MORAL COMPASS: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

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Kontiki Expeditions Launches Luxury Small-Ship Cruises Along Coastal Ecuador

March 23, 2022 MoralCompass

Kontiki Expeditions, the first water-based member of Small Luxury Hotels and a proponent of sustainable, “neo-luxury” travel, is introducing an eight-day exploration aboard th 132-foot, 18-passenger M/S Wayra of the seldom-visited Ecuadorian coast, allowing for a rich cultural adventure and an exclusive voyage (photo courtesy Kontiki Expeditions)

Manta, Ecuador – Beginning late March 2022, Kontiki Expeditions will offer an eight-day exploration of the seldom-visited Ecuadorian coast, allowing for a rich cultural adventure and an exclusive voyage. With only nine staterooms and excursions to sparsely populated coastal ports, social distancing on the 132-foot M/S Wayra is the norm rather than the exception. Kontiki Expeditions is the first water-based member of Small Luxury Hotels and a proponent of sustainable, “neo-luxury” travel.

Kontiki Expeditions is a new concept in luxury ocean cruises focusing on conscious travel and immersive water and land experiences. Carrying a maximum of 18 guests, Kontiki’s 128-foot superyacht M/S Kontiki Wayra travels two routes along the Ecuadorian coast, immersing guests in the country’s wealth of birds, animals, flora, fauna, indigenous foods and cultural traditions while adhering to a “neo luxury” philosophy of sustainability and giving back to the communities visited. The yacht’s small size and routes allow access to smaller ports and villages starting from or ending in Manta or Guayaquil. Guests will visit small towns and nature reserves while experiencing the adventure of an expedition cruise.

Prior to each cruise, a Kontiki concierge will reach out to determine each guest’s culinary and activity wishes, creating a bespoke experience that allows for activities to meet varying interests. Additionally, the yacht can be booked as a full charter tailored to the desires of a group.

“We have the luxury of delving deeply into the areas we visit,” notes Carlos Nuñez, CEO and founder of Kontiki Expeditions. “Guests, more than ever, are looking for smaller environments on board and on land, with fewer people and less exposure to risk. We are proud to offer our luxurious yacht and crew to create an experience that is enriching, exciting and safe.”

He adds, “Environmental protection is critical when it comes to cruising. We adhere to strict sustainability standards on board, at sea and on land. We are also committed to a variety of social programs including sponsorship of the Real Madrid Foundation to promote values to children through sports.”

The Expeditions

The new Kontiki Expeditions yacht, M/Y Wayra offers two eight-day itineraries, The Toquilla Expedition and The Spondylus Expedition, in which Kontiki will transport guests to untouristed areas in Ecuador to explore and celebrate the indigenous cultures within a context of wellness.

Programs and excursions are led by 13 crew members and two local experts committed to sustainability and conscious travel. Onboard, wellness professionals, naturalist guides and a local chef who creates farm-to-table and sea-to-table cuisine add to the distinctive Kontiki expedition. Gastronomic experiences featuring local chocolate, seafood, and produce will be enjoyed both onboard and on land.

The superyacht is a testament to luxury with a sundeck, gourmet salon, two outdoor lounges, bar, hot tub, massage, yoga, and a gym and fitness area. Staterooms are stylishly appointed with an eye to comfort using local, sustainable materials, decorated with a sense of place. Automated lights, A/V and A/C plus unlimited WiFi add to the luxury. A nearly 1:1 crew to guest ratio allows for personalization and attention to guest needs and interests, from packing and unpacking luggage to creating a special meal or activity.

Guests can expect to see the country’s beloved blue-footed boobies along with sea lions and howler monkeys… without the crowds. Mixing float time with the use of water toys and water activities including diving, snorkeling and SUP, Kontiki will visit small coastal ports where locals will join Kontiki staff in leading visits. Daily on-board schedules rotate with cooking classes, wellness activities, and chocolate and coffee tastings.

