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Variety Cruises, Small Ship Cruise Line, Launches New Voyages in Red Sea, Greece and Turkey, Canary Islands, Madagascar

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Variety Cruises' Harmony V.
Variety Cruises’ Harmony V.

Athens, Greece-based small ship cruise line Variety Cruises is launching five new itineraries in 2015 and 2016, including cruises in the Red Sea, Greece and Turkey, the Canary Islands and in Madagascar and its Mozambique Channel Islands.

Red Sea Cruises will debut in 2016 on the 21-cabin Motor Yacht Harmony G, operating two 6 night / 7 day cruise itineraries in the area: the Kings and Pharaohs Cruise and the Splendours of the Red Sea Cruise, two equally fascinating cruise programs showcasing the treasures of the Red Sea and the cultural diversity of Egypt and Jordan. Variety Cruise’s Kings and Pharaohs Cruise from Aqaba, Jordan to Suez, Egypt (or reverse) program includes Luxor, the ancient land of gods and pharaohs and home of the Valley of the Kings, and the Karnak and Luxor temples, Sharm el Sheikh in the Sinai peninsula and home to St. Catherine’s Monastery atop Mt. Sinai and pre- and post-cruise tours in Jordan and Cairo, to unravel the amazing cultural diversity of the region.

The Splendours of the Red Sea Cruise from Hurghada to Hurghada, Egypt allows for more time in Aqaba, Jordan with visits of Petra and Wadi Rum, as well as for more swim stops to enjoy the sun and the underwater treasures of the Red Sea (www.varietycruises.com/english/home/cruiseCalendar/Red+Sea/34).

Greece and Turkey: The Aegean Mosaic Cruise is a 7 night/8 day program from Athens to Istanbul (or reverse), with 4 sailings in 2015 and 9 sailings in 2016. Travelers sail on the 36-cabin Mega Yacht Variety Voyager, discovering both mainland port cities and islands throughout eight days. The cruise takes passengers from the exotic city of Istanbul and the fabled ancient cities of Troy, Pergamon and Ephesus to the glitzy Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini as well as off-the-beaten track islands of Patmos, Samos and Arki, where large cruise ships cannot dock. The cruise offers passengers six optional excursions and three swim stops at the most picturesque locations in the Greek islands (www.varietycruises.com/english/home/cruiseCalendar/Cruises+in+Greece+and+Turkey/32).

The Canary Islands: The Canary Islands Discovery on the 25-cabin Motor Yacht Harmony V is a 7 night/8 day cruise program showing this 10 islands archipelago – a perfect fit for Variety’s small ships — with tremendous bio and cultural diversity and close to perfect weather conditions. Guests will sail this new program from December 2015 to March 2016, which is the best period to visit the Canary Islands with temperatures not exceeding 71-74 degrees Farenheit and when winds are at their lowest. Passengers explore Gran Canaria, the main island, with its capital Las Palmas, cosmopolitan Lanzarote, Tenerife and La Palma or Isla Bonita. The simple wild beauty of Fuerteventura and the small and quaint island of La Gomera enchant the senses. Variety Cruises will operate 14 sailings plus an end March repositioning cruise from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Malaga, Spain. An Excursions Package including walking tours and excursions is available at additional cost (www.varietycruises.com/english/home/cruiseCalendar/Cruises+in+the+Canary+Islands/36).

Madagascar and its Mozambique Channel Islands:Madagascar and its Mozambique Channel Islands Cruise on the 21-cabin Motor Yacht Pegasus, is a 9 night / 10 day itinerary showing North West Madagascar in a way no land tour or cruise has done so before:  The Madagascar mainland portion of the itinerary includes the magnificent Diego Suarez Bay, the Ankarana Park and Amber Mountain. The itinerary also includes an island hopping portion reaching  the most beautiful islands in the Mozambique channel such as Hara, Mitsio, Komba, Sakatia, Iranji and Nosy Be.  The program can embark from Nosy Be or from Diego Suarez and an Excursions Package is available including walking tours and excursions. There will be a Madagascar Specialist Guide on board to educate passengers on the islands and their histories (www.varietycruises.com/english/home/cruiseCalendar/Madagascar/33).

