most interest, 63 per cent of survey participants listed Australia, making the island-continent the top adventure travel destination for 2013.

“Based on the findings of our travel trends survey, we introduced a number of new itineraries to Australia and the Pacific regions for 2013,” stated Zegrahm president Jon Nicholson. “I am pleased to report that pre-reservations for these itineraries are selling exceptionally well, and overall pre-bookings are equal to or exceeding our most popular itineraries in 2012.”

The survey also revealed a number of other areas of interest for travel in 2013. Adventure travellers reported that 57 per cent would like to visit Asia and 49 per cent listed Central and South America as a top choice. In contrast, the Middle East was the area of least interest, with only 34 per cent expressing interest to visit the region (respondents were asked to check all areas of interest so percentages don’t add up to 100%.)

Featured itineraries in 2013 Include:

Rain Forests & Reefs — Belize to Costa Rica: 15-day journey departing March 8, 2013, aboard the Island Sky
Australia’s Kimberley — 15-day journey departing September 12, 2013, aboard the Caledonian Sky
Tasmania, Sub-Antarctic Islands & New Zealand —20-day journey departing November 25, 2013, aboard the Caledonian Sky
Mongolia —18-day overland adventure departing August 20, 2013
Circumnavigation of Sumatra —19-day journey departing January 2, 2013, aboard the Clipper Odyssey (above)
Vietnam & Cambodia by Sea —19-day journey departing January 27, 2013, aboard the Clipper Odyssey

In addition to the destination findings, Zegrahm learned that 20 per cent of adventure travellers usually travel solo and the company is now offering lower single rates in 2013 on all ship-based itineraries.

For booking details in the UK, be sure to check this link with the leading adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Crystal's VIP Fireworks To Ring In New Year In Sydney

Although it’s only February, Crystal Cruises is reminding travellers it’s never too early to start planning New Year’s Eve by releasing details of an ultra-luxury, private floating party in Sydney Harbour to welcome in 2013. The over-the-top celebration offers exclusive front-row “seats” to the world’s biggest New Year’s fireworks, free for guests of all ages on Crystal Symphony’s culinary-themed seasonal cruise through New Zealand and Australia beginning December 20.

The New Year celebrations unfold onboard two luxury catamarans, sailing past Sydney’s crowd-lined shores in the exclusive, select-vessel Harbour of Light Parade flotilla. Crystal has specially-arranged final VIP stationing under Sydney Harbour Bridge, inside the off-limits Harbour Exclusion Zone, for the pre-eminent fireworks vantage point. The intimate post-dinner soiree includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts, premium open bar, music, dancing, midnight champagne countdown, Crystal’s renowned six-star service and spectacular city views, with guests among the globe’s first ringing in 2013.

This 16-night Christmas and New Year sailing from Auckland to Melbourne features stunning festive decorations, gourmet Christmas dinner, Chanukah traditions and other seasonal delights during overnights in Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney (two nights), plus calls in Tauranga, Napier, Christchurch/Lyttleton and Dunedin. Numerous experts - including guest chefs, mixologist, oenologist, oceanographer, conservation biologist, CBS News correspondent and South African Ambassador - are also scheduled to host enlightening destination-related presentations.

Until February 28, “Book Now” cruise-only fares for the 16-night voyage start at just £8,005 per person, based on two sharing a deluxe stateroom with picture window on an all-inclusive basis, including fine wines and premium spirits throughout the ship plus pre-paid gratuities for housekeeping, bar and dining staff.

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

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Celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Tour In Royal Style

With members of the Royal family set to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by touring the globe in 2012, why not follow in their footsteps and embark on a majestic adventure of your own with Royal Caribbean? 

Follow in Prince Harry's footsteps and visit The Bahamas on board the world’s biggest cruise ship Allure of the Seas, on a nine-night Eastern Caribbean fly/cruise from £1,516 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin). The price includes return flights from London Heathrow, one-night pre-cruise hotel accommodation, transfers and a seven-night cruise departing Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and calling at Nassau (Bahamas), Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas) and Philipsburg (St. Maarten) before returning to Fort Lauderdale; all meals and entertainment on board; and all relevant cruise taxes/fees, based on a March 4 departure. 

Or follow the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall Down Under on Radiance of the Seas on a 20-night Australia & New Zealand fly/cruise from £2,585.00 per person (based on two sharing an inside cabin). This price includes return flights from London Heathrow, one-night pre-cruise hotel accommodation, transfers, and an 18-night cruise departing Perth (Australia) and calling at Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart (all Australia), and Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington (all New Zealand) before arriving in Sydney; all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Price is based on an October 28 departure.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's leading specialist cruise agents, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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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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Aurora's Antarctica

Aurora Expeditions voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula for next season are filling fast, buoyed by the popularity of their brand-new fly-sail options to Antarctica and South Georgia. Departing South America, they have been designed to reduce sea time and increase time at the destination. Also popular are their voyages with exciting adventure activities, including sea kayaking, camping, photography, climbing and scuba diving.

Next season, the Australian adventure cruise company will also celebrate the centenary of renowned Australian explorer Sir Douglas Mawson and his first Australasian Antarctic Expedition. A milestone in Australian Antarctic history, this special occasion is being marked with three 'Mawson Centenary Celebration' voyages to Mawson Huts and Commonwealth Bay, departing both Australia and New Zealand.

Aurora Expeditions, the pioneers of ship-based adventures in this part of the world, are committed to small, low-impact groups keen to experience the Antarctic in many ways, whether by walking, scuba diving, kayaking or just sitting quietly and absorbing the surrounding magnificence.

The 2011/12 itineraries reflect this commitment. Voyages start from $5,900, with trips to East Antarctica from $6,500.

For more info, visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Oceania Cruises adds South Pacific and Hawaii

New for Oceania Cruises’ 2011/12 winter collection are 27 unique itineraries, of which 16 are totally new, along with new destinations that include Hawaii and South Pacific, including Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga and American Samoa, as well as a return to Australia and New Zealand. Cruise-only fares start from £499 per person (Marina, January 3, 2012, 10-night Caribbean Islands in the Sun voyage).

Oceania Cruises specialises in exceptional cruise experiences with a focus on cuisine, comfort and service, with a wide choice of fine dining restaurants – including speciality dining at no extra charge - on each of their four ships. The brand new (in January) 1,250-guest Marina also adds two speciality restaurants and two private dining venues.

New itineraries include an 11-night sailing around the spectacular and exotic islands of French Polynesia on the 684-passenger mid-sized luxury cruise ship, Regatta. The `Tahitian Breeze’ itinerary departs from Papeete on January 6, 2012, and costs from £1,061pp, including all meals, no supplement for specialtiy dining, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks (excluding flights).

Other highlights include a new Dubai to Cape Town cruise, showcasing Arabia and Africa; popular Amazon River cruise to depart from New York City; a new 16-day South America cruise round-trip from Valparaiso, offering the opportunity to discover rarely-visited Nazca Lines, plus Machu Picchu; and a grand 35-day Hong Kong to Athens adventure via the Suez Canal.

For more information, visit http://www.oceaniacruises.co.uk/ or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line.

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