Explore the Sea of Cortez with American Safari Cruises

The newest addition to the American Safari Cruises fleet, the 86-guest Safari Endeavour, embarks on a new Baja’s Bounty adventure cruise from November 2012 through April 2013. Week-long expedition cruises sail round-trip from La Paz, Mexico, to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site & Biosphere Reserve.

In true expedition style, the itinerary is flexible to ensure maximum opportunities to view the array of wildlife found on land and sea. The cruise explores Isla Espíritu Santo, Isla Partida, Isla San Francisco, Loreto, Isla Coyote and Isla San José. Snorkelling with playful young sea lions at Los Islotes is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. The region’s culture comes alive on included excursions. A port call in the centuries-old mission town of Loreto includes a guided walking tour exploring the town’s plazas, historical buildings and mission.

In Bahia Agua Verde, guided hikes explore the mainland’s canyons and scenic vistas before joining a local ranchero and his family for a shoreside BBQ dinner enlivened with local music and stories. An excursion to the remote island of Isla Coyote visits the twenty members of the Cuevas family who inhabit the island and make their living as fishermen.

For travellers who want to explore the Sea of Cortés this winter, the Safari Quest will sail week-long 'Aquarium of the World' cruises from November 26 through April 14, 2012. Rates start at $3,995 per person double occupancy.

See more at www.americansafaricruises.com or contact the UK's adventure cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Sea of Cortes Boost from American Safari Cruises

An off-the-beaten path destination, Baja Mexico’s Sea of Cortés is a secluded and protected UNESCO World Heritage biosphere reserve and a favourite yachting destination for American Safari Cruises. As an enticement, the company is offering a $200 per person travel credit for new bookings made by September 30, 2011.



The 22-guest upscale yacht Safari Quest sails week-long adventure cruises from La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, from November to April. On 13 select departures, each guest will receive a $200 travel credit. The travel credit may be used on an individual stateroom or a private charter for a family or group getaway to the welcoming warmth and remote wilderness of the Sea of Cortés.



Families interested in a holiday cruise may also take advantage of a $400 travel credit for teens aged 12 to 19 on the December 24 and December 31 departures.



Sailing round-trip from the picturesque town of La Paz, the yacht explores amidst the hundreds of islands and islets in this place author John Steinbeck found “ferocious with life” and described by Jacques Cousteau as “the aquarium of the world.” A flexible and unhurried cruising philosophy promises time to seek out wildlife, including many different species of whales, dolphins and sea lions - all prevalent in the wildlife-rich waters.



The inclusive cruise itinerary includes exploration of Isla Partida, Isla San Jose, Isla San Francisco and Isla Espíritu Santo. A visit to Bahia Agua Verde includes a mule ride into the arroyos of the peninsula guided by a local ranchero. At Isla Coyote, guests meet the Cuevas fishing family and tour the village and whale bone yard. Snorkelling with playful sea lions at Los Islotes is often a highlight of the trip.



Anchoring in quiet coves, the crew brings water toys out to play. The yacht transforms into a waterborne adventure platform for kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, sailing, skiff rides, snorkelling, swimming, swinging off the rope swing and tubing. Expert naturalists lead kayaking and hiking excursions to explore the beauty of the sea, the coastline and into the desert landscape to see giant Cardón cacti, red rock cliffs and white sand dunes.



The 13 select departures available with the $200 per person travel credit include: November 26; December 24, 31; January 14, 28; February 4, 11, 18; March 3, 17, 24, 31; and April 7.



Cruise fares start at $3,995 per person based on double occupancy. The inclusive cruise includes all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. The 22-guest Safari Quest features a hot tub, Tempur-pedic mattresses, heated tile floors in all bathrooms and upper category balconies. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2 to 1. Yachts can be booked as a private charter or by individual stateroom.

For more info, visit www.americansafaricruises.com or contact the adventure-cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Hawaii & The Sea Of Cortes The American Safari Way

American Safari Cruises expands its warm-water itineraries this winter with new adventure cruises among the Hawaiian Islands, in addition to its voyages in Mexico’s Sea of Cortés. The upscale yachts specialise in active, outdoor explorations with flexible itineraries and a full component of adventure gear.

In 2011, the 36-guest Safari Explorer begins sailing new inter-island Hawaiian adventure cruises between Maui and the Big Island (and reverse). From November through April, week-long Hawaiian Seascapes and 10-night Traditional Shores itineraries explore Maui, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Molokini and the Big Island.

Meanwhile, the 22-guest Safari Quest sails week-long Aquarium of the World itineraries in the Sea of Cortés from November through April. Sailing round-trip from La Paz, Mexico, the flexible itinerary takes time to seek out the myriad marine life in this World Heritage biosphere reserve and explores Isla Partida, Isla San José, Bahia Agua Verde, Los Islotes, Isla Coyote, Isla San Francisco and Isla Espiritu.

In both destinations, the two yachts feature exciting and novel holiday travel – Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day (with a special Hawaii Romance Package), Easter and special 'Kids in Nature' family departures during popular spring break weeks in March.

A relaxed itinerary of cruising from cove-to-cove among islands in Hawaii and the Sea of Cortés maximizes the yachts’ ability to act as a platform for water-based adventures such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming from the yacht’s swim step, snorkelling, braving the rope swing, sailing, skiff explorations and tubing. Guided excursions are led by expert onboard naturalists.

In both destinations, exclusive cultural explorations ashore are included and led by the yacht’s expedition leaders. Guests in the Sea of Cortés visit Isla Coyote, a small island inhabited by the Cuevas fishing family, where guests will tour the village and visit with the family. On Hawaii’s Moloka’i, guests meet a local family for guided walks through the valley focusing on history and archaeology, a chance to help restore ancient taro terraces and a traditional Hawaiian pa’ina—celebration and feast.

The inclusive cruises include all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. All yachts feature a hot tub, Tempurpedic mattresses, heated tile floors in all bathrooms and upper category balconies. Some also feature saunas, a complimentary massage and Jacuzzi tubs. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2 to 1. Yachts can be booked as a private charter or by individual stateroom.

For more info, look up www.americansafaricruises.com or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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

Beat the Winter Blues with Azamara

By guest blogger Steve Newman

With the temperature in Mexico averaging 21°C in January, leave the cold weather behind and head to sunnier climes with Azamara Club Cruises A 12-night Sea of Cortez fly/cruise onboard Azamara Journey (Above) costs from £1,804.00 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Price includes return flights from London Heathrow, one-night pre-cruise hotel accommodation and an 11-night cruise departing San Diego (California) and calling at Mazatlan (Mexico), La Paz (Mexico), Topolobampo (Mexico), Guaymas (Mexico), Loreto (Mexico) and Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), before returning to San Diego (California); meals and room service; destination-influenced entertainment and enrichment programmes; housekeeping and dining gratuities; bottled water throughout the voyage; house wines with meals; specialty coffees and teas; and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Price is based on 18 January 2011 departure.
For more information visit http://www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk/ or visit cruise specialists The Cruise Line