Variety Cruises, one of the world’s largest small ships cruise companies, has been offering passengers worldwide a total yachting experience since 1949. Their fleet of 11 fully-owned vessels varies in size from 4 to 36 cabins. Their yachts and staff provide an intimate and relaxed environment; a comfort filled starting point for the discerning travelers as they visit well known and unique ports of call, including Seychelles, Madagascar, Greece, Turkey, Costa Rica and Panama. Fine locally-flavored cuisine, exciting itineraries and personalized service are just a few of the things that have made Variety Cruises the choice for the ever-growing number of travelers looking for distinctive small ship cruise experiences. Visit www.varietycruises.com.

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AdventureSmith Explorations’ Small Ships Cruise Into Intimate Ports this Spring

Small ship cruise expert AdventureSmith Explorations http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com announces Spring 2015 cruises that probe the fecundity of the Galapagos and the profundity of classical Greece.
Small ship cruise expert AdventureSmith Explorations http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com announces Spring 2015 cruises that probe the fecundity of the Galapagos and the profundity of classical Greece.

TAHOE CITY, CA – Small ship cruise expert AdventureSmith Explorations announces Spring 2015 cruises that probe the fecundity of the Galapagos and the profundity of classical Greece, among others.

“Cruises into pristine, nature-focused destinations such as Darwin’s magical archipelago, the ancient Greek Isles of Plato and Homer and into Baja’s Sea of Cortez, a favorite playground and laboratory of Jacques Cousteau are voyages every modern adventurer should take. Plus it’s ever so much more exciting in the spring when the oceans are full of life and rebirth,” said Todd Smith, Founder and President of AdventureSmith Explorations.

Here are Smith’s favorite spring trips for the upcoming 2015 season:

Small Yacht Galapagos Cruises
While equatorial Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands technically have no “spring season” weather-wise, April and May offer the best air and water temperatures and calmest seas, making these months best for snorkeling with sea lions, penguins and tropical fish. Stunning waved albatross return to Espanola Island; many other birds and reptiles are nesting in the spring. Favorite springtime ships include the 20-passenger sister ships Eric, Letty and Flamingo. According to Smith, “Their family cruises are second to none” and are offered during spring and Easter break in March and April. These ships boast the best guide-to-passenger ratio and are some of the more eco-friendly yachts to ply Galapagos waters.

Hawaiian Seascapes
Springtime in Hawaii means perfect weather and an explosion of flowers, blossoms and fruit. Rainfall diminishes as trade winds fade; the surf also calms and water temperature rise, all adding up to excellent snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboard conditions. Whales are active in the Auau Channel. The 36-guest adventure yacht Safari Explorer navigates a unique Hawaiian Seascapes cruise itinerary to Molokai, Lanai, Maui and the big island introducing authentic Hawaii in intimate ports of call.

Delfin II Amazon River Cruise
The weather cools down in March, April and May marking the end of the Amazon’s high water season, Smith’s favorite time to cruise. But the water is still high enough so that skiffs can make forays into the rainforest to sight wildlife. Four or five day cruises aboard the luxurious 28-guest Delfin II are more affordable than other ships in the region. Activities include skiff rides, kayaking, hiking and fishing. From the river guests often extend their adventure with a trip to Machu Picchu or a Mountain Lodge Trek.

Classical Greece
Savvy travelers know that spring is the best time to travel in Greece. Temperatures are moderate, winds are calmer, crowds are light and wildflowers are abundant. Classical Greece aboard the 49-guest Harmony V embodies the best of spring in the islands and Mediterranean small ship cruising. The ship accesses smaller ports of call that aren’t accessible to large ships: Delos, Mykonos, Santorini, Crete and Nafplion. Along the way the ship stops in hidden coves and glimpse ancient history away from tourist crowds.

