Istanbul and Skagway - two of CLIA captain's favourite ports

Day two of CLIA's  Cruise Captains and their favourite ports. 

Istanbul, Turkey – Captain John Westgarth-Pratt, Thomson Cruises

“My current favourite has to be a sunrise arrival in Istanbul, Turkey.  As this huge city split between two continents awakes, the morning layers of mist lift from the surface of the Bosphorous.  The sunrise over the Asiatic side also illuminates the minarets and grand domes of the Haghia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.

“The ship’s course then alters slightly to place the towering Bosphorous suspension bridge straight ahead, leaving the Maiden’s Tower close to starboard – then the ship swings 180° to port through the strong strait currents and morning ferry traffic. A slow approach is then made to enter the Golden Horn estuary and berth starboard side alongside the Salipazari terminal in the very heart of the city. There really is no better way to enjoy and appreciate the dramatic skyline and architecture of Istanbul than arriving by sea at dawn.”

 Skagway, Alaska – Captain Daniel Green, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

“What I really enjoy is nature and one time, so my favourite port has got to be Skagway, Alaska.  The last time I visited, we were accompanied by some killer whales on the approach. I slowed the ship and we cruised alongside each other for a long time.  The sight was breath-taking and forms some of my best memories at sea". 

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Cruise Nation Features Alaska Wilderness

We are huge fans of Alaska cruises here at World of Cruising, and here is something a bit different that promises to provide even more of that Big Country experience - award-winning tour operator Cruise Nation has launched new Alaskan cruise packages for this year with adventurous travellers firmly in mind.

In particular, intrepid cruisers can expect to sail through the wondrous ice landscape of the Tracy Arm Fjord, enjoy stop-offs at Alaska’s capital city, Juneau, and the fascinating gold rush town of Skagway, as well as stays in Seattle and Vancouver on an Alaskan cruise break with a difference.

The Alaskan cruises are part of Cruise Nation’s increasingly popular Smart Package options, which provide first-time cruisers and established cruise passengers with exclusive deals at unbeatable prices. Time-consuming DIY holidays are also given a run for their money as the packages come with free added extras, including free hotel stays and room upgrades.

Cruise Nation managing director Phil Evans explained: “Our new packages take full advantage of the awe-inspiring Alaskan wilderness and are going some way to shift the perception that cruise holidays only take in the fail-safe itineraries of the Mediterranean and Caribbean. We’re really excited to launch our new range, as they were created with the adventurous cruise traveller in mind, who wants to explore more of the world, whilst enjoying all the comforts and camaraderie of a cruise."

Get onboard an Alaska Glacier Bay Cruise and enjoy mini breaks in Vancouver and Seattle  from £1,299pp (a saving of £500pp), plus two free night stays in Vancouver and Seattle and a balcony room, if booked by March 31.

Return flights from London Heathrow are included in the price, departing on April 26 on the Carnival Miracle. This cruise holiday with a difference will begin with a 2-night stay in Vancouver, where visitors can wander around its top museum and gallery attractions all to the backdrop of its majestic snow-capped mountains. 

The Alaskan cruise will then take in the sights of Juneau, as well as fascinating Skagway, before sailing past the impressive ice landscapes of Glacier Bay (pictured). The Alaskan voyage will then end in Seattle, where there will be one night to explore the city’s bohemian Pike Place Market and travel to the top of the iconic Space Needle for incredible views of the city.

More info: call 0800 408 0758 or visit www.cruisenation.com. 

The next edition of World of Cruising will be out this week, and you can see the current version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link.

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An Un-Cruise Alaska Adventure - Part 3

Legacy Cruise – Day 3

Still giddy from the previous day’s huge amount of sight-seeing and wildlife-viewing – especially the bears – we knew today would also be another long and involving one, albeit without leaving the ship.

Today we would be in the magnificent United Nations biosphere reserve of Glacier Bay, arriving at 6am to pick up our Park Ranger guide for the day and not leaving again until after dinner.

We were therefore wide awake at 5.59am (and not just due to the big time difference in Alaska!) and up with our cold-weather gear on and binoculars in hand in time to watch the grand entry into this stunning realm of glaciers and wildlife.

To say it was a memorable day would be a major understatement (despite some intermittently gloomy weather, that actually added a rather moody quality to the proceedings).

