Gap Adventures reports double the interest in tours to the Arctic following Bruce Parry’s groundbreaking new serie

Inspired by the new BBC documentary, travellers are flocking north in search of incredible and icy experiences.

Following Bruce Parry’s “Arctic”, the leading independent adventure tour operator’s already popular expedition cruises, calling at Spitsbergen and the High Arctic, have witnessed a surge in interest with almost double the number of calls and online enquiries in recent weeks.

Recent travel programmes such as “Arctic”, “Human Planet” and “Planet Earth” have all helped showcase this part of the world that, until recently, has been unexplored by most. With a greater range of Arctic holidays available, the region is becoming more accessible and the destination a hot spot for adventure seekers, according to Gap Adventures.

“The polar regions of the planet epitomise adventure and provide unparalleled experiences,” says Bruce Poon Tip, founder of Gap Adventures.

“Perfect for cold weather and adventure enthusiasts, a trip on board Gap Adventures’ M/S Expedition showcases the wintry wildlife and breathtaking scenery that makes the Arctic so appealing.”

Arctic Highlights and Polar Bears is a thrilling expedition that gets travellers exploring out on Zodiacs and on foot. This 14 day cruise departs on 4 September 2011, with prices starting from £2859 per person. Sailing from Reykjavik, Iceland across the Greenland Sea to East Greenland and onwards to Spitsbergen, travellers will come face to face with the unique wildlife and local communities of this remote landscape.

Norwegian Fjords and Polar Bears, a 15 day expedition departing 30 May 2011, will have travellers exploring the Shetland Islands, Lofoten Islands, Tromsø, Bear Islands and Longyearbyen in the north Atlantic, with prices starting from £3059 per person. Adventurers on this cruise will have the chance to view the partial solar eclipse on 1 June 2011, weather permitting, as the ship will be in Lerwick on the day with an unrivalled view.

Incredibly, passengers who book a space on a selection of the Arctic cruises by 28 February 2011 will also receive a 25 per cent early-booking discount.

The newly renovated M/S Expedition is uniquely equipped to meet the demands of cruising in polar environments. With one of the highest average cabin sizes in her class and multiple large public areas, the ship provides an exceptionally safe, spacious and comfortable expedition experience for all her guests. Alongside a highly experienced crew, the ship offers one of the best ratios of expedition team experts to guests – one expert for every 10 guests.

For more information, visit www.gapadventures.co.uk or call 08444 10 10 30

Majestic polar bears and Svalbard reindeer roaming icy tundra, Moffen Island’s walrus colony, and Hornsund Fjord, with its dramatic vertical cliffs and imposing glaciers, are among the rare Arctic wonders travelers can experience on  Hurtigruten’s 9-day “Kingdom of the Polar Bear.”   The MV Polar Star, specifically designed to explore areas inaccessible to most other ships, travels roundtrip from Longyearbyen to the farthest corners of Spitsbergen and explores a diverse and fascinating landscape of Arctic tundra, impressive fjords, stunning national parks and scenic islands.  Guests experience the impressive culture of Spitsbergen firsthand with an array of ports and excursions ranging from a charming folklore show in Barentsburg to Sjuøyane (“Seven Islands”), the northernmost point in the Svalbard Archipelago and the closest most will ever get to the North Pole.  Prices for the voyage, which has 11 departures between June 9 and August 18, range from $6,419 to $10,080 per person, double.

After a day of guided sightseeing in Longyearbyen that includes the Svalbard Museum and Svalbard Gallery, the MV Polar Star embarks on its roundtrip journey, stopping first in Barentsburg and then Ny Ålesund, the northernmost permanently inhabited Arctic Research Station.  Venturing past the “Seven Icebergs” and entering North West Spitsbergen National Park, guests explore the whaling history of breathtaking Magdalenefjorden before sailing past the walrus colonies of Moffen Island and across the 80th parallel towards the North Pole.  After passing through scenic Sorgfjorden and navigating the Hinlopen Strait, the ship arrives at the face of Bråsvell Glacier – a seemingly infinite branch of the Nordaustlandet Nature Reserve –continuing its journey past snow-capped peaks to stunning Hornsund, a spectacular fjord defined by steep cliffs and mammoth glaciers. 

Fares include the cabin grade of your choice; transfers as applicable; all meals on board, with a selection of drinks for those in suites; one night in Longyearbyen before the voyage, including breakfast and sightseeing; roundtrip economy class flights between Oslo and Longyearbyen; and a wind and water proof jacket.  International flights are additional.

Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway's coast and Europe in the spring.  The company’s fleet of 14 intimate ships, carrying 100 to 646 passengers, allows passengers to enjoy unique destinations in a relaxed atmosphere.    Additional information on all of these adventures, as well as brochures and reservations, can be obtained from travel agents or Hurtigruten's visitor-friendly web site, www.hurtigruten.us; or by phone: (877) 301-3117; fax (888) 524-2145; for brochures (800) 582-0835, 24 hours a day.

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Double discounts, giving savings of up to £1000 per person, are offered on any Mekong departure booked by 30 June, 2011 for travel in 2012.

The early release of the programme follows huge demand for the 16 day ‘Magnificent Mekong’ itinerary, which combines a land tour of Vietnam and Cambodia with a seven-night cruise on the 66 passenger RV Tonle, a graceful, French colonial-style vessel hand finished in brass and teak.

For 2012, Viking has doubled the number of departure dates on this holiday to 38, with cruises year-round, from 2 January to 24 December 2012.

The comprehensive itinerary gives guests the opportunity to discover two countries, two cultures and two ways of life linked by Indochina’s most important river, the Mekong.

Along the journey, highlights include visits to the ancient Khmer monuments at Angkor Wat; the chance to explore the floating markets of the Mekong Delta and the old city of Hanoi in Vietnam; as well as visits to the elegant French colonial capital of Phnom Penh and the bustling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City.

Other escorted tours include a visit to hilltop Wat Hanchey and the Twin Holy Mountains of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srey; a small boat excursion through the Kampong Chhnang wetlands; a Cyclo tour featuring the Royal Palace and National Museum in Phnom Penh with an excursion to the Killing Fields; and a visit to the visit of Prek Touch.

Prices start from £2,699 per person (with £1,000 discount) and include return flights from London to Hanoi and from Ho Chi Minh City (or vice versa); a seven-night river cruise with river-view stateroom; two nights’ hotel stay in Hanoi, three nights in Siem Reap and two nights in Ho Chi Minh; 14 guided tours with audio headsets; and the internal flight between Hanoi and Siem Reap. A programme of ‘Cultural Highlights’ featuring a traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony and a visit to the Siem Reap arts and craft school, plus a ‘Culture Curriculum’ programme giving language lessons and talks are also included.

For those will more time to explore the region further, Viking also has two add-on packages with two nights at Ha Long Bay priced from £299 per person, or three nights in Bangkok from £599 per person with escorted tours included throughout.

Australian travellers should check local prices and conditions at:
www.vikingrivercruises.com.au

HMS Beagle (centre) from an 1841 watercolour by Owen Stanley, painted during the third voyage while surveying Australia.

HMS Beagle was the ship that sailed around the world with the young naturalist by the name of Charles Darwin on board. The ship was sold for scrap in 1870 but until now it´s final fate has remained one of the world´s great naval mysteries.

A discovery has been made by Robert Prescott of St Andrews University, who is one of the world´s leading marine archaeologists. He says that he is quietly confident that the final resting place is near Potton Island in Essex, UK. Geophysical techniques and an advanced ground-penetrating radar located a buried structure which matches the size and shape of the Beagle.

Techniques used to see if the timbers are from the Beagle include testing the ship´s bilges for remains of tiny marine organisms called diatoms. Certain species of diatom are found in specific areas of the world so they are hoping to find diatoms unique to the Pacific or Australian waters. So far the results have been very positive but for incontrovertible proof one well recognized tropical diatom must be found.

HMS Beagle was one of the commonest classes of warships built by the Royal Navy. The 90ft, 10-gun brig was launched in 1820 at Woolwich Royal Dockyard on the Thames. It was later refitted as a hydrographic survey vessel and set off on its great journey with Darwin as a passenger in 1831. For five years it carried out detailed surveying of the tip of South America and in the Galapagos Islands. Darwin suffered terribly from seasickness and apparently spent most of his time in his hammock while at sea. It was remarked that it was almost unheard of for a passenger to suffer from seasickness from start to finish of a five year long voyage!
The voyage was to be, however, the most important event in Darwin´s life. He observed the local variations among the birds and animals he found and it is from his cabin on the Beagle that he developed his theory of natural selection. These discoveries were consequently published in his book, ´On the Origin of Species´, in 1859. His book introduced the scientific theory that populations evolve over generations through a process of natural selection. He said that animals live longer when best adapted to their environments and produce more offspring and therefore species slowly evolve. His theory of evolution certainly caused an outcry at the time!