Great Barrier Reef Cruises
It’s autumn in the southern hemisphere in April and May, a small window between high and low seasons offering comfortable air and water temperatures and less rain making snorkeling and diving ideal in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The Coral Princess I and Coral Princess II are specially outfitted to explore the reef in style. Unlike live-aboard dive cruises, these small ship voyages of four, five and eight days focus on average travelers who would like to explore on foot, by skiff and by snorkeling, with an option to dive.

Cousteau’s Aquarium of the World
The elegant and functional 84-guest Safari Endeavour is returning to Baja for the first time since she was Cruise West’s Spirit of Endeavour. Recently refitted with ample air conditioning, spacious common areas, comfortable cabins and numerous off-vessel activities, this expedition ship cruise includes hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and sunbathing as primary activities. After whale season ends, the weather warms up and winds die down making Baja a great beach and adventure getaway. Think snorkeling among gentle whale sharks and sea lion pups. In a setting of steep bluffs and sandy beaches, guests explore Cabo Pulmo, where French Oceanographer Jacques Cousteau led numerous expeditions. Baja is easily reached in less than four hours from most major US airports.

For more details on all spring 2015 cruises from AdventureSmith see:
http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/top-small-ship-cruises-for-spring-2015

Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Explorations is based in Tahoe City, CA. For information, availability and 2015 reservations, call 800-728-2875 or visit www.adventuresmithexplorations.com.

Follow AdventureSmith Explorations:
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Twitter:    https://twitter.com/adventuresmith

 

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cruises

Group IST Launches Arcadia Small Ship Cruises, to Sail to Hard-to-Reach Ports

Variety Cruises' Harmony V is part of the Arcadia Small Ship portfolio.
Variety Cruises’ Harmony V is part of the Arcadia Small Ship portfolio.

Group travel provider Group IST has launched Arcadia Small Ship Cruises, marketing a fleet of 11 small ships, including yachts and barges, sailing to hard-to-reach domestic and international ports of call.

Partnering with Blount Small Ship Adventures, CroisiEurope, Rivages du Monde and Variety Cruises, Arcadia Small Ship Cruises offers a portfolio of programs to destinations including Cuba, the Mekong River, Seychelles, Costa Rica, the northeast United States, the Greek islands and France’s rivers and canals. Arcadia aims to offer American travelers a more service-driven and personalized cruise experience at affordable prices, with per passenger prices starting at $1,460.

“Group IST prides itself on offering meaningful travel experiences. Our clients have come to trust us as a provider of enriching land-based travel programs throughout Europe, the Near East and Africa. We’re now thrilled to be able to offer a diverse range of sea-based programs in line with our company’s ideals,” said Group IST President and CEO Michael Goren. “We’ve vetted many cruise lines and small ships around the world, looking for products that we know our audience will find substantial and memorable.”

“Small ship cruises can not only dock in hard-to-access ports, but they give cruisers ample time to explore each destination,” added Group IST COO Tom Souza. “Arcadia ships often dock right in the heart of the various ports without the need to tender and with no long security lines.”

Arcadia Small Ship Cruises offers cruisers programs to a variety of international destinations on state-of-the-art ships, while providing intimate service and fine dining. Arcadia sails to diverse ports of call many larger ships cannot reach, including the islands of New England, the Adriatic and the Panama Canal. Most ships and mega yachts that are in the Arcadia portfolio accommodate no more than 100 passengers, allowing a more personalized connection with the staff and fellow passengers. For more information visit www.arcadiasmallshipcruises.com.

The ships and the itineraries are not new. What is new is that the programs are coming under the umbrella of Arcadia Small Ship Cruises, a newly formed company. There are several benefits to booking through Arcadia, rather than directly through the various cruise lines:

1. Arcadia’s Loyalty Club enables travelers to earn points on any of the cruises, be they operated by Blount, Variety, CroisiEurope or Rivages, and redeem them through any of the operators too.
2. For those we are interested, Arcadia Small Ship Cruises can also handle air arrangements and organize pre/post cruise land programs.
3. Travelers can use Arcadia’s secure website to book or get personalized attention thru the call center. Either way, their information does not have to be re-entered each time they wish to cruise with any of the 4 operators.

