Lindblad Open Up Prime Time Visits To Galapagos

In today’s travel world, savings never go out of season. And, with its equatorial temperatures and year-round wildlife, neither does the Galápagos experience. New for 2012, Lindblad Expeditions (with National Geographic) is offering lower seasonal rates to those who travel during less traditional vacation periods. 

The beauty of this special opportunity lies in the true year-round appeal of one of the world’s most magical destinations. The Galápagos Islands are defined by consistency, a place where the sun rises and sets at the same time, and where the temperatures stay in the same range, year-round. The only reason for labels such as “peak” and “off-peak” is the fact more people travel at peak periods because of traditional holiday times. 

Now, thanks to Lindblad, Galápagos Prime season rates begin at just $4,750 per person for a 10-day voyage on the 96-passenger National Geographic Endeavour, or $5,450 per person on the 48-passenger National Geographic Islander (based on double occupancy in a Category 1 cabin). Both are expedition ships equipped for genuine exploration, and add yet another layer of discovery with kayaks and Zodiacs that carry guests even closer into this world of natural wonder. 

And, to make travel there even more affordable, those who book an expedition before March 31 will receive complimentary flights on select 2012 departures from either New York or Miami, or receive upgrades to business class on the New York/Guayaquil flights for only $500 round-trip. This offer is limited to new bookings only and subject to availability.

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

Lindblad Expeditions Offer New Destinations

Lindblad Expeditions offer two new destinations in 2012

West African Odyssey: Exploring from South Africa to Morocco - Spanning 16 distinctive countries, the 37-day itinerary explores the entire west coast of Africa from Cape Town, South Africa, to Morocco, offering a dazzling array of cultures, scenery and wildlife. The epic adventure aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer will define the term “voyage of discovery.” Rates begin at $28,480 per person, based on double occupancy.

Exploring Papua New Guinea: Cultures & Wildlife - This 16-day itinerary explores the country’s natural splendour and intriguing cultures aboard the Oceanic Discoverer, a nimble 68-guest ship perfectly suited to exploring the coral reefs and great rivers. Rates begin at $14,790 per person, based on double occupancy.

For booking details, be sure to see http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/Lindblad-Expeditions for UK adventure-cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Lindblad's Latest Adventure Options

Starting this month, Lindblad Expeditions' Peruvian Amazon expedition will be the first to offer kayaking in the Upper Amazon, providing guests even more accessibility to the lagoons, small tributaries and creeks of this pristine region.

The intimate and stately vessel, the Delfin II, will be equipped with five 2-person kayaks to provide this in-depth experience. Guests will be able to enjoy the signature Lindblad Expedition, a combination of elegant accommodation, knowledgeable experts and uniquely close encounters with the nature and culture of the region.

Or how about this fabulous itinerary: Vietnam & Cambodia — Along the Mekong River, including Angkor and Saigon. Lindblad's 14-day voyage takes in the sublime temples of Angkor Wat, the floating villages and vibrant markets along the Mekong, and the cities of Phnom Penh and Saigon. Sail aboard the new 48‐guest Jahan, with accommodations of a standard not available here before. Rates begin at $7,980 per person, based on double occupancy.

To find out more, see this link to visit the UK's adventure cruise specialists, the Cruise Line Ltd.

The Galapagos Islands with Lindblad Expeditions

There is truly never a bad time to visit the Galápagos – that's why Lindblad offer expeditions to these remarkable islands every month of the year. Each season has its own unique appeal, from lush vegetation to sunny skies. Both wildlife viewing and water activities are superb all year long.

Couples. Solo travelers. Families from nuclear to multi-generational. And groups of friends or business colleagues. An interesting mix of people enlivens the communities aboard Lindblad's expedition ships, where the atmosphere is casual, welcoming and always inclusive.

You can experience the Galápagos from the water with kayaking, snorkelling, or through the lens of ROV technology. Explore the islands on challenging hikes or leisurely walks, accompanied by experts. This truly is one of the great travel experiences anywhere in the world.

