Jetsettersblog

Le Boat, a European self-drive boating company, this year opens a new base in Ghent, Belgium, introduces the new Minuetto in Italy and upgrades its Royal Magnifique cruiser.

Situated at the crossroads of the Rivers Lys and Escaut, Ghent makes for a starting point for a canal cruising itinerary of a week or more or a three-day short break.

The Ghent fleet includes a range of boats with accommodations for up to 10 passengers.

The Italian-built Minuetto has been purpose-built for cruising in the Venetian Lagoon and will be available for March charters.

The Minuetto sleeps six passengers and the saloon’s convertible settee creates room for two more. Additionally, the Minuetto can accommodate wheelchairs through an internal lifting platform and specially adapted wheelchair.

For parties of up to 10 passengers, the Royal Magnifique has new interior and exterior upgrades.

The boat has a sundeck and rear bathing platform. Two rear cabins feature en-suite facilities with electric toilets and two forward cabins share a bathroom with electric toilet.

The kitchen is complete with a large fridge and gas oven/range.

Other amenities include a saloon, flat-screen satellite TV/DVD player, multi-format music system, inside steering position and convertible settee to sleep two.

Le Boat operates a fleet of 1,000-plus self-drive cruisers from over 40 departure bases in France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, England, and Scotland. Le Boat is owned by TUI Travel.

For more information, call 800-734-5491 or visit www.leboat.com

Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity will sail into Venice for the annual Redentore Festival, a spectacle of brightly colored boats, gondola races, costumes and traditional feasts culminating with a fireworks display.

The 12-day Mediterranean/Adriatic voyage, departing from Athens on July 7, marks Crystal’s first itinerary with two shipboard overnights in Venice.

Dating back to the 16th century, the Redentore Festival commemorates the church of the same name, built on the island of Giudecca to mark the end of a plague that had stricken the city.

Each year on the third Saturday in July, Venetians gather in San Marco Basin to celebrate until late-night fireworks are set off in the bay of San Marco.

Onboard, guests can celebrate with an al fresco champagne reception, local entertainment,

Venetian dinner and view of the fireworks from the spacious open deck.

In addition to dozens of shoreside activities offered in the seven ports included in the itinerary, guests can maximize their stay in Venice with experiences such as cooking lessons and lunch with Countess Lelia Passi or a bird’s eye view of Padua from a hot-air balloon.

The voyage visits Athens, Santorini, Crete and Patmos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Kotor, Montenegro; Split, Croatia; and Venice, Italy.

Two-for-one cruise fares start at $6,465 per person, double occupancy. Included are complimentary air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways, business-class air for Penthouse guests, and a $1,000 per person shipboard credit.

Cunard Line announced the Special Relationship speaker series. Guests sailing on select 2010 Queen Mary 2 trans-Atlantic crossings can attend lectures by ambassadors, statesmen, politicians, journalists, academics and broadcasters with a shared interest between the United States and United Kingdom, an association first referenced as a “special relationship” by Winston Churchill in 1946.

The program was developed in direct response to guests noting their interest in hearing about politics and contemporary issues while onboard.

Joining the April 15 crossing will be Iwan Morgan, professor of U.S. Studies and head of U.S. Programmes at the Institute for the Study of the Americas at the University of London.

The political scientist also has been published widely in various fields of modern U.S. political history and economy.

He is presently writing a book, “The Other Red Peril: Presidents and the Budget Deficit from Jimmy Carter to George W. Bush,” which is due for publication later this year. Kenneth T. Walsh, chief White House correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, is scheduled to sail on the June 1 trans-Atlantic crossing. He has covered the presidencies of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and, currently, Barack Obama.

Sailing aboard the June 25 crossing will be Jeffrey Weinberg, who has served each of the last seven U.S. presidents as a legislative attorney at the Office of Management and Budget. While onboard, Weinberg will lead discussions on the following topics: the first four months of the Obama administration, insights on the personal and institutional approaches of Presidents Nixon to George W. Bush, and tools that are available to the president to enhance his effectiveness.

The Special Relationship series is part of Cunard Insights, the enrichment program. In 2010, Cunard offers more choices of trans-Atlantic crossings, including classic six- and seven-day voyages between New York and Southampton, as well as seven-, eight- and nine-day crossings to Cherbourg, France, and Hamburg, Germany, between April and November.

Kensington Tours launched a luxurious new tour of Egypt featuring privately guided experiences of the country’s attractions with a trained Egyptologist and five-star accommodations from Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, including an opulent Nile cruise and pampering at a Red Sea resort.

