CRUISE GUIDE
7 − 22 July 2018 London back to London, 16 days
ICELAND, FAROES & SHETLANDS
A circumnavigation of the breathtaking ‘land of ice and fire’, with its glaciers and volcanoes, lakes and fjords, along with the remote and beautiful Faroes and Shetlands.
INTRODUCTION In this booklet, you will find useful destination information and a comprehensive guide to both included and optional shore excursions. It also introduces your guest speakers and includes an invaluable reading guide to add an extra dimension of appreciation to your cruise.
Head north to the spectacular ‘land of fire and ice’ by way of the ruggedly beautiful Faroes and Scottish islands on this exceptional cruise concluding in the shadow of London’s iconic Tower Bridge. A circumnavigation of Iceland presents the perfect introduction to its natural wonders – towering volcanoes and thunderous waterfalls, islands of lava and majestic glaciers, all patrolled by a splendid variety of wildlife, from puffins to whales – along with its delightful capital city, Reykjavik.
We look forward to welcoming you on board.
Please note – while we will do our best to adhere to this full itinerary, there may be changes at the discretion of the Captain, due to weather advisories, port traffic and other unforeseeable circumstances. 2
Akureyri
YOUR ITINERARY
AEG180707
ARRIVE
DEPART
VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS
2018
PORT
7 JUL
LONDON England (Tilbury)
8 JUL
At sea
• See Eldfell (Fire Mountain) on the scenic and fascinating Westman Islands
9 JUL
At sea
• Tour Iceland’s iconic ‘Golden Circle’
10 JUL
LERWICK Shetland Islands, Scotland
7.00pm
8.00am
1.00pm
• Head out in search of marine giants in Husavik, the whale watching capital of Europe
12 JUL HEIMAEY Iceland
2.00pm
7.00pm
• The wild beauty of the Shetland and Faroe islands
13 JUL REYKJAVIK Iceland
9.00am
5.00pm
14 JUL ISAFJORDUR Iceland
10.00am
5.00pm
15 JUL AKUREYRI Iceland
9.00am
8.00pm
16 JUL HUSAVIK Iceland
7.00am
6.00pm
18 JUL TORSHAVN Faroe Islands
8.00am
1.00pm
19 JUL SCRABSTER Scotland
9.00am
1.00pm
20 JUL ROSYTH Scotland
8.00am
1.00pm
11 JUL At sea
• Conclude your cruise in the shadow of Tower Bridge, in the heart of London
17 JUL At sea
21 JUL At sea 22 JUL
LONDON England (Tower Bridge)
8.30am
Please note – this is the cruise itinerary. If you have booked a longer programme with pre- and post-cruise hotel stays, you can find this information on page 17. Godafoss Falls
3
YOUR CRUISE DAY BY DAY
7 JULY 2018 TILBURY, ENGLAND
9 JULY AT SEA
Embark Aegean Odyssey in the London port of Tilbury. The ship sets sail in the evening.
A further day at sea, and more fascinating lectures from the on-board speakers.
8 JULY AT SEA A day at sea presents the perfect opportunity to familiarise yourself with the ship, your new home away from home.
LECTURE
HUMAN EVOLUTION – THE BIG PICTURE (Chris Stringer, AM) One of the world’s leading experts on the subject introduces seven million years of human evolution, from the time of our divergence from the African apes to the emergence of humans, concentrating on our African origins.
LECTURE
ICON OF EXTINCTION – THE LIFE AND DEATH OF THE GREAT AUK (Stefan Buczacki, PM) The tragic story of how one of the most numerous sea birds of the North Atlantic was hunted mercilessly until the last two known individuals were killed by Icelandic fisherman in 1844. Reykjavik
4
LECTURE
THE NORTH ATLANTIC SAGA: VIKING VOYAGES TO NEW LANDS (Lara Hogg, AM) For all their fearsome reputation, exploration and settlement were the keystones of the Viking Age, particularly the colonisation of the previously uninhabited islands of the North Atlantic.
LECTURE
HUMAN EVOLUTION IN BRITAIN AND EUROPE (Chris Stringer, PM) Early humans had made their way to Britain 900,000 years ago – and left their footprints behind in Norfolk. 15,000 years ago our ancestors were eating human flesh, not cheese, in Cheddar Gorge.
10 JULY LERWICK, SCOTLAND Lerwick, main port of the Shetlands and the only town on the islands, was founded in the 17th century. It is full of character, especially along the waterfront, where historic buildings, working fishing boats and elegant yachts comprise a picturesque scene.
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice A
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice B
LERWICK WALKING TOUR & SHETLAND MUSEUM (Half day, AM)
CASTLES & PONIES (Half day, AM)
A walking tour – and a step back in time – reveals the colourful and cosmopolitan history of Lerwick. At Victoria Pier, in the heart of the Old Town, learn about the merchant trading, the fishing and shipping industries and smugglers, then visit the 18th century Old Tollbooth (now the RNLI station) and one of the islands’ famous lodberries – houses and warehouses designed for loading and unloading from boats, with sea-battered walls, slipways, piers and fish-drying sheds. These would have filled the horizon in the 18th century, when Lerwick was Northern Europe’s biggest herring town. Continuing along the Hillhead, wander the closses (narrow lanes) that run down to the waterfront and, if open, visit Lerwick’s 19th century Town Hall, with its beautiful stained glass windows representing Shetland’s history since Viking times. The Shetland Museum, with more than 3,000 beautifully displayed exhibits, engagingly describes the islands’ heritage and culture.
This excursion begins with an interesting drive through Lerwick and on to Scalloway, once the island’s main town. We make a stop at the now roofless castle, built with forced labour by the infamous Earl Patrick Stewart (who would later be executed) at the turn of the 17th century. The fascinating local museum has a special display on the ‘Shetland Bus’ boats which travelled between Shetland and Norway to help the Norwegian Resistance during the Second World War. Alternatively, explore Scalloway at your leisure. Returning by way of the Tingwall Valley, with its Norse heritage, we pause for a photo stop with Shetland ponies, that small and hardy, instantly recognisable breed.
KEY TO SYMBOLS Extensive walking Uneven surfaces Archaeological ground Significant steps Uphill sections Features a boat ride Cable car Bustling streets Winding roads Lunch included Insect repellent required
Shetland Islands
voyagestoantiquity.com 5
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice C
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF JARLSHOF (Half day, AM) A violent storm in the winter of 1896 revealed an extraordinary settlement spanning at least 5,000 years of human history – Jarlshof. Here we view late Neolithic houses, a Bronze Age village, an Iron Age broch (round tower), wheel-houses, Norse longhouses, a medieval farmstead and the 16th century laird’s house. En route we pass through Fladdabister and, weather permitting, pause to admire the magnificent Mousa Broch, the tallest and bestpreserved of these towers. We also pass St Ninian’s Isle, where a Pictish horde of silver dating from the 9th century was found in 1958.
