Zegrahm arrives in the Seychelles

A Seychelles delegation consisting of Alain Mason and Lenny Alvis from Mason’s Travel; Lt. Colonel Andre Ciseau, CEO of Seychelles Ports Authority; and Alain St.Ange, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board with members of his team, visited the cruise ship Clipper Odyssey on charter to Zegrahm and Eco Expeditions, newly arrived in port after successful stops at Aldabra and the Amirantes Islands.

Founded more than 20 years ago, Zegrahm and Eco Expeditions occupies a very special niche in the world of adventure travel as a top-end organizer of expeditions to the lesser-frequented parts of the world: the North Pole, Antarctica, the Himalayas, Botswana, the South Pacific islands, and the Indian Ocean. The founder members of the company have each visited more than 100 countries and collectively have been to the Antarctica more than 250 times. Some of the places visited by Zegrahm Expeditions are so remote that they are rarely, if ever, visited.

Handled in Seychelles by Mason’s Travel, which is responsible for arranging transfers and creating enticing, custom-made expeditions for the visitors, the Clipper Odyssey which has just 55 cabins, has recently docked in Port Victoria after a successful Indian Ocean itinerary that included Aldabra, Astove, and the Amirantes Islands.

“The arrival of this vessel in Seychelles after its successful tour of some of our remoter islands sends a powerful signal that, with the proper precautions, possibilities for sea travel in our corner of the Indian Ocean remain undiminished despite the threat of piracy,” stated Alain St.Ange.

In an interview with Seychelles’ Broadcasting Corporation, author Mr. Jack Grove, one of the directors and founders of Zegrahm and Eco Expeditions, explained that operating a cruise in this region of the Indian Ocean that has witnessed sporadic pirate activity over recent years, was rather like attaching a seat belt prior to driving a car. “It is just a sensible precaution to take and, once taken, allows us to use a motor vehicle as a successful means of transport,” elaborated Jack Grove who has a PhD in ichthyology and is one of the chief marine biologists of the nature-oriented expeditions who has visited Aldabra some 10 times already.

“It is very uplifting to be able to welcome Zegrahm and Eco Expeditions back to Seychelles,” enthused Lenny Alvis from Mason’s Travel, “and in particular, Jack Grove, who is an old personal friend. I believe that crafting excursions for such discerning clients is good for our creativity, because it means that we really have to scratch our heads and bring out the best in ourselves.”

In an interview the captain of the vessel, Peter Fielding, he stated that he had enjoyed excellent relations with the Seychelles’ authorities, notably with the Seychelles Ports Authority, and had felt very safe and secure cruising in Seychelles’ waters.

Presenting two gifts to the expedition leader, a Coco-de-mer and a commemorative book of the Seychelles Carnival, Alain St.Ange repeated the great significance of the voyage of the Clipper Odyssey to Seychelles and its importance as a confidence-builder for other members of the cruise ship industry to consider the islands of the western Indian Ocean in their itineraries. “The islands of the western Indian Ocean have a great deal to offer to cruise ships and excellent possibilities exist to create amazing itineraries that include Seychelles, Aldabra, Astove, and the wonders of La Reunion island as well.”

Clipper Odyssey will be rotating captains in Port Victoria, as well as certain other members of its staff, before heading back into the Indian Ocean on yet another exclusive voyage of discovery that will include Aldabra and the island of Zanzibar with a new group of passengers who flew into Seychelles the day before the arrival of the cruise ship.

The disembarking passengers are scheduled to fly out from Seychelles after discovering the islands for the first time.

Source: Seychelles Tourism Board

Historic Day, As Silversea Expedition Guests Land On Point Wild, Elephant Island, Antarctica

Silver Explorer and her expedition team accomplished a first in the ship's history yesterday (26 January 2012), landing guests at Point Wild, Elephant Island – the location where survivors of the Shackleton Expedition lived under two lifeboats for more than four months while hoping for rescue. 

After attempting to take guests to Elephant Island for nearly 10 years, due to the weather conditions yesterday Silver Explorer's Captain Alexander Golubev was able to tuck the Silver Explorer into a small and slightly sheltered bay just to the West of Point Wild.

Robin West, Silver Explorer's expedition leader and his team of nine, including biologists, geologists and an historian, assisted 120 guests on zodiacs one at a time, to explore this historic site, which is one of the most desolate and isolated places in the world.

Guests observed the 100m x 30m strip of land, at low tide, where Shackleton's determined shipmates made a home during the winter of 1916. The zodiacs also passed through a small channel into West Bay which provided great views of Cape Wild and the Furness Glacier cascading into the ocean watched by chinstrap penguins, several male fur seals and one Weddell seal relaxing on an exposed beach platform.

