Hebridean Island Cruises Supports New Marine Charity

Hebridean Island Cruises have become the first cruise line to come out in support of new marine conservation charity Sea-Changers.

In its 25th Anniversary year of cruises on the Hebridean Princess, the company will provide their guests with the opportunity to make a significant contribution towards sea-going environmental concerns. A recommended donation of £20 for each booking will be requested as the booking is made (guests can donate more, if they prefer).

Guests will not be under any obligation to make the donation, but all the donations made in this way will be collected by Hebridean Island Cruises and handed to Sea-Changers, which was established by keen conservationists Helen Webb and Rachel Lopata in 2010.

The new marine conservation charity was specifically set up to establish partnerships of this kind. All of the money raised by Hebridean customers will be passed on to relevant marine conservation charities and projects, with no administration costs subtracted. Sea-Changers will distribute the money to a range of projects, within one of the following areas:

• Marine Reserves/Protected Marine Areas
• Direct Marine Clean Up Action
• Education, Campaigning and Awareness Raising
• Species Protection and Research

For more information on Sea-Changers and their work, be sure to look up their website at http://www.sea-changers.org.uk/ or call 07909 897867.

For booking details of Hebridean Princess cruises, log on to this link with the UK luxury cruising experts, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Eco Applause For Zegrahm Expeditions

We are big fans here at World of Cruising of the eco-friendly and environmentally aware policies of Zegrahm Expeditions, and we were delighted to see this press release this week, which points out their  amazing range of charitable donations and charity work in the areas where they travel.

Definitely another reason to think of a cruise with them:

SEATTLE, WA (February 8, 2012) - Each year Zegrahm Expeditions, the leader in adventure travel, has made it a tradition to donate to charitable organizations in the name of the company’s passengers, travel advisors, and friends as a part of the  World of Thanks campaign.  Because of increased interest in African expeditions, this year Zegrahm decided to donate to organizations that focus solely on the needs of the region, specifically Uganda, South Africa, and Sierra Leone.  In December, Zegrahm asked their community to vote on their favorite organization and the donation dollars were divided based on the number of votes each received.

With 50 percent of the votes, Zegrahm Expeditions was pleased to present Light Up a Life Project (LUALP) with over 50 pairs of shoes for the children of the Bwindi Watoto School and Orphanage in Uganda.  LUALP is dedicated to providing basic educational necessities and life skills to vulnerable children in the impoverished and remote areas in Africa. 

“Our World of Thanks program encourages greater awareness and understanding of the challenges faced in each region we visit,” stated Jon Nicholson, President of Zegrahm Expeditions. “It was especially gratifying to see the children’s faces when presented with new shoes, a true testimony to the generosity of Zegrahm’s exceptional travel community.”

In addition to working with Light Up a Life Project, Zegrahm also donated to the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds and Greatest Goal Ministries.  The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) rehabilitates oiled, injured, and ill seabirds, as well as prepares and manages those birds during oil spills.  In addition, SANCCOB aims to raise awareness about conservation through environmental education.  Greatest Goal Ministries (GGM) works with the disabled and the war-affected amputees of Sierra Leone.  GGM has supported a number of incredible projects, including the delivery of 600 pairs of crutches and 110 wheelchairs. 

Travelers interested in visiting and participating in these projects can join one of Zegrahm’s expeditions this spring:

• South Africa and Namibia by Sea (March 18 - April 4, 2012; from $12,980) visits SANCCOB headquarters to observe the seabird rehabilitation process in person
• Tracing the West Coast of Africa (April 7 -24, 2012; from $12,980) will visit Greatest Goal Ministries, enjoy a lively soccer match, and meet the survivors
• Classic Uganda: A Primate Paradise (June 2 -15, 2012; from $13,980) travelers may have the opportunity to visit the orphanage and see firsthand how LUALP is working to improve the children’s lives

To learn more about the World of Thanks, request a brochure, or to make a reservation, please visit www.zeco.co.

Picture (above): the Light Up A Life project in Uganda with some of the children (pic courtesy www.lightupalifeproject.org) 

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Splendours of India

By guest blogger Steve Newman

India has captivated travellers for centuries, but venturing to this cultural melting-pot can be a logistical challenge. In February and December 2011, Zegrahm Expeditions will treat travellers to over two weeks of in-depth exploration in Southern India, including a stop in Sri Lanka, via the 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey (above).

Zegrahm believes the best way for travellers to immerse themselves in the countries they visit, with minimal distractions and inconveniences, is by small ship (and, having sampled their style earlier this year, I would fully endorse that view).

They are also one of the leading adventure travel companies, specialising in small-ship expedition tours and safaris to remote and intriguing destinations around the world, and their India voyage will add another string to their considerable bow, revealing yet another array of dazzling visual wonders and cultural delights.

From Chennai (Madras), the ship visits Madurai’s Meenakshi temple, then explores fascinating Sri Lanka, where you search for wild elephants and visit the sacred Temple of the Tooth.

Along India’s west coast, visits are Cochin, Mangalore and Goa, and you end your journey in Mumbai. There is no better way to explore this diverse land than by sea, affording you the opportunity to travel from the serene villages to bustling city streets all in genuine 5-Star style.

You can beat the heat, too, as the air-conditioned Odyssey allows you to travel from port to port in the utmost comfort, bypassing long, steamy drives to get to your next destination. Soak in the coastal sights as you make your way from port to port - a view of India often unseen by most tourists - and you can also choose from several shore excursions each day, all of which are complimentary.

Learn more about the February 1-17 and December 7–21, 2011, Splendours of India departures on Zegrahm’s website at http://www.zeco.com/

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