ISSUED DECEMBER 2014
THE SMALL SHIP DISCOVERY CRUISE SPECIALIST
MEDITERRANEAN | CANARIES ATLANTIC | CARIBBEAN CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA NOVEMBER 2015 - MAY 2016
WELCOME THE ADVENTURE ASHORE. THE DISCOVERY ON BOARD. W H E R E W I L L YO U R N E X T VOYAG E O F D I SCOV E RY TA K E YO U?
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Welcome to the latest Voyages of Discovery brochure. I hope you like our brand new look – you will see we’ve made some changes from the feedback our customers have given us, which we hope you will enjoy. For this season, we have simplified our cabin categories and introduced a fantastic range of add-on packages. We’re now giving you just 11 cabin categories to choose from with much clearer information about the amenities you’ll find in each one – making it easier for you to pick the right cabin for you. You’ll see the details of our packages inside this brochure and on our new-look website – they include a butler service, spa treatments and all-inclusive drinks packages. Plus, from November 2015 you will see some exciting new product and service enhancements to selected cabins. Full details are contained in this brochure. As always you have the freedom to tailor your holiday to your personal requirements. There’s a programme of activities to join during days at sea if you wish and of course, our engaging Guest Speakers will enrich your cruise with a fascinating programme of talks on board, which is all included in your fare. We’ve created 14 exciting new itineraries for our winter 2015/16 programme which see Voyager head west to destinations in Central and South America and the idyllic islands of the Caribbean. She also makes a maiden visit to Mexico’s stunning Pacific coast, and our perfectly-planned itineraries now include longer in port and more overnight stays so you can really get to know each destination. Due to her small size Voyager can take you to the heart of many off-the-beatentrack destinations, and once on shore you can choose to explore with our range of optional shore excursions or simply head off and do your own thing. Another great way to make the most of your destination is with one of our cruise extensions, which you can add before or after your holiday. Maybe you’ll choose a spectacular cruise around the Galapagos Islands or a longer stay in beautiful Barbados or historic Cartagena – whatever you want to do the choice is all yours. We look forward to welcoming you on board Voyager very soon.
Ian Smith, Group CEO, Voyages of Discovery
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Award-winning Value Packages Butler Service Cabins Destinations Shore Excursions Guest Speakers Partnership Cruises Introduction to Voyager Service & Crew
6–7 8–9 10 – 11 12 – 15 16 – 17 18 – 19 20 21 22 – 23 24 – 25
Dining 26 Special Interests 27 Grand Voyages 28 – 29 Winter 2015/16 Cruises 30 – 59 Extend Your Cruise 60 – 63 Premium Tours 64 – 67 Guest Speakers 68 – 69 General Information 70 – 73 Booking Conditions 74 – 79 Deck Plans and Fares 80 – 82 Cruise Calendar 83
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
CRUISE THE WAY YOU WANT TO
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t’s your holiday, so we want you to spend it doing the things you love. That’s why, when you cruise with us, you’ll find we give you the freedom to shape your own days. Listen to a guest speaker, laze by the pool, join an excursion or hop ashore and go your own way. There’s always plenty to do, and never any pressure to do it. That’s just how we sail. FREEDOM
CHOICE
You’ve been telling us what you want from your cruise and that’s why we’re making a few changes. You told us that you wanted more choice and greater flexibility to do things your own way and that’s exactly what you’ll get with all our cruises. Starting from November 2015 we’ll be giving you additional ways to upgrade your experience, so you can enjoy your holiday the way you want to. After all, everyone is different, and what you want from your holiday won’t be the same as the next person.
Whether you join a craft workshop, watch a culinary demonstration, get energetic at a Zumba class or just lie back and soak up some sun, we’ll do everything we can to help you have a great time. The same goes when we sail into port. You’ll find there’s always a choice of carefully arranged excursions full of expert insights and local gems. But you’ll also find you can stay on board or set out on your own, and we’ll be happy to give you all the advice and suggestions you need. Most excursions can be booked up until a couple of days before arrival into port, so you don’t have to make up your mind any time soon, and you’ll only pay for what you choose to do. However, if you do pre-book your excursions you’ll enjoy a saving on each one. When it comes to dining on board, we’ve two great restaurants for you to choose from - the elegant Discovery Restaurant or the more relaxed Veranda Restaurant, with its big ocean views and fantastic buffet. Eat inside, eat outside, or even order room service, it’s all up to you.
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Havana, Cuba
NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015
NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015
SIMPLIFIED CABIN GRADES
UPGRADE YOUR EXPERIENCE
You told us that you thought our cabin grading system was a little confusing and we agree. That’s why we’ve made it clearer and simpler – instead of 20 categories, there are now just 11, making it much easier for you to choose the cabin that’s perfect for you. We’ve also added a few more special touches to some of our cabins so you’ll feel at home during your cruise, and we’ve listed them all so you can see exactly what you’ll find in your cabin. See pages 12-15 for more details.
You also said that you’d like more flexibility to do what you wanted, when you wanted. So as well as offering a great choice of optional excursions in every port, we’ve also come up with an exciting selection of packages that will make your cruise experience unique. From a welcoming bottle of Champagne and Belgian chocolates waiting for you in your cabin to a drinks or spa deal, there’s everything you need to create the cruise you want. See pages 8-9. If you’re sailing in an Owner’s Suite or selected Balcony Suites you’ll enjoy the services of your very own Voyages of Discovery butler, who’ll welcome you to your suite then cater for your every need during your cruise. See pages 10-11 for more details. We’re sure this choice and flexibility will turn your cruise into the holiday of a lifetime and we can’t wait to welcome you aboard!
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
THE VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY DIFFERENCE
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here’s something very special about choosing a cruise. You’re not just escaping the everyday, or heading for places you’ve always wanted to explore. It’s more than that. You’re choosing a ship to take you across oceans, to broaden your horizons and to be your perfect home from home. At Voyages of Discovery, we’re proud to take up that challenge, bringing you award-winning service at rather surprising prices.
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EXCITING, HAND-PICKED DESTINATIONS
FANTASTIC MENUS FROM OUR QUALITY CHEFS
On every one of our cruises you’ll find a carefully chosen selection of destinations featuring iconic sites and off-the-beaten-track treasures. They’re amazing places you’ll love exploring, so we stay in port longer to let you do just that.
Our experienced chefs create delicious, constantly changing menus for our two onboard restaurants. Dishes include regional specialities and traditional favourites, so there really is something for everyone. Even better, it’s all included in your cruise price.
COMPLETE FLEXIBILITY & CHOICE
GREAT ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT
We’re here to give you the kind of holiday you want, so we’ll help you tailor your trip with pre-and post-cruise extensions, as well as a wonderful range of optional excursions in every single port and fantastic add-on packages.
There’s always plenty happening on board, from watercolour workshops, exercise classes and cookery demonstrations to live music and dancing. It’s all completely optional and it’s all included in your cruise price – just like our lido pool, hot tubs, gym, sauna and library. And on each cruise you’ll be invited to special Gala Dinners which are hosted by your captain.
AN INTIMATE SMALL-SHIP SETTING Once you arrive on board, you’ll find a laid-back atmosphere, free from hustle and bustle. We never carry more than 540 passengers, so our friendly team can give you all the care and attention you need.
COMFORTABLE CABINS Choose inside or outside, balcony or suite, and we’ll find the perfect cabin for you. Or you can let us know exactly where you’d like to be – right down to the cabin number. Just take a look at pages 12-15 to see exactly what you get in each one and what’s new from November 2015.
LIVELY TALKS FROM RENOWNED GUEST SPEAKERS Our entertaining talks are the best in the business, bringing experts on board to share their insights and adventures with you. They’re real characters who tell great stories, and there’s no extra charge for coming along.
TIPS & TAXES, ALL TAKEN CARE OF To make your trip as relaxed as possible, we take care of all your port and pre-paid airport taxes, including them in the price of your cruise. It also covers all your onboard service charges, so you don’t have to give them a second thought once we sail.
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AFFORDABLE PRICES
EVEN MORE EXPERT HELP
YOUR STANDARD FARE INCLUDES
ARRANGING VISAS
All meals, accommodation and entertainment on board Voyager
To visit many countries you are required to have an entry visa before you arrive, and our experienced reservations team can arrange these for you. Find out more on page 70.
Complimentary Butler Service for passengers staying in an Owner’s Suite or a Balcony Suite with Spa Bath
All onboard gratuities
All onboard service charges
All port and pre-paid airport taxes
All talks by our Guest Speakers and port lecturers
Your choice of cabin category
Your choice of cabin location and number
GROUP BOOKINGS If you’re travelling as a group of 15 or more adults, whether you’re family, friends or members of a club, you can take advantage of some great group benefits. Just call us on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS Single fares are available across our cruises. Supplements range from 50%-100% above the double occupancy fare depending on which cabin category you choose. Our Cruise Consultants will be happy to discuss your requirements.
DISCOVERY CLUB
5%
LOYALTY DISCOUNT
If you’ve travelled with us before, we’ll automatically make you a member of our Discovery Club, giving you a discount of 5% on standard fares on every future trip you take with us. Call us on 1800 623 267 to find out more
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015
SPOIL YOURSELF WITH AN ADD-ON PACKAGE
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o give you even more flexibility to do exactly what you want on your cruise we’ve created a selection of exciting add-on packages that will make your experience unique. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion during your cruise or you just want to spoil yourself, we’ve got something to suit every taste. From an icy-cold bottle of Champagne waiting for you in your cabin to spa treatments and even your own personal butler, can we tempt you? ‘SPECIAL OCCASION’ WELCOME PACKAGE $80
FULL DRINKS PACKAGE FROM ONLY $40 PER PERSON PER DAY
SOFT DRINKS PACKAGE FROM ONLY $30 PER PERSON PER DAY
• Bottle of Champagne in your cabin upon your arrival
• A pre- or post-dinner cocktail
• Mineral water in your cabin daily
• House or sparkling wine with dinner
• Non-alcoholic drinks with dinner
• Strawberries
• Unlimited house-brand alcoholic drinks during bar opening hours
• Unlimited soft drinks during bar opening hours
• Unlimited soft drinks during bar opening hours
• Unlimited speciality coffees
• Belgian chocolates Other occasion packages are available, details of which will be sent to you along with your pre-cruise information.
• Unlimited speciality coffees • Unlimited tea • Mineral water in your cabin daily
• Unlimited tea
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SPA PACKAGE $270 PER PERSON
BUTLER SERVICE FROM $770* PER PERSON
• Bathrobe in your cabin
This additional package is available to passengers travelling in Balcony and Junior Suites only.
• Slippers in your cabin
Your butler will welcome you to your suite, offer you a selection of pillows, offer to hang your clothes, keep your refrigerator stocked with your assortment of preferred soft drinks, bring you your drink of choice whenever you request it and discuss your dietary requirements with you and the onboard chefs
• 1 60-minute massage during your cruise • 1 luxury manicure during your cruise • 1 cut, set and blow dry in the hair salon
Throughout your cruise, they will keep your suite immaculate and offer a laundry service, serve evening canapés and cocktails in your suite, turn down your bed nightly and prepare and pack your luggage upon request. To see the full details of our Butler Service, see pages 10-11
* From price is based on 13-day cruise.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015
BUTLER SERVICE ADD A TOUCH OF LUXURY FROM JUST $770 PER PERSON
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o make your cruise even more special we offer, as standard, the services of a butler to passengers travelling in an Owner’s Suite or a Balcony Suite with Spa Bath. It’s also available as an optional extra to passengers in Junior Suites and our other Balcony Suites and is a treat we think you’ll really appreciate. One of our fantastic Voyages of Discovery butlers is at your service from the moment you step aboard Voyager. They’ll escort you to your suite and help you to get acquainted with your surroundings. If you like, they’ll do all your unpacking while you go off and explore the ship, and they’ll re-pack for you when it’s time to go home, so you can enjoy your holiday right until the moment you disembark. During your cruise they’re on hand to carry out all those little chores that will make your life on board more comfortable, such as keeping your suite immaculately tidy, dealing with your laundry and pressing requests and even polishing your shoes.
If you have any specific dietary requirements or want a different pillow, just tell your butler, and they will sort it out for you. When you return to your cabin after a day of adventure, they will have arranged a selection of canapés and have your favourite cocktail waiting for you. How’s that for service? In fact, we’d go as far to say that our butlers are so good you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one!
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UPON ARRIVAL, YOUR BUTLER WILL…
THROUGHOUT YOUR CRUISE, YOUR BUTLER WILL…
• Welcome you to your suite
• Keep your suite immaculate
• Present a selection of aromatherapy room scents
• Polish and condition your shoes
• Offer a selection of pillows
• Offer a laundry and pressing service
• Offer to hang your clothes and set out personal items
• Serve unlimited alcoholic house drinks*
• Chill your assortment of preferred soft drinks in your refrigerator
• Turn down your bed nightly upon request
• Discuss your dietary requirements with you and the onboard chefs
• Prepare and pack your luggage upon request • Serve evening canapés and cocktails in your suite
* This service will be available during butler call hours.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015
CHOOSE A CABIN TO SUIT YOU
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n board Voyager you’ll find 270 comfortable cabins, 87% of which are outside. The ship also has the added attraction of 35 suites, 30 with balconies from which you can take in the splendid views as you sail to each new destination.
All cabins feature private facilities with a bath and/or shower, air-conditioning, television, hairdryer and safe. All suites have both a bath with shower over (some with spa baths) and are also equipped with a fridge. Where cabins feature a bath and a shower, please note the shower will be over the bath. Outside cabins on Columbus, Promenade and Bridge Decks have picture windows, while all outside cabins on other decks feature two portholes which may need to be covered in the event of adverse weather conditions.
All cabins have two twin beds or a double bed. Some cabins also have one upper berth or a sofa-bed allowing for a third person to share the cabin (when only one or two passengers are occupying a cabin the upper berth neatly folds away). There are also three cabins aboard Voyager which have been adapted for wheelchair access. Images are for reference only. Your cabin may differ slightly to the one shown.
OWNER’S SUITE
OS
Bridge Deck approx. 342 sq ft • Sitting room • Window and balcony • Bathroom with Jacuzzi bath and shower over • Hairdryer • Flatscreen television • Safe and refrigerator • Air-conditioning • Bathrobes and slippers • Champagne on arrival • Fruit basket and flowers • Chauffeur Service (optional) • Daily canapés
NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015 • Butler service • Illy coffee machine • Premium bed linen and towels • Premium toiletries • Choice of pillows • iPod/iPhone docking station and DVD player • Laundry service • Airport meet and greet (optional) • Priority embarkation/ disembarkation • A dinner at officers table • Daily complimentary mineral water • Daily cocktail
BALCONY SUITE WITH SPA BATH Bridge Deck minimum 303 sq ft • Sitting room • Window and balcony • Bathroom with Jacuzzi bath and shower over • Hairdryer • Flatscreen television • Safe and refrigerator • Air-conditioning • Bathrobes and slippers • Champagne on arrival • Fruit basket and flowers • Chauffeur Service (optional) • Daily canapés
NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015 • Butler service • Illy coffee machine • Premium bed linen and towels • Premium toiletries • Choice of pillows • iPod/iPhone docking station and DVD player • Laundry service • Airport meet and greet (optional) • Priority boarding • A dinner at officers table • Daily complimentary mineral water • Daily cocktail
BALCONY SUITE
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Promenade Deck minimum 216 sq ft • Sitting room • Window and balcony • Bathroom with bath and shower over • Hairdryer • Flatscreen television • Safe and refrigerator • Air-conditioning • Bathrobes and slippers • Champagne on arrival • Fruit basket and flowers • Chauffeur Service (optional) • Daily canapés
BSS
NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015 • Illy coffee machine • Premium bed linen and towels • Premium toiletries • Choice of pillows • iPod/iPhone docking station and DVD player • Airport meet and greet (optional) • Priority boarding • Daily complimentary mineral water • Fully stocked mini bar on arrival (replenishments paid for thereafter)
• Daily cocktail
Cabin numbers 6112 and 6211 do not have a sofa and do not receive daily canapés.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
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JUNIOR SUITE
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Promenade Deck minimum 257 sq ft • Sitting room (1 sofa) and window • Bathroom with bath and shower over • Hairdryer • Flatscreen television • Safe and refrigerator • Air-conditioning • Bathrobes and slippers • Champagne on arrival • Fruit basket and flowers • Chauffeur Service (optional) • Daily Canapés
OUTSIDE DELUXE Promenade Deck minimum 214 sq ft • Sitting area (2 chairs) and window • Bathroom with bath and shower over • Hairdryer • Flatscreen television • Safe and refrigerator • Air-conditioning • Bathrobes and slippers • Champagne on arrival • Fruit basket and flowers
OUTSIDE SUPERIOR VIEW Columbus Deck minimum 129 sq ft • Picture window • Bathroom with shower • Hairdryer • Flat screen television • Safe • Air-conditioning • Bathrobes and slippers • Fruit basket
OUTSIDE SUPERIOR Livingstone Deck minimum 108 sq ft • Porthole • Bathroom with shower • Hairdryer • Flat screen television • Safe • Air-conditioning
NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015 • Illy coffee machine • Premium bed linen and towels • Premium toiletries • iPod/iPhone docking station and DVD player • Airport meet and greet (optional) • Daily complimentary mineral water • Daily cocktail
ODX NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015 • Tea and coffee making facilities • Premium toiletries • iPod/iPhone docking station and DVD player • Daily complimentary mineral water
OSV NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015 • Tea and coffee making facilities • Premium toiletries • iPod/iPhone docking station and DVD player • Sparkling wine on arrival
OSP NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015 • Tea and coffee making facilities • Premium toiletries • iPod/iPhone docking station and DVD player • Sparkling wine on arrival
OUTSIDE STANDARD
OST
Raleigh Deck minimum 122 sq ft • Porthole • Bathroom with shower • Complimentary toiletries • Hairdryer • Flat screen television • Safe • Air-conditioning
INSIDE DELUXE
IDX
Promenade Deck minimum 124 sq ft • Bathroom with shower • Hairdryer • Flatscreen television • Safe • Air-conditioning • Bathrobes and slippers • Champagne on arrival • Fruit basket
NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015 • Tea and coffee making facilities • Premium toiletries • iPod/iPhone docking station and DVD player • Daily cocktail and canapés
INSIDE SUPERIOR Columbus/Livingstone Deck minimum 127 sq ft • Bathroom with shower • Complimentary toiletries • Hairdryer • Flat screen television • Safe • Air-conditioning
INSIDE STANDARD Raleigh Deck minimum 142 sq ft
ISU
NEW FOR NOVEMBER 2015 • Premium toiletries
IST
• Bathroom with shower • Complimentary toiletries • Hairdryer • Flat screen television • Safe • Air-conditioning
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
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Panama
NEW UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURES FOR 2015
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ou’re guaranteed the adventure of a lifetime as Voyager sails to some of the world’s most wonderful and unforgettable destinations. Explore the landscapes of the volcanic Canary Islands, laze under the shade of a palm tree on a white-sand Caribbean beach, sway to Cuba’s intoxicating rhythms or delve deep into Central America’s natural wonders. There’s a whole world out there waiting, and we’ll help you see it your way. Voyager travels the world every year, taking in fascinating sights in all sorts of destinations. Discover the treasures dotted around the shores of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic and be on board Voyager as she makes her maiden call in Algeria, or head to the sun-kissed shores of the diverse islands of the Caribbean. We reveal the rich culture and architectural grandeur of Cuba and take you into cloud forests and to the heart of pre-Colombian civilisations.
A journey through the remarkable Panama Canal, exploration of Mexico’s sparkling Pacific Coast and the chance to witness wildlife at its most exotic are also sure to make spectacular memories that will last forever. Wherever we go, we get closer to the real destination, taking the time to unlock its secrets, visit its hidden treasures and soak up its atmosphere. After all, isn’t that what an adventure’s all about?
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Oranjestad, Aruba
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
Cenote Ik Kil, Mexico
EXTRAORDINARY, UP-CLOSE EXCURSIONS
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herever in the world we take you, we always offer a very special programme of shore excursions, carefully crafted with insights from local guides and renowned experts on the region. They’re your chance to experience the heart of each destination, taking in not just its iconic sights, but its hidden gems and authentic culture too. Explore Roman ruins as Voyager makes her maiden call in Algiers or soak up history and glorious sunshine on gorgeous Caribbean islands. Venture into South America’s wild coast to marvel at lush flora and diverse, exotic fauna or lose yourself in colourful, laid-back cities. Relax on Acapulco’s legendary beaches or unleash your adventurous side with a trek through unspoilt rainforests and so much more.
In every port, you’ll have a great choice of excursions but, of course, they’re completely optional. It’s up to you which ones you’d like to join, and you’re always free to do your own thing too. We’ll even give you some tips to get you on your way. We also offer a fantastic range of pre- and post-cruise extensions, with escorted tours and city stays, so you can make your adventure last longer. You’ll find details on pages 60-63.
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Grenada
Pelican, Cuba
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
OUR EXCURSION PROGRAMME IS FANTASTIC VALUE, GIVING YOU: Insights from our regional experts and Guest Speakers
Tours created with trusted, experienced local partners
Friendly, professional English-speaking local guides
Discounts if you book before your cruise begins
BOOK AHEAD FOR PEACE OF MIND & SAVE UP TO $10 PER PERSON
The chance to see more on shore, getting straight to the best spots without waiting, negotiating or exchanging currency
You can book excursions well before you set sail, so you’ve got your whole holiday planned before you leave home. It’s a great way to guarantee your place, and we’ll even offer you a discount of up to $10 per person on each excursion you pre-book. You’ll find details of each excursion and extension on our website and we’ll send you a brochure around 18 weeks before you sail. On the other hand, as long as there’s space, many excursions can be booked up until a couple of days before arrival into port, so you can keep your options open too.
Well-timed trips so wherever possible you can take more than one excursion in each port
Reassurance that if your tour gets back late and the ship sails, we’ll get you to the next port at our own expense
Large choice of great-value, quality excursions
All excursions and activities are fully insured
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
EXPERT INSIGHT
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n each of our cruises we give you the chance to get to know our destinations even better with a programme of talks from some great Guest Speakers and Port Lecturers. It’s earned the reputation as one of the best speaker programmes at sea and, even better, it’s all included in the cost of your cruise.
We’ve hand-picked a wonderful range of Guest Speakers to lead our latest series of talks. Renowned experts in everything from wildlife and the arts to military history and politics, they’re colourful characters who’ve all been chosen for their eye-opening insights and infectious enthusiasm. Join them in the Darwin lounge and listen as they bring each destination to life. Relax as you discover hidden secrets, unexpected tales and
fantastic tips that will make the following days all the more fascinating. Or take things really easy and watch the whole thing from the quiet comfort of your cabin. Many of our Guest Speakers also join us on shore, accompanying excursions or even at dinner, sharing stories and discussing the things we’ve seen. You can find out who’ll be on board on pages 68-69.
SPECIAL INTEREST CRUISES
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very year, we work with expert organisations to create a series of special interest cruises. They’re a great way to learn more about something you love, from heritage and horticulture to fine arts. On each one you’ll have the chance to take part in excursions and activities designed with these themes in mind, as well as listen to lively talks by respected experts.
Balata Botanical Garden, Martinique
Our Royal Horticultural Society cruises are a fantastic way to take in some of the world’s finest gardens and coastlines. The RHS is the UK’s leading gardening charity, dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. With their help, we’ve designed a series of cruises with wonderful shore excursions, garden tours and talks by expert speakers. Our RHS Garden Holiday cruises include:
CARIBBEAN COLONIAL TRAILS
Casa The Acropolis, Batllo, Barcelona Greece
The National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies is a leading charity which promotes and improves accessibility to the arts. We’re really pleased to count some of their eminent accredited lecturers among our Guest Speakers, giving you the chance to hear some fascinating perspectives on the places we’ll visit. We’re currently in the process of sourcing relevant NADFAS lecturers for some of the cruises featured in this brochure, details of which will be passed on to you in due course - so watch this space.
(pages 38-39)
FLAVOURS OF CUBA & THE CARIBBEAN (pages 56-67)
FREE RHS MEMBERSHIP If you book one of our RHS cruises we’ll give you a year’s free RHS membership, so you can enjoy some of Britain’s best gardens too. You’ll get free entry to RHS gardens and up to 150 more, discount priority booking for events like the Chelsea Flower Show, free personalised gardening advice and a monthly magazine. Already a member? We’ll renew your membership for free.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
SMALL S HIP, BIG DIFFERENCE
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cool dip in the pool, a long drink in the lounge, a starlit stroll to end an unforgettable day… on board our small, intimate ship you’ll find lots of ways to make amazing memories.
Welcome to Voyager, and a less crowded way of cruising. On our spacious ship you’re free from the hustle and bustle of larger liners, so you can sail straight into smaller ports and start your adventure. We carry just 540 passengers, which means there’s always a friendly, relaxed atmosphere on board, where everything’s within easy reach and nothing’s too much trouble.
ON BOARD, YOU’LL FIND:
Make yourself at home in one of our 270 comfortable cabins – 87% with ocean views – or treat yourself to one of our 35 spacious suites – 30 with balconies. For dinner, there’s our elegant Discovery Restaurant, or the Veranda Restaurant with its indoor or al fresco tables – perfect for watching the sun go down. With open seating, you can choose when and where you eat, as well as who you enjoy your dinner with.
• 4 bars
And, whether you’re getting together or getting away from it all, with four bars, a library, live music, great Guest Speakers, a fitness centre, spa, beauty salon and more, it’s easy to have just the kind of holiday you really want.
• 2 hot tubs
• 2 restaurants • 3 lounges • Lido pool • Spa, sauna and salon • Health and fitness centre • Library • Internet hub • Medical centre
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Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
Gala night
A REALLY WARM WELCOME
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e’re proud to say that we’re known for our incredibly friendly, attentive crew. Many of them have been with us for years and their warm, genuine approach is part of what makes our cruises so memorable. In fact, it’s one reason why people choose us again and again. One of the great things about being a small ship is the chance it gives our crew to look after you better. Whether they’re serving you dinner, mixing you a cocktail, keeping your cabin clean or taking you out on shore, our loyal, professional crew take the time to learn your name, greet you with a smile and make sure your holiday is happy and hassle-free. We’re delighted to have won the British Travel Award for Best Niche Cruise Line for the last four years. It’s voted for by the public and we know that our success owes a lot to the great atmosphere our crew create on board. See the world with us and we think you’ll see the difference.
MEET YOUR CAPTAINS Captains Oleksander Tkachuk and Tomasz Marek Kaminski have been sailing with us for years and they’re looking forward to welcoming you on board. Despite being born 650 miles from the coast, Captain Tkachuk has enjoyed a great career at sea, including a period with a Black Sea cargo fleet. He’s served on passenger vessels since 1995, working for a number of well-known cruise lines. Captain Kaminski began his career at sea in 1998 aboard British Petroleum’s tankers. In 2000 he joined passenger ship fleets and has sailed to a variety of thrilling destinations, including the Antarctic on numerous occasions.
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Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
DELICIOUS DINING, EVERY DAY
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e’re proud to say our chefs are some of the best in the business, creating imaginative menus full of fresh ingredients and mouthwatering flavours. Try new dishes from the destinations we’re visiting or sit back and relax with favourites from home. Whether you choose breakfast in bed, in our restaurant or at our buffet, we’ll serve something that sets you up for the day’s adventures. After a morning exploring, linger over lunch on deck or on shore, and later maybe indulge in a delicious afternoon tea. Then, come evening, reflect on the day or meet new friends for dinner in one of our restaurants. Each cruise includes two glamorous gala dinners too. And with open dining, you can choose when and where to eat, as well as who to sit with, every single day.
Our elegant Discovery Restaurant offers a fantastic four-course menu that changes throughout your cruise. It’s served by an attentive but unobtrusive team who’ll make sure every meal is really special. For something a little more laid back, our Veranda Restaurant offers a beautiful buffet of hot and cold dishes, with tables inside or al fresco. It’s a great spot for watching the sun set on another wonderful day.