Excursions and Islands

Kontiki Expedition excursions include hands-on experiences and observations of lifestyles, handicrafts, cuisine and traditions:

· A visit to a cocoa farm to learn about chocolate making and enjoy a chocolate tasting

· A gastronomic experience with ancestral cuisine and a cooking demonstration

· Visit to a New Latitude vineyard for a special tasting

· Hiking with wildlife spotting in the Pacoche Humid Forest and nature reserve

· Visit to the artisan Toquilla straw hat weavers

· Visit to San Lorenzo lighthouse for amazing coastal views and visit to the turtle nesting site

· Sailing to Isla de la Plata for a day of marine activities and a wildlife hike

· Visit to ancient community of Agua Blanca with a wellness-oriented swimming experience in the sulphurous lagoon

· Visit to Los Frailes beach to the marine beach club for marine golf, kayaking, diving, paddle boarding and more

Islands and inland areas visited include Bahia de Caraquez, San Mateo, Pile, San Lorenzo, Isla de la Plata, Agua Blanca, and Puyango where local communities welcome Kontiki passengers and indigenous blue-footed boobies, howler monkeys, cuzumbos, silver rays and hummingbirds abound.

Guest and crew health and safety are priorities and sanitization and wellness protocols are summarized on Kontiki’s website at https://kontikiexpeditions.com/en/health-policy/.

Pricing begins at $7245 USD per person per week, based on double occupancy, and includes all activities, meals, transfers to and from ports, park entrance fees, guided expeditions and more. Solo traveler rate and private charter rates are also available.

Expeditions for Environmentally Conscious Travelers

The first water-based member of Small Luxury Hotels, Kontiki Expeditions is a pioneer in conscious luxury travel, offering immersive and sustainable superyacht expeditions. Sailing the untouristed Ecuadorian coast, the nine-stateroom Kontiki Expeditions yachts introduce a maximum of 18 guests to the richness of the land and sea.

On-board crew include a local chef, naturalist and wellness experts. Multi-stop itineraries feature hiking, snorkeling, meetings with locals, in-depth cultural explorations, wellness activities and gastronomy. Kontiki Expeditions travelers experience the country’s biodiversity – including its famous blue-footed boobies and howler monkeys — all in a protected environment where sustainability and uncrowded venues are paramount. Kontiki prides itself in giving back to the communities visited with resources and education.

Health protocols prior to boarding, on ship, on land, and prior to departure are strictly followed. The Safe Travels accreditation by WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council) has been achieved for all sailings.

For more information, visit www.kontikiexpeditions.com/en, call +5933984364149; email info@kontikiexpeditions.com or join in the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. For a sample of where Kontiki Expeditions will voyage, visit https://vimeo.com/376273581/a70b344db1.

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cruises, expeditionary cruises

Newest Destination Worthy of Exploration by Lindblad Expeditions: America’s East Coast

March 22, 2022 MoralCompass

Maine’s famous Rockland Light guides sailing vessels in the Penobscot Bay, one of the destinations of Lindblad Expeditions’ new expeditionary sailing itineraries along the East Coast © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com.

NEW YORK — Lindblad Expeditions is introducing new itineraries to explore an area few know exists and even fewer will ever experience: America’s East Coast. Starting this fall, Lindblad Expeditions is launching seven new itineraries for 2022 and 2023 designed to explore the most ecologically and culturally diverse destinations along the East Coast. They will take a unique expeditionary approach as they go in search of the wild, seldom-seen side of the Eastern Seaboard. Along this dynamic coastline, often not too far from bustling cities, you’ll find uninhabited islands with wildlife refuges and abandoned forts and castles, many of which are unknown even to locals.

Ranging from six to eight days, the itineraries will feature Maine, Cape Cod, Georgia, South Carolina low country, New York’s Hudson Valley, and the Chesapeake area off the coast of Maryland. Set aboard the 62-guest National Geographic Sea Lion, the intimately scaled ship will explore secluded coves and barrier islands on wholly unique expeditions that would be impossible to replicate without a private yacht and an army of experts. From the windswept sand dunes of the South to Mid-Atlantic estuarine backwaters and island villages in the North with no paved roads, these exclusive journeys will take guests into little-known American wilderness, history, and culture.

East Coast itineraries and highlights below, rates are based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.

