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) 

Whale Sharks with Zegrahm in Mozambique

In March of 2012, one of our favourite eco and adventure-cruising lines, Zegrahm Expeditions, will celebrate a first as they visit the coast of East Africa on an inaugural tour. This Mozambique Odyssey visits Tanzania and South Africa aboard the spacious 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey.

The World Wildlife Fund is partnering with Zegrahm on this exceptional journey, which includes a visit to Quirimbas National Park, co-created and expanded by the WWF and now the largest marine protected area in the Indian Ocean and Africa. Quirimbas was once the poorest province in Mozambique but now has the country’s highest growth rate thanks to the park.

WWF’s involvement ensures that local communities and park authorities alike share both the benefits and the responsibilities of managing the park on land and at sea. Guests on this expedition will see just how much support is needed—the park protects over 750,000 hectares of coastal forest, mangroves, and rich coral reefs including the abundant marine life, sea turtles and hundreds of fish species.

In the middle of Zegrahm’s journey, cruise to the beautiful beaches of Punta da Barra, where passengers will have the opportunity to see whale sharks, which are present year-round in this area, and there’s a good chance of seeing manta and devil rays, loggerhead and green sea turtles, and even bottlenose dolphins. Snorkel and swimming excursions among this incredible marine life will be very high on the agenda.

For more info or to book, be sure to check with the UK's adventure cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd on this link.

Have a 'Blue' Christmas with Zegrahm Expeditions

Discover India, the Maldives, and some of the bluest waters on Earth with Zegrahm Expeditions this Christmas!

One of our favourite companies for expedition and adventure cruising, Zegrahm is offering a break from the traditional holiday season vacation. The voyage sails December 17 to January 3, cruising from the Indian ports of Chennai and Kochi to the Sri Lankan harbours of Trincomalee and Colombo, exploring India's Lakshadweep Islands and the northern Maldives. Highlights of the expedition include snorkelling, diving, shore walks, birding with naturalists, and a visit to a 16th-century Palace.

Since the Christmas season is a time to share with family and friends, Zegrahm is also offering a special group discount. Groups of four or more receive a 10 per cent savings on the brochure rate for each member. Groups of eight or more receive a 15 per cent saving. Travellers unable to take advantage of the 2011 voyage can even look ahead to Zegrahm's 2012 voyage, which takes place from December 1-18.

To learn more, visit www.zeco.com or contact the UK's leading adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Zegrahm's Youth Education Camp In Zambia

Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions, an adventure travel company, has partnered with Children in the Wilderness to educate youth in Africa on environmental conservation and life skills. The six-day wilderness safari camps hosts rural children between the ages of 8 and 16 from seven southern African countries. Children are paired with park guides, who educate on the importance of conservation and introduce the youth to the beauty and diversity of the natural environment.



“Each year Zegrahm Expeditions has made it a tradition to donate to an organization that does charitable work in a region our expeditions visit or to a cause near and dear to our hearts,” stated Jon Nicholson, President of Zegrahm Expeditions. “I am pleased to sponsor the Children in the Wilderness camp as a thank you to our loyal travellers, travel advisors, and friends for their continued support.”



Zegrahm Field Director Jonathan Rossouw and photographer/videographer Giovanna Fasanelli, were able to take part in the Zegrahm-sponsored camp in Zambia in June. The pair participated in the activities set up for the children, which included going on game drives, a scavenger hunt to determine the difference between trash and recyclables, seeing a Thornicroft’s giraffe found only in the Luangwa Valley, and watching elephants feeding.



The children also learned life lessons ranging from HIV prevention to the uses of medicinal plants. Other camp activities included arts and crafts, soccer and potato sack races. The Children in the Wilderness programme gave the very best knowledge, and fun, to the youth who participated.