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ENTERTAINMENT & ACTIVITIES
D
ays at sea are perfect for unwinding by the pool, but if you’d like to try something a bit different, there’s always lots going on, from art classes to aerobics, deck games to live music…
On every cruise, you’ll find all sorts of great onboard activities. Friendly tutors lead creative classes in everything from watercolours to jewellery-making and embroidery. There’s the chance to meet our chefs as you learn the art of fruit carving or pick up beauty tips from our spa therapists. We run a lively passenger choir, dance and fitness classes covering everything from ballroom to Zumba, and even photography for beginners.
In the evenings, join us for deck parties under the stars, visits by local musicians and dancers, classical recitals, live music and, of course, plenty of dancing. Our programme’s different each time we sail, and with so many great activities, whatever floats your boat, we’re pretty sure you’ll find it on our ship.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
GRAND VOYAGES BUILD YOUR OWN CRUISE AND SAVE
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hy not make the most of your journey and combine several exciting cruises, creating one unforgettable adventure. It’s a great way to discover even more of the world’s most incredible sights, while saving money too.
Wherever you want to go and whatever you want to experience, this is your chance to craft the perfect cruise for you. On the opposite page, you’ll find an example of a Grand Voyage you could choose to experience - ‘Grand Caribbean and Central American Jewels’. Taking in plenty of Caribbean gems along with the very best Central America has to offer, this exciting journey is just one of the exciting possibilities available to you. Better still, you can expect to receive a discount on your Grand Voyage, saving on the flights you don’t need, along with a special 5% Grand Voyage Discount. It’s a great way to enjoy incredible value for money, with the freedom to tailor your cruise to suit you perfectly.
Why not join us on an intriguing journey taking you from Spain’s Mediterranean coast to the volcanic Canary Islands, with stops in diverse North Africa and beautiful Madeira. Then you can stay on board for a leisurely transatlantic crossing, rounding off your cruise with memorable visits to four Caribbean gems. Or maybe you’ll choose to begin your adventure in the Caribbean, before transiting the Panama Canal - one of the modern wonders of the world. From here, you can trace the Pacific coastline of Central America, before losing yourself in enchanting Mexico. With so many breathtaking destinations to choose from, you’re sure to end up with the adventure of a lifetime. Simply choose which cruise itineraries you want to combine, and call us on 1800 623 267 to reserve the cabin of your choice. Please note that when combining cruises, transport and parking options may differ from the single cruises - please ask for details.
29
Havana, Cuba
Belize
Mayan ruins at Copan, Honduras
GRAND CARIBBEAN AND CENTRAL AMERICAN JEWELS 3RD - 31ST JANUARY 2016 29-DAY CRUISE FROM $5,910 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
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here’s so much to enjoy on this spectacular Grand Voyage, which takes you on a journey through the idyllic Caribbean and into Central America’s most talked about destinations.
Enjoy a glorious start to your cruise as you discover the sun-drenched isle of Jamaica, lying right in the heart of the Caribbean Sea and boasting snow-white sands, lapped by crystal-clear waters. After visiting Cuba’s second city of Santiago de Cuba, a warm welcome awaits in the Dominican Republic a geographically diverse land with a coastline both picturesque and rugged in turn. Step ashore in intoxicating Havana - Cuba’s capital sways to a Latin rhythm and colourful Cadillac roll down UNESCO-listed streets, before continuing your explorations in Mexico where you can delve into intriguing Mayan customs and discover ‘lost cities’ buried amid dense rainforest. An extended stay in cosmopolitan Cozumel gives you even more time to explore, before a call to Belize with the chance to uncover ancient history, encounter exotic wildlife and lose yourself for a moment on white-sand beaches.
Honduras offers further fascinating sites in the shape of spectacular Maya ruins and a peaceful lake region which is a bird-watcher’s paradise. With appetites whetted for nature at its most dazzling, Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast is the ideal port of call with opportunities for the adventurer to sail or wander through the Caribbean’s answer to the Amazon. Colón lies at one end of Panama’s most famous landmark, the incredible man-made canal, while Colombia offers tales of swashbuckling piracy as you stroll among Cartagena’s atmospheric streets. For more information on the ports featured in this Grand Voyage see pages 42-45.
GULF OF MEXICO
THE BAHAMAS GREAT AMBER COVE INAGUA (PUERTO PLATA)
HAVANA CUBA
ANTILLA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
SANTIAGO DE CUBA PROGRESO MEXICO
COZUMEL
MONTEGO BAY JAMAICA
COSTA MAYA BELIZE
BELIZE CITY
CARIBBEAN SEA
ROATÁN PUERTO CORTES H O N D U R A S CARTAGENA
PUERTO LIMON COSTA RICA
COLON
COLOMBIA
PANAMA
TENDER PORT
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
THE ATLANTIC, THE PACIFIC & CARIBBEAN SEA ALGERIA | BAHAMAS | BARBADOS | BELIZE | CANARY ISLANDS CARIBBEAN ISLANDS | COLOMBIA | COSTA RICA | CUBA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | ECUADOR | EL SALVADOR | FRENCH GUIANA GUATEMALA | GUYANA | HONDURAS | JAMAICA | MENORCA MEXICO | MOROCCO | NICARAGUA | PANAMA | PERU | PORTUGAL SPAIN | SURINAME | VENEZUELA
28TH OCTOBER 2015 - 22ND MAY 2016
31
“from Twenty years now you
will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. MARK TWAIN
”
C
ome with us as we set sail for the winter sun and some truly magical destinations, from the vibrant shores of the Caribbean to captivating Central America, stunning South America and the dramatic, volcanic Canaries. Indulge in the blissful beaches of the Caribbean, from Barbados and St Vincent to Antigua and St Kitts. Wander around ruins in Peru, the rainforest in Costa Rica and miles of glorious coast in Mexico. Transit the Panama Canal and explore beautiful Ecuador, Colombia and Honduras.
King Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
ATLANTIC SHOWCASE 28TH OCTOBER - 10TH NOVEMBER 2015 14-DAY CRUISE FROM $2,220 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
B
ask in autumn sunshine as Voyager heads south from Gaudi’s Barcelona, making her maiden call in Algeria, then travelling on to the mesmerising shores of Morocco. Discover medieval Kasbahs and Roman ruins before setting sail for the islands of the Atlantic. Enjoy a leisurely overnight stay on beautiful Madeira, before ending your journey in the dramatic, volcanic Canaries. BARCELONA - SPAIN 28TH OCTOBER (OVERNIGHT) 29TH OCTOBER 5:00PM The Catalonian city of Barcelona, on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, is synonymous with the colourful works of Gaudi. A full day in port allows you to explore the artist’s Barcelona, including the ever-growing Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell. Stroll along Las Ramblas, a tree-lined pedestrian walkway, or venture out of the city to visit the Montserrat Monastery, nestled high in the mountains, to see the Black Madonna.
ALGIERS - ALGERIA 31ST OCTOBER 8:00AM - 5:30PM
CASABLANCA - MOROCCO 3RD NOVEMBER 7:00AM - 10:00PM
First settled over 1,000 years ago, Algiers is Algeria’s capital city. Voyager’s maiden call here gives you the chance to explore the relatively undiscovered Roman ruins of Tipasa, overlooking the Mediterranean, where you’ll find a theatre, amphitheatre, villas and forums. There’s also the chance to see the most memorable of Algiers’ landmarks, the Martyr’s Monument, or explore the medieval Kasbah.
Founded by Berber fishermen in the 10th century BC, Casablanca is now Morocco’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. Discover the awe-inspiring King Hassan II Mosque, the largest in Morocco, with the world’s tallest minaret. Wander around the small, traditional Medina, or visit nearby Rabat, the country’s capital.
AT SEA - 1ST NOVEMBER
MAHON - MENORCA 30TH OCTOBER 7:30AM - 2:30PM
TANGIERS - MOROCCO 2ND NOVEMBER 7:30AM - 2:30PM
Mahon has one of the largest natural harbours in the world and has been Menorca’s capital since the British moved it from Ciutadella in 1721. Wander around the town’s narrow streets and relax in its shady squares, or take the opportunity to explore old Ciutadella, still the island’s religious heart.
After a leisurely day at sea, sailing through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Atlantic, we arrive in the northern Moroccan port of Tangiers. This fascinating city is a delight to explore and you’ll have the chance to take a tour, discovering its exotic atmosphere, interesting history, beautiful views and unspoiled beaches.
AT SEA - 4TH NOVEMBER PORTO SANTO - PORTUGAL 5 NOVEMBER 8:00AM - 2:30PM In the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of Africa, you’ll discover sun-drenched Porto Santo. Part of the Portuguese archipelago that includes the island of Madeira, it’s your chance to really get away from it all. Enjoy a relaxing morning lazing on the soft white sands of its five-and-a-half-mile long coast, or visit its capital, Vila Baleira, once home to Christopher Columbus.
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
FUNCHAL MADEIRA
CANARY ISLANDS
CABIN TYPE
PORTO SANTO TANGIER
CASABLANCA
TENERIFE GRAN CANARIA
VGR151028
SPAIN
MOROCCO
MAHON MENORCA
2 Bed Inside
ALGIERS
2 Bed Outside
ALGERIA
Balcony Cabin
STANDARD FARES FROM
$2,220 $2,980 $5,050
Reduced single supplements available Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount.
Botanical gardens, Funchal
Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS • T he UNESCO world heritage site of ancient of Tipasa • Wander the narrow streets of Rabat’s old Kasbah and souks • Enjoy beaches of Portugal’s hidden gem - Porto Santo • Stunning landscapes of Madeira the ‘floating garden of the Atlantic’ • Discover the diverse volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands
Park Guell, Barcelona
GUEST SPEAKERS
Mount Teide National Park, Tenerife
FUNCHAL - MADEIRA 5TH NOVEMBER 7:00PM (OVERNIGHT) 6TH NOVEMBER 11:00PM Arriving in Funchal in the early evening, stroll ashore to enjoy drinks or dinner in Madeira’s pretty capital, where flowers bloom all year round. The following day, wander the city’s atmospheric streets, charming historical areas, picturesque squares and peaceful churches, or take the cable car and enjoy spectacular views on your way to the Monte Palace Gardens and the church.
AT SEA - 7TH NOVEMBER GRAN CANARIA - CANARY ISLANDS 8TH NOVEMBER 8:00AM - 9:30PM
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990. Alternatively, drive out to the Bandama Crater, part of the Tafira Protected Landscape. From there, on a clear day, you’ll have the most amazing panoramic views of the mountains and the north of the island.
Guest Speakers on board during this cruise include Steve Ragnall, a member of the Society for Nautical Research, and an honorary member of the Merchant Navy Association. Steve will bring tales of navigation and adventure, from the Mediterranean to the Canaries, to life. Also joining us on this cruise is John Brinkley. Since his retirement as a high school geography and geology teacher, John has served as Resident Photographer for the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
TENERIFE - CANARY ISLANDS 9TH NOVEMBER 8:00AM (OVERNIGHT) 10TH NOVEMBER Tenerife is the biggest of the Canary Islands and its capital city, Santa Cruz, offers lovely botanical gardens, plazas and art galleries. Explore the bustling city or, if you’d like to discover more of the island, drive to Mount Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a 10-mile wide volcanic crater that dominates the centre of the island.
The first of two stops in the volcanic Canary Islands, Gran Canaria is the third largest island in the archipelago and its capital, Las Palmas, is Spain’s seventh largest city. Discover atmospheric Vegueta, the oldest quarter of Las Palmas, declared a
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
ATLANTIC SHOWCASE 28TH OC TOBER - 10TH NOVEMBER 2015
BARCELONA PORTUGAL
33
Antigua
CANARY ISLANDS & CARIBBEAN CONSTELLATION 10TH - 24TH NOVEMBER 2015 15-DAY CRUISE FROM $1,950 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
S
oak up some warm winter sunshine in the volcanic Canary Islands before following in the wake of Christopher Columbus as Voyager sets sail for the gorgeous Caribbean, always a favourite for winter sun seekers. Sample the historic delights of Antigua, the white-sand beaches of Guadeloupe, the elegance of Martinique and the plantations of Barbados, ending each day under the Atlantic’s clear, star-filled skies. TENERIFE - CANARY ISLANDS 10TH NOVEMBER (OVERNIGHT) 11TH NOVEMBER 6:00PM
the thick pine forests, freshwater springs, waterfalls and impressive rock formations of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park.
The largest of the islands in the Canary archipelago, Tenerife has miles of beautiful coastline, as well as tropical forests and volcanic landscapes. It also soars above its neighbouring islands as it’s home to Spain’s tallest peak, the Pico del Teide. Discover the volcanic terrain and unique rock formations of Mount Teide National Park, or explore the historic town centre of La Laguna, where you’ll find narrow streets lined with colourful buildings and grand old villas.
AT SEA -13TH - 19TH NOVEMBER
LA PALMA - CANARY ISLANDS 12TH NOVEMBER 8:00AM - 5:00PM Santa Cruz de la Palma is the pretty capital of lush La Palma, the archipelago’s greenest island. Wander the town’s narrow streets, admiring the Renaissance architecture and wonderful old houses, or discover the island’s lush interior. Enjoy a walk to the Teneguía volcano, which last erupted in 1971, or explore
ST JOHN’S - ANTIGUA 20TH NOVEMBER 8:30AM - 10:30PM The beautiful Caribbean island of Antigua boasts 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. After a relaxing cruise across the Atlantic, take the opportunity to stretch your legs as you explore Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua’s graceful, evocative historic quarter and the only Georgian dockyard in the world. Venture to the most north-eastern point of the island to see Devil’s Bridge, a natural arch carved by the sea, or simply relax on one of the many unspoiled beaches before an evening of Caribbean cocktails in port.
POINTE-À-PITRE - GUADELOUPE 21ST NOVEMBER 8:30AM - 7:00PM Once called ‘the island of beautiful waters’ by the Arawak people, the archipelago of Guadeloupe will enchant you with its evocative blend of natural beauty, French and Creole culture and fascinating history. Nature lovers can enjoy an excursion into Guadeloupe National Park, home to La Soufrière Volcano and beautiful flora and fauna, while those looking to get away from it all can visit Marie Galante Island, known for its gorgeous beaches.
FORT-DE-FRANCE - MARTINIQUE 22ND NOVEMBER 8:00AM - 5:00PM Fort-de-France is the French-speaking capital of Martinque, a dramatically beautiful island with lush rainforest covering its mountain slopes and sugar cane growing on its plains. For spectacular views of the Atlantic and the surrounding mountains, hike to the summit of Mount Pelée, an active volcano which destroyed the city of Saint-Pierre in 1902. Discover
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
LA PALMA
ST JOHN'S ANTIGUA POINTE-À-PITRE GUADELOUPE
VGR151110
CABIN TYPE
ATLANTIC OCEAN
2 Bed Inside
FORT-DE-FRANCE MARTINIQUE CARIBBEAN SEA
STANDARD FARES FROM
2 Bed Outside Balcony Cabin
BRIDGETOWN BARBADOS
$1,950 $2,780 $5,010
Reduced single supplements available Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount.
Nelson’s Dockyard, Antigua
Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS • L a Palma - the Canary Islands’ secret gem • Relax as you sail across the Atlantic Ocean with nights on deck under star-studded skies • Glorious landscapes of Guadeloupe • Visit the ‘not to be missed’ outdoor markets of Pointe-a-Pitre • Elegant Martinique - a delightful mix of French and Caribbean influences • Beautiful Antigua - with a beach for every day of the year
Mount Pelee, Martinique
Photo by Michael Schofield
GUEST SPEAKERS
Bridgetown, Barbados more than 3,000 species of tropical plants and flowers in the Balata Botanical Gardens, or find out about the island’s legacy of slavery at the moving Anse Cafard Slave Memorial.
BRIDGETOWN - BARBADOS 23RD NOVEMBER 8:00AM (OVERNIGHT) 24TH NOVEMBER The island of Barbados is fringed by white reefs and textured by wonderful scenery. As your cruise comes to an end, take the opportunity to uncover the island’s colonial history, visit the breathtakingly beautiful Harrison’s Cave, or simply soak up the winter sun on its golden beaches.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Guest Speakers on board Voyager include Nick Hancock, an adventurer who raised money for Help for Heroes when he braved the elements and occupied the remote island of Rockall in the North Atlantic for 45 nights, setting a new solo occupation record. Also joining this cruise is Professor David Hughes, who has spent four decades researching comets and asteroids. He will discuss the fascinating world of astronomy as you make your way across the Atlantic. Steve Ragnall and Dr Susan Gubbay will also feature as Guest Speakers on this cruise. Please see pages 68-69 for more details.
EXTEND YOUR CRUISE Enjoy a post-cruise 3-night Barbados beach resort stay (see page 60). Call our Reservations Team on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
35 CANARY ISL ANDS & CARIBBE AN CON STELL ATION 10TH - 24TH NOVEMBER 2015
CANARY ISLANDS TENERIFE
Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
SOUTH AMERICA’S WILD COAST 24TH NOVEMBER - 6TH DECEMBER 2015 13-DAY CRUISE FROM $3,380 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
A
unique opportunity to explore the stunning area between the Orinoco and Amazon deltas, a region long known as South America’s Wild Coast. Discover the former Dutch colonies of Suriname and Guyana, the turbulent history of French Guiana, and myriad beautiful Caribbean islands, including Tobago, Trinidad, Grenada and Barbados. BRIDGETOWN - BARBADOS 24TH NOVEMBER (OVERNIGHT) 25TH NOVEMBER 4:30PM
PARAMARIBO - SURINAME 28TH NOVEMBER 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Join Voyager in Bridgetown, the capital of the charming Caribbean island of Barbados. Discover historic sites including Sunbury Plantation House, a superb example of a Barbadian sugar estate, delve into the island’s colonial past or visit dramatic Harrison’s Cave, a unique phenomenon of nature.
Suriname is the self-proclaimed beating heart of the Amazon and during Voyager’s maiden call, you can find out why. In this former Dutch colony, admire black and white historic houses, ageing colonial government buildings and sombre forts, or escape the town to explore the natural heritage of the smallest independent country on the South American continent.
SCARBOROUGH - TOBAGO 26TH NOVEMBER 8:00AM - 5:00PM
ÎLES DU SALUT - FRENCH GUIANA 29TH NOVEMBER 12:00PM - 7:00PM
Tobago is an island of picture-postcard beaches, beautiful coral reefs, fascinating wildlife, dense forests and quiet villages. Experience its diversity on a glassbottom boat trip to the Buccoo coral reef, a protected marine park and Tobago’s most famous coral reef. Marvel at Tobago’s highest waterfall, or discover Fort King George, built in 1770 and one of Tobago’s bestpreserved monuments.
The three tiny islands of the Îles du Salut lie about seven miles off the coast of French Guiana. From 1852 onwards the islands were part of a penal colony considered escape-proof and particularly appropriate for political prisoners. These included Alfred Dreyfus, who was imprisoned on Devil’s Island. Step ashore on tiny Île Royale, once the administrative headquarters, to discover several restored prison buildings and surprisingly abundant wildlife.
AT SEA - 27TH NOVEMBER
AT SEA - 30TH NOVEMBER GEORGETOWN - GUYANA 1ST DECEMBER 8:00AM - 6:00PM Sailing from French Guiana, Voyager makes another maiden call, this time to Guyana, the only Englishspeaking country in South America. Explore the capital, Georgetown, and admire the city’s Victorian architecture, including St George’s Cathedral, one of the world’s largest wooden buildings. Alternatively, take a once-in-a-lifetime flight over Kaieteur Falls, a spectacular waterfall five times taller than Niagara.
AT SEA - 2ND DECEMBER PORT OF SPAIN - TRINIDAD 3RD DECEMBER 8:00AM - 5:00PM The birthplace of Calypso, Trinidad is a multicultural melting pot stirred by the descendants of settlers from Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East. Immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of Port of Spain, Trinidad’s lively capital, or venture out to the breathtakingly beautiful Caroni Nature Sanctuary.
ST GEORGES GRENADA
VGR151124
SCARBOROUGH TOBAGO
ATLANTIC OCEAN
STANDARD FARES FROM
CABIN TYPE
$3,380 $4,840 $8,270
2 Bed Inside MARGARITA ISLAND VENEZUELA
PORT OF SPAIN TRINIDAD
2 Bed Outside Balcony Cabin GEORGETOWN GUYANA
Reduced single supplements available PARAMARIBO* ILES DU SALUT SURINAME FRENCH GUIANA * NEW PORT
TENDER PORT
Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount. Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS • C harming Bridgetown the capital of Barbados • Discover the UNESCO-listed Colonial City of Paramaribo • Experience the beauty of La Restinga National Park on Margarita Island • Take in the relaxed atmosphere of Tobago • Grenada - the ‘Island of Spice’ • Step ashore on Ile Royale and view the notorious Devil’s Island Paramaribo, Suriname
GUEST SPEAKERS
Devil’s Island, French Guiana
MARGARITA ISLAND - VENEZUELA 4TH DECEMBER 7:00AM - 9:00PM With its powder-soft white-sand beaches, warm turquoise waters and palm-lined shores, Margarita Island is often called the Pearl of the Caribbean. On this beautiful island you can cruise the mangroves in La Restinga National Park, delve into colonial history or take an amazing flight over Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world.
ST GEORGES - GRENADA 5TH DECEMBER 10:00AM - 5:00PM
BRIDGETOWN - BARBADOS 6TH DECEMBER 8:00AM The inbound flight from Barbados will be an overnight flight departing on 6th December and arriving into the UK on 7th December. Yellow fever vaccination is required. Further information on vaccinations can be found on page 70.
Guest Speakers on board this cruise include Professor Sandy Primrose MBE BSc PhD, who will shed light on the many aspects of plants and their importance to us for food, medicine and research. Sandy will be joined by Stephen Smith, who has been talking about and performing comic songs since the age of 17. His talks on calypso will add colour to the cruise.
EXTEND YOUR CRUISE Enjoy a pre or post-cruise 3-night Barbados beach resort stay (see page 60). Call our Reservations Team on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
Traces of nutmeg, cinnamon and cocoa linger on the breeze in Grenada, the Caribbean isle of spice, and the final stop on your unforgettable journey. Explore lively, fragrant markets or travel high into the mountains to the Grand Etang National Park and take in the island’s lush flora, diverse fauna and many species of birds.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
37 SOUTH AMERICA’S WILD COAST 24TH NOVEMBER - 6TH DECEMBER 2015
CARIBBEAN SEA
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
BRIDGETOWN BARBADOS
St Lucia
CARIBBEAN COLONIAL TRAILS 6TH - 20TH DECEMBER 2015 15-DAY CRUISE FROM $3,600 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
T
he islands of the Caribbean are renowned for their beautiful beaches, exotic wildlife and vibrant culture, and with no two islands the same, there’s so much to explore. Europeans have flocked to the region since the islands were discovered in the 15th century, and each nationality has left its distinctive mark. Wander these gorgeous shores, discover their crumbling colonial legacies, lose yourself in lovely, laid-back cities or just soak up the simple, sun-kissed island life. BRIDGETOWN - BARBADOS 6TH DECEMBER (OVERNIGHT) 7TH DECEMBER 10:00PM Drawing on its English, African and West Indian roots, Barbados has established its own distinctive identity. Delve into the story of its sugar, rum and molasses trade at the gloriously grand Sunbury Plantation House, or choose from a fascinating range of historic, cultural sites. Alternatively, stroll the stunning grounds of Orchid World, which showcases more than 20,000 species that have flourished in the island’s reclaimed sugar cane fields.
KINGSTOWN - ST VINCENT 8TH DECEMBER 8:00AM - 5:00PM Volcanic St Vincent is the largest island in St Vincent and the Grenadines and vibrant Kingstown is its main city. Explore its narrow cobbled streets and alleyways, with their arched doorways and covered walkways, or visit its modest Anglican cathedral right on the waterside - from here it’s not hard to imagine a Caribbean of banana boats and colonial rule.
For an oasis of calm, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, there’s the St Vincent Botanical Gardens. Established in 1762, they’re the oldest botanical gardens in the western hemisphere.
AT SEA - 9TH DECEMBER KRALENDIJK - BONAIRE ISLAND 10TH DECEMBER 7:00AM - 2:00PM Together with Aruba and Curaçao, beautiful Bonaire is one of the Dutch ABC islands. Historically, salt production has been an important industry here and in the south you’ll find impressive pink waters and enormous piles of Bonaire’s pristine salt. Elsewhere, there’s plenty of opportunity to learn about this lovely island’s unique folklore and look out for colourful flamingos and parrots in their natural habitat.
WILLEMSTAD - CURAÇAO 10TH DECEMBER 7:30PM (OVERNIGHT) 11TH DECEMBER 2:30PM A hidden gem in the Caribbean, Curaçao is brimming with exquisite beaches, stunning
architecture and a multicultural diversity. We’ll arrive in the evening, giving you the chance to experience Willemstad’s nightlife before enjoying a morning exploring the beautiful UNESCO-listed city. With 765 buildings in the historic district named as national monuments, there’s plenty to see, or you can venture further out to search for the reclusive colony of long nose fruit bats in the Hato Caves.
AT SEA - 12TH DECEMBER CARTAGENA - COLOMBIA 13TH DECEMBER 8:00AM - 10:30PM The UNESCO-protected historic quarter of Cartagena is an atmospheric place, with narrow sunlit streets and plazas full of architectural gems. Take time to explore the colonial architecture of this former Spanish stronghold, or head out into the wild for a more unusual adventure - a revitalising mud bath at the El Totumo mud volcano.
AT SEA - 14TH DECEMBER
ORANJESTAD ARUBA
VGR151206
KINGSTOWN ST VINCENT
CARIBBEAN SEA
ST GEORGES GRENADA
KRALENDIJK BONAIRE
CABIN TYPE
STANDARD FARES FROM
2 Bed Inside MARGARITA ISLAND
WILLEMSTAD CURAÇAO LA GUAIRA
VENEZUELA
2 Bed Outside Balcony Cabin
$3,600 $5,080 $8,750
Reduced single supplements available Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount.
CARTAGENA
Cartagena, Colombia
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
COLOMBIA
Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS • S tep back in time exploring the Barbados sugar plantation history • Caracas - Venezuela’s incredible capital • Admire the natural beauty of the towering Pitons on the lush, volcanic island of St Lucia • Enjoy overnight in port in the UNESCO-listed Willemstad on Curacao In Partnership with Willemstad, Curaçao
ORANJESTAD - ARUBA 15TH DECEMBER 7:30AM - 2:30PM
ST GEORGES - GRENADA 18TH DECEMBER 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Our final stop in the ABC islands, Aruba is home to beautiful white-sand beaches and a cooling trade wind that has permanently sculpted the island’s unofficial mascot, the fofoti trees, into graceful, southwesterly curves. It’s a major producer of aloe vera and you’ll have the chance to visit a factory to find out how it’s farmed, or the fascinating museum to see the island’s history come to life. There’s also the chance to visit the California lighthouse, rising out of the lunar-like landscape on the island’s north coast.
Grenada is the spice island of the Caribbean, with a charming, colourful capital, St Georges. Discover more about its famous nutmeg industry, wander nature trails through lush, vibrant vegetation or unwind in the glorious sunshine on the wonderfully long, white-sand beach of Grand Anse.
LA GUAIRA - VENEZUELA 16TH DECEMBER 7:30AM - 9:00PM Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, lies in a beautiful valley overlooked by Mount Avila, an impressive mountain that separates the city from the Caribbean Sea. Explore this former colonial city, birthplace of Simon Bolivar, with its museums and colonial architecture, ride the teleférico to the summit of Mount Avila for beautiful views over the city and the sea, or take a once-in-a-lifetime flight over the amazing Angel Falls.