Exploring the Hudson River: Fall Colors, Conservation & CreativityThrough the cascading colors of autumn, “America’s First River” will welcome guests on a journey into a place of serene nature, conservation, and transformation via expertly curated experiences. Explore the Hudson Valley Natural Heritage Area, part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve, kayak in riverside wetlands on the lookout for bald eagles, wood ducks, and muskrats. Meet the passionate caretakers who have written the region’s conservation success stories. Visit Storm King Mountain Art Center and Sleepy Hollow, to hear Washington Irving’s ageless tale re-told. Photographers will love the opportunities to capture the iconic lighthouses and bridges along the voyage. Departures Oct 13, 27; Nov 3, 10, 2022; Oct 14, 2023. Rates begin at $5,590.

Wild South Carolina Escape: Beaufort and the Barrier Islands On this unforgettable Eastern Seaboard adventure guests will voyage windswept islands, wildlife refuges, picturesque neighborhoods on Sea Islands, and a string of barrier and tidal isles that carve South Carolina’s Low Country into a maze of waterways and wilderness. Guests will watch for fauna, alligators, and loggerhead turtles on the pristine wilderness of St. Phillip’s Island and coast in a Zodiac along the shores of Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge to view dolphins and seabirds. Explore one of the country’s most beautiful towns, Beaufort, S.C., where opulent mansions and historic churches and schools tell stories of the past. Departures Nov 22, 2022; Apr 29, May 4, 9, 14, 2023. Rates begin at $3,990.

Exploring the Low Country: Cumberland Island to Charleston Encounter sea turtles, stroll through charming Charleston and Savannah, and meet the Gullah-Geechee residents of Hog Hammock on a fascinating adventure through the Low Country’s wild landscapes and coastal communities. Navigate through an intricate web of waterways offer undulating dunes, meadows, marshes, and forests that teem with birdlife and other creatures. Discover these stunning wilderness areas with expert naturalists, kayak in salt marshes and coastal lagoons rich with wildlife, including American alligators and dolphins. Meet researchers at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island; and enjoy excellent spring birding, watching for roseate spoonbills, wood storks, tricolored herons, and up to 20 species of migrant warblers. Departures April 8, 15, 22, 2023. Rates begin at $5,760.

New York City to Cape Cod: Discovering Whales, Great White Sharks, and Seafaring History Sail beneath the iconic Brooklyn Bridge on the way to Long Island Sound, where guests will discover little-known archipelagos via kayak and Zodiac cruise. Explore the many islands of Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, encounter some of the world’s largest common tern colonies on Great Gull Island and see tens of thousands of gray seals. The marine ecosystems are equally fascinating with eelgrass meadows, corals, sponges, and an underwater plateau that draws 17 species of whales, creating New England’s only national marine sanctuary. Enjoy seaside towns, lighthouses, and historic forts, with an insider’s look at leading scientific research stations and important conservation efforts. Visit Mystic Seaport, the largest maritime museum in the world, and Plum and Penikese Islands. Departures June 25; Aug 5, 12; Oct 2, 2023. Rates begin at $5,760.

Exploring Lobsters, Lighthouses, and Hidden Inlets of Coastal Maine Go whale watching in the Stellwagen Bank Marine Reserve, New England’s only national marine sanctuary, and visit the offshore seabird colony of Eastern Egg Rock, site of the world’s first restored Atlantic puffin colony. Explore rocky islets by kayak, paddleboard, or Zodiac, and take advantage of the golden light of summer and early fall for excellent photographic opportunities. Visit the artist communities of Provincetown and Monhegan Island, and feast on a classic Maine lobster boil. Departures July 2, 29; Aug 19; Sept 25, 2023. Rates begin at$5,760.

Wild Chesapeake Bay Escape: Waterways, Watermen, and Wildlife Explore the remote coves and islands of America’s largest estuary in the silent backwaters and fragile ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay. Voyage to Smith and Tangier Islands, the Chesapeake’s only inhabited islands, to discover the unique culture and history of the bay’s watermen. Guests will paddleboard, kayak, and ride Zodiacs along the tributaries, remote islands, inlets, and coves of the Chesapeake, learning about the delicate ecosystems of the Chesapeake and the work of conservation organizations dedicated to preserving the ecological balance of the bay. Departures May 30, June 4, 9, 14, 19, 2023. Rates begin at $4,110.

