Cruise Adviser Adventure guide 2016 by Cruise Adviser

CRUISE ADVISER THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

ADVENTURE 2016

AMERICAN QUEEN

FIRE & ICE

HURTIGRUTEN

HOW TO SELL

Sam Ballard sails the Mississippi on a musicthemed tour from New Orleans to Memphis

Gary Buchanan takes in two of expedition cruise’s great destinations: Antarctica and the Galápagos

A brief history of the Norwegian shipping company that has been sailing the fjords since 1893

Our unique walkthrough guide featuring 14 fantastic adventure cruises

P30

P24

P 36

P40

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EDITOR’S TITLE LETTER

Cruise Adviser

Adventure 2016

From the Arctic to the Zambezi, the world’s most incredible destinations are open to cruise passengers. And, as the industry continues to grow, so too does the number of destinations opening their ports to cruise ships. In this issue of cruise adviser, we have explored all aspects of adventure cruise — whether it’s seeing Antarctica on a polar research ship or sailing the Mississippi in old-world luxury. It’s the latter that takes our cover story: a nine-day cruise from New Orleans to Memphis on the magnificent American Queen (Southern comfort, p30). Elsewhere, Gary Buchanan explains why the pristine wilderness of Antarctica and the volcanic landscapes of the Galápagos Islands represent two of expedition cruise’s great destinations (Fire & ice, p24). We also check in with Norwegian adventure company Hurtigruten (InFocus, p36) and look at why — with the likes of Cruise & Maritime Voyages and Fred Olsen sailing to incredible farflung places — adventure doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank on luxury lines or roughing it on expedition vessels (Stay in your comfort zone, p20). Selling these sometimes long-haul cruises represents a great opportunity for you as travel agents. Whether you’re speaking to first-time cruise passengers who want to explore the world’s most exotic corners, or repeat bookers looking to break out of the Mediterranean and Caribbean duopoly — be it to Alaska, the Norwegian fjords or beyond — there are plenty of customers looking for adventure. We’ve got some great suggestions in our How to Sell guide (p40). We’d love to hear your thoughts on this issue, so do email us at info@cruise-adviser.com. Also, share your #travelagentproblems — those funny comments and requests from customers — and we’ll publish the best in our cartoon (p7). We hope you enjoy reading.

CRUISE ADVISER THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

ADVENTURE 2016

ADVENTURE 2016 CA-10

AMERICAN QUEEN

FIRE & ICE

HURTIGRUTEN

HOW TO SELL

Sam Ballard sails the Mississippi on a musicthemed tour from New Orleans to Memphis

Gary Buchanan takes in two of expedition cruise’s great destinations: Antarctica and the Galápagos

A brief history of the Norwegian shipping company that has been sailing the fjords since 1893

Our unique walkthrough guide featuring 14 fantastic adventure cruises

P30

P24

P 36

P40

Sam Ballard and Anthony Pearce Publishers of cruise adviser CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

Sam Ballard publisher sam@cruise-adviser.com +44 (0)78 0962 2541

Anthony Pearce publisher anthony@cruise-adviser.com +44 (0)78 3576 8383

Simon Leeming head of sales simon@cruise-adviser.com

Jensen Brianson art director Billy Odell cartoonist Nathaniel Cramp sub-editor info@cruise-adviser.com cruise adviser

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Digital cruise-adviser.com facebook.com/cruiseadviser twitter.com/cruiseadviser Sign up to cruise adviser’s weekly update at cruiseadviser.com/subscribe is published six times a year (Ex-UK, Adventure, Family, Adventure, Expedition & Adventure and Preview guides) by Waterfront Publishing Limited (registered number: 08707515). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited cruise adviser is printed by Wyndeham Grange cruise adviser

CONTENTS TITLE

Cruise Adviser

CRUISE ADVISER

Adventure 2016

CRUISE ADVISER THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

is here to entertain and inform. In the first half of this guide you will find in-depth features and opinion on Adventure cruises, while the second half has our unique How to Sell guide and extensive cruise line directory.

ADVENTURE 2016

cruise adviser

ADVENTURE 2016 CA-10

Features On the horizon

AMERICAN QUEEN

FIRE & ICE

HURTIGRUTEN

HOW TO SELL

Sam Ballard sails the Mississippi on a musicthemed tour from New Orleans to Memphis

Gary Buchanan takes in two of expedition cruise’s great destinations: Antarctica and the Galápagos

A brief history of the Norwegian shipping company that has been sailing the fjords since 1893

Our unique walkthrough guide featuring 14 fantastic adventure cruises

P30

P24

P 36

P40

What’s new in adventure cruise

––––– SOUTHERN COMFORT

Opinion: eco-friendly cruise 10

SAM BALLARD CRUISES ON THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI WITH AMERICAN QUEEN

G Adventure’s Jamie Sweeting on green travel

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Wild things

merica’s Deep South is a region like no other. Historically one of the poorest areas in the United States, it also boasts one of its richest cultures. This is the birthplace of rock’n’roll, the blues and jazz. When walking the streets of New Orleans, Nashville or Memphis, the music just sounds better. Musicians and singers spill out of the bars onto the streets where they carry on playing, for pleasure and tips, lining the streets and jostling for attention. We start our Southern adventure in New Orleans, the self-declared capital of the Deep South and one of America’s biggest party towns. After two days in the Big Easy we will begin

Silversea’s Dr Claudia Holgate on where best to go bird spotting

Stay in your comfort zone

Sam Ballard joins the American Queen on the Mississippi

InFocus: Hurtigruten

FI R E 36

ICE

The volc a nic is l a n d s o f t h e G a l á p a g o s a n d f rozen wild er ne ss o f A n t a rct i ca h ave m o re i n common tha n yo u m ay t h i n k . I s o l ate d , u n i q u e a nd mytholog ised , b o t h a re u l t i m ate b u cke t - l i st d estinations a nd , a s G a r y B u ch a n a n ex p l a i n s , a ccessib le fo r cru i s e p a ss e n g e rs .

An in-depth look at the Norwegian adventure company

How to Sell guide

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––––– INFOCUS HURTIGRUTEN

WE SPEAK TO ANTHONY DANIELS, HEAD OF SALES AT HURTIGRUTEN, THE HISTORIC NORWEGIAN SHIPPING COMPANY MAKING WAVES IN EXPEDITION CRUISE

Our unique 16-page walk-through

Directory

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n the late 1800s, the 780-mile journey along the Norwegian coast from Bergen to Kirkenes was a long and sometimes dangerous one, with very few lighthouses north of Trondheim. The country was dependent on the important trade route, but could easily fall prey to its own geography. In 1893, the government invited businesses to try to improve the link, and one man, Captain Richard With, answered their call by establishing a steamship service between the north and south, dubbed the fast route – or Hurtigruten in Norwegian. As far as histories of cruise lines go, this company, which soon expanded its operation outside Norway to include Iceland, Greenland and Antarctica, is certainly one of the most fascinating.