LECTURE
LIVING AMONG THE GODS (Lara Hogg, PM) An exploration of the beliefs in Iceland prior to the conversion to Christianity in AD 1000. Lara Hogg draws on new archaeological evidence and unique medieval literature.
12 JULY HEIMAEY, ICELAND The largest and only populated island in the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman) archipelago, Heimaey is a volcanic wonderland, with some of its igneous landscape now mature and picturesque, with puffins circling sheer green sea cliffs, but in other places jagged and fresh, telling of near-devastating eruptions less than half a century ago.
LECTURE
11 JULY AT SEA Relax on board Aegean Odyssey as she sails north for the shores of Iceland.
LECTURE
THE REMARKABLE WORLD OF LICHENS (Stefan Buczacki, AM)
Jarlshof
6
A celebration of these unassuming yet extraordinary dual organisms vital to northern ecosystems, where they form a major source of food for Arctic creatures.
NEANDERTHALS AND US (Chris Stringer, AM) Our close relatives the Neanderthals evolved in Eurasia while our species was evolving in Africa. About 60,000 years ago the two species met, irrevocably changing the fate of both.
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice A
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice B
HEIMAEY HIGHLIGHTS (Half day, AM or PM)
SKANSINN & THE LAVA OF ELDFELL ON FOOT (Half day, AM or PM)
What it lacks in size, the tiny archipelago of Vestmannaeyjar more than makes up for in history and natural beauty. The tall cliffs surrounding the perfectly formed natural harbour are home to a multitude of birds. Our island highlights tour begins here and continues through the Herjolfsdalur Valley to the scenic western part of the island, for views of some of the outer islands including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Surtsey, formed during a volcanic eruption in 1963.
Heimaey’s modest size makes a walking tour the perfect way to explore the island, whose recent past is dominated by the enormous volcanic eruption of January 1973, which almost destroyed the naturally formed harbour (where our tour begins) and forced almost all of its 5,000 inhabitants to be evacuated to the mainland. From the harbour it is just a short walk to Skansinn, site of an old fort and traditional wooden stave church, and the lava fields of Eldfell (Fire Mountain) formed in the eruption, with views over houses preserved beneath lava and ash.
The Storhofdi peninsula offers magnificent views whatever the weather, but on a clear day you may glimpse glaciers on the Icelandic mainland. We encounter Heimaey’s two volcanoes – the 5,000-yearold Helgafell (Holy Mountain) and the considerably younger Eldfell (Fire Mountain), which erupted in 1973 necessitating the evacuation of the islanders to the mainland – and visit a traditional wooden stave church donated by Norway to commemorate the millennium of Christianity in Iceland.
Eldfell
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice C
CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF HEIMAEY BY BOAT (Half day, AM or PM) Circumnavigating this ‘Pompeii of the North’ on a comfortable boat, we also get to see some of the other 14 Westman Islands, all uninhabited but for a variety of birds, plus picturesque rock stacks and skerries. If conditions are right, we may even spot whales and dolphins en route to remote Klettshellir Cave, with remarkable acoustics.
voyagestoantiquity.com 7
13 JULY REYKJAVIK, ICELAND The Icelandic capital is one of the coolest places on earth right now – a blend of intriguing attractions, colourful houses and quirky creativity – as well as the gateway to Iceland’s majestic Golden Circle.
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice A Reykjavik
THE GOLDEN CIRCLE (Full day) Three wonders of nature comprise the Golden Circle. Our tour begins with a drive across ancient lava fields to Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only place in the world where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, separating the Eurasian and North American plates, is above sea-level. Its geological importance is matched by historical significance – here Iceland first became a united nation, when its parliament (the Althing) was founded in 930. In a country renowned for its plentiful waterfalls, Gullfoss (Golden Falls) is the most famous – an impressive, photogenic spectacle. The last of the ‘big three’ is the Geysir geothermal area. Witness volcanic sideshows such as bubbling mud pools, steaming vents and a soaring geyser (Strokkur) that erupts every few minutes.
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice B
THE BLUE LAGOON (Half day, AM or PM) Voted by National Geographic one of the top 25 wonders of the world and Iceland’s most popular attraction, the Blue Lagoon is noted for its warm, mineral-rich waters, aquamarine in colour, set within an otherworldly landscape of steam-venting lava fields. Take a dip and enjoy the facilities, including a café, restaurant and tax-free shop selling a range of therapeutic products.
The Blue Lagoon
8
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice C
DISCOVER REYKJAVIK’S CULTURE (Half day, AM or PM) With fewer than 120,000 inhabitants, Reykjavik is certainly one of the smaller capital cities, yet it is one of the most culturally stimulating. Our sightseeing tour takes in some of its most interesting sites: Laugardalur Valley, the city’s main sports and recreational area where the Olympic-sized open-air swimming pool is filled with geothermal water; the Arbaer open-air museum, with more than 20 historic buildings, most relocated from central Reykjavik to form a town square, village and farm, founded in response to concern that ‘old Reykjavik’ was disappearing; the Perlan (Pearl), one of the city’s most architecturally interesting buildings, featuring a huge dome of reflecting glass panels; and the National Museum, dedicated to preserving Iceland’s cultural heritage from the time of its pioneering settlement right up to the present day. We also see some of the colourful houses of Reykjavik’s old quarter and the city’s most recognisable landmark, the spectacular Hallgrimskirkja Church.
14 JULY ISAFJORDJUR, ICELAND
Skogafoss
Friendly Isafjordur is the gateway to the dramatic Westfjords region – a peninsula in the shape of an open hand with immense mountains at its palm and mesmerising, tranquil channels flowing between narrow fingers of land plunging sheer to the water.
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice A
VIGUR ISLAND (Half day, AM or PM) A little over a mile long and just 400 metres wide, tiny Vigur has been home to the same family of farmers for generations. Our excursion begins with a 40-minute boat trip around the island to view its abundant birdlife, then we set foot on land to explore relics of its traditional farming past such as Iceland’s oldest windmill (dating to 1840), now carefully preserved and maintained, and a 200-yearold, eight-oared rowing boat still used to ferry sheep to the mainland. Many of Vigur’s houses date back to the 19th century, including Viktoria House, erected in 1862 from pre-cut Norwegian wood and subsequently restored by the National Museum of Iceland. Coffee and cakes will then be served in the mid-19th century cowshed that has been restored into a beautiful and welcoming reception area.