MARGARITA ISLAND - VENEZUELA 17TH DECEMBER 12:00PM - 7:30PM
CASTRIES - ST LUCIA 19TH DECEMBER 8:00AM - 5:00PM Much of St Lucia is mountainous, covered in a blanket of thick rainforest, dominated by the volcanic cones of Petit Piton and Gros Piton, rising out of the blue ocean. As your cruise comes to a close, explore these towering giants, discover the island’s historic sites or drive out to stunning Sulphur Springs. It’s the only drive-in volcano in the world, and sulphur still billows from cracks in the scorched caldera.
BRIDGETOWN - BARBADOS 20TH DECEMBER 8:00AM Yellow fever vaccination is required. Further information on vaccinations can be found on page 70.
GUEST SPEAKERS Guest Speakers on this cruise include Dr Helen Doe, a specialist in both naval and merchant history from the University of Exeter. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a trustee of the ss Great Britain, Helen is not only interested in ships but also the men and women who built, owned and sailed them. Joining her on board is Stephen Smith who, with the aid of his trusty guitar, will bring something a little different with his talks about comedy music.
EXTEND YOUR CRUISE Enjoy a pre or post-cruise 3-night Barbados beach resort stay (see page 60). Call our Reservations Team on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
A mountainous, tropical escape off the north coast of Venezuela, Margarita is a Caribbean island that sways to a South American beat. Here you can take a boat ride into La Restinga National Park to see the wildlife among the mangroves, explore the historic sites of the Spanish colonial era, or enjoy a gentle stroll around the island’s peaceful Botanical Gardens.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
39 CARIBBE AN COLONIAL TR AILS 6TH - 20TH DECEMBER 2015
CASTRIES ST LUCIA
BRIDGETOWN BARBADOS
Antigua
CARIBBEAN TRADITIONS 20TH DECEMBER 2015 - 3RD JANUARY 2016 15-DAY CRUISE FROM $3,530 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
S
pend an unforgettable Christmas and New Year relaxing in the warmth of the winter sunshine as Voyager cruises between the idyllic islands of the Caribbean. Dance to the beat of steel drums in Antigua, discover relics of the region’s colonial past in Jamaica and explore the stunning shores of Montserrat, Tobago, St Kitts and Dominica. BRIDGETOWN - BARBADOS 20TH DECEMBER (OVERNIGHT) 21ST DECEMBER 5:00PM
PORT OF SPAIN - TRINIDAD 23RD DECEMBER 7:30AM - 5:00PM
ROSEAU - DOMINICA 26TH DECEMBER 8:00AM - 6:00PM
Beautiful Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados, is your gateway to an island that blends old and new, elegance and simplicity, West African charm and faded British grandeur. Admire its colourful colonial architecture, explore the largest collection of orchids in the Caribbean, or visit Mount Gay Rum Refinery, the oldest on the island, to discover how the histories of rum and Barbados are inextricably entwined.
The birthplace of Calypso music and the home of the famous Angostura rum distillery, Trinidad is diverse and multicultural. Columbus named the island after the Holy Trinity, but before he stepped ashore Trinidad was known as the land of the humming bird. Its swamps and forests are still a bird-watcher’s paradise and if you’d like to venture out of the city, you can spot the island’s national bird, the scarlet ibis, at Caroni Bird Sanctuary.
With its unspoilt beauty, volcanic peaks, sparkling waterfalls and rainforest canopies, the island of Dominica is a colourful celebration of nature. Experience the island’s beauty first hand at the famous Trafalgar twin falls, enjoy panoramic views from the summit of Morne Bruce or wander Roseau’s lovely centre and find some of the best-preserved 18th century Creole architecture in the Caribbean.
SCARBOROUGH - TOBAGO 22ND DECEMBER 9:00AM - 7:30PM
MARGARITA ISLAND - VENEZUELA 24TH DECEMBER 7:30AM - 10:00PM
Scarborough is the sun-drenched capital of Tobago, considered by many to be the true heart of the Caribbean, and an island rich in history, culture and biodiversity. Serene and lovely today, it’s dotted with forts and batteries that hint at a turbulent past. Unwind on the island’s gorgeous shores, or explore its history on a visit to Fort King George.
Isla Margarita, the island of pearls, is an inviting mix of rugged landscapes and powder-soft white-sand beaches lapped by warm turquoise waters. Cruise the mangroves in La Restinga National Park, or visit the city of La Asunción, with its historic cathedral, imposing castle and legacy of Spanish invaders.
AT SEA - 25TH DECEMBER
MONTSERRAT - MONTSERRAT 27TH DECEMBER 7:30AM - 2:30PM Soufrière Hills volcano lay dormant for more than 400 years before it erupted spectacularly in 1995, turning Montserrat’s capital, Plymouth, into a modern-day Pompeii. There’s still a volcanic exclusion zone covering most of the south-east of the island but we’ll take you to some fantastic vantage points where you can see the volcano and the destruction it wrought.
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
ST JOHN'S ANTIGUA BASETERRE ST KITTS ROSEAU DOMINICA
MONTEGO BAY JAMAICA
CARIBBEAN SEA
MARGARITA ISLAND
MONTSERRAT MONTSERRAT
VGR151220
STANDARD FARES FROM
CABIN TYPE BRIDGETOWN BARBADOS
SCARBOROUGH TOBAGO
PORT OF SPAIN TRINIDAD
$3,530 $5,010 $8,680
2 Bed Inside 2 Bed Outside Balcony Cabin
Reduced single supplements available Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount.
VENEZUELA TENDER PORT
Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS • T obago, perhaps the last of the ‘Virgin Caribbean’ • Montserrat - an island showcase of volcanic nature • Fascinating history on the island of Antigua • Historic Sugar Train ride on beautiful St Kitts • Celebrate Christmas and New Year in the Idyllic Caribbean
Sugar train, St Kitts
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
ST JOHN’S - ANTIGUA 27TH DECEMBER 7:00PM (OVERNIGHT) 28TH DECEMBER 11:00PM
GUEST SPEAKERS
The island of Antigua is ringed by 365 beaches of the finest white sand and lapped by crystal-clear, azure waters. We’ll arrive in the evening, giving you the chance to wander ashore and listen to the island’s famous steel drum music spilling into the city streets. The next day, you can relax on Antigua’s beautiful beaches or learn more about the island’s British roots at Nelson’s Dockyard, the only continually working Georgian dockyard in the world. There’s time for dinner in St John’s before we set sail late in the evening.
BASSETERRE - ST KITTS 29TH DECEMBER 7:00AM - 5:00PM Rising from the Caribbean Sea, St Kitts’ graceful green slopes culminate in cloud-topped summits against a striking blue sky. The island was once one of the oldest and wealthiest British colonies in the Caribbean and if you’d like to explore its past you can take a lovely, scenic ride on the old sugar train. Alternatively, go on a rainforest adventure, exploring the habitat that covers almost a quarter of the island.
AT SEA - 30TH DECEMBER SANTO DOMINGO - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 31ST DECEMBER 8:00AM - 5:00PM Santo Domingo was founded by Christopher Columbus’s brother, Bartholomew, and its Zona Colonial contains one of the oldest churches and streets in the New World, as well as the oldest surviving European fortress. Here, you’ll have the chance to see the Faro a Colon, a huge lighthouse and monument to Christopher Columbus that’s said to hold his remains. There are also beautiful botanical gardens where you can experience a world of different ecosystems, from the rainforest to a Japanese garden.
AT SEA - 1ST JANUARY MONTEGO BAY - JAMAICA 2ND JANUARY 8:30AM (OVERNIGHT) 3RD JANUARY Columbus is said to have called Jamaica ‘the fairest isle mine eyes ever beheld’ and it makes a perfect end to this unforgettable cruise. Once a Spanish colony, it came under British rule in 1655. At around this time, the atmospheric Greenwood Great House was built by the family of English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning and, if you’d like to visit, you’ll get an idea of how the wealthy lived back then. Yellow fever vaccination is required. Further information on vaccinations can be found on page 70.
Guest Speakers on board Voyager include Carry Somers MA FRS, who will combine the worlds of fashion and cultural history, providing interesting talks on the influence of the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean region on contemporary Caribbean culture and how Fairtrade has changed the lives of Caribbean farmers. Carry will be joined by Stephen Smith, who will talk about calypso and comedy music.
EXTEND YOUR CRUISE Enjoy a pre-cruise 3-night Barbados beach resort stay (see page 60). You could also enjoy a post-cruise 3-night Montego Bay beach resort stay (see page 61). Call our Reservations Team on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
CARIBBEAN TRADITIONS 20TH DECEMBER 2015 - 3RD JANUARY 2016
SANTO DOMINGO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
41
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
RHYTHMS OF THE CARIBBEAN & CUBA 3RD JANUARY - 17TH JANUARY 2016 15-DAY CRUISE FROM $3,140 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
C
ulturally rich, architecturally magnificent, economically poor and beautifully lost in time, Cuba is a country like no other. Travel to the heart of this intriguing island to explore the glittering cultural capital of Santiago de Cuba, the crumbling colonial grandeur of Holguín and the evocative city of Havana. Beyond Cuba, we’ll also discover the Mayan ruins of Mexico and the lesser-visited islands of the Caribbean, making for a truly mesmerising cruise. MONTEGO BAY - JAMAICA 3RD JANUARY (OVERNIGHT) 4TH JANUARY 3:00PM Jamaica has been blessed by nature. In fact, Columbus is said to have called it ‘the fairest isle mine eyes ever beheld’. Explore the truly breathtaking Dunn’s River Falls, one of the most beautiful spots on the island, or venture into the picturesque Nassau Valley, to the Appleton Estate, and take a journey through time to learn about the history of rum.
SANTIAGO DE CUBA - CUBA 5TH JANUARY 8:00AM - 6:00PM Set in a dramatic location between the Sierra Maestra and the azure Caribbean, Santiago de Cuba is where Fidel Castro launched his nationalist revolution in the 1950s. Explore the fading grandeur of the historical quarter, see the oldest house still standing in Cuba, or venture out of the city to see the imposing creamcoloured, copper-domed Basilica del Cobre, one of the holiest sanctuaries in the country. Alternatively, escape the heat of the city and climb into the cool, fresh air of the mountains at the Gran Piedra National Park.
AT SEA - 6TH JANUARY AMBER COVE - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 7TH JANUARY 8:00AM - 4:30PM On the north coast of the Dominican Republic lies the city of Puerto Plata, designed by Columbus and the first settlement established in the Americas. Discover the city’s Amber Museum, an outstanding example of Victorian architecture that’s home to a unique collection of Dominican amber, or take a cable car ride to the south of the city and enjoy the views from beautiful Mount Isabel.
GREAT INAGUA - BAHAMAS 8TH JANUARY 8:00AM - 6:00PM Little visited Great Inagua is the most southerly island in the Bahamas and its capital, Matthew Town, is named after George Matthew, a 19th century Governor of the Bahamas. In the centre of the island there’s a wonderful bird sanctuary, home to more than 80,000 West Indian flamingoes and many other exotic bird species.
ANTILLA - CUBA 9TH JANUARY 7:30AM - 7:00PM Antilla is a gateway to Holguín, the birthplace of Cuban music. The area is known for its spectacular beaches, pristine reefs and abundant marine life, while further inland you’ll find rolling hills and rugged mountains. La Mensura National Park is home to Cuba’s tallest waterfall, while the UNESCO site of Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve is one of the world’s last untouched rainforests, boasting a large number of endangered plants and animal species, including the Cuban land snail.
AT SEA - 10TH JANUARY HAVANA - CUBA 11TH JANUARY 8:00AM (OVERNIGHT) 12TH JANUARY 7:00PM We’ll spend two days in Cuba’s charming capital, giving you time to explore one of the most culturally rich urban centres in the world. Discover its colonial history at wonderful forts, cathedrals, mansions and museums, as well as in the atmospheric streets of
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE THE BAHAMAS GREAT AMBER COVE* INAGUA* (PUERTO PLATA)
HAVANA CUBA
ANTILLA
SANTIAGO DE CUBA* PROGRESO MEXICO
COZUMEL
MONTEGO BAY
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
VGR160103
STANDARD FARES FROM
CABIN TYPE
$3,140 $4,590 $8,110
2 Bed Inside 2 Bed Outside
JAMAICA
Balcony Cabin
CARIBBEAN SEA
Reduced single supplements available Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount. * NEW PORT
TENDER PORT
Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS • O vernight stay in warm, welcoming Montego Bay • The multicultural mosaic that is the Dominican Republic • Overnight in marvellous Havana a city of charm and contradictions • Great Inagua - discover the natural surroundings of this undiscovered Bahamian gem • Echoes of the Mayan Empire in Mexico Chichen Itza, Mexico
GUEST SPEAKERS
West Indian flamingo, Great Inagua Old Havana, a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage site. Follow in the footsteps of writers and poets, visit Ernest Hemingway’s house or taste a Cuban institution at the fascinating Museo del Ron.
AT SEA - 13TH JANUARY PROGRESO - MEXICO 14TH JANUARY 8:00AM (OVERNIGHT) 15TH JANUARY 12:30PM Progreso, where Mayan culture, customs, language and beliefs remain strong, is the gateway to Mexico’s ancient past. With an extended stay in port, you’ll have time to explore the area in depth. Discover picturesque Uxmal, with its pink-hued limestone pyramids and temples, the lost city of Dzibilchaltun, or Chichen Itza, where the Kukulakan Pyramid has been named one of the ‘new wonders of the world’.
COZUMEL - MEXICO 16TH JANUARY 9:00AM (OVERNIGHT) 17TH JANUARY Mexico’s largest island was named the Island of Swallows by its earliest inhabitants and has since become a world-famous diving destination. On this final stop of your journey, you can explore the ruins of San Gervasio. Thought to have once been the the sanctuary of Ixchel, goddess of fertility, they’re now a renowned pilgrimage site. If you’d like to learn more about Mayan culture, as well as local flora and fauna, you can also visit the colourful Xcaret Eco Archaeological Park.
Guest Speakers on board this cruise include Anthony Terry, a former diplomat who spent four years in Cuba during the Cold War years of the 1970s. Also joining this cruise is music historian Chris Howes, who will discuss the region’s music history in its social and political environments as well as the nuts and bolts of composition and the magic of performance.
EXTEND YOUR CRUISE Enjoy a pre-cruise 3-night Montego Bay beach resort stay (see page 61). You could also enjoy a post-cruise 3-night Cozumel beach resort stay (see page 61). Call our Reservations Team on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
RHYTHMS OF THE CARIBBEAN & CUBA 3RD JANUARY - 17 TH JANUARY 2016
GULF OF MEXICO
43
Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica
WONDERS OF CENTRAL AMERICA 17TH - 31ST JANUARY 2016 15-DAY CRUISE FROM $3,080 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
C
entral America is an explosion of nature and wildlife, from turquoise seas and lush cloud forests to remarkable, world-renowned parks. Among all this lie the ruins of the world’s greatest pre-Colombian civilisation, the Maya. This cruise is a wonderful chance to learn about indigenous culture, explore historic Spanish forts and discover your adventurous side, snorkelling in the clear waters of the Caribbean or trekking through glorious, unspoilt rainforest. COZUMEL - MEXICO 17TH JANUARY (OVERNIGHT) 18TH JANUARY 7:30PM
BELIZE CITY - BELIZE 20TH JANUARY 12:00PM (OVERNIGHT) 21ST JANUARY 6:30PM
The beautiful island of Cozumel was first settled by the Maya right back in 300 AD. When Spanish explorers arrived in 1518, they discovered the community’s heart at El Cedral, where you’ll be able to wander historic ruins and imagine life as it once was. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s also the chance to scuba drive, snorkel and trek at Chankanaab National Park.
With its ramshackle streets, grand colonial buildings and vibrant Creole culture, the largest city in Belize has plenty of history to explore. Originally the Maya city of Holzuz, it grew into the colonial capital city of British Honduras. Today, it’s full of these contrasts, boasting both the oldest Anglican church in Central America, St John’s Cathedral, and the Maya site of Altun Ha, set around the ancient Temple of the Sun God. Wander each one for yourself, or discover their story at the Belize Museum, housed in the country’s former jail.
COSTA MAYA - MEXICO 19TH JANUARY 8:30AM - 10:00PM Costa Maya has more Mayan archaeological sites than anywhere else in Mexico and is still home to the country’s largest existing Maya population. Here, you’ll have the chance to delve into the dense rainforest and explore one of the area’s most outstanding sites, Kohunlich, with its impressive, intricately decorated temple.
PUERTO CORTÉS - HONDURAS 22ND JANUARY 8:00AM - 7:00PM Honduras is the original banana republic, and the bustling port of Puerto Cortés has grown rapidly around its thriving fruit trade. It’s a great base for visiting two fascinating sites, the vast Maya ruins at
Copan and the stunning Lake Yojoa. Copan was one of the most spectacular Maya cities, and today you can stroll the ruins of its temples, plazas and palaces. Yojoa is the largest natural lake in Honduras, where you’ll find peace, quiet and a sky full of beautiful birds.
ROATAN - HONDURAS 23RD JANUARY 7:30AM - 6:00PM Long and slender, the island of Roatan is a diving and snorkelling paradise. Almost its entire coastline is fringed by an astonishingly diverse coral reef teeming with tropical fish, and you’ll have plenty of time to dive in. If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, you can visit the Carambola Botanical Gardens, in 40 acres of protected forest, home to native orchids, spice plants, medicinal plants and fruit trees.
AT SEA - 24TH - 25TH JANUARY
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
COZUMEL*
COSTA MAYA* BELIZE CITY BELIZE
ROATÁN
$3,080 $4,530 $8,060
2 Bed Inside
PUERTO CORTES H O N D U R A S
2 Bed Outside CARTAGENA
PUERTO LIMON COSTA RICA
STANDARD FARES FROM
CABIN TYPE
CARIBBEAN SEA
COLON
COLOMBIA
Reduced single supplements available Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount.
PANAMA
* NEW PORT
Balcony Cabin
TENDER PORT
Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS • C ozumel and Costa Maya - two maiden ports of call for Voyager • Marvellous Mayan ruins of Central America • Adventures in the rainforests of Belize • Honduras - steeped in history and stunning natural beauty • Overnight in Puerto Limon to explore magical Costa Rica • Discover the blend of old and new in Cartagena
Mayan ruins at Copan, Honduras
GUEST SPEAKERS
Cartagena, Colombia
PUERTO LIMON - COSTA RICA 26TH JANUARY 12:00PM (OVERNIGHT) 27TH JANUARY 5:00PM Puerto Limon is your gateway to some of the most beautiful natural attractions on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Board a boat to explore the extraordinary peace and incredible tropical vegetation of the Tortuguero Canals, or travel up the Chagres River, used by the Conquistadors to move their gold, and enjoy a walk through the rainforest. We’ll stay overnight in port, giving you more time to explore the area or even visit a typical hacienda.
COLÓN - PANAMA 28TH JANUARY 8:00AM - 8:00PM On Panama’s Caribbean coast, the port of Colón was founded by the Americans in the gold rush, as they built the Pacific railroad north to California. It lies at one end of the Panama Canal, one of the world’s greatest man-made marvels, stretching 50 miles to Panama City on the Atlantic Coast. From Colón you’ll have the chance to visit the beautiful, artificial Gatun Lake, created when the Gatun Dam was built in 1908, submerging miles of jungle, entire villages and large sections of railroad.
AT SEA - 29TH JANUARY CARTAGENA - COLOMBIA 30TH JANUARY 07:00AM (OVERNIGHT) 31ST JANUARY Stroll through Cartagena’s maze of cobbled streets, relax in one of its many cafes, and take in the immense churches casting their shadows across leafy plazas. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cartagena is the city most associated with the Caribbean’s pirate past and the final stop on your unforgettable journey. Wander the walls that surround this fairytale city, the most extensive fortifications in South America, or just take it easy with a relaxing ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
Guest Speakers on board Voyager include historian Dr John Wreglesworth, who will talk on subjects including the Spanish conquest of the Maya and Cartagena, the pearl of the Caribbean. John is joined by Keith Buchanan, an environmental consultant who has worked on projects in Indonesia and Central America and has led wildlife-watching groups in Iceland and other European destinations.
EXTEND YOUR CRUISE Enjoy a pre-cruise 3-night Cozumel beach resort stay (see page 61). You could also enjoy a post-cruise 1-night Cartagena city stay (see page 62). Call our Reservations Team on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
Yellow fever vaccination is required. Further information on vaccinations can be found on page 70.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
WONDERS OF CENTRAL AMERICA 17 TH - 31ST JANUARY 2016
VGR160117
MEXICO
45
Arch of Santa Catelina, Guatemala
COLOURS OF CENTRAL AMERICA 31ST JANUARY - 14TH FEBRUARY 2016 15-DAY CRUISE FROM $3,070 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
D
iscover the atmospheric cities and untamed beauty of Central America, as we sail from colonial Cartagena to cosmopolitan Acapulco. We’ll travel up the beautiful Caribbean coast, through the extraordinary Panama Canal, to the sublime shores of the Pacific, dotted with national parks, palm-lined beaches, coffee plantations, tiny villages and forested mountains. CARTAGENA - COLOMBIA 31ST JANUARY (OVERNIGHT) 1ST FEBRUARY 7:00PM Colonial buildings, horse-drawn carriages, colourful fruit and tropical town squares combine to create the unique city of Cartagena de Indias. Built by the Spanish in 1533, many of its well-preserved buildings date from that time. It’s the perfect city for exploring on foot, full of fascinating history and gorgeous, grand architecture.
SAN BLAS ISLANDS - PANAMA 2ND FEBRUARY 12:30PM - 8:00PM Most of the 378 islands in the San Blas archipelago are uninhabited, but on the major islands you’ll find the gentle native people known as the Kuna. The islands are largely pristine as the land is protected from development and tourism. An unobtrusive visit will help you to discover this island paradise, learning about the Kuna way of life and the unique artworks they call Molas.
PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT 3RD FEBRUARY Stretching 80km, from Colón on the Caribbean coast to Panama City on the Pacific, the Panama Canal was completed in 1914. Together we’ll travel through the canal, referred to as one of the modern ‘Seven Wonders of the World’, rising to 26 metres above sea level as Voyager reaches the beautiful Gatun Lake.
FLAMENCO ISLAND - PANAMA CITY, PANAMA 4TH FEBRUARY 8:00AM - 6:00PM Flamenco is one of four small islands, called the Causeway Islands, nestled by the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. They’re linked to the mainland by a causeway made from rock extracted when the canal was built. This is your gateway to the most cosmopolitan city in Central America, Panama City. Here, you’ll have the chance to explore the Casco Viejo, a charming, dilapidated neighbourhood of historic buildings and cobbled streets, in complete contrast to the city’s modern skyline of shimmering glass and steel towers.
AT SEA - 5TH FEBRUARY GOLFITO - COSTA RICA 6TH FEBRUARY 7:00AM - 5:00PM Originally a banana port, the small town of Golfito sits on a small gulf surrounded by densely forested hills, and is the only city in Costa Rica situated within a declared protection area. Travel out to nearby Corcovado National Park and you might spot some of Costa Rica’s shyest and most endangered inhabitants, like Baird’s tapirs, scarlet macaws, jaguars and harpy eagles.
PUNTARENAS - COSTA RICA 7TH FEBRUARY 8:00AM - 5:30PM Puntarenas sits on a long, narrow peninsula in the Gulf of Nicoya, abundant in pristine white-sand beaches, traditional communities and nature reserves. From here you can explore the Carara National Park, the last major area of primary rainforest in the region where you’re likely to see white-face capuchin monkeys and scarlet macaws. Alternatively you could take a boat trip through the mangrove swamps of the Guacalillo Estuary, home to one of the largest crocodile colonies in the world.
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE STANDARD FARES FROM
CABIN TYPE CARIBBEAN SEA
ACAPULCO* LA UNION* EL SALVADOR PUERTO QUETZAL* GUATEMALA
CARTAGENA
NICARAGUA
PANAMA C O S T A CANAL
SAN JUAN DEL SUR*
RICA
PUNTARENAS
PANAMA
SAN BLAS ISLANDS PANAMA CITY
* NEW PORT
2 Bed Outside Balcony Cabin
COLOMBIA
Reduced single supplements available Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount.
GOLFITO*
Scarlett Macaw
$3,070 $4,520 $8,040
2 Bed Inside
TENDER PORT
Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS • C artagena - the true jewel in a treasure trove of Spanish ostentation • Transit of the magnificent Panama Canal • Explore the flora and fauna of Costa Rica • Discover the rich Mayan heritage of Guatemala • Experience the vivacity of Acapulco San Blas Islands
Mangrove swamps
SAN JUAN DEL SUR - NICARAGUA 8TH FEBRUARY 8:30AM - 5:00PM The once sleepy fishing village of San Juan del Sur, with its clapboard Victorian houses, sits on a halfmoon beach overlooked by a towering statue of Christ on a neighbouring hillside. If you can break away from its beautiful shores, we’ll take you to the contrasting city of Granada, the oldest in the New World. Still largely off the beaten track, the city sits on Lake Nicaragua, one of the world’s largest and most scenic lakes, and boasts exquisite examples of Spanish colonial architecture. You’ll also have the chance to see how Nicaragua lives up to its name, the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes, by visiting the active volcano at Masaya Volcano National Park.
LA UNION - EL SALVADOR 9TH FEBRUARY 8:00AM - 2:00PM El Salvador’s countryside is breathtaking, dotted with mountains and volcanoes. Journey by 4x4 to the summit of Conchagua Volcano, from where you’ll have spectacular views of the Salvadorian coast, the islands in the Gulf of Fonseca and the town of La Union.
PUERTO QUETZAL - GUATEMALA 10TH FEBRUARY 8:00AM - 6:00PM Mysterious and captivating, Guatemala is Central America’s most diverse country. Nestled between three volcanoes is Antigua, the Spanish colonial capital of Central America and a World Heritage Site full of historic buildings, monuments and ruins just waiting to be explored. Meanwhile, in the Western highlands of the country, there’s the chance to visit beautiful volcanic Lake Atitlán, ringed by small towns, with its winning combination of scenic beauty and relaxed atmosphere.
GUEST SPEAKERS
AT SEA - 11TH - 12TH FEBRUARY ACAPULCO - MEXICO 13TH FEBRUARY 7:00AM (OVERNIGHT) 14TH FEBRUARY Acapulco is Mexico’s original party town, a playground for the rich and famous and a memorable last stop on our journey. From its vibrant heart you can take a drive along the beautiful coast to the Coyuca Lagoon, one of the most picturesque places here, to explore a coconut plantation or cruise the lagoon itself. Alternatively, climb into the mountains of the North Sierra to discover the silver city of Taxco, with its meandering cobblestone streets and pretty, white stucco houses.
Guest Speakers on this cruise include Carry Somers MA FRS, who will combine the worlds of fashion and cultural history, providing interesting talks explaining the Andean culture through traditional dress to Mayan cosmology and mythology. Carry will be joined by Keith Buchanan, an environmental consultant who has worked on projects in Indonesia and Central America and has led wildlife-watching groups in Iceland and other European destinations.
EXTEND YOUR CRUISE Enjoy a pre-cruise 1-night Cartagena city stay (see page 62). You could also enjoy a post-cruise 3-night Acapulco beach resort stay (see page 61). Call our Reservations Team on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for Colombia. Further information on vaccinations can be found on page 70.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
COLOURS OF CENTRAL AMERICA 31ST JANUARY - 14TH FEBRUARY 2016
VGR160131
47
Espiritu Santo, Baja
MEXICO’S PACIFIC SHORES 14TH - 27TH FEBRUARY 2016 14-DAY CRUISE FROM $3,030 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
H
ollywood’s original screen stars long ago fell in love with Mexico’s mesmerising Pacific coast, fringed by nearly 500 miles of soft, white sand. Behind the sands lie lush bottle-green jungle, the jagged peaks of the Sierra Madre Mountains, pretty, colonial cities and ancient Indian history. Join us we explore these gorgeous shores and relax in the sunshine as they steal your heart. ACAPULCO - MEXICO 14TH FEBRUARY (OVERNIGHT) 15TH FEBRUARY 1:00PM
which dates back an incredible 2,500 years. There’s also the opportunity to trek into the jungle, which is a real paradise for bird-watchers.