Antarctica and the Galápagos: two of the great expedition cruise destinations

Southern comfort

The French Quarter is relatively small. However, it is bursting with bars, restaurants, hotels and a number of other less than salubrious joints. We eat beignets at Café du Monde, which has been serving the sugar-stacked pastries since 1862; enjoy a night in August, one of the best fine-dining restaurants in town; and watch jazz in Palm Court, one of those neighbourhood cafés that manages to make both families and couples feel comfortable. When it’s time to board the American Queen, any sadness we have at leaving New Orleans disappears at the first sight of our ship. The Queen is the biggest paddlesteamer on the Mississippi and, as someone

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Why more cruise lines sell adventure cruises than you may think

Fire & ice

our Mississippi cruise with the American Queen Steamboat Company on through to Memphis, the final resting place of The King, Elvis Presley. Music, cocktails and good times: New Orleans has been this way ever since the French and Spanish set up camp here centuries ago, before Napoleon sold it to the US in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. From Bourbon Street, the epicentre of the city’s nightlife, to the beautiful colonial mansions that line Charles Avenue and lead up to Audubon Park, there is a reason why New Orleans attracts both groups of Americans, out to enjoy boozy weekends, and foreigners coming from much further afield.

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Since the 1980s, the company has put a greater emphasis on tourism – its 11 ships in Norway and four expedition vessels offer experiential travel to sthe most fascinating regions in the world. It is embarking on an expansion powered by the company’s greatest ever investment. Following the MS Spitsbergen, which was christened earlier in the year, four new explorer ships will join the fleet from 2018/19. The company has also attempted to move away from the word ‘cruise’, preferring instead to use ‘voyage’, and have left Clia. We sat down with Anthony Daniels, head of sales, UK & Ireland, to discuss this and more. What’s unique about Hurtigruten? Anthony Daniels Our heritage certainly sets

cruise adviser

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SELLING ALASKA LAND+SEA JOURNEYS

Amazing Alaska.... Alaska contains a million acres for each day of the year, North America’s highest mountain, largest freshwater lake and greatest number of glaciers. Plus Holland America Line celebrates 70 years of Alaska travel in 2017.

Alaska Land+Sea Journeys Our spectacular Land+Sea journeys include up to 3 nights at our own McKinley Chalet Resort in Denali National Park.

Unforge able Alaskan sights include:-

coastal glaciers, with glimpses of whales, dolphins Great and seals; National Park, with Mount Denali and sightings of Denali grizzlies and moose; Gold Rush se lements and native Indian cultures via classic sternwheeler, vintage rail, glass-domed railcar Travel and coach, with hotels included en-route. Every Land+Sea journey includes at least 3 nights scenic cruising on an elegant Holland America Line ship.

Get selling Alaska Now!

email salessupport@hollandamerica.co.uk Ways to book:

POLAR online: via www.hollandamerica.co.uk and click on Partnerships Reservations by phone – 0844 338 8600 Online training – www.halacademy.co.uk Visit www.hollandamerica.co.uk

ON THE TITLE HORIZON

The big adventure cruise developments to look out for over the next few months

Duchess takes a bow

T Hurtigruten reveals new hybrid ships

urtigruten has announced it is to invest in a hybrid solution for its new ships in a bid to operate fully electric expeditionary ships in the Arctic and Antarctic. The ships, constructed at Kleven Yards in Norway, will be the world’s first expeditionary ships with true hybrid propulsion. Daniel Skjeldam, CEO of Hurtigruten, said: “We will

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use our new expeditionary ships as groundbreakers for this new technology and show the world that hybrid propulsion on large ships is possible, today. The technology will reduce the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from the ships by 20 per cent. The contract includes two ships with a capacity of 530 beds, and includes an option for two more.

he American Queen Steamboat Company has announced that the American Duchess, is to join its fleet in June 2017. The company currently operates two ships, the American Queen and the American Empress. The new addition, which will hold 166 guests, will mostly sail on the lower Mississippi.

Hapag-Lloyd luxury

apag-Lloyd Cruises is to launch two luxury expedition vessels in the spring/autumn of 2019. Both of the ships will primarily focus on the German-speaking market. However, one will also be aimed at English speaking guests, according to Tui, the line’s parent company.

ADVERTORIAL

CRYSTAL CRUISES TO RETURN TO THE NORTHWEST PASSAGE

rystal Cruises, the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line, will return to the famed Northwest Passage in August 2017 after a successful transit in August this year, promising unprecedented adventures and unsurpassed luxury. Following in the footsteps of intrepid explorers, guests will sail through unparalleled landscapes of grand glaciers, stunning fjords, and rare wildlife sightings as they learn the Arctic culture and its fascinating people Beginning on August 15,

2017, Crystal Cruises’ awardwinning ocean ship, Crystal Serenity, will sail a 32-night expedition-style voyage traversing the Arctic Ocean from Anchorage/Seward, Alaska to New York City via the legendary route (500 miles north of the Arctic Circle), first completed successfully by Roald Amundsen more than 100 years ago. This August, Serenity became the largest luxury cruise ship to ever navigate the route, manoeuvring through 900 miles of majestic waterways lined

Inuit dancers from Ulukhaktok (Credit: Katie Jackson)

with spectacular glaciers, towering fjords and vast unspoiled landscapes away from civilisation, north of mainland Canada. In 2017, Crystal will again partner with Expedition Voyage Consulting by EYOS Expeditions, providers of bespoke expeditions to the most remote regions on Earth in safety and luxury, for the planning of the itinerary’s shore-side adventures. Additionally, Crystal has diligently gathered information and resources from field experts, going so far as meeting with the Inuit elders of the Arctic, to create an expedition voyage that is rewarding and thrilling for guests while also respectful to the local lands and cultures. Following in the footsteps of intrepid explorers, the journey through once unpassable waterways employs new or enhanced approaches to itinerary scheduling, destination visits, onboard offerings and

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ADVERTORIAL

Credit: Crystal Cruises

Welcome to the World’s Best safety standards. The first call in the Canadian Arctic is planned for the Hamlet of Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories, a settlement of just a few hundred people on the shores of the Amundsen Gulf – 1,400 miles from the North Pole. On this amazing voyage, guests will visit Anchorage/Seward, Kodiak, Dutch Harbor and Nome, Alaska; Ulukhaktok, NW Territories; Cambridge Bay and Pond Inlet, Nunavut; Ilulissat, Sisimiut and Nuuk, Greenland; Bar Harbor, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island, and New York, New York. They will also cruise the stunning waterways of North Pacific Ocean; Bering Sea and Bering Strait; Chukchi and Beaufort Seas; Amundsen Gulf; Dolphin and Union Strait; Coronation Gulf; Dease Strait; Queen Maud Gulf; Victoria Strait; Larsen Sound; Franklin and Bellot Straits; Peel Sound; Parry Channel; Barrow Strait; Prince Regent Inlet; Lancaster Sound; Croker Bay; Navy Board Inlet; Eclipse Sound; Baffin Bay; Davis Strait; Labrador Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Crystal Cruises is the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line, having earned more “World’s Best” accolades than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in history.  Crystal Cruises has won “World’s Best Cruise Ship” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 22 years and been voted “World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 consecutive years. In summer 2015, Crystal embarked on the most significant brand expansion in the history of luxury travel and hospitality, introducing three new classes of cruising – the recently launched Crystal Yacht Cruises (December 2015) and Crystal River Cruises (July 2016), and Crystal Exclusive Class Ocean Cruises (late 2018) as well as Crystal Luxury Air (March 2016).

