Quark Expeditions to Antarctica

Quark Expeditions, the leader in polar adventures, announces the newest member of its fleet, the Ocean Diamond. This ‘Super Yacht’ will be the first to deliver CarbonNeutral® voyages to Antarctica, another addition to the company’s long list of polar “firsts.”

Quark will offset the emissions of the Ocean Diamond, the company’s newest ship, thereby offering the first carbon neutral voyages in polar travel history. Travellers to Antarctica, one of the world's most remote and remarkable destinations, will be guaranteed to have a “green” experience at no added cost to any of the 189 passengers.

There are three once-in-a-lifetime Antarctic itineraries on board the Ocean Diamond that last between 10 to 20 days.  There are a host of optional activities such as photography courses, camping and kayaking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing across enormous snow fields and mountaineering which present the opportunity to get up close and personal with the big ice and the wildlife. An on-board polar library stocked with fascinating books and periodicals and expert-in-residence talks will enhance the overall Antarctica experience.

Quark Expeditions is giving those who book by 30 April 2012 a 25% discount on any of the 10 departures of the three itineraries offered aboard the Ocean Diamond for 2012-13 for twin occupancy:

The inaugural trip is to the Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica: Explorers and Kings

03 – 22 November 2012, 26 December 2012 – 14 January 2013

Prices start from: 20 days (19 nights), from £6,060 for triple occupancy (£6,090 with 25% discount for twin occupancy) and includes 19 nights on the ship, one night in Ushuaia on B&B, three meals a day, shore landings, on-board lectures, as well as free one-year enrolment in the Friends of Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI). Optional add-ons are available include polar kayaking, taking in a cruise to the affectionately known Penguin Island (Gable Island) where Magellanic Penguins raise their young, or stretch out those muscles on a 3 hour hike through protected wilderness, followed by a paddle to the sea in Tierra del Fuego National Park. Flights are available with most major carriers including BA, KLM, Lufthansa, Iberia, Air Canada and Continental to Buenos Aires and then fly to Ushuaia via LAN or Aerolineas Argentinas. For further information please visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call (001) 203 803 2666

Introduction to Antarctica: The White Continent

21 – 30 November 2012

Prices start from: 10 days (9 nights), from £2,500 for triple occupancy (£2,528 with 25% discount for twin occupancy) and includes 8 nights on the ship, one night in Ushuaia on B&B, three meals a day, shore landings, photography courses, on-board lectures, snowshoeing expedition, free one-year enrolment in the Friends of Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI). Optional add-ons are available include kayaking and all-inclusive beverage packages. Flights are available with most major carriers including BA, KLM, Lufthansa, Iberia, Air Canada and Continental to Buenos Aires and then fly to Ushuaia via LAN or Aerolineas Argentinas. For further information please visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call (001) 203 803 2666

Antarctic Explorer: The Classic Adventure - 11 days

29 November – 09 December and other several departures until 09 February 2013

Prices start from: 11 days (10 nights), from £3,000 for triple occupancy (£3,090 with 25% discount for twin occupancy) and includes 10 nights on the ship, one night in Ushuaia on B&B, three meals a day, shore landings, on-board lectures, free one-year enrolment in the Friends of Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI). Optional add-ons are available include polar kayaking, camping, cross country skiing , mountaineering, taking in a cruise to the affectionately known Penguin Island (Gable Island) where Magellanic Penguins raise their young, as well as the opportunity to stretch those muscles on a 3 hour hike through protected wilderness, followed by a paddle to the sea in Tierra del Fuego National Park. Flights are available with most major carriers including BA, KLM, Lufthansa, Iberia, Air Canada and Continental to Buenos Aires and then fly to Ushuaia via LAN or Aerolineas Argentinas. For further informa tion please visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call (001) 203 803 2666.

Sail to Orkney this summer with Hebridean Island Cruises

Join Hebridean Island Cruises' (www. hebridean.co.uk/ 01756704700) small luxury cruise ship, Hebridean Princess, and discover the charm of Orkney's Nordic heritage from £5,550 per person (based on two people sharing a castle grade cabin).

The nine-night North to Orkney cruise explores the island's prehistoric sites including Cape Wrath and the Castle and Garden of Mey. Special guest speaker and archaeology expert Dr Coleen Batey will also be onboard to give an insight into the iconic buildings and Orkney's largest chambered tomb, Maes Howe.

North to Orkney departs from Oban and calls at Gairloch, Loch Eriboll, Scrabster, Kirkwall, Stronsay and Papa Westray, Westray and Stromness, Stromness, Helmsdale and Invergordon. Price based on a 27 June 2012 departure.

Alternatively guests on the nine night Home From The North cruise can pay a visit to Orkney's legendary cathedral, St Magnus, which has dominated the Kirkwall skyline for over 875 years. Cruise starts from £3,700 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Home From The North departs from Invergordon and calls at Helmsdale, Kirkwall, Skara Brae, Scrabster and Loch Eriboll, Stornoway, Skye, Rum, Glenmore and Oban. Priced based on a 15 July 2012 departure.

Prices include all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursions and gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

For more information and to book visit www.hebridean.co.uk or call 01756 704 704.

Jean-Michel Cousteau and Paul Gaugin Cruises

Jean-Michel Cousteau - son of the legendary Jacques Cousteau - and his Ocean Futures Society created the Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Programme, which is a unique, groundbreaking programme that introduces young travellers to the extraordinary natural wonders of French Polynesia through direct, hands-on, interactive learning. The mission of the Ocean Futures Society is to explore our global oceans, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for their protection.

Under the guidance of expert Ocean Future Society naturalists, young Ambassadors (ages nine to 17) will explore coral reefs, learn about volcanic islands and forest ecology, experience Polynesian culture, hike rainforest trails, visit marae (ancient Polynesian temples) and more. Parents have an option to join their children on eco-excursions and other activities onboard and ashore.

The Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Programme is available on summer voyages and is also available on select holiday cruises for a nominal fee of $299 per child.

2012 Summer Voyages Featuring Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Programme:

· Seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands Cruises: 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th and 23^rd June; 21^st and 28^th July; 4^th and 11^th August

· 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands Cruise: 30^th June

· 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus Cruise: 11^th July

· 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands Cruise: 18^th August

Holiday Voyages Featuring Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Programme:

· Seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands Holiday Cruises: 22^nd and 29^th December

Prices start from £3,642 per person (based on the seven-night Tahiti & Society Islands voyage departing 2^nd June if booked before 12^th May) including return economy flights from the UK, overseas transfers, a night in Los Angeles and use of a day room post cruise.

For further information and reservations call 020 7434 0089 or visit www.pgcruises.com

NEW THRILLS AWAIT ACTIVE TRAVELLERS IN NORTHERN EUROPE WITH CRYSTAL CRUISES

Between May and September this year, Crystal Cruises’ guests in Northern Europe can hike, drive, ride, fish, climb, sail, row, bob, fly or surf in destinations from western France up to the Arctic Circle and over to Iceland. The ultra-luxury line has set more than 100 new boutique Crystal Adventures to take maximum advantage of the region’s abundant outdoor opportunities and stunning natural beauty.

On new outings, outdoor enthusiasts can:

· River Raft Iceland’s glacial Hvitá River (outside Reyjkavik).

· Rock Climb Ireland’s Mourne Mountains (CS Lewis’s Narnia-inspiration) outside Belfast, or rappel down a Dalkey quarry after taking in the view of Dublin.

· Surf in Biarritz, with Quicksilver’s world-class surf school instruction (from St-Jean-de-Luz).

· Tank-Drive a vintage WWII battle tank for two miles near Portland.

• Helicopter over Paris and Versailles (from Honfleur), Bordeaux wine country or Iceland’s recently-erupted Eyjafjallajökull volcano (from Reykjavik).

· Olympic Wheelbob down Lillehammer’s Olympic Bob & Luge Track outside Oslo.

· Horseback Ride through the “Garden of Ireland”/County Wicklow, Finnish countryside and forest near Helsinki or mountains outside maiden call Akureyri, the latter on the back of Icelandic horses descended from the Viking Age.

· Kayak past colourful Copenhagen via its harbour and canals or the natural beauty of coastal northern Norway (from Tromso).

· Hike the chalky Dorset coastline in Portland or Norway’s highest mountain, Mount Ulriken (in Bergen).

· Fish the Finnish Archipelago, Geirangerfjord or near Reykjavik (sea angling).

• ATV or 4x4 Drive through North Cape’s gateway, Magerøya Island (Honningsvåg) or past glacial Icelandic landscape to either a lobster lunch or snowmobile adventure (Reykjavik).

· Boat past Helsinki’s seaside villas and lighthouses by catamaran; discover caves and orkas in maiden call Heimaey, Iceland by RIB or motorboat; spot puffins on a RIB sea safari to Runde Island (near Ålesund, Norway); or scout for sea eagles by Zodiac in Lofoten, Norway (maiden call).

