Celebrate the 100-Year Anniversary of the Panama Canal with a Daylight Transit and Exclusive Tour

Zegrahm Offers Small-Ship Expedition Cruise to Five Central American Countries during Panama Canal Centennial Year

Zegrahm Expeditions, the world leader in small-ship cruising and overland adventures, is pleased to present its 15-day Rain Forests & Reefs expedition, departing February 7, 2014. At the crossroads of two continents, this expedition reveals the wonders of five countries, including Belize, Honduras, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama and is ideally timed during the centennial year of the Panama Canal.

A particular highlight in Panama will be the opportunity for travelers to not only complete a daylight transit of the Panama Canal, but also be treated to a VIP tour of the five billion dollar Panama Canal expansion project that began a decade ago and is scheduled to be completed in 2015. Travelers will go behind the scenes at the Panama Canal Expansion Observation Center near the Gatun Locks on the Caribbean Sea. Here, travelers can observe the four billion cubic meters of structural concrete that is being poured into the ditches that comprise the new set of locks from a vantage point rarely visited by the public, plus will have the opportunity to meet with one of the authorities currently working on the expansion project.

Additional highlights of Zegrahm’s time in Central America include searching for Central America’s incredible diversity of wildlife during Zodiac cruises and nature walks—over 750 species of birds have been recorded in Costa Rica alone; meeting the Kuna Indians of San Blas and the Emberá Indians of the Darién who proudly preserve their cultural heritage; experiencing world-class snorkeling from Belize’s Half Moon Caye to one of the world’s largest marine parks in Coiba, Panama; and stepping ashore on seldom-visited Isla de Providencia, Colombia—its long history includes tales of colonization, conquest, and buried treasure.

This expedition is aboard the all-suite, 100-guest Island Sky and is priced from $11,980 per person. For more information about Zegrahm or to make a reservation on an upcoming expedition, please visit www.zegrahm.com or call 1-800-628-8747.

New Luxury Hotel Barge Joins European Waterways Fleet

European Waterways, Europe's largest luxury hotel barge cruising company, is proud to announce the latest addition to its fleet, Absoluut2, a charter-only, deluxe 8-passenger hotel barge that cruises in Southern Burgundy between Dijon and Vandenesse. Absoluut2 was designed to exacting standards for cruising the inland waterways and canals of Europe, and is perfect for families or groups of friends interested in the privacy of a whole-boat charter.    Absoluut2 features a comfortable saloon and dining area, two sun decks, and a spa pool ideal for relaxing in, while enjoying the picturesque countryside of Burgundy. The spacious accommodations include four deluxe air-conditioned cabins—two junior suites and two staterooms—which can be configured as either double or twin beds. The highly professional crew of four is comprised of a master chef, tour guide and hostess, led by a knowledgeable and experienced captain. As with all of European Waterways cruises, the charters aboard Absoluut2 are all-inclusive of gourmet meals, fine wines, an open bar, all excursions and transfers, plus a bicycle onboard for every passenger. Itinerary Highlights Cruise highlights include fascinating tours of Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, and Dijon, home to the former Ducal Palace and the Cathedral of Saint Benign. Guests will also visit the medieval village of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, the Château de Commarin, and will enjoy a private wine tour and tasting at the renowned Château de Meursault.  For more information on Absoluut2 and its sample itinerary, please visit: http://www.gobarging.com/Absoluut2-barge Prices for an all-inclusive 6 night full-boat charter from £22,000. European Waterways website: www.gobarging.com Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? They have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in their free prize draw offer. See this link!

G Adventures extends West Africa cruise for 2014

- Longer itinerary takes guests to 16 ports of call from South to North Africa –

G Adventures has extended the itinerary for its 2014 voyage up the coast of West Africa onboard its expedition vessel MS Expedition. Passengers will now journey for 32 days to 16 ports in 14 countries, including the new ports of Dakhla in Western Sahara, Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands and Agadir (for Marrakech) in Morocco.

The West Africa itinerary operated for the first time in April this year and its success has led to G Adventures extending the trip and selling it as a single adventure cruising itinerary, whereas previously it had been broken in two sectors.

The 2014 West Africa Cruise visits South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Western Sahara, the Canary Islands and Morocco.

Highlights from last year’s itinerary include visiting some of the most remote communities in Africa in Benin, Togo, Angola and Sierra Leone. Travellers will see the famous coffin-makers of Ghana, as well as Elmira Castle and Cape Coast Castle, where they come face-to-face with the conditions slaves endured awaiting their fate.

While onboard guests also have the opportunity to support a Planeterra - G Adventures’ non-profit organisation - project, a maternal and infant health programme in Sierra Leone.

The MS Expedition sails the following itinerary:

West Africa Cruise – A 32-day trip from Cape Town to Marrakech is priced from £10,699pp*, departing April 6, 2013.  Includes 29 nights aboard the MS Expedition, all meals on board ship, two hotel nights with breakfast (Cape Town and Marrakech), airport transfers, shore excursions and sightseeing per the itinerary, lectures and wine tastings, and zodiac excursions with G Adventures’ expert expedition team.

For more information or to book, please call 0844 272 2040 or visit www.gadventures.co.uk

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? They have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this year - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in their free prize draw offer. See this link!