Credit: Katie Jackson

Fares start at £15,592 per person based on double occupancy. See crystalcruises.co.uk

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––––– WHY CRUISE CAN BE ECO-FRIENDLY ––––– TITLE

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OPINION

THE CRUISE INDUSTRY HAS A BAD REP FOR POLLUTING, BUT JAMIE SWEETING – VP OF SUSTAINABILITY AT G ADVENTURES — BELIEVES THINGS ARE CHANGING cruise adviser:

Can the ecoconscious traveller cruise? Jamie Sweeting Yes – they can. There is no doubt that the cruise industry has made progress on reducing its environmental footprint in the last 15 years, and it should be applauded for that. There’s been a lot of work done on waste management, and water and sewage management. The challenge is from ship to shore – you can have 4,000 passengers coming off a big cruise ship at one time and, quite often, ports have a number of ships in at once. The question is, what are the cruise lines doing to ensure tourism and those visitations are adding benefit to the community and the environment, rather than degrading it? Eco-

conscious travellers should first do some research – are there cruise companies that are smaller in scale

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and seem to understand, or if you’re looking at the big cruise lines is there one company that seems to takes this more seriously and doing work to protect destinations? Does the cruise industry deserve its negative reputation for polluting? Yes and no. Certainly the industry made some big mistakes in the past, but I believe society in general thought the oceans were limitless and bottomless, and you could do anything to them and they would be fine. Certainly, in the ’70s and ’80s, the cruise industry did do things that they shouldn’t have done with regards to the environment. It has come a long way, but there is still a way to go on certain issues. The example I used to give at Royal Caribbean is of the ships they have in southern Florida now, the majority of those ships are now zero waste to landfill. There’s no equivalent-sized town in the UK that can claim they have zero waste to landfill. So, have they made mistakes? Yes. Have they made great progress in some areas? Yes. Is there a long way to go? Yes. How can cruise improve its image? To me, the number one priority is ensuring that the places it takes their

travellers to, are as good, if not better, 20 years from now. All cruise operators bear a moral responsibility to do that. Plus, as with all of the travel industry, there is still work to be done relating to climate change, there has been lot of good work done to reduce the carbon footprint, but there’s still a way to go. How can it reduce its carbon footprint? There are many different ways that it already has, when I was at Royal Caribbean we reduced the carbon footprint by 25 per cent over the five years I was there. A lot of that was to do with efficiencies, it’s to do with better engines, better ship design, more efficient engines, better air-conditioning. Newer ships get better and better, but you can do things to older ships, too. That gets more complicated and more expensive, but it can be done. Ultimately, without a price on carbon, the business driver is often nice to do, not must do. How does G Adventures do so? We have completely retrofitted our G Expedition to have the most modern engines in the entire Antarctic fleet. We have also just launched a brand new river cruise programme, where we use small vessels

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G Adventures in the Galápagos and (right) the Ganges

and localised itineraries that don’t travel huge distances between places. We are a small group adventure travel company, so our groups have less impact. It’s the same on our sailing trips. It’s important to remember that it is people who protect places, so if you can empower the local people to make money off tourism, they are going to become the stewards of the environment. Why should travellers give back? Supporting local entrepreneurs and small businesses strengthens communities, raising their overall quality of life, and ensuring that the places we take our travellers to will continue to be preserved. G Adventures is a social enterprise, which means the social value of what we do

is just as important to us as the profit we earn. Can you give us some positive examples of sustainable tourism? G Adventures’ non-profit organisation, Planeterra, has formed a partnership with the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) to collect ocean data on board the G Adventures Expedition, contributing to CCMI’s research on ocean health. In 2015, Planeterra provided funding to purchase two CastAway instruments, one to be used on board the Expedition, and one at the CCMI research centre in the Little Cayman Islands. The goal is to provide data from the Antarctic and Arctic oceans for comparative analysis with other ocean samples, to get a better understanding of how our

oceans are responding to climate change. Passengers on board the G Expedition have the opportunity to be part of this citizen science project by helping staff to deploy the CastAway on their excursions. G Adventures has a fleet of vessels in the Galápagos, and the community of Floreana Island (famous for its Post Office Bay) requested our help to develop a new type of tourism in the Galápagos Islands – one that is managed by, and benefits, the local people. We have been supporting them with training, and the goal of the community tourism enterprise is to control the number of arrivals by requiring a minimum stay, and to ensure Floreana maintains its pristine habitat, clean waters and natural heritage.

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Expand your horizons How G Adventures’ partnership with National Geographic is targeting a new type of cruise guest “Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort,” says G Adventures of its cruise on the Ganges in association with National Geographic. This is the way of modern travel, where more and more high-quality operators are providing tours to once relatively untouched regions. Bucketlist destinations are now not just accessible, but doable in style. G Adventures is a wellknown name in expedition and adventure touring, and is starting to make waves

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in cruise. Its new river cruise programme features nine itineraries, of eight to 15 days, that explore Cambodia, India, Peru and Vietnam, aimed at those with a younger mindset. Last year it announced its National Geographic Journeys on both land and river, including the above 12-day Kolkata to Varanasi cruise. Featuring more inclusions than on standard G Adventures tours, such as private transport – including internal flights on some – the NGJ trips also have more included meals and activities. The ship, built in 2006 is tiny – even compared to other river cruise vessels – with a capacity of 24 passengers over 12 cabins.

Experiential and accessible are the key words here – holidays that are full of adventure but fun. Each trip offers unique experiences, such as a game drive in South Africa with a scientist from the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Carnivore Conservation Programme and a “dualnarrative walking tour” in Israel led by both Israeli and Palestinian guides. Jeff Russill, VP of product at G Adventures, said that the partnership is a “match made in heaven. National Geographic and G Adventures have similar values, an aligned sense of social responsibility, and a shared belief in the positive impact travel can have on the planet”.

