Pandaw new 10-night Halong Bay and Red River sailing.

Pandaw has a new 10-night Halong Bay and the Red River sailing. The itinerary will commence in July 2015 offering Pandaw guests the chance to explore the beautiful limestone islands in Halong Bay, before travelling to the remote upper Red River. Pandaw is the first river expedition operator to do so.  

Guests will visit floating villages, a floating school and limetone caves in Halong Bay before entering the Kinh Thay River, mooring at Yen Duc Village surrounded by historic mountains. On the Duong River, the Angkor Pandaw (above)  will visit local villages known for their 11^th century folk painting and traditional ceramic production.

Pandaw guests will enjoy a ‘yacht-like’ feel onboard the 16-suite Angkor Pandaw as well as five-star luxury service and a crew to passenger ratio of 2:1. All excursions are included in this unique itinerary. Booking before 31 October 2014 will result in a 10 per cent saving.

10-night Halong Bay and Red River upstream sailing  10 July 2015.

Cruise-only from £1,451 per person based on two people sharing a main deck stateroom, fully inclusive of all excursions, crew gratuities, meals and non-premium drinks. Transfers between ports of embarkation and Hanoi International Airport at the start and end of the voyage.

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

Ramblers Worldwide and Fred Olsen launch new brochure

Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, experts in guided walking adventures combining land and sea – and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines – continue their successful partnership with the launch of a new wide-ranging choice of Cruise and Walk voyages including a river cruise for the first time.  For 8 years the two companies have been offering holidays to destinations near and far and discovering the world on foot.

All of the prices include all meals, an exclusive welcome party on one evening and a traditional afternoon tea with waiter service on a sea day, walking tours, shore visits, sightseeing programmes and the services of a dedicated tour leader.  Plus up to £40 off for bookings made six months in advance.

A range of extra benefits such as early booking cabin upgrades and drinks inclusive packages are also available on selected sailings. 

New additions to the programme include:

Rivers of the French Atlantic Coast – an 8 night guided walking holiday sailing the Loire and Garonne Rivers and La Rochelle aboard ‘Braemar’. 

The Mediterranean and The Adriatic – a 25 night holiday aboard ‘Black Watch’ embracing some of the most fascinating sights along these coast steeped in a rich and diverse history.

Iberia and North Africa – a choice of 10 and 14 night holidays aboard ‘Braemar’, ‘Boudicca’ and ‘Balmoral’, exploring Europe’s Atlantic Coast and the Mediterranean.

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

Aurora Expeditions take on the big five with their new African Cruise Safari

Adventure travel specialists Aurora Expeditions will be adding Africa to their expedition programme in 2015 with a brand new, 14-day African Cruise Safari. Showcasing the best of Southern Africa, the expedition will travel by boat, bus and jeep to some of the greatest nature and wildlife experiences in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Passengers will experience the rich history of Cape Town, Table Mountain and its nearby wine regions before flying to Victoria Falls and delving deep into the heart of some of Africa’s greatest wildlife convergences.

From luxurious safari lodges in Hwange and Chobe National Parks, passengers will enjoy safaris, dusk and dawn, to observe some of the largest populations of roaming elephants, giraffes grazing on thorn trees, antelopes, bathing hippos, and lions, cheetahs and leopards stalking their prey.

The highlight of the expedition is a three-night river cruise along the Chobe River, the natural boundary between Botswana and Namibia, on board the glorious Zambezi Queen. Wildlife viewing opportunities are endless as animals  come to the river to drink and feed, day and night. Small excursion vessels allow for discreet water-based game viewing, or guests can sit back and enjoy the show from the comfort of shaded decks or the air-conditioned, mosquito-screened lounge.

Aurora Expeditions’ will run two departures in 2015, on 16 and 23 April. Fares include all accommodation, transport, excursions and most meals, and start from £4,392 per person, twin share.

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

More Offers from AMAwaterways

SAVE £660pp

15 September 2014, 7 night Legendary Danube cruise, saving £660pp + free flights

Save £660pp off a week long luxury river cruise along the Danube from Nuremberg to Budapest, visiting Linz, Passau, Melk, Vienna and Budapest, watching the world pass by from panoramic windows and taking part in daily complimentary tours and excursions. The price of £1,859pp (was £2,519) includes free return flights from London, transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner on board AmaDolce with free flowing wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner, daily excursions and tours, free wi-fi, complimentary use of on board bicycles. Contact AmaWaterways on 0808 256 8422, www.amawaterways.co.uk

