Jetsettersblog

Specialist operator, Expedition Cruising, has launched their new 2008 programme featuring Antarctica - their most popular cruise destination – together with a further range of expedition cruises to the Arctic, South America, the Azores and the Scottish islands. Six hand picked destinations from Galapagos to Japan featured under the separate brand name – Cruises for Nature – cater for the naturalist and photographer who prefer to travel in an escorted group accompanied by their own wildlife guide.

EXPEDITION CRUISING

Expedition ships and adventurous itineraries aimed at the more intrepid independent traveller have been the focus of specialist operator, Expedition Cruising, for over 15 years. The most popular destination continues to be Antarctica, although their recently launched 2008 programme also includes a range of voyages to Spitsbergen, Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, as well as the Chilean Fjords and Patagonia and, slightly closer to home, the Azores, Macaronesia, and the Scottish islands (Islands on the Edge, tour description below).

Islands on the Edge – sailing from Dartmouth on a small 105-passenger vessel along the east coast of Scotland via Ireland, this spring voyage visits areas that are difficult or impossible to see other than by sea. The sub-tropical island of Tresco, the Aran Islands on Ireland’s Galway coast, the Hebridean Islands, Fair Isle, Shetland Islands and Orkney Islands are all on this remarkable itinerary. Historic monuments reflecting the islands’ past of pre-Christian, Nordic and Celtic influences, feudal and more recent times will be discovered whilst birdwatchers may catch sight of puffins, kittiwakes, gannets, razorbills and, maybe even, the secretive corncrake. Prices start from £2,570 per person in a twin cabin (cruise only – no flying needed!) for the 14-night voyage from Dartmouth to Leith, the port of Edinburgh, 9-23 May 2008.

CRUISES FOR NATURE

Under the brand name - Cruises for Nature – Expedition Cruising caters for the naturalist and photographer who are keen to join an expedition cruise but who prefer to travel in a small group escorted by a professional wildlife guide. A selection of six hand picked destinations for 2008 will offer a superb wildlife experience to nature lovers, bird watchers and photographers alike. On each of these specially chosen departures, a professional guide will personally accompany the small group from the departure airport in London, making sure the holiday runs smoothly and helping to identify wildlife seen on the trip.

The six destinations featured by Cruises for Nature in the new 2008 programme are:

Spitsbergen on board the Explorer

Roaming polar bears, lounging seals, long tusked walrus, grazing reindeer and enormous bird colonies all co-exist among the wild, dramatic landscapes of the Svalbard archipelago where the fauna and flora take advantage of the short but extreme summer. 10-day escorted departures, 2 & 10 July 2008; from £2,999pp sharing a twin cabin for the cruise and flights.

The Galapagos Islands with Tandayapa on board the Galapagos Adventurer V - a 98-foot motor yacht chartered by Cruises for Nature exclusively for their small group of 15 clients and guide. Swim with Galapagos sea lions and Galapagos penguins, be entertained by the antics of the courting blue-footed boobies and nesting waved albatrosses or just observe the fantastic birdlife, marine turtles, dolphins and great whales. At the end of the cruise, there is time to relax in the sub tropical forest setting of the delightful Tandayapa Bird Lodge. 14-day escorted departures, 25 September & 30 October 2008; from £3,699pp sharing a twin cabin for the cruise and flights.

Antarctic Peninsula on board the Explorer / 14-day escorted tour, 26 November 2008; from £4,399pp sharing a twin cabin for the cruise and flights. Antarctica, The Falklands & South Georgia on board the Explorer / 24-day escorted departure, 27 January 2009; from £8,399pp sharing a twin cabin for the cruise and flights.

The great white continent of Antarctica – there is nowhere else on the planet to see giant tabular icebergs, masses of penguins and soaring albatrosses whilst cruising along rocky inlets and zodiac cruising through pack ice amongst feeding whales and leopard seals.

Chile, Peru, Ecuador & Panama on board the Explorer

Sailing from Valparaiso in Chile to Colon in Panama, this journey follows the Humboldt Current flowing northward along the Pacific Coast of South America. With the dramatic backdrop of the distant Andean chain the ships sets sail towards deserts and islands studded with cacti and on to the rainforests that cloak the Panama Canal. The rich marine life along the coast includes whales, dolphins, sea lions, turtles, albatrosses, toucans, hummingbirds and, even, penguins. 20-day escorted departure, 27 March 2008; prices from £3,399pp sharing a triple cabin for the cruise and flights.

Western Pacific Odyssey on board the Spirit of Enderby

A phenomenal 4000-mile journey from New Zealand to Japan visiting remote islands such as Norfolk Island, New Caledonia, Solomon, Caroline and Mariana Islands and searching for rare and endemic species – this voyage has the potential of being the ultimate seabird cruise. 37-day escorted tour, 14 March 2009; from £5,699pp sharing a twin cabin for the cruise and flights.

Steamer Trunk Brass Plated Hardware Kit

THE VESSELS

The vessels chosen by Expedition Cruising for their independent travellers and also for the escorted groups with Cruises for Nature have been selected from a wide range of ships for their size (around 100 passengers), comfort, safety and ability to withstand the rigours of expedition cruising.

For enquiries & reservations please contact Expedition Cruising/Cruises for Nature on 01794 523500 or info@expeditioncruising.co.uk

Expedition Cruising/Cruises for Nature website is http://www.expeditioncruising.co.uk/