After the Beagle returned from its infamous journey it was used as an anti-smuggling patrol vessel along the Essex Coast. Further investigation by Prescott uncovered that the Beagle was moored mid-stream on the River Roach where it could intercept smugglers. It was not a popular permanent fixture as it was claimed it harmed the oyster beds. Final records from 1870 show that it was auctioned for £525 to local scrap merchants, Murray and Trainer.

A small dock on the north bank of the River Roach has been the focus of the team from St Andrews and this is where they think it was left after it was stripped.

Prescott says that the discovery is of great importance. “Most of the upper part of the ship may have gone, but we have the lower parts and hull, and who knows what remnants of Darwin´s trip may still lie down there”. We shall have to wait and see.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Corp.

American Cruise Lines, a small-ship cruising specialist, announced that construction of its new 140-passenger Mississippi River sternwheeler is ahead of schedule. The new sternwheeler is currently under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md. The hull is nearly complete and the superstructure is taking shape.

The paddlewheeler will recreate the grandeur of past riverboats, while incorporating the latest safety, environmental and construction technologies.

This is the first overnight paddlewheeler built for the Mississippi River in nearly 20 years. It will have large staterooms, almost all with private balconies. The ship will have a grand salon, card room, library, sky lounge, showroom and Internet lounge.

Unlike the previous riverboats that had offered cruises on the Mississippi, American Cruise Lines’ new paddlewheeler will have the option of cruising at a significantly higher speed to make the most imaginative itineraries possible.

American Cruise Lines will operate the riverboat over the entire Mississippi River system. A number of seven-night cruises will carry passengers up to St. Paul, Minn., on the Mississippi River, and Pittsburgh, Pa., on the Ohio River. For more information, call 800-814-6880 or visit www.americancruiselines.com.

Fiji’s iconic Blue Lagoon Cruises is offering seven-day Yasawa Island cruises at four-day pricing on all departures booked for travel from 01 April 2011 until 30 June 2012.

Bookings do need to be made before 30 June 2011 to take advantage of the special offer.

The discount means pricing for the seven-day cruises starts from as little as AUD1192 per person twin share in the boutique cruise company’s ‘hibiscus’ class cabins.

This represents a saving of AUD526 per person on normal pricing.

Pricing includes all onboard accommodation, all main meals, morning and afternoon tea, cruise and cultural activates.

The daily cruise activity program includes daily shore excursions and water-based activities. These range from snorkeling safaris and fish feeding to bush walking, fishing and glass bottom boating.

Cultural experiences include visits to remote villages, Kava ceremonies and a day spent at Blue Lagoon Cruises’ private island of Nanuya Lailai.

A feature of the Nanuya Lailai visit is a traditional torch-lit Fijian ‘Lovo’ feast taking place on the island’s famous white sand beach.

For cruise reservations telephone Blue Lagoon Cruises in Lautoka, Fiji, on +679 666 1622, facsimile +679 666 4098, via email on reservations@blc.com.fj or online at www.bluelagooncruises.com.

*Conditions apply. All cruises are subject to availability. Please note prices do not include international airfares or beverages (other than tea or coffee).

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Quark will operate a 66-day World Cruise from July 10 to Sept. 13. The cruise will visit Anchorage, Alaska; remote islands in the Russian Arctic; Svalbard in Norway’s Arctic region; Greenland; and the Northwest Passage, the northern route to Asia in the Canadian Arctic.

Most of the voyage will be conducted in continual daylight, as the route is far above the Arctic Circle. Never to be repeated, this World Cruise will include more opportunities to see polar bears, walrus, and musk oxen in the wild than any other wildlife cruise in 2011.

The Arctic Circumnavigation is the last time Quark’s flagship Kapitan Khlebnikov (right) will carry passengers through northern waters. The conventional icebreaker retires as an expedition vessel in March 2012.

Special guests will sail on the voyage. Peter Schmidt Mikkelsen will participate in the segment known as the Greenland Semi-circumnavigation, Aug. 4 to 24. In the 1970s, the Dane spent a number of years patrolling the remote and virtually uninhabited eastern shore of Greenland by dog sled. He was a member of the SIRIUS dog patrol, a special division of the Danish Royal Navy charged with protecting the sovereignty of the world’s largest island.