To learn more about Zegrahm Expeditions and their small-group expeditions to Zambia that stay in the same camp that hosted the children, visit http://www.zeco.com/ or for more on adventure cruises, visit the specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Winter Adventures in the Indian Ocean

Zegrahm's Winter Getaways are a great option for adventure-cruise enthusiasts, especially in the intimate comfort of the recently refurbished 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey. In addition to a bevy of complimentary amenities such as a variety of daily activity options; all gratuities, accommodations, and meals; and transfers on group arrival and departures dates, Odyssey’s shallow draft and fleet of Zodiacs allow guests to land on pristine atolls and uninhabited islands where many of the big ships simply can’t go.

First on the roster is India for a 15-day sojourn skirting the subcontinent’s southern shores. In addition to experiencing the fascinating city of Mumbai, the colonial European charm of Goa, Kochi’s maze of islands and waterways via houseboat, the Southern India by Sea programme spends two full days in Sri Lanka. The highlights of the island (once lauded by Marco Polo as the “finest island of its size”) include a visit to the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage and the World Heritage Sites of Kandy’s Buddhist Temple of the Tooth and the seaside fortress of Galle.

Next up is the India & the Maldives with Sri Lanka & Lakshadweeps, the perfect union of culture and natural history. Zegrahm cover all the highlights of Southern India and Sri Lanka, then make their way to the unspoiled islands of the Lakshadweeps and Maldives. The visits to these two archipelagos will be spent discovering the region’s underwater riches with daily snorkel, dive and glass-bottom boat excursions. And, since many families enjoy travelling together over the holidays, the company is happy to offer special group savings on this voyage: groups of four or more receive 10% off the brochure rate and groups of eight or more receive 15% off!

The New Year brings two amazing voyages focused on the Seychelles. First, from January 13-27, travellers on the Ultimate Seychelles expedition will enjoy daily adventures above and below the water. Whether it be hiking among the endemic coco-de-mar palms on Praslin Island, admiring Aldabra Atoll’s giant Indian Ocean tortoises, photographing the pink granite boulders of La Digue or snorkelling and diving among 150 coral species and 850 species of rainbow-hued fish, this voyage is sure to make guests forget winter exists elsewhere in the world.

Finally, the new Classic Seychelles offers the very best of these Indian Ocean islands, including La Digue, Praslin and Aldabra Atoll, plus the Comoros Islands and Tanzania. After spending days snorkelling, diving, bird-watching and beach-combing in the Seychelles, Odyssey heads to the volcanic islands of the Comoros, with an interesting mélange of Arabic and French architecture nestled among the islands' stunning natural beauty. The voyage concludes with explorations in magical Zanzibar, the “Spice Island”, where guests can wander the labyrinth of alleyways, filled with treasures of the East that established its fame: cloves, cinnamon and vanilla.

But, while winter may seem light years away, guests are advised to book soon to secure their cabin of choice. Then, instead of menu planning for Christmas or buying new snow shovels, they can start day-dreaming about glistening temple complexes and secluded, sugar-sand beaches!

For more info, visit www.zeco.com or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Voyage Through The Red Sea

Zegrahm's brand-new Voyage through the Red Sea expedition has been named one of National Geographic Traveler magazine’s “Best Tours of a Lifetime” for 2011 and is one of those experiences well worth seeking out in the cruise world today.

Here's how the tour works:

You explore Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, including the company's first-time visits to the lesser-traveled countries of Sudan and Eritrea. The November 6-22 itinerary is the perfect time to explore this seat of the world’s earliest civilisations with pleasant temperatures ranging from 55 to 85°F and a stable, yet fascinating political environment where a new chapter in the region’s history has literally unfolded within the last year (plus, this comes with the added bonus of fewer crowds at some of the region’s most popular tourist sites).