9
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice B
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice C
CULTURE IN THE WESTFJORDS (Half day, AM or PM)
HISTORIC HESTEYRI (Half day, AM or PM)
This tour of the remote Westfjords presents a comprehensive view of life and culture in the region, emphasising the human struggle to survive in a beautiful but unforgiving landscape. Osvor Maritime Museum in Bolungarvik is our first stop – a series of traditional turf-and-stone shacks where a guide dressed in a typical sheepskin outfit explains the history of the area and local methods for salting fish. Not far from the museum is Holskirkja (the church on the hill), built in 1908 and home to two grand bells used to drive away the phantoms that supposedly still reside on the nearby heath. After a stop for photos in the picturesque Tungudalur Valley, noted for its beautiful waterfall and meadows, we return to Isafjordur, capital of the region, for a leisurely stroll around the town’s historic buildings and a visit to the Maritime Museum, featuring an array of artefacts and information about the Westfjords fishing industry, along with the opportunity to sample some Icelandic refreshments – schnapps and dried fish or shark. The Westfjords 10
On the edge of the Arctic Circle, looking out over the Denmark Strait towards Greenland, Hornstrandir is Iceland’s northernmost peninsula, a designated nature reserve and authentic wilderness. Its ‘capital’ is the tiny village of Hesteyri, which has remained largely untouched since the 1950s, when the last farmers abandoned their homes and returned to the mainland. Some of their descendants still make use of these old properties as holiday cabins, but on the whole Hesteyri has become something of a time capsule. During the crossing by boat from Isafjordur you’ll appreciate some spectacular views of glacial fjords. On land, look out for indigenous fauna – arctic foxes, nesting birds and seals. After a walk, traditional Icelandic refreshments will be served inside the old doctor’s house at Hesteyri, as your guide explains more about the history of the area.
15 JULY AKUREYRI, ICELAND Iceland’s second largest city and ‘capital of the north’, Akureyri still only has around 20,000 residents. Attractions include an iconic Art Deco church, Arctic botanical gardens and well preserved turf-roofed houses.
INCLUDED EXCURSION
JEWELS OF THE NORTH – LAKE MYVATN & GODAFOSS WATERFALL (Full day) A popular tour encompassing the highlights of Northern Iceland, our journey begins with a drive along a picturesque fjord coastline to Godafoss (waterfall of the gods), which earned its name in the year 1000, when Iceland officially converted to Christianity and one of the great officials of the time symbolically cast his statues of the Norse gods into the swirling waters. Magical Lake Myvatn is the next stop – geologically fascinating, home to tens of thousands of birds and one of very few places in the world where marimo (fluffy moss balls) grows. Then the infernal landscape of Namaskard, with its bubbling mud-pools, steaming fumaroles and sulphurous, multi-coloured earth, awaits discovery – a suitable precursor to Dimmuborgir (dark fortress), a mystical lava field rich in folklore, said to be the place where Satan landed when he was cast from Heaven and home to the homicidal ogre Gryla and her 13 mischievous Yule Lads. En route back to Akureyri, we visit the pseudo-craters of Skutustadir, formed by explosions of gas during the cooling of lava, now a popular site for birdwatchers and a natural conservation area.
16 JULY HUSAVIK, ICELAND The picturesque harbour town of Husavik is globally renowned as one of the best whale watching destinations, with a better chance of marine encounters than anywhere else in Iceland, and indeed Europe.
INCLUDED EXCURSION
WHALE WATCHING (Half day, AM or PM) The conditions around Husavik are perfect for whales – a wide, shallow bay where cold and warm currents collide resulting in a bountiful feeding ground. As a result, excursions in search of these marine giants have an amazing success rate. After a visit to the Husavik Whale Museum for more information on the lives and biology of these remarkable creatures, we join a friendly and experienced crew for our boat trip in search of whales and dolphins.
Husavik
voyagestoantiquity.com 111
Atlantic Puffins, Faroes
17 JULY AT SEA Take in a lecture from one of Aegean Odyssey’s renowned guest speakers, pick up a good book from the well-stocked library or unwind with an indulgent treatment at the Athena Spa.
LECTURE
THE SHEEP ISLANDS – THE HEART OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC (Lara Hogg, AM) Sheep and woollen textiles shaped the landscape, formed the mainstay of the economy and feature prominently in Norse mythology.
LECTURE
PLANTS AT THE EXTREMES (Stefan Buczacki, PM) Plants survive in the coldest, windiest, hottest and driest environments on earth using the same basic physiological and biochemical processes.
18 JULY TORSHAVN, FAROE ISLANDS The largest and busiest port in the Faroe Islands, Torshavn still maintains a ‘get-away-from-it-all’ feel, surrounded as it is by spectacular natural beauty.
12
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice A
TORSHAVN (Half day, AM) The origins of Torshavn can be traced back to approximately AD 850, when it first became the site of a Viking Thing, a term that has etymological connections with the Scandinavian ‘Althing’ and the British ‘Husting’, denoting the site of a parliamentary gathering. Around this parliament arose a marketplace and later a town. When free trade came to the Faroe Islands in 1856, the islands were finally opened up to the rest of the world, marking the beginning of a transformation in Torshavn’s economy. Today it is the smallest and one of the most pleasant capital cities in the world to discover. Our tour takes in a scenic viewpoint overlooking the city and a visit to the Historical Museum to learn more about the Faroes, from the Viking Age to modern times. You may also take a stroll around the beautiful open-air museum, Hoyviksgardur, which includes a traditional farmhouse and outbuildings, along with the colourful warehouses, 18th century cathedral and iconic turf-roofed homes of the old town, Tinganes.
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice B
KIRKJUBOUR (Half day, AM) On the southern tip of Streymoy, the largest of the Faroe Islands, is the tiny village of Kirkjubour, dominated by the ruins of St Magnus Cathedral, the region’s ecclesiastical and cultural centre during the Middle Ages. Construction of the cathedral began in the late 13th century, in a Gothic architectural style common to contemporary Norwegian church-building. Formerly roofed, its massive stone walls are today open to the elements. Until the island’s Catholic diocese was abolished, Kirkjubour was also the site of the Bishop’s Palace – but, in the centuries since its demise, the foundations were repurposed as the wide stone base for the Roykstovan, a farmstead home to the same Faroese family for 17 generations. The rest of this large building was constructed from logs believed to have drifted to the island from Norway some 700 years ago, while its turf roof and interior reflect the traditional lifestyle of a Faroese farm. Kirkjubour also presents majestic views of other islands Koltur, Hestur, Sandoy and Vagar.
Faroe Islands
LECTURE
NO MAN IS AN ISLAND – LIVING IN THE NORTH IN THE 21ST CENTURY (Lara Hogg, PM) What is it like to live on a small island attracting increasing international attention? What does the future look like for Iceland?
19 JULY SCRABSTER, SCOTLAND A couple of miles west of Thurso, the small settlement of Scrabster is the departure point for Orkney ferries. Passengers staying in the town may enjoy the bustling harbour, a nice sand beach and the friendly community spirit.