Robin West commented: "Landing in the exact place where Sir Ernest Shackleton stepped ashore nearly 100 years ago, was a truly significant and historic experience, not only for our guests but for Silver Explorer and the Expedition team as well. 

'It is one of the best known stories of early exploration in Antarctica and our guests had the opportunity to be part of this."

Silver Explorer's unstructured itinerary to 'Cruise and Explore the Antarctic Peninsula,' allows the Captain and the Silversea team to determine the exact itinerary as the voyage progresses, as sea and weather conditions can vary so much in the Polar Regions.  Both guests and crew can take full advantage of the available conditions to explore as many sights and make as many zodiac excursions and landings as possible.

Combine true expedition cruising with an elegant, all-suite onboard lifestyle with Silversea Expeditions. Silver Explorer has two 10-day Antarctic expeditions departing Ushuaia (Argentina)on 3rd and 13th December 2012 All inclusive fares are priced from AU$11,699 * per person, double occupancy.

Silver Explorer cruises from Ushuaia through the Drake Passage and then explores the Antarctic Peninsula for five days before returning to Ushuaia via Drake Passage. Silver Explorer is a purpose built expedition ship with a fleet of sturdy Zodiac boats to allow for up close and unforgettable experiences with the terrain and wildlife.

*Price is per person, based on two people sharing a View Suite and includes all shore excursions, port charges, government fees and taxes. Fares for voyages embarking/disembarking Ushuaia include economy class charter air service between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, plus transfers between Ushuaia airport and pier, on day of embarkation and disembarkation.

To book or for more information please contact Silversea Cruises on +61 2 9255 0600 or toll free 1300 306 872 (Australia) or 0800 701 427 (New Zealand), or visit www.silversea.com/expeditions

 

Star Clippers Wins World's Top Luxury Sailing Cruise Awards

Star Clippers took top honours in three categories at the 18th annual World Travel Awards in Doha, Qatar (January 11, 2012) -- World's Leading Luxury Sailing Cruise Company, World's Leading Green Cruise Line and World's Leading Small Ships Cruise Line.
 
There were nominations from 5,000 companies in 162 countries across 1,000 categories. The winners were selected by more than 200,000 industry professionals and consumers worldwide who voted online.
 
The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 to celebrate excellence and achievement in the world's travel and tourism industry. The Wall Street Journal has called the awards the "Oscars of the travel industry."
 
Star Clippers Director of Sales and Marketing Andy Lovering said that to be recognized by agencies and consumers around the world for its green initiatives validated Star Clippers efforts to be responsible corporate citizens.
 
"To also achieve honours for our overall product confirms the strong relationships we have with both our travel agent partners and those who sail with us," he said.
 
Star Clippers' three luxury sailing ships, the flagship Royal Clipper, and sister ships Star Clipper and Star Flyer, follow the sun in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and the Baltic, the Caribbean, and Costa Rica/Panama.
 
The ships combine the pampered luxury of mega-yacht cruising with the thrill of sailing aboard an authentic clipper ship visiting intimate ports of call often untouched by larger cruise ships.
 
For reservations contact your travel agent or Star Clippers on 1300 362 599 or email:starclippers@creativecruising.com.au <mailto:starclippers@creativecruising.com.au>
www.starclippers.com <http://www.starclippers.com>

Visit www.starclippers.com to view a video or take a virtual tour of the Star Clippers ships. See blog at www.starclippersblog.com
 

Botanica adds British Isles and Mekong garden cruises for 2013

New brochure: Botanica Boutique Cruising 2013

Specialist garden tour company Botanica's brochure for 2013 focuses on garden-theme cruises of the British Isles, Europe and the Mekong River that can be linked to the company's popular stand alone small group land tours.

The Botanica Boutique Cruising 2013 brochure presents cruising combined with great gardens (both natural and created), historic and iconic sights, botanical lecturers and culinary gourmet discoveries.

Botanica, a part of the APT Group, is using APT boutique river ships MS AmaVerde for cruising through Europe's heartland and the RV AmaLotus for Vietnam-Cambodia cruises.  The comparable luxury small ship MS Island Sky is used for the British Isles cruise.

Botanica co-owner, Judy Vanrenen said customers were offered a unique and intimate boutique cruising experience with like-minded travellers aboard a luxurious river or expedition ship.

Guest lecturers are featured on the cruises and experienced botanical guides will escort garden excursions.

While tours for the London and Chelsea Flower Show, Cornwall Gardens, Loire Valley Chateaux and Gardens, Italian Lakes and Croatian Wildflowers and Dutch Tulip Time Cruise will again be popular, Botanica's lead-in tour is the new 11-day British Isles Gardens, History and Birdlife.