Irish filmmaker and polar explorer John Murray has spent a lifetime documenting the polar regions for international television. In 2002, he backed the Irish Canadian Franklin Search Expedition that sought the remains of Sir John Franklin’s lost ships. He will spool his films and present an insider’s view of contemporary Arctic exploration aboard Arctic Passage Aug. 22 to Sept. 13.

While sailing the Northwest Passage through the Canada Arctic, participants can earn marine navigation certification from Starpath School of Navigation. The school’s founder, David Burch, will provide hands-on training during the voyage in a full navigation station. The training is included in the cost of the expedition.

The per person cost, based on twin occupancy, is $88,990. All cabins have facilities en suite and exterior views. Helicopter sightseeing and Zodiac cruising is also included. For more information, call 888-892-0171 or visit www.quarkexpeditions.com.

Cruise broker AdventureSmith Explorations, www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/, the active travel company that secures matches between adventure-seeking clients and a treasure trove of small, expedition ships, announces re-configured Australia cruise itineraries made possible by a fleet of three small ships carrying only 46 (Coral Princess), 50 (Coral Princess II) and 72 (Oceanic Discover) passengers. Their sizes mean that the ships can maneuver hard-to-reach points of interest such as the Great Barrier Reef that larger vessels can’t.

For example, an 8-day Great Barrier Reef small ship cruise aboard Coral Princess is the “most popular and most comprehensive Great Barrier Reef cruise available in Australia,” combining the lore of discoverer Captain Cook with the intrigue of the reef itself. Guests rub elbows with marine biologists and snorkel and dive nearly at whim. Rates are from AUD$2,883 per person double, representing “one of the best values in cruise vacations to be found anywhere in the world,” according to AdventureSmith Explorations. Departures from Townsville and Cairns are weekly year-round. For details please see:

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/324

“Smaller boats mean more activity for guests,” said Todd Smith, founder and director of AdventureSmith Explorations. “It is a lot easier to get 46 snorkeling-bound passengers onto the reef than it is to get 100 there. Plus Coral Princess has more experience as a dive/snorkel operator, having pioneered reef cruising in the region.”

Small ship cruising in Australia is up according to Smith and 2011 is promising to be a banner year.

“According to Tourism Australia, it continues to be one of the hottest destinations in the world with 2010 visitors increasing by 6% over 2009. One of the hottest trends seen, Australia small ship cruise business has increased an impressive 30% each year for the past two years. Tourism Australia anticipates an even larger increase in 2011,” said Smith.

Smith said that the fleet makes available “Explorer,” an awning-draped aluminum excursion vessel used for landings and extensive exploration of King George Falls and secluded rivers.

Another cruise adventure accesses the Kimberley, a region on the northwest side of Australia bordering the Indian Ocean. An 11-day cruise is from AUD$6,950 per person double. The cruise aboard Coral Princess II or Oceanic Discoverer begins from the frontier towns of either Darwin or Broome and makes extensive use of “Explorer” on forays along the Outback. For details please see:

http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/itinerarydetails.php/advid/337

About Adventure Smith Explorations

AdventureSmith Explorations is the global leader in small ship, adventure cruise vacations. Company founder Todd Smith helped pioneer the concept of wilderness cruising that combines the comforts of a small cruise ship with the adventure of sea kayaking, hiking and exploring remote wilderness areas ashore. The company matches guests with the top names in small ship cruising as well with intimate, boutique ships that may not make the radar of most travelers.

In moving through exotic natural environments and exploring vibrant native cultures seldom associated with more mainstream cruise itineraries, AdventureSmith Explorations dedicates its efforts to small footprint, sustainable travel and has launched a carbon free cruising initiative. Its off-the-beaten-path destinations include Alaska, Baja, Costa Rica, Belize, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Hawaii, Peru, the Arctic, Antarctica, and Australia.

The company’s mission is to give back to the individuals, communities and environments touched by AdventureSmith Explorations trips by connecting travelers with a network of grassroots and global nonprofit partners worldwide including the Alaska Natural History Association, Neotropica Foundation and Galapagos Conservancy. The company was named by National Geographic Adventure as one of “The Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” and is the recipient of Conde Nast Traveler’s prestigious “World Savers Award.”

Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Explorations is based in Tahoe City, California along the western shore of Lake Tahoe.  Phone: 800-728-2875 toll-free or 530-583-1775. Email: travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com or visit: www.AdventureSmithExplorations.com.

