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!

Quark Expeditions 2014 - 2015 Antarctic Season

 With 33 departures starting November 5, 2014, Quark offers more Antarctic voyages than any other Polar operator. 

New Expedition Added: Antarctica’s Scotia Arc: The Ultimate Insiders’ Voyage
A highlight of the 2014 holiday schedule, this 25-day voyage takes travelers off the beaten track – to rare and seldom-visited sites of the Scotia Sea – for a true insider’s journey to Antarctica. This expedition will follow the Scotia Arc, a sub-marine mountain range extending from the southernmost Andes, all the way through to the Antarctic Peninsula, calling in at the beautiful Falklands and South Georgia before heading south to the lesser-known and more remote South Sandwich, South Orkney and South Shetland archipelagos. Passengers will experience active volcanoes, rich bird life and some of the largest penguin colonies in Antarctica, all set against a rich historical background. One departure: December 15, 2014, starting at £12,800. Flights not included. For further information please visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call 0808 120 2333
Back by Popular Demand with Additional Departure: Crossing the Circle via Falklands and South Georgia: Epic Antarctica

A sell-out for the 2013.14 season, the 23-day Epic Antarctica voyage is the only one of its kind to take passengers to South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula exploring farther south across the Antarctic Circle.This extensive itinerary offers travelers a chance to see seven species of penguins and more than 30 species of birds while visiting the ‘Galapagos of the Poles.’  Two departures: December 2014 and January 2015, starting at £12,400. Flights not included. For further information please visit www.quarkexpeditions.com or call 0808 120 2333

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!