This private-guided 12-day itinerary is priced from $4,985 per person double occupancy. As with all of Kensington’s programs, the itinerary is completely customizable to an individual customer’s travel schedule, budget and preferences. The Oberoi-Egypt tour costs, on average, 30 percent less than identical itineraries from premium operators.

Kensington’s Oberoi-Egypt program includes accommodations for four nights at the palatial 18th century Oberoi Mena House in Cairo and three nights at the lavish Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh on the coast of the Red Sea, plus daily breakfast at the hotels;

a four-day cruise down the Nile aboard the opulent Oberoi Philae, including three meals per day (all cabins feature private balconies with sun loungers and floor-to-ceiling river views);

exploration in Cairo of the Pyramids of Giza, Sakkara, the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and the city’s vibrant bustling markets and bazaars;

tours of Kitchener Island and the High Dam/Philae in Aswan, the ancient monuments of Edfu and Kom Ombo, the Valleys of Kings & Queens, Temple of Karnak and Luxor Temple;

several days of leisure at the secluded paradise of Hurghada where travelers can dive, snorkel and swim in the Red Sea;

complete private guided itinerary with a trained Egyptologist;

ground transport in comfortable air-conditioned vehicles with an English-speaking driver; all internal Egypt flights; all monument/entrance fees;

and VIP visa service and airport assistance.

Roundtrip international airfare, drinks, vacation insurance, laundry, tips and other optional itinerary activities are not included in the price.

Kensington Tours offers custom private guided tours to more than 80 countries around the world. The flexibility of Kensington’s offerings allows for personalization of every tour at a wide range of price points.

The company’s private tours are regularly benchmarked at 30 percent less than identical tours from premium group operators. Kensington Tours was named one of the “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth” in 2008 and 2009 by the editors of National Geographic Adventure magazine.

For more information, call 888-903-2001, email info@kensingtontours.com  or visit www.KensingtonTours.com

Captain Cook Cruises is celebrating its 40th Birthday in 2010 with a massive sale offering up to 40% off Sydney Harbour, Murray River and Fiji Islands discovery cruises. The sale is valid to 28 February 2010 and valid for travel to 31 March 2011.

Cruising is the fastest growing form of travel in Australia and the 2 night Sydney Weekender Cruise is a great way for passengers to try out their sea legs and experience a side of Sydney they’ve never seen before.

The Captain Cook’s Explorer sails every Friday night, for a leisurely weekend packed full of fine food and wine, spectacular views, sightseeing, excellent service, exciting shore excursions, music, dancing and relaxation.

The 2 night Sydney Weekender Cruise starts from only $399 per person, normally $470 and includes $40 onboard bar credit per adult. The cruise departs every Friday at 6.00pm from Wharf 1, King Street Wharf and returns on Sunday at 3.00pm.

Discover the secrets of the South Australian outback aboard the Murray River’s only paddlewheeler, the PS Murray Princess with special 4, 5 and 8 night cruise and accommodation packages.

Passengers will cruises past towering limestone cliffs, through picturesque gorges, go on guided nature walks and eco-tours, learn about the ecology of the river and visit historic ports, sacred Aboriginal sites, a sheep station and woolshed and a native wildlife shelter, while enjoying all the delicious food and wine the region has to offer.

The 4 night package starts from $699 per person, normally $855, the 5 night package from $899 per person, normally from $1113 and the 8 night package from $1359, normally $1676 per person. All prices include one night’s accommodation in Adelaide before or after your cruise.

Visit the remote villages of the ‘real’ Fiji, secluded tropical islands and pristine beaches on Captain Cook Cruises 4, 5 and 8 night Fiji cruise and accommodation packages.

Offering a truly cultural experience passenger will visit unspoilt Fijian villages, churches, schools and handicraft markets, take part in a traditional village sevusevu ceremony and Meke and Lovo feast, discover secluded islands, snorkel over amazing coral reefs, laze on warm white sandy beaches and swim in crystal clear waters.

The 4 night package starts from $769 per person, normally $1270, the 5-night package from $969 per person, normally from $1670 and the 8-night package from $1569 per person, normally $2730. All prices include one night’s accommodation in Nadi pre or post cruise.

The seven night Northern Fijian Dateline Cruise is an amazing cruise that reveals the unique history, art and culture of the Northern Fiji Islands and allows passengers the ultimate experience of standing’ on the International Dateline.

2010 departure dates are: 4th May, 1st June, 3rd August, 7th September, 5th October and
2nd November.