SAVE £420pp

19 September, 9 nights Mekong land-cruise holiday, saving £420pp

Save £420pp off a 9 night exotic holiday combining two nights in Siem Reap with a 7 night sailing from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City, on board AmaLotus (Above), meandering along the Mekong and taking in floating markets, temples, historic cities and exotic towns and villages. AmaWaterways’ `Riches of the Mekong’ departs on 19 September 2014 and is on offer for £2,199pp (was £2,619), including return flights from London, transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner, house wine with lunch and dinner, house-brand spirits and soft drinks during the cruise, daily excursions and tours, saving £420pp. Contact AmaWaterways on 0808 256 8422, www.amawaterways.co.uk

SAVE £450pp

30 September 2014, 11 night Russian Waterways cruise saving £450pp

Departing on 30^t September 2014 AmaWaterways has a £450pp saving off a spectacular 11 night cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow, through Russia’s canals, rivers and lakes. The reduced price of £2,349pp (was £2,799) includes free flights from London, transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner on board the river cruiser ‘AmaKatarina’ with free flowing wine, beer and soft drink with dinner, daily excursions and tours.  Contact AmaWaterways on 0808 256 8422, www.amawaterways.co.uk

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

Pandaw River Cruises, Mekong and Irrawaddy offers

Pandaw River Cruises

Seven-night Saigon to Siem Reap cruise-only  20% discount and no single supplements
Ship: RV Mekong Pandaw
Departure information: 11 October 2014
Departing from Saigon and calling at Cai Be, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, the Tonle River, Kampong Cham and Siem Reap.
Price:
Cruise only from £1,220pp

14-night Irrawaddy cruise-only 10% early booking discount
Ship: RV Katha Pandaw
Departure information: 25 October 2015
Departing from Rangoon and calling at Danupyu, Myanaung, Prome (Pyay), Thayetmyo, Magwe, Sale, Pagan (for an overnight stay), Yandabo, Mandalay, Kyauk-Myoung, Mingun and Mandalay.
Price:
Cruise only from £3,031pp

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic offers seven new itineraries for 2015

 

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has seven new itineraries for 2015 on board the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer. With a fleet of Zodiacs and sea kayaks, the ship fosters up-close exploration.

All rates quoted below are per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.

Azores to Morocco: Island Wonders and Fabled Shores, 10 days/8 nights. Departs March 27, 2015. Rates begin at £5,415.

Morocco, Spain and Portugal: Land of the Moors, 10 days/8 nights.  Departs 4 April 2015. Rates begin at £5,415.

Along the Viking Trail: Iceland to Greenland, 12 days/10 nights.  Departs 19 July  2015. Rates begin at £6,515. Book by 31 Dec 2014 to receive complimentary charter airfare (Kangerlussuaq to Ottawa--a £739 value). New bookings only, subject to availability.

Exploring Greenland & the Canadian High Arctic, 13 days/12 nights. Departs July 28; August 7, 2015. Rates begin at £7,944.

Coastal Treasures from the Panama Canal to Peru, 14 days/12 nights.  Departs 27 September 2015. Rates begin at £7955. Book by 31 Dec 2014 and receive complimentary round-trip airfare between Miami/Panama City and Lima/Miami. 

Patagonia, The Chilean Fjords and Argentina's Staten Island, 21 days/18 nights. Departs 21 October  2015. Rates begin at $18,880. 

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

Aqua Expeditions is launching its third luxury vessel in October, on the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam. Aqua Mekong will be in keeping with the style of the compny’s Peruvian vessels – Aqua Amazon and Aria Amazon – with just 20-suites and beautiful, local designs - small enough to be intimate but equally spacious and luxurious.

Aqua Mekong has been designed by renowned Saigon-based architectural firm Noor Design. Measuring 62.4m in length, she will have 20 outward-facing design suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, perfect for guests to relax and watch the scenery float by.

Upstairs on the Observation Deck, guests will be able to slide onto sleek, contemporary interpretations of the region’s cane planters chairs, unwind on cushioned loungers or ease into the river-facing plunge pool.

Dishes include local ingredients such as Khmer Kampot Pepper and Mekong River Prawns.  Aqua Mekong’s bar will showcase the flavours, colours and cultures of the Mekong River Basin along with the leisurely and romantic drinking rituals of colonial Indochina.

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

Hurtigruten's Norwegian adventure cruise

Hurtigruten has combined many of the elements of its coastal and explorer programmes for a one-off winter expedition voyage on MS Finnmarken. A dedicated expedition team will be on board the ship to enhance the experience and deliver a programme of activities above that normally offered on the coastal voyage.

The 12-day voyage will follow the traditional Hurtigruten coastal route, departing from Bergen on 7 December, before sailing along the picturesque Norwegian coast to Kirkenes near the Russian border – from where the voyage back to Bergen begins.