The voyage combines the Red Sea’s best cultural attractions along with several opportunities to engage in the region’s natural history with snorkeling and diving excursions. Among the many highlights of this award-winning expedition, guests will have the opportunity to:

• Explore the rose-coloured wonders of Petra, the capital of the ancient Nabatean Empire and now a World Heritage Site—even enjoying a candle-lit nighttime walk through the Siq to the Treasury

• Overnight in Luxor, often considered the “world’s greatest open air museum,” to explore its various monuments, temples, and tombs

• Cruise along the Nile in a traditional felucca sailing vessel, savouring lunch and views of the countryside along the way

• Enjoy a walking tour of Jeddah’s well-preserved old city, considered the gateway to Mecca

• Take in traditional daily life as the tour wanders the pathways connecting the old, coral-block buildings of Suakin, Sudan—a major trading stop en route to Mecca

• And snorkel and dive in the shimmering waters of Eritrea’s Dahlak Archipelago, an area renowned for its rich marine life and scenic beauty.

For more info, visit www.zeco.com or contact the UK's leading adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

In the Wake of The Vikings with Zegrahm

Zegrahm Expeditions is excited to announce a community-based partnership with W.I.L.D. Expeditions, an adventure education organisation dedicated to empowering our youth to be stewards of the environment through life-changing kayaking and sailing experiences.

W.I.L.D. Expeditions has recently begun work building a traditional 56-foot Viking ship to educate kids about Viking heritage and give them additional means to explore the waters of the Pacific north-west. In conjunction with Zegrahm’s July 'In the Wake of the Vikings' voyage, the adventure travel company is offering any traveller who lives in the north-west and books this upcoming voyage an exclusive tour of the Viking ship in Anacortes, Washington, including the opportunity to meet the shipbuilder himself.

In addition, for each of these bookings Zegrahm will donate $1,000 per booking to W.I.L.D. Expeditions to help complete the building of the ship and fund upcoming youth programmes.

The building of the vessel is being completed by master shipwright Jay Smith, who was recently featured on the History Channel special, “The Big Build: Viking Longboat.” Jay has gathered over 70 crooks from oak trees in Oregon for the ship's frames and pure Alaskan yellow cedar from British Columbia for planking. Studying with Scandinavian masters to perfect his trade, the ship will be traditionally built by hand, using many of the old Viking tools.

Not only will 'In the Wake of the Vikings' expose travellers to the unspoiled islands of the Faroes and the volcanic wonders of Iceland - two areas difficult to explore unaided - but Zegrahm’s expert expedition team adds an educational component by bringing the region’s cultural heritage and natural history to life. Among others, archaeologist Colleen Batey will share her stories of excavating Viking sites in Northern Scotland, Iceland and the Orkney Islands, and her work with the Smithsonian on the 'Vikings: North Atlantic Saga' exhibit.

Iceland native Ragnar Hauksson will lecture on the everyday life of Icelanders coupled with the folklore, fairy tales, and sagas. And, expedition leader and Zegrahm co-founder Mike Messick will ensure travellers make the most of their time in these northern realms with ample opportunities to explore the itinerary’s planned ports of call and several expeditionary exploits by Zodiac. Additionally, travellers will have the opportunity to:

• “Storm the beach”—via Zodiac—at Dunrobin and explore this 13th century castle and its Versailles-inspired gardens.

• Sail past seabird colonies perched on cliffs along the region’s dramatic fjords.

• Take a cliff-side hike and enjoy stunning views while learning about the volcanic geology below your feet.

• Tour (and taste!) Scotland’s best-known industry: whisky.

• Visit picturesque coastal villages still steeped in Viking tradition.

• Embark on a thrilling snowmobile ride across Europe’s largest glacier.

To learn more, visit Zegrahm’s Web site at www.zeco.com or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Zegrahm Expeditions - "Tours of a Lifetime"

Zegrahm Expeditions has been selected for National Geographic Traveler Magazine’s “Tours of a Lifetime” honour for the second time, highlighting the company's keen eye for superb adventure travel.