· Soak weary, post-activity bones in a natural geothermic/volcanic lagoon en route to stunning Godafoss, aka “Waterfall of the Gods” (from Akureyri).

Other new boutique excursions that focus on the arts and off-beat experiences (and require less adrenalin!) include:

· Blown Glassmaking near Saint-Malo: Fashion your own blown glasswork at a local studio.

· Venturing Off-the-Beaten-Path in Berlin: Explore living as the locals do, with shopping at the fruit and vegetable market, riding the Underground and going inside a typical local apartment.

· Painting in St Petersburg: Take a painting master class at Russia’s largest private modern art gallery.

· Evening Walking with a Night Watchman in Copenhagen: Take a different type of walking tour, at night, with a traditional uniformed - and informed - local “night watchman.”

· “Titanic Experience” in Belfast: Visit the new Titanic museum on the centennial anniversary of the ship’s sinking.

· Gourmet Dining and Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: From slow food to Médoc wine, join local experts in exploring the region’s legendary estates, including a gala dinner at Château Haut-Bailly.

Many Crystal Adventures offer new Private Options for couples. For even more intimate time on shore, guests can also custom-craft a Crystal Private Adventure or take an Overland Adventure, such as a two-day trip to Moscow from St Petersburg.

Until 30^th April, “Book Now” fares for Crystal’s Northern Europe cruises start at £2,166 per person/double occupancy for an 11-night sailing from Southampton to Hamburg departing 21^st May. Price includes flight from Hamburg to the UK, overseas transfers and 11 nights in a deluxe stateroom with picture window on an all-inclusive basis.

Crystal’s passion for creating exclusive, eye-opening luxury shore-side experiences is the cornerstone of its Crystal Adventures programme, earning the line top ratings for two decades.

For further information and reservations please call Crystal Cruises on 020 7287 9040 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk

Southern Chile Opens up as a Cruise Destination

The world's top cruise lines offer a number of options for exploring southern Chile by boat. Whether the focus of the tour is adventure or luxury, you'll have a chance to relax and take in everything around you.

The classic cruise route in southern Chile departs Puerto Montt and leads to the San Rafael Glacier and its 70 meter-high walls and the lagoon of the same name. The Northern Patagonia voyage takes five to six days during which you'll enjoy incredible scenery capped by a glass of whiskey served over thousand-year-old ice cubes. Some cruise lines also travel to and from Castro, Chiloé.

Fishing and fine dining enthusiasts can depart Puerto Montt on a ship that navigates the canals southward without a fixed destination. Passengers can disembark via modern zodiac boats and helicopters to visit the best fishing spots and enjoy an exquisite traditional lunch on the glaciers' shores.

Four-day cruises leave Puerto Montt for Puerto Natales, traveling along the southernmost fjords and canals in the world. The journey will take you to Puerto Edén and past the Pio Xi Glacier, the largest in South America, as well as Bernardo O'Higgins National Park.

Another fascinating route runs from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia, Argentina. There are excellent expedition cruises that eschew parties and focus on adventure. As you travel through Southern Patagonia you'll come across canals, glaciers, penguins and dolphins. You can also go trekking and, if time allows, sail to Cape Horn which marks the end of the continent.

Those who wish to visit Antarctica can chose from 10 to 31 day cruises that follow a number of different routes. Most depart Ushuaia, Argentina. From Punta Arenas, you can take an aerotour to Rey Jorge Island, which is part of the South Shetland Islands, and continue on to the white continent from there.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury, adventure cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Joanna Lumley has become the God Mother of the Viking Odin.

 

Joanna Lumley has become the God Mother of the Viking Odin, one of four new Viking River Cruises Longships launched in a record breaking day in Amsterdam.

Follow this link to see a video of the launch and interview with Joanna.

The World’s Leading River Cruise line christened four new state-of-the-art ships at once, all designed by maritime architects Yran & Storbraaten. The ships will set sail immediately along Viking’s vast range of routes throughout Europe; taking in rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Elbe.

For more details of Viking River Cruises go to www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk

Rare Deals on Aurora Expeditions’ Cruises to The Kimberley Coast, Russian Arctic and Scotland

For a limited time, Aurora Expeditions is offering the chance to travel on a number of its iconic expedition cruises to the Kimberley, Russian Arctic and Scotland in 2012 at special discounted rates.

