LUXURY AT SEA WITH ALILA PURNAMA, Indonesia

LUXURY AT SEA WITH ALILA PURNAMA, Indonesia

Launched in December 2012, Alila Purnama, translated as The Full Moon is the most luxurious liveaboard Phinisi ship in Asia, providing ultra-modern and relaxing accommodation for up to 10 guests. The 46 metre long ship consists of threedecks and has been built by hand in the traditional style of an Indonesian Phinisi boat. In keeping with Alila’s emphasis on style and sustainability, the furniture throughout the ship is custom made from teak, rattan and other locally sourced materials from Indonesia. Aila Purnama offers three sailingroutes, the Raja Ampat Voyage, Komodo Island Expedition and Ambon expedition offering amazing sea and island-hopping adventures and world-class diving in some ofIndonesia’s most pristine destinations. 

Onboard are four well-appointed cabins, all air-conditioned with queen-size beds, en-suite bathrooms with showers, writing desk, separate toilet and double wardrobes. In addition there is the Master Suite, expansively designed withlarge, wraparound windows offering 270-degree views of the ever-changing yet incredible landscape. Its bathroom features shower, bathtub, two washbasins and an enclosed separate toilet, while a private balcony and large sundeck withdaybed and deckchairs provide the ultimate space for relaxation.

 Alila Purnama also has its own fully-licensed PADI dive centre, catering for qualified divers. Development courses offered onboard range from Advanced Open Water Diver to over 16 specialities, including Enriched Air Nitrox, Deep, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Drift and Underwater Naturalist. 

For more information visit www.alilahotels.com/purnama 

Luxury expedition cruises by classic schooners on the Canada and Alaska coasts

Explore the fjords, islands,  rainforests and wildlife of Canada and Alaska’s west coasts, on a boutique  expedition cruise by sail.

Maple Leaf Adventures, an award-winning  local company, operates cruises of one to two weeks in length aboard its  restored, classic, wooden schooners.

Destinations include Canada’s  Great Bear Rainforest, Haida Gwaii, Vancouver Island, and Alaska’s Inside  Passage.

You’ll feel as if you’re on a private yacht with friends who  happen to be expert local guides.

Trips feature an exceptional  crew-to-guest ratio (8 or 9 guests and 4 or 5 crew) and include a dedicated  naturalist and gourmet chef. The ship’s crew are also experienced wildlife  guides and mariners, and give guests exclusive access to some of the coast’s  prime wildlife viewing areas and cultural sites. Village interpreters share  their stories with guests as well during shore visits.

Trips feature  whale watching, bear viewing, exploring remote beaches accessed by zodiac,  sailing, cultural history, and visits to coastal communities. Guests are  welcome to lend a hand to help sail the two-masted schooners and to take the  helm.

A typical day starts with coffee and breakfast, often on deck at  anchor, and continues with an exploration ashore. Then cruising among the  islands, whale and bird watching from the ship or zodiac, another shore  excursion, sailing and anchoring in a quiet cove with exploration ashore (a  wild, remote beach perhaps, or the Haida village SGang Gwaay, a UNESCO  World Heritage Site, or a bear viewing valley). The three-course dinner is  often served in the ships’ gleaming, wood-panelled dining salons – a wonderful  place to relive the day’s adventures over a glass of wine.

Maple Leaf  Adventures trips are listed as one of the Canadian Tourism Commission’s  “Signature Experiences”, a Frommer’s “Best Travel Experience” and one of  National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime”. In 2012, the Tourism  Industry Association of Canada also awarded Maple Leaf the Parks Canada  Sustainable Tourism Award for its dedication to Canada’s natural and cultural  heritage.

Trip dates: April through October every year.
Prices: from  Cdn $1450 to Cdn $6100 depending on trip length and location.
Trip  locations: Alaska, Great Bear Rainforest, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve,  Haida Gwaii, Vancouver Island
Gateway airport: Vancouver, BC or Seattle,  WA
Info: +1-250-386-7245 or www.MapleLeafAdventures.com

Salmon snorkelling in Scandinavia with Ben Fogle’s Great Adventures

Head to Norway with Celebrity Cruises and take advantage of adventurer and broadcaster Ben Fogle’s recently launched exclusive shore excursions. Visitors to Norway can enjoy a once in a lifetime salmon snorkelling experience along the picturesque Suldalslågen River and float freely along the shallow river as hundreds of salmon dart around.

Guests onboard can also enjoy any two of the following offers: complimentary drinks package, worth up to $1,400; up to $300 on board spend or fully paid gratuities. Join Celebrity Cruises’ (www.celebritycruises.co.uk; 0845 456 0523) Celebrity Eclipse on a 14-night Iceland and Fjords cruise only from £1,699 per person (based on two people sharing a balcony stateroom).

Price includes a choice of two of the following: a complimentary drinks package, up to $300 on board spend or fully paid gratuities, as well as a 14-night cruise departing from Southampton (England) and calling at Reykjavik (Iceland), Akureyri (Iceland), Klaksvik (Faroe Islands), Geiranger (Norway), Alesund (Norway), Olden (Norway) and Stavanger (Norway) before returning to Southampton; meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Price based on 5 July 2014 UK departure. Book before 28 February 2014 to take advantage of the 123 Go! offer. Ben Fogle’s Great Adventures are available at an additional cost on selected sailings across Europe from 24 January 2014.

For more information or to book call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk