#expeditioncruising
A weekly round-up of #expedition and #adventure #cruising news.
http://rodei.me/29xzji7
A weekly round-up of #expedition and #adventure #cruising news.
http://rodei.me/29xzji7
Monday, 11 July 2016
History: The misery of Peary’s elusive channel
#expeditioncruising
There was fame, honour and respect to be won by those who explored Greenland around the turn of the last century. For some, there was also death.
Read full article
There was fame, honour and respect to be won by those who explored Greenland around the turn of the last century. For some, there was also death.
Read full article
Cruising the Komodos and beyond by Pinisi schooner
#expeditioncruising
By Jacqueline Lang and Peter Rigby
The ship’s bell rings. Like school kids racing to recess, we tear out of our cabin, and spring on to the tender whisking us out to a snorkelling hotspot.
Soon we’re kicking away in the Komodo Sea, gliding over reefs teeming with multi-coloured tropical fish.
We’re in a remote part of eastern Indonesia; our new home, the Ombak Putih, a glorious 12-cabin wooden schooner built in the traditional pinisi-style.
For seven days, we’re island hopping with 18 passengers and 13 crew, exploring parts of the Indonesian archipelago most tourists never get to see.
By Jacqueline Lang and Peter Rigby
The ship’s bell rings. Like school kids racing to recess, we tear out of our cabin, and spring on to the tender whisking us out to a snorkelling hotspot.
Soon we’re kicking away in the Komodo Sea, gliding over reefs teeming with multi-coloured tropical fish.
We’re in a remote part of eastern Indonesia; our new home, the Ombak Putih, a glorious 12-cabin wooden schooner built in the traditional pinisi-style.
For seven days, we’re island hopping with 18 passengers and 13 crew, exploring parts of the Indonesian archipelago most tourists never get to see.
Sunday, 10 July 2016
Antarctic tourism industry under pressure
#expeditioncruising
On 29 June, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) held their equivalent to the annual US football or basketball draft...attempting to secure their cruise ship landing schedules for the "top" Antarctic tourist destinations...Deception Island, Port Lockroy, Palmer Station...in an effort to insure that all of the cruise ship passengers had a unique Antarctic experience (eg not seeing any other cruise ships on their voyage). Fortunately I had an opportunity to visit/transit many of the great places along the Antarctic Peninsula during early or late austral summer when the cruise ships weren't around...and as I was working in the US Antarctic Program I was getting paid to do so! Anyway, here's the Guardian's take on this (the article took me a bit aback by the mention of "football" as played in the US rather than in the UK). https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/26/antarctica-tourism-regulations-cruises-field-trips
On 29 June, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) held their equivalent to the annual US football or basketball draft...attempting to secure their cruise ship landing schedules for the "top" Antarctic tourist destinations...Deception Island, Port Lockroy, Palmer Station...in an effort to insure that all of the cruise ship passengers had a unique Antarctic experience (eg not seeing any other cruise ships on their voyage). Fortunately I had an opportunity to visit/transit many of the great places along the Antarctic Peninsula during early or late austral summer when the cruise ships weren't around...and as I was working in the US Antarctic Program I was getting paid to do so! Anyway, here's the Guardian's take on this (the article took me a bit aback by the mention of "football" as played in the US rather than in the UK). https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/26/antarctica-tourism-regulations-cruises-field-trips
The Arctic is Not Ready for Large Scale Tourism (OpEd)
#expeditioncruising
Arctic Tourists Are Ready, Even if the Arctic’s Not
A cruise through the Northwest Passage changed the way authors Connie and Peter Roop thought about Arctic tourism. There are benefits, but the risks remain great. Some trips should not go ahead.
Arctic Tourists Are Ready, Even if the Arctic’s Not
A cruise through the Northwest Passage changed the way authors Connie and Peter Roop thought about Arctic tourism. There are benefits, but the risks remain great. Some trips should not go ahead.