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Tweet: Hurtigruten Announces Three Incredible Offers for an Array of 2011 Voyages; www.hurtigruten.us 

Link: www.hurtigruten.us

New York, NY, March 2011 – Award-winning cruise line Hurtigruten has announced three incredible offers – ‘Spring Fling,’ ‘Unprecedented Savings,’ and ‘Half Off Companion Fare’ – for a diverse selection of voyages taking place in 2011, including itineraries in Norway, Greenland and Europe.  Aside from the classic six-, seven- and 12-day itineraries along the Norwegian coast, called “the world’s most beautiful voyage” by Lonely Planet, guests receive immense savings on “Glaciers & Icebergs,” a Disko Bay expedition along Greenland’s west coast, and “Pearls of the Baltic Sea,” which visits half a dozen ports including Copenhagen and St. Petersburg.  Offers are valid for new retail bookings on select departures and cannot be combined with other discounts except for the repeater discount, which gives guests who have traveled onboard Hurtigruten within the last three years savings of up to 10% on a subsequent voyage.  Prices are per person, double; higher rates are for suites.

·         The Spring Fling deal offers savings of up to 30% – with fares discounted as much as $1,370 – on six, seven or 12-day Norwegian Coastal Voyages departing on applicable sail dates in April or May that are booked by April 30.  Special prices range from $1,178 to $3,198.

·         The Unprecedented Savings offer allows travelers who book by April 30 to enjoy significant savings – up to $2,984 – on cabins or suites when they let Hurtigruten assign specific cabin choice at check-in on the day of departure; valid on the Greenland “Glaciers and Icebergs” itinerary, with special fares ranging from $5,646 to $7,339, and the European “Pearls of the Baltic” voyage, with rates from $2,034 to $3,325.

·         With the Half-Off Companion Fare deal, guests receive 50% off a second fare for the six-, seven- or 12-day Norwegian Coastal Voyages when the first is purchased for the regular price.  Offer valid on select departures between May 1 and November 6, 2011, when booked by May 31; 50% companion fares range from $525 to $2,639.

Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway's coast and Europe in the spring.  The company’s fleet of 14 intimate ships, carrying 100 to 646 passengers, allows passengers to enjoy unique destinations in a relaxed atmosphere.   Additional information on all of these adventures, as well as brochures and reservations, can be obtained from travel agents or Hurtigruten's visitor-friendly web site, www.hurtigruten.us; or by phone: (877) 301-3117; fax (888) 524-2145; for brochures (800) 582-0835, 24 hours a day.

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Exciting Venice roundtrip cruises highlight the riches of the Adriatic Sea

Premium French cruise line, Compagnie du Ponant is planning a stellar cruising season for its newest ship, L’Austral when it launches in April 2011.

Offering a chic and ultra elegant yacht-like ambiance, L’Austral’s modern and luxurious amenities include 132 ocean view cabins, two restaurants and a sun drenched deck area with swimming pool and bar. The cruising experience onboard satisfies the individual needs of each guest, including lounges for lectures and shows, a spa in conjunction with Sothys and spacious cabins (95 percent of which offer private balconies). In keeping with French tradition, L’Austral’s haute cuisine is on par with the world’s leading restaurants in terms of service, refinement and attention to detail.

L’Austral will offer a number of 7-night Secrets of the Adriatic cruises, which takes guests to enchanting palaces, down picturesque canals and past medieval architecture. The cruise will offer unforgettable experiences both on and off the ship. The cruise departs roundtrip from Venice, where the beauty of its architecture, culture and people will enchant visitors. From there, L’Austral will slip into the Adriatic Sea, sailing past rugged coastlines and azure waters, to arrive at the Croatian ports of Sibenik, Split and Korcula.

The next port of call is Kotor, Montenegro, an old Mediterranean shipping port with strong Venetian influences. Kotor is also one of the best preserved medieval towns in the Adriatic, earning it a UNESCO world heritage site status. A tour of the Adriatic would be incomplete without a visit to Dubrovnik, Croatia, affectionately known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. Walk along the city walls, wander past white stone churches or drop into a cafe and watch the world go by. Guests will also visit the vibrant ports of Hvar, Pula and Rovinj in Croatia before returning to Venice.

The 7-night Secrets of the Adriatic cruise is priced from $3,130* per person twin share, and departs on 23 and 30 August as well as 6 September 2011.

For further information about Compagnie du Ponant or to make a booking, please contact Travel the World on 1300 950 622 or visit www.traveltheworld.com.au.

* Cruise fares have been converted from Euro using an indicative rate of 0.70 and is based on the30 AUG 2011 L’Austral sailing, inclusive of $330 port/safety taxes.

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