Kimberley Coast - AU$500 Discount

$500 Discount on all new bookings on 11 day Broome – Broome voyages departing in 28 May - 7 June and 8 - 18 June, 2012*

To celebrate the $1 million refurbishment of their Kimberley ship Coral Princess, Aurora Expeditions are offering $500 OFF* all new bookings on Broome – Broome voyages departing in 2012. Voyages will be led by the original Kimberley Adventurer, Mike Cusack (of Australian Geographic’s first Wilderness Couple) and his experienced team including Art Historian Garry Darby and expert Naturalist Dan Balint.

Travelling aboard the newly refurbished Coral Princess with a maximum of 44 passengers, Aurora’s innovative itineraries ensure passengers explore new locations each day, discovering all the highlights (and a few hidden gems) of the Kimberley Coast. Activities include fascinating rock art interpretation, night time croc spotting, Horizontal waterfalls, bush walks, beach BBQ’s and shark feeding.

Prices start from AU$6490 (including discount)

Russian Arctic – 2 for 1 Deal! Prices from US$4,445 (including discount)

2 for 1 Discount on 14 day Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land ‘Voyage to the End of the Earth’ departing 8 – 21 September, 2012.

With only one other voyage being run to this region in 2012, Aurora Expeditions is the only ‘small ship’ tour operator visiting the undiscovered region of Novaya Zemlya in the Russian Arctic in 2012.

An area shrouded in secrecy, the ability to visit the far reaches of the Russian Arctic is almost impossible to most. Akademik Shokalskiy carries a maximum of 54 passengers, providing intimate exploration of this region. The Novaya Zemlya archipelago comprises one large island and many small, stretching 1000km in an elongated crescent between the Barents and Kara seas. A veritable feast of wildlife and history, it is the easternmost point in Europe and remains one of Russia’s most restricted regions; which is why so few operators have permission to travel there. Whereas, Franz Josef Land is an archipelago of 191 ice covered islands, the planet’s last major landmass to be discovered and the modern day realm of the polar bear. This spectacular voyage promises to deliver adventure by the bucket-load.

One night’s accommodation in Murmansk pre-voyage (7 September 2012) is included in the voyage price, along with airport transfers and a Murmansk city tour.

Prices start from US$4,445 (including discount)

Wild Scotland and Faroe Islands – Savings of up to AU$1,050

Receive 10% discount off the 14 day Wild Scotland and the Faroe Islands voyage departing 11 – 24 June, 2012 *

Seabird-speckled cliffs, towering sea stacks, mysterious standing stones, secret waterways, glorious mountains and windswept moors. From the mournful beauty of the Outer Hebrides to mountainous Skye, remote outliers Foula and St Kilda to the Orkney’s fertile farmlands and Shetland’s rocky shores, the Scottish Isles offer remarkable diversity. The Faroe Islands are all this, steeped in a Viking past that survives today. Kayaking and scuba diving are also available on this voyage.

Prices start from AU$6750 (including discount)

This 14 day voyage departs Oban, Scotland on 11 June 2012, return to Cophenhagen, Denmark on 24 June 2012. Price includes flight from Torshavn, Faroe Islands to Cophenhagen Denmark.

*Discounts valid to new bookings only. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to availability. Other terms and conditions may apply. Offer ends 30 April 2012.

www.auroraexpeditions.au.com

A right royal celebration with Swan Hellenic

Celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on-board Swan Hellenic’s (www.swanhellenic.com / 0844 822 0679) newly refurbished ship, mv Minerva from £2,185 per person (based on two people sharing an inside cabin).

Departing from Portsmouth (UK) on 22 May 2012, passengers on the 16-day St. Petersburg and the Baltic cruise will be able to celebrate the Jubilee by taking part in ‘A Right Royal Quiz’ including musical clues taken from Her Majesty’s 60 year reign. Passengers will also be treated to a special performance of ‘Theatre Royal’ from the Shakespeare Revue Company, enacting some of the Queen’s favourite shows from across the ages, as well as a commemorative meal to mark the occasion.

To accompany the on board entertainment, off shore Swan Hellenic offers a programme of activities fit for any Queen, visiting the prestigious Mariinsky Theatre to celebrate St Petersburg’s 20^th Music Festival “Stars of the White Nights”, seeing a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Opera ‘Eugene Onegin’, and a behind the scenes tour with a curator at the Vasa Museuem, Stockholm.

The St. Petersburg and the Baltic cruise departs from Portsmouth (UK) and calls at the Kiel Canal (Germany), Ronne (Denmark), Visby (Sweden), St. Petersburg (Russia)-overnight, Tallinn (Estonia), Gdansk (Poland) and Copenhagen (Denmark). Price based on a 22 May 2012 departure.