Acapulco’s warm-water bays have been irresistible since the days of the Aztec Empire. During the 60s and 70s it became the destination of choice for the jet-set, famous for its golden sands and dazzling nightlife. Start your journey with a lazy day on the city’s legendary beaches or the beautiful, uninhabited Isla de la Roqueta before exploring Acapulco’s restaurants and bars.
AT SEA - 17TH FEBRUARY
HUATULCO - MEXICO 16TH FEBRUARY 8:00AM - 2:00PM It’s said that when pirates ransacked Huatulco under Spanish rule, the one thing they couldn’t steal was its beauty. This lovely resort spans 20 miles of the Pacific coast, full of ancient archaeological sites, rich colonial architecture and fascinating native cultures. You’ll have the chance to explore its history at the fascinating 86-acre pre-Hispanic site of Copalita,
MANZANILLO - MEXICO 18TH FEBRUARY 8:00AM - 6:00PM Manzanillo still holds the lure of an old-world Mexican fishing village, its narrow streets weaving up the hillsides, surrounded by lush vegetation and breathtaking mountain coastline. Discover its fascinating colonial history or venture north of the town to the smoky, lava-spewing Volcán de Colima, the most active volcano in Mexico, and enjoy great views of the forested valley and its tranquil lake.
PUERTO VALLARTA - MEXICO 19TH FEBRUARY 8:00AM - 6:00PM Surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountains, little Puerto Vallarta is filled with tradition and history. Wander through the picturesque cobbled streets of its
historic old town or stroll along the beautiful malecón, the promenade that lines the city centre and the waterfront. There’s also time to visit the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which dominates the skyline as one of the town’s most important monuments.
AT SEA - 20TH FEBRUARY TOPOLOBAMPO - MEXICO 21ST FEBRUARY 5:00AM - 10:30PM The small port town of Topolobampo sits at the terminus of the Chihuahua-Pacific railroad, and you can hop on board to see the train pass through the lovely, scenic Copper Canyon. Named after the gorgeous greenish copper colour of its walls, the canyon is longer and deeper than the Grand Canyon in Arizona. You can also travel out to the town of El Fuerte, where you’ll find the Mansion of Don Diego, the birthplace of the real-life Zorro.
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
TOPOLOBAMPO*
MEXICO
$3,030 $4,480 $7,950
2 Bed Inside
PUERTO VALLARTA* PACIFIC OCEAN
STANDARD FARES FROM
CABIN TYPE
2 Bed Outside
MANZANILLO*
Balcony Cabin
IXTAPA*
Reduced single supplements available
ACAPULCO*
HUATULCO* * NEW PORT
TENDER PORT
Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount. Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS • A ll maiden calls for Voyager • Overnight stay in the ‘Pearl of the Pacific’ Acapulco • Topolobampo - gateway to the spectacular Copper Canyon • Experience the luxury in Ixtapa and the rustic at Zihuatanejo
Copper Canyon, Topolobampo
GUEST SPEAKERS
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
LA PAZ - MEXICO 22ND FEBRUARY 11:30AM (OVERNIGHT) 23RD FEBRUARY 2:00PM La Paz means peace and, as its name suggests, it’s a tranquil port with a nostalgic, provincial atmosphere, as well as beautiful beaches, lively squares and pretty streets. On the main square stands the Catedral de Nuestra Senor de la Paz, built in 1861. Step inside and discover its beautiful old paintings, or take a boat trip out to the spectacular island of Espiritu Santo, one of the most unspoiled ecosystems in Baja, with its amazing marine life and colourful reptiles, birds and amphibians.
IXTAPA - MEXICO 26TH FEBRUARY 7:00AM - 6:00PM Until the late 1970s Ixtapa was nothing more than a huge coconut plantation. Then it was decided that the Pacific coast needed a new resort and it was transformed into a modern city with spotless beaches. Ixtapa is renowned for its deserted sandy shores, warm crystal-clear waters and tropical coral, so whether you snorkel, swim or sunbathe, it makes a picture-perfect end to your cruise.
Guest Speakers on board this cruise include Dr Susan Gubbay, a freelance marine consultant whose specialist interests are marine protected areas. Susan will discuss Grey, Humpback and Blue whales and migration. She is joined by historian Dr John Wreglesworth, who will blend Mexico’s history and natural history during his insightful talks.
EXTEND YOUR CRUISE Enjoy a pre-cruise 2-night or post-cruise 3-night Acapulco beach resort stay (see page 61). Call our Reservations Team on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
ACAPULCO - MEXICO 27TH FEBRUARY 7:00AM
AT SEA - 24TH - 25TH FEBRUARY
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
MEXICO’S PACIFIC SHORES 14TH - 27 TH FEBRUARY 2016
VGR160214 LA PAZ*
49
Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
CENTRAL AMERICAN ADVENTURE 27TH FEBRUARY - 12TH MARCH 2016 15-DAY CRUISE FROM $3,010 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
C
ome with us and discover the unspoiled and relatively little-visited Central American countries of Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. They’re overflowing with volcanic landscapes, vast lakes and tropical flora and fauna, as well as Mayan ruins and crumbling colonial grandeur. Along the way, we’ll take you through the breathtaking Panama Canal, a marvel of engineering and one of the most significant waterways in the world. ACAPULCO - MEXICO 27TH FEBRUARY (OVERNIGHT) 28TH FEBRUARY 9:00PM With its stunning sun-kissed beaches, Acapulco was once dubbed the Pearl of the Pacific. Today, the golden arc of sand surrounding Bahía de Acapulco remains as gorgeous as ever, full of lovely spots to relax and soak up the sunshine. If you’d like to take in a little history too, you can venture up to the city’s 17th century fort, perched on a hill overlooking the harbour. It’s Acapulco’s most significant historical landmark and the most important marine fortress in the Pacific Ocean.
AT SEA - 29TH FEBRUARY PUERTO QUETZAL - GUATEMALA 1ST MARCH 6:00PM (OVERNIGHT) 2ND MARCH 7:00PM Guatemala must be the most colourful country in Central America and remains relatively undeveloped. Discover Lake Atitlán - huge, clear and beautifully framed by three volcanoes - where Maya traditions
are at their ancient best. One of the civilisation’s most important sites, its ruined citadel and imposing public squares reveal how the city grew and thrived before being abandoned in the 10th century. While we’re in port, there’s also a great opportunity to trek up the smoking volcano of Pacaya.
AT SEA - 3RD MARCH SAN JUAN DEL SUR - NICARAGUA 4TH MARCH 7:00AM - 5:30PM From the sleepy clapboard fishing village of San Juan del Sur, you’ll have the chance to visit Granada, on the shores of vast, beautiful Lake Nicaragua. Founded in 1524, Granada is the oldest city in the New World, renowned for some of the finest colonial-era architecture in the country. Nicaragua is known as the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes, and you can take in one of its active peaks at the Masaya Volcano National Park.
PUNTARENAS - COSTA RICA 5TH MARCH 8:30AM (OVERNIGHT) 6TH MARCH 12:00PM Lazing at the end of a sandy peninsula, Puntarenas has an old-world charm and is the closest coastal town to Costa Rica’s capital, San Jose. If you can tear yourself away, you’ll find the capital is a bustling city, full of streets lined with eclectic, historic architecture. Alternatively, head into the wild at Carara National Park, the last major area of primary rainforest in the region, home to white-face capuchin monkeys and scarlet macaws. Or, visit one of Costa Rica’s many coffee fields and discover the huge role coffee has played in the development of the country. We’ll be staying in port overnight to give you plenty of time to explore.
ISLA COIBA - PANAMA 7TH MARCH 12:00PM - 8:00PM Beautiful, isolated Isla Coiba was home to a much-feared prison from 1919 right up to 2004.
ACAPULCO
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
MEXICO
SAN BLAS ISLANDS
2 Bed Outside
COLOMBIA
COSTA RICA
PUNTARENAS
$3,010 $4,460 $7,990
2 Bed Inside
SAN JUAN DEL SUR
PACIFIC OCEAN
STANDARD FARES FROM
CABIN TYPE
CARTAGENA
NICARAGUA
PANAMA CANAL
Balcony Cabin
Reduced single supplements available
PANAMA
Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount.
ISLA COIBA
TENDER PORT
Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS • O vernight stays in four ports of call giving ample time to explore The lagoons and mangroves of Acapulco • Rainforest adventures in Costa Rica and Nicaragua • Transit of the magnificent Panama Canal • San Blas Islands - home to the native Kuna Indians • Cartagena - South America’s colonial gem Masaya Volcano National Park, Nicaragua
GUEST SPEAKERS
Kuna Indian Access was restricted and, as a result, 80% of the island’s natural resources have survived untouched. Due to its remote location, the island has a growing number of sub-species, unique to its shores. Its jungles are home to howler monkeys, scarlet macaws and crested eagles, while its beaches and waters offer shelter to four turtle species.
AT SEA - 8TH MARCH PANAMA CANAL 9TH MARCH As we sail through the engineering masterpiece that is the Panama Canal, we’ll rise up to 26 metres above sea level, taking in plenty of local wildlife along the way. The canal transit takes around 12 to 14 hours but saves 20 days at sea and a 7,872-mile journey around South America and the infamous Cape Horn.
SAN BLAS ISLANDS - PANAMA 10TH MARCH 8:00AM - 2:00PM Our next stop gives a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit one of the unspoilt islands of the San Blas
archipelago, meet the native Kuna Indians and learn about their way of life. The islands are largely undiscovered - a true tropical paradise.
CARTAGENA - COLOMBIA 11TH MARCH 9:00AM (OVERNIGHT) 12TH MARCH Founded in 1533, this historic city was named after Cartagena in Spain and, during the colonial period, played a key role in the administration and expansion of the Spanish Empire. Its UNESCO-listed old town, surrounded by grand city walls, is where you’ll find superb examples of Spanish colonial architecture and lovely narrow streets, best explored on foot. Once you’ve wandered the city, there’s the opportunity to try something completely different - trek up to the crater of the 15-metre high Totumo mud volcano and finish your cruise with a messily revitalising mud bath.
Guest Speakers on this cruise include Carry Somers MA FRS, who will combine the worlds of fashion and cultural history, providing interesting talks explaining the Andean culture through traditional dress to Mayan cosmology and mythology. Also joining the cruise is Dr Susan Gubbay, who will discuss the marine biology of the region.
EXTEND YOUR CRUISE Enjoy a pre-cruise 2-night Acapulco beach resort stay (see page 61). You could also enjoy a post-cruise 2-night Cartagena city stay (see page 62). Call our Reservations Team on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
Yellow Fever is recommended for Colombia and Panama. Further information on vaccinations can be found on page 70.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
CENTRAL AMERICAN ADVENTURE 27 TH FEBRUARY - 12TH M ARCH 2016
PUERTO QUETZAL
VGR160227
CARIBBEAN SEA
GUATEMALA
51
Machu Picchu, Peru
SOUTH AMERICAN EXPLORATION 12TH MARCH - 28TH MARCH 2016 17-DAY CRUISE FROM $3,450 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
F
rom the sophistication of Spanish colonial cities to the simplicity of the Kuna Indians’ way of life, the man-made triumph of the Panama Canal to the wildlife of the Isla de la Plata, this really is a voyage of contrasts. It’s also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the incredible ancient sites and stories of Chan Chan and Machu Picchu. CARTAGENA - COLOMBIA 12TH - 13TH MARCH (OVERNIGHT) - 5:00PM
PANAMA CANAL 15TH MARCH
Cartagena is a city of romance and beauty. In its UNESCO-listed old town, surrounded by city walls, you can stroll pretty, colourful streets, admire grand architecture, or watch a parade of horse-drawn carriages from the cool of a café. For a more unusual way to spend the day, you can also venture out to the Totumo mud volcano and take a warm, revitalising mud bath in its crater.
The incredible Panama Canal takes us from the waters of the Atlantic right through to the Pacific Ocean. A man-made marvel of engineering, it was completed in 1914 and is one of the most highly travelled waterways in the world. As we pass through, look out for some of the region’s distinctive wildlife, from monkeys to crocodiles.
SAN BLAS ISLANDS - PANAMA 14TH MARCH 9:00AM - 6:00PM The beautiful San Blas Islands sit in sparkling blue seas and are home to colourful reefs, gorgeous shores and the fascinating Kuna people. Here you’ll have the rare opportunity to step ashore and see how an indigenous people continue to flourish and practise their age-old customs.
FLAMENCO ISLAND - PANAMA CITY, PANAMA 16TH MARCH 8:00AM - 5:00PM When we arrive in Panama City, don’t miss Casco Viejo, the atmospheric historic quarter of this multicultural city. It’s currently under massive renovation, with crumbling shacks sitting alongside beautifully restored colonial buildings. You’ll also find churches, squares and museums, including the informative Canal Museum, which tells the story of this city’s most famous landmark.
AT SEA -17TH - 18TH MARCH MANTA - ECUADOR 19TH MARCH 7:00AM - 7:30PM In the coastal lowlands of Ecuador, Manta is an old seafaring community which has transformed into a busy, major port. It’s just a short hop from here to Machalilla National Park, Ecuador’s only coastal park, which covers 60,000 hectares, including several beautiful islands. One of these, Isla de la Plata, or Silver Island, has wildlife to rival the Galapagos an opportunity not to be missed.
AT SEA - 20TH - 21ST MARCH CALLAO - PERU 22ND MARCH 8:00AM (2 NIGHTS) 24TH MARCH 2:00PM Callao is a vital port for trade in and out of Peru. It’s home to pretty mansions, museums, churches and the striking fortress of King Felipe. It’s also the gateway to Peru’s capital, Lima, a World Heritage Site where you can visit museums displaying major artworks,
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE VGR160312
CARTGENA
STANDARD FARES FROM
CABIN TYPE
SAN BLAS ISLANDS
$3,450 $5,010 $8,870
2 Bed Inside PANAMA CANAL PANAMA
2 Bed Outside
FLAMENCO ISLAND
Balcony Cabin
Reduced single supplements available Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount.
PACIFIC OCEAN
Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS
MANTA ECUADOR
GUAYAQUIL
SALAVERRY PERU
CALLAO
Cartagena, Colombia
• O vernight in the UNESCO-listed city of Cartagena • Transit the remarkable Panama Canal • Opportunity to visit the extraordinary Galapagos Islands • 2 nights in Lima, Peru, for the chance to witness the Inca heritage and magnificent Machu Picchu • Overnight stay in Santiago de Guayaquil with option to extend your stay by visiting the unforgettable Galapagos Islands
GUEST SPEAKERS
Adobe city of Chan Chan important churches and monasteries, and a wellpreserved historic quarter. With two nights in port, you can also choose to take an extended overland tour to the breathtaking ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, high in the Southern Peruvian Andes.
SALAVERRY - PERU 25TH MARCH 12:00PM - 7:00PM From the Peruvian port of Salaverry, you can explore Chan Chan, the largest pre-Colombian city in South America, or the important archaeological site of Sipan. Constructed by the Chimor in around 850 AD, Chan Chan is the largest Adobe city in the world, while Sipan is a Moche site famous for the tomb of the Lord of Sipán, discovered in 1987, completely intact and undisturbed.
AT SEA - 26TH MARCH
Blue footed booby, Isla de la Plata
GUAYAQUIL - ECUADOR 27TH MARCH 7:00AM (OVERNIGHT) 28TH MARCH Guayaquil is the main port, trading and financial centre of Ecuador. Here you can end your cruise strolling along the riverfront promenade, dipping into shops, museums, theatres and gardens, and admiring the brightly-painted buildings of the town’s colonial area. Follow the winding streets up the 465 steps of Santa Ana hill and you’ll be rewarded with lovely views across the city. A yellow fever vaccination is strongly recommended for Colombia and Panama especially. Further information on vaccinations can be found on page 70.
Guest Speakers on board Voyager include Dr Louise Bonner. With a lifelong passion for the environment, Louise is pleased to share her love of the natural world and will talk about the local geography, culture and wildlife. Louise is joined by Sally Bowen, a freelance journalist, Peru correspondent for the Financial Times and the country correspondent for the BBC World Service. Neil Bonner will also feature as a Guest Speaker on this cruise. Please see pages 68-69 for more details.
EXTEND YOUR CRUISE Enjoy a pre-cruise 3-night Cartagena city stay (see page 62). You could also enjoy a post-cruise 2-night Guayaquil city stay (see page 62) or a post-cruise 4-night (1-night hotel and 3-night cruise) Galapagos cruise (see page 63). Call our Reservations Team on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
SOUTH AMERICAN EXPLORATION 12TH M ARCH - 28TH M ARCH 2016
CARIBBIAN SEA
53
Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica
CONTRASTS OF LATIN AMERICA 28TH MARCH - 11TH APRIL 2016 15-DAY CRUISE FROM $2,890 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
D
elve deep into the natural habitats of Central America as you cruise through mangrove forests, ride through the rainforest canopy, snorkel among coral reefs and stroll through botanical gardens on this colourful journey from Ecuador to Mexico. Discover some of the lesser-visited ports of Colombia and Honduras, explore the Mayan ruins of Belize and Mexico and relax in the sunshine on pristine white-sand beaches. GUAYAQUIL - ECUADOR 28TH MARCH (OVERNIGHT) 29TH MARCH 3:00PM We begin our journey in the largest city in Ecuador, Guayaquil, on the banks of the Guayas River. There’s plenty to see as you stroll along the Malecón 2000, the city’s riverside promenade, from gardens and ponds to sculptures and monuments. One of the most impressive landmarks, La Rotonda, depicts the historic meeting between Bolívar and San Martín in 1822. Alternatively, explore the colourful, historic barrio of Las Peñas, perched on the river’s edge.
MANTA - ECUADOR 30TH MARCH 8:00AM - 11:00PM A bustling, modern port, Manta lies on a broad bay dotted with fishing boats. From here, you can travel to little-visited Isla de la Plata, a mini Galapagos, or explore the coastal eco-town of Bahia de Caraquez. You can also visit Montecristi, home of the Panama hat, named because it was worn by workers on the famous canal.
AT SEA - 31ST MARCH - 1ST APRIL BAHIA SOLANO - COLOMBIA 2ND APRIL 8:00AM - 6:00PM Step ashore in Bahia Solano and you’ll have the chance to explore Utría National Park, where lush mangrove forests and abundant marine wildlife come together in a fascinating way. Discover its countless natural attractions, beautiful landscapes and unspoilt ecosystems, and get an insight into the region’s distinctive culture.
FLAMENCO ISLAND - PANAMA CITY, PANAMA 3RD APRIL 12:00PM - 10:00PM Vibrant, diverse Panama City offers all the attractions of a modern capital, with a rich history too. Wander its old quarter, where gloriously crumbling buildings sit alongside their newly-restored neighbours. Or venture further out to the ruins of the original city, Panama Viejo, and explore the Cathedral of our Lady of Asunción, the bell tower, the Plaza Mayor and the enormous ruins of Casa Alarcón, the town’s largest and best-preserved known private residence, dating from the 1640s.
PANAMA CANAL 4TH APRIL Sit back, relax and enjoy amazing sights as Voyager transits the Panama Canal, the man-made marvel of engineering that unites the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. See the locks in operation and spot wildlife from monkeys to crocodiles on this narrow waterway.
PUERTO LIMON - COSTA RICA 5TH APRIL 11:30AM (overnight) 6TH APRIL 1:00PM Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse places in the world and nearly a quarter of the country is designated as national park. It’s home to around 8,000 species of plants, 850 species of birds, and 10 per cent of the world’s butterflies. Take a gentle boat-trip along the tropical Tortuguero Canals and you might see sloths hanging in the trees, colourful birds, monkeys and even crocodiles. At Veragua Rainforest, there’s an even more unusual way to get close to the extraordinary wildlife - riding an open tram through the rainforest canopy.
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
COSTA MAYA
BELIZE
STANDARD FARES FROM
CABIN TYPE
MEXICO
$2,890 $4,270 $7,670
2 Bed Inside
BELIZE CITY
2 Bed Outside
ROATÁN
Balcony Cabin
HONDURAS CARIBBEAN SEA
Reduced single supplements available Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount.
Isla de la Plata
Prices for all categories can be found on page 82. PUERTO LIMON
PANAMA CANAL
COSTA RICA PANAMA
FLAMENCO ISLAND
COLOMBIA
BAHIA SOLANO
PACIFIC OCEAN
MANTA ECUADOR
GUAYAQUIL
Las Peñas, Ecuador
HIGHLIGHTS • S tart your voyage with an optional pre-cruise stay in the Galapagos Islands • Marvellous Mayan ruins of Central America • Rainforest adventures in Costa Rica • Fascinating transit of the Panama Canal • Paradise personified the beaches of Roatan
TENDER PORT
GUEST SPEAKERS Guest Speakers on board this cruise include Ron Gatepain, an architectural historian who will talk about the cities and civilisations of the Mesoamericans, the cities of the Maya and the Panama Canal. Ron is joined by Dr Louise Bonner, who will talk on the geography, culture and wildlife of the region.
Xunantunich Ruins, Belize
AT SEA - 7TH APRIL ROATAN - HONDURAS 8TH APRIL 11:00AM - 6:30PM Roatan is one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean, with pristine, white-sand beaches and colourful coral reefs, ideal for snorkelling. You’ll have the chance to take a canopy tour high above sea level - a great way to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. If you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground, the Carambola Botanical Gardens are perfect for hiking, bird-watching and flowerspotting, with some really magnificent views.
BELIZE CITY - BELIZE 9TH APRIL 7:30PM - 6:30PM Belize is the only country in Central America without a coastline on the Pacific Ocean and the only one with English as its official language. It was settled for thousands of years by the Maya people and its Maya ruins are unusual because many can still be climbed and explored on foot. Visit the ruined city of Altun Ha, where the Jade Head of Belize was discovered, or wander the ancient hilltop town of Xunantunich and discover dozens of ruined temples and palaces.
COSTA MAYA - MEXICO 10TH APRIL 8:00AM - 6:00PM Costa Maya is our final stop and offers a true insight into the essence of Maya culture, with the highest concentration of Maya archaeological sites and the largest existing Maya population in Mexico. You can explore its famous Chacchoben ruins, a site of ancient pilgrimage hidden in the dense jungle. The original red paint on one of the pyramid walls can even still be seen. If you’d like to take a last dip, Costa Maya is also perfect for diving. The beautiful reefs and underwater worlds at the Banco Chinchorro form the largest coral atoll in the northern hemisphere.
COZUMEL - MEXICO 11TH APRIL 7:00AM
Neil Bonner will also feature as a Guest Speaker on this cruise. Please see pages 68-69 for more details.
EXTEND YOUR CRUISE Enjoy a pre-cruise 2-night Guayaquil city stay (see page 62) or a 5-night (1-night hotel and 4-nights cruise) Galapagos cruise (see page 63). You could also enjoy a post-cruise 3-night Cozumel beach resort stay (see page 61). Call our Reservations Team on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
Yellow Fever vaccination is required, further information on vaccinations can be found on page 70.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
CONTRASTS OF LATIN AMERICA 28TH M ARCH - 11TH APRIL 2016
VGR160328
COZUMEL
55
Havana, Cuba
FLAVOURS OF CUBA & THE CARIBBEAN 11TH APRIL - 25TH APRIL 2016 15-DAY CRUISE FROM $3,300 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
C
ruise the sparkling, sun-drenched Caribbean from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to the beaches of Barbados. Along the way, explore ancient Mayan ruins, grand colonial cities, wildly tumbling waterfalls, beautiful botanic gardens, incredible biodiversity and the timeless, irresistible island of Cuba. COZUMEL - MEXICO 11TH APRIL (OVERNIGHT) - 12TH APRIL 5:00PM Just 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, the island of Cozumel, just off the Yucatan Peninsula, is a wonderful place to explore. At Chankanaab National Park, you’ll find the world-renowned Chankanaab Lagoon and the only inland coral reef in the world perfect for snorkelling, diving or even swimming with dolphins. If you’d like to discover the region’s past, the Maya ruins of Xel-Ha lie nearby, only partially uncovered amid a tangle of jungle trees, vines and palms.
HAVANA - CUBA 13TH APRIL 5:00PM (OVERNIGHT) 14TH APRIL 10:00PM Of all the places Ernest Hemingway lived, none had such a hold on him as the Cuban city of Havana. You can still visit the bars he drank in and the places he wrote about as you explore the faded grandeur
of this fascinating city. Cuba is also known for its biodiversity and, in the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve, you can see more than 100 species of bird. We’ll spend the night here in port, giving you time to visit some of Havana’s fantastic music venues and hear the island’s signature salsa beat.
AT SEA - 15TH - 16TH APRIL SANTIAGO DE CUBA - CUBA 17TH APRIL 7:00AM - 8:00PM Cuba’s second largest city is justifiably proud of its colourful heroes, beautiful plazas and vibrant musical tradition. It’s a city with an eclectic mix of architectural influences, from its imposing castle and grand colonial houses to its glorious white basilica - Cuba’s most sacred pilgrimage site. Explore them all or take a trip outside the city to the Gran Piedra National Park. Named after a huge volcanic rock, it’s the highest point of the Gran Piedra mountain range, 1,225 metres above sea level.
OCHO RIOS - JAMAICA 18TH APRIL 8:00AM - 6:00PM Ocho Rios, on Jamaica’s northern coast, is known for its tropical climate. At its lovely Coyaba River Gardens you can learn about the pre-Columbian history of the island and stroll through beautiful gardens, past natural springs and waterfalls. You’ll also have the chance to visit Dunn’s River Falls, one of Jamaica’s national treasures, and see why the Arawak name for the island, ‘land of rivers and springs’, is so apt.
AT SEA - 19TH APRIL SANTO DOMINGO - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 20TH APRIL 8:00AM - 5:00PM The oldest city in the New World, colonial Santo Domingo boasts the first street, cathedral, university and hospital in the Americas and strolling its ancient cobbled streets feels a little like travelling back in time. If you’d like a closer look at the country’s incredible plant life, the city’s beautiful National Botanical Gardens showcase a wonderful collection, as well as an elegant, authentic Japanese Garden.
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
ATLANTIC OCEAN
VGR160411 HAVANA POINTE A PITRE GUADELOUPE
CUBA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
SANTIAGO DE CUBA
COZUMEL
SANTO DOMINGO
FORT DE FRANCE MARTINIQUE
OCHO RIOS
MEXICO
BRIDGETOWN BARBADOS
JAMAICA
CABIN TYPE
STANDARD FARES FROM
2 Bed Inside 2 Bed Outside Balcony Cabin
$3,300 $4,750 $8,270
Reduced single supplements available
CARIBBEAN SEA
Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount. Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS • O vernight in Havana to explore the Old Town’s atmospheric streets • Colonial Santo Domingo • Glorious landscapes of Martinique • Charming Bridgetown - the capital of Barbados • History and natural beauty of Guadeloupe
In Partnership with Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica
Bridgetown, Barbados
GUEST SPEAKERS
Balata Botanical Garden, Martinique
AT SEA - 21ST APRIL POINTE-A-PITRE - GUADELOUPE 22ND APRIL 8:00AM - 5:00PM The island archipelago of Guadeloupe is an overseas region of France and from its largest city, Pointe-aPitre, you can explore its history and natural beauty. At Deshaies Botanical Garden, trails thread through tropical rainforest, while at the Rum Museum you can learn the secrets behind this history-rich spirit. There’s also the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin nature reserve, dotted with beautiful islets just waiting to be discovered, between Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre.
FORT-DE-FRANCE - MARTINIQUE 23RD APRIL 8:00AM - 11:00PM Martinique is a land of tradition and culture with a multi-ethnic population and a landscape of rugged mountains, dense forests, waterfalls, rivers, rolling hills and picturesque bays. Fall for its tropical plants and fabulous flowers at the Balata Botanical Garden or the crumbling sugar estate of Anse Latouche, take in the view from pretty Balata Church, a smaller replica
of the Sacré-Coeur in Paris, or visit the St Pierre Rum Distillery, one of the oldest on the island.
