Star Clippers offers ex-UK tall ship cruise for sailing and boat enthusiasts

In 2012, as part of a maiden summer season of Baltic tall ship cruises, Star Clippers will offer a sailing from Southampton on the 170-passenger, full-rigged tall ship `Star Flyer’, the first time one of the Star Clippers’ tall ships has been in British waters since the ship’s launch in 1991.

To celebrate the occasion, Star Clippers are offering a sailing voyage on board the magnificent four masted `Star Flyer’ that includes five nights’ full board on the ship, five nights’ parking at Southampton Port, transfers to Hamburg airport and a return flight to Heathrow, and a private taxi transfer from Heathrow to Southampton to collect parked vehicles. Prices from £999 / person.

Star Flyer will depart from Southampton on 5th May 2012 on this epic one-off voyage between two of northern Europe’s greatest maritime cities, Southampton and Hamburg, sailing via Amsterdam, which has a great sailing heritage of its own, prior to cruising Baltic waters in Summer 2012. The ship will be the most head turning in port and is guaranteed to draw much attention when she arrives in the Solent from a transAtlantic crossing on 5th May 2012.

The five day sailing offers plenty of time at sea to learn about sailing a tall ship, navigation and operating the sails or simply relaxing on the teak decks or in the al fresco Tropical Bar. For details contact Star Clippers on 0845 200 6145 or visit www.starclippers.co.uk.

Luxury yacht Safari Quest explores wildlife rich Sea of Cortés

An off-the-beaten path destination, Baja Mexico’s Sea of Cortés is a secluded and protected UNESCO World Heritage biosphere reserve and a favorite yachting destination for American Safari Cruises. As an enticement, the company is offering a $200 per person travel credit for new bookings made between July 20 and September 30, 2011.
The 22-guest upscale yacht Safari Quest sails weeklong adventure cruises from La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico from November through April. On 13 select departures, each guest will receive a $200 travel credit. The travel credit may be used on an individual stateroom or a private charter for a family or group getaway to the welcoming warmth and remote wilderness of the Sea of Cortés.
Families interested in a holiday cruise may also take advantage of a $400 travel credit for teens aged 12 to 19 on the December 24 and December 31 departures.
Sailing roundtrip from the picturesque town of La Paz, the yacht explores amidst the hundreds of islands and islets in this place author John Steinbeck found “ferocious with life” and described by Jacques Cousteau as “the aquarium of the world.” A flexible and unhurried cruising philosophy promises time to seek out wildlife including many different species of whales, dolphins and sea lions—all prevalent in the wildlife rich waters of the Sea of Cortés.
The inclusive cruise itinerary includes exploration of Isla Partida, Isla San Jose, Isla San Francisco and Isla Espíritu Santo. A visit to Bahia Agua Verde includes a mule ride into the arroyos of the peninsula guided by a local ranchero. At Isla Coyote, guests meet the Cuevas fishing family and tour the village and whale bone yard. Snorkeling with playful sea lions at Los Islotes is often a highlight of the trip.
Anchoring in quiet coves, the crew brings water toys out to play. The yacht transforms into a waterborne adventure platform for kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, sailing, skiff rides, snorkeling, swimming, swinging off the rope swing and tubing. Expert naturalists lead kayaking and hiking excursions to explore the beauty of the sea, the coastline and into the desert landscape to see giant Cardón cacti, red rock cliffs and white sand dunes.
The 13 select departures available with the $200 per person travel credit include: November 26; December 24, 31; January 14, 28; February 4, 11, 18; March 3, 17, 24, 31; April 7.
Cruise fares start at $3,995 per person based on double occupancy. The inclusive cruise includes all from-the-yacht activities and equipment; transfers; exquisite meals; fine wine, premium spirits and microbrews; and all port charges, taxes and fees. The 22-guest Safari Quest features a hot tub, Tempur-pedic mattresses, heated tile floors in all bathrooms and upper category balconies. An all-American crew has a guest-crew ratio of 2 to 1. Yachts can be booked as a private charter or by individual stateroom. To book a yachting adventure visit www.americansafaraicruises.com or The Cruise Line

AVALON WATERWAYS LAUNCHES EUROPE-WIDE RIVER CRUISE FOR 2012

Avalon Waterways has launched its longest ever European river cruise itinerary for 2012, the 21 night ‘North Sea to the Black Sea’ cruise from Amsterdam through to Bucharest or vice versa. Sailing through the Netherlands and Germany on the Rhine before joining the Danube through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, the cruise provides an incredible journey to see the many historical, cultural and scenic highlights across Europe.

A broad range of guided sightseeing is included in the cities, towns and famous places along the itinerary including Cologne, Rudesheim, Miltenberg, Wurzburg, Bamberg, Nuremberg, Regensburg, Passau, Grein, the Benedictine Abbey at Melk, Vienna and the Heillgenkreuz Monastery. Also included is Budapest, Vukovar, Belgrade and the Iron Gates Gorge. Visits to Bulgaria’s Veliko Tarnovo and the Patriach’s Church, the Ethnographical Museum at Arbanassi, Constanta, and Bucharest’s Parliament Building and National Art Museum are also included.

Prices are from £3,745 per person based on a category E stateroom to include return flights, 21 nights full board cruise accommodation, regional wines and beers served with dinner, 1 night at the Athénée Hilton Palace in Bucharest, guided sightseeing, a private door-to-door home pick up service and overseas transfers, the services of a professional cruise director. Stateroom upgrades are available from £880 per person.

Extra nights are available in Amsterdam from £95 per person per night and from £85 per person per night in Bucharest based on a twin share.

To make a reservation ring Avalon Waterways on 0800 668 1801 or visit www.avaloncruises.co.uk