Duncansby Head
13
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice A
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice B
THE CASTLE OF MEY (Half day, AM)
BETTYHILL & THE HIGHLAND CLEARANCES (Half day, AM)
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, first saw Barrogill Castle in 1952 as she mourned the death of her husband, King George VI. Falling for its ruined, isolated charm, and hearing that it was about to be abandoned, she decided to purchase it and return the castle to its original name of Mey. It took two years to renovate Mey and its parkland, including the delightful garden that, thanks to the 2m-high ‘Great Wall of Mey’, is protected from the fierce winds and salt spray blowing in from the Pentland Firth. Learn during your tour why this place was so close to The Queen Mother’s heart, and Prince Charles’ involvement today. En route back to Scrabster, we make a brief stop at Dunnet Head, the most northerly point on the British mainland, home to an RSPB reserve and lighthouse built by Robert Stevenson.
14
Bettyhill owes its very existence to one of the darkest episodes in the history of the Highlands, when landowners ruthlessly cleared their lands of tenants to make way for more lucrative sheep farming – a period that came to be known as the Highland Clearances. Between 1811 and 1821, a total of 15,000 people were evicted from the estates of their landowner, George Leveson-Gower, later the reviled Duke of Sutherland. Nearby Rosal was one of the villages emptied of its crofting inhabitants during the clearances but, in an unusual move by the Duke’s wife, Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland, the village of Bettyhill was subsequently built in order to house them. We will visit the older part of the village and the Strathnaver Museum, housed inside the old parish church, to learn more about the clearances and their devastating effect on the Highland population.
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice C
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice A
JOHN O’GROATS AND DUNCANSBY HEAD (Half day, AM)
THE ROYAL MILE (Half day, AM)
This scenic drive takes you along the northern coast of the Scottish mainland to the medieval Canisbay Kirk, a beautifully maintained, startlingly white church that for centuries has served as a landmark for shipping, as it overlooks turbulent waters. We make a stop at the most north-easterly point of the Scottish mainland, Duncansby Head, where the scenery is spectacularly dramatic, and the small coastal village of John o’Groats, the most northerly inhabited settlement on the British mainland.
LECTURE
FROM CHAMBERED TOMB TO CHURCHYARD (Stefan Buczacki, PM) The history and natural history of burial grounds, with reference to Professor Buczacki’s latest book Earth to Earth – A Natural History of Churchyards.
20 JULY ROSYTH, SCOTLAND
A large town with a rich history and an interesting castle, Rosyth has plenty to recommend it, but most visitors passing through its Firth of Forth cruise terminal will have Edinburgh in their sights.
Scotland’s spectacular capital city is a thriving UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our walking tour tells its history through the elegant buildings and monuments of its oldest street, the Royal Mile, running from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Edinburgh
The natural place to begin is at the forbidding 12th century castle, set atop its rocky extinct volcano perch and affording magnificent city views. The ‘summit’ of the Royal Mile is neighbouring Castle Hill, then it is downhill to Gladstone’s Land, a superb example of an early 17th century townhouse, now restored to its former glory. Lovely Lady Stair’s House, which also dates back to the 17th century, is today home to a literary museum celebrating the works of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Our walk continues through the elegant district of Cannongate, with its quaint Tollbooth, to the majestic Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen in Scotland. This ornate, Baroque palace is famous for its associations with Mary Queen of Scots, and within its walls unfolded many dramatic episodes of her turbulent reign.
voyagestoantiquity.com 15
Stirling Castle
INCLUDED EXCURSION Choice B
LECTURE
STIRLING CASTLE (Half day, AM)
THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF MARITIME LONDON (William Wells, AM)
Another fortress dramatically situated atop an extinct volcano, Stirling Castle as we see it today dates from the 15th and 16th centuries, when it was the principal residence for Scotland’s monarchs, but its story goes back further to the days of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. A self-guided tour of this great symbol of Scottish independence takes you into the colossal medieval Great Hall, the central turreted gatehouse, the great Parliament Hall and the Royal Chapel, one of the earliest Renaissance buildings in Scotland. Excellent views of the town of Stirling and the site of the Battle of Bannockburn abound.
William Wells traces the timeline of maritime London from AD 43 to the present day, with reference to Greenwich.
LECTURE
PUZZLES OF HUMAN EVOLUTION (Chris Stringer, PM) Studies in human evolution throw up many surprises and some particular challenges. Who faked the notorious ‘Piltdown Man’ in 1912 and why? What was the strange creature nicknamed ‘The Hobbit’, which lived on a remote Indonesian island 60,000 years ago?
LECTURE
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A SHIP’S PILOT (William Wells) Stepping behind the green baize door that leads to the ship’s bridge, we take a look at how vessels large and small are handled and docked.
21 JULY AT SEA One more full day at sea to appreciate Aegean Odyssey’s excellent amenities.
16
22 JULY LONDON, ENGLAND William Wells draws on his extensive experience as a Port of London ship’s pilot, delivering a fascinating commentary as Aegean Odyssey cruises along the Thames to iconic Tower Bridge, where we disembark.
PRE-CRUISE LONDON EXTENSION
Voyages to Antiquity offers a variety of cruise packages, include land touring elements before and/ or after the cruise itself, in this case a two-night stay in London.
7 JULY LONDON, ENGLAND Head out to explore the UK’s enthralling capital independently, join our optional excursion or enjoy a morning at leisure before transferring to the ship.
5 JULY LONDON, ENGLAND
OPTIONAL EXCURSION
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the heart of the UK’s capital city.
A VISIT TO GREENWICH (Half day, $69pp)
6 JULY LONDON, ENGLAND With a host of instantly recognisable landmarks and a glorious, ever-apparent history dating back to Roman times, London is a true icon of world travel.
INCLUDED EXCURSION
PANORAMIC LONDON BY BOAT (Half day, AM) Our leisurely boat ride through the heart of the city offers a sublime perspective on one of the world’s great cities. Boarding in front of the Tower of London and opposite Tower Bridge, we cruise to Westminster and disembark to admire the stunning neo-Gothic Houses of Parliament and the magnificent Westminster Abbey, where royals have been married or crowned for centuries. Continuing by coach, we make a stop at the grand royal residence of Buckingham Palace.
Our leisurely guided tour begins with a stroll through Greenwich Royal Park to the Observatory, birthplace of GMT and traditional home to the Prime Meridian of global longitude, represented on the ground by a brass strip – to stand astride it is to have feet in different hemispheres of the world. A walk past the National Maritime Museum then leads us to The Queen’s House, commissioned in 1616 by the wife of James I, Anne of Denmark. Designed by Inigo Jones, this masterpiece is the UK’s first Palladian building and became the inspiration for many other classical houses and villas over the next 200 years. Then we visit the Old Royal Naval College, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a superb example of the Baroque designed by architects including Sir Christopher Wren.