Friday, 8 July 2016
Adriatic cruise aboard Ponant Le Lyrial with Italian Back-Roads tour
'Best of Italy and Croatia 2017' is a 19-night cruise-tour featuring a seven-night 'Best of Croatia' round-trip from Venice aboard Ponant's Le Lyrial and an exploration of Italy with a difference.
As an example of French luxury yachting sophistication, Le Lyrial, sailing under the French flag and only a year old, tops the range. This boutique-size ship has just 122 staterooms and suites, to keep life aboard convivial and intimate.
'Best of Italy and Croatia 2017', arranged and delivered by boutique voyage and cruise specialists Cruise Traveller (cruisetraveller.com.au) also includes an 11-night 'Italian Indulgence' small-group tour with Back-Roads Tours from Rome to Venice. The itinerary is distinguished throughout by vivid special experiences: cook up an Italian feast in a Tuscan villa, hunt for truffles in Piedmont, take a boat across Lake Maggiore to the Borromean Islands.
You'll also wander the ancient streets of Split, where people still live in the palace built by Roman Emperor Diocletian. Discover Lake Orta, a hidden Italian gem enlivened by the captivating medieval village of Orta San Giulio.
Also included in 'Best of Italy and Croatia 2017': 11 nights accommodation in Italy. You'll spend one night in Assisi, two nights in Tuscany, two nights in Lucca (often considered the most spectacular walled town in Italy), a night in Santa Margherita, a night in Cherasco, two nights at enchanting Lake Maggiore, a night in Negrar and a night in incomparable Venice.
There are three departure dates in 2017 for 'Best of Italy and Croatia 2017' and the prices vary seasonally. The following prices (per person twin share, land only) all include twin-deluxe balcony accommodation aboard Le Lyrial.
Silversea Expeditions 2017 brochure
#expeditioncruising
EXPEDITIONS
Silver Cloud
Silversea's luxury expedition fleet will expand to four ships in November 2017 when Silver Cloud joins Silver Explorer, Silver Discoverer, and Silver Galapagos. Fresh from an extensive refurbishment and conversion to an ice-class expedition ship, Silver Cloud launches a series of Antarctica voyages in November and December, featuring itineraries from 10 to 19 days, and sailing mostly roundtrip from Ushuaia.
Bangladesh
Silver Discoverer's new 16-day, Colombo-to-Kolkata cruise departs 11 February 2017 to explore the Andaman Islands and make the first-ever cruise ship visit to Bangladesh, with explorations of Chittagong, Maheshkhali Island, and the Sundarbans, one of the world's largest mangrove forests and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Torngat Mountains National Park
A rare visit to Canada's remote Torngat Mountains National Park, renowned for its spectacular natural scenery, highlights a 31 August 2017 Silver Explorer expedition focused on Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, sailing 15 days from Kangerlussuaq to St. John's.
Galápagos Islands
The expert guides of Silver Galapagos will continue to share their passion for these pristine and biologically diverse islands on two alternating seven-day itineraries exploring the north central and western isles.
To view this brochure, visit Silversea.com/brochures or contact your travel professional or Silversea Cruises on +61 2 9255 0600 or 1300 306 872 (Australia) or 0800 701 427 (New Zealand).
Follow Silversea on Twitter, Facebook and the Silversea Blog.
EXPEDITIONS
Silver Cloud
Silversea's luxury expedition fleet will expand to four ships in November 2017 when Silver Cloud joins Silver Explorer, Silver Discoverer, and Silver Galapagos. Fresh from an extensive refurbishment and conversion to an ice-class expedition ship, Silver Cloud launches a series of Antarctica voyages in November and December, featuring itineraries from 10 to 19 days, and sailing mostly roundtrip from Ushuaia.
Bangladesh
Silver Discoverer's new 16-day, Colombo-to-Kolkata cruise departs 11 February 2017 to explore the Andaman Islands and make the first-ever cruise ship visit to Bangladesh, with explorations of Chittagong, Maheshkhali Island, and the Sundarbans, one of the world's largest mangrove forests and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Torngat Mountains National Park
A rare visit to Canada's remote Torngat Mountains National Park, renowned for its spectacular natural scenery, highlights a 31 August 2017 Silver Explorer expedition focused on Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, sailing 15 days from Kangerlussuaq to St. John's.
