NEW Luxury Hotel Barge Joins European Waterways' fleet

Leading, luxury hotel barge operator, British-owned European Waterways has launched to the UK marketplace its 2012 Brochure – and accompanying price insert – featuring cruises along the magical canals, rivers and lagoons of nine European countries, aboard a fleet of 20 hotel barges, ranging in size from 4 – 20 guests.
Traditionally 6-night departures, these relaxing holidays in France, Italy, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, England, Scotland and Ireland, include: all meals on board, selected chateau and domaine wines, open bar, daily escorted shore excursions, local transfers and the use of all barge facilities such as bicycles and spa pools.

With the fully-crewed luxury vessels accommodating between 4 and 20 guests, clients can choose to either charter a whole boat with family and friends, or join a small group of like-minded travellers on an individual cabin basis. The average crew ratio is one crew member for every two passengers and includes Captain, Chef, Tour Guide and Hostesses, ensuring a very high level of service.

Prices for 6-nights in 2012 lead in at: £2,090 per person aboard hotel barge Scottish Highlander in the Scottish Highlands, based on double occupancy per cabin; or £13,400 for 6 passengers aboard Nymphea, Loire Valley, on a whole boat charter basis.

Since printing the new 2012 Brochure, European Waterways is delighted to announce a NEW addition to the fleet, the 12-passenger luxury vessel PANACHE – bringing the portfolio of luxury barges on offer to 21. The 128ft hotel barge will embark in April and May 2012 on round-trip ‘Tulip Cruises’, starting and finishing in Haarlem, visiting the spectacular Keukenhof Gardens in full bloom, the world-famous Delft pottery and the cheese centre of Gouda. She will then reposition via Paris to cruise the beautiful Canal de la Marne au Rhin in Alsace Lorraine.

For more information/reservations visit River Cruise specialists The Cruise Line.

Antarctica with Exodus

Exodus Expeditions are offering an in depth exploration of Antarctica, combining the best of the Western side of the peninsula with the less visited, more remote, Eastern side.

This is a remarkable adventure visiting both sides of the Peninsula. You spend three days sailing along the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, along fjords and past icebergs, enjoying the company of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales. The trip hopes to visit magnificent spots such as Cuverville Island, Wilhelmina Bay and Orne Harbour, before passing through the Antarctic Sound to the wild and remote east coast of the Peninsula in the Weddell Sea.

The epitome of the Weddell Sea is massive tabular icebergs, and watching these imposing and majestic bergs glide silently past the ship is a remarkable experience.  You will  explore islands and continental shores, hoping to visit Brown Bluff (Above), Hope Bay and Paulet Island, whose residents are Chinstrap and Adelie penguins in huge numbers.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with Antarctica cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

InnerSea Discoveries' Expedition Vessels With High-Tech and Upscale Amenities

An underwater bow camera, high-tech kayak launchers and iPod docks are just a few of the new features being installed on InnerSea Discoveries’ two expedition ships, Wilderness Discoverer and Wilderness Adventurer, during preparation for its inaugural season in Southeast Alaska beginning May 2011.

Kayaking adventures will be a popular activity with each ship carrying 28 assorted styles of Necky kayaks—stable, roomy and good for pros and novices. With multiple guided trips throughout each cruise, the ease of launching and return of kayaks is a priority. Both ships have been outfitted with custom made EZ Dock kayak launching systems able to quickly and safely launch four kayaks at a time. Kayakers can also easily guide themselves back onto the ship using the system.

“Though our focus is on activities outside the ship such as hiking and kayaking, we have put a lot of thought into new features to make the experience on board even more enriching and comfortable,” said Tim Jacox, executive vice president of sales and marketing. “Guests will return to a relaxing and inviting atmosphere after a day spent outside exploring nature.”

An underwater camera mounted on the ships’ bow will stream video from the underwater world to flatscreen televisions in all guest rooms and the lounge. A close-up view of life underwater will amaze with a large variety of sea life and at times, views of dolphins playing in the bow’s wake. An underwater hydrophone pipes in the otherworldly sound of whales communicating with each other.

All guest cabins are above deck with large, view windows and feature upscale amenities to ensure a warm, inviting home-away-from-home for active adventurers. Eco-friendly memory foam mattresses are included in all cabins as either a twin, double or queen bed. Flatscreen televisions with DVD players, iPod docking stations and eco-friendly bath amenities take these expedition ships to a new level of creature comfort.

Hot tubs situated outside on deck provide a spectacular setting for guests to relax and take in the scenery. Each ship also has a sauna, exercise equipment, complimentary on-deck yoga classes, a large resource library, well-stocked DVD library and board games. A professional masseuse is part of the crew and massages are available for a fee.

The interior of the newly-refurbished ships feature contemporary colors that complement the wilderness outside. The main lounge, a prime gathering spot for guests to meet and share tales of adventure, has been designed to feel like a cross between a National Park lodge and a quaint neighborhood pub with a bar top made from salvaged Alaskan yellow cedar. Guests can enjoy wine, spirits and a large variety of microbrews on tap.

The company’s “un-cruise” adventures sail between Juneau and Ketchikan (and reverse) from May through September on a Western Coves and Eastern Coves itinerary. When combined, it becomes the two-week Ultimate Adventure. Setting it apart from other cruise line itineraries, InnerSea Discoveries’ ships spend less time in port and instead spend time tucking into hidden bays and coves for adventure activities in Alaska’s wilderness.

Prices for the 7-night cruises start at $1,795 per person, double occupancy, and include transfers and all activities except optional excursions. Port charges of $167 per person per week, massages, wine, spirits, beer and gratuities are extra. Select 2011 dates are designated as Family Discoveries with a focus on activities tailored for all ages. Kids 12 years and younger receive a 25% savings on all departures and 30% on Family Discoveries voyages. To book the ‘un-cruise’ or to request additional information, contact your travel agent or InnerSea Discoveries or The Cruise Line