Longer Passenger Freighter Voyages

Pacific Express 3 Service – Complete, round voyage is approximately 77 days. From New York to Tanger Med (Morocco), Suez Canal passage, Jebel Ali (UAE), Singapore, Hong Kong, Chiwan (China), Xiamen (China), Shanghai, Pusan (South Korea), Houston, Mobile, Miami, Jacksonville, Savannah, and back to New York. Priced from EURO 100 – 110 per day plus port taxes/fees.

Pad Service – Complete, round voyage is approximately 84 days. From New York to Savannah, Kingston (Jamaica – no embarkation or disembarkation), Punta Manzanillo (Panama), Papeete, Lautoka (Fiji), Noumea (New Caledonia), Sydney (Australia), Melbourne (Australia), Napier (New Zealand), Tauranga (New Zealand), Punta Manzanillo, Kingston, Savannah, Philadelphia, Tilbury (England), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Dunkerque (France), and back to New York. Priced from EURO 110 – 120 per day.

MEX Service – Complete, round voyage is approximately 77 days. From Valencia (Spain) to Barcelona (Spain), Fos Sur Mer (France), Genoa, (Italy), Malta, Damietta (Egypt), Khor Al Fakkan (UAE), Port Kelang (Lalaysia), Nansha (China), Xiamen (China), Kwangyang (South Korea), Busan (South Korea), Shanghai, Ningbo (China), Xiamen, Nansha, Chiwan (China), Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia), Port Kelang, Beirut (Lebanon), Malta and back to Valencia. Priced from EURO 100 – 110 per day plus port taxes/fees.

Indamex Service – Complete, round voyage is approximately 56 days. From New York to Norfolk, Savannah, Charleston, Port Said (Egypt), *Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), *Port Qasim (Pakistan), *Nhava Sheva (India), *Mundra (India), Damiette (Egypt) and back to New York. Note – no embarkation or disembarkation in starred ports (*). Priced from EURO 100 – 110 per day plus port taxes/fees.

French Asia Line – CMA – Complete, round voyage is approximately 70 days. From Zeebrugge (Belgium) to Port Kelang (Malaysia), Singapore, Ningbo (China), Shanghai, Yantian (China), Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia), Port Kelang, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Rotterdam and back to Zeebrugge. Priced from EURO 100 – 105 per day plus port taxes/fees.

Columbus Loop – Complete, round voyage is approximately 105 days. From Vancouver to Yokohama (Japan), Shanghai, Ningbo (China), Hong Kong, Yantian (China), Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia), Suez Canal passage, New York, Norfolk, Savannah, Suez Canal transit, Tanjung Pelepas, Hong Kong, Yantian, Shanghai, Pusan (South Korea), Seattle and back to Vancouver. Priced from EURO 80 – 90 per day plus port taxes/fees.

Voyage 6-10 – Complete, round voyage is approximately 70 days. Philadelphia, Savannah, Panama Canal transit, Balboa, Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Timaru, Port Chalmers, Napier, Tauranga, Auckland, Panama Canal transit, Manzanillo, Cartagena, Philadelphia. Priced at approx. EURO 101 per day.

MS MSC UGANDA (Laeisz) – Complete, round voyage is approximately 56 days from the USA east coast to the east coast of South America. From Charleston to Norfolk, New York, Baltimore, Savannah, Freeport, Caucedo, Santos, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Rio Grande, Sao Francisco, Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Suape, Caucedo, Freeport and back to Charleston. Priced from EURO 80 – 85 per day plus port taxes/fees.

Voyage 6-05 – Europe from the west coast – Complete, round voyage is approximately 70 days. From Vancouver to Oakland, Long Beach, Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas, Puerto Quetzal, Panama Canal transit, Cartagena, Tanger Med, Rotterdam, Tilbury, Hamburg, Le Havre, Cartagena, Panama Canal transit, Puerto Quetzal, Lazaro Cardenas, Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and back to Vancouver. Priced at approx. EURO 100 per day.