BRIDGETOWN - BARBADOS 24TH APRIL 1:00PM (OVERNIGHT) 25TH APRIL As your adventure comes to an end, soak up the atmosphere in bustling, colonial Bridgetown or head inland for one last look at the region’s incredible scenery. Harrison’s Cave is a breathtakingly beautiful, crystallised limestone cavern, while the gorgeous Andromeda Botanic Gardens are full of indigenous flora and fauna.
Guest Speakers on board during this cruise include Steve Ragnall, a member of the Society for Nautical Research, and an honorary member of the Merchant Navy Association. Steve will bring to life tales of navigation and adventure. Joining him on the cruise is music historian Chris Howes, who will discuss the region’s music history in its social and political environments as well as the nuts and bolts of composition and the magic of performance.
EXTEND YOUR CRUISE Enjoy a pre-cruise 3-night Cozumel beach resort stay (see page 61). You could also enjoy a post-cruise 3-night Barbados beach resort stay (see page 60). Call our Reservations Team on 1800 623 267 to find out more.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
FLAVOURS OF CUBA & THE CARIBBEAN 11TH APRIL - 25TH APRIL 2016
GULF OF MEXICO
57
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca
A TAPESTRY OF AFRICA & IBERIA 10TH - 22ND MAY 2016 13-DAY CRUISE FROM $1,830 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
J
oin us in the spring sunshine as Voyager sets sail from the volcanic shores of the Canary Islands back to her home in Portsmouth. Along the way, we’ll delve into the exotic culture of Morocco, explore Portugal’s pretty capital and discover what’s drawn pilgrims to historic Santiago de Compostela and St Malo for centuries. LAS PALMAS - GRAN CANARIA 10TH MAY (OVERNIGHT) - 11TH MAY 6:00PM
AGADIR - MOROCCO 13TH MAY 11:00AM - 7:00PM
CASABLANCA - MOROCCO 15TH MAY 8:30AM - 11:00PM
Founded in 1478, Las Palmas has a fascinating historical and cultural heritage, much of which you can see in its oldest quarter, Vegueta. Walk its lovely streets and you’ll find the beautiful House of Columbus, where it’s claimed Christopher Columbus stayed in 1492. You’ll also have the chance to travel out to the stunning Caldera de Bandama, a volcanic crater offering breathtaking views of the island.
Agadir is a major modern city, rebuilt with wide avenues and boulevards after it was completely destroyed during an earthquake in 1960. From here, you can venture out to the authentic Berber market town of Taroudant, with its impressive, ancient town walls, or enjoy a drive through the beautiful palmlined gorge of Paradise Valley.
Casablanca is Morocco’s dynamic commercial capital, built by the French and modelled on the port of Marseilles. Here you can visit the enormous Hassan II Mosque, which boasts the tallest minaret in the world, second only to Mecca’s in overall size. You can also explore the elegant city of Rabat, home to some of the most interesting historic and architectural monuments in the country, or El Jadida, a stylish town with the historic lanes and ramparts of an old Portuguese medina.
ARRECIFE - LANZAROTE 12TH MAY 8:00AM - 6:00PM Lanzarote is the most easterly of the volcanic Canary Islands and eruptions in the 18th and 19th centuries have left many parts of the island looking almost lunar. You’ll find a perfect example at Timanfaya National Park, created between 1730 and 1736, when more than 100 volcanoes rose up and devastated this part of the island. If you’d like to explore the island’s culture too, you’ll find the art and architecture of César Manrique throughout its towns and cities.
SAFI - MOROCCO 14TH MAY 8:00AM - 6:00PM The town of Safi, on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, was occupied by the Portuguese in the 16th century and they left behind their legacy in the form of two fascinating fortresses, one just 500m off the coast. Safi is also well known for its wonderful ceramics and it’s well worth the walk to the charming Colline des Potiers, or potters’ quarter, in the hills above the city, where you’ll find ancient wood-burning kilns and chimneys dotting the landscape.
AT SEA - 16TH MAY LISBON - PORTUGAL 17TH MAY 7:00AM - 6:00PM Sailing up the River Tagus, we’ll arrive in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, beautifully situated on the banks of the river. The city has been the starting point for many of history’s voyages of discovery and there’s plenty to explore, from the remarkable St Jeronimos monastery to the Versailles-like palace of Quelez.
PORTSMOUTH
ST MALO FRANCE
SPAIN
ATLANTIC OCEAN
LISBON PORTUGAL
VGR160510
CABIN TYPE 2 Bed Inside 2 Bed Outside Balcony Cabin
LAS PALMAS GRAN CANARIA CANARY ISLANDS
ARRECIFE LANZAROTE
CASABLANCA SAFI
MOROCCO
STANDARD FARES FROM
$1,830 $2,450 $4,250
Reduced single supplements available Discovery Club members receive an additional 5% discount.
AGADIR
View from Belem Tower, Lisbon
Prices for all categories can be found on page 82.
HIGHLIGHTS • D iscover the diverse volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands • Wander the narrow streets of Rabat’s old Kasbah and souks • UNESCO-listed Santiago de Compostela • Historic Mont St Michel • Lisbon - Portugal’s capital and ’City of Discoveries’
Volcanic landscape, Lanzarote
GUEST SPEAKERS Guest Speakers on this cruise include Canon Andrew Evans, Honorary Canon at Bristol Cathedral and former area Dean of North Wiltshire. Andrew has worked as an officiating Chaplain for HM Forces and will be discussing the history and religions of the different areas we are visiting.
AT SEA - 18TH MAY
AT SEA - 20TH MAY
LA CORUÑA - SPAIN 19TH MAY 8:00AM - 5:00PM
ST MALO - FRANCE 21ST MAY 12:00PM - 7:00PM
In La Coruña, the provincial capital of Galicia, the world’s oldest working lighthouse is still keeping watch over the sea and makes a perfect spot to enjoy panoramic views. You can also follow in the footsteps of countless pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, where the magnificent cathedral houses the tomb of the apostle St James. Alternatively, wander the streets of nearby historic Lugo, a city surrounded by a spectacular, fully intact, Roman wall.
Our final stop before home brings us to lovely St Malo, where Voyager will be at anchor and you’ll tender ashore to explore this walled citadel. Walk along the ramparts of this granite stronghold, former home of the Malouin privateers, or cross the causeway to Mont St Michel, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in medieval Christendom.
PORTSMOUTH - ENGLAND 22ND MAY 8:00AM
Mont St Michel, St Malo
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
59 A TAPESTRY OF AFRICA & IBERIA 10TH - 22ND M AY 2016
LA CORUÑA
PRICING PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
PRE & POST CRUISE EXTENSIONS
S
pend longer ashore, venture further afield or delve deeper into a destination before, during or after your cruise. You could relax on the sun-kissed beaches of Barbados, explore the amazing Galapagos Islands, discover the ‘lost city’ of Machu Picchu, and so much more. There’s a whole world out there waiting, and we’ll help you see it your way.
BARBADOS
3-NIGHT EXTENSION
A three-night stay in beautiful Barbados is a wonderful way to extend your holiday at the start or end of your cruise. This idyllic Caribbean island enjoys sunshine all year round and boasts spectacular, white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, where you can while away a few relaxing hours. Your 4-star hotel, the Hilton Barbados Resort, is home to a sprawling swimming pool complex and is just a few steps from the beach. Enjoy a game of tennis in one of three floodlit courts, head to the fitness centre for a workout or treat yourself to a soak in the whirlpool. Guest rooms all have a balcony and the luxury of an ocean view, while the hotel’s two restaurants offer a choice of casual and gourmet dining options. For an evening stroll, why not visit St Lawrence Gap, where you’ll find a wonderful selection of oceanfront restaurants and bars.
Barbados
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Prices subject to change.
This extension is valid for passengers embarking or disembarking in Barbados see pages 34-41 and 56-57. PRICE PER PERSON TWIN: $710 SINGLE: $1,150† Price includes: •3 nights’ accommodation at the 4-star Hilton Barbados Resort, Needham’s Point, with breakfast •A ll coach transportation between the hotel and ship
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MONTEGO BAY
3-NIGHT EXTENSION
You can extend your holiday, either before or after your cruise, with a three-night stay in the resort of Montego Bay on the tropical shores of Jamaica. Your hotel, the 3-star Holiday Inn Sunspree, is delightfully set amongst lush gardens which open out onto a long stretch of sandy beach surrounded by clear, shallow waters. There are two swimming pools or perhaps you’ll head to the hotel’s very own private island to get away from it all. Within the grounds you’ll find six restaurants serving everything from Jamaican to Japanese specialities, as well as a selection of bars and a spa. From the comfort of your resort you can enjoy a glass-bottom boat trip to discover the exotic marine life of the island, or head to the nearby Rose Hall Mansion, an impressive 18th century plantation house which is now a fascinating museum telling the legend of the ‘White Witch’.
This extension is valid for passengers embarking or disembarking in Montego Bay - see pages 40-43. PRICE PER PERSON TWIN: $1,150 SINGLE: $2,220† Price includes: •3 nights’ accommodation at the 3-star Holiday Inn Sunspree, Montego Bay, on an all-inclusive basis •A ll coach transportation between the hotel and ship
Montego Bay
COZUMEL
3-NIGHT EXTENSION
The beautiful island of Cozumel perfectly blends Mexico’s vibrant heart with the laid-back soul of the Caribbean. Here you’ll discover spectacularly colourful reefs, exotic flora and fauna and friendly people who can’t wait to welcome you to their shores, so why not extend your holiday with a three-night stay. Your oceanfront hotel, the El Cid La Ceiba Beach Resort, is nestled on Cozumel’s pristine southern shore, off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Relax on the beach or by the pool, enjoy a game of tennis or head to the hotel’s spa where you can indulge in a traditional Mayan massage.
This extension is valid for passengers disembarking in Cozumel - see pages 42-45 and 54-57. PRICE PER PERSON TWIN: $620 SINGLE: $980† Price includes: • 3 nights’ accommodation in a deluxe room at the 4-star El Cid La Ceiba Beach Resort, Cozumel, with breakfast • All coach transportation between the hotel and ship
POST-CRUISE EXTENSION ACAPULCO 32 -NIGHT -NIGHT PRE-CRUISE EXTENTION Extend your holiday with a stay of in the glamorous resort of Acapulco, once a favourite with the international jet-set, who revelled in its infectious carnival atmosphere. You will stay in a sea-view room at the 4-star Emporio Hotel, perfectly located on Acapulco Bay and just steps from its own golden-sand beach. Spend your time relaxing by one of three open-air pools, by the ocean or perhaps enjoy a visit to the spa.
This extension is valid for passengers embarking or disembarking in Acapulco see pages 46-51.
On an included sightseeing tour take in panoramic views of Acapulco Bay and Puerto Marquez Bay, a small inlet used in days gone by as a pirates’ hideaway. Pass by Caleta and Caletilla Beaches in the south of the bay, discover the traditional Acapulco, then head to La Quebrada to see the spectacular Cliff Divers’ Show.
3-night post-cruise extension TWIN: $530 SINGLE $680†
PRICE PER PERSON 2-night pre-cruise extension TWIN: $450 SINGLE $590†
Price includes: • Accommodation at the 4-star Emporio Hotel, Acapulco, with breakfast and dinner • Sightseeing tour •A ll coach transportation between the hotel and ship
Cliff diver, Acapulco
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Prices subject to change.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
Cartagena
CARTAGENA C ITY STAY You can choose to extend your holiday with a city stay in fascinating Cartagena at the start or end of your cruise. This UNESCO-listed city is rich in both history and charm, and as you explore at your own pace you’ll discover ancient cobbled alleyways, huge churches, a host of pretty squares and impressive Spanish colonial buildings. Admire the hilltop Castillo de San Filipe de Barajas, the city’s stunning fortress, built in the 17th century to defend the city from invading troops and the occasional pirate! During this extension you will stay at the 5-star Hilton Hotel, which is idyllically located on the El Laguito Peninsula and surrounded on three sides by the shimmering waters of the Caribbean Sea. Amenities here include three swimming pools, a tennis court, wellbeing centre and a selection of bars and restaurants.
PRICE PER PERSON
This extension is valid for passengers embarking or disembarking in Cartagena - see pages 44-47 and 50-53.
Price includes: •A ccommodation at the 5-star Hilton Hotel, Cartagena, with breakfast •A ll coach transportation between the hotel and ship
VGR160117 1-night post-cruise extension TWIN: $620 SINGLE: $980† VGR160227 2-night post-cruise extension TWIN: $800 SINGLE: $1,240† VGR160131 1-night pre-cruise extension TWIN: $620 SINGLE: $980† VGR160312 3-night pre-cruise extension TWIN: $980 SINGLE: $1,510†
Cartagena
GUAYAQUIL
2-NIGHT CITY STAY
You can choose to extend your holiday with a two-night stay in Guayaquil. Ecuador’s largest and most populous city lies on the western bank of the Guayas River, which flows into the Pacific Ocean at the Gulf of Guayaquil. Modern-day Guayaquil continues its tradition of trade, although the new riverside development Malecon 2000 has given a fresh aspect to the city making it one of the nicest places in Ecuador. This tiny nation is one of the most species-rich countries in the world, and therefore a paradise for nature-lovers. During your stay we include a wildlife tour giving you the opportunity to spot some of the hundreds of species of mammals, reptiles and birds that thrive in this incredible destination. You’ll stay in the 4-star Wyndham Hotel in Guayaquil, just steps from the historic Santa Ana Hill and its famous lighthouse as well as the Malecon 2000. Amenities include a restaurant, bar, heated outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre. Downtown, Guayaquil
†
Prices subject to change.
This extension is valid for passengers embarking or disembarking in Guayaquil see pages 52-55. PRICE PER PERSON TWIN: $450 SINGLE $590† Price includes: • 2 nights’ accommodation at the Wyndham Hotel, Guayaquil, with breakfast • Wildlife tour • All coach transportation between the hotel and ship
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The Galapagos Islands
POST-CRUISE EXTENSION GALAPAGOS ISLANDS CRUISE 4 5-NIGHT -NIGHT PRE-CRUISE EXTENSION Top or tail your cruise with the experience of a lifetime, an incredible cruise around the Galapagos Islands - an experience that’s sure to make your discovery of South America complete. Here you’ll discover a pristine paradise of breathtaking landscapes which are home to amazing flora and fauna. Amongst the volcanic geography of the islands, which lie 1,000 kilometres from land in the Pacific Ocean, plant life takes root in basalt rock, centurion turtles roam, penguins swim and playful seals can be seen in the water. Ornithologists will be delighted to spot many species of sea and land birds in the company of expert naturalist guides, and whether you’re enjoying a leisurely guided hike, a relaxing beach walk, or taking to the waters for a spot of snorkelling or swimming, each will be a captivating experience to remember. Cruising aboard small, intimate vessels means that you’ll be able to call at even the most remote of the archipelago’s islands, while enjoying onboard amenities such as a bar, lounge and dining room. You’ll also stay at the 4-star Hotel Hilton Colon in Guayaquil for one night. Marine iguana
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This extension is valid for passengers embarking or disembarking in Guayaquil - see pages 52-55.
PRICE PER PERSON 4-night post-cruise 3-nights accommodation aboard Galapagos Legend, 1 night 4 star hotel DOUBLE SINGLE Standard Plus Cabin $3,610 $5,140† Junior Suite Cabin $3,900 $5,670† 5-night pre-cruise 4-nights accommodation aboard Galapagos Legend, 1 night 4 star hotel DOUBLE SINGLE Standard Plus Cabin $4,250 $6,200† Junior Suite Cabin $4,780 $6,730† Price includes: • Accommodation at the 4-star Hotel Hilton Colon, Guayaquil, with breakfast • Accommodation on board your ship on a full-board basis • All coach transportation between the hotel and ship
Prices subject to change.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
PREMIUM TOURS
O
ur mid-cruise premium tours take you deep into the heart of a destination. They feature a flight, an overnight stay or a longer day ashore, and whether you want to witness fascinating wildlife at Costa Rica’s EARTH University, or explore the impressive Mayan site at Chichen Itza, they’re sure to enhance your cruise perfectly.
KAIETEUR FALLS FULL DAY BY AIR FROM GEORGETOWN, GUYANA One of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders awaits your discovery at Kaieteur Falls. Fly in a light aircraft to the heart of Guyana to marvel at the magnificent cascade. You’re sure to hear its thunder before you see this spectacular and powerful waterfall which is surrounded by pristine rainforest. Situated on the Potaro River in Kaieteur National Park, the water falls over a vast shelf of sandstone and drops for 251km. Taller than most other waterfalls, it is five times the height of Niagara.
Kaieteur Falls
PRICE PER PERSON $620 Your tour includes: • Return flights Georgetown/Kaiteur • All coach transportation between ship/ airport/falls • Guided 5km walk to the falls. Please note this is not recommended for those with mobility problems
During our premium tour you can also explore Kaieteur’s unique micro-environment, which boasts the world’s largest tank bromeliads. These amazing plants trap water in their crowns and provide the perfect habitat for tiny golden frogs. Lucky visitors may glimpse the rarely seen Guianan cock-of-the-rock, which nests close by, or be privileged to witness flights of the Kaieteur swifts or makonaima birds, which nest under the vast shelf of rock hidden behind the curtain of falling water.
ULL DAY BY AIR FROM LA ANGEL FALLS F OR MARGARITA ISLAND Travel to the heart of the South American jungle for a once-ina-lifetime experience. Fly into the vast Canaima National Park admiring its exotic and breathtaking scenery, with Angel Falls its stunning centrepiece. Among its most beautiful features are the flat-topped mountains - or tepuys - with their multi-coloured, multi-formed rocks, which soar high above the valley floor. Multiple waterfalls spring from the tepuys along the many ravines, with the famous Devil’s Canyon at the heart of the largest of them, Auyán-tepui. Angel Falls plunges majestically from a precipice of this deep valley and, weather permitting, you will enjoy incredible views of the world’s highest waterfall as your plane circles the Angel Falls canyon.
Angel Falls
Canaima Lagoon
You’ll also travel by motorised canoe to Canaima Lagoon, one of the most beautiful places in Venezuela, for a closer look at Hacha Falls with its incredible backdrop of tepuys. Soak up the peace of the jungle with a hike to El Sapo Falls - whose unforgettable scenery has inspired novels and provided the setting for many science fiction films - and walk underneath the little frog waterfall.
GUAIRA
PRICE PER PERSON $890 Your tour includes: • Flight over Canaima National Park • All coach transportation between pier/ airport/Canaima • Motorised canoe on Canaima Lagoon • Hike to El Sapo Falls • Please note this is not recommended for those with mobility problems
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Kukulcan Pyramid, Chichen Itza
CHICHEN ITZA 1-NIGHT PREMIUM TOUR FROM PROGRESO Discover the secrets of the legendary city of Chichen Itza, where the Mayan Empire once thrived, on this fascinating guided tour. This is one of the most impressive and important archaeological sites in the Americas, featuring incredible monuments left behind as a reminder of a truly remarkable culture. The ruins extend over a vast area and hundreds of structures remain, dominated by the gigantic pyramid of Kukulcan - one of the ‘new’ Seven Wonders of the World. The stepped pyramid is a giant calendar and hidden deep inside is another, older pyramid. See the Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors and the observatory nicknamed the Snail, where Mayan priests accurately calculated celestial events from over a million-year span.
Cenote Ik Kil, Chichen Itza
PRICE PER PERSON $310 Your tour includes: • Coach transportation throughout • Visit to Chichen Itza ruins • Buffet lunch at Cenote Ikille • 1 night at the Hotel Chichen Itza on a half-board basis • Sound and light show
Visit Cenote Ik Kil, a round, deep natural pit with waterfalls and green vegetation hanging down to the crystal-clear water and a carved stairway leading to the swimming platform. Finally, enjoy the captivating sound and light show at Chichen Itza before your overnight hotel stay.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
Aracari toucan
-NIGHT PREMIUM TOUR COSTA RICA ECO TOUR 1FROM PUERTO LIMON Discover the fascinating flora and fauna of the Forest Reserve at Costa Rica’s EARTH University. Its residents include white tailed deer, armadillos and iguanas. Then learn more about agricultural systems helping families to produce vegetables in a sustainable way. Home for the night is the Selva Verde eco-lodge - a haven for nature-lovers, where you will stay in bungalow-style accommodation. On day two in the small town of Puerto Viejo, board a small boat to sail on the Sarapiqui River. Here you will witness the magnificent rainforest and, if you’re lucky, you may spot some of its inhabitants, including monkeys and crocodiles. Our adventure concludes at a private farm where you will enjoy lunch and then take a hike on one of the nature trails.
Explore the rainforest
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Prices subject to change.
PRICE PER PERSON TWIN: $420 SINGLE: $450† Your tour includes: • Guided tour of Forest Reserve at the EARTH University • 1 night’s accommodation at Selva Verde Lodge on a full-board basis • Half-day Sarapiqui River safari floating tour including lunch • Coach transportation throughout
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Machu Picchu
MACHU PICCHU
2-NIGHT PREMIUM TOUR FROM CALLAO
Discover the legendary ‘Lost City’ of the Incas and the grandeur of the Andes on this magical tour. Fly to Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore this ‘archaeological capital of the Americas’ in the company of an expert guide. Visit the Temple of the Sun, the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the “Sacred Valley of the Incas”.
Machu Picchu
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Ollantaytambo, an Incan fortess, is our first stop after a night at the luxury Aranwa Sacred Valley & Wellness Hotel, which is built on a 17th century colonial hacienda, surrounded by gardens and mountains, and boasts an art gallery, pool and boutiques among its facilities. Step aboard the train for a scenic journey through the lush landscape of the Andes to the jewel in the crown, Machu Picchu. In a stunning setting thousands of feet above sea level, our tour will leave you in awe at its palaces, baths, temples and houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation. Wander the terraces and aqueducts leading to the Temple of the Three Windows and marvel as the sun’s rays pass through it to light the Sacred Plaza.
PRICE PER PERSON TWIN: $1,600 SINGLE: $2,130† Your tour includes: • Return flights from Lima to Cusco • All sightseeing mentioned, entrances, transport as required, porterage and group flight airport transfers • 2 nights’ accommodation at the 4-star Aranwa Sacred Valley & Wellness Hotel on a half-board basis, plus lunches served in local restaurants • All gratuities for guides, drivers and group meals This mid-cruise extension starts/finishes in Callao.
Prices subject to change.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
EXPERT GUEST SPEAKERS
W
herever in the world you choose to travel with us, our Guest Speaker programmes are always included in the cost of your cruise. With an impressive selection of world-class experts joining you on board Voyager, you’ll have the best possible experience of each destination you visit. We carefully choose Guest Speakers who specialise in a diverse range of topics, so there’s sure to be something to suit you – whether you’re interested in ornithology and wildlife, broadcasting, criminology, marine ecology or something else entirely. We’re proud to have an incredibly high calibre of Guest Speakers travelling with us on Voyager, all of whom are truly knowledgeable and passionate about the diverse range of topics they cover. Take a look at the biographies below for a flavour of the experts joining us in the coming months. DR LOUISE BONNER SOUTH AMERICAN EXPLORATION (P54) CONTRASTS OF LATIN AMERICA (P56) Having studied geography at Liverpool University, Louise gained a postgraduate scholarship to study ecology and forest management at Harvard in the USA and returned to do her doctorate at Liverpool University, focusing on environmental management. For 35 years, her professional career was spent as a university geography lecturer, specialising in biogeography, wildlife ecology, environmental management, historical geography, tourism and sustainable development.
also led a successful World Challenge Expedition to the Middle East. On retirement he was invited to be Host Photographer for the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, England, and also works as a part-time volunteer at a local retirement village where he teaches computer skills. Much of John’s leisure time is taken up with photographic assignments, and he has travelled widely both in the UK and around the World, amassing a huge photo library. He cruised on the educational cruise ship “Uganda” before her demise - an experience he says he would not have missed for the world, and as they say, the rest is history.
NEIL BONNER SOUTH AMERICAN EXPLORATION (P54) CONTRASTS OF LATIN AMERICA (P56) A journalist for almost 50 years, Neil Bonner started his career as a reporter on a local weekly newspaper in his hometown of Stafford. After moving on to regional evening papers, he began to specialise in writing about television and showbusiness, which he still does today. A freelance writer for the past 20 years, Neil has met and interviewed hundreds of celebrities, from soap stars to Hollywood greats; from comic legends to rock and pop icons. So, as you can imagine, he has plenty of entertaining stories to tell about his life with the stars. Having written for dozens of evening papers and every major national newspaper, as well as for titles such as Woman’s Own, OK! Magazine, The Stage and TV Times, it’s hardly surprising that he is in demand to pass on his experience in lectures to media students and writers’ groups.
KEITH BUCHANAN WONDERS OF CENTRAL AMERICA (P46) COLOURS OF CENTRAL AMERICA (P48) MEXICO’S PACIFIC SHORES (P50) Environmental consultant Keith Buchanan has more than 25 years’ experience of working on biodiversity and landscape issues in the UK and internationally. Until August 2008 Keith was designing and leading a major project in England to understand the impact of climate change on wildlife, landscapes and people’s enjoyment of those landscapes. Prior to that he was a Programme Director within the Countryside Agency, and responsible for that Agency’s work in relation to National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, climate change and land management. Since 2008 he has worked on environmental projects in many countries. He started his career as a zoologist, managing nature reserves, later worked in the UK agriculture ministry where he travelled frequently to Brussels and subsequently moved to work in the statutory conservation agencies. He is widely experienced in management, project management and communication, having presented at many national and international meetings and chaired major conferences. His international experience ranges from presenting and chairing at workshops and conferences to practical experience of working on environmental projects in Indonesia, South and Central America to leading wildlife watching groups in many European destinations.
SALLY BOWEN SOUTH AMERICAN EXPLORATION (P54) Born in Ongar, Essex, Sally Bowen was educated at Bedford High School for Girls and St Hugh’s College, Oxford. Having gained First Class Honours (MA Oxon) in Spanish with French, and MLitt in Latin American, Sally has spent much of her life in South America, living in Chile, Peru and Venezuela. In the UK she has worked as a university lecturer, as the Peru correspondent for the Financial Times, country correspondent for BBC World Service and as a freelance journalist for a range of media including The Economist, Newsweek, Christian Science Monitor, Latin Trade, Latin Finance and America Economia. Her most recent work has been as political and risk analyst/consultant for the Andean region and Central America (World Bank, Kroll and FTI Consulting). She has published three books: “The Bolivian Formula: from State Capitalism to Capitalisation”, McGraw Hill, 1998; “The Fujimori File”, Peru Monitor, Lima, 2000; and “The Imperfect Spy”, Peisa, Lima, 2003. JOHN BRINKLEY ATLANTIC SHOWCASE (P34) John Brinkley recently retired as a senior manager and head of department in a Midland High School where he taught geology and geography. Whilst teaching, he was also involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, where he was an Award Officer for South Staffordshire, and
DR HELEN DOE MA, PHD, FRHISTS CARIBBEAN COLONIAL TRAILS (P40) Helen is a historian from the University of Exeter who specialises in both naval and merchant history, from the days of sail to containerships. She has published extensively for both academic and mainstream audiences. Her radio appearances include several programmes on BBC Radio 4. She has advised on many TV programmes, most recently on David Dimbleby’s Britain and the Sea and appeared in the highly acclaimed The Box that Built Britain and with Tony Robinson in Walking Through History. She is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Trustee of ss Great Britain, the first iron transatlantic steamship. Her interests are not just in the ships themselves but the men and women who built, owned and sailed them. Current research projects include a history of smuggling, Isambard Brunel and, a rather different venture, the biography of a Battle of Britain pilot.