ADVERTORIAL

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CORAL EXPEDITIONS REACHES THE PARTS BIG CRUISE LINES CAN’T

oral Expeditions is a 33-yearold Australian expedition cruise company. We operate and manage a fleet of three small ships taking guests to some of the most beautiful, yet undiscovered, regions of Asia-Pacific. Over 5,000 travellers from all over the world come to us every year for our relaxed, smallship atmosphere and itineraries which larger ships cannot replicate. Our operations are bespoke

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and sometimes not commercially justifiable, but result in a more personal product. At a time when the cruise industry is moving to larger and larger ships, we have limited the size of our ships to maximise the expedition experience. Our cuisine is prepared small batch on board and, while the style is down to earth, it reflects high-quality Australian produce and wine. We operate to Australian standards of safety with Australian senior crew

wherever we go. We were the first to offer interpretive programmes on our cruises and to employ expedition leaders, guest lecturers, marine biologists and scuba instructors – a tradition that continues today. Our guests come to us because of our unique destinations and shorerich programmes. Our shallow-draught ships can go where larger ships cannot. We shy away from long ocean voyages. Every day typically has at least one stop for water or land-based activities. On each voyage we will have a trip director or expedition leader, and on longer voyages, we have guest lecturers who are typically experts in the geology, history or flora and fauna of the region. Our trip directors and expedition leaders come with marine or local

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expertise. Most of our shore excursions are included in the cruise price – only exceptional experiences operated by third parties, such as helicopter rides, require a payment onboard and participation is of course completely optional. RELAXED ENVIRONMENT True to our Australian heritage, our ship environment is designed to be casual. There is no dress code or assigned seating at meal times. Our ship layout encourages mingling. Complimentary coffee and tea stations are open throughout the day in the lounge and dining areas. There are no in-room televisions or room service, but there is plenty of common space. Also, we operate an open bridge policy and encourage guests to visit the bridge and observe ship operations. Our captains enjoy the open interaction they share with our guests.

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CURATED SHORE EXCURSIONS With a strong focus on visiting places not often touched by tourists, our shore excursions are designed to promote local interaction and cultural exchange. One of the great benefits of travelling on a small ship is our ability to make impromptu stops. Our small group size ensures that our shore excursions are comfortable and enjoyable, but also have minimal impact on the communities and environments we visit. Most activities are suitable for all fitness levels; when a higher than normal level of fitness is required for a particular

excursion, your expedition leader will advise you accordingly. EASE OF ACCESS One of the distinctive features of Coral Expeditions’ vessels is their tender capability. Each ship carries a tender vessel, which is hydraulically lowered and lifted, enabling guests to transfer for excursions right off the main deck. Coral Expeditions I and Coral Expeditions II carry glass-bottomed boats that allow guests to view the marine life below. Coral Discoverer’s tender vessel Xplorer can carry all 72 travellers at the same time.

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RIVER CRUISES CROISIEUROPE

Europe • Russia • Asia • Africa Rivers • Seas • Canals

HIGHLIGHTS

Incredible places Irresistible prices Look what is included: • Fabulous French Food • On board musicians and entertainment • Optional classical or Discovery excursions’ packages available • Unlimited complimentary drinks • Free Wi-Fi

INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS ✆ 0208 3281 281 - ✉ resuk@croisieurope.com - www.croisieurope.co.uk

––––– WILD THINGS DR CLAUDIA HOLGATE HAS BEEN LECTURING FOR SILVERSEA SINCE 2008. SHE TELLS US ABOUT HER LIFETIME LOVE OF BIRDS, WHY SOUTH GEORGIA IS HER FAVOURITE PLACE ON THE PLANET AND HOW SHE LEARNT TO DRIVE A ZODIAC

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WILDLIFE You once fenced at the Olympics, now you’re a climatologist and ornithologist. That’s quite a big change – can you talk us through it? Claudia Holgate I fenced competitively for 15 years, but I then had a very bad accident and ended up with a punctured lung and thought it was time to move on and get a real job. I’d wanted to work in the Antarctic, but after I finished my studies I did other things; I worked for the government, the UN is the Russian Far East and and moved into academia Alaska, where you have so teaching climatology. many endemic species – it’s I still had this drive to go the same in Galapagos and to the Antarctic, Antarctica. so I decided There are Where the wild the best way a lot of things are to go would be people on expedition out there, Antarctica and islands ships. I’ve been serious Best for… penguins birding since I birders, South Georgia is home was about 14, who will to more than 200,000 so I thought, pay a lot King Penguins well, I can talk of money birds and I to go and Alaska can talk about see special Best for… climate change birds whales and bears and I can drive that you Lines such as Princess Zodiacs! I joined can’t see offer whale-watching Silversea when anywhere special cruises to it bought its else. American state first expedition vessel – the Certain Galápagos islands Silver Explorer – birds hold Best for… in 2008. an allure endemic species among Darwin called it “a little Silversea must travellers, world within itself” – get many birdsuch as the here you’ll find giant spotters on emperor tortoises, flightless board? penguin. cormorants and iguanas It depends Why? that you’ll find no where on the area. You’ve got else on Earth One of my your iconic favourite areas species

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such as your emperor penguin. Unfortunately, you get many people who think they can go to Antarctica and see emperor penguins, which are much further in land [than other species]. You need to take a special trip, with an ice-breaker and helicopters to see them. However, the king penguin – which is also a really large bird – we find on South Georgia, which is just an unbelievable island, my favourite place on the entire planet. There we get colonies of 200,000 king penguins, which is an experience that is lifechanging. You’ve also got the wandering albatross, which has a wingspan of about three and a half metres. When you’re going down to Antarctica, they fly behind the ship – it’s one of the most magical things. They fly for days without flapping their wings.

For more information see Directory, p65

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FREE SALES PACK Register online today!

