Scenic Tours luxury private Mekong charter

Update: 8 February 2014: Due to overwhelming demand Scenic Tours is excited to announce an additional departure date on their luxury private chartered cruise on the Irrawaddy.

The cruise ship exclusively chartered for Scenic Tours, the Irrawaddy Navigator, will sail between, Mandalay and Yangon. Offering an exclusive Burmese experience in pure floating luxury, the Irrawaddy Navigator features indulgent staterooms and elegantly appointed public and dining areas designed to compliment the mystical land.

The additional departure date is November 5, the ideal time for travel to Burma with November commonly known as the cool season, where the country experiences wonderful warm weather with very little rainfall. The 10 Day Luxury Irrawaddy River cruise from Mandalay to Yangon prices starts from $4,185 per person twin share and for bookings made by 31 March receive a $700 airfare credit per couple. Conditions apply.

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Scenic Tours is excited to announce the introduction of luxury private charter cruising in South East Asia. For the first time, Scenic Tours has launched a brochure exclusive to the rivers of South East Asia, which features these luxurious new charters for 2014/2015.

The privately chartered luxury cruises will sail on the Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers, exclusively taking Scenic Tours guests into the heart and soul of South East Asia. The all-suite boutique Mekong Navigator and Irrawaddy Explorer accommodate 68 and 56 guests, respectively, in absolute luxury and comfort. This allows for an unrivalled intimate experience enabling guests to appreciate firsthand the culture, incredible sights and hidden treasures of this fascinating region.


The exclusive private charters on board the Mekong Navigator will sail from bustling Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to Cambodia's Siem Reap, home to the World Heritage-listed temples of Angkor Wat and will set new standards in high-end intimate boutique cruising with indulgent suites, butler service and world class cuisine. The Irrawaddy Explorer will cruise between the last royal capital, Mandalay and Prome, north of Yangon. She will offer an exclusive Burmese experience and is pure floating luxury, providing indulgent suites with floor to ceiling glass doors and elegantly appointed public and dining areas where sumptuous meals are designed to complement this mystical land.

The Scenic Tours signature experiences of the Scenic Enrich and Scenic FreeChoice programs allow guests to enjoy unique events and select activities that really interest them. With meticulously planned itineraries, professional Cruise and Tour Directors with English-speaking Local Guides this is true Scenic Tours all-inclusive luxury, where absolutely everything is included.

Scenic Tours is offering some fantastic offers on the 2014/2015 South East Asia program including free flights or airfare credit of up to $1,000 per couple on selected tours. Bookings must be made by 31 March 2014. For more information visit scenictours.com.au or call 1300 SCENIC (1300 723 642).

Lindblad to celebrate centennial of Shackleton’s imperial Trans-Atlantic expedition

National Geographic Explorer

Lindblad to celebrate centennial of Shackleton’s legendary imperial Trans-Atlantic expedition with special events and amenities

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic is bringing to life one of the most storied expeditions in modern history with special activities, amenities and events celebrating the Centennial of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Atlantic Expedition.

Guests aboard National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion on the 2014-2015 voyages to Antarctica will be led by a remarkable expedition team, who will shed new light on the storied exploits of Shackleton and his men on their ill-fated attempt to traverse the continent by foot, and the examples of leadership and survival that continue to be taught throughout the world today. And, since expedition photography is an integral part of the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic DNA, the season will be dedicated to Shackleton’s expedition photographer, Frank Hurley, whose remarkable images have helped everyone from amateurs to experts in the effort to piece together the ultimate expedition adventure.

One of the premier experts in this field is National Geographic photographer and writer Kim Heacox, the author of Shackleton: The Antarctic Challenge. Lindblad Expeditions and Heacox have created an entertaining and inspirational multi-media presentation that uniquely captures the spirit of Shackleton and the crew that set sail with him on the Endurance in 1914, and that brings Hurley’s artistry into focus like never before.

With the inspiration still fresh in their minds and hearts, guests will have the chance to take to the ice themselves, led by a National Geographic photographer and a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, influenced by some of Hurley’s most iconic images. Those looking to trace Shackleton’s and Hurley’s journey will have plenty of opportunities to do so, hiking in the spacious beauty of the Antarctic alongside naturalists and historians who will recount the stirring saga on the beautiful and challenging terrain.