In the past, the honours have been bestowed upon Zegrahm's natural history-focused expeditions — Beyond Rapa Nui, Ultimate Seychelles, and Faces of Melanesia — but, this year, they are excited to announce the award has been bestowed uopn a new, in-depth cultural tour: Voyage Through the Red Sea. This 17-day expedition, aboard the Clipper Odyssey, departs November 6 and visits Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Eritrea.

This voyage combines the Red Sea’s best cultural attractions along with several opportunities to snorkel and dive, plus offers a rare glimpse into a number of hospitable countries rarely visited by Western travellers. Highlights of this tour include:

• Exploring the rose-colored wonders of Petra, the capital of the ancient Nabatean Empire and now a World Heritage Site.

• Cruising along the Nile in a traditional felucca sailing vessel.

• Visiting several exquisite World Heritage Sites in Egypt — the Monastery of St. Catherine (above) and the treasures of ancient Thebes, including Luxor, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings.

• Walking tour of Jeddah’s well-preserved old city, considered the gateway to Mecca.

• Snorkelling and diving in the shimmering waters of the Dahlak Archipelago, an area renowned for its rich marine life and scenic beauty.

To learn more about this voyage, visit www.zeco.com or contact the UK's adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Zegrahm Expeditions Offers a New Take on Ireland

Zegrahm Expeditions has become a leader in small-ship island circumnavigations and, this August, the adventure travel company will circumnavigate Ireland on an expedition that is not being offered by any other tour operator. Linking together a combination of places in the country that independent travellers couldn’t easily access on their own, this 14-day voyage combines charming villages, wondrous birdlife, historic landmarks and incredible geologic features. This trip is led by a team of experts, including two of the company’s directors along with several Irish and United Kingdom natives, two of which hail from the Emerald Isle itself.

Among the many highlights of this expedition, travellers will:

Explore the geological masterpiece of Giant’s Causeway—40,000 closely-packed hexagonal columns of varying heights that line the coast and descend like a staircase into the sea.

Embark on an iconic drive that encompasses some of the world’s finest scenery from Sneem to the market town of Kenmare, best known as the Ring of Kerry
Zodiac cruise to the private island of Skellig Michael, once home to 9th-century Irish Christian monks, and now home to one of Europe’s best-known, but least-accessible monasteries—also a World Heritage Site.

Tour (and taste!) the Old Bushmills Distillery for a look into region’s best-known elixir.

Visit to Donegal’s Belleek Pottery studio to view artisans hard at work on traditional and contemporary tabletop, decorative, lighting, and jewellery pottery pieces.

Admire the skill and mastery of blowing, cutting, and engraving crystal ware at the renowned Waterford Crystal Gallery.

Raise a pint with fellow travellers and locals alike at several of the many pubs that dot the country.

“We pride ourselves as a leader in small-ship cruising and this expedition is the perfect example of how we can tie together so many unique stops into one itinerary. Plus, with all the activities offered on this voyage, there really is something for every traveller,” says Zegrahm Expeditions’ President, Jon Nicholson.

This expedition, aboard the 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey, departs August 14, 2011. Ideally timed for a summer vacation, Zegrahm offers family and friends travelling together a savings of 10% for four or more people and 15% when you travel with eight or more. To learn more about this itinerary, visit: http://www.zeco.com/ or contact the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Circumnavigating Iceland on a 14-day expedition

In late July of 2011, Zegrahm Expeditions will be circumnavigating Iceland on a 14-day expedition that reveals the element-sculpted landscapes and volcanic wizardry that have made this Land of Fire and Ice famous. And, with 75% of Europe’s second largest island only accessible by ship, they plan to put the MV Clipper Odyssey’s fleet of Zodiacs to good use as they explore Iceland’s rugged coastlines and isolated bays. In addition to the expeditionary exploits by Zodiac, other highlights to look forward to include:

• Admiring all Iceland’s stunning landscapes: bubbling hot springs, glittering glaciers, soaring volcanoes, and plunging waterfalls;

