Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
14 August 2013 LeisureGroupTravel.com
As the cruise industry continues to evolve, so does
the actual experience. Interest in adventure cruising
has really taken off in the past decade as travelers
seek active, mind-expanding vacation experiences to write
home about. From niche cruise lines to high-end ones, there
are more options than ever before. Adventure cruising is
something to seriously consider when dreaming up your next
group cruise.
The world has become smaller because it’s so much eas-
ier to navigate. Does your group want a cold- or warm-weather
adventure? Frosty-weather fans choose Antarctica, a continent
that was virtually untouched by humans until the 20th century.
Today more cruise lines than ever are offering Antarctica op-
tions. Seabourn Cruise Line just unveiled plans to offer four
“Ultimate Antarctica and Patagonia” voyages, with the first de-
parture this fall.
If your group prefers a balmy clime, consider the Amazon
River or Galapagos Islands. Both Celebrity Cruises’ CelebrityXpedition and Lindblad Expeditions offer year-round cruising in
the Galapagos.
Celebrity Cruises is the only major cruise line that sails to
the Galapagos. Its Celebrity Xpedition is an intimate mega-
yacht that accommodates just 94 guests. Celebrity Xpeditionhas two exclusive itineraries that call on more than 20 island
locations and works closely with the Galapagos National Park
to ensure low-impact travel, leaving the islands pristine. All
Celebrity Xpedition passengers encounter unusual wildlife in the Galapagos.
Adventure Cruising on the Upswing
Whether navigating the Amazon River in Peru with G Adventures or exploring Antarctica with Lindblad Expeditions, it’s no ordinary cruise.
Celeb
rity C
ruise
s
©Michael S. Nolan
Exotic options tempt seasoned travelers with a thirst for the offbeatBy Cindy Bertram
on adventure travel ❖G
Adv
entu
res
sailings are accompanied by naturalist guides certified by the
national park.
Another nice touch? The Celebrity Xpedition is a seamless
all-inclusive experience. The price covers all beverages (bot-
tled water, beer, wine, spirits, as well as coffee and tea service,
including espresso and cappuccino), gratuities and shore ex-
cursions. All snorkeling equipment is provided—wet suits, fins,
masks, snorkels and vests. Three levels of excursions are
ranked according to the activity involved.
Celebrity Xpedition’s seven-night cruise departs on Sun-
days. The cruise can be combined with pre- or post-cruise hotel
stays in Quito, Ecuador, creating a 10- or 11-night experience.
A post-cruise Peru visit also can be part of the package.
G Adventures recently increased capacity on the Amazon
River with the launch of its newly refurbished purpose-built ves-
sel, the Queen Violet. Departures began in May and continue
through January 2014. The Queen Violet accommodates only
32 guests, and each journey includes visits to local villages
where guests can spend time with a family.
A company that created quite a legacy, Lindblad Expedi-
tions was the first to take travelers to places where only
scientists had gone. Sven Lindblad has continued what his
father, Lars-Eric Lindblad, pioneered. Lars was among the first
to take explorers to many offbeat destinations, including
Antarctica (1966) and the Galapagos (1967).
Lindblad has increased the size of its owned and chartered
fleet to 10 ships, with two of them based in the Galapagos.
Worldwide options range from West Africa to the Arctic. It has
added some new programs to its expeditions, such as kayak-
ing in the polar regions and the Galapagos.
In 2004 Sven Lindblad created an unprecedented alliance
with the National Geographic Society, and since then guests
have been able to travel with National Geographic explorers,
scientists, writers and other experts in diverse fields. Lindblad’s
96-passenger National Geographic Endeavor and 48-passen-
ger National Geographic Islander expedition ships offer 10-day
trips in the Galapagos. A 16-day option combines the cruise
with a visit to Peru.
Silversea Cruises in 2008 launched its first expedition
ship, the Prince Albert II, offering a new product that combined
adventure cruising with its trademark ultra-luxury ambience. In
2011 the line renamed the ship the Silver Explorer and contin-
ues to market itineraries ideal for adventure-seeking travelers
who appreciate returning to Silversea’s pampering after a day
of authentic experiences in wild places. The 132-passenger
ship roams the world, from Antarctica and Polynesia to Nor-
way, Iceland and Northern Canada. The line’s newest addition,
the 100-guest Silver Galapagos, starts seven-night Galapagos
cruises in September.
The Silverseas expedition leader works closely with the cap-
tain to make sure opportunities for exploration and adventure
are the best possible, based on weather, wildlife activity and
other factors. Zodiac excursions are led by the expedition team
or a guest host. Activities vary with the actual itinerary and are
designed for different levels of physical ability and interests.
Shore excursions are complimentary. Another nice touch: The
itineraries follow a tentative schedule, which allows for some
flexibility as far as staying longer at a site of particular interest.
Seabourn Cruise Line’s new, all-inclusive Antarctica/
Patagonia cruises include five days touring the White Conti-
nent. The Seabourn Quest departs Nov. 20, Jan. 4 and Jan. 25
on 21-day cruises, while a special 24-day holiday version de-
parts Dec. 11 and includes South Georgia Island. Passengers
will be able to view glaciers and wildlife while cruising along
the shore in Zodiac rafts. While in Antarctica, guests will be led
by a team of naturalists, scientists and historians. Seabourn
ensures that these itineraries will have a minimal impact on the
environment. For instance, guests will be required to disinfect
their shoes before traveling to and from shore. Once on land,
they must stay in a small, contained group. Because of the
great interest, Seabourn plans to offer a few more Antarctica
voyages later in 2014.
With the increased demand for offbeat travel and authentic
experiences, adventure cruising appears to be a growth niche
that group planners should not ignore. These trips are not for
everyone, but for those with the time, the money and a sense
of wanderlust, an expedition to the Galapagos, Antarctica or
the Amazon promises to be the trip of a lifetime. LGT
LeisureGroupTravel.com August 2013 15
Camera-toting Lindblad travelers keep their cameras poised off Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska and along the icebound coast of Antarctica.
©Ralph Lee Hopkins ©Michael S. Nolan