The 8-night Northern Fijian Dateline Cruise package including one night’s accommodation in Nadi pre or post cruise is priced from $1569 per person, normally $2730.

All cruises include meals, accommodation, most tours and all onboard facilities and entertainment.

For further information and bookings, please contact Captain Cook Cruises toll free from Australia on 1800 804 843; Int +61-2-9206 1111, Email: cruise@captaincook.com.au  or visit www.captaincook.com.au

Ritz Tours unveiled an Executive Suite Upgrade promotion with Victoria Cruises through which vacationers will receive a lavish Executive Suite upgrade on select itineraries that feature a Yangtze River sailing on the Victoria Anna, Victoria Katarina or Victoria Cruises’ newest five-star ship, the Victoria Jenna.

As a bonus, applicable packages also qualify for an Early Booking Discount of $150 per person double occupancy, when booked at least 60 days in advance of departure and deposited by Feb. 28.

Victoria Cruises’ Executive Suites feature concierge service and spacious suite accommodations with private balcony, as well as use of an exclusive VIP lounge area and private, à la carte restaurant.

Ritz Tours’ Executive Suite Upgrade promotion is available on the tour operator’s 10-night Yangtze River Treasures, 13-night Golden Yangtze Discovery, 14-night Mystical Yangtze & China and 14-night Scenic Yangtze Discovery.

Each program features luxury five-star hotels and guided sightseeing by knowledgeable English-speaking tour guides. For example, Ritz Tours’ 10-night Yangtze River Treasures program features roundtrip transpacific airfare, intra-China air and motorcoach transportation throughout the itinerary, luxurious hotel accommodations (Sofitel Wanda Beijing, Sofitel Xian and St. Regis Hotel, Shanghai), meals, sightseeing and special entertainment per the itinerary, taxes and fuel surcharges, in addition to a lavish three-night Yangtze River cruise with Executive Suite accommodations on the five-star Victoria Anna.

Pricing begins at $3,129 per person double occupancy based on Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) departures and include fuel surcharge. Taxes are an additional $108 per person. New York City (JFK) departures start at $3,229 per person double occupancy, including fuel surcharge.

Single supplements cost an additional $1,400 to $1,550 which varies based on departure date.

Airfare is available from all major gateways, including, Boston, Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas and Toronto, and ranges from an additional $100 to $350 per person.

As added security, Ritz Tours has guaranteed that the Yangtze River Treasures program will depart with a minimum of two participants. Ritz Tours provides Free Travel Protection Insurance on every 2010 brochure tour series program that is paid in full 60 days prior to departure.

For travelers looking to extend their stay in Asia, Ritz Tours offers add-on tour packages starting from four days that are available to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Phuket, Hanoi, Vietnam, Cambodia and India.

Packages start at $370 per person and include airfare, hotel accommodations, breakfast at the hotel, sightseeing throughout the itinerary and roundtrip transfers.

The Yangtze River Treasures tour begins in Beijing where travelers are greeted by a Ritz Tours guide and taken to their five-star luxury accommodations for the evening.

Highlights of Beijing include a city tour featuring the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square as well as a visit the Summer Palace, the former vacation home of China’s great emperors.

A true highlight, guests will visit Badaling and stroll along a section of the Great Wall. Next, the group will follow a path known as the Sacred Way to the Ming Tombs, burial sight of China’s Ming Dynasty emperors. Additionally, travelers will have the opportunity to explore the Temple of Heaven, one of the more prominent religious pieces of architecture.

No trip to Beijing is complete, however, without Beijing Duck Banquet.

In Xian, the group will see the Terra Cotta Warriors, an army of more than 7,000 men, horses and chariots created to protect the emperor in the underworld, and stop at Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

In the evening, guests will enjoy an Imperial Dumpling Banquet and Tang Dynasty Stage Opera.

The next day, the group departs for Chongqing where guests can experience the Chongqing Zoo encountering two varieties of panda — the more popular giant panda, as well as the unusual red panda — before boarding the luxurious Victoria Anna for a spectacular sailing on the mist-shrouded, temple-lined Yangtze River.

While sailing the Yangtze River guests will visit the Mingshan Hill, known as the Ghost City of Fengdu with its statues of spirits and demons.

Travelers will then move down the river and pass through Three Gorges, a scenic highlight of the river cruise.

An excursion down the Yangtze’s Daning River or Shennong Stream tributaries to the Small Gorges will prove to be equally breathtaking and educational. The final day on the Yangtze, guests will tour the Three Gorges Dam site and take in the remarkable sight of the massive piece of engineering.