• Walking among ruins that recall the heyday of Viking exploration;

• Searching for breeding whooper swans, along with myriad other seabirds;

• Snowmobiling across Vatnajokull Glacier, Iceland’s largest; and

• Exploring the fabled Golden Circle—Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir Center

An amazing expedition team will accompany this voyage to help illuminate the path of early explorers and bring the region's natural history and culture to life. Zegrahm directors Kevin Clement and Jonathan Rossouw will be on board to highlight the natural history and wildlife of the region. Iceland native, Ragnar Hauksson, will join the voyage to discuss the everyday life of Icelanders coupled with the folk tales, fairy tales, and sagas that have heavily influenced modern-day Iceland.

Join Zegrahm and this stellar expedition team as they circumnavigate Iceland! This itinerary will not be offered again in 2012 so go on online today to reserve your space!

For further information  visit http://www.zeco.com/ or Cruise specialists The Cruise Line.

The Azores, Canary Islands and Ceramic Wonders

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Sail in the wake of European explorers to the Atlantic islands that once constituted the western barrier of the known world on a small ship luxury cruise. Zegrahm Expeditions' Azores voyage begins with a visit to Spain’s Alhambra with its amazng carvings and ceramic tile patterns (above) and the famed Rock of Gibraltar. Morocco offers a sensory-filled experience from mosques to souks in the exotic cities of Casablanca, Agadir and Marrakech.

Then spend several days exploring the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores. These dramatic volcanic islands feature historic architecture, lush gardens and vineyards, seabirds, beautiful beaches and colourful markets.

Zegrahm's Clipper Odyssey is also perfect for this style of voyaging, a 110-passenger luxury expedition vessel carrying a fleet of Zodiacs, which allow passengers to land anywhere nature or curiosity dictates. All cabins have an ocean view, safe, minibar, individually controlled heat/air conditioner, in-room music system, and sitting area with sofa.

Dates
May 4–20, 2011

Activities
Archaeology, Birding, Culture, Photography, Sightseeing, Wildlife viewing

For more information, visit http://www.zeco.com/ or try the UK's leading adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Adventure Cruising Payback

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Regarded by many as the leader in eco/adventure cruising, it has become a new tradition of Zegrahm to make a donation—in the name of their loyal travellers, travel advisors, and friends—at the end of each year to an organisation that is doing charitable work in a region the company visits, or for a cause they support.

This year, they decided to leave the decision-making up to their guests. Zegrahm chose three organisations and asked their travellers, via e-mail, to choose their favourite cause and then divided up the donation dollars based on the number of votes each one received. They are pleased to announce the following allocations for their 2010 “World of Thanks” donation:

• Children in the Wilderness – 46%
• Henderson Island Project – 22%
• Save Our Seas – 31%

More information about the company, its cruises and their World of Thanks charities can be found on http://www.zeco.com/ or for more information on adventure cruising, contact the specialist at The Cruise Line Ltd.

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!

Black Sea Circumnavigation

By guest blogger Steve Newman

In 2011, Zegrahm Expeditions will return to the Black Sea and offer one of the most comprehensive itineraries available to travellers. Their Circumnavigation of the Black Sea visits all six countries that rim this legendary sea - Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria - with the voyage characterised by striking landscapes, stunning historical monuments and the friendly people you meet along the way.

September 13-27, 2011 & September 25-October 9, 2011; aboard the deluxe 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey; a highlight of the journey is a private tour of the Odessa Opera House. Closed and under renovation for seven years, it is now open to the public and a truly grand experience once again.

That's just one of 15 extraordinary days spent exploring the Black Sea. In the company of cultural experts and historians, travellers wander through the ruins of Greco-Roman sites, exquisitely tiled Ottoman mosques, Byzantine basilicas and monasteries adorned in colourful mosaics and charming red-roofed villages laced with cobblestone lanes.