We took in three main glaciers and several minor ones; we approached within a half a mile of the extensive Margerie Glacier and were rewarded with an immense display of ‘calving’ as several large pieces of the glacier front fell into the fjord with resounding cracks; we enjoyed

an ultra-rare sailing into the protected harbour seal colony of John Hopkins Inlet (where only small ships may venture at certain times of the year); and we got up close to the boisterous male sea-lion colony on South Marble Island, where a pinniped game of ‘king of the hill’ was in full swing.

In between we marvelled at the immensity of the glaciers and the deep mountains they spring from; enjoyed two more immaculate meals in the Klondike Dining Room; watched eagerly for humpback whales, and were rewarded with two fine showings, including one massive breaching; and counted sea otters, more seals and sea-lions, harbour porpoises and a massive variety of birdlife – such as puffins, cormorants and kittiwakes – among the great vastness of the Bay.

As if all that nature wasn’t enough, we were then regaled after dinner with another presentation from our costumed Victorian character actors in the Grand Salon, providing four fascinating vignettes of the life and times – and key glacial studies – of Scots naturalist John Muir (who went on to urge

President Teddy Roosevelt to start the National Parks programme) and gain even more insight into the Bay.

Truly, another amazing Un-Cruise Adventure day aboard the Legacy, but there is more to come – MUCH more, as we head tomorrow for a day cruising Icy Strait in search of more whales!

To learn more about Un-Cruise adventures, call 0877 263 9888 in the UK; 1888 862 8881 in the US; or visit www.un-cruise.com. In the UK, specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line can also help with bookings.

Be sure to read the full report of the cruise in the Autumn edition of World of Cruising, out September 20. You can subscribe here: http://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/subscribeOrder.html.

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An Un-Cruise Adventure - Part 2

Continuing our magnificent Alaskan voyage with Un-Cruise Adventures on their unique new SS Legacy...

Alaska Legacy Cruise – Day 2

We always knew our first full day at sea would be a busy one – but not quite THIS busy! We were up for breakfast at 6.30 and ready to leave for a tour of Skagway by 7.45. There were another three largeships in port (with the big Grand Princess unable to reach port because of high winds and low tide) but we were off and running before the multitude.

The organisation was first-class – three of the town’s classic 1920 street cars came to pick us up and gave us a full tour of the downtown area (which consists of barely 10 blocks!) before handing us off to a coach for the drive up into the mountains along the White Horse Pass – scene of the big 1898 gold rush stampede.

Once up into the interior, just across the Canadian border at Fraser, we awaited our return journey – by the White Horse Pass & Yukon Railway. This fabulous and extraordinary feat of engineering winds back down through the mountains to Skagway, through two tunnels and over

several rickety-looking trestle bridges, sticking firmly to the edge of the mountain and affording amazing views in every direction.

Back in town, we were whisked back to our original little ship in time for lunch while we set sail for the smaller town of Haines – a more modern settlement than Skagway, which literally grew up to feed the gold rush – and another included organised excursion.

This one took us to the Haines high points, including The Hammer Museum (I kid you not!) and the local history centre of The Sheldon Museum – a repository of all things south-east Alaskan – as well as Fort Seward, the original army base, decommissioned in 1947.

After our full Haines highlights excursion (like the morning’s, fully included with the cruise), there was an optional tour at $55 a head to go bear-watching. And there was no way we were turning that one down.

Our specialist guide picked us up from the centre of town and off we went to the Chilkoot River at 5pm sharp, ready for an evening of intense wildlife viewing.

Fully briefed on Alaska’s brown and black bears, we were told about the local brown bears and

their predilection for the nearby salmon river, where there was a high chance we would see them at their own ‘dinner hour.’

We stopped en route to watch the resident seals swimming up-river to join in the fishy feast, and then spotted a bald eagle family high atop the trees. We were able to stop by Chilkoot Lake (left) and continue our tour, all the time both watching the river-banks and listening for news of any other bear sightings on our guide’s walkie-talkie.

Finally, with time running out for our ship return, the news we had been eagerly awaiting came over the radio and we were off to the observation point – where a large brown mother bear and her cub casually wandered by on the opposite bank, stopping for any tasty salmon morsels that might already have been left out on the banks.

We happily snapped away as the two made their way past our observatory, then swam across the channel to pursue more dining opportunities on the beach. Excited, elated and just a little relieved, we returned to the Legacy.