––––– STAYING IN YOUR COMFORT ZONE SAM BALLARD ON HOW YOU CAN BE ADVENTUROUS WITHOUT ROUGHING IT

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s a travel agent curious about selling adventure cruises, have you ever attempted to pitch an expedition voyage only to find yourself putting customers off? Let’s face it, tales of roughing it on scientific vessels while sailing through the coldest waters on Earth aren’t everyone’s idea of a dream holiday. As expedition companies such as Lindblad or One Ocean brag about how little they resemble a cruise, are a large number of people left wondering, what exactly is wrong with a cruise? On these ships, we are told, you won’t find staff serving champagne or be offered a choice of restaurants. There will be little entertainment on board. This is of course, because expedition vessels are not cruises and

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anything which detracts from the destination is seen as superfluous. However, let’s not lose sight of all that a cruise does offer – in essence the points mentioned above – and the fact that many cruise lines don’t purely operate Caribbean or Mediterranean sailings, meaning that you don’t have to rough it to take in some of the most exciting destinations in the world. P&O Cruises has a huge number of exotic cruises on offer for passengers wanting something a little different. One example is a March sailing on Arcadia from Hong Kong to Dubai. This Asian cruise goes through Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka before finishing up in the Middle East. Passengers will be able to eat in Atul Kochhar’s Sindhu restaurant or Marco

MASS MARKET Pierre White’s Ocean Grill Asia on rivers such as are typically sailings that while exploring the Far the Mekong and Yangtze, connect a ship’s winter and East – not a bad option for however it’s the company’s summer programme. For those customers who want India cruise that always example, Viking Cruises’ a bit of British comfort in a catches our eye. Running trip from Bergen through mysterious land. to Montreal. Quite Fred Olsen often there will be Cruise Lines plenty of sea days, is running a but on the Viking spectacular sailing there will be 27-night voyage calls in Iceland and Cruise line: Celebrity Cruises in July next year Greenland before Departing: Tokyo, Japan that will leave the ship reaches Visiting: Lesser visited Japanese cities from Dover and Canadian waters as well as Petropavlovsk, on Russia’s go up to the and stops off at east coast. Norwegian Fjords Saguenay, Quebec Ending: Vancouver, Canada and beyond, as and Montreal. Date: May 7, 2017 for 15 nights far north as the World cruises Price: From £779 Arctic Circle and are another great Svalbard, where way to take an Cruise line: Princess polar bears can exotic holiday. Departing: Dubai, UAE often be found. While most cruise Visiting: Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Cruise & lines wouldn’t be Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland Maritime averse to selling Ending: Dover Voyages, another all 100 odd days Date: June 8, 2017 for 32 days ex-UK specialist, of their grand Price: From £5,488 is running a voyage, they’re cruise in January realistic about that Cruise line: P&O Cruises that leaves from not being feasible Departing: Southampton Bristol and takes for everybody. Visiting: Madeira, St Maarten, Dominica, passengers World Cruise St Lucia, Grenada across the sectors, therefore, Ending: Barbados Atlantic to are a pretty good Date: October 27, 2017 for 14 nights the Amazon. option for cruise Price: From £1,449 Passengers line and passenger on board the alike. Holland company’s America offers former flagship, the for 13-days from New Delhi world cruises ranging from Marco Polo, will have the to Kolkata, passengers are 111-nights to 14-nights, opportunity to explore the taken across the country including a 17-night cruise world’s largest rainforest. in serious luxury on the that takes passengers from After a week in Brazil, the Ganges Voyager II. They Osaka, Japan to Honolulu, cruise will call at French visit the Taj Mahal, Jaipur with prices starting at Guyana, Grenada and and Mother Teresa’s former about £2,000 each. Barbados before returning home. More post-colonial There are hundreds to Bristol. glamour than expeditionof different options for It’s not just ocean cruises style roughing it. customers wanting to take that offer a bit of comfort One other option for a cruise somewhere a little while visiting exotic passengers looking to different. It just needs you destinations. Uniworld has take a more unusual cruise as agents to think a little superb itineraries across are repositionals. These outside the box.

Where next?

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Worldwide Cruises of Adventure and Discovery Cruise & Maritime Voyages is Britain’s leading independent cruise line, well known for our exceptional value no fly cruises. In addition, we also feature a wonderful choice of epic voyages of adventure and discovery to worldwide destinations aboard our fleet of small to mid size cruise ships. Amazon, West Indies & Azores 39 nights, 5th Jan 17 and 42 nights, 7th Jan 18

Arctic Greenland & Iceland 20 nights, 12th Jul 17

Land of the Northern Lights – Norway 15 nights, 13th Feb 17 14 nights, 10th Oct 17 14 nights, 18th Feb 18

Canada in the Fall 28 nights, 1st Sep 17

Land of the Northern Lights – Iceland 12 nights, 4th Mar 18

Columbus Round the World Cruise 121 nights, 5th Jan 18

Magellan’s Round the World Cruise 120 nights, 5th Jan 17

Book online at: www.cruiseandmaritime.com ● Call: 0844 414 6161 Agency Sales: 0844 414 6140 ● Brochures: www.trade-gate.co.uk Terms & Conditions apply. Calls will cost 5p per minute plus your telephone company’s access charge. Operated by South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd trading as Cruise & Maritime Voyages. 3008

FIRE

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t the bottom of the globe lies a frozen continent separated from the rest of the world by the Southern Ocean. It is encircled by pack-ice and covered by an ice-sheet several miles deep. Tourism to Antarctica began in 1969 when the naturalist LarsEric Lindblad designed the Lindblad Explorer, the forerunner of today’s expedition cruising. Ships visit the ice-free coastal areas and sub-

Antarctic islands during the Austral Summer season which runs from November to March. The weather is variable but it is generally cold, dry and windy, with up to 20 hours of daylight. Cruises, ranging from one week to three, call at points of interest on the Antarctic Peninsula and sometimes South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. After crossing the often tempestuous Drake’s Passage, to the south of Argentina and Chile, the

stark beauty of Antarctica is revealed. First landfall for cruisers is often the Chilean research station of González Videla in Paradise Bay. As the cruise unfolds, the narrow Lemaire Channel – nicknamed ‘Kodak Gap’ due to its delphinium-blue glaciers – is a highlight. Explorations on board Zodiacs allow passengers to see the continent’s residents at close quarters: Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins, snow petrels and pintado petrels, as well as crabeater and Weddell seals; while in the distance humpback whales breach the surface of the ice-strewn water. There are three types of ships that visit Antarctica and the experience varies depending on the type of vessel. For clients for whom Antarctica takes pride of place on their bucket list, expedition ships with icestrengthened hulls offer

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ANTARCTICA a peerless experiential cruise with high-quality onboard service and appointments. Ice-breaking Russian Ships – built for polar research with basic accommodation and facilities – offer programmes to remote parts of the Antarctic Peninsula. Larger cruise ships ‘sail-by’ sub-Antarctic Islands as part of a South American odyssey, but there are no landings on the frozen continent. Most expedition ships for the British market depart from Ushuaia at the southern tip of Patagonia. Passengers fly to Buenos Aires before continuing on

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by domestic carriers. Specialised trips depart from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia to visit the Ross Sea and McMurdo Sound.

Another major player for polar safaris, Ponant has 16 departures this coming season on board their luxury cruise-yachts. ponant.com

Who sails there?