Guests will have the chance to enjoy all of the activities currently offered on coastal voyages, but with a huge array of additional sea and land based activities, a trip to the North Cape, talks by guest lecturers and numerous hikes.

While on-board you can hear Pål Brekke (a solar physicist from the Norwegian Space Centre) giving a lecture on the fascinating Aurora Borealis, or join one of the other daily talks by the expedition team. 

Prices start from £849pp and includes the voyage from Bergen to Kirkenes and back to Bergen on full board basis in an inside cabin, North Cape excursion, hikes, lectures and a Helly Hansen fleece jacket. Flight and transfer packages are available from an additional £330 per person.

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

Explore the Galapagos this Christmas with Vaya Adventures

Adventure travel operator Vaya Adventures using the small ship sailing vessel Beagle offers an eight-day, wildlife-intense cruise with a choice of two itineraries through the Galapagos Islands.

There is still good availability on the 23-30  Dec 2014, end-of-year holiday departure.  The Beagle is a first class, refurbished, schooner-style yacht awarded “Smart Voyager” certification for sound environmental practices. It accommodates a maximum of 14 passengers in seven well-appointed cabins.

Beagle’s cruises run from Tuesday to Tuesday and are divided between a Northwest itinerary and a South & Central itinerary. (The Christmas departure will follow the South & Central itinerary, which visits numerous highlight spots including the islands of Bartolome, Espanola, and Floreana, among others.) 

As with all sailing and land tours through the Galapagos Islands, bilingual naturalist guides accompany guests on daily land expeditions. Darwin’s name is frequently evoked in this one-of-a-kind destination, where visitors can see flora and fauna that don’t exist anywhere else in the world.

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

Exploring the Poles with Fred

The absurdly-named Fred.\ has launched a new travel brand specialising in Polar Expedition cruises.  Offering a selection of polar expedition cruise holidays from seven specialist expedition operators, Fred.\ Expeditions will act as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for intrepid travellers searching for an expedition cruising holiday.
 
Expedition cruise lines on offer from Fred.\ Expeditions include G Adventures, Hurtigruten, Quark Expeditions, Oceanwide Expeditions, Poseidon Expeditions, Lindblad Expeditions and Silversea Expeditions. In addition to the cruises themselves, passengers can take part in on-shore expedition activities including camping, fishing, helicopter tours, hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, photography workshops, polar diving, ski-trekking and exploring the coastlines via Zodiac.

Prices start from around £2,349 per person for a seven night ‘Realm of the Polar Bear’ cruise aboard MS Expedition with G Adventures, departing 1 June 2015. This includes cruise only, onboard accommodation with meals and some beverages included. This itinerary visits Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Spitsbergen:  

A 13 night ‘Journey to Antarctica: the White Continent’ cruise with Lindblad Expeditions aboard National Geographic Explorer, priced from £7,299 per person to include cruise only, onboard accommodation with meals and some beverages included. Itinerary includes Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and Antarctica.  

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

Canadian Arctic Adventures with The Cruise People.

Canadian Arctic adventures in the northern Candadian islands on board the 118-passenger Sea Adventurer are one of  the adventure options on offer from The Cruise People.

They represent well-known expedition and adventure companies offering voyages to the Antarctic, South Georgia and the Falklands, the North Pole, Alaska, Spitsbergen, Iceland, Greenland, the Northwest Passage and Hudson Bay, the Amazon, the Galapagos, the South Pacific and many other destinations polar and tropical. 

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

Sea of Cortez with Mundy Adventures

Discover the raw beauty and incredible wildlife of the Sea of Cortez on an island-hopping adventure cruise from expedition cruise and travel specialist, Mundy Adventures.

 On this seven-night cruise round trip from San Jose del Cabo, guests will kayak in glassy coves; hike along cactus-clad rims and desert scrub; snorkel alongside playful sea lions and colourful coral; and view grey and humpback whales.

The cruise takes place on the 64-guest Safari Voyager which features 33 spacious en-suite staterooms with wide panoramic windows; a comfortable lounge boasting a 270 degree view; an elegant dining room where guests can enjoy delicious meals made from locally-sourced fresh ingredients reflecting the flavours of the destination; library; fitness equipment; and yoga classes.

Starting in San Jose del Cabo, the cruise will visit Bahia Agua Verde, Baja California Sur, Ensenada Grande, Gordo Banks, Isla San Francisco, Isla Santa Catalina and Los Islotes before finishing back in San Jose del Cabo.

There are 13 departures between January and March 2015 with prices from £3,635 per person including return flights from London to San Jose del Cabo (via Los Angeles), overnight stay in Los Angeles, overseas transfers, two nights at the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort and seven nights onboard the Safari Voyager including all meals, premium spirits, wines and beer onboard, port taxes, kayaking and small boat exploration, onboard expert Expedition Leaders and Guides.