Such excursions will be enjoyed in both style and comfort thanks to the commemorative Centennial edition parka. The custom-designed parka, combines vintage- style expedition wear with high-tech fabrication for maximum comfort, and comes with a Centennial badge designed just for the occasion that will commemorate the once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Since special occasions deserve special treatment, Lindblad-National Geographic guests will have the chance to toast Shackleton, Hurley and their fellow explorers with the same whisky favored on the original voyage. In February, 2007, the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust made a stunning discovery, uncovering two crates of Mackinlay’s Rare Old Highland Malt, remnants of the 25 cases Ernest Shackleton ordered to provision his 1907 Nimrod expedition. Whyte and Mackay have issued a limited release of the whisky, and the ships have been provisioned with the legendary malt. It will be poured with complements on both the National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion to toast the enduring spirit of the heroic age of exploration that first inspired Lars-Eric Lindblad to bring the first citizen explorers to experience the remarkable beauty of the region a half-century ago.

Travelers will start their own learning adventure long before boarding their voyage thanks to Alfred Lansing’s acclaimed book “Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage,” which will be given to guests prior to departure.

Voyages throughout the season will also feature an array of Global Perspectives Guest Speakers who will add relevant insight and personal experience to the expedition community. They include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward Larson, whose latest book is “An Empire of Ice: Scott, Shackelton, and the Heroic Age of Antarctic Science;” Jared Diamond, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, scientist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author; Kendrick Taylor, Chief Scientist for a project investigating climate change and the Antarctic ice sheet; Joe McConnell, environmental scientist; Fen Montaigne, journalist and author of “Fraser’s Penguins: A Journey to the Future in Antarctica,” and Peter Hillary, of mountaineering royalty, who has summitted the highest mountain on each of the seven continents and established a new overland route to the South Pole.

• Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent: 14 days/11 nights aboard National Geographic Explorer. Rates begin at $12,350 per person in a category 1 cabin based on double occupancy. Departures are Nov. 28; Dec. 8, 18, 28, 2014; Jan. 7, 17, 27; Feb. 6, 2015.
• Antarctica, South Georgia and The Falklands: 24 days/21 nights aboard National Geographic Explorer and National Geographic Orion. Rates begin at $21,360 per person in a category 1 cabin based on double occupancy. Departures on the National Geographic Explorer: Nov. 8, 2014; Feb. 16, 2015; on the National Geographic Orion Dec. 26, 2014; Jan. 25 & Feb. 14, 2014.

Un-Cruise Adventures Offers Seven Theme Cruises for 2014

S.S. Legacy

Un-Cruise Adventures is offering seven theme cruises in summer 2014. Guest experts sail on weeklong cruises aboard the 88-guest S.S. Legacy and 86-guest Safari Endeavour in Southeast Alaska.

The S.S. Legacy, a replica coastal steamer sailing between Juneau and Ketchikan, hosts the 1940s style group Letters From Home on the June 22 voyage. The group performs three part harmonies, tap dancing and comedy. The Alaska’s Golden History cruise focuses on the history of the Klondike Gold Rush and includes a shore excursion in each port.

The 86-guest Safari Endeavour, sailing roundtrip Juneau, Alaska on a weeklong Discoverers’ Glacier Country itinerary, hosts six theme cruises in Alaska. The cruise spends two days exploring by land and sea inside Glacier Bay and wilderness areas. Hiking, kayaking, whale watching, skiff excursions, stand-up paddle boarding and seeking out wildlife are main activities. Guest experts on board provide additional activities for those interested.

Photography

On the June 29 cruise, David Julian, a professional photographer with 30 years’ experience, shares tips and work experience capturing the essence of places, people and light with creative vision. Award winning documentary photographer, videographer and writer Billy Howard joins the Aug. 17 cruise. He’ll share tips on storytelling through documenting people and places.

Marine Biology

Jackie Hedgpeth, a professor, lecturer, photographer and adventurer, adds her 20-year expertise to two departures—July 6 and July 13. Guests will soak up her knowledge and experiences through lively edutainment-style presentations focused on the physiology, feeding, mating and survival behaviors of marine organisms. Alaska-resident Gary Freitag, a faculty member in the public service unit of the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences Sea Grant Program, brings his expertise in marine biology, oceanography and salmon fisheries to guests on the Aug. 10 cruise.

Wine

Kevin Correll, owner and winemaker for Woodinville, Washington’s Barrage Cellars, shares his wine, expertise and experience as a new, boutique winemaker on the June 15 cruise. A one-man operation launched in 2005, Barrage has received recognition from the Seattle Wine Awards and the Wine Advocate.

For more information, visit www.un-cruise.com.