17
SHORE EXCURSION INFORMATION
Voyages to Antiquity cruises include shore excursions in almost all ports of call. Some ports offer different sightseeing opportunities – in these instances, we may offer additional, optional alternatives at extra cost.
WHAT TO EXPECT Our sightseeing programmes are outstanding, but can be
challenging. Visits to historic sites and natural wonders often require walking over uneven surfaces, up and down multiple steps or steep paths. Therefore a reasonable level of fitness and mobility is recommended. Some passengers may decide to take a break from excursions on more strenuous days and instead explore the environs of the port. Look for the symbols alongside each excursion description. The key to these symbols may be found on page 5. These give a good idea of the level of walking involved. Tour durations are approximate and, to avoid overcrowding and ensure you enjoy the best experience, the sequence of site visits and operating times may vary. The staff on board Aegean Odyssey will brief you each evening on the plans for the following day and all departure times and meeting points will be advised in the Daily Journal. Some countries require you to carry certain documents ashore and this will be advised on board at the appropriate time. As a result of severe weather or unforeseen changes to opening/closing times, we reserve the right to alter, cancel or substitute an included excursion at any time. This happens extremely rarely and every reasonable effort is made to ensure that the advised schedules are followed. If a change is made, guests will be advised in their final documents or at the shore excursion briefings on board.
EXCURSIONS WITH THE EXTENSIVE WALKING SYMBOL Some excursions
which feature in our programmes are not suitable for guests with any mobility restrictions. In accordance with our Fitness to Travel statement and in order to ensure Voyages to Antiquity can deliver a high quality land programme, the ship reserves the right to transfer you to an alternative excursion if they believe that your original choice is unsuitable. Please consider your fellow guests and only select this option if you are certain you are able to meet the activity level.
THE SHORE EXCURSION TEAM Our Shore Excursion Manager and Assistants are on hand to make sure you get the most out of your excursion experience. Informative briefings will be provided on the tour options and more generally on upcoming ports of call, and the team can field any further questions in the Reception area.
18 14
During the excursions, we endeavour to have a representative on every coach, but this is not always possible and cannot be guaranteed. The role of the team ashore is to ensure the smooth running of the excursion in conjunction with the local guide and operator. This often means rotating between groups. Though always keen to assist, the team therefore cannot be responsible for providing walking support or making sure that everyone in the group is present at a particular time. Please ensure that you sign up for your preferred excursions at the embarkation desk at the start of the cruise. Some excursions may operate subject to minimum numbers, and we need to know in advance how many passengers are joining each excursion in order to book coaches and guides.
OUR GUIDES A good local guide, keen to share his or her knowledge and
enthusiasm for a particular attraction can transform a visit. All of our shore excursions feature qualified, highly-rated English-speaking guides with just this expertise and passion.
SHOPPING Whilst Voyages to Antiquity shore excursions focus on the history and
culture of a particular destination or attraction, some offer the chance to visit local workshops and view demonstrations of crafts and artistic techniques. Unlike other cruise operators, we have no affiliation with any shopping establishment. We do not assume responsibility for purchases made ashore and recommend insuring anything you choose to ship home.
TRANSPORTATION Various modes of transportation may be used depending
on the excursion. Motorcoaches are deluxe, air-conditioned vehicles unless not available in that port. Wi-Fi is not generally available on coaches. Coach transportation varies in Iceland and so you might find that the normal VTA rule of 35-40 people per excursion coach may not apply in some Icelandic ports. Capacities are also extremely strict in Iceland and so staggered departures are to be expected in more Icelandic ports. CLOTHING TIPS When cruising to Great Britain in the summer months, it can get quite muggy, especially in wet conditions, so a lightweight and breathable waterproof jacket is good for these destinations. Temperatures in Iceland can fall as low as 42F (approximately 5C) during the day even during the summer season, so a warm coat and sweater as well as the ability to layer is essential. It’s also a good idea to make sure your sturdy walking shoes are waterproof. Further details will be advised in the on-board briefings, along with weather predictions.
YOUR GUEST SPEAKERS
Chris Stringer
Stefan Buczacki
A quintessential element of the Voyages to Antiquity experience is our programme of on-board lectures from worldrenowned guest speakers, carefully chosen for their expertise, their passion and enthusiasm for their subject, and their ability to engage with an audience. 6-9 talks per cruise, held in the Ambassador Lounge, add an extra dimension of understanding and appreciation to a destination or culture. Topics range from art and history to archaeology and architecture, food and wine to theology and the natural world. PROFESSOR CHRIS STRINGER
PROFESSOR STEFAN BUCZACKI
DR LARA HOGG
Natural History Museum Having worked at the Natural History Museum since 1973, Chris is now Research Leader in Human Origins. His early research was on the relationship of Neanderthals and early modern humans in Europe but, through his work on the ‘Recent African Origin’ theory of modern human origins, he now collaborates with archaeologists, dating specialists, and geneticists in attempting to reconstruct the evolution of modern humans globally. He has excavated at sites in Britain and abroad, published over 300 scientific papers and several books, and contributes regularly to television and radio programmes.
Biologist and biographer A list of Stefan’s degrees, doctorates, fellowships and awards alone would more than fill this space. A regular on Gardeners’ Question Time, he is probably the UK’s most experienced media gardening expert and best-selling gardening writer, with more than 60 books on natural history and gardening, including the encyclopaedic Fauna Britannica for which HRH The Prince of Wales wrote the foreword. Stefan has been voted one of the 100 people of Polish descent who have contributed most to the life and culture of Britain – a list on which he appears, alphabetically, between Bonnie Prince Charlie and King Cnut!
University of Sheffield Lara is an expert in the Early Medieval (Viking Age) archaeology of the North Atlantic. She has lectured and taught archaeology at the universities of Sheffield, Cardiff, Nottingham and Iceland. Heritage, museums and public engagement are other areas of interest for Lara – in 2017 an exhibition based on her PhD research opened at the Reykjavik City Museum and she co-produced a travelling exhibition on the Vikings in Orkney. Lara has even taken part in the rettir (the annual Icelandic sheep round-up), during which she fell down a mountain, thankfully just ending up bumped and bruised.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM WELLS
Lara Hogg
William Wells
Reykjavik
Whilst he was still a schoolboy, William Wells won a scholarship to travel from his native New Zealand to England and undergo nautical training. It would be the basis of a 49-year seafaring career as Master Mariner, Ship’s Captain and Commercial Marine Pilot. William was promoted to Captain at the age of 28, then became a Trinity House licensed pilot in the Port of London. He also served for 10 years in the Middle East and four years in the Bahamas, where he regularly handled many of the world’s largest ships, before returning to the Port of London.
voyagestoantiquity.com 19
READING GUIDE Oxford’s renowned bookseller Blackwell’s has designed a reading guide specifically for this outstanding cruise itinerary. Order online at blackwell.co.uk, or enjoy a 10% discount when quoting ‘voyages’ if you order directly on 01865 333623. Book descriptions may be found at voyagestoantiquity.com.