Throughout the journey, Zegrahm guests will also enjoy local dining traditions, discover vibrant bazaars and sample regional wines.

Learn more about the Circumnavigation of the Black Sea on http://www.zeco.com/ or contact the adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Antarctica in style, luxury and small numbers

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Let's face it, everyone appreciates a good deal, and the phrase "you get what you pay for" couldn't be more true than in expedition travel. Zegrahm Expeditions are the first to admit that there are companies out there that can get travellers to Antarctica for less, but at what cost to the travel experience?

At Zegrahm, they believe their Antarctica, South Georgia & Falkland Islands voyage provides the biggest bang for anyone's "trip of a lifetime" money. When considering an expedition of this magnitude, they encourage you to onider these vital criteria:

Most big cruise ships do not offer landings on the Great White Continent itself; Zegrahm offers several opportunities. Zegrahm's fleet of Zodiacs (inflatable landing craft) provide the ability to explore at a moment's notice. The smaller group size also allows them to take everyone ashore at the same time, so there's no waiting onboard while others are out exploring.

The 110-passenger Clipper Adventurer is a deluxe expedition ship offering fine dining and all outside cabins with en suite facilities. She is also equipped with stabilisers, an ice-hardened hull and state-of-the-art navigation and communication systems. Unlike most cruises, meals, multiple daily excursions, lectures, an expedition parka, gratuities and emergency medical and evacuation insurance are included in the price of the trip.

In this vast land of ice and snow, travelling with expert naturalists, historians and geologists will deepen your understanding and offer invaluable insights. Travelling all that way, one shouldn't miss the profuse wildlife of South Georgia Island, the charming Falkland Islands and Shackleton's Elephant Island. Zegrahm only offers voyages that include the full experience of visiting all these destinations.

For more details, visit http://www.zeco.com/ or check with the UK adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Morocco, The Azores and The Alhambra

By guest blogger Steve Newman

May 4, 2011 • 17 days
Aboard Clipper Odyssey

Charming villages, wine tastings, volcanic hikes, camel rides, stunning scenery, colourful markets, superlative birding, and the list goes on — Zegrahm Expeditions’ Azores voyage aboard the Clipper Odyssey has it all.

Make your way from Spain’s famed Alhambra; set foot on the legendary Rock of Gibraltar; get swept away by the romance of Casablanca; sip and savour the Canary Islands; and end your voyage with five days exploring the dynamic islands that comprise the Azores. Travellers will be amazed by the myriad adventures Zegrahm Expeditions can pack into a single voyage and the sheer diversity that the eastern Atlantic has to offer.

This is no ordinary cruise, you’ll be exploring these unique destination in the company of expert leaders who bring each destination to life. Among them are ornithologist and sea bird expert, Peter Harrison; marine biologist and photographer, Jack Grove; and geologist Tom Sharpe.

For further information about Zegrahm Expeditions’ cruises, visit http://www.zeco.com/ or call the AdventureCruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Sri Lanka First Time Visit

By guest blogger Steve Newman

In 2011, Zegrahm Expeditions will visit the country of Sri Lanka for the first time in its 20-year history. Famous for the production and export of tea, coffee, coconuts, rubber and cinnamon, Sri Lanka has long been on the path of major sea routes and today is an emerging adventure travel destination.

Graced by lush tropical forests, white-sand beaches, and rich biodiversity, it’s no wonder it was once lauded by Marco Polo as the “finest island of its size.” In addition to Sri Lanka’s unspoiled natural beauty, the country has a fascinating cultural history over 3,000-years old, which is also one of the longest documented histories in the world, and is one of the few remaining centres of the Buddhist religion and culture in South Asia.

The Bay of Bengal & the Andaman Sea (Jan17-Feb 6, 2011) and India and the Maldives with Sri Lanka & Lakshadweeps (Dec 17, 2011-Jan 3, 2012) voyages explore three World Heritage Sites during the two days spent in Sri Lanka.

