Queen Mary 2 in Sydney, Australia

The largest ship ever to visit Australia, Queen Mary 2 will call at eight Australian ports during her time Down Under including Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and the Whitsundays, as well as maiden visits to Cairns (Yorkey’s Knob), Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane. Her circumnavigation will also include a call at Bali.

Passengers will be able to choose from three circumnavigation options – a 22-night voyage departing Sydney on 14 February 2012, a 20-night voyage departing Fremantle on 8 February 2012 and a 21-night voyage departing Adelaide on 11 February 2012.

In all, Queen Mary 2 will spend 28 nights in Australian waters, as she sails from Cape Town to Sydney via Fremantle and Adelaide, and then circumnavigates the country. As a result, Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each enjoy two visits from the liner during her Australian season.

The Australian deployment will mark the longest period of time that Queen Mary 2 has been based in one country outside of her northern hemisphere home ports of Southampton and New York.

Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line, said “Cunard has strong and proud links with Australia, going back many years.”

“Recognising the enduring appeal and increased demand from Australians for the unique Cunard Line experience, we are delighted to offer this series of legendary voyages for our flagship Queen Mary 2 in Australia in 2012,” he said.

The Royal Circumnavigation of Australia will go on sale this spring as part of the announcement of the 2012 World Voyage programme.

For more information about Queen Mary 2 and to book a voyage, consult your Travel Professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com. For best prices, go to www.cruisecompete.com.

Seabourn Pride

“These cruise savings alone represent a great value for a great experience,” noted Seabourn president and CEO Pamela Conover. “But when you add in these remarkably low fares for a round-trip, business-class flight to Europe or Asia, you will get an award-winning, ultra-luxury cruise package at a truly exceptional price.”

The cruises depart from May to November, 2010, and range from seven to 15 days in length. In the Mediterranean, travelers can choose voyages aboard the intimate, 208-guest Seabourn Spirit in the Adriatic and Dalmatian Coasts, or Legend in the French and Italian Rivieras.

Also in the Mediterranean, the acclaimed 450-guest Seabourn Odyssey, hailed as “a game-changer” in luxury cruising when it was launched last summer, will sail the Greek Isles, Turkey, and the Black Sea. In June, brand-new sister-yacht Seabourn Sojourn will begin its maiden season in Northern Europe, cruising Scandinavia, Russia, Scotland and Norway.

In Asia, Seabourn Pride offers voyages visiting Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and China, including pre- and post-cruise extensions to Beijing on some departures.

All-inclusive cruise-only fares start from $3,550 per person, based on double occupancy of an ocean view suite. To qualify for this promotion, cruises must be booked by April 30, 2010. Airfares include transfers between the piers and airports.

For more information, contact a travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com .

In partnership with Expedition Cruises, we are offering an extraordinary journey to the North Pole on the Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker “50 Years of Victory.” The 50 Years of Victory is the world’s most powerful and sophisticated expedition vessel.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be on top of the world? Polar bears, arctic foxes, walruses and seals and snow owls are only a few of the species native to this wild, untamed land. A land so varied that it can be covered by ice so white it looks blue or with a carpet of mosses and lichens the colors of which would stir the imagination of even the most seasoned of artists. An expedition voyage to the Arctic or beyond is a sense-arousing, heart-opening experience that touches the very soul of all who have ever ventured into this unique domain where beauty, silence, and awe all intermingle to create an image so intense it brands itself into the mind forever.

For those looking for extraordinary adventure, exploration and a bird’s eye view of the Arctic, the 15-day Expedition Cruise to the North Pole is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Crown Cruise Collection and CruiseCompete, in partnership with Expedition Cruises, are offering an extraordinary journey to the North Pole on the Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker “50 Years of Victory.” The 50 Years of Victory is the world’s most powerful and sophisticated expedition vessel.

The adventure begins July 23, 2010, and ends Aug. 06, 2010. If that’s too soon for your planning purposes, there will be another opportunity in 2011.

