Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ five star expeditions ship MS HANSEATIC to offer premier voyage in Russia’s Far East

• Circumnavigating the Sea of Okhotsk

• Stops in Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands

In June 2012, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be offering their first itinerary through the Sea of Okhotsk in Russia’s Far East, on the only 5-star expedition vessel in the world, the MS HANSEATIC. The HANSEATIC’s itinerary will be fully bilingual, departing Otaru, Japan on June 13, 2012 and concluding in Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka on June 30th. The 17-day expedition voyage will lead through the Sea of Okhotsk and her many islands as well as to Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. This route, rarely travelled by cruise ships, is one of the last great unexplored sea expeditions in the world.

The wildlife in the Sea of Okhotsk and her many remote islands is some of the richest in the world and the scenery of snow-capped volcanoes, dense forest, tundra and meadow is spectacular. The on-board Zodiacs, small inflatable boats, will take guests ashore to observe wildlife such as Stellar Sea Lions, songbirds, birds of prey, seals and sea otters, up close.

The mostly uninhabited Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia’s easternmost province, is a dramatic landscape of fire and ice, and the distant and isolated Kuril Islands have mesmerized explorers and traders for centuries. Guests will find a unique mixture of endemic birds. Geysers, hot springs and active volcanoes set amidst towering mountains and fast flowing rivers also make this area magnificently unique.

Excursion options of this itinerary include a helicopter flight to the Valley of the Geysers, considered one of the greatest miracles of nature that can only be visited by helicopter; a zodiac ride to Cape Utholoskiy, to hopefully view the brown bear; and a walk around Atlasova, an uninhibited island in the Kuril Islands, with the largest active volcano in the area.

This itinerary starts at EUR 9.027 / GBP 6.448 / USD 10.832 per person, based on double occupancy for an outside cabin.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com.

Art of Japan Voyage

Orion Expedition Cruises has released details of an exclusive eight-night Art of Japan voyage featuring visits to some of the most culturally significant high points around the Inland Sea of Japan. Departing Busan on 19th April, the itinerary has been tailored especially for art lovers and those with a curiosity about Japanese art seeking to better understand and experience the breadth of art culture in Japan, including some fine collections of Western art.

Developed in conjunction with the Art Gallery of New South Wales, this tour embraces ancient Shinto shrines, exquisite formal gardens, art complexes and museums, samurai culture, medieval castles and contemporary architecture. From the floating red shrine of Itsukushima to collections of Claude Monet, the formal gardens of Korakuen and the contemporary art of Tatsuo Miyajima, this Art of Japan voyage onboard Orion II will be an unforgettable artistic revelation.

Join Jackie Menzies OAM, head curator of Asian art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales; Tony Bond OAM, Assistant Director at the Gallery and Anne Graham, Artist and Academic who has worked in Japan creating several permanent public art works. Onboard and ashore they will be joined by Dr Julian Droogan, a scholar of comparative religions, archaeology and material culture, for an Art Lecture Programme providing insight into Japan’s proud ancient culture and its innovative embrace of the modern and contemporary.

The eight-night Art of Japan voyage onboard Orion II departs Busan on 19th April and visits Sakai Ko, Honshu Island; Hagi, Honshu Island; Hiroshima; Miyajima, Inland Sea; Uno Ko, Honshu Island; Naoshima, Honshu Island; and Takamatsu, Shikoku Island; before arriving into Kobe, Japan. Prices start from £3,825 per person (a saving of £670 per person) including eight nights onboard Orion II, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

For further information and reservations call 020 7399 7620 or visit www.orionexpeditions.

Explore's new Polar Adventures Brochure

Explore's new Polar Adventures brochure features 3 new ships and 19 new polar voyages.  They are also offering up to 30% off selected Polar Voyages.

The new collection of Polar Adventures introduces more ships that'll take you into the heart of Antarctica and to the most rugged parts of the Arctic. Spot emperor penguins, the tallest penguin species in the world, in the Ross Sea, or naviage the Arctic on a two mastered schooner, the Noordelicht. These are just 2 of the company's new ideas, to complement their classic collection of Polar Adventures.

http://www.explore.co.uk/polar/16711-new-polar-adventures-brochure-and-save-up-to-30-percent