Hurtigruten Offers Whisky Cruises on the Fram

Hurtigruten has announced that two barrels of decades-old single malt whisky are aboard its expedition ship, the Fram. It said this is an effort to further enhance the quality of this fine single Highlands malt scotch.

In American oak barrels, the whisky will ride along as guests of the ship for nearly a year before being bottled with their own unique label, the “MS Fram Expedition Whisky.” Although the name of the distiller remains a secret, it can be disclosed that it has a near multi-century history of producing some of the world’s finest whiskies, according to Hurtigruten. The voyage began in Hamburg in October with bottling expected to take place in July 2014.

The two 150-liter barrels will journey across four seafaring lines: the northern and southern polar circle, the zero meridian and the equator, on the assumption that the continuous rolling moments, temperature changes and sea ear, will further improve the quality of the single malt. It will have travelled 78,000 miles before being bottled.

Hurtigruten estimates that the barrels will produce 400 bottles which will be sold onboard, with a diary and certificate. Guests will also be able to sample the whisky at the bar.

The Fram will also be offering two spring voyages that focus on the topic of whisky and its origins: a 12-day British Isles sailing and a 13-day itinerary titled The Viking Route, focusing on Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland. Both cruises start in Bergen. There will be Scottish lecturer and whisky experts onboard.

AdventureSmith Explorations Small Ship Cruise and Land Itineraries Focused on Panama Canal Centennial

Small ship cruise expert AdventureSmith Explorations announces a year of expedition cruising and land-based touring focused on the 48-mile engineering feat called the Panama Canal that celebrates its centennial in 2014.

On a variety of itineraries guests will learn the history of overcoming hardships endured from 1881 when work on the canal first began, only to be aborted and started again when the United States in 1904 put its resources behind this engineering miracle that began changing the course of commerce – and world history -- in 1914, the same year that World War I began. Today some 14,000 ships pass annually through the canal.

Following are five ways to experience with AdventureSmith Explorations the Panama Canal by sea and by land in 2014.

Panama Adventure Cruise aboard the 24-guest Discovery catamaran is the region’s only all-Panama small ship cruise and it offers a guaranteed daytime transit of the Panama Canal. The per person double rate, inclusive of land excursions, is from $3,850 for seven days. Guests are introduced to tropical rainforests, isolated beaches and remote native villages as well as the Panama Canal. Expert naturalist guides lead nature hikes; there are kayaking and snorkeling excursions among unspoiled reef.

Costa Rica & The Panama Canal aboard the 62-guest National Geographic Sea Lion is a two-day canal transit with a visit to Barro Colorado and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute with experts from National Geographic. The per person double rate is from $5,690 for eight days. Guests explore exuberant, colorful and diverse nature in national parks, wildlife reserves and a privately owned tropical garden. In addition to abundant wildlife, guests swim and snorkel Panama’s famed Isla Coiba, kayak along remote coastlines and horseback ride on the beach.

Costa Rica, Panama Canal and Colombia Cruise aboard the 72-guest Variety Voyager showcases Costa Rica’s Pacific coastline. Guests enjoy one of the most upscale small ships in the region at a per person double rate from $2,590 for eight days. This is also an experience in private yachting as guests unravel the Pacific Ocean coastline of Costa Rica, enroute accessing the nature reserves and national parks of Isla Coiba, Corcovado and Manuel Antonio, and witnessing life in the San Blas Islands while crossing the Panama Canal.

Best of Panama explores the canal, volcanic highlands and the Caribbean Coast, enroute meeting some of Panama’s indigenous people. From coast to coast and past to present, guests on a private guided tour of the locks and on a jungle boat adventure in the canal glean the history and workings of the canal and the original Panama railway. Guests visit a thriving indigenous village and Spanish colonial forts and enjoy moderate daily hikes to, among others, the tropical cloud forest rich in flora and fauna. There are opportunities for zip lining, paddling a dugout canoe and touring a coffee plantation. The per person double occupancy rate is from $2295 for 10 days.

Panama Family Adventure embraces nature, culture and wildlife at a per person double rate of $2,600 (adults), $950 (child age 3-5), $1,250 (child age 6-11) for nine days. Guests experience the Pacific coast and the Panama Canal before venturing to the western highlands of the Caribbean coast to white water raft the Chagres River, go canopy zip-lining in the Chiriqui highlands, snorkeling in the Caribbean waters of Bocas del Toro. Touring historic Panama City is also included.

Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Explorations is based in Tahoe City, CA, along the northern shore of Lake Tahoe. In 2012, owner Todd Smith joined the ranks of Conde Nast Traveler's prestigious 14th Annual Travel Specialists List as the world’s expert on small ship expeditions. A distinction he received again in 2013. For information, availability and 2014 reservations, Phone: 800-728-2875 toll-free or visit www.adventuresmithexplorations.com.

Ultimate Outback 2014 Rail Cruise Sale! From $10,999pp twin share

Ultimate Outback Rail and Cruise package

Lead in price from $10,999 per person twin share. Inclusions are;

·         Gold Service accommodation with all onboard meals on The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin

·         3 nights' accommodation in Darwin at Darwin Central Hotel

·         WWII Bombing of Darwin, The Forgotten War

·         Full Day Litchfield National Park Waterfalls Tour

·         10 nights onboard Oceanic Discoverer from Darwin to Broome including all onboard meals

·         3 nights' accommodation in Broome at the Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa

·         Willie Creek Pearl Farm Tour

·         $50 Sunset Bar & Grill voucher, Cable Beach

Suite 5, 339 Cambridge, Wembley WA 6014 Reservations: 1300 357 057 I Fax: 08 6314 7133 E: marketing@broomekimberley.com I W: www.broomekimberley.com.au

SeaDream your way 13-days from Hong Kong to Singapore

SEADREAM Yacht Club still has space aboard its boutique 5-star SeaDream II that on a 13-day sailing from Hong Kong to Singapore from March 15 will visit six of the most popular cities, bays and islands in Vietnam, including an overnight in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as lushly-tropical Tioman Island in Malaysia.

By contrast there'll be three full days at sea to relax with such all-inclusive SeaDream facilities as the outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, a 30 championship course golf simulator, state-of-the-art fitness centre, a library with over 1000 books, magazines and periodicals, chats with fellow-guests over drinks from the open bars, and plenty of time for leisurely gourmet dining with wines included with lunch and dinner.

And for those who want, there's a Thai Spa that's one of the few onboard services for which costs apply.

Visits in Vietnam include Hai Phong (Hanoi,) Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City (afternoon to following evening,) and Con Dao Island.

Prices begin from US$8544pp twin-share for the 13-nights including all 5-star gourmet dining indoors or on deck depending on weather, power and sail water-sports in ports where permitted, gratuities and port charges and taxes.

For full details see travel agents or visit www.seadream.com

SeaDream II is nearing the end of SeaDream Yacht Club's first-ever season in Asia, Northern Australia and the Pacific, and after arriving in Singapore will sail 7-nights on April 4 to six ports in Malaysia and Thailand and back to Singapore, 13-nights on April 11 from Singapore to Mumbai by way of Malaysia, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka, and 15-nights on April 24 from Mumbai to Athens.

For bookings and further details, see SeaDream specialist Cruise Express

Clipper ship, City of Adelaide, coming home after 150 years.

The magnificent clipper, City of Adelaide, in her heyday.

After being declared a total loss in 1989 when the still floating hull was flooded in Glasgow’s dock, the clipper ship, City of Adelaide, is now back home in her namesake port.

The two decade-long recovery operation has cost more than $6 million and has been funded mainly by public subscription and the only one of two surviving clipper ships now seems safe from destruction and decay. The only other surviving vessel of this type is the famous Cutty Sark, itself badly damaged by fire while under restoration in 2007.

Some 250,000 South Australians can trace their heritage back to the time when the vessel brought 889 passengers from Britain to Adelaide between 1864 and 1886 to begin new lives in the British colony.

The rescued hull being prepared for the long journey home to Adelaide.

Built in Sunderland in 1864 for wealthy Adelaide merchants, the ship had carried the name "Carrick" since 1923, when she became a training ship for the Royal Navy. She then fell under neglect in Glasgow from where she was eventually rescued.

The restoration and display of the vessel will be a centerpiece in the revitalized precinct of Port Adelaide.

Website: www.cityofadelaide.org.au

Compagnie du Ponant Unveils Details of its New Ship: Le Lyrial

The newest ship in the Ponant fleet, Le Soléal, soon to be joined by Le Lyrial

Le Lyrial, the latest addition to French-flagged Compagnie du Ponant's luxury fleet will be launched in the Spring of 2015, adding a fourth sister ship to Ponant's Boreal-class fleet.

The state-of-the-art Le Lyrial will join similarly designed sister ships Le Boréal (2010), L’Austral (2011) and Le Soléal (2013) to offer guests an intimate and sophisticated style of sailing aboard one of the newest fleets on the seas. Le Lyrial will sail her inaugural cruise in April 2015.