Voyage 1525 – Far East from both coasts – Complete, round voyage is approximately 104 days. From Halifax to New York, Savannah, Kingston (Jamaica), Panama Canal transit, Los Angeles, Oakland, Shekou (China), Hong Kong, Ningbo (China), Shanghai, Balboa (Panama), Panama Canal transit, Kingston, Savannah, New York, Halifax, Tarragona (Spain) Haifa (Israel), Leghorn (Italy), Genoa (Italy), Tarragona, and back to Halifax. Priced from EURO 90 – 110 per day plus port taxes/fees.

Voyage 1190 – New York to West Coast of South America. Complete, round voyage is approximately 42 days. From New York to Baltimore, Charleston, Port Everglades, Cartagena, Manzanillo (Panama), Panama Canal transit, Guayaquil (Equador), Callao (Peru), San Antonio (Chile), San Vincente (Chile), San Antonio, Callao, Guayaquil, Panama Canal transit, Cartagena, Port Everglades, and back to New York. Priced from EURO 93 – 106 per day plus port taxes/fees.

MSC LAUSANNE NSB. Complete, round voyage is approximately 63 days. From Vancouver to Seattle, Oakland, Long Beach, Balboa, Panama Canal transit, Cristobal, Gioia Tauro, Naples, Civitavecchia, La Spezia, Valencia, Cristobal, Panama Canal transit, Balboa, Long Beach, Oakland, and back to Vancouver. Priced from EURO 90 – 110 per day plus port taxes/fees.

These voyages may also be available as shorter segments subject to availability and cabotage restrictions. Round voyages may be available from most of the listed ports. For more information and to request space, contact:
The Cruise People, Ltd.
416-900-0889        1-800-961-5536        freighters@rogers.com        facsimile – 1-888-759-2990

Annual Forecast Reveals Worldwide Cruise Passengers to Top 20 Million

 

 

Cruise Market Watch has announced the results of its annual cruise trends forecast based on analysis of its proprietary cruise database.

Among the 2012 highlights:

• The worldwide cruise market is estimated at $34.1 billion
• Cruise passengers carried worldwide in 2012 is estimated at 20.3 million, a 5.6% increase over 2011
• The top two cruise companies Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Co (NYSE: RCL) account for 73% of worldwide share of revenue
• The 2012 Port Pulse^TM rankings place Miami Florida as the #1 cruise embarkation port in the world and Nassau Bahamas the #1 port of call
• Direct spending by passengers and crew at all cruise ports in the world is estimated at $15.5 billion

While cruise lines have grown annual passengers travelled at a compound annual growth rate of 7.4% since 1990 – all the cruise ships in the entire world filled at capacity all year long still only amount to less than ½ of the total number of annual visitors to Las Vegas.  Cruise passengers carried worldwide in 2012 is estimated at 20.3 million, an increase of 5.6% over 2011.

On the heals of the several new ships to be added to the market in 2012 (including the 3,690 passenger Carnival Breeze, the 3,013 passenger MSC Divina,  3,012-guest Costa Fascinosca and 2,500 berth Disney Fantasy) eight more new cruise ships will launch by 2015. These ships will generate another $2.3 billion in annual revenue for the cruise industry. By 2015, 22.3 million cruise passengers are expected to be carried worldwide.

This is not only good for the cruise industry (of which two cruise companies dominate – Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Co (NYSE: RCL) with a combined 73% of worldwide market share) but also for the local economies of ports visited by cruise passengers.  Direct spending by passengers and crew at all cruise ports around the world is estimated at $15.5 billion.  The 2012 Port Pulse^TM rankings place Miami, Florida as the #1 embarkation port and Nassau Bahamas the #1 port of call.  North America and Europe serve as the source markets for 85.9% of worldwide passengers, but other regions of the world such as Asia are growing significantly.

The new ships continue to bring attention to cruising, creating interest, additional pricing power, economies of scale and bookings of first time cruisers.  Average cruise revenue per passenger per day for 2012 is projected to be $240.13.

Crystal Ships to Feel Like (Ultra-Luxurious) Home for the Holidays

In its international relaxed, yet sophisticated, style, Crystal is transforming its ships into whimsical holiday wonderlands, with more than $100,000 in new decorations.  Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony are honouring Christmas,Chanukah, and New Year’s with festive trimmings, ranging from elegant Victorian to merrily modern.  December 21 voyages boast seasonal parties, dances, carols, menorah and tree lightings, spirited musical productions, sessions with Santa, holiday movies, religious services, and traditional feasts.