Travelers will depart Helsinki by charter flight to Murmansk, then voyage on the Barents Sea to the North Pole and the islands and archipelagos of the Russian Arctic aboard the icebreaker 50 Years of Victory, with power, state-of-the-art technology and comfort all rolled into one.

Itinerary:

Day 1               Welcome to Helsinki, the cozy Finnish capital

Day 2               Helsinki-Murmansk flight and ship embarkation

Day 3               The Barents Sea

Days 4 -6         Voyage to the North Pole

Day 7               The North Pole

Days 8-11        The Islands and Archipelagos of the Russian Arctic

Days 12-14      Barents Sea revisited

Day 15                         Farewell to Helsinki

Since its first North Pole icebreaker cruise in 2001, Expedition Cruises has been leading expeditions into the Russian Arctic on its chartered icebreakers and expedition cruise ships. Today, Expedition Cruises are the market leader in Arctic-bound adventure tourism. Expedition Cruises is justifiably proud of their reputation as having assisted to open up Russia’s magnificent and awe-inspiring Arctic territories, much of which are still virgin and unexplored.

Travel broadens the mind and widens our horizons or so the old cliché goes. Yet, despite the triteness of this expression, Expedition Cruises firmly believe that there is no better way to see the world and experience all that it has to offer than by taking an expedition cruise. Nowhere on Mother Earth can the excitement of a new experience be any greater than by taking a voyage into the Arctic or even beyond, by braving the polar ice cap to reach the North Pole.

Expedition Package Includes:

• 2 nights in a 4- to 5-star hotel in Helsinki, breakfast included (one night before the cruise and one night after)
• Voyage aboard the ship as described in the itinerary
• All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by helicopters (as included in planned group excursions)
• Program of lectures and informal talks by experienced Expedition team and guest lecturers
• Four meals a day (including afternoon fresh bakery items daily) and tea / coffee station and drinking water dispenser round the clock
• Special expedition parka
• Waterproof boots for the duration of the cruise
• In-cabin: bathrobe and hairdryer
• Informative pre-departure materials and expedition log with picture album on DVD
• All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the program
• Personalized medical insurance covering such events as evacuation and repatriation
• Letter of invitation. This document should be presented to the Russian Consulate in your area in order to obtain a Russian Visa (required for the trip). Please contact the Russian Consulate to learn more about the procedure for obtaining a Russian Visa. Do not hesitate to contact Crown Cruise Collection or Expedition Cruises if any questions appear. Let us know if you have any difficulties in the visa processing.

Not included:

• Travel expenses to and from Helsinki
• Airfares Helsinki–Murmansk–Helsinki (US$1,350 per person) – Free if expedition is booked by February 28, 2010.
• Passport and visa expenses
• State arrival and departure taxes (if levied)
• Meals ashore and supplements in respect of single hotel accommodation (if required)
• Luggage and cancellation insurance (strongly recommended and host can suggest a reliable provider of such insurance)
• Excess luggage charges on international and local flights
• Telecommunication services, laundry, bar and beverage charges aboard the vessel.
• Tips for stewards and other service personal aboard (at your discretion)

COST: Prices begin at US$19,200 per person (double occupancy) for the cruise, plus US$1,350 for charter air between Helsinki and Murmansk. Right now the $1,350 per person charter air free if cruise is booked by February 28, 2010.

Please consider this an invitation to join the folks behind CruiseCompete in the North Pole. We have put together an extraordinary cruise expedition for your perusal.

Let us know if you are interested in joining us in New York City for a presentation on this exciting journey from the key management team of Expedition Cruises. Just send me an email at HShane@CruiseCompete.com

To discuss this extraordinary opportunity, feel free to email Heidi, Executive VP & Group Publisher of AllThingsCruise, at HShane@CruiseCompete.com or call Ross Spalding, President of Crown Cruise Collection, at +1 (877) 222-8404 or +1 (609) 945-9803.