CANON ANDREW EVANS A TAPESTRY OF AFRICA & IBERIA (P60) Andrew trained as a contemporary historian before enjoying a 17-year career in teaching, and finally taking on the role of senior manager in large secondary schools. He became a parish priest in 1997 and gained promotion to become the Adviser for Rural Ministries to the Bishop of Bristol in 1999. Appointed as a Guest Speaker and ship’s chaplain for Swan Hellenic cruises in August 2004, Andrew has lectured regularly during numerous cruises. His talks are tailored to the history and current affairs relating to each destination visited and Andrew is now pleased to be utilising his lecturing skills by joining Voyages of Discovery. RON GATEPAIN CONTRASTS OF LATIN AMERICA (P56) Ron Gatepain is an Architectural Historian, Chartered Surveyor, Builder and Building Engineer. A former Royal Marines Commando and Territorial Army Lieutenant Colonel, he is Chairman of the Lincolnshire Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. Holding three degrees, two at masters’ level, Ron has worked at director level in Construction and Training and has been a visiting lecturer for a number of universities and colleges. He is the Editor of constructionsite.org.uk (Construction Learning Resources), the national resource website for FE & HE Institutions, and maintains the www.famous-historic-buildings.org.uk website. He has written a number of books, magazine articles, distance learning modules and online study units and is a Publishing Partner with the Encyclopaedia Britannica, contributing on Historic Sites & Buildings. A member of the Historical Association and the Society of Architectural Historians, Ron regularly gives talks for special interest groups and cruise ships throughout the world. DR SUSAN GUBBAY CANARY ISLANDS & CARIBBEAN CONSTELLATION (P36) MEXICO’S PACIFIC SHORES (P50) CENTRAL AMERICAN ADVENTURE (P52) A marine ecologist, diver and conservationist for more than 20 years, Dr Gubbay is a freelance marine consultant working on projects for the public, private and non-governmental sectors on marine ecology, marine conservation and coastal management. Her specialist interest is Marine Protected Areas and the developing field of Marine Spatial Planning. She has acted as a specialist advisor to the UK House of Commons Environment Select Committee and has held various appointments, including President of the European Coastal Association of Science and Technology, the Buckland Professor (for Marine Protected Areas and Fisheries), and a member of the Council of English Nature. She was a senior conservation officer with the Marine Conservation Society, and has taught marine ecology to university students as well as introducing members of the public to the underwater world through lectures and field visits.
NICK HANCOCK CANARY ISLANDS & CARIBBEAN CONSTELLATION (P36) Nick Hancock has recently returned from a unique and record-breaking expedition to the remote isle of Rockall in the North Atlantic. The expedition is one described by adventurer Bear Grylls as “an ambitious, exciting and wonderfully mad project”. Nick lived alone on Rockall, in a home-made survival pod on a small ledge, for 45 days, over 15 hours and 230 miles from the Outer Hebrides - a project that was five years in the planning due to the complex logistical requirements and fundraising issues. Nick worked for John Ridgway at his remote Adventure School in Sutherland, described as “the UK’s toughest management training school”, as senior instructor. He holds degrees in Environmental Geography and Surveying, is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Stating that his dislike of hot weather was his motivation behind running the Marathon des Sables, the continuing desire to find his own limits have pushed him to run several ultra-marathons, climb some of the world’s highest mountains and eventually led him to Rockall where, in fear for his life, he lay through a Force 9 gale during which he lost food and equipment vital to the expedition. CHRIS HOWES RHYTHMS OF THE CARIBBEAN & CUBA (P44) FLAVOURS OF CUBA & THE CARIBBEAN (P58) Pianist, speaker, journalist, lecturer, occasional broadcaster, tour leader and MC - Chris Howes has many different faces in music. His own musical interests are wide, encompassing jazz, classical music, film scores and musical theatre. He has an extensive knowledge of and passion for music’s historical and social environments, as well as the nuts and bolts of composition and the magic and mystery of performance. He used his early working life to gain a vast range of experience, including the oil and insurance industries and a spell as a plumber’s mate. He eventually worked for many years in secondary education. Since then, Chris has applied his musical passions widely. He has worked with leading international musicians and has a very busy schedule as speaker on cruise liners and as visiting lecturer throughout Britain, including Cambridge University. All of this, combined with his humour and audience rapport, has given his talks, courses and live music presentations widespread success over many years. PROFESSOR DAVID HUGHES BSC (BIRMINGHAM), D PHIL (OXFORD), FRAS, F INST P, C PHYS, FRSA CANARY ISLANDS & CARIBBEAN CONSTELLATION (P36) David Hughes is Emeritus Professor of Astronomy at the University of Sheffield. For four decades he researched comets, asteroids, meteorites, cosmic dust, planetary cratering impacts, planetary formation, and astronomical history. He also worked on space projects for the British, Swedish and European Space Agencies and was actively involved in the GIOTTO and ROSETTA spacecraft missions to comets. David has published well over 200 research papers as well as many popular articles and books on the Solar System, the Moon, the Universe, and the Star of Bethlehem. He has been a Vice President of both the Royal Astronomical Society and the British Astronomical Association. David lectures extensively to general audiences and on cruise ships and is a regular TV and radio broadcaster. He has also helped run eclipse expeditions to the UK, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Libya and the South Pacific. Asteroid 4205 David Hughes is named in his honour
STEVE RAGNALL ATLANTIC SHOWCASE (P34) CANARY ISLANDS & CARIBBEAN CONSTELLATION (P36) FLAVOURS OF CUBA & THE CARIBBEAN (P58) Steve has a lifetime’s love of the sea and its history. An Old Boy of his Grammar School, James King (1750-1784) had sailed as a lieutenant with Captain Cook on his fatal third Pacific voyage, leading Steve to immerse himself in tales of Pacific exploration and adventure. He has lectured extensively on maritime history around the world. A member of the Society for Nautical Research and the Captain Cook Society and a regular contributor to its Quarterly Journal, Steve is continuing research, with members of the society and various museums, into Cook’s world and the characters associated with Britain’s greatest navigator. He has worked in Hawaii on the site of Cook’s 1779 shorebase. His recent book “Better Conceiv’d than Describ’d: The Life & Times of Captain James King” is something of a culmination of that research and has been well received. Steve has worked extensively in local and regional radio as musician, writer and presenter. RYA Yatchmaster certified, he has extensive sailing experience, including passages on tall ships. He is proud to be an honorary member of the Merchant Navy Association. He is currently working with the National Register of Historic Ships to pursue an ambassadorial role. STEPHEN SMITH SOUTH AMERICA’S WILD COAST (P38) CARIBBEAN COLONIAL TRAILS (P40) CARIBBEAN TRADITIONS (P42) A lifelong interest in comic songs began for Stephen Smith when his mother – a true Cockney – would sing the old London songs she learned from her parents. He became involved in amateur dramatics at school and elsewhere, and usually landed the comedy parts. He emerged from the years normally devoted to education with qualifications in drama, music and English. In his talks, he presents a personal tour of the songs that make him laugh. He looks at comedy and novelty music that has tickled audiences since 1900. From clever lyrics and smart topical references to corny gags set to corny tunes, if it makes him laugh he’ll tell you about it. He frequently interrupts his discourse to perform examples of the songs, accompanying himself on guitar. You’ll hear some old favourites, some new songs, and much in between, all intended to hit you squarely on the funny bone. CARRY SOMERS MA FRSA CARIBBEAN TRADITIONS (P42) COLOURS OF CENTRAL AMERICA (P48) CENTRAL AMERICAN ADVENTURE (P52) Deciding to forgo her PhD following her research for a Masters in Native American Studies, Carry Somers chose to concentrate on creating sustainable, rural livelihoods in the Andean region through her fashion brand Pachacuti, which means world-upside down in Quechua. Carry is passionate about researching and encouraging traditional textile skills as a means to help preserve the rich cultural heritage of Latin America. For the past two decades, her designs have been shown at London, Paris and Milan Fashion Week and sold in some of the world’s foremost luxury stores, whilst still adhering to
the highest social and environmental standards. Carry is also Founder of Fashion Revolution Day. Fashion Revolution is the good which has come out of the Rana Plaza garment factory tragedy in Bangladesh. A regular speaker at conferences and universities, she has contributed to several books and publications and is writing a book about the Andean worldview. She has won numerous awards for her work and has met the Queen in recognition of her significant contribution to British business. ANTHONY TERRY RHYTHMS OF THE CARIBBEAN & CUBA (P44) A former officer of the Diplomatic Service, Anthony Terry has extensive experience of South America in a variety of roles covering political, intelligence, economic and commercial issues. He spent four years in Cuba during the Cold War years of the 1970s, and had postings in Chile during both the Pinochet years and after the transition to democratic rule. Following retirement in 2001, he worked in a consultancy role for the Service, with short postings to Morocco, Algeria, Venezuela and Chile. Over the past 10 years, Anthony has turned a longstanding interest in early cartography and related voyages of exploration into a business dealing in antique maps, specialising in South America and the Pacific, and in researching some of the earliest expeditions to the region. Anthony makes annual visits to Chile in connection with his map business and related research, and since 2007 has lectured regularly on cruise ships on the subject of early voyages and antique cartography. DR JOHN WREGLESWORTH WONDERS OF CENTRAL AMERICA (P46) MEXICO’S PACIFIC SHORES (P50) Holding an honours degree in History (Manchester University) and a doctorate (Leeds University), Dr John Wreglesworth has been published on a variety of historical topics, including, most recently, contributions to the Oxford Dictionary of Medieval History (2010). For more than 10 years he has been involved in cultural tourism with a leading Australian company, Australians Studying Abroad. During that time he has been either leader or lecturer (and sometimes both) on successful tours to the Habsburg cities (Budapest, Vienna and Prague); Iberia (Portugal and Spain); the Pilgrim Routes to Santiago de Compostela (France and Spain); Ukraine/Russia; Viking Scandinavia and the Baltic (Finland, Norway and Sweden); and Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia). John’s keen interest in world culture, history and politics has reinforced a zest for travel. Either on an individual basis or as part of a group he has toured extensively around Europe and the Middle East, as well as further afield in the Americas, Asia and Australasia. He has a wide-ranging familiarity with different cultures, from pre-Columbian cities of the Americas to Graeco-Roman cities of the Mediterranean, and from Crusader castles in the Near East to Spanish fortresses in the Caribbean. Additional speakers will be added in due course and information will be available on our website at www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk. Please note that Guest Speakers accompanying each cruise may change without notice. Final information on your guest speakers will be received on board.
PROFESSOR SANDY PRIMROSE MBE BSC PHD SOUTH AMERICA’S WILD COAST (P38) Sandy Primrose is a microbiologist with degrees from the Universities of Strathclyde and California. After undertaking research in Australia he became an academic at the universities of Edinburgh and Warwick. In 1981 he moved into the pharmaceutical industry where he had responsibility for developing the new generation of biotechnology-based drugs, followed by running a number of businesses in radioactive chemicals, food safety and environmental toxicology. More recently Sandy has been running a technology consultancy, acting as an advisor to various government agencies, serving on the Board of the Health Protection Agency and is Chairman of a number of early-stage companies. He also has written a number of very popular scientific textbooks. However, his real passion is gardening. Over the years he has shown many groups round his garden in High Wycombe.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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assengers who have never cruised before, or who have not cruised with Voyages of Discovery, will no doubt have many questions to ask about the ship, our operation and many other matters. This section has been written to give you some general information about cruising with us, and we feel sure you will find it useful both before and during your voyage. Please note that instructions contained in this section form part of our Booking Conditions.
Our aim is your complete enjoyment of the cruise and our staff, together with the ship’s crew, will do all that they can to ensure this. The information given here is correct at the time of printing (November 2014), but is subject to change without notice. The price of the travel arrangements in this brochure was calculated using exchange rates quoted in the ‘UK Financial Times’ on 1st September 2014. If you have any queries about your booking we will always be pleased to help you. Please feel free to telephone us on 1800 623 267 or e-mail us at voyagesofdiscovery@discovertheworld.com.au BEFORE YOU GO RESERVATIONS & PAYMENTS A deposit of AU$1000 per person or 10% of your total holiday cost whichever is greater (or full payment for bookings taken within 119 days of departure) and a completed booking form are required to secure your reservation and must be received within 7 days of booking. The balance is due from your travel agent no later than 119 days prior to your sailing. What’s Not Included in your Cruise Fare: Flights; meals other than onboard your cruise (aboard Voyager); beverages (beer, wine, spirits, sodas); travel insurance; shore excursions; driver and tour guide gratuities; items of a personal nature; passport costs or visa fees; vaccinations (if required); transfers; pre- and/or post-cruise hotel accommodation and porterage. BOOKINGS Bookings in Australia and New Zealand may be made through your preferred travel agent. PASSPORTS AND VISAS Voyages of Discovery requires a valid passport with spare pages, valid for at least six months after the date of return for all AU/NZ citizens. We also recommend that you take photocopies of the personal details page of your passport with you (i.e. the page with your photograph) as this is sometimes required by local immigration authorities. In some ports, group visas are available and we will take care of these for you. Group visas will allow passengers on our shore excursions to go ashore. In some ports it may be necessary for passengers to obtain individual visas and you may be required to obtain these prior to travel. Australian and New Zealand passport holders joining our organised tours in Russia do not at the present time require individual visas. If however the situation changes, it will be the responsibility of the passenger to obtain and purchase their own visa. Currently passengers who wish to go ashore independently at any time in Russia will require a visa purchased and issued before arrival. Advice regarding all aspects of visa requirements and payments will be included in your pre-cruise information.
Please note that it is the responsibility of each passenger to check with the various embassies or consulates of those countries to be visited on their particular cruise to ensure that they have the necessary visas/ documentation to enter all countries to be visited. Any passengers arriving at the departure port/airport without a passport or correct visas (if required) will be refused permission to board the ship/aircraft. Failure in this respect is not covered by insurance and no refund can be made. Cuba - A tourist visa card is required when visiting Cuba. This will be arranged by the ship’s purser and added to your on board account. The approximate cost of this will be £25 per person. VACCINATIONS Any passenger arriving at the port or departure airport without the correct vaccination or exemption certificate(s) will be refused permission to board the ship. No passenger refund would be applicable under such circumstances. Conditions of entry to each port vary according to the conditions set by each country and port authority and may differ to the advice given by the World Health Organisation or your local doctor, especially when arrival is by sea. We have to abide by the latest information given to us by the port authorities that allow the ship entry to the port of call. As such we will inform you of the latest mandatory vaccination requirements for your particular cruise in your final cruise documentation (or with your confirmation invoice if you book the cruise within 20 weeks of departure). We recommend that all passengers seek advice from their doctor or travel clinic at least 12 weeks prior to departure and take a copy of their itinerary and personal travel plans for review with their practitioner. If you do not normally enjoy good health, you should consult your doctor regarding the advisability of taking a cruise and being away from the usual medical and hospital facilities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully protected with the appropriate vaccination certificates for your cruise. Vaccination requirements are subject to change with or without notice. Up to date
information may be obtained by visiting www.traveldoctor.com.au. During our winter cruises some countries require a Yellow Fever vaccination. If you cannot be vaccinated for Yellow Fever, a GP letter or letter of medical exemption will be required. If required this will be detailed in your pre-cruise information pack. Other countries recommend that precautions are taken against Malaria and other diseases. You should seek advice with regard to your personal itinerary, including pre / post voyage travel, as Malaria advice and / or prophylaxis may be recommended. Health advice varies from time to time depending on the situation of the country you are visiting. Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all passengers. MEDICAL ATTENTION We hope you will find it unnecessary to use the ship’s medical facilities during your voyage. If, however, the occasion does arise, it is comforting to know that we do carry a fully qualified doctor and nurses. The National Health Service does not cover treatment on the ship and the doctor or nurse will make a charge for their services as well as requiring payment for any medicines or drugs needed. Such charges are normally reclaimable under your travel insurance, less any excess. In the unlikely event that you require urgent medical attention ashore, we will assist by contacting your insurer who will make the necessary arrangements for your treatment and repatriation. PASSENGERS WITH SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Voyages of Discovery will always try to accommodate passengers with special requirements. If you or any person travelling with you suffers from any medical condition, disability or limited mobility, you must contact our office for advice before your booking is confirmed. Please read clause 10 of the Booking Conditions - Fitness to Travel on the Cruise Ship, Pregnancy, Behaviour, Disability or reduced Mobility, Medical and Mobility Equipment.
INSURANCE It is a condition of booking your cruise that you have fully comprehensive travel insurance valid from the date of deposit being made. We will require you to give us details of your travel insurance company including the policy number. You must ensure that, as a minimum, it covers cancellation for the total value of the cruise, delay or curtailment, medical charges, evacuation (form the vessel) and repatriation costs. We suggest you discuss the various policies that are available with your travel agent. CHILDREN There are no recreational facilities for children on Voyager and reservations for those under the age of 11 are not advised. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Voyages of Discovery is committed to protecting the environment at all times and especially by the proper disposal of waste matter generated on board. This is achieved by adhering to stringent regulations and procedures on board and complying with various applicable legislation. OPTIONAL SHORE EXCURSIONS Shore excursions are not included in the price of your cruise. At the time of going to print the exact content and costs for the shore excursions programme have not been finalised. All excursions can be pre-booked although it is also possible (subject to availability and at a higher on board price) to book your tours on board. Full excursion details will be sent approximately 18 weeks before departure, they can be pre-booked on the telephone or via a booking form. If you or any other person travelling with you have special requirements please check the suitability of the excursion with our Service Centre before you book. PROXIMITY TO PLACES OF INTEREST Fares for local shuttle buses at ports visited are not included in the cost of your cruise. We choose our ports of call for their proximity to places of interest. In all our ports of call we aim to dock the ship as closely as we can to the destination. Often we will be in walking distance or a short bus or taxi ride away from the city centre. A shuttle bus may be provided either by Voyages of Discovery or the local port authority for which a charge will usually be made. It is sometimes the case that the port is further away and it may be necessary to book a tour to visit the main destination or make use of local transport. FLIGHT DELAYS If flights are cancelled or delayed, it is the responsibility of the airline to look after you. We highly recommend you book flights that are scheduled to arrive into the port/city of cruise departure at least 24-hours prior to the cruise embarkation date. We regret the ship is unable to delay departure if you are unable to embark at the appointed time and date. Subject to the airlines own restrictions, please make sure that all medications are packed in your hand luggage.
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS The Company will have no responsibility, financial or otherwise, in regard to air, hotel, transport or any other arrangements made by passengers with third parties. Passengers should ensure any such arrangements are transferable or refundable, or covered by their travel insurance, in the event of delay, amendment or cancellation of any of these independent arrangements, or of your cruise. ON BOARD GRATUITIES AND SERVICE CHARGES Unlike many other cruise operators, gratuities and service charges are included within the fares shown for Australian and New Zealand passengers on Voyager, however, you may wish to recognise special service at your discretion. CURRENCY & PAYMENTS On board Voyager all prices are in British Pounds. Foreign exchange facilities on board are very limited, so we would recommend that you purchase any currency requirements before you travel. There is little opportunity to visit banks whilst on holiday, although guides will normally help exchange small amounts if necessary. For purchases ashore, many shops accept most Travellers’ Cheques and major credit cards. A cashless system operates on board with passengers settling accounts at the end of the cruise. Visa, MasterCard and American Express (2% surcharge applies to Amex) credit cards, cash and Travellers’ Cheques are accepted for payment of shipboard accounts. We also accept UK debit cards bearing the VISA or MasterCard logos. Personal cheques are not accepted. BARS & ALCOHOL Only alcohol purchased in the ship’s bars and restaurants may be consumed on Voyager. The serving of alcohol may be restricted in certain countries. PHONES & WIFI Our on board telecommunications systems mean that you are never more than a phone call away from your home or office. All cabins feature direct-dial telephones, whilst fax facilities are available at the Purser’s Desk and computer facilities in the Internet Centre. Wi-Fi connections are also available in certain locations on board (charges apply for internet connectivity), however connection difficulties can occur in some areas of the world. Mobile phones usually get a signal but only via satellite. ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES Cabins are fitted with both UK standard three pin plugs (220 Volt) and European two pin (110 Volt). Any questions regarding the use of electric rollers, curling irons, electric shavers and other small appliances should be directed to reception. For safety reasons the use of travel irons and any tea/coffee making equipment is definitely not allowed. Each cabin is equipped with a hair dryer. LAUNDRY A service is available for laundry and pressing. Laundry bags and order forms are provided in
your cabin. For passengers taking two or more consecutive cruises, there is a 50% discount for laundry and pressing. WHAT TO WEAR As a general rule, for days on board and ashore, summer clothing/sports wear is the order of the day. It should be light, casual and easy to care for. A sweater and jacket for cooler evenings and a light raincoat are also advisable. In certain countries, shorts, short skirts, bare arms and shoulders will not be appreciated locally and you may be prohibited entry to certain sites. Advice will be given on board. For trips ashore and for getting into and out of the ship’s tenders, comfortable, sturdy footwear is recommended. You may also want to bring with you a camera, binoculars, umbrella, sun hat and insect repellent. In the evening, there is a recommended dress code. Passengers may wish to dress in ‘black tie’ and evening dresses for formal nights such as the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party and Dinner, however, a lounge suit or blazer and tie would be fine – the choice is yours. On other evenings the dress code will be smart/casual. Details will be given in the daily programme on board. Gentlemen are not permitted to wear shorts at evening dinner, only long trousers are acceptable. The Veranda Restaurant offers a less formal dining environment and casual clothing including jeans are perfectly acceptable to wear. SMOKING Passengers are not permitted to smoke (including electronic cigarettes) inside Voyager, or where food is being served. Passengers are requested to smoke only in designated areas on open decks, subject to national government laws when in port. Smoking is not permitted on excursion coaches. EMERGENCY DRILL Before the ship sails or early in the cruise, there will be a full muster stations drill. This exercise is to give all passengers precise information on the correct route from their cabins to the places where they should muster in an emergency, together with instructions about life jackets and emergency procedures. ALL passengers must attend. NOISE As you might imagine, there is all kinds of noise when the ship is in motion. We recognise that tolerance levels vary so please contact us to discuss this in more detail before you book. PORTHOLES In rough weather or for operational or security portholes covers (known as dead lights) may need to be closed. On cruises where the vessel sails through the Red and Arabian Seas, the vessel is subject to the requirements of the International Maritime Organisation for anti-piracy. The requirements are designed to protect the ship from the potential risk of attack, which includes the rigging of razor-wire and the closing of the cabin deadlights. The Captain is required to comply with these requirements, which vary day to day dependent upon the reported level of risk.
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ONBOARD GIFTS Approximately 18 weeks before departure you will receive details of our onboard gift selection, a variety of packages to help make your cruise even more special. These range from Champagne and fruit baskets to canapés and birthday cakes. GENERAL DINING ARRANGEMENTS Breakfast and lunch are arranged on an open sitting basis and may be taken in the Discovery Restaurant on the Discovery Deck, inside the Veranda Restaurant on the Bridge Deck or ‘alfresco’ by the Veranda Restaurant. Continental breakfast is also available in your cabin. In the evening, there are two restaurants to choose from. The Discovery Restaurant on the Discovery Deck and the Veranda Restaurant on the Bridge Deck both offer open seating, with the Veranda being less formal. A limited room service menu is available most days from 7.00am to 10.00pm. SPECIAL REQUESTS We are unable to accept ‘conditional bookings’. Please note any special requests clearly on your pre-cruise Passenger Information Form or advise our consultant at time of booking. Although we will do our best to comply with your wishes, we cannot guarantee that we or our suppliers will be able to fulfil the request. We must point out that failure to fulfil a special request cannot be considered a breach of Contract on the part of the company. CHANGE OF ADDRESS We ask you to notify us in writing immediately of any alterations to your address before departure. In all communication, please state the cruise on which you are travelling and your booking reference. DATA PROTECTION At Voyages of Discovery we are committed to protecting your privacy. This data protection policy sets out how we will use your personal data after it has been collected by us through our website, brochures, speaking to our customer services staff or otherwise. This policy may be updated from time to time and we will contact you if there are any changes. Where ‘you’ are referred to in this policy, this shall mean you and every member of your party. You should ensure that all your party members have read this policy and agree that you may act on their behalf in dealing with us. Voyages of Discovery is a trading name for All Leisure Holidays Ltd. Our registered office is at Compass House, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7QD. Registered in England with company number 2888825. For your protection, we are registered under the Data Protection Act 1998 and have made appropriate notifications to the Information Commissioner’s Office. What we collect and why - When you make an enquiry, join our mailing list or book a holiday with Voyages of Discovery we may need to collect information about you including (but not limited
to) your name, contact details and company name and position (if applicable). We may also collect such data if you enter competitions, register for promotions, take part in surveys, provide us with feedback or make use of our ‘call you back’ facility. We may also collect payment details and/or relevant health information to process bookings. Some of the information we collect may be ‘sensitive personal data’ (for example ‘special requirements’ data relating to disability, diet, health or religion) in which case we will only collect, retain and pass it on with your positive consent. We require this information to understand your needs and provide you with the service you have requested. We use it to advise you of information concerning your holiday booking, enquiry or other transaction. We may use the information to advise you of our new services, products, promotions, special offers and/or other information which we think will be of interest to you. We may use your data for our business management and operation and for monitoring, marketing and customer care purposes in order to achieve our aim to provide you with the highest standard of quality and service and increase our customers’ choices wherever possible. Who else do we give your details to? – Voyages of Discovery is part of All Leisure Holidays Ltd. We may share your personal information with other All Leisure Holidays companies in order to provide you with the latest news and offers on products or services which may be of interest to you. We may share your information with our credit checking companies, public authorities (e.g. customs/immigration), companies who process data on our behalf or to our professional advisers. We may also share your information with carefully selected market research companies that may contact you (by email, telephone or otherwise) to help us understand your preferences and help us to improve our products and services and the customer experience. We may pass on your personal details to those companies or organisations that need to know them in order that your holiday or other service or product can be provided. For example, the tour operator, the airline, hotel or credit card company. This may include the transfer of information outside the European Economic Area where data protection controls may not be as strong as in the UK. When you make a booking or enter into a transaction this means you consent to our passing on such details. On all of our direct marketing and email communications you will be given the opportunity to opt-out of receiving such communications in the future. If you do not wish us to use your data for direct marketing and email purposes or to pass your details to carefully selected third parties, please contact us at Voyages of Discovery, c/o Discover the World, PO Box 125, Queen Victoria Building, NSW 1230, Australia. Security - We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure we have
put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect. We use encryption when collecting or transferring sensitive or financial data. Consent - By disclosing your personal data to us, whether using our website, telephone services or otherwise, you consent to the collection, processing and use of your personal information by Voyages of Discovery in accordance with the terms of this privacy policy. Data Subject Access Request - You are entitled to ask us by letter what details of yours are being held or processed, for what purpose and to whom they may be or have been disclosed. There is a maximum charge of $30 for this service and we will respond to legitimate requests within 40 days of receiving your written request and fee. Questions - If you have any questions about Voyages of Discovery Data Protection Policy, please contact us at Voyages of Discovery, c/o Discover the World, PO Box Q125 Queen Victoria Building, NSW 1230, Australia. CHANGES TO YOUR CRUISE The information in this brochure outlines details of our carefully planned programme. Should any subsequent events cause us to change our plans or affect the published itinerary in any way, we shall let passengers know. Please read the section entitled ‘Cancellation or alteration by the Company’ in our Booking Conditions carefully before you make a booking. OVERSEAS STANDARDS It is a fact of life that when we travel to different countries, we often find that the customs, traditions and general pace at which things are done can be very different from those at home. So as far as standards of safety are concerned, the suppliers of services must comply with the rules and regulations of their own country and these are not always as strict as they are in Australia or New Zealand. Please read the ‘Shore Excursions’ section of our Booking Conditions. DANGEROUS GOODS It is an offence to carry on board aircraft or ship any goods of a dangerous nature. Please read Section 10.22 & 10.23 of our Booking Conditions. BROCHURE ACCURACY The information contained in this brochure is checked for accuracy by our UK staff, our overseas staff and our agents. Nevertheless, we would ask you to bear in mind that things can change, often without our prior knowledge. Should we become aware of anything that we consider will have a permanent impact on your enjoyment of the cruise, we will do our utmost to advise you before you sail. IMPORTANT NOTICE The information in this brochure is subject to change without notice. If cost factors dictate the need for the fare, tax or surcharge increases, the company may do so prior to departure and without notice. Correct fare will be quoted at time of booking.