Visits include 1,000-year-old Polonnaruwa (and nearby Minneriya-Giritale National Park, which is home to bears, crocodiles, leopards and its most famed resident, wild elephants!); the Golden Temple of Dambulla, which is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka; and the Temple of the Tooth, which houses the tooth of Bhudda encased in gold caskets. These expeditions both overnight in the quaint village of Habarna.

Travellers aboard Splendors of India with Sri Lanka (Feb 1-17, 2011) and Southern India by Sea with Sri Lanka (Dec 7-21, 2011) enjoy a full-day exploration of Galle, including its Dutch colonial era fort—a World Heritage Site—Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum and Poorvarama Temple.

Travellers spend a second day in the Sri Lankan highlands visiting the Temple of the Tooth, one of the holiest places of worship and pilgrimage for Buddhists around the world; Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, which provides care and protection to the many orphaned elephants found in the jungle (above); and the Botanical Gardens. On the Splendors of India voyage, travellers get the added benefit of an overnight in Kandy, the laid-back capital of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country.

To learn more about Zegrahm’s time in Sri Lanka and to review full itineraries for each expedition, visit http://www.zeco.com/ or call the UK's adventure cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

In the Wake of the Vikings

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Scotland and adventure travel may seem like an unexpected pairing. Yet, Zegrahm Expeditions combines Scotland with the unspoiled islands of the Faroes and the volcanic wonders of Iceland for a 14-day expedition from July 13-26, 2011, aboard Clipper Odyssey that is sure to transform your view of Northern Europe from well-trodden to well-off-the-beaten-path.

Travelling in the wake of true expeditionary travellers — the Vikings — be amazed by the dramatic scenery that sets the stage for Zegrahm's expert team of lecturers to bring the region's natural history and culture to life. Voyage highlights include:

• Tour (and taste!) Scotland's best-known industry: whisky
  
• Storm the beach (via Zodiac) at Dunrobin and explore this 13th-century castle and its Versailles-inspired gardens
  
• Sail past seabird colonies perched on cliffs along the region's dramatic fjords
  
• Take a cliff-side hike and enjoy stunning views while learning about the volcanic geology below your feet
  
• Visit picturesque coastal villages still steeped in Viking tradition
  
• Embark on a thrilling snowmobile ride across Europe's largest glacier
  

For further information about Zegrahm Expeditions’ cruises, visit http://www.zeco.com/ or call the adbenture cruise specialists at The Cruise Line on 0800 008 6677.

Circumnavigate with Zegrahm!

Zegrahm Expeditions Embarks on Five Hallmark Circumnavigations in 2011

SEATTLE, WA, OCTOBER 20, 2010—In addition to their expert leaders and unique expeditionary style of travel, Zegrahm Expeditions has perhaps become best known for their circumnavigations of some of the world’s most interesting, and, often times, obscure, archipelagos. In fact, the 20-year-old company was the first to circumnavigate Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic and New Guinea in the western South Pacific. Zegrahm believes linking together all the fascinating locales within a single destination by small-ship offers travellers an in-depth and uncompromised view of the local culture, history and natural environment. Plus, many of the areas that Zegrahm visits have little to no infrastructure in place, so travelling by small ship is the only way to go.

And, 2011 is no exception. Zegrahm’s travel year commences with the first of the following five highly-anticipated circumnavigations, two of which are brand-new itineraries for Zegrahm:

· Circumnavigation of Sumatra: Zegrahm celebrates the start of the New Year with an inaugural 18-day sojourn around Western Indonesia’s equator-straddling island of Sumatra. Travellers will be amazed by orangutans in Gunung Leuser National Park (above), spectacular Krakatoa Island and stone-jumping super-humans on Nias Island, plus the region’s incredible array of wildlife, unspoiled wilderness and more than a dozen ethnic groups.