Prices for all cruises includes a tailor-made programme of shore excursions, talks by eminent Guest Speakers, meals and entertainment on board, all gratuities and all relevant cruise taxes/fees. Special terms and conditions apply – please visit website for details.

For more information and to book visit www.swanhellenic.com or call 0844 822 0679. Follow Swan Hellenic on twitter - @Swanhellenic and like us on Facebook

Taste of the Arctic Voyage’ introduced by Hurtigruten for 2013

Want to take a short voyage and sail through Norway’s beautiful Lofoten Islands next winter? How about visiting the Art Nouveau town of Ålesund with its myriad of turrets and spires all covered in snow? You can now do both on a brand new ‘Taste of the Arctic Voyage’ introduced by Hurtigruten for 2013. Sail from Bergen in the south along the coast and up into the Arctic Circle to Tromsø, or take the voyage in reverse. Until now the only winter short break available was all north of the Arctic Circle from Tromsø to Kirkenes and back. Prices for the five-day ‘Taste of the Arctic Voyage’ travelling south from Tromsø to Bergen lead in at just £1080pp, including flights, on selected departures from January to March and November to December 2013.


Depending on which direction guests choose to sail, they will experience many of the highlights of a full 12-day ‘Classic Round Voyage’ from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, including the Lofoten Islands, Seven Sisters Mountains and the fascinating towns of Bergen, Tromsø, Ålesund and Trondheim. Excursions are also pre-bookable in both directions, including dog sledding, snowmobiling and a Northern Lights safari by cable car in Tromsø.


For those with a keen interest in the coastal wildlife, Hurtigruten has introduced two new birdwatching excursions. Those travelling on a seven-day ‘Classic Voyage North’ or the ‘Classic Round Voyage’ from 1 May to 31 August can take a rib expedition to Runde Bird Island near Ålesund. This is home to Scandinavia’s largest sea bird colony with more than 500,000 of them nesting here. Amongst them are Atlantic puffins, blacklegged kittiwakes and guillemots. Prices for the expedition to Runde Island are from £133pp.


The new Birds of the Arctic excursion can be enjoyed from Vadsø for guests travelling northbound, or from Vardø for those journeying southbound, from 15 April to 31 July. The Varanger region is one of the most attractive and popular birdwatching areas in the Arctic due to it being directly in the path of migrating birds. This is the only place in Europe that you are likely to spot the rare Steller’s Eider. Prices cost from £247pp for this full day excursion.


For those looking for more flexibility and better value, Hurtigruten has included more packages with flights for next year. These are available on two itineraries, the ‘Arctic Highlights Voyage’ from Tromsø to Kirkenes and back and the ‘Classic Round Voyage’. Eight new departure dates are available for the ‘Arctic Highlights’ itinerary, departing on selected dates from January to March and October to December from four regional airports in total including Belfast, which is brand new for this year and Edinburgh, previously only featured as a flight-package departure airport for the ‘Classic Round Voyage’.
Furthering Hurtigruten’s aim to bring guests closer to the Norwegian culture, new music and culinary concepts are being introduced on all ships in 2013 following a pilot scheme this year. Local delicacies will feature on the daily menu affording a real taste of the coast and guests will be able to enjoy Norwegian music played on board.


For more information call Hurtigruten on 0844 448 7601 or www.hurtigruten.co.uk <http://www.hurtigruten.co.uk>

G Adventures announces its first sailing programme in West Africa

Exploring multiple countries in West Africa has become easier as G Adventures announces its first sailing programme in the region aboard the M/S Expedition.  

The cruises enable travellers to discover this underexplored area of the continent with ease, while uncovering West Africa’s unique and varied historical, cultural and natural landscapes in comfort and style.  

Passengers can choose from three itineraries that visit more than 10 African nations in April 2013. All itineraries are now on sale and priced from £3,495pp:

• Accra to Dakar – 12-day
• Cape Town to Accra – 18-day
• Cape Town to Dakar – 27-day 

G Adventures is recognised for trailblazing up-and-coming destinations and the new expeditions are among the first of their kind in the region, with ports of call including Ghana, Senegal, Benin, Cameroon and Togo.  

“The programme is ideal for expedition cruise enthusiasts seeking fresh experiences,” says Jeff Russill, G Adventures’ VP of Innovation. “It will also appeal to those who have not sailed before and want the convenience of experiencing West Africa by sea instead of land.”