Hurtigruten has announced an order for up to four new explorer ships to meet demand for their highlypopular programme of Antarctic explorations. hurtigruten.co.uk

In addition to the comprehensive series of Antarctica cruises aboard the all-suite, 132-passenger Silver Explorer, Silversea Cruises recently announced Silver Cloud will be converted into an iceclass ship and transition to its luxury expedition fleet in November 2017. For Antarctic itineraries the all-suite vessel will be restricted to 200 guests. silversea.com

Quark Expeditions, a leader in adventures to Antarctica, has announced the largest-ever portfolio of cruises, as well as introducing the popular Island Sky to its fleet. quarkexpeditions.com

GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS

traddling the Equator some 620 miles off Ecuador’s Pacific coast, the fascinating ecological time-warp that is the Galápagos archipelago comprises 19 islands and several dozen islets and reefs. Home to creatures found nowhere else on Earth, it was the variation of unique species of birds and mammals that caught the imagination of Charles Darwin who based his work On The Origin Of Species on the natural selection he witnessed on these isolated, actively volcanic islands. Visitors to the Galápagos Islands need to understand this is not a destination of palm trees and piña coladas; each island boasts its own unique landscape, ranging from barren black, volcanic rocks to swaths of white sand beaches melting into gemstoneblue waters. By far and away the best way to visit

this natural kaleidoscope is by a variety of cruise packages that are on offer from operators catering for independent travellers as well as those who seek luxury throughout their cruise-tour. The flight to this isolated sanctuary of natural history is via Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Here a two-day visit to the Spanish colonial district of broad cobbled plazas, whitewashed buildings

and golden churches is a perfect contrast to one of the most astounding and unforgettable places on Earth that lies just a 90-minute flight away. After landing at the airport island of Baltra passengers are taken by Zodiacs to their ship and prepare to explore this isolated sanctuary of biodiversity. Depending on permissions from the Directorate of the Galápagos National Park, visits are made to the islands of South Plaza, Española, Punta Suarez, Floreana, Puerto Ayora, Genovesa, Punta Espinoza and Bartolomé. Celebrity Cruises (celebritycruises.com) offer four seven-night itineraries through this awe-inspiring land of fire aboard the 100-passenger Celebrity Xpedition. This wellappointed vessel offers ocean view staterooms and suites. In June the company announced the imminent deployment of

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GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

the 48-passenger Celebrity Xperience and the 16-guest Celebrity Xploration to offer an even greater range of options to explore this showcase of evolution. Silversea Cruises (silversea.com) operate the most luxurious vessel around the ‘Islas Encantadas’. The 100-passenger Silver Galápagos boasts a range of luxurious suites as well as all the indulgent appointments that are a signature of Silversea Expeditions which has just announced two new sevennight Galápagos itineraries. Other operators include Metropolitan Touring (metropolitantouring.com) with the 90-passenger Santa Cruz, 40-passenger Isabella II and 48-passenger La Pinta; there is also Lindblad Expeditions (expeditions.

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com) which bases the 96-passenger National Geographic Endeavor and the 48-passenger National Geographic Islander here. Busiest months for tourism tend to be June, July and August, as well as December to February; the cooler, dryer season

is June to November. At any time of year you need protection from the weather. A degree of precruise research will also pay dividends. Visitors who are not part of a cruise package have to pay a $100 National Park entrance fee.

––––– SOUTHERN COMFORT SAM BALLARD CRUISES ON THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI WITH AMERICAN QUEEN

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MISSISSIPPI used to European river boats, it’s quite something to behold a river ship capable of holding 436 passengers. The public areas are incredible – from the Mark Twain gallery to the Ladies Parlour – and appear to be influenced by the antebellum homes and steamboats of the Civil War period. The Grand Saloon theatre has been modelled on Ford’s Theatre (where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated) while the dining room boasts double-height ceilings with huge chandeliers that lead up to vast mirrors. The whole ship has an old world charm that suits our journey through Southern plantations, Civil War sites and on up to Memphis. That evening we eat in the J.M. White Dining Room and feast upon typical home-cooked Southern fare of grits, fried chicken and biscuits before being introduced to the ship’s musicians, which include a jazz house band called the Steamboat Syncopators, a pianist who can play with his feet, Jerry Lee Lewis-style and a blues duo, all plucked

01. A resting American Queen 02. The JM White dining room 03. Soniat House, New Orleans 04. The National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis 05. Musicians in the Big Easy 06. Although it’s not just jazz 07. Enjoying a beer on board 08. The French Quarter, New Orleans 09. Oak Alley Plantation 05

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MISSISSIPPI

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from the huge pool of local talent. The all-American staff offer the very best in that famous Southern hospitality. Our first stop is Oak Alley Plantation. Built in the 1830s by socialite Jacques Telesphore Roman, it is the epitome of antebellum extravagance. It sits at the bottom of a quarter of a mile of 300-year-old oak trees that links the house up to the Mississippi. The avenue of oaks was designed to tunnel the breeze from the river and help cool its inhabitants. It’s easy to get caught up in the plantation’s glamorous surroundings, from the big house to the perfectly manicured gardens. The property was used as Brad Pitt’s lair in Interview With A Vampire and it really does suit that eerie feel. However, as our guide rightly reminds us, this wealth has to be put into the context in which it was created. To reinforce this, rickety reproduction slave quarters stand at the back of the gardens, the names of long-dead slaves written on the walls. The main house itself was built using Mississippi mud, taken from the river banks by the slaves themselves. The tour was included in the price of the cruise. With every stop, there are always excursions available for those who don’t wish to part with any more cash, whether that’s a tour or the company’s hop-on, hop-off bus service. One tip would

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be to look at the premium excursions which often aren’t that expensive. From trips out to see alligators to visiting Morgan Freeman’s blues club, Ground Zero. After our call at Oak Alley, the American Queen glides up the Mississippi to towns that all played a part in the Civil War. From Natchez to St. Francisville, Vicksburg and Helena. We are taught more about these former strongholds of the Confederacy that were brought to their knees by the occupying Union armies. Estates were repossessed, businesses stolen and livelihoods lost. Vicksburg did not even celebrate Independence Day for 81 years. Our final stop on the American Queen is Memphis, a city I’ve been looking forward to visiting for a long time. Home to Graceland and Sun Studio, which launched the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny

Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins, there’s no shortage of attractions here. The city of Memphis offers a free bus between Sun Studio, Graceland and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, which is good to know during the scorching summer months. Beale Street, officially Home of the Blues, has music playing 24 hours a day in bars run by legends like the late BB King. It’s a little touristy, but for those staying just a few days, it’s well worth a visit. Be prepared to spend at least half a day in the Civil Rights Museum, too. The museum runs through the plight of African Americans, from the slave trade through to the fight for Civil Rights. It features exhibits such as a bus you can board and sit next to a defiant Rosa Parks. Graceland, the King of Rock’n’Roll Elvis Presley’s royal residence, is brilliantly

absurd and just as over the top as you hope it would be. From his TV room, where he would have three sets blaring at once, to his jungle room that was furnished with carpet on the ceiling and a huge indoor water feature. His planes are both outside – the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II – although are arguably the most dated part of the whole tour, while his vast collection of cars, from his famous pink Cadillacs to stately RollsRoyces, have pride of place in a garage literally fit for a king. Our Mississippi cruise has been a remarkable experience. The American Queen is a ship that is made to turn heads while conjuring up images of southern belles and antebellum charm. The Mighty Mississippi tells the story of America better than anyone else. Go and listen to it for yourself.