NON-FICTION Sophia Kingswell & Jennifer Westwood The Fabled Coast £10.99, paperback, ISBN 9780099551072 Peter Ackroyd Thames £25.00, paperback, ISBN 9780099422556 Neil Oliver A History of Scotland £9.99, paperback, ISBN 9780753826638 Ann Cleeves Shetland £20.00, hardback, ISBN 9781509809790 Charles Tait The Shetland Guidebook £12.95, paperback, ISBN 9780951785942 Norman Ackroyd A Shetland Notebook £16.95, hardback, ISBN 9781907533891
20
Magnus Magnusson The Vikings £7.99, paperback, ISBN 9780750978583 Sarah Moss Names for the Sea: Strangers in Iceland £8.99, paperback, ISBN 9781847084163 Lavinia Greenlaw William Morris in Iceland: Questions of Travel £14.99, hardback, ISBN 9781907903182 WH Auden & Louis MacNeice Letters from Iceland £12.99, paperback, ISBN 9780571132973 Francis Gavin True North: Travels in Arctic Europe £9.99, paperback, ISBN 9781846971303 D Whittaker & G Thorsteinsson The Iceland Watch £12.99, paperback, ISBN 9781861514721
Charles Stuart Forbes Iceland: Its Volcanoes, Geysers and Glaciers £25.99, print on demand (order early), ISBN 9781108061209 Agust Gudmundsson The Glorious Geology of Iceland’s Golden Circle £16.50, hardback, ISBN 9783319551517 Jonathan Wylie The Faroe Islands: Interpretations of History £31.50, paperback, ISBN 9780813160122 John Prebble The Highland Clearances £12.99, paperback, ISBN 9780140028379 Rosemary Goring Scotland: The Autobiography £12.99, paperback, ISBN 9780241969168 Marc Morris Castle: A History of the Buildings that Shaped Medieval Britain £8.99, paperback, ISBN 9780099558491
Ed. David Daiches Edinburgh: A Traveller’s Reader £10.99, paperback, ISBN 9781472141637 Graham Park Introducing Geology £9.99, paperback, ISBN 9781906716219 Dr Stefan Buczacki* The Herb Bible £12.99, paperback, ISBN 9781845339265 Chris Stringer* The Origin of our Species £9.99, paperback, ISBN 9780141037202 Mark Cawardine Whale Watching in Britain and Europe £16.99, paperback, ISBN 9781472910158 Collins Bird Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe £19.99, paperback, ISBN 9780007268146 * Lecturing on board
Concise Coastal Bird Guide £4.99, paperback, ISBN 9781472921796
Carolyne Larrington The Poetic Edda £9.99, paperback, ISBN 9780199675340
FICTION
Halldor Laxness Independent People £9.99, paperback, ISBN 9780099527121
Norman Collins London Belongs to Me £10.99, paperback, ISBN 9780141442334 Ann Cleeves Raven Black £7.99, paperback, ISBN 9781447274438 George Mackay Brown Greenvoe £6.99, paperback, ISBN 9781904598176 Translations by various authors with a forward by Jane Smiley The Sagas of the Icelanders £14.99, paperback, ISBN 9780141000039 Hermann Palsson Hrafnkel’s Saga and other Icelandic Stories £10.99, paperback, ISBN 9780140442380
Bragi Olafson The Pets £10.99, paperback, ISBN 9781940953298
Marco Polo Iceland & Faroe Islands Map £6.99, ISBN 9783829767231
Footprint Guides Scotland Highlands & Islands £14.99, paperback, ISBN 9781909268623
Edinburgh Pop-out Map £3.99, ISBN 9781910218365
Footprint Guides Orkney & Shetland Islands £5.99, paperback, ISBN 9781909268838
Phillips Orkneys & Shetlands Map £4.99, ISBN 9781849072304
Sjon Moonstone: The Boy Who Never Was £14.99, hardback, ISBN 9781473613133
Eyewitness Cruise Guides Europe £15.99, paperback, ISBN 9781409370222
Heoin Bru The Old Man and His Sons £7.99, paperback, ISBN 9781846590733
Marco Polo London Pocket Guide with Map £6.99, paperback, ISBN 9783829706681
MAPS & GUIDES
Blue Guides Museums & Galleries of London £14.95, paperback, ISBN 9781905131006
Marco Polo Great Britain & Ireland Map £5.99, ISBN 9783829767224
Skogafoss, Iceland
Bradt Guides Iceland £15.99, paperback, ISBN 9781841624990 Eyewitness Travel Guides Top 10: Iceland £7.99, paperback, ISBN 9780241198544 Bradt Guides Faroe Islands £16.99, paperback, ISBN 9781784770136 Insight Guides Explore Edinburgh £7.99, paperback, ISBN 9781780053639
21
AEGEAN ODYSSEY
Carrying an average of just 350 passengers, the premium class Aegean Odyssey is small enough to sail along rivers such as the Yangon and Guadalquivir, and into the most characterful ports of call inaccessible to the mega-ships. The service is more personal, the atmosphere more convivial and you get plenty of time to interact with the guest experts. Yet on the other hand she is large enough to offer a superb range of amenities, including a choice of dining venues and comfortable bars, a relaxing spa centre and one of the best stocked libraries at sea. Cabins and staterooms are spacious and intelligently designed, and dedicated solo cabins at a low supplement are available across almost all categories, including balcony level.
ON-BOARD FACILITIES • A choice of restaurants • Internet centre • Three lounges
• Outdoor pool
• Four bars
• Athena Health Spa
• Lecture theatre
Aegean Odyssey cruising the Guadalquivir River, Seville
22
and gym
• Library
• Beauty salon
• Shop
• Medical centre
DELIGHTFUL DINING Fortunately, the fascinating and beautiful regions sailed by Aegean Odyssey are also renowned for their strong culinary traditions, sublime local ingredients and delicious signature dishes. We draw on these inspirations to deliver a dining experience of sustained quality in keeping with your chosen itinerary. MARCO POLO Though the more 'formal' dining option, with full waiter service and multi-course meals, Marco Polo has a casual country club elegance appreciated by guests. Join us here for dinner (and lunch on full days at sea) and enjoy a selection of expertly prepared dishes reflecting the countries visited and accompanied by complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks*. TERRACE CAFE With a mix of indoor and alfresco seating, the informal Terrace Cafe is a charming alternative to the white glove refinement of the Marco Polo restaurant. Here, friendly staff serve up splendid breakfast buffets and mouthwatering lunch and dinner delights from a variety of stations, including sizzling grilled meats and succulent fish, crisp pizzas and indulgent pasta, fresh salads and fruit, again to the accompaniment of complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks*.
