Zegrahm's Boost For Expedition Travel

Zegrahm Expeditions is committed to raising awareness and understanding of the challenges faced in each region that the company visits and, with that in mind, a recent voyage in Malaysia gave gave guests the opportunity to tour the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center.

Zegrahm’s donation to Sepilok will help complete a new enclosure for Nonong (above), a 12-year-old female gorilla that suffers from cerebral malaria, which paralysed her left hand and foot. Because of her condition, she will never be able to go back into the wild and will be a permanent resident at the centre. The new facility will ensure Nonong will have plenty of space to play while still enabling her to foster relationships with the other orangutans.

Zegrahm incorporates giving back into many of the company’s itineraries; an upcoming opportunity is the Rain Forests and Reefs expedition taking place in February 2014.  Guests will visit a convent and orphanage in Isla de Providencia, Colombia, and donate school supplies to the local children. The 2-week expedition is priced from $11,980.

For bookings, follow this link to our sponsors, The Cruise Line, the UK's expedition cruise specialists.

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G Adventures Upgrades Galapagos Fleet

G Adventures has one of the highest quality operations in the Galapagos and is upgrading its fleet for 2013 with the acquisition of three 16-passenger motor yachts, the Daphne, the San Jose and the Queen of Galapagos. The company will be adding additional vessels in the coming months as it makes room for further growth.

Each of the new vessels caters to a slightly different market; the Daphne is the most affordable standard-level option, the San Jose is a comfort-level vessel and the Queen of the Galapagos provides an even more deluxe experience. G Adventures will continue to use its Javier comfort-level vessel, a firm customer favourite, meaning the fleet will be made up of four vessels in 2013. 

The company's’ operation in the Galapagos is truly unique as it only books customers on its own vessels. This means they travel with other G Adventures’ travellers and have a complete G Adventures experience. The company operates and staffs the vessels and employs its own naturalist guides, all of whom understand the line's core values and  customers’ expectations.

Current vessels will maintain operations as per the normal G Adventures high quality service until the end of the year when the new trio will take over operations.

Itineraries for the three new vessels include: 

A six-day Voyage Galapagos – South Islands standard-level trip onboard the Daphne, priced from £1,249pp from Quito return for departures from September to November 2012 and January to April 2013. 

A seven-day Voyage Galapagos – South Islands comfort-level trip onboard the San Jose, priced from £1,649pp from Quito return for departures from January 2013 year-round. 

A 10-day Deluxe Galapagos – Northern Islands deluxe-level trip onboard Queen of Galapagos, priced from £2,599pp from Quito return for departures from January 2013 year-round. 

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

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Silversea Purchases Galapagos Explorer II

Silversea Cruises has purchased Canodros S.A., the premier Ecuadorian tourism company that operates in the Galapagos Islands, and their upmarket expedition ship, Galapagos Explorer II.

Silversea plans to add Galapagos Explorer II to its ultra-luxury fleet of six ships next year, after the all-suite, 100-guest vessel undergoes a major refurbishment. The new vessel will then set sail in September 2013 after being renamed.

Until that time, Galapagos Explorer II will continue on its planned schedule of cruises and will continue to be operated by Canodros, which is based in Guayaquil, Ecuador. 

Canodros will also continue handling reservations for Galapagos Explorer II, as well as sales and marketing through its established network of travel companies and tour operators.

For more information about Silversea Cruises and bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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