Passengers can also get closer to the dramatic glaciers of Tracy Arm, pilot their own zodiac on a tour of Ketchikan or enjoy the opportunity for animal encounters at a film trainer’s wildlife park. These new options join Princess’ extensive shore excursion program, which currently offers 215 different Alaska tour options for passengers starting in May.

“Alaska offers so many thrilling experiences for visitors – there’s beautiful scenery nearly everywhere you turn, great opportunities to encounter wildlife, an intriguing Native culture, and of course the towering glaciers,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “These new excursions showcase some of the many wonders available throughout this amazing state, and offer visitors a number of ways to get a very personal Alaska vacation.”

New tours available to Alaska passengers this summer include:

Whales & Glaciers Citizen Science Adventure (Juneau) – This unique tour will give participants a taste of what it’s like to be a research scientist in the wilds of the Last Frontier. Passengers join a science-based excursion giving them the opportunity to participate in a GPS time-lapse photo project at the Mendenhall Glacier that documents the effects of climate change on the Juneau Icefield. Citizen scientists can also collect water samples, net plankton and record humpback whale and other marine wildlife behavior. This observational data will improve scientists’ understanding of the many variables that affect Alaska’s marine ecosystem. In addition, passengers will enjoy a whale-watching cruise, with guaranteed whale sightings.

Back Country Zodiac Expedition (Ketchikan) – Passengers can be their own captain for the day as they skipper their custom-built motorized inflatable along the coastline of Revillagigado Island for a unique Alaska adventure. Participants will follow their guide on a journey that explores Native culture with a view of Saxman Native Village, and a search for wildlife such as bears, eagles, whales, seals and more. The group guide will explain the area’s history, geology, culture and ecology.

Alaska Wildlife Park (Princess Exclusive – Skagway) – Visitors can meet many types of animals at the Kroschel Films Wildlife Park Center. The park is run by trainer Steve Kroschel who has a lifetime of experience working with wild animals for movies such as “Never Cry Wolf” and the PBS “Wild America” series. His center provides a home for numerous orphaned wild animals including wolves, Arctic fox, lynx, porcupine, pine marten, mink, reindeer and wolverines. Guests will enjoy hands-on, face-to-face encounters and intimate close-up photography of many of these animals as they learn about the behavior of these intriguing creatures and gain an understanding of the time and trust required to train them.

Whales, Bears & Glaciers Adventure (Princess Exclusive – Juneau) – This excursion offers an opportunity to experience the perfect Alaska trifecta: whale watching, bear viewing and a scenic flight over the glaciers of the Juneau Icefield. Visitors will see two of Alaska’s most impressive creatures with a whale watching cruise that guarantees sightings, plus a bear search at a salmon-bearing stream. The tour caps off with a flight over the Juneau Icefield and the Mendenhall Glacier on the way back to town.

Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer (Juneau) – Sapphire Princess passengers have a new way to get a close-up look at the glaciers of Tracy Arm as they cruise aboard a luxurious, high-speed catamaran for an in-depth exploration of the twin Sawyer Glaciers. The adventure begins just before Sapphire Princess reaches the entry to Tracy Arm, as participants board their catamaran directly from the ship. After viewing glaciers from a much closer vantage point than is possible from a cruise ship, they will travel to Juneau to rejoin Sapphire Princess.

Adventure Park & Zip Lines (Skagway) – Thrill-seeking passengers can walk along raised balance beams, cross suspension bridges and fly through the air on a series of zip lines with this adventurous excursion. The exciting course will keep passengers challenged and exhilarated as they soar through the air on a series of six zip lines through the lush Alaska canopy.

Juneau Jeep Adventure (Princess Exclusive) – Visitors can experience Juneau’s most scenic and historic locales in the rugged comfort of a Jeep Wrangler for a small group adventure. A diver/guide will take each group on a tour through Juneau, to a scenic view of Mendenhall Glacier and other local sites, ending with a stop at the award-winning Alaskan Brewing Company for a final taste of Juneau.

Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter & Salmon Bake Combo (Princess Exclusive – Juneau) – This unique tour combination gives passengers a stunning aerial view of the famed Mendenhall Glacier plus the chance to feast on wild Alaska salmon. Participants will enjoy a glacier landing where they can explore the glacier’s surface and learn how glaciers form, flow and shape the landscape. Once they’ve worked up an appetite, visitors join the salmon bake festivities for an all-you-can-eat meal.

Historical Ketchikan Walking Tour (Princess Exclusive) – Visitors can gain a unique understanding of Ketchikan and its Tlingit culture on this guided walking tour of Alaska’s “First City.” Led by a former city mayor of Tlingit descent, the tour offers personal knowledge of the many changes Ketchikan has experienced over the years. Visitors will also learn the significance of totem poles within Native culture, see the former red light district, and visit a salmon ladder to see the incredible journey salmon endure as they return to their spawning ground.

Bear Country & Wildlife Expedition (Ketchikan) – Passengers can view black bears in their natural habitat on a wildlife experience just a short drive from downtown Ketchikan. Participants will enjoy a nature walk on their way to a stream where more than 100,000 Pacific salmon return each year to spawn. Large concentrations of bears and other wildlife gather to feed on the huge runs of salmon. In addition to the bears, bald eagles wait for scraps, while mink, marten and wolf frequent the area, and seals can usually be seen feeding on the bountiful fish harvest.

Behind the Scenes at Butchart Gardens (Victoria) – One of Victoria’s premiere attractions, Butchart Gardens is a beautiful place to explore independently. However, with this tour, guests have the unusual opportunity to go beyond the usual self-guided visit, and enjoy an exclusive in-depth guided tour behind the scenes. Visitors will learn the history of the gardens and explore the Mediterranean Garden and botanist’s greenhouse, plus see a demonstration by the gardens’ ceramics master as he displays his skills in flower-pot making.

All Alaska shore excursions are currently available for pre-reservation. Passengers who are already booked on an Alaska cruise can reserve their tours by logging on to the Cruise Personalizer on princess.com, to ensure they get the excursions of their choice. As many tours fill up quickly, passengers are encouraged to make selections as early as possible.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

“During her first time ever at sea, Norwegian Epic performed above expectations with excellent marine behavior,” said Roberto Martinoli, Norwegian’s president and COO, who was on-board during the sea trials. “All tests were conducted with positive results. She is a beautiful ship with outstanding performance. Now that sea trials are completed, we can concentrate on finishing the ship and showing her to the world in June.”

A second round of sea trials is scheduled for mid-April in order to finalize all tests, including final speed measurement. The 153,000-gross ton, 4,200-passenger ship – the largest ship ever built in Saint-Nazaire – is scheduled for delivery on June 15, 2010.

Photos from the sea trials along with new construction photos can be seen on Norwegian’s Facebook page at www.ncl.com/facebook.

Following her seven-day transatlantic crossing from Southhampton to New York on June 24, 2010 and inaugural activities in New York and Miami, Norwegian Epic will sail alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami from July 10, 2010 through April 30, 2011. Ports of call on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. The Western Caribbean cruises visit Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. The 2011 cruise season from May-October will have Norwegian Epic sailing a series of seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona. When she returns to Miami on November 5, 2011, she will sail a series of seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises through April 7, 2012.

To book one of these itineraries or for more information on Norwegian Epic, call Norwegian at 866-234-7350, visit http://epic.ncl.com, or contact a travel professional.

The South American deployment continues the line’s expansion of winter itineraries following six seasons in Antarctica. Currently, the 650-passenger Discovery is sailing in India, Asia and Africa.

Mark Flager, vice president of sales, marketing and passenger services, said the South American itineraries were suggested by past passengers and travel agents. “Our guests and agents have told us they’re quite keen not only on the great cities of South America, but also on the Amazon River, Falkland Islands, Chilean Fjords and the Galapagos Islands,” Flager said.