The cruise ship will arrive at Yichang where guests will disembark and board a short flight to Shanghai.

The first stop while in Shanghai is the classical Yu Gardens, considered to be one of the four great Chinese gardens, followed by the colonial waterfront promenade known as The Bund.

Travelers will also pass by elegant Nanjing Road, one of Shanghai’s famed shopping district, where they will appreciate the full scope of the bustling cosmopolitan metropolis.

In the evening, guests are in for a fascinating performance by the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, a dazzling display often said to be the highlight of the entire trip. Ritz Tours offers more than 20 Premiere, Deluxe and Asia Series tours and three Deluxe programs for Europe.

For more information, call 800-900-2446 or visit www.RitzTours.com

Explore The Lifeblood of Southeast Asia

The Mekong River is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia. In this exclusive Signature Tour from award-winning company Journeys Within, guests will be escorted down this amazing river from Yunnan Province, China to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.

Along the way you will visit highlights of China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam as well as see daily life as it happens on the river. With Western tour leaders as well as English speaking local guides, no question will go unanswered, and the beauty, history, and activities of the people and places will be brought to life.

From traditional villages to bustling capitals, from ancient temples to modern palaces, you will pass through or along the borders of six countries on everything from a 34-foot cruise boat to a local long tail boat.

The only tour of its kind, the Journeys Within Mekong Experience is an exploration into culture, tradition and history all with the comfort and safety of experienced tour leaders.

For the first time, on the 2010 Mekong Experience, Journeys Within Tour Company will donate a portion of each traveler’s fare to different regional projects, and guests will visit these communities to see the results of their donations as part of the tour. Tour is 28 days. Cost is $6595 per person, $700 Single Supplement. Group size is 12 travelers or less.

www.journeys-within.com

Sixthman announced that the Zac Brown Band, winner of the 2010 Grammy for Best New Artist, will perform during the “Sailing Southern Ground” cruise departing Sept. 2 from Tampa to Grand Cayman on the Carnival Inspiration.

The four-night cruise takes place over Labor Day weekend.

The CMA-nominated Zac Brown Band will perform along with a dozen bands, including Michael Franti and Spearhead, Blackberry Smoke, Nic Cowan, Gaelic Storm, Sonia Leigh and Oakhurst. Cabins are on sale now.

Prices start at $699. For more information, visit www.sailingsouthernground.com

Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas, managed by Aramark Parks and Destinations, renovated 25 Discovery XL houseboats.

The new 59-foot Discovery XL Platinum houseboats, which sleep up to 12 people, will be ready in time for the 2010 season.

Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas is offering discounts of 25 percent in the spring and 20 percent in the fall on the newly refurbished models.

“The new Discovery XL Platinum houseboats feature top-quality facilities without compromising the roomy living space and affordable price,” said David Sloma, vice president of operations. “The Discovery XL has been one of the most popular houseboats at Lake Powell for the past 10 years, and we wanted to take a winning houseboat and make it even better this year for guests.”

The Discovery XL Platinum houseboats are equipped with two staterooms, two lower berths, two bathrooms and an upper-deck driving helm.

New heating, ventilation and air conditioners have been installed, along with a new spiral staircase from the lower to upper decks.

The remodeled kitchen includes new appliances, flooring, upgraded cabinets and a kitchen island.

The salon area features a new 40-inch flat-screen television with surround sound.

The bathrooms have also been refurbished with new floors, walls, a vanity base, sink and faucet hardware, shower doors and mirrors.

For more information, call 888-486-4665 or visit www.lakepowell.com

Swain Tours is offering its Exploring Egypt package from $2,629, including air.

The 11-day/nine-night package includes Cairo and a Nile River cruise including Luxor and Aswan.

Package includes international coach class air from New York (JFK); private roundtrip airport transfers; internal coach-class flights in Egypt; four nights in Cairo at Swiss Inn Golf Pyramids;
private Memphis, Sakkara, Pyramids and Sphinx tours;

private Egyptian Museum, Citadel and Mosques tours;

four-night Nile River Cruise from Luxor to Aswan aboard Movenpick Radamis I;

all excursions while cruising;

one night Cairo at Novotel Cairo Airport;

entrance fees to sights as listed in itinerary;

and nine breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners.

Travel dates are Feb. 5 to March 31.

Must book by Feb. 28, 2010.

Must complete travel by March 31.

Package is priced $2,629 per person double occupancy.

Roundtrip coach class air is included aboard Delta from New York (JFK).

For more information, visit www.swaintours.com