Custom decor features:

• Fantasy atriums-turned-forests, with Father Christmas driving reindeer through snow-covered trees twinkling with thousands of shimmering lights, red finches and berries adorning pine boughs
• Santa’s Bakery inside Bistro Cafes, with Chef Claus welcoming guests to a world of large candy canes, teddy bears and dancing gingerbread cookies
• Victorian Christmas trees decorated with ornate ribbons and baroque baubles
• Six-foot-tall, light-up menorah
• Hand-painted, jewel-covered and hand-blown glass ornaments
• Antique carousel horses wearing floral, crystal and beaded-tassel garlands
• Casino-dwelling, golden reindeer draped in pine jewelled harnesses encrusted with Christmas motifs
• An army of six-foot nutcrackers in lounge areas
• Santa and his reindeer enjoying a pint at the Avenue Saloon, sunning in Hawaii, and landing in the fireplace. 

Traditional culinary delights, in Crystal’s style, include Christmas goose, roast turkey, and chestnut stuffing; potato latkes, as well as chocolate gelt, for Chanukah; and a gala New Year’s Eve dinner and champagne countdown celebration, followed by Bloody Mary parties and mimosa brunch on New Year’s Day.  

"Our ships feel both magical and comfortably familial for guests of all ages who dream of sugar plums and extraordinary holiday vacation memories," says Bret Bullock, vice president entertainment.

Five holiday season sailing options include seven- to 14-day Pacific Coast, Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, Caribbean/Panama Canal, and Trans-Atlantic voyages, with Christmas/Chanukah/New Year’s cruises round-trip from either Miami or LA.  "Book Now" fares start at $1,995/person, plus up to $1,000/couple in shipboard credit.  Crystal’s Family Memories Programme offers additional savings/perks for family/friends groups.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact The Cruise People, Ltd. at 1-800-961-5536.

LiveJournal Tags: Christmas cruise,New Years cruise

Some Great Cruises Away From the Mass Market

Kevin Griffin of The Cruise People, Ltd. for cybercruises.com 

For those who have been cruising for many years, one of the worst things about the recent huge growth in cruising has been its new mammoth ships with the massive crowds they bring. For the many who dislike crowds, overwellming entertainment, ziplines, Blue Man Group and Red Frog beer, here are three cruises that will take you away from all that to explore areas of real interest. And as we are also having a look at “Stern’s Guide to the Cruise Vacation” this week we will quote his strong points for each line as well.

Now that Seattle-based ultra-luxury line Seabourn has all three of its larger 450-guest luxury ships, Seabourn Odysssey, Sojourn and Quest, in service, its fleet numbers 1,986 berths, including the original trio of Seabourn Legend, Pride and Spirit.

A threefold growth in capacity over two years means that Seabourn now offers more berths than and twice as many ships as its predecessor Royal Viking Line when it operated its original trio of ultra-luxury ships on itineraries worldwide. In fact, to-day’s Seabourn offers much better value on board as it is all-inclusive, whereas on Royal Viking one had to pay for one’s bar bills, wines and gratuities.

For a Caribbean cruise on Seabourn, one couldn’t do better than to choose the Seabourn Quest, which made her inaugural North American landfall a week ago when she arrived in Fort Lauderdale. The Quest will typically sail on 10-, 12- and 14-night Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale in November and December, and rather than calling at the mass-market ports of St Thomas, Cozumel and Costa Playa, none of which have any cultural appeal, she calls at out-of-the-way islands that are for the most part off the beaten track.

Typical calls include St Kitts, St Vincent, Mayreau, St Barts and St John as well as the more popular Barbados and Martinique, and usually a call at San Juan as well. The latter is so the Americans can buy their double duty free allowance, but rather than go shopping with them, take advantage of this opportunity to do your own private tours.