The 77-night Grand South America Discovery cruise sails roundtrip from Bridgetown, Barbados, on Jan. 3. Fares for the cruise begin at $12,429 per-person, double occupancy, and include free air add-ons from Voyages of Discovery’s Eastern air gateways.

Individual cruises include Belize to Bridgetown (Dec. 23, 11 nights, from $2,949 per-person, double); Bridgetown to Montego Bay (Dec. 1, 13 nights, from $2,819); Bridgetown to Buenos Aires (Jan. 3, 30 nights, from $4,739); Buenos Aires to Valparaiso (Jan 29, 24 nights, from $4,299); and Valparaiso to Bridgetown (Feb. 16, 36 nights, from $6,019).

The season begins with a 20-night “Discovery of the New World” transatlantic crossing from Malaga to Barbados, sailing Nov. 18, with calls at Cadiz, Antigua and St. Kitts, and a three-night post-cruise hotel stay in Bridgetown. Fares start at $2,779 per person, double.

The Winter 2010/11 season also features a selection of pre-, post- and mid-cruise overland tours, including a three-night excursion to the Iguassu Falls from Buenos Aires ($1,255 per person) and a two-night mid-cruise excursion visiting Machu Picchu from Callao ($1,315 per person).

Guests also can experience a day trip to the Galapagos Islands from Manta, Ecuador, or a three- or four-night cruise around the islands on the 100-passenger Galapagos Explorer II. The day trip to the Galapagos is $809 per person and the three-night cruise starts at $2,639 per person for a Classic Suite.

Special rates for single travellers are also available. Discovery Club members enjoy an additional 5% savings.

The Winter 2010/11 cruise catalog will be available in late February. Guests and travel agents are able to view these cruises now by visiting the website for itineraries and pricing. Voyages of Discovery’s website features videos of each itinerary. Winter 2010-11 programs will be available shortly at www.voyagesofdiscovery.com.

For reservations contact your travel professional or Voyages of Discovery at 866-623-2689.

My brother happened to be in the city on business and he was able to come aboard the ship for a few hours to help us celebrate our “Bon Voyage.” It was fun and memorable and made the start of our honeymoon even happier.

When the cruise lines stopped the practice of allowing friends and family on board, for security reasons,  I thought it was a great loss to cruise tradition.

Thus, I was so pleased to see this announcement from Princess Cruises yesterday. They are reviving the practice of allowing friends and family aboard and even offering them a meal. To be sure, part of their motivation is marketing…they hope these visitors will become future customers…but I don’t care. I still think it is a great idea. They are charging for the experience, but this will help them organize the program.

Reviving a signature tradition from the early days of cruising, Princess Cruises is debuting an innovative, new program giving passengers the opportunity to invite their friends and family aboard their ship on embarkation day to wish them “bon voyage” and get a taste of the onboard experience.

Called the “Bon Voyage Experience,” the program is a new twist on the departure celebration of bygone days, when friends and family would routinely come aboard to see off passengers. Because of increasingly tighter security procedures, this practice disappeared more than two decades ago, but it’s now back – complete with lunch in the dining room and tour of the ship.

Unique in the cruise industry, the Bon Voyage Experience enables passengers to extend an invitation to their guests to join them onboard during sailing day for a four-course dining room lunch with wine, a ship tour and even a souvenir photo. Passengers and their guests can enjoy priority embarkation and will be able to spend approximately four hours together on the ship before it sets sail. The cost for the program is $39 per person, which can be applied toward a future Princess cruise.

The program will debut in March in the ports of Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, and then roll out to New York, San Francisco and Seattle.

“Long-time cruisers will recall the fun of the bon voyage send-off with their family and friends, and we’re excited to re-introduce a new, modern version of this experience,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.

Cruise passengers will be notified about the program through the pre-cruise emails they receive from Princess as their cruise date approaches. In-port guests can be booked through a travel agent or by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, beginning 120 days before the cruise and up to six days before the sailing date. Once registered, guests will be able to input their required security information through the line’s Cruise Personalizer.