AFTERNOON TEA AND LATE NIGHT SNACKS There is something uniquely pleasurable about afternoon tea aboard a classic cruise ship, and you won't want to miss the scones, pastries and finger sandwiches served up in the Terrace Cafe most days of your cruise. And if you can manage even more gastronomic delights, hors d'oeuvres and late night snacks, from filo prawns to chocolatedipped strawberries, are available in the Charleston Lounge at 5pm and 10.30pm.
MARCO POLO RESTAURANT Appetisers SHRIMP ROYALE Tiger prawns marinated in pink Champagne sauce on radicchio and endive ANGUS BEEF CARPACCIO Served with porcini mushrooms, arugula lettuce and fresh parmesan flakes SEA SCALLOPS AND CHERRY TOMATO BROCHETTE Served on gorgonzola-flavoured spinach with light tarragon foam
Soup & Salad
WEST INDIAN PUMPKIN & GINGER SOUP INSALATA DI TAORMINA Mediterranean-style salad with lobster, salmon, shrimps green beans, endive, shallots and roasted pine seeds
Main Courses
CASARECCE ALLA SORRENTINA Fresh sautéed pasta with tomatoes, garlic, basil, oregano, parmesan and mozzarella GRILLED FRESH SEA BREAM FILLET Served with Mediterranean herbs, almond broccoli, green asparagus, butter-sautéed Parisienne potatoes and sauvignon sauce GLAZED BARBARIE DUCK SUPREME In Grand Marnier sauce served with red cabbage and almond potato LIGHT MEDIUM FRENCH LAMB RACK In thyme-ciabatta crust with vegetable ragout and lemon potato
Fom the Vegetarian Kitchen
GRILLED EGGPLANT AND BELL PEPPER MASALA Braised in yogurt with Indian spices, served with coconut-pistachio basmati rice ASPARAGUS AND ZUCCHINI TART Served with wild rice and sun-dried tomato coulees
Desserts
WARM CHOCOLATE SOUFFLÉ CAKE Served with raspberry sorbet APRICOT - MANGO TART with mocha sauce ICE COUP “BELLINI” with peach and vanilla ice cream CHEESE TROLLEY with a selection of International cheeses SLICED FRESH FRUITS SELECTION OF ICE CREAM & SORBETS
* Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner
voyagestoantiquity.com 23
AWARD-WINNING ENRICHMENT Voyages to Antiquity operates the most culturally immersive cruise programme, with internationally renowned guest speakers, a comprehensive selection of expertly-designed shore excursions in every major port of call, an extensive on-board library and a host of other enrichment elements from reading lists prepared by Blackwell’s of Oxford and on-board book clubs to exclusive private visits and local entertainment. EXPERT GUEST LECTURERS 2-3 guest speakers, pre-eminent in their profession and expert in their field, accompany every departure. 6-9 talks per cruise, 45 minutes each, is the norm, often focusing
WINNER
24
on history, archaeology, art and mythology, but also on more unusual subjects such as botany and viticulture. Talks are delivered in the Ambassador Lounge with a host of visual aids (music, video and high quality maps) and recorded so passengers can catch up at their leisure if they are not able to attend in person. These guest lectures are specifically designed to complement shore excursions, not simply repeat or pre-empt the insight presented by the excellent local guides. SHORE EXCURSIONS AND PRIVATE VISITS More than 90% of Voyages to Antiquity’s shore excursions are included in the cruise fare. We use the best available guides, coaches and land agents, and excursions are meticulously planned, well-paced
and guided in English. QuietVox sets are issued to all guests, enabling them to hear the guide’s commentary even as they linger to take photographs or make their own explorations. The core shore excursion programme is complemented with exclusive private visits, such as that to the Palazzo Gangi in Palermo where the sumptuous ballroom scenes of Visconti’s The Leopard were filmed. EVERYDAY ENRICHMENT Aboard or ashore, every day brings enrichment opportunities. The Daily Journal details lectures and excursions, but also local cultural performances, musical concerts, wine tastings, interactive classes and fun quizzes. Aegean Odyssey’s library, surely the biggest in terms of books-to-passenger ratio, houses hundreds of volumes specially selected by Blackwell’s of Oxford to complement the itinerary programme, along with maps, guidebooks, the latest popular fiction, classics and poetry. In this guide, we provide passengers with a recommended reading list, also prepared by Blackwell’s.
or aperitif in one of several comfortable bars before dinner, and appreciate the music of the resident pianist or string trio afterwards. ATHENA HEALTH SPA Pampering opportunities abound at the Athena Health Spa, with its full menu of revitalising therapies and treatments including massages and facials. The adjoining fitness centre awaits those seeking to stay active, saunas and steam rooms are available, and nail and hair treatments are provided at the beauty centre.
AT YOUR SERVICE Always serving with a smile, our crew will win your hearts. Your cabin steward will refresh your stateroom before you even realise you need it. Your waiter will remember whether you take tea or coffee, and the barman whether you like your martini shaken or stirred. They and the rest of our officers and crew are dedicated to making your cruise a delightful experience.