Stern’s Strong Points:“Top-of-the-line luxury (at top-of-the-line prices except when special offers are available on selected cruises), superb food, impeccable service, and elegant, spacious accommodations, as well as the most desired itineraries… The new 450-passenger ships offer the same exceptional dining, service and accommodations with additional space, facilities and entertainment. Most seasoned cruisers consider these the best ships in service to-day.”

An up-and-coming company in the news of recent is Marseilles-based Compagnie du Ponant, which has introduced two 264-guest yacht-like ships, Le Boréal and L’Austral, over the past couple of years, and has just ordered a third.

The recent sales of Le Levant to Paul Gauguin Cruises and Le Diamant to buyers affiliated with International Shipping Partners means that its fleet will become more uniform, with three new sister ships and the original 60-berth Le Ponant, which took the company name and is now becoming more of a mascot. For this cruise we nominate Le Boréal’s May 9th Gastronomic sailing from Honfleur to Copenhagen by way of Ostend, Amsterdam, Hamburg and the Kiel Canal.

On this 5-night sailing three top chefs, Michelin three-star Jacques Marcon, two-star Jean-Marc Delacourt and Philippe Joannes, best chef in France of 2000, will be serving up gastronomic delights to match the ports of call. For those who like to combine business with pleasure Ostend is called at on Thursday and Amsterdam on Friday if you want to make appointments, but Hamburg will be called on Saturday so you can go and see the Maritime Museum. The cruise is only five nights but with such chefs on board perhaps that is enough at one go.

Stern’s Strong Points: “Le Boréal and L’Austral feature staterooms that measure from 200 square feet with a 56-square-foot balcony to 398 square feet with an 86-square-foot balcony and 484 square feet with a 97-square-foot balcony for the owner’s suite. Ninety-five per cent of the accommodations sport balconies.”

Another interesting cruise that avoids crowds and offers little extras is Miami-based Azamara Club Cruises, whose Azamara Quest cruises the Mediterranean by summer and autumn. One can join this Quest on August 18 at Venice for an overnight stay before sailing at 6 pm on the 19th for visits to Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor (an overnight stay), Brindisi, Corfu, Taormina, Amalfi (another overnight stay), Capri and Sorrento before finishing in Civitavecchia for Rome on August 29.

The Quest and her sister ship Azamara Journey were once members of the Renaissance fleet.

Stern’s Strong Points: “A more initimate cruise experience to exotic ports that many larger sjips cannot reach on longer itineraries, with a variety of entertainments, fine dining options and attentive service throughout the ship.”

There is not a single trace of Shrek, Spongebob Squarepants or Mickey on any of these ships. Just a sense of calm and sophistication, where larger ships need to have Retreats, Sanctuaries and Tranquility areas to get away from the endless activity. Such areas are not needed on these ships.

Seventeen Alaska Cruise Tours from Holland America

Image via Wikipedia

From views of Glacier National Park to the wilderness of Denali National Park and the Yukon’s Klondike Gold Rush territory, Holland America Line’s 2012 Alaska CruiseTours feature 17 different itineraries that immerse guests in a rich Alaska nature and frontier experience.  Departures provide "cruise first" or "tour first" selections to stunning landscapes and less-visited landmarks throughout The Last Frontier.

Ranging in total length from 10 to 20 days, all CruiseTours combine a three-, four- or seven-day Inside Passage cruise with in-depth overland tours.  Offering two days at Denali National Park for wildlife viewing and spectacular scenery, CruiseTours are designed to highlight the best of Alaska’s wilderness, wildlife, native culture and history.  Six tours also feature Canada’s Yukon Territory with its Klondike Gold Rush heritage and pristine national parks such as Kluane National Park and Tombstone Park.  Departures range from May through September.

"Next year marks Holland America Line’s 65th anniversary of providing guests with exclusive opportunities that showcase Alaska and its natural beauty," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Our CruiseTours are designed to combine the best of both worlds — one of our incredible cruises with an overland exploration — and travelling to Alaska with us has never been more exciting or accessible."

Passengers who opt for tour-first itineraries typically prefer to relax on a cruise after their land tour, while cruise-first travellers seek to settle into a vacation mindset and enjoy the many amenities of Holland America Line’s ships as they sail into the wilderness. 

