Quark Expeditions Announces 2013 Arctic Voyages

Thirteeen departures include new in-depth Greenland Expedition

with the addition of a Luxury Vessel to Arctic Fleet

Quark Expeditions, the leader in polar adventure, is pleased to announce the company’s Arctic 2013 season, featuring icebreaker adventures to the North Pole and luxury ship expeditions to Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland.

Many of the Arctic regions most sought after destinations are coming back for the 2013 season. Two North Pole voyages departing June 19 and June 30, as well as the “Three Arctic Islands: Iceland, Greenland, Spitsbergen” trip named as one of “50 Tours of a Lifetime” in 2011 are highlights of the season.

New Expedition Added

New to the Arctic 2013 season is the “Greenland Explorer: Valleys and Fjords” expedition, which follows the dramatic coast of the world’s largest island, Greenland. Passengers will get to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Illusiat Ice Fjord, one of the largest and fastest moving glaciers. It travels approximately 100 feet per day while dropping huge icebergs into its narrow coastal inlets. Explorers will also encounter indigenous Greenlandic communities as well as the rich animal life surrounding this beautiful country, including many varieties of seals, whales, dolphins, polar bears and sea birds. The journey takes passengers to two of the world’s most northern capitals, beginning in Ottawa and ending in Reykjavik –the reverse itinerary also available. Prices start from £4,120 for 14 and 15 day itineraries for departures in August 2013.

Ships

For the first time in 2013, Arctic passengers will be able to travel aboard Quark’s luxury all-suites adventure ship, the Sea Spirit, on any of the Spitsbergen, Greenland or Iceland itineraries. Sea Spirit, previously used exclusively in Quark’s Antarctic season, boasts larger “suite-sized” cabins, in addition to private facilities and exterior views in every cabin.

No Arctic season would be complete without the 50 Years of Victory, a Russian scientific ship that will be used to chart the path to 90°N, making its way through the ice to the North Pole. Victory is the most powerful icebreaker on Earth and has her own helicopter onboard to help travelers view the northernmost part of the world from every majestic angle. Quark is one of only two operators in the world who take travelers to the North Pole, and has been doing it for 22 years. It’s a once-in-a-life-time journey with helicopter flights above the Arctic Ocean included and optional aerial sightseeing by hot air balloon is on offer.

Book Early & Save Quark Expeditions is giving those who book by 30 June 2012 a free flight, hotel night accommodation and transfers from Helsinki to Murmansk (save £1,070) on one of two North Pole voyages in 2013. Prices start from: 14 days (13 nights), from £14,190 for twin occupancy with one night in Helsinki on B&B, transfers, group helicopter trips, three meals a day, shore landings and on-board lectures. For further information please visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call (001) 203 803 2666

Quark Expeditions is also offering two family-friendly departures (8 and 9 days) to Spitsbergen leaving Longyearben on 6 June and 28 July 2013. The “Introduction to Spitsbergen: Polar Bear Safari” voyages will offer special itineraries for those travelling with children aged 12-17.

In addition, The Sea Spirit offers a 20%* discount on all 11 departures of the six Arctic 2013 itineraries when passengers book by 30 June 2012. Prices start from: 11 days (10 nights), from £2,530 for triple occupancy (save £1,584) and includes shore landings, hiking and snow-shoeing and on-board lectures. Flights are additional and available from London Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Manchester with Ryanair, Norwegian, British Airways, SAS and bmi to Oslo then onto Longyearbyen with SAS. For further information please visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call (001) 203 803 2666

This is also the first time that Quark is offering a lowest price guarantee** – no other promotion this season will provide as much savings on a trip to the Arctic.

Introduction to Spitsbergen: Polar Bear Safari – 8 & 9 days from £2,530

Spitsbergen Explorer: Wildlife Capital of the Arctic – 11 days from £3,170
Spitsbergen Circumnavigation: Big Island, Big Adventure – 13 days from £4,120

Three Arctic Islands: Iceland, Greenland, Spitsbergen – 14 days from £4,430

Greenland Explorer: Valleys and Fjords – 14 and 15 days from £4,120

East Greenland: Northern Lights – 14 days from £4,120

North Pole – 14 days from £14,190

For further information please visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call (001) 203 803 2666

*20% discount not applicable on North Pole voyages. **Some conditions apply.

MS EUROPA: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Launches 2013 Brochure

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Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is happy to announce the arrival of their 2013 EUROPA international brochure, including seven exciting itineraries operating in English and German. The highest ranked cruise ship in the world, according to the 2012 Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ MS EUROPA is offering cruises to the South Seas, New Zealand, Australia, the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Peninsula, Norway, the Baltics and the Mediterranean in 2013. The EUROPA will be offering three new ports of call on their international itineraries in 2013: Palmerston Atoll/Cook Islands, Picton/New Zealand, and Algiers/Algeria.