...AND REFRESHMENT FOR BODY AS WELL AS MIND Small ship though she is, Aegean Odyssey offers plenty of other amenities to enhance your time aboard and occupy relaxing days at sea. Unwind on the sun deck's padded wooden loungers and cool off with a splash in the outdoor pool; enjoy a cocktail
voyagestoantiquity.com 25
DECK PLANS M
STANDARD INSIDE
L
PREMIUM INSIDE
K
PREMIUM INSIDE
J
STANDARD OUTSIDE
HH* GG*
PREMIUM OUTSIDE PREMIUM OUTSIDE
EE
DELUXE STATEROOM OUTSIDE
CC
DELUXE STATEROOM BALCONY
• • • •
• •
• •
• •
• •
■
• • • •• • • • ■
429429 ▲ ▲ 431431
442442
439439 441441
444444
449449
447447 450450
452452
713 713
718 718
453453
451451 454454
456456
715 715
720 720
717 717
722 722
RECEPTION RECEPTION
536536
535535 539539
538538
• •
CHARLESTON CHARLESTON LOUNGE LOUNGE
537537
HAIRHAIR
DRESSER 543543 DRESSER 540540 541541 547547 INTERNET 542542 545545 549549 INTERNET
544544
725 725
728 728
551551
727 727
730 730
553553
546546
555555
548548
557557
550550
729 729
732 732
731 731
734 734
733 733
736 736
LIBRARY LIBRARY
559559
552552
561561
554554
SHOP SHOP
563563
• • • •
716 716
• • • •
• •
425425
455455 459459 463463
MARCO POLO MARCO POLO RESTAURANT RESTAURANT
DOU DOUBLE
C CAT
460460
ATHENA ATHENA HEALTH HEALTH SPASPA
735 735
738 738
565565
817 817
818 818
737 737
740 740
819 819
820 820
739 739
742 742
821 821
822 822
741 741
744 744
823 823
824 824
743 743
746 746
825 825
826 826
745 745
748 748
BAR BAR
827 827
828 828
747 747
750 750
THE THE TERRACE TERRACE
TERRACE CAFE TERRACE CAFE
CATE CATEGO
C CAT
464464
C CAT
466466
467467
470470
C CAT
471471
474474
C CAT
475475
476476
C CAT
477477
478478
C CAT
C CAT
C CAT
C CAT
MEDICAL MEDICAL
C CAT
C CAT
C CAT
556556
SINGC SINGLE
558558
C CAT
567567
560560
C CAT
569569
562562
C CAT
571571
564564
C CAT
573573
566566
C CAT
575575
568568
C CAT
577577
570570
C CAT
C CAT
C CAT
*Categories GG, I, II and some HH cabins have partially restricted view
26
816 816
815 815
814 814
416416
• •
PREMIUM OUTSIDE
• •
• •
II*
• •
STANDARD OUTSIDE
813 813
• •
JJ
812 812
421421
435435 534534
533533
412412
417417 418418 420420 419419 422422 424424 426 423423 426 428428 430430 ▲ ▲ 427427 432432 434434 433 ▲ ▲ 433 436436 438438 437437 440440
446446
723 723
811 811
530530
531531 532532
413413 415415
408408
▲ ▲ 414414
• • • •
POOL POOL
527527528528
529529
522522
406406
409409410410
411411
443443 448448
721 721
Single Accomodation
PREMIUM INSIDE
711 711
523523 524524 ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ 526526 525525
518518
407407
445445
719 719
OWNER'S SUITE BALCONY
KK
714 714
• •
LIDO LIDO BAR BAR
DECK DECK JUNIOR SUITE BALCONY
PREMIUM INSIDE
709 709
517517 520520
521521
708 708
514514
516516 513513
■
808 808
DELUXE STATEROOM BALCONY OBSERVATION OBSERVATION
LL
706 706
519519
712 • 710 • 712 • 710 •
807 807
DELUXE STATEROOM BALCONY
STANDARD INSIDE
704 704
705 705 707 707
LIDO LIDO BAR BAR
MM
703 703
510510
• • • •
806 806
508508
512512 509509
• • • •
804 804
805 805
AMBASSADOR AMBASSADOR LOUNGE LOUNGE
• •
PREMIUM OUTSIDE
803 803
702 702
724 • 724 •
PREMIUM OUTSIDE
701 701
515515
726 • 726 •
PREMIUM OUTSIDE
802 802
• • • •
801 801
506506 505505
■
511511
OBSERVATION OBSERVATION LOUNGE LOUNGE
DELUXE STATEROOM OUTSIDE
A
507507
504504
• •• •
503503
E
B
404# 404#
403403 405405
BRIDGE BRIDGE
DELUXE STATEROOM OUTSIDE
C
Cabin for guests with disabilities Elevator
F
D
Third/Fourth Pullman berth in these cabins
#
810 • 810 •
G
809 • 809 •
H
Single Cabins Third Pullman berth in these cabins
Double Accomodation
I*
KEY
LIDODECK DECK LIDO
BRIDGEDECK DECK BRIDGE
PROMENADEDECK DECK PROMENADE
BELVEDEREDECK DECK BELVEDERE
COLUMBUSDECK DECK COLUMBUS
MARCOPOLO POLODECK DECK MARCO
TERMS AND CONDITIONS Itinerary changes The cruise and tour programmes featured in this brochure are planned many months in advance. Occasionally changes have to be made to the itineraries due to circumstances beyond the control of Voyages to Antiquity.
Responsibility Category B - Junior Stateroom with balcony
Category H - Premium Outside Cabin
Category F - Deluxe Stateroom
The responsibility of Voyages to Antiquity and the operator of the vessel is strictly limited according to the Terms and Conditions set forth in the Passage Contract that you receive prior to embarkation. You are urged to read the Passage Contract carefully. A sample is available to be mailed on request or can be viewed and printed from the Voyages to Antiquity website at any time. Transportation on board the ship is provided solely by the ship operator and pursuant to the Passage Contract. Voyages to Antiquity reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a guest for any reason. Voyages to Antiquity shall not be responsible for any act, event or omission during the time passengers are not aboard the Voyages to Antiquity vessel. Voyages to Antiquity acts only as an agent for the supplier of off-ship services such as airlines and other off-ship transportation carriers, meals, shore excursions, accommodations, air ambulance and shoreside physicians. Guests agree not to hold Voyages to Antiquity, its owners, agents or representatives liable for any loss, injury, expense or damage which results directly or indirectly from any act or omission, whether negligent or otherwise, of any third party person or firm which is to, or does, provide goods or services in connection with the trip or any available option. Without limiting the foregoing, Voyages to Antiquity shall have no liability to passengers for the quality of services at, and the condition, cleanliness or safety of a hotel, housing facility, or conveyance, or for any transportation delay, including but not limited to liability for inconvenience, shortened holiday time, additional expenses,
or any other kind of damage. Voyages to Antiquity expressly disclaims all responsibility of any nature whatsoever for any loss, damage or injury to property or person resulting from air, rail, motorcoach or any other form of transportation other than that actually provided by the Voyages to Antiquity vessel.
Services provided by independent contractors
All shoreside tours and services described in this brochure or on the website are provided by independent contractors. Voyages to Antiquity acts solely as ticketing agent for all shoreside activities and has no legal obligation or liability of any kind to guests for acts or omissions in connection with or arising out of arrangements with independent contractors, including but not limited to airline carriers, ground/tour operators, and hotels since they are neither agents for nor employees of Voyages to Antiquity.
Guests with special needs
The tour programmes featured in this brochure include extensive sightseeing and to fully participate each guest must be reasonably fit and have no walking difficulties. Whenever possible Voyages to Antiquity will try to accommodate guests with special needs as long as the mobility issues are not an impediment to others on the guided tours. For further details, refer to the Essential Travel Information leaflet or to that section of the Voyages to Antiquity website.
Errors & omissions
While Voyages to Antiquity makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of information in this booklet, its promotions and as displayed on the website, Voyages to Antiquity reserves the right not to honour any published fares that it determines were erroneous due to printing, electronic or clerical error. Voyages to Antiquity is not responsible or liable for any typographical errors, omissions or misprints.
27
THE 2018/19 CRUISE COLLECTION
Cruise guides are available to download from our website voyagestoantiquity.com approximately 90 days prior to departure