Le Lyrial refers to the Lyra constellation in the northern hemisphere. Its principal star is the blue Vega, one of the brightest stars in the sky which is on its way to becoming the next northern pole star, a fitting reference for a Five Star Expedition specialist of the polar regions.

The interior design, cozy yet contemporary, has again been entrusted to interior architect Jean-Philippe Nuel.

He will be working closely with Veronique Saadé, Deputy Managing Director of Compagnie du Ponant, to create a “yachting” feel inspired by the dream destinations the company visits and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation.

The result will be a subtle variation around a palette of blues, ranging from the luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in Mediterranean coves.

To meet its clientele’s expectations, Compagnie du Ponant has redesigned Deck 6 on Le Lyrial to accommodate larger suites, up to 600 sq. ft. for the Owner’s Suite. As a result Le Lyrial will have 122 staterooms and suites compared to the 132 on Le Soléal, L’Austral and Le Boréal.

Certified a CLEANSHIP like her sister ships, this exceptional yacht will be cruising round the Mediterranean for her inaugural season, to Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece, Turkey and beyond, before heading to the icy shores of Antarctica.

Corinthian II (now Sea Explorer) sails for the Arctic with Quark in 2014

Corinthian II will sail as Sea Explorer for Quark in 2014

New in 2014, Quark's Arctic Quest voyage is the most in-depth expedition.

Wildlife, culture and tradition, history and incredible natural beauty abound when you travel from Greenland to the Canadian Arctic.

Details about Sea Explorer

Pandaw unveils ‘Lost Burma’

The luxurious Pandaw “baby”, Pandaw Kalay, on the Irrawaddy River in Burma. (Supplied)

Pandaw Cruises, pioneers of river cruising in Southeast Asia, is building smaller, shallow-draft vessels to open up the virtually untapped spectacular upper reaches of the Chindwin and Irrawaddy rivers in Myanmar.

This will mean year-round cruising for the first time through some of the most picturesque mountain and forest scenery in Southeast Asia right up to near the Indian border with calls at towns and tiny villages rarely seen by tourists.

Australian representative for Pandaw, John Boyd, said the company, which currently operates 11 vessels in Myanmar and Vietnam with two more scheduled for 2014, was concentrating on building shallow-draft ships for more in-depth exploration.

This was contrary to the policy of other river operators frantic to build or buy large capacity less-navigable river craft for the already crowded Pagan-Mandalay sector of the Irrawaddy, he said.

The new shallow-draft 40-passenger Pandaw Kindat and Pandaw Kalaw can cruise to areas in Myanmar no other commercial vessel can reach.

The tiny but luxurious Pandaw Kalay, which went into service in January, is the shallowest draft vessel in Myanmar (75cm). With one spacious owner’s suite and only four main deck staterooms, it is aimed at the private charter market.

All Pandaw craft are replicas of pre-World War II colonial river steamers with comfortable teak and brass staterooms, fine dining and attentive Asian crew.

Bookings through travel agents. Further information at www.pandaw.com

Heritage Expeditions first to visit Papua New Guinea’s Bipi

Have you ever wondered what Paradise looks and sounds like? A group of lucky travelers found out recently when they visited the tiny Melanesian island of Bipi.

Landing on the island by zodiac, the 50 passengers and guides were welcomed at the beach where they were taken through a traditional cleansing ceremony followed by a spectacular cultural performance from islanders of all ages.

The visit was part of a two-week itinerary throughout Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands organised by Heritage Expeditions, a New Zealand-based travel company that specialises in conservation tourism.

Expedition leader, Aaron Russ, said, “We were the first group of travelers to ever visit the island, so our arrival was as special for the local people as it was for us.”

“Conservation is our guiding principle and we always ensure that each place we visit is left just as we found it. Travelling to these remote and pristine places with small groups ensures this can happen”.

Bipi is a flat coral island located off the west coast of the main island of Manus in Papua New Guinea. Consisting of just three villages, it has a population of approximately one thousand inhabitants. In the 1970s and 1980s the island was famous for its master wood carvers. Today the main economic activity is fishing and harvesting sea cucumbers for the Asian markets.

While is it easy to describe Bipi Island as paradise, living in such a remote area has its challenges, including access to healthcare and schooling. Heritage Expeditions’ Discovery Fund, which is made up of passenger donations, contributes resources towards educational, environmental and cultural initiatives in regions the company travels to.

The Heritage Expeditions team is looking forward to returning to Bipi Island in October this year on the 14 day Melanesia Discoverer expedition exploring the islands of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

(www.heritage-expeditions.com)