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––––– INFOCUS HURTIGRUTEN WE SPEAK TO ANTHONY DANIELS, HEAD OF SALES AT HURTIGRUTEN, THE HISTORIC NORWEGIAN SHIPPING COMPANY MAKING WAVES IN EXPEDITION CRUISE

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HURTIGRUTEN us apart from our competitors. We have over 120 years’ experience exploring the coast and fjords of Norway and we’ve taken this expertise to new, exciting destinations across the world, including Antarctica, South America and Canada. What’s the secret to experiential travel? For Hurtigruten it’s all about understanding that one size doesn’t fit all. We aim to accommodate all our guests and offer a wide range of activities to suit everyone’s needs and desires. Whether you want to hike up a mountain or relax and enjoy a culinary tour in a Nordic town there are excursions suitable for everyone. We want our guests to push boundaries and try new things. The size of our ships also puts us at a distinct advantage, as we are able to dock in hard to reach locations, which means we can truly get our guests to the heart of destinations

such as Svalbard and Greenland. What can you tell us about the new expedition ships you have on order? The four new explorer ships will join the fleet from 2018/19 sailings and make up the largest investment in Hurtigruten’s 120-year history. Our explorer programme is continually growing in popularity and increasing our fleet means we can expand our list of

destinations to offer more adventures to our customers. We are also delighted that our new expedition ships will be built in Norway – a nod to our heritage as well our commitment to investing in the local economy. It also aligns with our sustainability goals in trying to limit and reduce our footprint. How does Hurtigruten source its food? We source the best local ingredients for our voyages. Over 90 per cent of food on board our coastal voyages are fresh local produce. We take deliveries when we arrive in port from the towns’ food suppliers – even the local fisherman will dock alongside and deliver fresh fish to our chefs. Taking this globally will naturally be a challenge, as the amount of local produce available in

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HURTIGRUTEN Antarctica will be less accessible than coastal Norway. However, we relish the challenge to ensure we offer our guests the best food, no matter where they are in the world. How do you go about setting up special shore excursions — such as camping in Antarctica? We have a great onboard expedition team who

Example cruise 10-day Bergen to Kirkenes round-trip on MS Spitsbergen See p44

are the leading experts in our destinations and know them inside out. All the activities we offer guests are based on our expedition teams’ own experiences. Before we commit to any new programme our team carry out their own mini-adventure to assess its suitability for our guests and also to ensure it aligns with Hurtigruten’s ethos.

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One of our biggest sellers is dog sledding, which proves popular among guests of all ages. However, there are plenty of other extraordinary activities available on our explorer routes. Our latest additions are certainly stand out. You can go ice caving in Spitsbergen, have a go at polar snorkelling or ski under the Northern Lights. Why did Hurtigruten decide to leave Clia? We are very supportive of the good work undertaken by Clia for the cruise industry, not just in the UK, but globally. However, as a business, Hurtigruten has ambitions to be seen more as an adventure travel business than a mainstream cruise line, so we decided it was the right time for us to part ways. Do you see Hurtigruten offering more travel experiences outside of cruise? This year we announced our first land-only trip in

VITAL STATS Founded: 1893 by Captain Richard With Fleet Size: 14 ships, including three explorer vessels, with three more to follow as of 2018/19. Website: hurtigruten. co.uk Contact: Anthony Daniels, head of sales anthony.daniels@ hurtigruten.com

Spitsbergen. The Pure Spitsbergen itinerary includes flights (direct from London Heathrow) and a choice of two excellent hotels, one of which is a converted mining barrack. As the starting point for Artic exploration, there are 20 excursions to choose from, including a Spitsbergen winter safari where you might just spot a polar bear. For more information, see Directory, p63

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––––– HOW TO SELL ADVENTURE CRUISES One of the great things about cruise is that adventure doesn’t mean foregoing comfort. There are many customers who — perhaps having tried the lion’s share of Mediterranean itineraries — want to try something a little different. And while there are plenty of expedition cruises now on offer, taking in the likes of Antarctica or the Galápagos Islands, many of the more mainstream cruise lines also travel to some quite incredible places, be it Alaska or the Arctic circle. But how do you get them to take the plunge? We’ve boiled adventure cruise down to its purest essence to help you. From one simple question, we’ve provided a host of incredible options to cover a large part of the adventure market.*

––––– *All prices shown are per person and based on two people sharing an inside stateroom unless otherwise stated. Prices are correct at the time of publication 40

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NORTH

ALASKA

laska is one of the classic cruise destinations – there is no better way to take in its dramatic landscapes than by ship. Its proximity to West Coast ports also means it’s easily navigable and many cruise lines, from expedition to mainstream to luxury lines, go there. This Holland America Line cruise is in June when the weather will be a little bit warmer than normal – meaning you’re more likely to see the region’s incredible wildlife, including bears.

Line: Holland America Line Departure port: Seattle, US Departure date: June 24, 2017 Destination: Alaska (round-trip) Duration: Seven nights Ship: MS Eurodam Price: from £999

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Customers lorem ipsum can add on one of the Holland America Line Land & Sea Journeys with a range of tours through Alaska and the Yukon, including its exclusive train, the McKinley Explorer

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THE ARCTIC

NORTH

pitsbergen is the largest of the Svalbard archipelago, and its only permanently populated island — some 2,600 people live there. It’s actually better known for its wildlife: many different species of seabirds, as well as polar bears and reindeer can be found there. We’ve picked a summer cruise with a Ponant – offering a chance to experience the magnificent midnight sun. The price includes flights.

Line: Ponant Departure port: Tromso Departure date: June 27, 2017 Destination: Longyearbyen Duration: Eight days Ship: Le Boreal Price: from $6,841

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NORTH

NORWAY

he Norwegian fjords are one of the most popular destinations for first-time cruise passengers, and it’s easy to see why. The region is virtually impossible to explore in depth by road or rail – and it’s breathtaking. This voyage, in fact, has been described as the world’s most beautiful. It also starts and finishes in the Bergen, the super cool city dubbed the Gateway to the Fjords.

