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.

Avalon's New Mekong River Adventures

Luxury river cruise specialist Avalon Waterways has announced the delivery of a new river cruise ship, the Avalon Angkor, as it launches a dedicated Vietnam, Cambodia & China brochure with a fascinating choice of river cruises and tours in the region.

The new brochure will go on sale on November 24, including a tour of Vietnam & Cambodia with a Mekong river cruise as well as two China tours, including a Yangtze River cruise. Tour and cruise departures are from April 2012 to March 2013.

Due for delivery in 2012, Avalon Angkor (above) has been specially designed to be the first ship in the industry to cruise all the way from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, avoiding more than 7 hours travelling time by coach. Built by local craftsmen with a colonial design, the boat is the first Avalon vessel to be launched outside of Europe but will feature all the modern amenities the company is renowned for.

Accommodating just 32 guests in 16 deluxe staterooms over two decks with a Sun Deck, this small and intimate ship will feature the standard spacious 172sq ft staterooms as on all Avalon ships. The floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors provide an open-air experience without losing any space in the stateroom and are the best way to enjoy the passing scenery.

All Avalon cruises are fully packaged with flights, transfers, airport taxes, port charges and gratuities, as well as a private door-to-door transfer service (within 75 miles of your chosen international airport), local guided sightseeing and a full board cruise with complimentary wine served at dinner.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out the UK's luxury river cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Uniworld's New Vietnam Venture

River-cruise specialists Uniworld are launching an exciting 14-night itinerary to Vietnam and Cambodia on the Mekong River featuring the new River Saigon cruise ship with a limited capacity of just 60 guests. The comprehensive itinerary starts at Ho Chi Minh City, where guests will stay for three days exploring the city and visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels.

From there, guests sail down the narrow canals of the Mekong River stopping off for excursions at small towns and visiting floating markets and homes. The cruise continues down to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, where guests learn about the violent Khmer Rouge regime, as well as a visit to the National Museum.

Guests continue on their cruise up the Mekong towards Siem Reap, stopping off at small towns along the way. At Siem Reap, two days are dedicated to exploring the UNESCO heritage site of Angkor Wat and then there is a short flight back to Hanoi, where guests will stay in the luxury of the Inter Continental Hotel before departing for home. UK prices for this package are still to be confirmed but will be finalised shortly.

The package will include: 7-night Mekong River Cruise in a riverview stateroom onboard the beautiful new River Saigon; 7 nights in centrally located deluxe hotels featuring luxurious accommodations, buffet breakfast, and all services charges; taxes and porterage; fully escorted excursions with English-speaking local guides made up of more than 20 people; 14 buffet breakfasts, 9 lunches and 11 dinners; complimentary wine with dinner onboard, and complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, local beer and local spirits throughout the day; domestic flight from Siem Reap to Hanoi or Hanoi to Siem Reap; all transfers on arrival and departure days.

For more info, see www.uniworldrivercruises.co.uk or luxury river-cruise specialists The Cruise Line Ltd.

Orion's Flavours Of Asia

From the flash of saffron robes in a Buddhist temple to the remote crystalline beaches of Tioman Island and the bustle of floating market stalls on the Mekong, the whiff of durian, the silence of a misty dawn in Halong Bay or the buzz of motor bikes in Ho Chi Minh City, Orion Expedition Cruises now offer two superb seven-night voyages that combine the sensory contrasts of Asia into never-to-be forgotten experiences of sights, sounds and smells that encapsulate South-East Asia.

Enjoy an inclusive overnight stay and visit to the world’s largest religious complex, the World Heritage listed temples of Angkor Wat. Take an early morning elephant ride through the temples to see first-hand the technological and architectural wonder of the ancient Khmer kingdom, with its canals and reservoirs and a rice economy able to support a million people.

Cross the broad muddy waters of the Mekong Delta and mix it with the locals on an exclusive Zodiac exploration of the river and floating markets – Orion II being the first foreign ship to be granted permission to do this.

Bargain for batik, beaten brassware and shot silk in dazzling colours, sip a dry martini, lounge on an untouched beach, snorkel transparent waters and photograph sampans with their distinctive timber hulls and sun-bleached yellow sails. These two itineraries reveal a balance of history, culture and relaxation that capture the energy of bustling modern Asia balanced by the serenity of the ancient.

· The seven-night Gulf of Siam Explorer departs October 10 and December 22 and February 27, 2012. The voyages alternate between Singapore and Bangkok and visit Tioman Island, Kuala Terengganu, Ko Samui, Ang Thong Marine Park and Ko Kut. Priced from £3,340 per person, including seven nights on board Orion II, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

· The seven-night Thailand, Temples & The Mekong expedition departs October 17 and December 15, and March 5, 2012. The voyages alternate between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City and visit Ko Kut, Sihanoukville (for an overnight trip and stay at Angkor Wat), Phu Quoc and Can Tho (Mekong Delta). Priced from £3,340 per person, including seven nights on Orion II, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

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

AMA's New Brochure

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Award-winning river cruise line AMA Waterways has launched its 2011 UK brochure, featuring luxurious voyages in Europe, Russia, Cambodia and Vietnam with a lead-in price of £1,422pp for a seven-night cruise, including all meals, wine with dinner (in Europe), daily excursions and free Wi-Fi.

Eighteen itineraries take in the Rhine, Main, Danube, Rhone, Saone and Moselle, as well as the Volga-Baltic Waterway in Russia and the Mekong in Vietnam and Cambodia. Next year will also see AMA Waterways introducing two new vessels, special events ashore and a wide range of pre- and post-cruise options.

Steve Williams, managing director of Fred. Olsen Travel, which represents AMA in the UK, says: “We are very excited about the launch of a new brochure for 2011 which embraces the introduction of a new ship, AmaLotus, on the Mekong and the AmaKatarina, destined to be the best ship on the Volga."

For maximum flexibility, as many guests prefer to choose their airline or travel by train to join their ship, AMA offers cruise-only pricing. These prices can, however, also be packaged with flights, train, transfers and hotels. For example, Prague, Budapest or Istanbul can be added to the Grand Danube voyage, while hotels in Paris and Barcelona can be combined with the Provence and Spain itineraries. Guests visiting South-East Asia can choose between an eight-day cruise from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa) or a 16-day itinerary combining the cruise with accommodation in Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City.

Oh, and don't forget to come along to the Cruise Show at the Birmingham NEC this weekend!