This is priced from $7,595 per person, twin share which includes 10-night cruise on the luxury small ship the MS Island Sky from Edinburgh to London, service of a Cruise Director, expedition team and an expert botanical lecturer and guides, 26 meals, house wine, beer and soft drinks included with lunch and dinner on board, airport transfers, tipping and port taxes.

Botanica offers flexible touring in Portmeirion, Dublin and County Waterford with botanical options are included at no extra cost.

This tour discovers the spectacular coastline of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales with excursions in Zodiacs, visiting out-of-the-way places off the regular tourist trail, the grounds and gardens of 16th century Crathes castle near Aberdeen, some of Scotland's premier gardens at Inverewe, the 80-acre Bodnant Garden in Wales, the Isles of Scilly and the picturesque island of Tresco.

The MS Island Sky carries 114 passengers and a crew of 75. Like the AmaVerde and AmaLotus, it offers a wide choice of suite styles.

The cruise departs Edinburgh on May 24, 2013.

Gardens, golf and gourmet opportunities are included in the 14-day Europe cruise, travelling on April 27, 2013 from Amsterdam to Budapest. It is priced from $8,975.

The eight-day Mekong cruise from Saigon for Siem Reap departs February 4, 2013 and is from $3,695.

For both cruises, prices cover similar inclusions as the British Isles cruise.

The popular five-day London and Chelsea Flower Show package is from $2,655 and is on May 20, which means it can be linked to the British Isles cruise.

Phone 1300 305 202 or visit www.botanica.travel

Adventure Cruising: Into Africa

UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gorée Island, Senegal,
is a monument to the West African slave trade.

By Roderick Eime

With our planet “shrinking” at a rapid rate, expedition cruisers are always spinning their globes in search of new and enriching destinations to add to their adventure CVs. Nowadays, the whole Earth is pretty much fair game and with social and political relaxation on the west coast of Africa several cruise operators are setting out to these once dangerous lands. This is in contrast to the continuing difficulties and the threat of piracy on the eastern coast near the ‘Horn of Africa’ disrupting cruise ship schedules.

Once no-go countries such as Sierra Leone and Angola are now safe for western travellers and these mysterious lands are now gently opening their doors to a trickle of adventurous visitors. If early indications are anything to go by, these groundbreaking itineraries will be a hit with most departures booked out in advance. Here are some of the early-adopters:

Zegrahm Expeditions

This respected, 20-year-old company have been slow to make their mark in Australia, but their African itineraries and new local representation may be just what they need to kickstart them in the Aussie market. From Mauritius to Morocco and everything in between, Zegrahm offer one of the most comprehensive African explorations out there, but this cruiser has his eye on April’s “Tracing the West Coast of Africa” exploring Cameroon to Senegal. Stops include Ghana, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. Zeco (that’s their industry nickname) operate the stalwart Clipper Odyssey, well known in small ship circles. From US$12,980.00 for 18 days.

Contact: www.smallshipadventure.com


Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad's West Coast of Africa is a
staggering itinerary (click to enlarge)

Never shy about forging new paths in uncharted territories, Lindblad have been at the forefront of expedition cruising since the 1960s and their comprehensive South Africa to Morocco odyssey is nothing short of staggering. Their itinerary looks more like a quilter’s blueprint as it weaves along the coast and islands over 37 days aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer. Take local boats on Lake Nokoue to the stilt village of Ganvié and visit Gorée Island, a World Heritage Site that was a hub for the slave trade. Annually in March and April, fares begin at US$28,480.

Contact: www.wildearth-travel.com


Variety Cruises

Apart from a few isolated cruises in Russia, Australians will know little about this Greek company offering an intriguing exploration of the rivers of The Gambia and Senegal. This week long cruise is in and out of Dakar (Senegal) venturing 270 km upstream to Kuntaur aboard the ‘megayacht’ MY Pegasus. Twice renovated since launching in 1990, Pegasus carries just 49 guests (max) in 23 cabins. Birders in particular will foam at the mouth for the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Saloun Delta Biosphere Reserve in Senegal. From E1390.

Contact: www.discovertheworld.com.au

Silversea

This well known operator adds a touch of glamour and luxury to their expeditions aboard the must lauded 132-guest Silver Explorer. Three itineraries are offered in the region ranging from 10 to 18 days, as the vessel sails from Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands to Cape Town. I’m betting there will be several guests staying on for the whole 45 days. Highlights include UNESCO-listed Goree Island, the seldom visited Bijagos Archipelago and a meet-up with the forest-dwelling pygmy people of Cameroon. Heavily booked, you’ll need to get in early for this. From AU$6699 (10 days)

Contact: www.silversea.com

Those prepared to venture outside the mainstream will find a wide variety of low key voyages on vessels of all descriptions. Old hands in the shipping industry tell us that infrastructure is in place at most of the cargo ports (for vessels that need it) and it’s just a matter of making minor modifications for the small passenger numbers.