Did I mention it was a busy day? Busy? We were exhausted by dinner-time, but still had (just about) enough energy to enjoy the evening’s excellent four-course meal and then a theatrical presentation in the main lounge featuring our four costumed interpreters, and Tales of Gold Rush Skagway.

It was a fitting end to a fairly tumultuous day, but an early night was called for as tomorrow is one of Alaska’s greatest treasures – Glacier Bay.

To learn more about Un-Cruise adventures, call 0877 263 9888 in the UK; 1888 862 8881 in the US; or visit www.un-cruise.com. In the UK, specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line can also help with bookings.

Be sure to read the full report of the cruise in the Autumn edition of World of Cruising, out September 20. You can subscribe here: http://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/subscribeOrder.html

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An Un-Cruise Adventure, Pt 1

Starting our full 12-day voyage with Un-Cruise Adventures in Alaska on the brand new SS Legacy...

Legacy Cruise, Day 1

Having arrived in Juneau overnight, we had the next day at our leisure before meeting up with the rest of our fellow time travellers for the next 12 days at the Westmark Baranof hotel, where the check-in process was handled with great aplomb.

Suitcases were tagged for cabin numbers and spirited away, to await our arrival on the ship, and a cast of four costumed 1898 characters then assumed control, regaling us with tales of the ‘Gold Rush’ experience to come.

The SS Legacy is a replica 88-passenger Victorian steamer ideal for this era. Fully refurbished by Un-Cruise, she is all-inclusive on board and with bags of personality and vintage style.

The official welcome aboard from a line-up of the crew was equally personable and we were guided straight to our stateroom, a compact-but-comfortable cabin on Deck 2 (of four). This pretty much set the scene perfectly for the days ahead – immensely friendly, history-tinged and stylish.

Big-ship cruising this is certainly not, and the majority of our fellow passengers are in the 60-plus range, with a good proportion from Australia and New Zealand.

After a comprehensive welcome briefing and safety procedure (which included mustering at the only ‘lifeboat station’ on board, on Deck 1), we set sail from Juneau, bidding goodbye to the state capital with a vintage blast on the ship’s whistle.

The daily ‘Happy Hour’ session in the main lounge spilled on to the plentiful open deck space as we sailed serenely out of the Gastineau Channel before giving way to our first dinner aboard.

Boasting 4 full courses, there was a three-way choice for the main course but otherwise a set menu that succeeded in being tasty, eye-pleasing – and not too large. Service was again of the personable persuasion, but also extremely efficient.

Dinner over, we were treated to one of our costumed interpreters giving us a full briefing on the 12 days ahead, with an included tour in each port of call, and several optional (paid-for) extras, including bear-watching and kayaking.

This is already shaping up with plenty of the ‘something different’ factor but also a genuinely distinguished and well-travelled style. Full luxury cruising it probably isn’t, but it succeeds in being a whole new world of boutique sea-going travel.

Tomorrow – Skagway and Haines.

To learn more about Un-Cruise adventures, call 0877 263 9888 in the UK; 1888 862 8881 in the US; or visit www.un-cruise.com. In the UK, specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line can also help with bookings.

Be sure to read the full report of the cruise in the Autumn edition of World of Cruising, out September 20. You can subscribe here: http://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/subscribeOrder.html

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Alaska Unleashed with InnerSea Discoveries

With more vessels and itinerary choices in Alaska than any previous year, un-cruise adventure operator InnerSea Discoveries and American Safari Cruises has unveiled 2013 rates and dates for its fleet of expedition vessels and yachts. New in 2013, a refurbished Safari Legacy joins the fleet of yachts while InnerSea Discoveries schedules three Alaska Unleashed cruises for the utmost in active adventures.

The 88-guest Legacy, an elegant vessel reminiscent of a gold-rush coastal steamer with Victorian décor, debuts with American Safari Cruises in summer 2013. Sailing week-long cruises between Ketchikan and Juneau, Alaska, the vessel visits Skagway, Haines, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, Glacier Bay and the remote fishing village of Pelican. On board, a Living History programme focuses on the storied past of Alaska, including the Klondike gold rush and historical characters such as naturalist and author John Muir, outlaw Soapy Smith and prospector Skookum Jim. Legacy Leaders and local guest storytellers bring the history and spirit of the past alive with period re-enactments and lively presentations.

