Antarctic Camping and Hiking

By guest blogger Steve Newman

The sight of the mouth of a humpback whale no more than ten feet away from your Zodiac really epitomises what adventure cruising is all about. As this picture proves, it may not happen that often but, when it does, you're not going to forget it in a hurry.

Zodaics of course are an essential part of this genre and One Ocean Expeditions use them to their full extent. With expedition cruises to both the polar regions, you even have the chance to camp overnight on the Antarctic continent! This night ashore under the midnight sun has proved very popular with the lullaby of ice groaning, whales snorting and the waves gentle lapping on the pebbled shore wafting you gently off to sleep.

Sea Kayaking, whale watching and even hiking are also on offer here. Hiking in Antarctica? Well, yes, why not? Designed for the more active traveller, the trips last for about three hours and cover quite difficult terrain.

As far as the Arctic goes, the star looks to be the 12-day High Arctic and Greenland explorer visiting the amazing seabird colonies at Prince Leopold Island and watching out for Arctic foxes, polar bears and that unicorn of the seas, the narwhal. The human side of this ecosystem is viewed, too, with a visit to the Innuit at Nunavat, a people who still cling to their ancient ways of symbiosis and respect for the land.

One excellent idea is the on-board photographer and multi-media studio where you can download your images to hard drives and be shown how to tweak and improve them using photographic manipulation software. Why don't all cruise companies do that?

Either way I'm sold - it's just a question of which one to do first.

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More from Aqua Expeditions

Adventure cruising has become very much our theme recently (and certainly this week, thanks to the sterling efforts of guest blogger Steve Newman!), hence the latest news from deluxe Peruvian specialist Aqua Expeditions really strikes a chord with us.

Following on from the success of their first Amazon river-cruise vessel, the MV Aqua, the company will launch an even more luxurious and quality-conscious vessel in 2011, the MV Aria.

Again concentrating on the upper reaches of the river from Iquitos in Peru, the newcomer will help to chart more lesser-known stretches of the mighty Amazon, providing a genuinely fascinating and ultra-personal look at this part of the world, but in great style. Aqua Expeditions were featured in the glossy new Adventure Cruise Collection of the Cruise Line Ltd (the UK's leading luxury adventure cruise specialist) earlier this year, and it seems that is already having an impact on future bookings.

The Aria will feature 16 specially-designed cabins with floor-to-ceiling picture windows (there are just 12 on Aqua, hence this is a slight enlargement), a fully air-conditioned top deck with Observation Lounge as well as Aqua's signature Amazon Grill, with award-winning Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, affectionately known as 'the Jungle Chef' in Peru.

In addition to these amenities, Aria will also boast an exercise room and an outdoor Jacuzzi with Sun Deck, a unique addition to accommodate the discerning and fitness conscious traveller.

"We are thrilled to announce the launch of the world's second five-star luxury vessel to sail the Amazon," says founder and CEO Francesco Galli-Zugaro. "The MV Aria will provide the ever-growing number of travellers who wish to explore one of the world's last great wilderness areas with a one-of-a-kind travel experience."

Count us in, say I.

(Now, how do we work our schedule to ensure we can get on board next year!)

PS: You can also look up more about the new ship on their own blog on this link: Aqua Blog

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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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.

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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Galapagos Hopper

By guest blogger Steve Newman

If you are thinking of going island hopping, I guess the Galapagos are are pretty good place to do it. Far too much has been written about these amazing islands to repeat it here but what is not so well known is that certain islands are barred from being visited by the larger cruise ships.

This is where vessels such as International Expeditions' Evolution (above right) come in to play. The 32-guest ship is one of the few vessels allowed to visit Genovesa Island on her ten-day Galapagos tour. Visiting this island is like popping into a private nature reserve as it has more bird species than any other in the the archipelago.

The point is that on this cruise you'll find yourself just inches away from giant tortoises, penguins, iguanas and many other wild animals. You can even kayak, snorkel and swim with sea lions or take a panga ride to search for endangered turtles and white-tipped reef sharks.

The company's policy of having small numbers on its cruises is rewarded with your onboard naturalists and experts being able to import so much more information to you.

Their Amazon river journey, for example, only has 28 guests and the Papua New Guinea cruise is restricted to 16, and even then you break into smaller groups for a deeper exploration of the rain forests.

International Expeditions also has a strong tradition of conservation, bringing help to both the environments and local eco-systems they visit, as well as the people who live there. There are also extensions to these cruises and, if you want to go even further afield, Antarctica and East Greenland are amongst the other destinations on offer.