Highlights on the EUROPA in 2013:

South Seas Winter 2013: The EUROPA will be in exploring the South Pacific islands in January 2013 for hiking, swimming, and snorkeling in untouched islands, hidden away in the lagoons of the Oceania. The South Seas itinerary is from January 19-February 6, 2013, from Papeete/Tahiti to Auckland/New Zealand, with stops in Bora Bora and Raiatea in French Polynesia, Rarotonga, Aitutaki Atoll, and Palmerston Atoll in the Cook Islands, Neiafu and Nuku’alofa in the Tonga, and the Fiji Islands. Rates for this itinerary start at EUR 6,410/ GBP 5,000/ USD 7,700 per person/based on double occupancy. A new maiden call for the EUROPA in this itinerary includes Palmerston Atoll/Cook Islands.

New Zealand Winter 2013: Breathtaking fjord landscapes and vast green fields offer magnificent sights to be discovered while hiking, kayaking or by a helicopter ride in the North and South Islands of New Zealand in Winter 2013. (Excursions subject to an additional fee.) The New Zealand itinerary is from February 6-February 22, 2013, from Auckland/New Zealand to Sydney Australia, with stops in Tauranga, White Island, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Picton, Lyttelton, Akaroa, Port Chalmers, and Stewart Island. Rates for this New Zealand itinerary start at EUR 7,680 / GBP 6,000/ USD 9,220 per person/based on double occupancy. A new maiden call for the EUROPA in this itinerary includes Picton/New Zealand.

Indian Ocean in Spring 2013: In the Indian Ocean, a time far removed from everyday life awaits guests on an Asia itinerary in March 2013. The EUROPA will take guests from Singapore‘s glittering skyline, to the snorkeling territory in Malaysia, and then on to enchanting Sri Lanka. This itinerary from March 30-April 13, 2013, is from Singapore to Dubai/United Arab Emirates, with stops in Port Kelang and Bass Harbour in Malaysia, Columbo/Sri Lanka, and Cochin and Mumbai in India. Rates for this Asia itinerary start at EUR 4,540/ GBP 3,550/ USD 5,450 per person/based on double occupancy. Highlights of this itinerary include visits to the historic Malacca, the holy city of Anuradhapura, the ruined city of Sigiriya and the Taj Mahal. (Excursions subject to an additional fee.)

Norway in Summer 2013: EUROPA guests will explore Norway in July 2013, experiencing overwhelming nature during hikes, fishing trips and kayak tours. The itinerary takes passengers as far as the idyllic Lofoten Islands, and standing at the North Cape, a once in a lifetime experience. This Norway cruise is from July 22 – August 3, 2013, from Kiel/Germany to Hamburg/Germany, with stops in the following Norwegian ports: Rosendale, Eidfjord, Alesund, Leknes, Skarsvag, Tromsoe, Geiranger, Hellesylt, and Bergen. This Norway experience starts at EUR 4,980/ GBP 3,890/ USD 5,980 per person/based on double occupancy.

Baltic in Summer 2013: A look back at the Great Russian Empire and the exploration of the treasures of the historical Baltics, awaits guests in summer 2013. The EUROPA travels to the Baltics from August 21-September 2, 2013, from Kiel/Germany to Hamburg/Germany, with stops in Stockholm/Sweden, Helsinki/Finland, St Petersburg/Russia, Tallinn/Estonia, Riga/Latvia, Visby/Poland and Gdynia/Poland. This Baltic adventure starts at EUR 4,990/ GBP 3,900/ USD 5,990 per person/based on double occupancy.

Family conditions

Also new to the EUROPA in 2013, children 11 years of age or younger, sharing a suite with one or two full-price adult passengers, travel free of charge. Children ages 12-15 sharing a suite with two full-price passengers pay EUR 50/ GBP 35/ USD 60 per night, which includes all meals and soft drinks for lunch and dinner. The first voyage to which the new rate applies is on the cruise from Dubai to Malta on April 12 - May 3, 2013.

Classical Music Itineraries for 2013

The EUROPA, known for its exceptional music cruises, once again offers two special classical music itineraries in 2013.