Galápagos Islands
The expert guides of Silver Galapagos will continue to share their passion for these pristine and biologically diverse islands on two alternating seven-day itineraries exploring the north central and western isles.
To view this brochure, visit Silversea.com/brochures or contact your travel professional or Silversea Cruises on +61 2 9255 0600 or 1300 306 872 (Australia) or 0800 701 427 (New Zealand).
Follow Silversea on Twitter, Facebook and the Silversea Blog.
Active Travel asks you to take a survey
#expeditioncruising
Complete Our Survey and Win
We really care about our customers at Active Travel, so we are always looking to improve our services in any way possible. To make sure that we’re offering you the very best of the best, then, we’d like to invite you to take our five-minute survey. This information will help us to streamline our services and understand better what you are looking for when planning your next holiday. After all, travel is about creating memories and we hope to help make sure those wonderful memories will last a lifetime. As a thank you for completing our survey, you will also go in the running to win one of 3 Lonely Planet coffee table books. The prize winners will be selected at random and you have to be in it to win it. So please complete our survey and allow us to make your next journey truly unforgettable.
Quality Advice, Variety of Channels
At Active Travel, we're constantly striving to ensure that we offer the finest content and advice to make your holiday experience the best it can possibly be. With that in mind, we focus on communicating with our loyal customers through a variety of different channels. Our website, for example, paints a vivid picture of 12 different holiday experiences. Covering a wide range of destinations, this allows you to search based on whether it's a relaxing holiday you're looking for, an active adventure, or a family friendly journey. Our newsletter also lets us share the latest deals and special offers, while our social media channels like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram allow us to update you in real time. Additionally, it is through these social channels that we can share our personal experiences and advice with you, providing inspiration for your next trip and beyond. Above all, we value our customers' point of view and invite you to connect with us via each of our different dynamic platforms.
Complete Our Survey and Win
We really care about our customers at Active Travel, so we are always looking to improve our services in any way possible. To make sure that we’re offering you the very best of the best, then, we’d like to invite you to take our five-minute survey. This information will help us to streamline our services and understand better what you are looking for when planning your next holiday. After all, travel is about creating memories and we hope to help make sure those wonderful memories will last a lifetime. As a thank you for completing our survey, you will also go in the running to win one of 3 Lonely Planet coffee table books. The prize winners will be selected at random and you have to be in it to win it. So please complete our survey and allow us to make your next journey truly unforgettable.
Quality Advice, Variety of Channels
At Active Travel, we're constantly striving to ensure that we offer the finest content and advice to make your holiday experience the best it can possibly be. With that in mind, we focus on communicating with our loyal customers through a variety of different channels. Our website, for example, paints a vivid picture of 12 different holiday experiences. Covering a wide range of destinations, this allows you to search based on whether it's a relaxing holiday you're looking for, an active adventure, or a family friendly journey. Our newsletter also lets us share the latest deals and special offers, while our social media channels like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram allow us to update you in real time. Additionally, it is through these social channels that we can share our personal experiences and advice with you, providing inspiration for your next trip and beyond. Above all, we value our customers' point of view and invite you to connect with us via each of our different dynamic platforms.
Thursday, 7 July 2016
Affordable Antarctica - Chimu Launches 10-day Antarctic Adventure for Just $5590
There's a reason Antarctica is on every serious traveller's bucket list – it's spectacular, dramatic, remote, beautiful, photogenic and teeming with extraordinary wildlife. The adventure of a lifetime.
But there's no getting around the fact that, due to its extreme isolation, a holiday to Antarctica can be relatively expensive, especially when compared with the el-cheapo flop and drop getaways so popular with many Australians.
Until now.
Chimu Adventures is disrupting the Antarctica pricing paradigm with the launch of its 10-day 'Images of Antarctica' cruise package which tours the Beagle Channel, the Drake Passage, the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, rates start at $5590 per person available until July 30 for the voyage aboard the MV Ushuaia (pictured right).
