Antarctic Dream, Antarctica

The Antarctic Dream, an 80-passenger expedition cruise ship with an ice strengthened hull renowned for its longtime service in the Chilean Navy, has unveiled a new “Fly and Sail” Program for the 2011- 2012 Antarctica travel season which begins 1 November 2012.

The programme allows travellers to experience the crossing of the Drake Passage, the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula, but reduces the regular itinerary by three days by cutting out the second crossing of the Drake Passage.

Lectures are offered to passengers by the Expedition Leaders and additional presentations and workshops are offered by geologists, naturalists, and special guests, which include celebrated photographers, wildlife experts and award-winning scientists.

Visit the specialist Antarctica page on this link at The Cruise Line. 

Fancy a coffee with an Inuit in their home?

Fancy a coffee with an Inuit in their home? Or how about a game of football with the locals? Or the chance to meet local school children? Getting closer to the traditions and culture of the people who live in Greenland is a core focus on a Hurtigruten voyage to Greenland. Greenlanders refer to their island as ‘Kalaallit Nunaat’- the land of the people and in 2012, Hurtigruten will bring its guest closer to the both locals and the townships for the ultimate cultural experience. In turn, it also aims to give something back by offering the Inuits contact with the wider world, which for some is otherwise unobtainable.

Hurtigruten voyages include visits to Greenland’s townships offering the rare opportunity to gain a first hand insight into the everyday life of the Inuits. Inuit houses are open for Hurtigruten guests and they are invited by local families to partake in a traditional ‘kaffemik’, the Greenland version of a cup of coffee and learn more about their way of life. In Uummannaq, there is a welcome by local school children and the chance for them to mingle with guests. When the ship docks in the Ittileq township guests, crew and locals join together for a traditional football match that sees sport bringing together different cultures.

Hurtigruten offer a selection of voyages to Greenland during the summer months. For example:

The Heart of Greenland – from £4117pp – This nine-day expedition along Greenland’s west coast visits small settlements that are only accessible by boat. Available on 10, 17, 24 June and 1 July 2012, the voyage costs from £4117 per person and includes seven night’s full board on the ship, return flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, transfers, landings and lectures by expedition team. Flights from UK to Copenhagen are extra and can be booked by Hurtigruten. Based on two sharing. Price valid if booked by 31 December 2011.

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

Set Sail and Discover the Remote South Atlantic Hideaway of St Helena

A series of new voyages departing in 2012 to the far-flung British Outpost, St Helena, have been introduced by St Helena Line. Lying 1,500 miles north-west of Cape Town, with a rich history and dramatic natural beauty, there’s nowhere remotely like it!

Taking bookings now, the new 18-night Hideaway Tour departs Cape Town on 7 May, 2012 on board one of the world’s last working Royal Mail Ships, the 128-berth RMS St Helena and costs from £2,765 per person. Leading the tour will be Colin Lewis, Professor Emeritus of Rhodes University (South Africa), hugely knowledgeable about St Helena – its history and natural environment. Prof. Lewis will offer a special insight into this British outcrop – the place of Napoleon’s exile.

After a relaxing five-night voyage at sea on board the part passenger, part cargo ship, passengers will arrive on St Helena’s shores on the 12 May, where they’ll be joined by Island residents Basil George and Vanessa Thomas for a fascinating and diverse eight-day itinerary.

Highlights include a trip to Napoleon’s last residence - Longwood House (arguably one of the finest Napoleonic museums in the world), plus other sites of historic importance, including Napoleon’s Tomb. A boat trip, tour of the grounds at Plantation House where the Governor resides, an evening talk from the National Trust of St Helena and a walking tour of the capital, Jamestown, are also included.

A Botanical Day will allow the chance to uncover some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna plus the opportunity to spot the endemic Wirebird. The RMS arrives back in Cape Town on the 25 May.

The Hideaway Tour costs from £2,765 per person based on two sharing an A deck cabin. The price includes eight nights’ B&B accommodation on St Helena, entry fees and guide costs, all meals on the RMS and some meals in St Helena. Return international flights to Cape Town are not included.

For further details visit http://rms-st-helena.com/tours/hideaway-tour or The Cruise Line