Wild Maine Escape: Exploring Downeast & Acadia National Park On a rejuvenating expedition along Maine’s wild and rugged coast, time stands still in tiny fishing villages on remote islands, in the quiet coves of rocky islets, and in the ancient tall stands of pine and spruce forests. Explore the world’s first restored Atlantic puffin colony; windswept places that inspired writers and artists, and remote communities with no paved roads. Discover Acadia National Park’s secluded Schoodic Peninsula by kayak and hikes. Photograph the lighthouses and picturesque harbors of Penobscot Bay and visit artists on Monhegan Island. Meet local researchers and enjoy a farm-to-table dinner at a farm on North Haven Island. Departures July 9, 14, 19, 24; Aug 26, 2023. Rates begin at $4,110.

THE UNITED COASTS OF AMERICA OFFER – To celebrate America’s wild places on both stunning coasts, Lindblad Expeditions has a special offer for guests who join a U.S. expedition—travel on any U.S. West Coast (Alaska, Pacific Northwest, or Channel Islands) 2022 expedition and receive 20% off any U.S. East Coast Expedition in 2022 or 2023.

For reservations or additional information on Lindblad Expeditions voyages visit www.expeditions.com, call 1-800-EXPEDITION (1-800-397-3348) or contact your travel advisor.

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Arctic/Antarctic Travel, cruises, expeditionary cruises, Uncategorized

Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Resolution to Explore Arctic Svalbard Earlier than Ever, Adds 2 Departures

March 22, 2022 MoralCompass

Lindblad Expeditions will venture to the Arctic *earlier in the season than ever before* when they bring their newest polar vessel, the 126-guest National Geographic Resolution, to Svalbard on two newly added departures (photo courtesy Lindblad Expeditions)

NEW YORK — Lindblad Expeditions announced that this April the small-ship expeditionary cruise line, will venture to the Arctic earlier in the season than ever before when they bring their newest polar vessel, the 126-guest National Geographic Resolution, to Svalbard on two newly added departures.

The expeditions will take place during the Arctic’s spring awakening—a true Arctic refuge, covered in snow and surrounded by sea ice—illuminated by the astonishing light that provides “magic hour” most of the day. It is an experience few have witnessed, and National Geographic Resolution’s ice class and technology, with the experience of Lindblad’s polar captains, was built for these exact conditions.

Set against stunning icescapes and snow-covered mountains, the expedition will voyage deep into and around the Svalbard Archipelago in search of walrus, seals with their pups, and polar bears returning to their spring hunting grounds on the pack ice. Guests will have the opportunity to walk on the frozen sea ice, an adventure only possible in early spring. Photographers will be blown away by the lights and landscapes, and novices and experts alike can capture it all with expert photographers onboard to help bring their skills to the next level.

Sven Lindblad, founder of Lindblad Expeditions, will be joining the April 18^th departure. Sven led a small reconnaissance team in Svalbard to determine whether early spring would be a good time of year to explore this extraordinary region for their guests. “It was without a doubt the most magical Arctic experience any of us had ever had. It was stunningly beautiful, and we validated every premise that we imagined. Unique and wondrous, we were alone in one of the world’s wildest places,” he remarked.

The 11-day Svalbard in Spring: Polar Bears, Arctic Light & Epic Ice voyages are set for April 18 and April 25, 2022. Rates begin at $11,990 per person, based on double occupancy in a category one cabin.

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Lindblad Expeditions Goes Beyond the Inside Passage with Two New Alaska Itineraries

March 22, 2022 MoralCompass

Alaska, Katmai National Park. After recently adding National Geographic Sea Lion, Lindblad Expeditions, the small ship expedition cruise line, is deploying National Geographic Orion on two expeditions this summer that will take guests into and beyond Alaska’s Inside Passage to untrammeled, hard-to-reach spots along the gulf coast (photo courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions)

NEW YORK — Excitement is high for Alaska’s epic wildness and wide-open spaces this season and Lindblad Expeditions is offering guests an extraordinary selection of itineraries to explore it. After recently adding National Geographic Sea Lion, the small ship expedition cruise line has just announced that National Geographic Orion will also embark on two expeditions this summer that will take guests into and beyond Alaska’s Inside Passage to untrammeled, hard-to-reach spots along the gulf coast.