In addition to major attractions such as Glacier Bay and the Inside Passage, Holland America Line’s Alaska CruiseTours visit exclusive destinations not accessible via cruise ship including Wonder Lake, the Dalton Highway, Denali National Park and gold-rush town Dawson City, Yukon.

While on a CruiseTour, passengers can choose from several adventurous shore and land excursions to further customize their CruiseTours, ranging from hiking, dog sledding, fly fishing, river rafting and glacier landing by helicopter to informative historical and cultural tours.

In 2012 Holland America Line features six Yukon and Denali CruiseTours (Y1-Y6). These 10- to 20-day itineraries include adventures to destinations such as Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Dawson City, and Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory. Some CruiseTours also include Kluane National Park and the White Pass and Yukon Railway.

The eight Denali CruiseTours (D1-D7) range from 11 to 14 days and feature a seven-day Inside Passage cruise that includes Glacier Bay National Park. Most itineraries offer two-night Denali stays with the Denali Tundra Wilderness experience, a day-tour into the protected wilderness where grizzly bears, moose, caribou and wolves are often sighted in the wild.

Expedition CruiseTours E1-E3 range from 12 to 14 days, provide authentic wilderness experiences and include the Bears and Wilderness CruiseTour for intimate opportunities for viewing wildlife. They feature a seven-day Glacier Discovery cruise, acclaimed Redoubt Bay Lodge near Lake Clark National Park and Winterlake Lodge along Alaska’s historic Iditarod Trail. Additional Expedition CruiseTours highlight the Kenai Peninsula and Denali backcountry.

CruiseTours feature glass-domed McKinley Explorer railcars with comfortable, forward-facing seats and expert commentary by guides. In addition, Holland America Line’s exclusive Explorer Coaches create a superb environment for travelling the highway on Denali and Yukon tours with roomy leather seats, first-class legroom and no more than 44 passengers.

Holland America Line’s Alaska CruiseTours start at US$999 per person, double occupancy.  To book an Alaska cruise or CruiseTour, contact The Cruise People, Ltd. at 1-800-961-5536.

Vehicle Transport

Image via Wikipedia

Frequently, we are asked about sailing with a vehicle. While we do not have any passenger freighters which will take accompanying vehicles, we can suggest a company which will ship vehicles. Their prices are reasonable since they are using roro ships (roll on – roll off) so the vehicles do not have to be packed into containers.

Head office is in Texas and another office is in Laval.
Please let them know The Cruise People, Ltd. suggested them.
Thanks
Fred
http://www.transglobal-logistics.eu/index_en.php

Trans Global Auto Logistics Inc.
2454 NW Dallas Street
Grand Prairie, TX 75050
(close to DFW-Airport)
homepage: www.tgal.us
Head-office:
Phone: +1-972-602-1670
or 1-800-264-8167
Fax: +1-972-602-0072

Locations Canada
Trans Global Logistique Inc.
1695 Blvd. Laval, Suite 330
Laval, Quebec
Canada (close to Laval-Airport)
H7S 2M2
Homepage:www.transgloballogistics.ca
Phone: +1-450-975-2058
Fax: +1-450-975-2125
e-mail: csr@transgloballogistics.ca

Norwegian Breakaway’s Transatlantic Maiden Voyage

by Kevin Griffin of our London office writing for cybercruises.com

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that the maiden voyage for its new 144,000-ton Norwegian Breakaway, the first of twins, will be a 7-night Transatlantic cruise on the traditional route from Southampton to New York on April 30, 2013.
For North Americans wanting to try two new ships, they can catch Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, which is offering an 8-night crossing from New York to Southampton on March 30, and avail themselves of 23 nights weeks in Europe before sailing home on the maiden voyage of Norwegian Breakaway.
The Queen Elizabeth crossing is part of her return voyage from Australia in 2013. Now that kind of two-ship crossing could lead to some rather interesting comparisons.

The 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway will have forty-nine studio cabins for singles, a trend started by  Norwegian Epic. She will be based in New York and will offer an inaugural season of 7-night Bermuda cruises from May 12 to October 6, 2013, replacing  Norwegian Star in this trade. This will up the lower berth count on offer by Norwegian from New York by more than 75%.