The number of guests who will be able to participate in the Bon Voyage Experience on any given embarkation day will be approximately 50.

The roll-out schedule for the launch of the Bon Voyage Experience is:

Sapphire Princess – March 6 in Los Angeles

Crown Princess – March 6 in Fort Lauderdale

Coral Princess – March 7 in Los Angeles

Emerald Princess – March 7 in Fort Lauderdale

Island Princess – March 10 in Los Angeles

Ruby Princess – March 10 in Fort Lauderdale

Golden Princess – March 14 in Los Angeles

Royal Princess – March 27 in Fort Lauderdale

Star Princess – April 10 in Fort Lauderdale

Caribbean Princess – May 18 in New York

Sea Princess – June 1 in San Francisco

During the Alaska season, Sapphire Princess, Golden Princess and Royal Princess will offer the program in Seattle, beginning in May.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

And to make it even more of a deal, Hurtigruten is allowing the discount to be combined with a two other offers: “10% Repeater Discount” – for passengers who sailed on any Hurtigruten ship in the past three years; and “AARP” – members receive a $50 shipboard credit; as do “AAA” members. Add-on airfares from dozens of North American gateways range from $100 to $600.

Included cruises are three “Greenland” September departures – discounted rates for suites are $5,649 to $9,314 per person, double; the 11-day, May 29 “Climate Pilgrimage” sailing to Northern Norway and the Arctic island of Spitsbergen — $5,108 to $7,137 for suites (other cabin grades on this cruise enjoy a 15% reduction – no free air – $4,100 to $5,263); and a new European cruise — “Baltic Adventure” — a fascinating 11-day, roundtrip journey that takes in major sites in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia and Poland – suite fares are $4,325 to $5,522.

While guests see the effects of ‘global warming’ firsthand in Greenland, from both the deck of the luxury expedition ship and on shore, experts in numerous disciplines, including geology, weather, marine life, environment, history and culture, fill in the gaps of their understanding of this ice-encrusted ancient land. Passengers take in sights and scenery little changed in 5,000 years while moving from village to village, as well as spend time ashore, meeting and sharing time with the local population. Scenic highlights include Eqip Sermia Glacier, a huge wall of ice that calves directly into the sea; towering icebergs in Disko Bay and at the mouth of Jakobshavn Ice Fjord, a World Heritage Site; and Jakobshavn Glacier, the world’s most active glacier. Guided walking tours take in Inuit villages and towns, with tongue-twisting names – Qeqertarsuaq, Ukkusissat, Itelleq and Ilulissat – and illustrate how the friendly local populations flourish in one of the harshest climates on Earth.

Guests on Hurtigruten’s “Climate Pilgrimage” visit research stations, track wildlife, participate in field studies and meet with some of the field’s top climate research scientists during visits in Northern Norway and the Arctic island of Spitsbergen. The warming of the Arctic now allows vessels to cross the 80th parallel – something not possible less than 20 years ago. Walruses, whales and polar bears rule this region and the MS Fram will treat guests to a close look at the marginal ice-zone and its large yearly variations.

“Baltic Adventure” showcases the variety, beauty and fairy-tale quality of the Baltic Sea. The 11-day adventure begins and ends in Norway’s Oslo, exploring the city and visiting the museum that houses the original Fram – the only wooden-hulled ship to explore both poles, more than 100 years ago. Highlights include Sweden’s Stockholm, known as the “Venice of the North”; Finland’s Helsinki, boasting a lively marketplace, rich cultural life and architectural gems; St. Petersburg, Russia’s cultural capital, home to the famed Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum; Estonia’s capital city of Tallinn, a World Heritage Site due in large part to its 13th-century Toompea Castle and Kadriorg Palace; and Poland’s port city of Gdynia, a sister site of the 1970 rebellion, and now an important center of commerce.