“The Safari Legacy will be unique within our fleet and adds an option for those interested in exploring the port towns and history of Alaska,” said Tim Jacox, executive vice president of sales and marketing. “We’ll also offer more days inside Glacier Bay National Park, with six boats making regular visits, most for multiple days of exploration.”

Adventurers interested in more technical hikes, longer kayaking trips and more opportunities to be active out in the wilderness can choose to sail on one of three week-long Alaska Unleashed cruises aboard the Wilderness Adventurer. On these exclusive adventures, guest capacity is reduced from 60 to 36 guests to enable a more rigorous slate of outdoor activities. Dates are June 8, July 13 and August 10. For this advanced adventure programme, rates start at $5,595 per person based on double occupancy.

Specialising in active adventures in the wilderness, InnerSea Discoveries’ three expedition vessels include the 60-guest Adventurer and 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer and Wilderness Explorer. The upscale fleet of American Safari Cruises includes the 12-guest Safari Spirit, 22-guest Safari Quest, 36-guest Safari Explorer, 86-guest Safari Endeavour and 88-guest Safari Legacy.

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

PS: The new edition of World of Cruising magazine is now available online. Follow this link to read it and enjoy cruising even more!

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Junior Rangers To Inspire Kids on Crystal's Alaska Cruises

With multi-generational family bookings on the rise, Crystal Cruises is putting a special focus on family-friendliness for its Alaska summer series, with all-ages excursions, an extended Junior Activities programme and an alliance with the National Park Service for a Junior Rangers programme.

When Crystal Symphony (above) sails through Glacier Bay this May to August, park rangers will come on board to lead kid-friendly activities and presentations about the area’s natural history. Through interactive projects and activity books, children and teens can become park Junior Rangers, earning official badges and certificates.

“The adult rangers ask children to pledge to ‘help take care of special places’,” explains Vice President International Sales & Marketing, Philip Ordever. “Such innovative and collaborative education ensures that kids take a greater interest in the beautiful destinations they’re visiting.”

Complementing this programme will be extended hours of stimulating, tiered, on-board activities for children aged 3-17, led by Crystal-staffed Junior Activities Directors. Kids can meet for board games or arts and crafts in Crystal’s Fantasia playroom, for Sony PlayStation® 3, Nintendo Wii™ or Xbox 360TM video games in the Waves arcade, or participate in behind-the-scenes happenings like galley tours, scavenger hunts, sushi-making classes, and backstage costume “dress-up”.

Families can also take advantage of Hollywood Theatre movies, Library DVD and book check-outs, piano lessons, babysitting services or favourite “finicky eater” foods throughout the ship. On land, there are dozens of shore excursions designated as “family friendly”.

Nine 12-night San Francisco round-trips visit Victoria, Vancouver, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway/Haines, Ketchikan and either Hubbard Glacier or Glacier Bay. Departure dates are May 9 and 21; June 2, 14, 26; July 8 and 20; and August 1 and 13. Fly-cruise prices are from £3,998 per person, including return economy class flights, 12 nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window with all meals and soft drinks, port taxes and a $500 per person onboard credit.

In addition, Crystal is offerings its guests a choice of two fabulous options – they can choose either a free upgrade to World Traveller Plus or a complimentary three-night pre- or post-cruise land package in San Francisco that includes three nights accommodation at the five-star The Clift, a half-day city tour followed by a trip to Alcatraz Island, a full day wine-tasting tour to Sonoma and Napa Valley, a romantic Champagne dinner and use of an exclusive concierge service.

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

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Royal Caribbean's 2012 Alaska Programme

Royal Caribbean’s 2012 Alaska cruises on board Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas will mark the brand’s 23rd consecutive year sailing in the region.

Radiance will sail seven-night north and south-bound itineraries between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska, while Rhapsody will sail a series of seven-night cruises round-trip from Seattle. Royal Caribbean is also introducing a brand-new series of 20 cruise-tours, ranging from 10 to 18 nights.

For 2012, there will be three new Alaska cruise-tours on Radiance, creating 10 to 13-night cruise and land holidays.

