Aurora Expeditions Expand Antartica Season

Expedition cruise company, Aurora Expeditions has released their exciting new 2012/13 Antarctica programme, with a 10 per cent early-booking discount.

With 20 voyages encompassing the highlights of the Antarctic Peninsula, the Weddell Sea, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, this season is set to be their biggest ever as the programme has a variety of new features, including a choice of two ships, with the addition of Akademik Shokalskiy.

The increased capacity also allows for a greater variety of voyage lengths (8 to 20 days), and more opportunities for adventure activities, with kayaking offered on 16 voyages.

With the successful uptake of the Fly & Sail options, Aurora have increased these in 2012/13, allowing passengers to see more in a shorter amount of time, and cutting out one sea crossing. These voyages will include either a flight in from Santiago or Punta Arenas in Chile, or a flight out from King George Island or Stanley in the Falkland Islands. Prices for the 2012/13 Antarctic season start from $6,365 per person, based on a triple cabin for an 8-day cruise.

Bookings made before December 31 will receive the 10% early bird offer (valid on the first 15 bookings on each voyage only; direct bookings only and not valid in conjunction with any other offer).

For more info, visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au or the UK's adventure cruise experts of The Cruise Line Ltd.

Unique Expedition to Reunite Original Polar Explorers

Leading Polar cruise operator, One Ocean Expeditions is proud to sponsor an extraordinary expedition in which the last wish of world-renowned polar adventurer, Frank Wild, to be buried alongside his ‘boss’ and loyal friend, notorious fellow explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, will be carried out at the whalers’ graveyard in Grytviken, South Georgia, a British overseas territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean.



The special 18-night commemorative voyage to transport Wild's ashes to South Georgia, takes place exactly 90 years after his last voyage with Shackleton in 1921, and is only possible following a seven-year-long research journey by South African author and polar expert, Angie Butler, who discovered Wild's ashes in Johannesburg. Wild’s wish to be buried beside Shackleton never materialised due to the outbreak of WWII a week after his death.



Among the confirmed guests on the Frank Wild Expedition to South Georgia, is the Honorable Alexandra Shackleton, Sir Ernest's grand-daughter, and six members of Wild's family.



Angie Butler, whose recently released book, The Quest For Frank Wild, features exclusive publication of his original memoirs covering four expeditions including those on the Nimrod and Endurance, will also be joining the cruise as a guest speaker.



Passengers on the once-in-a-lifetime voyage will depart Ushuaia, the world’s southern-most city in Argentina on November 20 on board One Ocean Expeditions’ impressive ice-strengthened ship, Akademik Ioffe.



Designed for Polar Research and combining modern comforts and superb amenities with first-class safety features, the ship will chart a course through the Beagle Channel towards the Falkland Islands, where the first planned shore excursion aims to reveal a profusion of seabirds and migratory birds, including the black-browed albatross.



Other highlights of the West Falkland Archipelago may also include bustling rookeries of rare rockhopper penguins, nesting Magellanic penguins, oyster-catchers and the flightless steamer duck, followed by a stop in the islands’ charming capital, Stanley, with its brightly painted houses and fascinating history.



Majestic glacier-covered mountains herald the Ioffe’s arrival at the rugged island of South Georgia, where visitors are greeted by the staggering sight of hundreds of thousands of king penguins covering every inch of the shoreline. It is here that the two friends, adventurers and polar explorers will finally be reunited during a ceremony at the whalers’ graveyard in Grytviken.



The 18-night Frank Wild Commemorative Expedition includes all meals and accommodation, plus Zodiac excursions and landings. The One Ocean Expeditions team includes hospitality staff, guides, historians, naturalists, kayak expedition leaders and experts in the Antarctic, all of whom bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and fun to the voyage. Prices start from $12,990 per person based on twin share, from $10,290pp for triple share and from $16,200pp in a One Ocean Suite.



For further information, visit www.oneoceanexpeditions.com or the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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.

It's All Above Board for Gap Adventures

Whilst the imminent heavy fuel ban will take the wind out of the sails of many larger cruise ships, Gap Adventures’ owned and operated vessel the M/S Expedition will continue to cruise the Antarctic waters.