For more info, visit www.expeditions.com/index.asp or the expedition cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Photo credit: Michael S. Nolan/Lindblad Expeditions

Sail to the Falklands - And Save With Lindblad Expeditions

Enjoy the unspoiled landscapes and myriad wildlife of the Falkland Islands with Lindblad Expeditions as part of their 24-day journey aboard the National Geographic Explorer - and save money.

Passengers booking the cruise will now receive a £1,230 discount per person on their expedition and a complimentary charter flight between Ushuaia and Buenos Aires. To top it all off, the package also includes two free nights in Buenos Aires.

The expedition starts in Buenos Aires on October 18 and includes a two-day stop in the Falkland Islands. An archipelago comprised of more than 700 individual islands, the Falklands are home to the largest Black-browed albatross colony in the world, thousands of gentoo, rockhopper and Magellanic penguins and herds of sea lions and elephant seals.

In addition to getting up close with the wildlife, passengers will also have the opportunity to go ashore and experience the capital of the Falklands – Stanley – within easy reach of white sandy beaches, relax in one of the local pubs, or learn about the history of this port city.

The itinerary includes a stop at South Georgia Island as well as Peninsula Valdes, which is the main breeding site for the endangered southern wright whales that concentrate in the area to give birth and find mates.

National Geographic Explorer is one of the most technologically advanced expedition ships in the world. Her reinforced ice belt makes it possible to navigate polar passages while also providing exceptional comfort. It also carries 36 kayaks and a fleet of Zodiac landing craft that allow passengers to get up close and experience the region firsthand.

While aboard the ship, guests will enjoy international cuisine with a local flair as well as a host of amenities, including a fitness centre and spa. There are also numerous lectures led by specialists so passengers can learn about the region and its unique wildlife, and every voyage is accompanied by a National Geographic photographer. This voyage will include award-winning filmmaker Keenan Smart, Executive Producer of National Geographic’s “Great Migration” series.

The 24-day journey starts from £8,375 per person, based on two adults sharing, but does not include international flights. For more info, visit www.expeditions.com or contact he UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Spring Edition of World of Cruising

The brand new Spring edition of World of Cruising magazine will be out in the next few days, packed full of the very best coverage of the fabulous cruise business.

In Issue 50 (yes, we have now reached the half-century mark after almost 13 years!), we have a headline feature on a serene Canada and New England autumn cruise aboard the deluxe Crystal Symphony, looking at what makes this region so special as well as the truly blissful onboard Crystal style.

We also go to the Norwegian Arctic in the company of Lindblad Expeditions and look at the best places worldwide to see the best wildlife from a cruise ship, courtesy of our arch-blogger and expedition specialist Steve Newman.

For cruise ship reviews, we put the Spirit of Adventure, MS Europa and boutique little Hebridean Princess to the test, while we have a great historic perspective on the Queen Elizabeth (past and present) and also go Land Cruising once again on the magnificent Crimean Express.

As ever, there are your usual range of news, features and views, plus Readers Letters and the essential (and wonderful!) World of Spas with Jo Foley.

And we welcome a brand new columnist in 2011, the great blogger Captain Greybeard, dedicated cruise enthusiast and a great source of travel advice (as well as amusing insights into the cruise business).

All in all, it represents the best read from the best writers with the best presentation anywhere in the cruis-iverse! Make sure you have your copy by subscribing online at www.worldofcruising.co.uk.

Whale Watching with Lindblad

Perhaps nowhere else on earth can you observe grey whales and dolphins as closely as in Baja California on Lindblad Expeditions Sea of Cortez cruise. But this expedition cruise is far from your ordinary whale-watching Baja cruise. With 30 years exploring Baja California, the company have the most experience revealing the remarkable magic of “Mexico’s Galapagos.”

For nearly 50 years, they've been revealing the world's wonders to guests through expedition-style travel. They send guests on nimble expedition ships, accompanied by expert naturalists and other specialists, including National Geographic photographers, for life-changing encounters with beauty, wildness and the seldom-seen.