For more information visit www.groupist.com.

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cruises, ecotourism, expeditionary cruises, Responsible Travel, Sustainable Travel

Galapagos Small-Ship Cruise Operator Ecoventura To Launch the Islands’ Newest Premium Class Vessel

Ecoventura is now taking bookings for MV Origin’s inaugural cruise Jan. 3, 2016.
Ecoventura is now taking bookings for MV Origin’s inaugural cruise Jan. 3, 2016.

Ecoventura, which operates an environmentally friendly fleet of small expedition yachts in the Galapagos Islands, plans to debut the region’s newest ship in early 2016.

Construction of the 20-passenger motor vessel is underway at the shipyard in Guayaquil, Ecuador but Ecoventura has begun taking bookings for MV Origin’s inaugural cruise Jan. 3, 2016. When launched she will be the newest and most comfortable 20-passenger yacht operating in Galapagos.

The vessel’s owner, Ecoventura, has more than two decades experience in sustainable tourism.

“We are exploring ways to make the Origin the most comfortable and environmentally efficient yacht in Galapagos,” Ecoventura founder and owner Santiago Dunn. “Our first goal is to reduce fossil fuel consumption by 45 percent (from 1800 gallons to 1000 gallons per week),” he explains. “This is no simple achievement when you consider our plans to sail at 12 knots on two engines so that guests can spend as much time as possible at each visitor site.”

MV Origin, designed for guests with a highly evolved lifestyle, will combine modern sophistication and a high level of comfort and service, with quality guided land excursions in small groups, gastronomical experiences, exciting physical activities and a dose of intellectual science for a life enriching experience. A veteran crew supervised by a master-level captain, two expert naturalist guides and a concierge will be at the beck and call of guests. Social areas offer private moments on board with a library, boutique, computer station, lounge areas, dining room, bar, Jacuzzi, sun deck, recliners and wet bar.

Guests aboard Origin will enjoy locally sourced, healthy, gourmet-style menus designed by top local chefs and creatively prepared by Ecoventura’s culinary school trained chefs. Some lunches will be served al fresco on deck. Passengers will have an open bar policy, including wine and local beer.

The vessel will feature 10 deluxe staterooms all located on the main deck with panoramic windows and private bathroom. Each stateroom is 140 square feet, with two twin beds that convert to a king, two connecting cabins, two triples, fine linens, bathrobes, and satellite TV.

Guests wishing to stay in shape will enjoy a fitness center with cardio equipment. The services of a professional masseuse can also be arranged at an additional charge on private charters only. Twice daily cabin cleanings are provided. Laundry service is also available. Guide lectures, cooking demonstrations and yoga will be part of the on-ship activities.
Ecoventura’s Director of Sales & Marketing, Doris Welsh, explained that MV Origin rates reflecting a premium class vessel will be higher than those on its three existing first class vessels, the Eric, Flamingo and Letty.  A per person double rate for an eight-day all-inclusive cruise will be $6,500. Rates include cabin accommodation, all meals and snacks, all beverages including open bar, Captain’s welcome and farewell party, guided shore excursions, services of a concierge, use of wet suits, snorkelling equipment, stand-up paddle boards and sea kayaks, and transfers in the islands between the airport and dock.

There are two distinct itineraries on weekly (Sundays), year-round departures from the island of San Cristobal. The tours visit the most spectacular visitor sites of the archipelago; western/northern and central/southern.

Ecoventura is a family-owned company based in Guayaquil, Ecuador, with sales offices in Quito and Miami. In operation since 1990, the cruise company transports 4,000+ passengers annually aboard its fleet of at present three identical, 20-passenger first-class motor yachts, Eric, Flamingo and Letty, and the 16-passenger luxury dive live-aboard the MV Galapagos Sky. Departures are every Sunday from San Cristobal offering two unique seven-night itineraries.

Contact Ecoventura, at 800.633.7972, or e-mail [email protected]. To access current rates, schedules and itineraries log on to www.ecoventura.com.

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