The 12,700-ton, eight-deck MS Fram, makes significant use of Greenland’s culture as inspiration for design while incorporating a striking Scandinavian feel. Suites include seating areas, some with two rooms, TV, mini-bar and queen-size beds. The ship boasts an Internet café, a large glass-enclosed observation salon offering panoramic views, restaurant with ocean views, wellness center with saunas, work-out room and two glass-screened heated outdoor whirlpools; a friendly and well-informed crew is ready to offer assistance and suggestions when asked.

All sailings include cabin category selected, three meals daily aboard ship, services of naturalist guides, specified land excursions and PolarCirkel excursions, ship transfers, government fees, cruise taxes and port charges. Airline fuel surcharges, air taxes and ticketing fees are additional.

Hurtigruten is a world leader in expedition cruising, sailing to the most remote of destinations including Antarctica, Greenland and the Arctic’s Spitsbergen as well as year round along Norway’s coast. Additional information on all of these adventures, as well as brochures and reservations, can be obtained from travel agents or Hurtigruten’s visitor-friendly web site, www.hurtigruten.us; or by phone: (800) 323-7436; fax (888)-524-2145; for brochures (800) 582-0835, 24 hours a day

The sailing ship line says it will substitute the Caribbean island of Nevis on upcoming itineraries of the 227-passenger Royal Clipper. The ship normally calls in Antigua every two weeks.

“Star Clippers has called at Antigua for many years without incident, and with its long sailing and yacht history, the island has always been a popular destination with our guests,” Star Clippers CEO Mikael Krafft said in a statement. “We are taking this decision after much deliberation, and we will continue to monitor the security situation in Antigua and evaluate our options for next winter season regarding returning to the island.”

As most of you know, I was on the sailing when Nina was murdered. I have been following the case very closely and unfortunately no one has been arrested yet. I believe Star Clippers is making a smart decision.

In Argentina and Chile, the 5-deck, 64-cabin twin ships Mare and Via Australis, which were purposely built for cruises to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, sail from Ushuaia around Cape Horn to Punta Arenas on 3-night voyages.  On the Beyond the End of the World journey, they are combined with Buenos Aires, Santiago and the Santa Cruz Wine Region (from $2,529).  Longer journeys from Buenos Aires to Santiago and vice versa include Bariloche or Iguazu Falls (from $3,933).

In Brazil, the 4-deck, 15-cabin riverboat Premium has spacious cabins and public spaces, but is shallow enough to navigate remote tributaries.  It makes 2-, 3- and 5-night cruises on the Amazon from Manaus, including Rio and Salvador de Bahia (from $2,941).  The larger, very upscale Gran Amazon (which has two pools, a fitness room and Internet access) cruises along the Negro and Solimoes rivers, as well as the Amazon.

Nomads of the Seas’ Atmosphere carries 28 passengers on 7-night “Posh Patagonia” cruises deep into the wilds of Chilean Patagonia in great luxury, complete with spa, thalassotherapy pools, a gourmet restaurant and—yes—a helicopter (from $10,928).

There’s a huge choice of small motor yachts, catamarans and expedition vessels plying Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands.  The star of the show, however, is the stylish and elegant motor sailer, Alta, which makes 7-night voyages through the Galapagos, often under sail.  They can be combined with a pre/post extension to Quito (from $6,995).

And finally, in Peru, cruising the northern Amazon from Iquitos, there are two beautiful cruise ships that look rather like large houseboats.  The M/V Aqua, custom-designed in 2007 to the highest standards, has 12 cabins with panoramic windows, excellent Peruvian cuisine and all the comforts of home.  The M/V Delfin, a 19^th-century-style Amazon riverboat, has seven cabins with private bath and air conditioning.  Both offer 3-, 4- and 7-night cruises plus visits to Cuzco and Machu Picchu (from $4,822).

All prices quoted are per person, double occupancy, subject to availability and do not include flights, departure taxes, hotel taxes, Galapagos Park fees or gratuities.  Cruise only rates are available upon request.  For additional information, visit www.myexclusivejourneys.com or call 1-888-334-6905.