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The Princess Royal

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Well, if it's good enough for Her Majesty the Queen to sail around the Western Isles on, then the Hebridean Princess must be highly worthwhile having a look at.

The point is, though, that a lot of people are under the illusion the waters of western Scotland are the only area the company (Hebridean Island Cruises) features but, in fact, MANY more destinations are on offer for 2011.

These include Scotland's east coast, Northern Ireland, northern France, the Channel Islands and the Isles of Scilly. Of course, you don't have to stay on board, but be aware it's difficult not to with this lovely five-star, luxury vessel.

As well as ports of call, there is the company's excellent Footloose guided walks programme, which lets you take in some spectacular hill walking, loch and mountain trails and, of course, this wouldn't be Scotland if there wasn't a nip of malt whisky and a hearty meal waiting for you on your return.

Indeed, the inglenook fireplace and the herringbone brick-work at times enhance the Scottish appearance and you could almost be the laird settling down in your big, comfortable armchair at night. It is this ambiance of the Scottish country house and the lack of organised entertainment that makes it impossible not to relax on this vessel.

With just 50 cabins - of which 10 are dedicated for single travellers - and a crew of 38, it's no wonder Hebridean Princess has such loyal repeat business. Most of the cruises of four and ten nights depart from Oban, reaching destinations as far as St Kilda and the Shetlands.

Each all-inclusive cruise is carefully researched and planned by the company to make sure you get the best out of each port of call and its surrounding area. There is a range of privately escorted tours, often visiting places uniquely open for ships guests, and, if that doesn't appeal, why not borrow one of the ship's bicycles or arrange a fishing trip?

The elegant dining room has large windows to watch the scenery as you enjoy your meals - using the freshest local produce where possible, such as cheese from the Isle of Mull and, of course, the wonderful haggis. Whether, like me, you prefer to pour a wee dram over your haggis on the plate is entirely up to you.

But, just like the Hebridean Princess herself, I'd thoroughly recommend it.

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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Jungle Journey

By guest blogger Steve Newman

When it comes to thinking about high end luxury cruising, it's a safe bet that Azamara Club cruises would be on your list.

The company has a justifiable reputation for an extraordinary level of personal service, plus superb cuisine and accommodation. New destinations have been announced for next year and amongst these new cruises for 2011 is a 14-night river cruise to the Amazon on board the Azamara Journey (above).

What is highly worthwhile about this trip is the fact you get introduced slowly to the world's greatest river. Boarding at Puerto Rico, you get four days in the Caribbean on your way, two days at sea then a week cruising along the Amazon. Yes that's right, a full week! Which just shows you how long this river is before reaching Manaus, with its amazing opera house and other vestiges of jungle colonial life.

In fact, Manaus is roughly half-way across the continent of South America, so this is not so much a river as more of a continental cruise. One of the ports of call is at Boca de Valeria, a remote village with only 75 inhabitants where you really do see a contrast in life.

Apart from two speciality restaurants, concierge amenities and butler service available to all suite guests, Journey has more verandas than most cruise ships. This means you can sit and watch the green jungle slip quietly by, listening to the howler monkeys and parrots doing what they do best (making quite a noise!) or maybe catch glimpses of a herd of capybara, the world's largest rodent (looking like giant bald guinea pigs), grazing on the banks.

Either way, the Amazon rainforest is a definite one-off in life. It's changing fast, as we all know, so perhaps we should go while we still have the chance.

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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Vintage Cruising

By guest blogger Steve Newman.

Fine wines and elegant dining have always been part of the cruising experience but now Oceania have taken that tradition a step further with their new luxury ship Marina due to launch in January next year.

Teaming up with Wine Spectator magazine the company have incorporated into the design a specially designed wine tasting centre where guests can sample some of the world's finest vintages as chosen by the magazine's connoisseur experts.

Quaffing wines from the region where you are anchored does sound eminently appealing, plus the lectures given on the production, history and ethos of the wines should ensure you enjoy them that much more - and help get the tastebuds into top gear.

It doesn't stop there either as Oceania have set up seven-course (yes, 7!) tasting menus to help you appreciate the wines that much more, while the magazine's editors will also recommend reds and whites to accompany the evening menus.

As with all Oceania's cruises, there are ample choices when it comes to dining areas, - it's something they are renowned for.

So, if sipping one of those unique red wines from Ajaccio, watching the sunset bathe the Corsican hillside in that beautiful orange light, or raising a glass of Bianco D'Alcamo as you sail gently pass Sicily appeals, then why not find out more?

The only trouble I can see is that it's not the cruise line but the waistline that's going to be the problem. Great, isn't it!

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.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.