After its very successful debut in 2009, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is presenting Stella Maris International Vocal Competition again for the fifth year in Spring 2013. The Stella Maris concept brings together the world’s most talented up-and-coming young singers from the best opera houses in the world, being judged by the EUROPA audience and a renowned jury in a vocal competition on board. The jury will once again be headed by award-winning Canadian tenor Michael Schade. Stella Maris will occur during a 20-day itinerary in the Arabian Peninsula, from April 13 - May 3, 2013, from Dubai/U.A.E. to Valetta/Malta, with stops in Khasab, Muscat and Salalah in Oman, Aqaba/Jordan, Sharm el Sheik and Hurghada in Egypt, Paphos/Cyprus, and Rhodes and Crete in Greece. Rates for this itinerary start at EUR 7,840/ GBP 6,120/ USD 9,410 per person/based on double occupancy.

In November 2013 the EUROPA will be offering their very popular Ocean Sun Festival, the most prestigious classical music festival at sea. The 11-day music festival cruise from November 19 – 30, 2013, from Nice/France to Madeira/Portugal, with stops in Cannes and Marseille/ France, Barcelona, Valencia and Palma de Mallorca/ Spain, Algiers/Algeria and Casablanca/Morocco. Rates for this itinerary start at EUR 3,830/ GBP 2,990/ USD 4,600 per person/based on double occupancy.

Getting Fit Onboard the EUROPA

With the aim of enhancing the classic sports and fitness program for EUROPA guests, the ship now offers an innovative whole-body workout system called Miha Bodytec. This new technology uses electric micro-impulses (Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) to stimulate all the muscle groups by letting electrical impulses pass through the body. After only a few training sessions phenomenal progress in muscle growth, weight and size reduction, and in skin and tissue tightening are visible. By stimulating about 300 different muscles in just 30 minutes, muscle metabolic activation is equal to several hours of strength training with classical training equipment.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com. For bookings or brochure requests, please look for your nearest sales agent in your country at www.hl-cruises.com, link “Contact & Services”. 

European Waterways new, 12 passenger, 128ft Dutch hotel barge Panache

In its first Summer season of operation, European Waterways’ new, 12 passenger, 128ft Dutch hotel barge Panache will embark from June to October 2012 on 6-night, all-inclusive voyages along the beautiful Canal de la Marne au Rhin, between Strasbourg and Mittersheim in Alsace-Lorraine.

Alsace-Lorraine is a unique corner of Eastern France - a land of storybook castles, rolling vineyards, as well as Baroque, Gothic and Romanesque architecture. For centuries, the great empires of Europe confronted one another at this strategic and military crossroads. The area’s blend of French and German influences are strongly evident in its customs, cuisine, wines, architecture and language.

Exploring this area of the world is a truly magical and varied experience and the voyage can begin in the city of Strasbourg – so easily accessible by air from the UK – with its renowned 12^th century, Gothic, pink sandstone cathedral. Cruising to its final destination in Mittersheim, highlights of the week will include:

* visiting picturesque Saverne and the majestic 11th century Chateau du Haut Barr

* a scenic drive through the Vosges Hills along the Route des Grands Crus, with a private tasting of Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir and Riesling wines

* aboard Panache, an effortless, mountain-side ascent on the unique Arzviller boat elevator – thus avoiding 17 traditional locks

* a candlelit lunch aboard as the barge passes through the two Arzvillers tunnels

* at Wingen-sur-Moder, visiting the outstanding René Lalique museum collection of jewellery and glassware - also the battleground where American infantry confronted some of Germany’s most seasoned veterans

* a final day visit to Nancy, the ancient capital of Lorraine, with its Baroque Place Stanislas, one of the grandest in France

Guests can enjoy chauffeur-driven private excursions in an air-conditioned minibus, as well as explore for themselves on one of the 12 bikes on board.

Panache guests can expect to enjoy regional dishes prepared by the onboard chef such as Sea Bass with Cucumber and Smoked Eel, Roasted Duck à l’Alsacienne and Brie de Meaux or Tomme Fermier d’Alsace cheeses, accompanied by fine wines such as Gewurztraminer Reboltz and ,Sylvaner Cuvée Réserve.

The prices lead in at £2,790 per person in a twin/double junior suite and include: local transfers to and from the barge; a champagne welcome, accommodation in air-conditioned, en-suite cabins, all gourmet meals aboard and ashore, fine wines, an all day open bar, use of bicycles and spa pool, all excursions and admittance fees and the services of the experienced crew.

Alternatively for a whole boat charter the cost is from £25,600.

SPECIAL OFFERS:

On selected departures from June to October 2012, there is £500 off per cabin; 10% off whole-boat charters from July to October 2012. Bookings to be made by 31st May 2012.

For more information/reservations: visit www.gobarging.com or contact European Waterways:

Tel: +44(0) 1753 598555 Email: sales@gobarging.com