Navigating these glacier-strewn waterways, guests will see an incredible array of wildlife including penguins, seabirds, Weddell, Crabeater and Leopard seals as well as Minke, Killer and Humpback Whales – all in close proximity.
All meals are included as are up to two ship-to-land two zodiac tours a day led by expert guides in the South Shetland Islands and Antarctica, plus a complete program of lectures by noted naturalists.
Chimu believes this to be the best value trip to Antarctica – and is one past passengers have raved about.
"The MV Ushuaia is a fantastic trip. Food was excellent and the wildlife out of this world. Not to be missed. We will be back!" George H.
Package details: http://www.chimuadventures.com/tour/images-of-antarctica#Details
Tuesday, 5 July 2016
Silversea Arctic Expedition Cruise
#expeditioncruising
Silver Explorer opens the 2017 summer Arctic cruise season with untamed adventure, style and unmatched luxury on a 12 day voyage, departing 30 June 2017. Commencing in Iceland’s idyllic capital, Reykjavik, guests set sail to the seaside municipality of Isafjordur, an area a part of the West Fjords, the least populated region of Iceland.
Silver Explorer continues her voyage, with stops at Vigur Island, Siglufjordur and Grimsey where guests can experience the stark contrasts of Iceland’s geography, from sheer cliffs to sprawling marshlands that are home to dense populations of bird species. The voyage then visits the untouched Svalbard region, affording guests the opportunity to explore land and sea teeming with wildlife. The voyage concludes in Longyearbyen, Norway with guests disembarking on 12 July 2017.
Prices are per person, starting from AU$14,550 in an Adventurer Suite, based on double occupancy. Silversea Expeditions’ fares include: all shore and Zodiac excursions hosted by an expedition leader; all-suite accommodation with butler service; gourmet meals with menus inspired by Relais & Châteaux; complimentary wines, Champagne and spirits served throughout the ship; an outstanding expedition team of expert guides and lecturers; complimentary WiFi and all gratuities.
These voyage are subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. For more information, contact your travel professional or Silversea Cruises on +61 2 9255 0600 or 1300 306 872 or visit www.silversea.com
Silver Explorer opens the 2017 summer Arctic cruise season with untamed adventure, style and unmatched luxury on a 12 day voyage, departing 30 June 2017. Commencing in Iceland’s idyllic capital, Reykjavik, guests set sail to the seaside municipality of Isafjordur, an area a part of the West Fjords, the least populated region of Iceland.
Silver Explorer continues her voyage, with stops at Vigur Island, Siglufjordur and Grimsey where guests can experience the stark contrasts of Iceland’s geography, from sheer cliffs to sprawling marshlands that are home to dense populations of bird species. The voyage then visits the untouched Svalbard region, affording guests the opportunity to explore land and sea teeming with wildlife. The voyage concludes in Longyearbyen, Norway with guests disembarking on 12 July 2017.
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| Silver Explorer |
These voyage are subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. For more information, contact your travel professional or Silversea Cruises on +61 2 9255 0600 or 1300 306 872 or visit www.silversea.com
Passengers Witness Unique Ceremony in Papua New Guinea
#expeditioncruising
Photo credit: A.Tockston (Left), H.Ahern (Right)
Being invited to witness a time-honoured ritual on a remote island in Papua New Guinea is something many travellers dream about and even fewer people ever get to experience.
That is exactly the invitation that greeted passengers aboard Heritage Expeditions’ recent ‘Papua New Guinea Explorer’. An area visited by the early-nineteenth century ethnographer Bronislaw Malinowksi, it is likely there have been few outsiders that have been fortunate to witness the ceremony where a newborn and parents are presented to the village for the first time following the birth.