From their comfortable and intimate 62-guest expedition Baja cruise ship, you’ll explore further in Zodiacs and by kayaking the azure waters. Join an expert Expedition Team of naturalists and an undersea specialist. Their leadership will ensure you have the best possible adventure travel experience in Baja California, and beyond.

Join them where the desert meets the sea. And where, every winter, they help turn curious vacation-goers into lifelong explorers.

For more information, contact the UK's leading adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd or visit Lindblad at www.expeditions.com

Happy New Year!

By guest blogger Steve Newman

A happy New Year to you all!

Well I guess like me you are looking forward to a new year of cruising opportunities. I am lucky enough to be going to Antarctica with Hurtigruten this month, one of my dream destinations for quite a few years now.

Browsing through all the brochures that have popped though my letterbox, I was struck by Silversea’s Alaska and Pacific Coast offerings, even though any ship with more than 100 guests on board is not my cup of tea really! Eco/adventure cruising is more my style and the hot spots this year are likely be Australia, New Zealand, Polynesia and the Far East. In fact, if you get a chance, do have a look at the Adventure Cruise Collection brochure from The Cruise Line.

So where would I like to visit this year? Well, being a fanatical bird-watcher and naturalist, my number one all-time spot is the Galapagos Islands. Companies such as Haugan Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions and Ecoventura all offer excellent options. If, however, you would prefer to do your wildlife watching from the deck clutching a gin and tonic, then some of the larger cruise lines such as Celebrity offer this as a choice.

The problem is there is just SO much to see. But the incredible scenery you find around the Thailand coast when onboard wind powered vessels like Star Clippers (above), Paul Gauguin and Windjammer have a definite appeal.

Where ever you go, I hope you have a fantastic time and do keep coming back to these pages to find a bargain - or your dream cruise in 2011.

Farewell, 2010!

We're bidding a fond farewell to 2010 today after a year that had many highs (and a few lows) for the cruise industry - and a LOT to remember fondly.

For us at World of Cruising magazine, it was a year of Adventure - or adventure cruising, to be more precise.

We chose this year to highlight a growing and inspiring trend in expedition-style voyaging, with trips to awe-inspiring Chilean Patagonia (above) with Nomads of the Seas, the Norwegian Arctic with Hurtigruten, the islands of the Pacific North-West with Cruise West, the Brahmaputra River in India, offbeat Alaska with American Safari Cruises and the Canadian Arctic with Inuit Indian company Cruise North Expeditions.

Along we way, we have also highlighted the brilliant opportunities for adventure-cruise excursions with Lindblad Expeditions, Zegrahm Expeditions, Orion Expedition Cruises, Aqua Expeditions and Noble Caledonia.

It all adds up to an unequalled array of choice in this niche area of cruising, but one that is likely to grow still further in 2011.

We have also welcomed a superb line-up of new vessels, notably P&O's Azura, the grand Queen Elizabeth of Cunard, Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam, the amazing Allure of the Seas of Royal Caribbean, the chic Le Boreal of Ponant Lines, NCL's immense Norwegian Epic and the Celebrity Eclipse, the latest of Celebrity's Solstice-class vessels which are quickly establishing themselves as the gold standard in the large premium category.

From the personal point of view, it was hard to beat our trip to Chile with Nomads, where we discovered not only a peerless cruise experience, but a stunning part of the world and unfailingly friendly people.

And then, going from one extreme to the other (arguably the smallest ship in the world to the largest), our time aboard the new Allure of the Seas was also eye-opening, with the entertainment on this colossus of the seas raising the bar in this field yet again.

On the negative side, we were dismayed by the example of the Carnival Splendor, which suffered a fire and major power failure on the Mexican Riviera in November, requiring it to be towed back to port with some seriously disgruntled passengers. One subsequent report suggests Carnival have a problem with their safety procedures for dealing with fires at sea, and we sincerely hope that the right lessons are learned from this incident.

Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas then hit seriously rough weather in the Med earlier this month, with the ship suffering minor internal damage and a number of passengers being hurt, several with broken limbs. It was a salutary reminder that the sea still has power to make cruise ships distinctly wary about where, and when, they cruise.

Sadly, we also saw the demise of a long-time specialist operator, as Cruise West went bankrupt as they became a belated victim of the big recession that has affected large parts of the travel industry.

Happily, these remain exceedingly rare examples of the negative side of a business that continues to boom and attract new devotees on a daily basis. For the millions now cruising, it is still a source of almost endless fun and fascination; great value for money; and superb travelling style, with the vast array of ports of call now available.

Or, as we like to say at World of Cruising, it is just one more great adventure!

Best Cruising Moments 2011

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Well, 2010 has nearly gone now and it's time to look back at some of my personal cruise moments from the past 12 months, as detailed here on Time Spent At Sea.

Crossing the Arctic Circle and seeing the midnight sun on the Hurtigruten has to be my best cruise moment. In fact, the whole cruise with them was simply amazing, from the lush, wooded sides and waterfalls of the Geirangerfjord to the frozen, barren tundra of The Nord Cap.

Climbing the 400 steps of Skellig Michael in Ireland to get to the stone beehive huts of the 6th century monastery as it rises out of the Atlantic comes a close second. This round-Britain cruise with Zegrahm Expeditions also visited the Shetlands, Bass Rock (above), The Scilly Isles, Jura and St Kilda looking at 13 wild and ancient islands. A truly memorable experience.

The rise of adventure/eco-cruising is also extremely heart warming to me, as more and more of the world is made accessible by zodiacs on small luxury expedition ships, with usually no more than 100 passengers on board. You don’t have to be 100% fit or under 25 to do these trips, either, and most have five-star comforts waiting for you when you get back on board.

Companies such as American Safari Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions, Aqua and Cruise North Expeditions are all putting time, effort and resources back into the environment and the local people. This theme continues with more cruise companies now actively pursuing a “Green” policy and even the bigger lines like Royal Caribbean and Costa now actively incorporating environmental considerations into their ships' design and sailing practices.

May we see more of it in 2011!

PS: If you missed it, here was my Hurtigruten feature sailing the classic Norwegian coastal voyage in World of Cruising magazine earlier this year: http://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/ship-reviews/the-norwegian-way-1205.html

Cruise the Panama Canal & Explore the Rain Forest

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Ever wanted to cruise the Panama Canal and explore the Costa Rican rainforest expedition-style?

Linblad Expeditions active, engaging and casual style of expedition travel may well be for you, as their resources and knowledge are tailor-made to immerse guests in the region's wild landscape, enabling active explorations rather than the more passive tourism of other cruises.

They also claim they are the 'More Naturalists Per Guest Than Any Other Cruise' company, exploring the magnificent cloud forests, volcanoes and oceans with 1 expert for every 15 guests aboard their intimate, 60-passenger expedition ship. You can snorkel with undersea experts and allow the Expedition Leader to tailor the day’s events to your preferred activity level.

The Lindblad-National Geographic Alliance also means more than just top naturalists and photographers on board, as their ship has exclusive access to Barro Colorado Island’s Smithsonian Research Station in the Panama Canal, where Smithsonian experts come aboard to help explore this unique ecosystem.

Lindblad Expeditions also partner with MarViva in Central America to safeguard and create marine protected areas in oceanic and coastal areas of Latin America and the Caribbean. Their work supports community education, enforcement of regulations in National Parks and the protection of coral reefs.

For more information, look up www.expeditions.com or visit adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Set Sail for Adventure!

Adventure cruising is promising to become one of the big, growing options for savvy cruisers in the near future, with various types and levels of this expedition-style of voyaging.

The All Leisure Group, who operate Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery and the boutique little Hebridean Island Cruises, have recently taken ownership of the 15,000-ton MV Alexander von Humboldt (originally the Crown Monarch of Crown Cruise Line) , which has recently been sailing or German operator Phoenix Reisen. And, while they have yet to indicate which of their brands it will sail under, it is clear ALG have significant plans to grow this 'niche' market into something not-quite-so-niche.