Subscribe to World of Cruising magazine here         Have a look at http://timespentatsea.blogspot.com

                                                                      Facebook 

CroisiEurope, unique journeys along the Mekong

River-cruise fans and those who like to look for the more exotic in the cruise world would be well-advised to take a look at this unique offering from European operator, CroisiEurope, who are featuring unique journeys along the Mekong between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap  on board the 48-guest RV Indochine, which is one of very few ships to sail along the Cho Gao Canal between Saigon and My Tho. 

Sail through Cambodia and Vietnam on the Mekong with CFM by CroisiEurope. Onboard colonial-style ships, you will cruise along the Mekong, travelling between Siem Reap and Saigon, via Phnom Penh, from August to April.

Highlights of these Asian cruises include:

• Discovering the Khmer temples at the site of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer Empire in Cambodia from the 9th to 15th centuries
• Cruising in 4-star luxury ships, completely paneled in tropical hardwood
• Visiting the bustling city of Saigon, the French-Colonial city of Phonom Penh and the local floating villages through the region
• Exploring Lake Tonle Sap and fish farms on the Mekong delta.

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

World of Cruising 's rise in circulation.

World of Cruising, the country’s most distinctive and stylish publication packed full of years of cruise experience, is delighted to announce a further increase in circulation.

Since the re-design earlier this year, new membership with CLIA and the appointment of new editor, John Honeywell, the readership has grown significantly as more and more affluent cruise buyers discover the expert opinion and advice for the perfect cruise experience.

The new isue is out now and the next is published on 3 October, a key time for consumers to make their cruise plans for 2015 and beyond so don’t miss out! 

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

Blue Planet Expeditions accepted as new provisional members of AECO

Blue Planet Expeditions are pleased to announce that they have been accepted as new provisional members of AECO – the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators.

AECO  is an international association for expedition cruise operators operating in the Arctic and other organizations with interests in the industry. The association was founded in 2003 and has since become an important organization representing the concerns and views of arctic expedition cruise operators.  AECO is dedicated to managing responsible, environmentally friendly and safe tourism in the Arctic and strive to set the highest possible operating standards.

The association’s geographical range is considered to encompass the Arctic area north of 60 degrees north latitude. The core areas are Svalbard, Jan Mayen, Greenland, Arctic Canada and the national park, Russian Arctic.

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog

 Facebook 

Adventure Canada’s Northwest Passage expedition

Shelley Wright launches new book aboard Adventure Canada’s Expedition to the Canadian Arctic

Author and Inuit advocate Shelley Wright reveals her latest nonfiction work Our Ice is Vanishing/Sikuvut Nunguliqtuq: A History of Inuit, Newcomers, and Climate Change aboard Adventure Canada’s Northwest Passage expedition, September 8th to 22nd, 2014. A book launch like no other, the event will allow Wright to showcase her work among the very icebergs, wildlife and northern communities that first sparked her interest in one of the world’s most dynamic environments: the Canadian Arctic. Adventure Canada guests will enjoy an intimate reading and exclusive book signing from Wright, while sailing through a world ruled by ice.

“I have never felt more conscious of being in a particular place on this earth than when in the Arctic,” says Wright. “Adventure Canada gave me the opportunity to see the Arctic in a way I could never have done without them. I fell in love with the beauty of the land and sea, the majesty of this vast area, and I learned to think globally while focusing on the local.” In Our Ice is Vanishing, Wright unlaces the intricate legacies of exploration, intervention and resilience in the Arctic. The book interweaves scientific and legal data, Arctic history, and personal anecdotes and photographs from Wright’s life and travels in the Far North to the forefront of the international climate change debate. Most of the photographs in her book were taken while Wright travelled with Adventure Canada, the family-owned expedition company offering ship and land-based adventures to the Arctic, Greenland and Eastern Canada.

“Shelley is an unshakable advocate for Inuit and Indigenous peoples’ rights. As part of our onboard resource team, she truly elevates our guest’s experiences and understanding of climate change as it relates to Inuit,” says Cedar Swan, Adventure Canada Vice President. “Having Shelley launch Our Ice is Vanishing in the Northwest Passage with us couldn’t be more special.” Adventure Canada offers voyages to the Northwest Passage twice yearly, travelling between Greenland and the Canadian Arctic. During this iconic journey, guests will visit Inuit communities, search for polar bears, witness calving glaciers and sail dramatic fiords. For more information about author Shelley Wright and Adventure Canada’s 2015 Northwest Passage expeditions, please visit www.adventurecanada.com or call 1-800-363-7566.

Subscribe to World of Crusing magazine  here      Timespentatsea blog  Facebook