A ban on the use of heavy fuel oil in the Antarctic becomes law on August 1, meaning larger liners will no longer be able to ply the waters, leaving the seas and breathtaking scenery to smaller ships like the Expedition and its travellers.

Large ships that offer cruise-only trips, carry heavy fuel and more than 500 passengers will no longer be able to sail in Antarctica’s waters. However, Gap Adventures’ ship uses marine fuel instead of heavy diesel and its zodiacs have 4-stroke engines rather than 2-stroke, which create fewer emissions and noise that could disturb wildlife.

Not only is the recently-renovated Expedition committed to responsible environmental practices, it also boasts one of the largest average cabin sizes in her class and several spacious public areas, providing an exceptionally safe and comfortable expedition experience for all her guests. Alongside a highly experienced crew, there is an impressive ratio of one expert expedition team member for every 10 guests.

The world’s largest independently-owned adventure travel company, Gap Adventures launched camping and kayaking in its 2010/2011 Antarctic itineraries, enabling holidaymakers to encounter the intimacy and power of the polar regions in ways few have experienced before.

John Warner, Vice President of Global Sales for Gap, explains: "We are seeing a surge in the Expedition’s forward booking numbers for the Antarctic Season. There is no doubt the limited number of permitted ships, coupled with continued demand from travellers seeking the ultimate adventure cruise, will drive travellers to our ship.”

Take a look at two of Gap Adventures’ Antarctic tours:

Antarctica Classic in Depth; price, was £4,619, now £3,969pp; Duration: 13 days; Departure date: Nov 7. Price includes 11 nights on board M/S Expedition, 1 night’s accommodation with breakfast in Ushuaia, all meals on ship, Zodiac excursions with expedition team, lecture and educational programme, waterproof boots, Antarctica destination guide book and Canada Goose expedition jacket for guests who pay for a Category 5 suite.

Spirit of Shackleton; Price, £7409pp; Duration: 20 days; Departure date: Jan 11, 2012.

For more info, visit http://www.gapadventures.co.uk/ or the UK's leading adventure cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Explore The Falklands & South Georgia

Here's a great offer from Noble Caledonia this week, with a chance to save on a wonderful 22-night cruise to Antarctica that also takes in the Falklands and South Georgia. Book by April 30 and save £400 per person on a 2011 departure (£300 per person on 2012), with prices now from £6,995.

In today’s highly accessible world, there are few places that still hold the power to enthrall and enchant. Antarctica is certainly one of these.

Antarctic Peninsula

Explore both sides of the Peninsula, taking in such memorable sights as the Antarctic Sound, often referred to as Iceberg Alley. Explore with Zodiacs, cruising among ice floes, land at penguin rookeries and visit research stations. Most Antarctic Peninsula cruises will include Deception Island. A highlight of any voyage comes as you navigate through the narrow entrance and sail inside the volcanic caldera. Hot, geothermal springs bubbling up close to shore allow those more hardy souls to experience a very hot and very cold bath almost simultaneously!

Other highights include - Paulet Island (above): Ice conditions permitting, this is a fascinating place and home to hundreds of thousands of Adelie penguins. Unconcerned by our presence they carry on about their business as do the blue-eyed cormorants and Weddell seals. Petermann Island: Visit the bridge as you deftly nudge aside ice floes and navigate the Lemaire channel to Petermann Island where Gentoo penguins have formed their southernmost nesting colony. Humpback and minke whales are often sighted offshore here.

The Falkland Islands

Combining the Peninsula with a few days on the Falkland Islands makes for an interesting contrast. The wildlife on these 420 rocky islands is staggering and it is a truly enchanting place, a true outpost with a unique character and particularly fascinating for the British.

South Georgia

Although South Georgia is a couple of days extra steaming from Antarctica, it is well worth the effort. Here you will experience one of the world’s natural wonders, the ‘Alps in mid-ocean’.

For more info, visit www.noble-caledonia.co.uk or contact the UK's leading adventure cruise specialists, 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.