All Royal Caribbean tours are escorted by dedicated Adventure Specialists. Included is a 12-night programme geared toward families, featuring a Resurrection Bay & Wildlife cruise, where participants can take in the region’s dramatic cliffs, alpine glaciers, marine life and seabirds, with a trip to scenic Fox Island (a nature lover’s delight); and excursions to the Anchorage Museum & Imaginarium, where families learn and explore art, history and science through play. The cruise-tour also includes an excursion to Denali National Park, complete with experiences designed specifically with families in mind.

A Canadian Rockies six-night cruise-tour will combine the destinations of Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Vancouver and Victoria with an overnight train journey aboard VIA Rail and accommodation at world-renowned Fairmont hotels. An 18-night Ultimate Cruise-Tour couples the Canadian Rockies pre-cruise with a five-night post-cruise Alaska land tour.

Radiance's seven-night northbound cruise schedule, from Vancouver to Seward, will cruise the Inside Passage and call at Alaska’s Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Hubbard Glacier (cruising). The southbound journey will reverse the itinerary. Sailing from Seattle, Rhapsody's seven-night cruises will sail the Inside Passage, calling at Juneau and Skagway, sailing past Tracy Arm Fjord and Sawyer Glacier.

For additional info, visit www.royalcaribbean.co.uk or contact the UK's leading specialist cruise agents, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Spectacular Anchorage

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Well, the Gold Rush may be long over, but there is another stampede starting to happen as more and more dedicated cruisers discover the natural wonders of Alaska.

Imagine standing on your private veranda watching humpbacked whales breaching, eagles soaring above you and then being one of the privileged few on Earth to spend a whole day in Glacier Bay National Park.

All of these - and much more - are now available from Holland America's 2011 Alaska cruise programme. The company have been cruising to Alaska longer than anyone else and also take tours into Canada's Yukon territory.

But it's the way that these comfortable mid-size ships seem dwarfed by snow-capped mountains that literally sit on the shoreline that stays longest in your memory here.

There are a wide range of cruises on offer in this marvellous area of the world, where names like Seattle, Anchorage, British Columbia and Vancouver are all steeped in Northwest history, to become vivid memories along with many of the smaller coastal places such as Kodiak, Skagway and Homer, still clinging to their pioneer heritage.

The scenery on this tour is simply breathtaking, from the stunning glaciers to the sheer beauty of sailing through the Inside Passage - a collection of islands and channels running along the coast (see above).

And, if you want to do your bit for the environment, Holland America have an excellent online check-in system as well to cut out on all that unnecessary paper.

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Mickey in Alaska?

It seemed to be the worst-kept secret in cruising, but Disney Cruise Line has finally announced they will be taking one of their ships to Alaska for the first time in 2011.

The House of Mouse has dabbled with the US West Coast a couple of times (in summer 2005 and '08) but a move to an Alaskan programme had been conspicuous by its absence, despite persistent rumours DCL was considering the idea.

Now Mickey and Co have finally charted a course for America's 49th state, with a summer series on Disney Wonder out of Vancouver from May 3 to Sept 6, 2011.

The 7-night cruises will visit the Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, with stops at the latter trio and fares starting at $939/person

The Wonder will sail a total of 18 seven-night cruises in Alaska, and also be equipped with a brand new venue called Outlook Café during a dry dock in October. Located high atop deck 10, the 2,500sq ft, 65-seat Café is a stylish retreat for a beverage or cocktail, with curved glass windows and panoramic views. The design uses contemporary Art Deco inspiration and an elegant spiral staircase will connect it with the existing Cove Café one deck below.

The Alaska programme will be sandwiched by two separate series based in Los Angeles, from Jan 23 to April 27 and Sept 25 to Dec 18, to the Mexican Riviera, starting at $639/person (substantially different to Alaska!).

Disney Magic returns to the Mediterranean for the summer 2011, sailing 10 and 11-night itineraries out of Barcelona, which means the new Disney Dream will be left to run their typical Caribbean and Bahamas cruises that summer.

It is great news for the region of Alaska, which will see a slight downturn in business in 2010 but it will be interesting to see how well positioned Disney can make their cruises in the first season in an area that is notoriously difficult to predict for weather and shore excursions.

With almost two years to prepare, they should provide a neat alternative to the traditional Alaska cruise, as offered by the likes of Princess, Holland America and others, but I remember NCL having a number of teething problems when they started in 1994. Watch this space, as they say!

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