“Nobody takes the time to go there and try to work closely with these destinations,” says Luis De Carvalho, an independent shipping consultant now working with these ports to help them accept more passengers. “Africa is learning, but it's the responsibility of the cruise industry to help them grow and to support them.”

That may all be about to change.

Win a trip for two to Antarctica

Win a trip for two to Antarctica with the Natural History Museum and Aurora Expeditions valued at £10,000.

To celebrate the opening of our Scott's Last Expedition exhibition we are offering one lucky winner and companion of their choice a place on an incredible Antarctic Peninsula expedition. The expedition is departing from Argentina in November 2013 (dates and details to be finalised).

Witness soaring snowcapped peaks, sheltered waterways, sculpted icebergs, penguin rookeries, seals and whales on board the Akademik Shokalskiy or Polar Pioneer.

Entry details

After 100 Years, The Chance to Relive Scott's Last Expedition

Aurora Expeditions are proud to partner with London's Natural History Museum on their new exhibit Scott's Last Expedition. Scott's Last Expedition will look at this landmark journey into the unknown from different angles including everyday life in the base-camp hut, examining the different tales of human endurance and revealing the remarkable scientific achievements of the expedition, a story largely untold until now. Aurora Expeditions are proud to be offering visitors to Scott's Last Expedition and online visitors to the Museum the chance to win an expedition cruise to Antarctica to experience the icy continent first hand.

At the time of the Terra Nova expedition, 1910-1913, there were still many unanswered questions about Antarctica. Scott brought with him the largest team of scientists that had ever visited the continent in an attempt to find the answers. The expedition returned with jars and bottles containing thousands of zoological and geological specimens. They also collected a rich record of data, fundamentally contributing to what is now known about the continent. Today, more than 40,000 specimens collected by Scott's Terra Nova expedition are held in the Natural History Museum's collections.

Elin Simonsson, the exhibition curator at the Natural History Museum who led the exhibition development, says 'Our mission is to share this fantastic and inspiring story of Scott's last expedition with the world, and for the first time tell it from a broader perspective. One hundred years on, we want people to know that Scott's last expedition was not just a journey to the South Pole, it was also an important scientific expedition that carried out work across many fields. '

Running from 20 January - 2 September 2012, this exhibition reunites for the first time real objects used by Scott and his team together with the scientific specimens collected on the 1910-1913 expedition. Visitors can also walk around a life-size representation of Scott's base-camp hut, which still survives in Antarctica. The exhibition includes:

The death of the Polar party - starting at the expedition's most dramatic point, with the deaths of Scott and the Polar team, the exhibition will revisit the entire expedition with a look at the many different tales of the powers of human endurance and exploration.

The hut - visitors will be able to enter a life-sized representation of the base-camp hut, which formed the centre of the Terra Nova expedition. In a space that contained a photographer's dark room, a laboratory, a bread-making oven and a gramophone, the expedition members achieved a surprising level of domesticity. As one of the survivors explained, 'Whatever the conditions of darkness, cold and wind might be outside, there was comfort and warmth and good cheer within'.

The science - the thousands of scientific specimens brought back from the Terra Nova expedition represented 2,109 different species of animals and plants. More than 400 of these were new to science. The scientists studied Antarctic wildlife, both on land and in the water, surveyed new terrains, studied glaciology, geology and the effects of atmospheric electricity. They also produced the longest unbroken record of Antarctica's meteorological data, which remains the baseline for modern records today.

Key scientific specimens on display include the geological specimens found with Scott's body at the last camp, the extinct plant fossil Glossopteris indica, which proved that Antarctica had once been part of the supercontinent Gondwana, and the emperor penguin eggs that three men risked their lives to collect on the notorious Winter Journey.

Terra Nova's legacy - The epic tale of Scott and the Terra Nova expedition continues to inspire new generations of scientists, historians and explorers.

During his final days, Scott wrote, 'Had we lived, I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale.'

As these words show, the story of Scott's last expedition is one of adventure, bravery and human endeavour.

Visitor Information

Dates and times:20 January - 2 September, 10.00-17.50 (last admission 17.15)
Visitor enquiries: Monday-Friday +44 (0)20 7942 5000, Saturday-Sunday +44 (0)20 7942 5011
Admission: Adult £9*, child and concession £5.50*, family £26*
Website: www.auroraexpeditions.com.au/scott || www.nhm.ac.uk/scott