All itineraries boast a solid combination of activity and leisure. Passengers have ample time to spot rare birds and endemic wildlife with skilled naturalists, mingle in local markets, visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the birthplace of voodoo, trace the roots of slavery, and learn about the region from the experienced expedition staff, including historians, anthropologists and ornithologists.  

Passengers will also explore unreachable coastlines, and visit uninhabited islands and traditional villages via a fleet of zodiacs. A notable highlight is the opportunity to discover the Bijagos Archipelego off the coast of Guinea-Bissau – a rare experience offered by very few operators. The island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, one of the most unexplored places on earth, and its inhabitants are descendants of an ancient culture that practices an animist religion. 

While at sea, travellers can enjoy a variety of unique activities that complete the onboard education programme, including sommelier-led wine tastings, lectures from a panel of experts, an African film festival and photography, plein air painting, art and music workshops. 

The 140-passenger M/S Expedition features large cabins equipped with en-suite bathrooms and windows, providing an exceptionally spacious and comfortable experience for all guests.  Demonstrating innovative travel in West Africa, G Adventures’ land-based Voodoo Trail trip was selected as one of National Geographic Traveler Magazine’s Top Tours of a Lifetime for 2009.

For more information please call 0844 272 2040 or visit www.gadventures.com

The Nostalgic Nile from £1,395– Saving up to £800pp

The Nostalgic Nile from £1,395– Saving up to £800pp

Eight day The Nostalgic Nile itinerary with Bales Worldwide, including scheduled flights and accommodation on The Amber, a traditional ‘dahabiyya’. Trip includes English-speaking guides on board who will also take care of tipping, private air conditioned vehicle for transfers, a sightseeing itinerary (including entrance fees), and exclusive ‘dahabiyya’ cruise. Prices are per person based on two adults travelling and sharing on a mixed board basis (including seven breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners). Price includes all applicable UK and overseas airport taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Prices are based on 19 May departure date.

For more inopfrmation contact The Cruise Line. Also check out the new online edition of World of Cruising magazine. 

Aurora Expeditions Pushes The Boundaries Of Arctic Exploration

 

Just announced a 2:1 deal on this voyage

Aurora Expeditions is the only 'small ship' tour operator visiting the farthest reaches of the Arctic in 2012. It's 14 day 'Voyage to the End of the Earth' cruise, departing from Murmansk on 8th September, 2012 explores the incredible polar oases of Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya - the latter being off limits to most operators. An area shrouded in secrecy, the ability to visit Novaya Zemlya, deep within the Russian Arctic, is almost impossible to most. Aurora Expeditions are delighted to be taking a maximum of 54 passengers on an intimate exploration of the region, aboard their expedition ship Akademik Shokalskiy. The Novaya Zemlya archipelago comprises one large island and many small, stretching 1000km in an elongated crescent between the Barents and Kara Seas. Providing a veritable feast of wildlife and history, it is the easternmost point in Europe and remains one of Russia's most restricted regions; which is why so few operators have permission to travel there. The voyage also explores Franz Josef Land - an archipelago of 191 ice covered islands, the planet's last major landmass to be discovered and the modern day realm of the polar bear. The remote northerly location of these stunning archipelagos supports diverse and prolific wildlife, reinforced by the creation of national parks in 2009. The privileged few who take this voyage will explore the shore and Zodiac cruise around these islands of fascinating beauty and history, witnessing spectacular displays of bird and wildlife. For the more adventurous souls, kayaking is also available. Voyage Highlights: Exclusive photography mentoring led by acclaimed photographer Martin Bailey. A true wildlife expedition: seek out the rarest bird species of the Arctic such as the Ross´gull and ivory gulls; Greenland whales, narwhals, polar bears and walruses. Explore rarely visited historic sites, explorers' and hunters' huts and camps. Encounter stunning sunsets and a chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Why travel with Aurora Expeditions? For nearly 21 years, Aurora Expeditions have pioneered small group adventures to remote coastlines. A passion for adventure - Each voyage aims to provide guests with the experience of a lifetime. Taking a maximum of 54 passengers, the expert team seek out the best landing opportunities to ensure passengers maximise their time in the wilderness. Flexible itineraries, numerous daily Zodiac landings, 24hr open bridge policy and fascinating educational lectures all contribute to ensuring the voyage of a lifetime. Voyage prices start from US$8,890 per person. Voyage inclusions: Transfer from Murmansk airport to hotel, overnight accommodation in Murmansk, city tour and transfer to ship and transfer from ship to Murmansk airport