After being welcomed via a traditional ‘Sing-Sing’ to Eiaus, an island village that sits snugly in the Louisiade Archipelago, passengers and locals alike gathered at a modest family house to witness the proceedings. Set amongst the garden where the family go about their daily lives, passengers and locals blended together as the mother and father were cleansed with hot water before being adorned in papapus palm leaves and having their faces painted by family members. The ceremony occurs after an extended time of isolation from the rest of the village, so the excitement of meeting the newborn was palpable. Cheers broke out from locals and passengers as the newborn was brought out and placed in the father’s arms. Following the ceremony, those in attendance were offered a feast of tender pork stew, rice, yam, and tropical fruits as well as enjoying the buoyant atmosphere. It was a huge honour bestowed upon the expedition to share in this special moment with the village and one that will live on in the memories of the passengers aboard.
Heritage Expeditions explores the islands and villages of Papua New Guinea to provide authentic and unique experiences. With a capacity of just 50 passengers on each expedition the ship ‘Spirit of Enderby’ can access islands, villages and waterways that larger ships often cannot reach. The small passenger numbers aboard also are conducive to a flexible daily programme allowing for the unique opportunities that present themselves as the expedition unfolds.
Papua New Guinea Explorer departs Rabaul/Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 17 April 2017. 13-days starting from $6,500 USD.
For further information on voyages in the South Pacific, visit the website
Photo credit: A.Tockston (Left), H.Ahern (Right)
Being invited to witness a time-honoured ritual on a remote island in Papua New Guinea is something many travellers dream about and even fewer people ever get to experience.
That is exactly the invitation that greeted passengers aboard Heritage Expeditions’ recent ‘Papua New Guinea Explorer’. An area visited by the early-nineteenth century ethnographer Bronislaw Malinowksi, it is likely there have been few outsiders that have been fortunate to witness the ceremony where a newborn and parents are presented to the village for the first time following the birth.
After being welcomed via a traditional ‘Sing-Sing’ to Eiaus, an island village that sits snugly in the Louisiade Archipelago, passengers and locals alike gathered at a modest family house to witness the proceedings. Set amongst the garden where the family go about their daily lives, passengers and locals blended together as the mother and father were cleansed with hot water before being adorned in papapus palm leaves and having their faces painted by family members. The ceremony occurs after an extended time of isolation from the rest of the village, so the excitement of meeting the newborn was palpable. Cheers broke out from locals and passengers as the newborn was brought out and placed in the father’s arms. Following the ceremony, those in attendance were offered a feast of tender pork stew, rice, yam, and tropical fruits as well as enjoying the buoyant atmosphere. It was a huge honour bestowed upon the expedition to share in this special moment with the village and one that will live on in the memories of the passengers aboard.
Heritage Expeditions explores the islands and villages of Papua New Guinea to provide authentic and unique experiences. With a capacity of just 50 passengers on each expedition the ship ‘Spirit of Enderby’ can access islands, villages and waterways that larger ships often cannot reach. The small passenger numbers aboard also are conducive to a flexible daily programme allowing for the unique opportunities that present themselves as the expedition unfolds.
Papua New Guinea Explorer departs Rabaul/Kokopo, Papua New Guinea on 17 April 2017. 13-days starting from $6,500 USD.
For further information on voyages in the South Pacific, visit the website
Monaco Grand Prix with 5 day SeaDream sailing
IF you're into motor-racing and a taste of the good life also appeals, combine both on the French Riviera in May of next year when SeaDream Yacht Club sails a 5-day return voyage from Nice that includes the chance to visit the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix.
SeaDream I sails from Nice on the evening of May 25, has a day and an overnight in St Tropez, Saturday of the race weekend at Cannes and then Sunday at Monte Carlo for either an optional-cost visit to the race final or to go sightseeing, and a final last day in San Remo before returning to Nice.
Sailing price on SeaDream I begins from US$3604pp twin-share including wines with onboard gourmet lunches and dinners, premium drinks from the open bars, power and sail water sports where locally permitted, mountain bikes for shore expeditions, a no-charge onboard golf simulator and fitness centre, and port charges and taxes.
Cost of entry to the Grand Prix is additional and will be announced six months prior to SeaDream's sailing.
SeaDream I has just 56-staterooms for a maximum 112-guests served by 95-crew.
For more details, call Cruise Express on 1300 764 509 or visit www.cruiseexpress.com.au.
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For bookings and further details, see SeaDream specialist Cruise Express
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