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BOOKING CONDITIONS TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE 1. THE CONTRACT 1.1. The contract is between All Leisure Holidays Limited trading as “Voyages of Discovery” (‘The Company’) and each person booking with the Company (including the parents or guardian of any person under 18 years of age) (“the Passengers”). Please note that information contained in the section headed “General Information” in our brochure or in these or any other comparable sections, and any other relevant information on our website also form part of your contract with the Company. 1.2. The Lead Passenger warrants as a fundamental term of the contract that he/ she has read and agrees these terms and conditions and has the authority by each Passenger named on the confirmation invoice to be bound by them. Furthermore that he/ she is authorised by each passenger named on the confirmation invoice (and, where such passenger is under 18, by his/her parents or guardian) to enter into a contract with the Company on their behalf. Unless otherwise indicated, the Lead Passenger warrants that the Passenger information given may be used by the Company or its partners for future marketing purposes. 1.3. A binding contract comes in to place when you pay the full deposit (or where appropriate the full price) and a confirmation invoice is issued even if the Company is unable to confirm all holiday details (e.g. flights) at the time of booking. A confirmation invoice will be sent to the Lead Passenger. If you pay by credit card, a fee will be charged to your tour price. Fees differ by card type. Please contact us to obtain the applicable surcharge fee for your card type. 1.4. All details on the confirmation invoice (and on any additional documents produced by the Company) will be deemed to have been accepted unless the Company receives notification to the contrary in writing from the Lead Passenger immediately that the confirmation invoice is received. If you have not received your confirmation invoice within 7 days of booking your cruise please contact us immediately. If any errors are not immediately identified and reported, any cost of rectifying the same at a subsequent date must be met by the Passenger. Please note that Passengers not following these instructions will be fully liable for any costs that may subsequently be incurred in rectifying errors at a later date. In the case of e-tickets and vouchers these must be checked by Passengers and the Company must be notified of any errors immediately. 1.5. It is expressly agreed that all Passengers and their luggage are carried subject to the Conditions of Carriage of the airlines and shipping company used, some of which limit or exclude liability. Any compensation payable by the Company for non-performance or improper performance of land, sea and air carriage services shall be limited in accordance with the international conventions which govern such services by the carrier. See paragraphs 12 and 13.
1.6. For bookings made through an approved Travel Agent, the Agent holds any monies paid for the Company on behalf of the customer. 1.7. The Company reserves the right to cancel bookings and levy cancellation charges on the scale in section 8 below if balance payments are not received in full 16 weeks before departure or by return post/credit or debit card for bookings taken less than 17 weeks before departure. Travel insurance (where purchased through us or directly with a third party) does not form part of your contract with the Company or of any “package”. 1.8. The contract and all other proceedings arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by English law and the jurisdiction of the English courts. If and in so far as a claim against the Company is governed EU Regulation 392/2009 relating to the liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents (or the Passenger Liability Regulation (EU 392/2009) or in respect of non-international carriage by the Athens Convention 1974 or 2002 and or in the case of river cruises. The Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1996 (LLMC 96) as amended by SI 1998/1258 in the Court competent to hear such claims. 2. THE BOOKING PROCESS 2.1. A non-refundable deposit of AU$1,000 or 10% of the total fare due, whichever is highest (or full payment for bookings taken within 119 days of departure) is due upon booking. A higher Deposit amount may be payable if any supplier(s) require additional payments for a service prior to the balance due date. Payment of a Deposit means acceptance of these Booking Terms & Conditions. The Company takes no responsibility for credit card or foreign currency transaction processing fees levied by issuing banks. 2.2. If the Deposit and/or balance are not paid on time, the Company reserves the right to cancel the contract and apply any cancellation charges set out in section 8. 2.3. Passengers must be fit to travel. Any passengers with reduced mobility or with other physical or mental disabilities or conditions which may require special treatment or assistance (including Passengers who may require the use of a wheelchair) must advise the Company prior to booking. They may be required to complete a questionnaire and upon receipt of which they may be asked to accept additional Booking Conditions before a confirmation invoice is issued and a contract entered into. See paragraph 10. 2.4. The Company may (at its discretion) offer Passengers at the time of booking a guaranteed cabin booking (a “Guarantee Cabin”). Under such offers a Passenger is guaranteed to receive a cabin of a specified type although the precise location of the cabin is at the Company’s discretion. The Company may (at its discretion) upgrade a Guarantee Cabin to a higher category cabin at no additional cost to the Passenger. The Company may allocate specific cabins under guarantee offers at any time up until the Passenger arrives on the vessel at the
port of embarkation. Once Guarantee Cabins have been allocated, the Company is unable to accept Passenger change requests. If Passengers book one or more back-to-back cruises and one or more cruise includes Guarantee Cabins, it is possible that Passengers may be allocated different cabins on each cruise and may need to move between cabins on changeover day(s). 3. PRICES AND SURCHARGES 3.1. The Company reserves the right to alter the published prices of any of the cruise holidays. Passengers will be advised of the current price of the holiday that they wish to book before any contract is confirmed. 3.2. The price of the travel arrangements was calculated using exchange rates quoted in the appropriate brochure. Changes in transportation costs (including the cost of fuel, port costs, taxes or other fees chargable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation/ disembarkation fees at ports) and exchange rates mean that the price of travel arrangements may change after booking. The Company undertakes, however, that no changes to the price will be made within 30 days of departure. 3.3. The Company will absorb and the Passenger will not be charged for, any increase equivalent to up to 2% of the total holiday cost (excluding insurance premiums and/or any amendment charges). The Company may, at its discretion, and subject to the approval of the relevant authority (ies), charge the Passenger any increase above 2% in respect of (i) transportation costs, including the cost of fuel, (ii) dues, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or (iii) the exchange rates applied to the package. If the increase is more than 10% of the price of their travel arrangements, Passengers will have the option of accepting a change to another holiday or cancelling and receiving a full refund of all monies paid, except for any insurance premiums and amendment charges. If the Company is able to offer another holiday and this alternative holiday is of equivalent or higher price to the original holiday booked, then the Passenger will not have to pay more. If the alternative holiday is a lower price, the Passenger will be refunded the difference. Should Passengers decide to cancel their holiday under these circumstances, they must to do so within 14 days of the date of the invoice for the additional charge or such other period as may be specified. 3.4. Should the total cost to the Company of a Passenger’s holiday fall by more than 2% due to any of the changes mentioned above then the Company will pass on to Passengers any refund due. Passengers should note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some changes in local currency costs may have no impact on the price of Passengers’ travel due to contractual and other protection in place. 3.5. All outstanding balances on on-board accounts must be settled in full before the
Passenger disembarks the vessel. If any Passenger fails to settle their on-board account then the Company shall be entitled to take whatever steps may be necessary to recover the monies due and shall be entitled to pass on any costs incurred in doing so. 3.6. Passengers must be aware that the holiday price quoted may include different points of departure and return from/to the UK. In such cases there may be additional costs associated with transfer between the two places not included in the holiday price that will be passed on to the customer. 3.7 We may decide, at any time, to advertise Saver Fares on selected cruises or cabin grades. These are subject to availability and your cabin number will not be allocated at the time of booking. 4. OUR RESPONSIBILITY AND SHORE EXCURSIONS 4.1. Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, we regret that the Company cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage or loss as a result of Force Majeure. In this Contract, “Force Majeure” includes any event which the Company or any supplier of the service(s) in question could not even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include (whether actual or threatened) war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, technical problems with transport, closure of airports, ports or airspace, changes of schedules by airlines, adverse weather conditions, epidemics, health risks and pandemics, fire, closed or congested airports or ports and all similar events outside the control of the Company and our suppliers. 4.2. The Company is not responsible for any improper or non-performance of any services of the package holiday which are wholly attributable to the fault of the Passenger, the unforeseeable or unavoidable act or omission of a third party unconnected with the provision of any of the services to be provided under the Contract; unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the control of the Company and/or the relevant supplier, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised including (but not limited to) an event of Force Majeure; or any event which the Company and / or relevant suppliers could not even with all due care have foreseen or forestalled. In the event that the Company is responsible for any death, injury or illness caused by the negligent acts and / or omissions of its suppliers of services which form part of the Package then the Company limits its liability, where applicable, by the International Conventions. 4.3. Where death and or personal injury and or loss of or damage to property occurs during carriage by air or by sea then the liability and the extent of damages recoverable will be dealt with by their conditions of carriage and the International Conventions set out in paragraphs 12 and 13 and not otherwise. 4.4. Where there is any loss of or damage to property including luggage which is not covered by any International Convention and where liability is not limited by reference to any
enactment, terms or conditions, then any legal liability that the Company may have for any such losses or damage will not exceed £500 per Passenger. 4.5. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Contract, the Company shall not in any circumstances be liable to the Passenger for any loss or anticipated loss of profit, loss of revenue, loss of use, loss of contract or other opportunity nor for any other consequential or indirect loss or damage of a similar nature. SHORE EXCURSIONS 4.6. Where the Company provides or sells a shore excursion to the Passenger the Passenger shall be bound by the terms and conditions of the supplier of the shore excursion supplier. 4.7. The Company does not perform shore excursions which it sells to Passengers. These are performed by local operators, who may themselves engage the services of third party suppliers. The Company will at all times endeavour to appoint reputable and competent operators who comply with all prevailing local rules, regulations and standards. It should be noted that, outside the UK, standards of hygiene, accommodation and transport might differ from comparable standards in the UK. 4.8. Local laws and regulations of the relevant country will be applied to assess the performance of suppliers and the Company. The Company’s legal obligations will have been performed if the supplier has complied with local laws and regulations even if the laws of England have not been met. 4.9 Passengers should be aware that they may also be subject to terms and conditions imposed by local excursion operators. 4.10. In the event of an excursion being cancelled, the Company will take all reasonable steps to ensure that Passengers are offered a choice of an alternative excursion and/or a full refund in the case of optional excursions. 4.11. Passengers cancelling optional excursions prior to departure will be refunded in accordance with the schedule set out in clause 8.1. Passengers cancelling optional excursions after departure will not be entitled to a refund. If in such cases the cancellation is due to ill health a supporting letter from the ship’s Doctor (charges may apply) may enable Passengers to make a claim on their Travel Insurance Policy. Any Passenger that fails to attend an excursion for whatever reason will be deemed to have cancelled. 4.12. Passengers wishing to change optional excursion details will be allowed to do so on presentation of the appropriate ticket(s) at the shore excursion desk during the advertised opening hours and at least 72 hours prior to the ship’s arrival in the excursion port. Any amended booking will be treated as a new booking and the price charged (if applicable) will be set at the prevailing on board price which may be higher than the original brochure price for the same excursion. New booking balances due will be credited with any payment from the original booking less a £5 per Passenger administration charge. Any discounts applied to the original
booking will only be transferred to the new booking at the Company’s discretion. If the cost of the new booking is less than the original booking then no refund of the surplus balance will be made. 4.13. Any changes to optional excursion arrangements requested by Passengers less than 72 hours prior to the ship’s arrival in the excursion port will only be allowed subject to availability and the terms and conditions of the excursion operator. All other conditions are as ((4.7) above. 4.14. The Company is not responsible for the performance of and has no liability for shore excursions which are not sold by the Company. Passengers are advised to take great care in purchasing shore excursions from third parties in the ports to ensure they are safe and are covered by insurance. 5. INSURANCE 5.1. Where Passengers purchase insurance through the Company, the Company is acting as an agent for the named insurance provider and that the purchase will be subject to that insurance provider’s terms and conditions which will be sent to them with their policy documents or provided in advance of purchase upon request. 5.2. It is a condition of booking that each Passenger has adequate travel insurance in force for the entire duration of the holiday. If Passengers do not purchase the insurance offered by the Company, then details of the alternative insurance policy (which must as a minimum cover medical charges, cancellation, curtailment, evacuation (from the vessel) and repatriation costs for not less than £5 million) must be provided at the time of booking if possible, but no later than six months prior to the scheduled date of departure or at the time of booking if bookings are made within six months of the date of departure. 5.3. The Company is not responsible for checking that Passengers have the correct level of insurance and will not be liable for any costs, howsoever arising, in excess of any travel insurance cover purchased. In particular Passengers should check that their insurance arrangements cover all likely scenarios should they have to cancel their cruise. 6. PASSPORTS & VISAS 6.1. It is the responsibility of all Passengers to check and fulfil the passport, visa, and immigration requirements applicable to their itinerary. Passengers must check passport and visa requirements for their own specific circumstances with the relevant Embassies or Consulates as applicable. 6.2. Passengers must understand that passport, visa and immigration requirements do change. Passengers are responsible for checking the up to date position in good time before departure. 6.3. The Company requires a valid passport with spare pages, valid for at least six months after the date of return. Passengers must check passport and visa requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country (ies) to or through which they intend to travel.
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6.4. All Passengers must ensure that they have the correct travel documents in their possession before departure. Passengers may incur fines if they fail to comply with documentation or visa requirements. The Company will re-charge to the Passenger any such fines that have been paid by the Company on the Passenger’s behalf. 6.5. The Company does not accept any responsibility for Passengers who are denied disembarkation or are unable to travel, or who incur any other loss because they fail to comply with any passport, visa, or immigration requirements. Cancellation of any part of the holiday that arises due to problems with passport/visa, or immigration requirements will be subject to cancellation charges set out in section 8. 7. CHANGES TO BOOKING DETAILS BY PASSENGERS 7.1. The Company will do its utmost to ensure that amendments requested by Passengers are accommodated, but the Company makes no guarantee that these requests will be met. Any change request must be made by the Lead Passenger and the Company reserves the right to pass on the costs of making any such changes. Passengers must be aware that charges associated with amendments are likely to increase nearer to the date of departure. 7.2. Additional passengers or cruises may be added to a booking at any time subject to availability. In each case a deposit (or full payment, as relevant) per additional Passenger will be required by the Company and all other booking conditions must be met before the new contract exists. 7.3. Requests for significant amendments to booking details (e.g. change of sail date) received before the balance due date will be treated as a new booking. At the Company’s sole discretion, the original booking will either be deemed cancelled (and be subject to the cancellation charges set out in section 8), or will be deemed amended (and be subject to an Amendment fee of AU$200 per Passenger). A maximum of one change of sail date per booking will be considered for an Amendment fee of AU$200 per Passenger as long as the change to the sail date is requested at least 119 days before the booked departure date. Any deposit paid, discount applied or promotion applicable to a booking that is cancelled or amended will only be transferred to a new booking at the Company’s discretion. Any offers currently available on the cruise that the Passenger wishes to transfer their booking to will also only be applied at the Company’s discretion. 7.4. For amendments to booking details received before the balance due date (e.g. passenger name changes) an administration charge of AU$100 per Passenger affected will be charged. If name changes are required to scheduled flight details, the charge may be significantly more than AU$100 per Passenger and will be quoted on request. Passengers should also be aware that airlines may not allow transfer of Passenger names and in such cases a flight booking might need to be cancelled and rebooked, subject to availability, and at the Passenger’s expense. 7.5. After an amendment is applied a new confirmation invoice will be issued at which point the contract will be deemed to be amended accordingly.
8. CANCELLATION BY A PASSENGER 8.1. A Passenger may cancel a booking at any time. Cancellation will take effect when the Company has received written notice of cancellation signed by the Lead Passenger. Cancellation charges payable to the Company are: Period before departure within which the Company receives notice
Cancellation charge per passenger
After payment of deposit
Loss of deposit
112 to 60 days before departure
Loss of deposit or 60% of the total holiday cost (whichever is greater)
59 to 29 days before departure
90% of the total holiday cost
28 days or less before departure
100% of the total holiday cost
Cancellation and/or amendment fees charged by your travel agent and/or associated supplier are not included and may be additional to Voyages of Discovery’s fees as outlined above. 8.2. A Passenger will not have a right to exclusive occupancy of a cabin with two or more berths unless any applicable single occupancy premium has been paid. In the event of a Passenger becoming a single occupant of such a cabin due to a cancellation, he/she will become liable to pay any applicable single occupancy premium. Passengers are advised that certain reasons for cancellation are covered by their travel insurance. 9. CANCELLATION OR ALTERATION BY THE COMPANY 9.1. The Company reserves the right at its sole and absolute discretion at any time to cancel, postpone or alter without prior notice or consultation any cruise in whole or in part in order to safeguard its Passengers, its crew, its employees or the vessel in the event of war or threat of war, political unrest, terrorist activity or threat of terrorist activity, nuclear or natural disaster, riots, civil strife, adverse weather conditions or other similar events as previously defined (“Force Majeure”) or for any other valid operational reason. If the majority of ports that the Company aims to visit during any one cruise have to be changed on UK Foreign Office advice before the cruise commences, the Company undertakes to offer Passengers an alternative cruise or refund of the cost of their cruise in full, less any insurance premiums paid. 9.2. If under clause 9.1 the Company cancels a cruise before the scheduled departure date it will offer, when possible, a subsequent alternative departure of similar standard (which must be accepted in writing within 14 days of the offer being made), or the choice of a full refund of all monies paid, less any insurance premiums paid. 9.3. If under clause 9.1 the Company cancels a cruise after the scheduled departure date, it will return all Passengers as soon as practicable to the UK and make a proportional refund for any unused services, less any insurance premiums paid and any non-recoverable expenses incurred. 9.4. If under clause 9.1 the Company alters the planned itinerary only, refunds will be limited to any balances outstanding on shore excursions.
9.5. In any of the circumstances mentioned above the Company shall not be liable to pay any compensation, nor shall Passengers have any further claim against the Company. 9.6. The Company and the Captain of the ship are unable to guarantee that the ship will call at every advertised port or follow every part of the advertised route. They will at all times endeavour to maintain the advertised programme but reserve the right at their sole discretion to make any alternations they deem necessary. 9.7. The company also reserves the right to cancel any cruise by giving written notice at least eight weeks before departure if sales of that departure have not reached 70% of capacity. Under such circumstances clause 9.2 will apply and the Company shall not be liable to pay compensation, nor shall Passengers have any further claim against the Company. 9.8. The Company reserves the right at its sole and absolute discretion to use a substitute ship of similar standard to the original ship should it prove necessary to do so. 9.9. In addition to the rights of the Company, Aircraft and Ship’s Captains always have the right at their absolute discretion to vary any planned routing without prior notice or consultation if they deem it necessary to do so in the interests of safety. 9.10. Any flight details contained in the Company’s brochures and on confirmation invoices are provisional. Final flight details (including timings and routings) will be issued near to departure and may differ significantly from any provisional information previously provided. 9.11. If for any reason details of a cruise have to be altered before departure (and subject to Clause 9.1) the Company will notify the Lead Passenger as soon as possible. 9.12. The Company will not be held responsible for, nor have liability in respect of, delays caused by third parties during passage through sea areas controlled by vessel traffic schemes, canals, rivers or any other navigable waterways. 9.13. In respect of cruise travel where the port of embarkation is in the EU and the Company reasonably expects the departure of a cruise to be delayed for more than 90 minutes beyond its scheduled departure time, Passengers departing from port terminal shall be offered free of charge snacks, meals or refreshments as are appropriate given the waiting time, provided they are available and can reasonably be supplied. If the delay in departure necessitates a stay of one or more nights or a stay additional to that intended by the passenger where and when physically possible the Company shall, subject to the Package Travel Regulations 1992, offer Passengers departing from port terminals free of charge adequate accommodation on board or ashore, and transport to and from the port terminal and place of accommodation in addition to the snacks, meals and refreshments previously referred to. The maximum amount that the company will pay for accommodation ashore and transport to and from the port terminal shall be equivalent to 80 Euros per person per night for a maximum of three nights. The company will not have an obligation to provide such accommodation ashore where the delay is caused by weather conditions endangering the operation of the ship.
10. FITNESS TO TRAVEL ON THE CRUISE SHIP, PREGNANCY, BEHAVIOUR, DISABILITY OR REDUCED MOBILITY, MEDICAL AND MOBILITY EQUIPMENT 10.1. The Company’s priority is the comfort and safety of its Passengers who are asked to provide prior to booking as much information as possible regarding any special assistance that may be required in the port, during embarkation and on board the vessel. This information is required in order to ensure that the carrier is able to carry Passengers safely and in accordance with applicable safety requirements established by international, EU or national law or in order to meet safety requirements established by competent authorities including flag state. 10.2. Every Passenger warrants that he/she is fit to travel by sea and that his/her conduct or condition will not impair the safety of the cruise ship or inconvenience the other Passengers. The Company and the carrier reserve the right to require any Passenger to produce medical evidence of fitness to travel in order to assess whether that Passenger can be carried safely in accordance with applicable international, EU or national law. Disabled Passengers or those with Reduced Mobility who need assistance and/or have special requests or need special facilities or equipment with regard to accommodation, seating or services required or their need to bring medical equipment must notify the Company at the time of booking and complete a medical questionnaire. This is to ensure that the Passenger can be carried safely and in accordance with all applicable safety requirements. In order to ensure that the Carrier can provide the necessary assistance and there are no issues relating to the design of the passenger ship or port infrastructure and equipment including port terminals which may make it impossible to carry out the embarkation, disembarkation or carriage of the Passenger in a safe or operationally feasible manner. The Carrier is not obliged to provide any assistance or meet special requests unless the Carrier has agreed to do so in writing. If the Passenger cannot be carried safely and in accordance with applicable safety requirements then the Company and or the carrier can refuse to accept a Passenger or embarkation of a Disabled Person or Person with Reduced Mobility on the grounds of safety. In the event of refusal of carriage, the passenger will be informed in writing five working days after receipt of the medical questionnaire. 10.3. For the purposes of EU 1177/2010 Disabled Person’ or ‘Person with Reduced Mobility includes any person whose mobility when using transport is reduced as a result of any physical disability (sensory or locomotor, permanent or temporary) intellectual or psychosocial disability or impairment, or any other cause of disability, as a result of age, and whose situation needs appropriate attention and adaption to his particular needs for the service made available to all passengers. Passengers with Reduced Mobility and or Disabilities must advise at the time of booking of their specific needs with regard to accommodation, seating or services required from the carrier or terminal operator, or their need to bring medical equipment, or to bring a recognised assistance dog on board the vessel or of any other known disabilities
or who in the Carrier’s and or Master’s opinion is unfit or unable to travel or anyone whose condition may constitute a danger to themselves or others on board on the grounds of safety. 10.4. The requirement to notify the Company at the time of booking of any medical equipment required on board is to ensure that the medical equipment can be lawfully carried and/or carried safely. It is the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that all medical equipment is in good working order and for arranging enough equipment and supplies to last the entire voyage. The ship does not carry any replacement and access to shore side care and equipment may be difficult and expensive. Passengers must be able to operate all equipment. 10.5. If it appears to the Company or the carrier, the Master or the Cruise Ship’s doctor that a Passenger is for any reason unfit to travel, likely to endanger safety, or likely to be refused permission to land at any port, or likely to render the Carrier liable for Passenger maintenance, support or repatriation, then the Carrier or the Master shall have the right to take any of the following courses: (i) Refuse to embark the Passenger at any port; (ii) Disembark the Passenger at any port; (iii) Transfer the Passenger to another berth or cabin; (iv) If the Cruise Ship doctor considers it advisable, to place or confine him/her in the Cruise Ship’s Hospital or to transfer the Passenger to a health facility at any port, at the Passenger’s expense (v) to administer first aid and administer any drug, medicine or other substance or to admit and/or confine the Passenger to a hospital or other similar institution at any port provided that the ship’s doctor and/or Master considers that any such steps are necessary. Where a Passenger is refused embarkation as a result of safety and/or fitness to travel, neither the Company nor the carrier shall be liable for any loss or expense occasioned to the passenger, nor shall the passenger be entitled to any compensation from the carrier. 10.6. The vessels have a limited number of cabins equipped for Disabled Persons or Persons with Reduced Mobility. Not all areas or equipment on the vessels are suitable for access to Disabled Persons or Persons with Reduced Mobility. Passengers must check with the Company at the time of booking to enable the Company to assess your needs with the performing carrier. 10.7. Those passengers confined to wheelchairs must furnish their own standard size wheelchairs and must be accompanied by a travelling companion fit and able to assist them. The ship’s wheelchairs are available for emergency use only. Passengers must not use mobility scooters on board. They must be gel or dry cell battery only with a width of no more than 78cm to enable access to the cabin. Each part should weigh no more than 23kg. Any passenger taking a mobility scooter aboard the Vessel must reside in a disabled cabin. 10.8. Not all ports of call will be accessible by wheelchair and some may be by tender. The decision will be made by the Master of the vessel; it will be based on safety and will be binding. Passengers must check at the time of booking in order to avoid disappointment.
10.9. If there are any particular conditions, which require personal care or supervision then such personal care or supervision must be organised by the Passenger and at the passenger’s expense. The vessel is unable to provide respite services, one to one personal care or supervision or any other form of carer for physical, psychiatric or other conditions. 10.10. In accordance with EU 1177/2010 where it is strictly necessary for the safety of the Passenger, the Company and or the carrier can require a Disabled passenger or Person with Reduced Mobility before it accepts the booking that a Passenger is assisted by an accompanying person who is fit and able to provide the assistance required. 10.11. Assistance dogs are subject to national and EU Regulations regarding travel. It is the passenger’s responsibility to check the position prior to the cruise and to be satisfied that the assistance dog can be carried to the ports of embarkation and disembarkation and that the dog is not prohibited from going ashore at the various ports of call. Assistance dogs must have all necessary papers and comply with national Regulations regarding health, vaccinations, training and travel. 10.12. Where any mobility or other equipment is lost or damaged by the fault or neglect of the Company then it is the Company’s or carriers absolute decision as to whether to repair or replace such equipment. Unless the Company and or the Carrier agree otherwise and in writing Passengers are limited to bringing 2 items of such mobility or medical equipment on board per cabin with a total value not exceeding £2200. All equipment must be capable of being carried safety and must be declared before the cruise. The Carrier may decline to carry such equipment where it is not safe to do so or where it has not been notified in time to enable a risk assessment to be carried out. 10.13. Where a Passenger is refused embarkation as a result of safety and/or fitness to travel and or failure to give notice under EU 1177/2010 or otherwise, neither the Company nor the carrier shall be liable for any loss or expense occasioned to the passenger thereby, nor shall the passenger be entitled to any compensation from the carrier. 10.14. Any Passenger who embarks, or allows any other Passenger for whom he or she is responsible to embark, when he or she or such other Passenger is suffering from any sickness, disease, injury or infirmity bodily or mental or to his/her knowledge has been exposed to any infection or contagious disease, or for any other reason is likely to impair the safety or reasonable comfort of other persons on board or for any reason is refused permission to land at his/her or her port of destination shall be responsible for any loss or expense incurred by the Company, carrier or the Master directly or indirectly in consequence of such sickness, disease, injury, infirmity, exposure or refusal or permission to land unless in the case of sickness, disease, injury, infirmity or exposure the same has been declared in writing to the Carrier or the Master before embarkation and consent in writing of the Carrier or the Master to such embarkation has been obtained.