Princely Visit to Antarctica

By guest blogger Steve Newman

When winter starts to bite here in the UK, the spring is well under way in Antarctica and many dedicated cruisers reach out to experience this vast continent and its astounding beauty. Silversea Cruises have nine departures from November of this year through to March 2011, with a 17-day voyage starting and ending at Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world.

To embark on a luxurious expedition to the best far-flung destinations in the world aboard a ship like Prince Albert II is quite an experience. A purpose-built expedition ship, she was designed specifically for navigating waters in some of the world's most remote areas, including both Polar Regions. The 6,072-ton vessel also boasts a strengthened hull.

The ship's eight Zodiacs (above) allow her 132 privileged guests to visit even the most off-the-beaten path locations. Now you can experience the thrill of a true expedition and venture deep into regions where other vessels cannot go whilst enjoying a privileged lifestyle that is simply second-to-none.

The Prince calls at West Point and Carcass Island in the Falklands before docking at Stanley, the island's capital. Then it's on to South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands before visiting Elephant Island in the South Shetlands, the island most famous as the desolate refuge of Ernest Shackleton and his crew in 1916 following the loss of their ship Endurance in the ice of the Weddell Sea.

Onboard, you can savour a warming cosmopolitan ambience and many special amenities usually found only on the larger ships, including a spacious library with an Internet Cafe, boutique shopping, a full-service Spa, beauty salon, fitness centre, sauna, live evening entertainment and two top-deck whirlpools. The Prince Albert II even features Connoisseur's Corner, formerly The Humidor, where connoisseurs can enjoy the finest cigars and cognacs -- a diversion offered by no other expedition ship!

Find out more by visiting http://www.silversea.com/

Silversea Cruises are also exhibiting at The Cruise Show in Birmingham in October.

Zegrahm's 20th Anniversary

Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions Celebrates 20 Years with Expeditionary Firsts, Faithful Travellers, and Future Voyages

SEATTLE, Wash—2010 marks the 20th anniversary of Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions. To celebrate, the Seattle-based adventure travel company recounts their 20 years of industry-leading accomplishments, salutes their loyal travellers, and looks forward to an expedition-filled future.

When Zegrahm Expeditions started 20 years ago, there were seven founders and four office staff. Today, Zegrahm has 32 employees, more than 70 expedition staff, and has hosted over 31,000 passengers on nearly 1,000 one-of-a-kind journeys to the far reaches of the Earth, from Africa to the Amazon, Antarctica to the awe-inspiring North Pole.

And, while those numbers are impressive in their own right, the company also salutes not one, but two loyal travelers who have reached 50 expeditions with Zegrahm and a special onboard party celebrates each traveler’s monumental milestone during their 50th trip.

Establishing itself as a leader early on by achieving a number of adventure travel firsts, Zegrahm helped organise the first expedition to visit emperor penguin colonies in the frozen Weddell Sea; the first passenger dives to the undersea volcanoes of the Azores and to the wreck of the majestic Titanic; the first expedition retracing the historic 1899 Harriman Expedition to Alaska; and the first adventure travel company to circumnavigate South Georgia, Newfoundland, and New Guinea.

Their thoughtful journeys are designed to educate and enlighten travelers about the natural and cultural world and in the last 20 years, they’ve opened a window to the incredible wonders of Easter Island; Iran; the Galapagos; Uganda; Madagascar; Uzbekistan; the Philippines; New Guinea; Indonesia; Micronesia; Melanesia, Patagonia, Kamchatka, the Kuril Islands, and beyond.

Looking ahead to 2011, Zegrahm is certainly not resting on any laurels with a series of new and unique journeys which include circumnavigating Sumatra and Sicily; in-depth trekking expeditions to Bhutan and Uganda; and sojourns that combine the urban with the ancient in the Persian Gulf, Black Sea, and Mediterranean.

It is hard to argue that Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions has found a winning combination; company president Jon Nicholson says: “Small expeditions, crackerjack leaders, environmental conscientiousness, and an ever-changing mix of intriguing adventures are what make Zegrahm unique and what keeps people coming back for more.”

If true adventure and exploration are what you seek in our ever-shrinking world you will want to take note of Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions. If the last 20 years is any indication, the next 20 are set to be a wild and highly enlightening ride.