· Circumnavigation of Sicily: Zegrahm’s first-ever April expedition circling the Mediterranean’s largest island combines visits to amazing archaeological wonders — from the Roman theatres and villas of Taormina and Lipari to the ornate Norman-Arab castles and cathedrals in Cefalu, Palermo and Monreale — with a tasty immersion into the region’s famed viticulture and cuisine.

· Circumnavigation of Iceland: This 14-day expedition reveals the element-sculpted landscapes and volcanic wizardry that have made the Land of Fire and Ice famous. Travellers search for breeding whooper swans; ride snowmobiles across Europe's largest glacier; walk among ruins that recall the heyday of Viking exploration; and explore the fabled Golden Circle — Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall and the Geysir Center.

· Circumnavigation of Ireland: The Emerald Isle truly sparkles on this fascinating August voyage that brings history to life as Zegrahm explores the Neolithic burial site of Newgrange; the Viking legacy of Waterford; and the 18th-century English architecture in Dublin, Cork and Killarney. No less spectacular are the rolling green glens of the Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula's dramatic cliffs and Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway.

· Circumnavigation of the Black Sea: Eurasia’s most intriguing destinations are revealed —Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria — on a 15-day expedition where beautiful landscapes are enhanced only by the stunning architecture and archaeological sites that travellers experience on one of two September departures. This itinerary is a long-time favourite among Zegrahm travellers.

To learn more about each of these itineraries, plus read accounts of past circumnavigation expeditions, visit http://www.zeco.com/. To book in the UK, be sure to contact specialist agents The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Circumnavigate Sumatra

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Zegrahm Expeditions will extend its tradition of offering exclusive journeys and unique “circumnavigation” voyages in 2011 when it operates a 'Circumnavigation of Sumatra' in January aboard the Clipper Odyssey.

Sumatra, located in Western Indonesia, is the 6th largest island in the world, and contains a rich diversity of natural and cultural highlights – ideal for Zegrahm’s small-ship, expedition cruising concept.

The maneuverability, comfort, and Zodiac capability of the 110-passenger Odyssey, makes the ship well-suited for a robust exploration of Sumatra. The 18-day itinerary departs January 3, 2011; sailing in a counter-clockwise direction around the island and making numerous landings for visits to remote villages, historic sites, and national parks. The voyage begins and ends in Singapore – an interesting destination itself and convenient for international flights.

This is a first-ever itinerary for Zegrahm, which has been operating innovative, small-ship voyages – and unique land safaris and land tours via sister company Eco-Expeditions – for over 20 years. Circumnavigation voyages, which provide adventurers in-depth exploration, and the sense of achievement of going "full-circle,” have been a hallmark of Zegrahm.

With Sumatra, Zegrahm presents a destination of beautiful tropical rainforests, towering mountains and volcanoes, and a vast array of ethnic peoples – boasting 52 different languages. A wealth of national parks are home to over 200 mammal species, including nine that are endemic to the main island and 14 that are endemic to the Mentawai Islands.

A special highlight of this voyage is the opportunity to view orphaned Sumatran orangutans at Bukit Lawang Orangutan Rehabilitation Station. Birders search for some of the 580 species recorded on the island, such as the blue-masked leafbird, Sumatran drongo and spot-necked bulbul.

In the highlands, the cultures of indigenous peoples have endured for generations. The Batak have a special dress code, religious beliefs and customs, and their dwellings are elaborately decorated. On Nias Island, travellers will witness the traditional practice of stone-jumping, where young boys prove their manhood by jumping over six-foot-high stone megaliths. Participants will also meet the Minangkabau, a matrilineal society that uniquely combines Islamic beliefs with their traditional animist philosophy.

For reservations or more information, please contact Zegrahm and Eco Expeditions on www.zeco.com in the USA and via www.cruiseline.co.uk in the UK.

You can also find out more in person about their voyages at the CRUISE SHOW, which will be held in Birmingham on October 16-17 and in London next March (26-27).