Norwegian, by the way, wishes now to be known as “Norwegian” and not as “NCL” and is trying to train travel agents to say this. The latest line from its newly-appointed advertising agency is “Cruise Like a Norwegian” but we’re not quite sure what that means.

One thing is right however. Norwegian’s operating income for the third quarter of 2011 improved 18.3%, driven primarily by strong revenue performance across the fleet. Net revenue grew 4.6%, mainly due to an increase of net yield of 3.8% over 2010. The increase in net yield was driven by higher ticket pricing, which is a good sign to many.

LiveJournal Tags: Norwegian Breakaway,Norwegian Epic,Queen Elizabeth,Norwegian Star

Some World Cruises For 2013 and 2014

by Kevin Griffin of our London office writing for cybercruises.com

The upmarket lines have recently announced their intentions for 2013 World Cruises and it may be worth a look at some of their itineraries.While Crystal Cruises will dispense with its world cruise in Crystal Serenity in 2013, it will instead substitute a 74-night circumnavigation of South America, departing Miami on January 16, 2013, but the world cruise will be reinstated in 2014. Seabourn and Silversea, meanwhile, will still be offering 2013 world cruises in Seabourn Quest and Silver Whisper.

Crystal Serenity will now proceed on an 89-night world cruise in 2014, departing Los Angeles on January 18 and finishing in Southampton on April 18. Major ports include Yokohama, Hong Kong, Singapore and Cape Town, with two or three night stays at each of these, as well as two nights at Ho Chi Minh City. As well, there will be overnight stays at each of Honolulu, Osaka, Shanghai, Hanoi and Bangkok.

Under Crystal Cruises’ new all-inclusive plan the line will also be offering free flights, fine wines, premium spirits, alternative dining at Silk Road, the Sushi Bar and Prego, as well as prepaid gratuities. And champagne will be served free with lunch on boarding days. This rather modified world cruise will visit 32 ports in 19 countries and include 17 overnight port stays, giving the opportunity for more detailed exploration, instead of rushing on. The 1,070-guest Crystal Serenity achieved 1717 points in the 2012 Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships.

Seabourn, meanwhile, is offering a 116-night voyage in Seabourn Quest from Fort Lauderdale to Venice, departing on January 6, 2013. Ports of call will include three Caribbean islands, the Panama Canal, nine South Pacific islands, half a dozen calls in Australia and its islands, four calls in Indonesia, Hong Kong, two calls in Vietnam, one in Cambodia, two in Thailand, two in India, ten in the Middle East including Ashdod and Haifa, two calls in Turkey, plus Corfu and Dubrovnik before reaching Venice.

Full cruise amenities include round trip Club Class flights, or air credit, pre-cruise Gala Bon Voyage event and overnight stay in Fort Lauderdale, drinks on board, prepaid gratuities and shipboard credits. On Seabourn, all dining venues are also complimentary. And with just 450 guests, the ship offers a more intimate experience.  Seabourn Quest was awarded 1787 points in the 2012 Berlitz Guide.

Silversea’s offer is a 115-day world cruise from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale on board Silver Whisper, departing January 5, 2013. This cruise will cross the Equator four times, visit New Zealand and Australia and offering overnight stays in Tahiti, Fremantle, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Singapore, Cochin, Cape Town and Walvis Bay, but no two- or three-night stays like Crystal. This cruise will visit 52 ports in 28 countries and includes nine overnight stays.

Full world cruise guests will receive a complimentary Bon Voyage Gala and overnight stay at the Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles and fares will include free flights and transfers, or air credits, all-inclusive on-board package, prepaid gratuities and shipboard credits. The 388-guest Silver Whisper scored 1753 points in the 2012 Berlitz Guide.

On the other hand, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Voyager is offering a “build your own” world cruise this year with a marathon 210-night voyage leaving Bareclona next Monday and working her way out to Auckland and back as far as Copenhagen on June 25. While this is not a world cruise, twenty-three different sectors are available The 708-guest Seven Seas Voyager scored 1654 points in the 2012 Berlitz Guide.