Line: Hurtigruten Departure port: Bergen Departure date: March 13, 2017 Destination: Kirkenes (round-trip) Duration: 10 days Ship: MS Spitsbergen Price: from £1,249

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Hurtigruten promises customers will see the northern lights during this cruise — and offers a free six or seven-night cruise if they don’t

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CHINA

EAST

he Yangtze is a mighty river — the longest in Asia, and the third longest in the world. It’s also the lifeblood of China, where its river basin is home to one-third of the country’s population, and a great way to explore the region. This cruise, from Uniworld, begins with a three-day stay in the capital Beijing, and includes trips to Xi’an and Lhasa, Tibet, before customers the board the ship in Chongqing.

Line: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Departure port: Beijing Departure date: April 21, 2017 Destination: Shanghai Duration: 14 days Ship: Century Legend Price: from £5,109 (for an executive suite)

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EAST

RUSSIA

n this two-week itinerary, called Waterways of the Tsars, customers will get the chance to take in Russia in depth, visiting the likes of the iconic Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow, before heading to St Petersburg, Russiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second city, the imperial capital for the two centuries. The tour even includes an optional three-night extension in Helsinki, Finland.

Line: Viking River Cruises Departure port: Moscow Departure date: June 12, 2017 Destination: St Petersburg Duration: 13 days Ship: Viking Ingvar Price: from ÂŁ3,395

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VIETNAM

EAST

he majestic Mekong snakes through Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Yunnan province, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, providing a perfect way in which to explore this vast, fascinating region. Cruises on the river usually take in Cambodia and Vietnam, travelling between Siem Reap and Saigon through Phnom Penh. Many, including, this CFM by CroisiEurope trip, offer the opportunity to also take in the phenomenal limestone karsts and tiny islets of Halong Bay.

Line: CFM by CroisiEurope Departure port: Hanoi, Vietnam Departure date: September 12, 2017 Destination: Mekong river Duration: 14 days Ship: RV Indochine II Price: from ÂŁ3,067

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SOUTH

ANTARCTICA

ntarctica, the frozen continent, is perhaps the ultimate expedition destination. The coldest, driest and windiest continent was only discovered around 200 years ago and is virtually uninhabitable – but is now visited by a handful of cruise lines. The cruise we have picked is with Aurora Expeditions, a company that specialises in small-ship adventure cruise. Its Polar Pioneer is tiny, accommodating just 54 guests, meaning it can reach ports other, larger ships cannot.

Line: Aurora Expeditions Departure port: Punta Arenas, Chile Departure date: February 7, 2018 Destination: Antarctica (round-trip) Duration: 11 days Ship: Polar Pioneer Price: from $9,500 (for triple cabin; double cabin from $11,200)

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This cruise includes flights to King George Island (and from Puerto Williams) — giving guests more time to take in the pristine wilderness of Antarctica

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SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH

outh Africa is a dream cruise destination for wildlife enthusiasts: three of the largest land mammals – elephant, rhinoceros and hippopotamus – can be found there. From the Kalahari to Cape Town, overlooked by Table Mountain, it is also boasts some one of the most diverse landscapes on earth. This cruise with French line Ponant is on board the beautiful 264-passenger Le Lyrial yacht.

Line: Ponant Departure port: Cape Town Departure date: March 25, 2017 Destination: Durban Duration: Nine days Ship: Le Lyrial Price: from ¤3,490

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SOUTH

AUSTRALIA

nown its vast, rugged wilderness and famously clean air, the isolated island of Tasmania is an overlooked but rewarding cruise destination – perfect for relaxation or exploration. The island is particularly popular with hikers, although guests are equally as happy sitting back and taking in the beautiful scenery.

Line: Coral Expeditions Departure port: Hobart (round-trip) Departure date: January 2, 2017 Destination: Tasmania Duration: seven nights Ship: Coral Expeditions I Price: from AUD $4,490

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This is the perfect opportunity for pre and post-sailing bookings. Customers could spend the New Year in Sydney before flying out to Tasmania to join the cruise

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AMAZON

WEST

t 2.1 million square miles, the Amazon is the world’s largest tropical forest and its most diverse ecosystem. Some 40,000 plant species are found there, as well as 427 species of mammals – including jaguars and sloths — and 1,300 types of birds (and that’s not to mention the millions of species of insects). What’s great about the cruise that we have picked is that it starts and finishes in the UK.

Line: Cruise & Maritime Voyages Departure port: Bristol Avonmouth Departure date: January 5, 2017 Destination: Amazon, West Indies and the Azores Duration: 39 nights Ship: Marco Polo Price: from £2,505

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WEST

CUBA

uba is still the destination that everyone is taking about. History was made in May 2016 when Fathom’s Adonia sailed to Havana from Miami, the first voyage of its kind in 50 years following a considerable thaw in relations between the US and the Caribbean island. Customers are now scrambling to see it before it changes too much. There are already plenty of options – but we’ve picked a spectacular cruise with the tall-ship company Star Clippers.

Line: Star Clippers Departure port: Havana, Cuba Departure date: January 14, 2017 Destination: Cienfuegos, Cuba Duration: 11 nights Ship: Star Flyer Price: from £2,025

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Sailing from Havana — rather than to it from Miami – will give guests the chance to truly explore the magical island of Cuba in depth

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GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

WEST

little world within itself,” is how Charles Darwin described the Galápagos Islands after his visit to the archipelago 1835. The biodiversity that Darwin described still exists in the region today: about 80 per cent of the land birds, 97 per cent of the reptiles and land mammals, and more than 30 per cent of the plants there are endemic. Galápagos iguanas, giant tortoises and Galápagos sea lions are just a few of the species that you can see nowhere else. “

Line: Celebrity Cruises Departure port: Baltra, Galápagos Departure date: October 22, 2017 Destination: Balta (round-trip) Duration: seven nights Ship: Celebrity Xpedition Price: from £3,229 (for ocean view)

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EVERYWHERE

GRAND CRUISE

t’s fair to say most people won’t walk through your door looking for 99-night Grand Cruise on an ultra-luxury cruise line. Yet customers who have both the time and the money to embark on such incredible adventures as this cruise — a threemonth voyage with Crystal Cruises — do exist. It’s remarkable how well these cruises sell. This trip from Melbourne takes in the likes of Papua New Guinea and Indonesia before arriving in Tokyo.

Line: Crystal Cruises Departure port: Melbourne Departure date: January 5, 2017 Destination: Tokyo Durations: 99 nights Ship: Crystal Symphony Price: from £20,006

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WORLD CRUISE

EVERYWHERE

ive continents, 35 countries and 66 ports — it’s fair to say Viking Cruises isn’t overegging it when it describes this journey as “epic”. The line’s first world cruise has a particular focus on great cities: between Miami and London, the Viking Sun takes in Havana, Sydney, Hong Kong and includes 12 overnight stays.

Line: Viking Cruises Departure port: Miami Departure date: December 15, 2017 Destination: London Durations: 141 days Ship: Viking Sun Price: from £38,090 (for deluxe veranda)

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