When you also look at how other adventure/expedition companies continue to do well, the likes of Norwegian Hurtigruten, Abercrombie & Kent, Noble Caledonia, Hapag-Lloyd, Lindblad Expeditions and many more, there is clearly a keen and expanding appetite for this type of holiday.

And now comes a new Dutch operation which promises to add still further to this highly enticing array of cruise choice. Oceanwide Expeditions is offering more small-ship adventuring specialising in polar expedition voyages using the 110-passenger MV Plancius. here's what they say:

MV Plancius – Oceanwide Expeditions’ new Polar expedition vessel is now afloat

This is the start of a new Era in polar expedition cruising: the Dutch flagged expedition vessel Plancius, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions from Vlissingen, the Netherlands, is almost ready to set sail to Antarctica, offering the maiden voyage on 8 January 2010. Plancius shall be christened on 14 November and will depart on 5 December for her ocean voyage to Ushuaia in Tierra Del Fuego , Argentina , the starting point of Antarctic voyages.

Oceanwide Expeditions: the pioneer in the Polar regions

Oceanwide Expeditions is the pioneer and one of the market leaders in the Polar Regions and has – since 1996 - been offering expedition-style cruises to the Arctic and Antarctic regions with chartered ice-strengthened Russian vessels, very suitable to offer exploratory voyages with passengers. However, in order to increase comfort-standards, Oceanwide Expeditions decided to build its own vessel, complying with the latest safety regulations and technology.

Oceanwide Expeditions: World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator 2009

We proudly announce that Oceanwide Expeditions has won the World Travel Award 2009 in the category World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator. The presentation of this international prize took place during a gala performance in London on Sunday 8 November. It was the second time that this prestigious award was categorized by the World Travel Awards Committee. The first time was in 2005 and Oceanwide Expeditions was also the winner of the contest.

MV Plancius: Setting new standards in expedition cruising

Plancius will set new standards to the world of expedition cruising: spacious yet small ship character, comfort & style, modern technology and safety appliances. A base camp for active, adventure and wildlife minded modern explorers, including hiking trips, kayaking, overnight field camping and even scuba-diving.

Plancius was built in 1975 as an oceanographic research vessel for the Royal Dutch Navy and was named Hr. Ms. Tydeman. The ship sailed for the Dutch Navy until June 2004 and was finally purchased by Oceanwide Expeditions in December 2006. The vessel was completely rebuilt and converted to a 110-passenger vessel which complies with the latest SOLAS-regulations (Safety Of Life At Sea) and is classed by Lloyd’s Register in London . The ship sails under the Dutch flag.

It’s a small ship operation: Plancius can accommodate 110 passengers in 53 passenger cabins with private toilet and shower in 4 triple private cabins, 39 twin private cabins (ca. 15 square meters ) and 10 twin superior cabins (ca. 21 square meters ).

The vessel offers a restaurant/lecture room and a spacious observation lounge (with bar) with large windows, offering full panorama view. Plancius has large open deck spaces with full walk-around possibilities, giving excellent opportunities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. The vessel is comfortable and nicely decorated, but the ship is not a luxurious vessel. Voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic regions are primarily defined by an exploratory educational travel programme, spending as much time ashore as possible.

The vessel measures 89 meters in length (267ft), has a breadth of 14.5 meters (43ft) and a draft of 4.8 meters (15ft) and is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system which reduces the noise and vibration of the engines considerably. The 3 diesel engines generate 1.230 horse-power each, giving the vessel a speed of 10-12 knots. The vessel is ice-strengthened and was specially built for oceanographic voyages.

Plancius is manned by 17 nautical crew, 18 hotel staff (6 chefs, 1 hotel manager, 1 steward-barman and 10 stewards/cabin cleaners), 8 expedition staff (1 expedition leader and 7 guides-lecturers) and 1 doctor.