To be fair, Steven Stern, in his Stern’s Guide to the Cruise Vacation, gives all four of these ships a full Six-Stars-Plus rating. For the best advice and fares on any of these ships contact The Cruise People, Ltd.  at 1-800-961-5536 or email cruise@thecruisepeople.ca

11-day Norwegian Coastal Voyage

Image via Wikipedia

Visiting 32 unique ports in 11 days, Hurtigruten’s “Classic Norwegian Discovery Voyage” delves into Norway’s rich heritage, from the UNESCO harbour town of Bergen to the small fishing villages of Kjollefjord and Berlevag.  Previouslynamed the “world’s most beautiful voyage” by Lonely Planet’s “Bluelist,” the route garnered even more attention earlier this year as the subject of the Guinness World Record for “Longest Live TV Documentary,” a 134-hour broadcast that attracted nearly six million viewers from 148 countries.  Highlights of the voyage include the beautiful Art Nouveau town of Ålesund; Molde, with its magnificent view of the Romsdal Alps; the charming streets of Trondheim, Norway’s first capital; crossing the Arctic Circle; the picturesque Lofoten Islands; and Hammerfest, the world’s most northerly town.  Fares for the March 15 to May 31, 2012 departures range from US$2,354 to $10,841 per person, double; higher pricing is for suites.  Members of the 1893 Ambassador Club, a loyalty club for those who have previously sailed on Hurtigruten, receive 10% off as well as a range of onboard benefits.

Embarking from Bergen, the voyage sails through Hjeltefjord to the UNESCO listed Geirangerfjord, which affords unbeatable panoramic views of the Seven Sisters waterfall.  In Trondheim, guests can view the city from the Gamle Bybrua (“Old Town Bridge”) and visit Norway’s largest Gothic religious structure, the centuries-old Nidaros Cathedral, before travelling past the Kjeungskjær lighthouse and crossing the Arctic Circle.  The Lofoten Islands, located within the Arctic Circle, are rich with history of both land and sea: its shores are the site of the Lofotr Viking Museum and it is located near the world’s largest deep water coral reef.  Other ports include Kirkenes, home to the famous Kirkenes Snowhotel and Gabba Reindeer Park; Hammerfest, a centre of Sami culture; Honningsvåg, the gateway to the North Cape; and Kristiansund, where some scientists believe the first Norwegians originated from.  The voyage ends its journey in Ålesund, the most important fishing harbour in Norway and home to the Norwegian Centre of Art Nouveau Architecture, before returning to Bergen.

An array of culturally themed optional excursions allows passengers to customize their cruising experience while further exploring each of the ports visited.  Offerings include dog sledding in Tromsø; a guided tour of the Kirkenes Snowhotel, complete with a visit to the Gabba Reindeer Park and a drink in Norway’s largest ice bar; a trip to the breathtaking Geiranger Fjord – a UNESCO World Heritage Site praised by National Geographic – that features a picturesque ferry ride and a dinner in Molde (starting April 15); a midnight concert featuring both classic music and Norwegian folk songs in Tromsø’s famed Arctic Cathedral; and a journey across the 71^st parallel to the North Cape, the northernmost point in Europe.

Rates are subject to availability and include accommodations in cabin or suite of your choice; all meals onboard; entrance fee to the Hurtigruten museum; fuel supplement; and all aspects of the onboard programme, including an English-speaking tour leader.  International flights and optional excursions are additional.

The company’s fleet of 13 intimate ships, with 151 to 646 berths, allows passengers to enjoy unique destinations in a relaxed atmosphere.   Additional information on all of these adventures, as well as brochures and reservations, can be obtained from The Cruise People, Ltd, 1-800-961-5536 or cruise@thecruisepeople.ca .

RBC Insurance Rate Changes

 

RBC Insurance advises of a rate adjustment to most of its travel insurance products, effective November 23.

The calculated rates noted below are exempt from this increase:
•    Child rates (within the Deluxe, Non-Medical and Travel within Canada packages)
•    Rider 1 and Rider 2

If considering travel insurance contact us before then..