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10.15. Pregnant women are highly recommended to seek medical advice prior to travel at any stage of their pregnancy. Women who are up to 23 weeks pregnant at the end of the cruise are required to produce a medical certificate of fitness to travel. Ships cannot, for safety reasons, carry pregnant Passengers of 23 weeks or more by the end of the cruise. The Company and the Carrier reserve the right to request a medical certificate at any stage of pregnancy and to refuse passage if the Company and/or the Master are not satisfied that the Passenger will be safe during the passage. 10.16. The ship’s doctor is not qualified to deliver babies on board or to offer pre or post natal treatment and no responsibility is accepted by the Company in respect of the ability to provide such services or equipment. The cruise ship’s doctor is not a specialist and the ship’s medical centre is not required to be and is not equipped to the same standards as a landbased hospital. The Vessel carries medical supplies and equipment as required by its flag state. Neither the Company nor the doctor shall be liable to the Passenger as a result of any inability to treat any medical condition as a result. 10.17. The Company and the carrier are entitled to administer a health questionnaire prior to boarding. All Passengers must follow the vessels instructions and procedures relating to all matters including health, safety, hygiene and security. Any Passenger boarding a ship at initial embarkation who has not filled in the required pre-boarding health declaration must inform the Company of any sickness and/or diarrhoea experienced less than 72 hours prior to embarkation. In the interest of Passenger’s safety the Company reserves the right at its discretion, to refuse boarding. In such circumstances the Company shall not be liable to pay any compensation, nor shall Passengers have any further claim against the Company. The Company and the carrier are entitled to request Passengers to remain in their cabins in the event of illness which is or may be infectious. 10.18. In the event of illness or accident, Passengers may have to be landed ashore by the Company and/or Master for medical treatment. The Company makes no representations regarding the quality of medical treatment at any port of call or at the place at which the Passenger is landed. Medical facilities and standards vary from port to port and the Company makes no representations or warranties in relation to such standards. 10.19. The Company does not accept any responsibility for Passengers unable to travel, or who incur any other loss because they fail to comply with any health formalities. The Company takes no responsibility for Passengers denied embarkation and/ or disembarkation on medical grounds. Cancellation of any part of the holiday that arises due to health requirements will be subject to cancellation charges as set out in Section 8. 10.20. Any cost or expense reasonably incurred by the Company for or on behalf of the Passenger in respect of any form of medical, dental or similar treatment, hotel, transportation, repatriation, damages to
fixtures and fittings (including the soiling of soft furnishings i.e. mattresses) or any other expense shall be repayable by the Passenger to the Company irrespective of whether the sum is covered by the Passenger’s travel insurance arrangements. 10.21. If a Passenger is refused entry to board an aircraft because, in the opinion of the Captain or airline staff, the Passenger is unfit to travel or represents a threat to the safety of the aircraft or its Passengers or crew or is abusive or disruptive, the Company will not be liable to complete the Passengers holiday arrangements and will not be liable to pay any refund or compensation. 10.22. Unless approved by the Company in writing prior to departure, Passengers may not bring on board any controlled substances. 10.23. Passengers may not bring on board any prohibited substances, any animals or any goods of a flammable or dangerous nature. Doing so will render the Passenger strictly liable to the Company for any injury, loss, damage or expense suffered by the Company as a result. The Passenger will also be personally liable for any statutory penalties. 10.24. Passengers are required at all times to follow the instructions of employees and crew regarding the use of ship’s equipment (including hand sanitizers) and general behaviour whilst on board. The Company will not be responsible for any consequential injury, illness, financial or other loss incurred by Passengers if they fail to comply with the instructions they are given. 10.25. The Captain (or any employee or member of the crew authorised by the Master) will be entitled to search the cabin and/or personal luggage of any Passenger suspected of being in breach of these clauses. In addition, any employee or crew member will be entitled to enter a Passenger’s cabin in order to carry out an inspection, or to undertake cleaning, maintenance or repair work. 10.26. The Company expects all Passengers to have consideration for other Passengers when travelling on our cruises and to treat all staff and fellow Passengers with respect. If in the Company’s opinion, or the reasonable opinion of someone either in authority or from one of our suppliers (such as an airline), any Passenger acts in such a way as to cause or be likely to cause danger, breach of safety and or upset or distress to any of our staff, fellow Passengers or a third party or your behaviour impacts the smooth and or safe running of the cruise we are entitled to disembark the Passenger and terminate the cruise holiday. In such circumstances neither the Company or the relevant carrier will have any further liability and the Passenger will not be entitled to any refund for any part of the cost of their unused cruise package including any return travel arrangements, transfers or alternative accommodation etc. 10.27. Should any Passenger have the misfortune to suffer illness, injury or death during the period of the cruise arising out of an activity that does not form part of the arrangement made by the Company, the Company will, where appropriate, provide any assistance it can to the affected Passenger, such assistance being limited to a maximum cost incurred by the Company of £5,000 per booking.
10.28. The Company may invite various affinity groups of people with shared interests who choose to travel together onto a cruise. The Company does not envisage that this will materially affect the normal day to day operation of the ship but Passengers must accept that there may be occasions when certain facilities are unavailable whilst these groups are on board. 11. COMPLAINTS 11.1. Any Passenger who encounters a problem during a cruise must immediately report it to the reception desk on the ship and ensure that the issue is recorded in the ship’s log together with any action taken to resolve it. If the matter cannot be resolved during the cruise, and the Passenger wishes to pursue a complaint, the Passenger must write to the Company within 28 days of final disembarkation to allow the complaint to be investigated properly. If the Passenger does not give the Company the opportunity to resolve the issue locally during the cruise by reporting it to a member of the ship’s crew at the reception desk and having the issue recorded in the ship’s log, then the Company may not be able to deal positively with any complaint on your return. 11.2. Passengers are asked to make any complaints relating to EU Regulation 1177/2010 whilst on board the vessel. If the complaint is not resolved at this time you must make a formal complaint to the Company within 2 months from the date of the circumstances giving rise to the complaint. Within 1 month of receipt of the complaint the Company will respond informing the Passenger whether the complaint has been substantiated, rejected or is still being considered. The Company will provide a final response to the Passenger no later than 2 months after receipt of the complaint. 12. CARRIAGE BY SEA OR INLAND WATERWAYS AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY 12.1. Carriage by sea is subject to the Carriers’ Conditions of Carriage which are contractually incorporated into the contract with the Company. Copies of the conditions of carriage will be sent to Passengers with their travel documentation but they can be provided in advance upon request. They are also available on board the ship and on the Company’s website. It is important that you read these documents as they set out your rights and obligations. They also contain limitations of liability. 12.2. The liability of the Company and the carrier to Passengers for carriage by sea in respect of death, personal injury and or loss of or damage to luggage is governed since 1 January 2013 to International Carriage by EU Regulation 392/2009 relating to the Liability of carriers of passengers by sea in the event of accidents by the provisions of the Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea 1974 as amended in 1976 (“The Athens Convention) for Domestic Carriage For the purposes of EU 392/2009, the Athens 1974 and 2002 The Company is a contracting carrier. EU Regulation 392/2009 may be viewed at: http://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ. do?uri=OJ:L:20 09:131:0024:0046:EN:PDF The Athens Convention 1974 may be viewed at: http://www.admiraltylawguide.com/ conven/passengers1974.html. The Athens
Convention 2002 which comes into force on 23 April 2014 may be viewed at https://www. gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/261628/Misc.6.2013_ Prot_2002_Athens_8760.pdf or are available from The Company on request. EU Regulation 392/2009 and where applicable The Athens Convention 1974 or 2002 are contractually incorporated and applicable to the Contract, The Company shall be entitled to the benefit of all limitations, rights and immunities conferred by EU Regulation 392/2009 and where applicable the Athens Convention 1974 or 2002 in respect of any ship on which the cruise is performed. 12.3. EU Regulation 392/2009 and where applicable The Athens Convention 1974 (from April 23 2014 the Athens Convention 2002) limit The Company’s and the Carriers’ liability for loss or damage to luggage and make special provision for valuables. It is presumed that luggage has been delivered undamaged unless written notice is given to the Company and/or the performing Carrier. a) in the case of apparent damage, before or at the time of disembarkation or redelivery; or b) in the case of damage which is not apparent or of loss, within 15 days from the date of disembarkation or redelivery or from the time when such redelivery should have taken place. Damages for cabin luggage payable by the Carrier are limited up to 2250 SDRs approx. £2,111.41 if EU Regulation 392/2009 and or Athens Convention 2002 applies or where applicable the Athens Convention 1974 limit of 833 SDRs approx. £781.80. 12.4. Limits shall be reduced in proportion to any contributory negligence by the Passenger and by the maximum deductible specified in Article 8 by the passenger in accordance with Article 8 (4) of the Athens Conventions or EU Regulation 392/2009. All Claims must be brought in accordance with EU Regulation 392/2009 or where applicable the Athens Convention 1974 or 2002 within 2 years of the date of disembarkation from the ship. 12.5. In respect of domestic carriage in the UK, The Athens Convention will apply and the limits for death/personal injury are 46,666 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) approx. £43,794.67 these limits may also apply to domestic cruises in the EU. Where the carrier has a principal place of business in the UK the limits of liability per passenger may be 300,000 SDR approx. £281,541.21 per carriage. 12.6. In respect of international carriage EU Regulation 392/2009 applies the limits for death/personal injury caused by a shipping incident, with the exception of circumstances beyond the Carrier’s control (ie act of war, natural disaster, act of a third party) to no more than 250,000 SDRs approx. £234,587.82 per passenger per carriage. Except for cases involving war and terrorism damages up to a further 150,000 SDRs approx. £140,752.69 may be payable in respect of a shipping incident unless the Company or the carrier proves that the death or personal injury occurred without the carrier’s fault or neglect. Where death/ personal injury is caused by a non-shipping incident it is for the passenger to prove that the death or personal injury was caused by the fault or neglect of the carrier. The maximum sum payable to any passenger under EU Regulation 392/2009 is limited to 400,000
per passenger per carriage which is approx. £375,340.52. The maximum sum payable in cases involving war and terrorism where the carrier is liable is 250 000 SDRs per passenger per carriage or 340,000,000 SDRs per ship per carriage. 12.7. The Company and the carrier are not liable for valuables, monies or other securities including jewellery and watches. If they have been deposited with the reception desk on the ship for safe keeping and a receipt issued then in those limited circumstances the Company’s and the carriers liability will be as set out in EU Regulation 392/2009 or where applicable the Athens Convention 1974 or 2002. The use of safes on board a Vessel is not a deposit with the ship or with the Company under the EU Regulation 392/2009 or where applicable the Athens Convention 1974 or 2002 or otherwise. The limits are 3,375 SDRs approx. £3,166.45 pursuant to EU Regulation 392/2009 and the Athens Convention 2002 or 1200 SDRs approx. £1,125.81 pursuant to the Athens Convention 1974. 12.8. An SDR is an international monetary unit, The exact value of an SDR fluctuates with the daily exchange rate, The daily exchange rate can be viewed at the international monetary Fund website .http://www.imf.org/external/ np/fin/data/rms_sdrv.aspx and an SDR converter is available at http://coinmill.com/ GBP_SDR.html#SDR=46 666, The values in the Booking Conditions are those of 26 March 2014 and may fluctuate upwards or downwards. 12.9. In so far as the Company and its servants and/ or agents and suppliers may be liable to a Passenger in respect of claims arising out of carriage by sea, the Company shall be entitled to all the rights, defences, immunities and limitations available, respectively, to the actual carrier and under the relevant Conventions, and nothing in this Contract shall be deemed as a surrender thereof. The Company’s liability will not at any time exceed that of the carrier under its Conditions of Carriage and/ or applicable or incorporated conventions or other legislation. 12.10. Where carriage is performed on Inland waterways and the vessel does not go to sea the liability provisions relating to sea going vessels do not apply to the cruise. In those cases the liability of the Company and the carrier to Passengers shall be determined in accordance with English law and The Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1996 (LLMC 96) as amended by SI 1998/1258. The Company’s liability pursuant to SI 1998/1258 a copy of which will be provided by on request or can be found at (http://www.legislation.gov. uk/uksi/1998/1258/article/4/made). The limits for non-sea going passenger vessels Is SDR 175,000 per passenger limit (approx. $270,500.04 or £164,185.05). Liability for property claims will be at least SDR 1,000,000 under SI 1998/1258 (4(b)(i)). 12.11. The Strasbourg Convention on the Limitation of Liability of Owners of Inland Navigation Vessels referred to as the “Strasbourg Convention” with protocols and amendments. applies to vessels sailing on waterways located in the territory of a state party subject to (i) the “Revised Convention relating to the Navigation of the Rhine of 17 October 1868” and (ii) the
“Convention of 27 October 1956 concerning the canalization of the Moselle” ( Article 15(1) of the Strasbourg Convention: http://www.ivr. nl/downloads/forms/B2.pdf). If the Strasbourg Convention applies the limits for passenger claims are SDR 60,000 per passenger subject to a minimum of SDR 6,000,000 (see Article 7). A copy of the Strasbourg Convention can be found at. http://www.ccr-zkr.org/ files/conventions/clni_2012_en.pdf. The Company’s and the carrier’s for death, injury, illness, damage, delay or other loss to person or property of any kind suffered by Passengers shall, in the first instance, be governed by the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims 1996 (LLMC 96) as amended by SI 1998/1258 or where applicable the Strasbourg Convention. The Company’s liability therefore shall not exceed those limitations provided by the said LLMC 1996 and SI 1998/1258 or where applicable Strasbourg Convention or in any further revisions, protocols and/or amendments thereto as shall become applicable. Where the LLMC 1996 or If applicable Strasbourg Convention permits us to apply a deductible, we may apply that deductible. 13. CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE BY AIR AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY 13.1. Travel on board aircraft used in travelling to and from the ship is subject to the airline’s standard ticket conditions, some of which limit or exclude liability in accordance with international conventions. For complete details contact the individual airline(s) directly. 13.2. If your air journey involves a destination or stop in a country other than the one from which you depart, the Warsaw Convention may govern the liability of all airlines involved in your journey, including any portion thereof in a single country. This Convention limits the liability of airlines involved in your journey, including any portion thereof in a single country. This Convention limits the liability of airlines for death or bodily injury and for baggage loss, delay or damage. For many air carriers, the Warsaw Convention limits for bodily injury or death and the defence that they have taken all necessary measures to avoid the damage for the first 100,000 Special Drawing Rights of any such claim do not apply. In addition, in cases of death or bodily injury, many air carriers will make advance payments to the person entitled to compensation, if required to meet immediate economic needs, in proportion to the hardship suffered. European Community carriers provide a minimum advance equal to not less than 15,000 Special Drawing Rights in the event of death. Other air carriers may apply alternate provisions. 14. GUIDES AND GUEST SPEAKERS 14.1. Independent contractors retained by the Company, including but not limited to Guest Speakers, guides, guest personalities and entertainers are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. The Company also retains the right to change any member of ship’s crew previously advertised or disclosed (e.g. the ship’s Captain) without notice.
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
79
VOYAGER DECK PLANS SHIP’S PROFILE: Gross Tonnage SUN DECK
Length 152.5m
BRIDGE DECK PROMENADE DECK DISCOVERY DECK
Beam 20.6m
COLUMBUS DECK LIVINGSTONE DECK
Draft 5.8m
RALEIGH DECK
FITNESS CENTRE
DECK 8 - SUN DECK
SUNSET CLUB
15,271
SUN DECK
Cruising Speed
15 kts
Passenger Decks
7
Registration
Bahamas
KEY • 3rd berth with sofa bed 3rd berth with upper bunk bed
DECK 7 - BRIDGE DECK
Double bed configuration only
AWNING
7200
7201
7202
VERANDA RESTAURANT
7203
7204
HOT TUB
Adapted cabins
LIDO BAR
POOL
BRIDGE
No sofa but does have a balcony
7100
7101
7102
7103
7104
HOT TUB
Twin bed configuration only Restricted view
DECK 6 - PROMENADE DECK 6202
6203
6204
6205
6206
6300
6400
6401
6301
6302
6103
6104
6105
6106
6107
6108
6109
6111
6110
6112
6115 6114 6113
6402
THE ATLANTIS SPA
6207
6208
6210
6214 6213 6212
6209
6211
PROMENADE
6201
CATEGORY
6200
OS
BRIDGE
6100
BSS
BRIDGE
6101
BS
PROMENADE
6102
JS
PROMENADE
ODX
PROMENADE
OSV
COLUMBUS
OSP
LIVINGSTONE
OST
RALEIGH
IDX
PROMENADE
ISU
COLUMBUS
ISU
LIVINGSTONE
IST
RALEIGH
DECK 5 - DISCOVERY DECK WIFI AREA
FUTURE CRUISE SALES
RESTAURANT
SCOTT’S LOUNGE
DISCOVERY RESTAURANT
DARWIN LOUNGE
SHOP
LOOKOUT LOUNGE
LIBRARY
DECK 4 - COLUMBUS DECK
3201
3203 3204
4101
3205
4100
4103
3206
4201
4104
4200
4203
4106
4105
3207
3202
4204
4400
4107
4102
4206
4205
4300 4301
4202
4207
3210
4108
4110
3211
4109
4111
3212
4401
4210
4112
4208
4211
4113
4209
4213
4212
4116
4114 4115
4402
4118
4117
4214 4215
4302
4119
4403
4303
4120
4218
4219
4404
4216 4217
4220
4121
4405
4122
4123
4124
4127
4125
4126
4129
4128
4130
4131
4132
4133 4134
4135
4136
4138
4137
4139
4140
4141
4143 4144
4142
4146
4145
4221
4407
4304
4408
4409
MEDICAL CENTRE
4222
4223
4224
4227
4225
4226
4229
4228
4230
4231
4232
4234
4233
4236
4235
4238
4237
4239
4240
4241
4244
4242
4243
4246
4245
4406
DECK 3 - LIVINGSTONE DECK
3100
2200
2203
2209 2208
2201 2202
2204
2205 2206
2207
2210
2220
2211 2212
2213
2215
2214
2216
2217
2218
2219
2221
3101 3102
3105
3104
DECK 2 - RALEIGH DECK
3103
3106
3401
3301
3107
3108
3302
3400
3200
3209
3109
3110
3112
3113
3111
3304
3303
3402
3114 3115
3403 3116
3117
3118
3120
3119
3121
3123
3122
3125
3124
3129
3128
3126 3127
3305
3131
3130
3404
3405
3132
3306
3134
3133
3135
3136
3137
3138
EXCURSIONS DESK
3208
3213
3214
3215 3216
3217
3218
3220
3219
3221
3222
3223
3224
3225
3226
3227
3228 3229
3231
3230
3232
3233
3234
3235
3236
3237
3238
3239
3240
RECEPTION
DECK
81 Scott’s Lounge
Veranda Restaurant Lido Pool and Bar
Sunset Club
Lookout Lounge
Discovery Restaurant The Darwin Lounge
LIDO POOL AND BAR Voyager’s very own pool, complete with hot tubs, sun loungers and bar, just right for a dip or a day soaking up the sun.
SCOTT’S LOUNGE A lovely, laid-back lounge that’s great for coffee and catching up during the day, or cocktails and live music all evening long.
VERANDA RESTAURANT Our relaxed restaurant, with indoor and al fresco tables, gorgeous views and a mouthwatering hot and cold buffet.
DISCOVERY RESTAURANT An elegant, intimate setting for delicious fourcourse dinners served by our attentive team.
THE DARWIN LOUNGE Our comfortable theatre, home to our lively guest speaker series as well as great evening shows.
SUNSET CLUB The perfect place for daytime games and activities, or evening entertainment and dancing.
LIBRARY A relaxing library complete with squashy leather sofas and a huge choice of books to borrow
LOOKOUT LOUNGE A quiet spot for relaxing, reading, playing cards or just taking in the beautiful views. This lounge also incorporates our internet hub.
HEALTH & FITNESS CENTRE Our free, well-equipped on-board gym, great for a workout or a gentle group exercise class
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
DEPARTURE DATE: NO. OF DAYS
WONDERS OF CENTRAL AMERICA
RHYTHMS OF THE CARIBBEAN & CUBA
CARIBBEAN TRADITIONS
CARIBBEAN COLONIAL TRAILS
28TH OCTOBER 2015 - 17TH JANUARY 2016 SOUTH AMERICA’S WILD COAST
CANARY ISLANDS & CARIBBEAN CONSTELLATION
CRUISE NAME:
ATLANTIC SHOWCASE
VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY WINTER 2015-16 FARES PER PERSON
28/10/15
10/11/15
24/11/15
6/12/15
20/12/15
3/1/16
17/1/16
14
15
13
15
15
15
15
DESCRIPTION IST
INSIDE - STANDARD
$2,220
$1,950
$3,380
$3,600
$3,530
$3,140
$3,080
ISU
INSIDE - SUPERIOR
$2,430
$2,200
$3,810
$4,020
$3,950
$3,560
$3,510
IDX
INSIDE - DELUXE
$2,850
$2,660
$4,570
$4,820
$4,750
$4,320
$4,270
OST
OUTSIDE - STANDARD
$2,980
$2,780
$4,840
$5,080
$5,010
$4,590
$4,530
OSP
OUTSIDE - SUPERIOR
$3,170
$2,990
$5,220
$5,510
$5,440
$4,980
$4,920
OSV
OUTSIDE - SUPERIOR VIEW
$3,470
$3,310
$5,670
$5,990
$5,920
$5,440
$5,380
ODX
OUTSIDE - DELUXE
$3,740
$3,610
$6,180
$6,530
$6,460
$5,970
$5,920
JS
JUNIOR SUITE
$4,060
$3,930
$6,520
$6,890
$6,820
$6,320
$6,270
BS
BALCONY SUITE
$5,050
$5,010
$8,270
$8,750
$8,680
$8,110
$8,060
BSS
BALCONY SUITE - SPA BATH
$5,280
$5,260
$8,590
$9,080
$9,010
$8,450
$8,390
OS
OWNERS SUITE
$7,670
$7,860
$13,190
$13,900
$13,830
$13,050
$13,000
DEPARTURE DATE: NO. OF DAYS
A TAPESTRY OF AFRICA & IBERIA
FLAVOURS OF CUBA & THE CARIBBEAN
CONTRASTS OF LATIN AMERICA
31ST JANUARY 2016 – 10TH MAY 2016 SOUTH AMERICAN EXPLORATION
CENTRAL AMERICAN ADVENTURE
MEXICO’S PACIFIC SHORES
CRUISE NAME:
COLOURS OF CENTRAL AMERICA
VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY WINTER/SUMMER 2016 FARES PER PERSON
31/1/16
14/2/16
27/2/16
12/3/16
28/3/16
11/4/16
10/5/16
15
14
15
17
15
15
13
DESCRIPTION IST
INSIDE - STANDARD
$3,070
$3,030
$3,010
$3,450
$2,890
$3,300
$1,830
ISU
INSIDE - SUPERIOR
$3,490
$3,450
$3,440
$3,910
$3,300
$3,720
$2,020
IDX
INSIDE - DELUXE
$4,250
$4,220
$4,200
$4,730
$4,020
$4,480
$2,380
OST
OUTSIDE - STANDARD
$4,520
$4,480
$4,460
$5,010
$4,270
$4,750
$2,450
OSP
OUTSIDE - SUPERIOR
$4,910
$4,870
$4,850
$5,450
$4,640
$5,140
$2,640
OSV
OUTSIDE - SUPERIOR VIEW
$5,370
$5,330
$5,310
$5,970
$5,100
$5,600
$2,890
ODX
OUTSIDE - DELUXE
$5,900
$5,830
$5,840
$6,520
$5,600
$6,130
$3,120
JS
JUNIOR SUITE
$6,250
$6,200
$6,200
$6,940
$5,950
$6,480
$3,400
BS
BALCONY SUITE
$8,040
$7,950
$7,990
$8,870
$7,670
$8,270
$4,250
BSS
BALCONY SUITE - SPA BATH
$8,380
$8,290
$8,320
$9,260
$7,990
$8,610
$4,430
OS
OWNERS SUITE
$12,980
$12,890
$12,920
$14,250
$12,390
$13,210
$6,430
All prices are per person in Australian Dollars based on double occupancy. Single occupancy double cabins are subject to availability and rates will be quoted on request. Prices include port charges, prepaid airport and government taxes, service fees and on board gratuities for your cabin steward, dining room waiter and his assistant. All rates are subject to change. Prices shown are inclusive of fuel supplement where relevant. All prices are subject to change and are based on known costs for fuel and currency as of April 2014. See website for full terms and conditions. Some cabins have obstructed views.
83
CRUISE CALENDAR DEPARTS UK
CRUISE NAME
OCT 28, 2015
ATLANTIC SHOWCASE
NOV 10, 2015
NO. DAYS
FROM / TO
CRUISE REF.
PAGE
14
Barcelona, Spain / Tenerife, Canary Islands
VGR151028
32
CANARY ISLANDS & CARIBBEAN CONSTELLATION
15
Tenerife, Canary Islands / Bridgetown, Barbados
VGR151110
34
NOV 24, 2015
SOUTH AMERICA’S WILD COAST
13
Bridgetown, Barbados / Bridgetown, Barbados
VGR151124
36
DEC 6, 2015
CARIBBEAN COLONIAL TRAILS
15
Bridgetown, Barbados / Bridgetown, Barbados
VGR151206
38
DEC 20, 2015
CARIBBEAN TRADITIONS
15
Bridgetown, Barbados / Montego Bay, Jamaica
VGR151220
40
JAN 3, 2016
RHYTHMS OF THE CARIBBEAN & CUBA
15
Montego Bay, Jamaica / Cozumel, Mexico
VGR160103
42
JAN 17, 2016
WONDERS OF CENTRAL AMERICA
15
Cozumel, Mexico / Cartagena, Colombia
VGR160117
44
JAN 31, 2016
COLOURS OF CENTRAL AMERICA
15
Cartagena, Colombia / Acapulco, Mexico
VGR160131
46
FEB 14, 2016
MEXICO’S PACIFIC SHORES
14
Acapulco, Mexico / Acapulco, Mexico
VGR160214
48
FEB 27, 2016
CENTRAL AMERICAN ADVENTURE
15
Acapulco, Mexico / Cartagena, Colombia
VGR160227
50
MAR 12, 2016
SOUTH AMERICAN EXPLORATION
17
Cartagena, Colombia / Guayaquil, Ecuador
VGR160312
52
MAR 28, 2016
CONTRASTS OF LATIN AMERICA
15
Guayaquil, Ecuador / Cozumel, Mexico
VGR160328
54
APR 11, 2016
FLAVOURS OF CUBA & THE CARIBBEAN
15
Cozumel, Mexico / Bridgetown, Barbados
VGR160411
56
MAY 10, 2016
A TAPESTRY OF AFRICA & IBERIA
13
Las Palmas, Gran Canaria / Portsmouth, England
VGR160510
58
Call us on 1800 623 267 or visit http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
BROCHURES FROM OUR SISTER COMPANIES
Highlands & Islands of Scotland England, Northern Ireland, Wales & Eire The Channel Islands & The Isles of Scilly Northern France
By appointment to HM The Queen Provision of cruise holidays on Hebridean Princess All Leisure Holidays Ltd, trading as Hebridean Island Cruises
SWAN HELLENIC Worldwide small ship discovery cruises with inclusive shore excursions and renowned Guest Speaker programmes
SWAN HELLENIC RIVER CRUISES Our award-winning river cruise programme features journeys along the Danube, the Rh么ne and the Sa么ne
Represented in Australia by: DISCOVER THE WORLD PO Box Q125, Queen Victoria Building Sydney NSW 1230 Tel: 1800 OCEANS (1800 623 267) or (02) 9959 5309 Fax: (02) 9299 5357 Email: voyagesofdiscovery@discovertheworld.com.au Website: http://au.voyagesofdiscovery.com
HEBRIDEAN ISLAND CRUISES Highlands and Islands of Scotland, the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland and Norway
Represented in New Zealand by: DISCOVER THE WORLD PO Box 39-366, Howick Auckland 2145 Tel: (09) 623 4293 Email: voyagesofdiscovery@discovertheworld.com.au Website: http://nz.voyagesofdiscovery.com
YOUR PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL AGENT