Both itineraries will offer guests a comprehensive exploration including their most sweeping coastal expedition ever of southeast and southcentral Alaska, and a remarkable Bering Sea adventure exploring the Pribilofs, Katmai and Kodiak.

The elegant, 100-guest National Geographic Orion will do a series of six Alaska departures. All voyages will provide guests the wild, iconic Alaska experience Lindblad Expeditions has honed over nearly 40 years of expedition discovery. Guests will witness the exhilarating wildness only accessible via small, nimble ships as they explore deep into remote Alaska—surrounded by extraordinary wildlife and epic landscapes.

And, for guests looking to reconnect with friends and family in Alaska this summer: book three full-paying guests and bring a fourth person free on select departures of ‘Epic Coastal Alaska’. Or take advantage of a complimentary hotel night and special air savings on ‘Bering Sea Wilderness’. The itineraries, departure dates and starting rates are:

Epic Coastal Alaska: This 15-day adventure will cruise amidst the temperate rainforests and wildlife-rich waters of coastal British Columbia, and explore the fjords, villages, and wildlife of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Enter Yakutat and Disenchantment Bays, up to the face of seven-mile-wide Hubbard Glacier, spend a day within Prince William Sound, known for its spectacular mountains and massive tidewater glaciers. Check seabirds and marine mammals off your life lists as you Zodiac, kayak or stand-up paddleboard among myriad of islands that play host to a diverse population of wildlife. This unprecedented voyage could only be made on a superbly designed ice-class vessel like the yacht-sized National Geographic Orion, which has the nimbleness to navigate the Inside Passage, and the stability and raw power to handle the open water of the Gulf of Alaska. Departures are set for June 12, June 26, July 10 and August 17, 2022. Rates begin at $19,990 per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.
Bering Sea Wilderness: Pribilofs, Katmai and Kodiak: Explore a seldom-seen side of Alaska on this 13-day voyage. Visit coastal Katmai National Park, one of the premier brown bear viewing areas in the world; as well as seldom-visited Lake Clark National Park in the shadow of a 10,000-foot steaming volcano. Discover remote and rugged islands dotting the Kenai Peninsula, including the Pribilofs, which serve as the breeding ground for millions of seabirds and marine mammals; Unalaska, the site of a fierce WWII battle; Unga, known for its scattered remains of a petrified forest. Cross the iconic Bering Strait and learn about the modern and indigenous histories of this fascinating region. Guests will explore Katmai National Park, the Aleutian Chain and Lake Clark National Park. Departures are July 24 and August 5, 2022. Rates begin at $17,830 per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin.

Lindblad Expeditions is also partnering with ROAM Luggage on an exclusive promotion for guests who book a 2022 Epic Coastal Alaska or the Bering Sea Wilderness Alaska voyage on National Geographic Orion. The first 100 bookings that mention ‘ROAM AK’ at the time of booking will receive The Jaunt, ROAM’S ultimate carry-on luggage with wheels.

For reservations or additional information on Lindblad Expeditions voyages, visit www.expeditions.com, call 1-800-EXPEDITION (1-800-397-3348) or contact your travel advisor.

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Arctic/Antarctic Travel, expeditionary cruises, Uncategorized

Poseidon Expeditions Cancels 2022 Cruise Programs To the Russian High Arctic, North Pole

March 18, 2022 MoralCompass

Limassol, CYPRUS – Poseidon Expeditions announced that it has canceled its Summer 2022 polar programs in Russian territorial waters. The news affects a total of seven voyages, three aboard the Russian icebreaker that Poseidon has chartered and marketed since 2001 and another four aboard the 114-passenger expedition ship Sea Spirit. The balance of the summer expedition cruises aboard the Sea Spirit remain unchanged.

Angelica Vorea, chief executive officer and owner of Poseidon Arctic Voyages, Ltd., the parent company of Poseidon Expeditions, said: “The terrible situation in the Ukraine makes planned operations in Russian waters untenable and we cannot support promoting these trips in any way for the 2022 season. As a result, we have suspended charter arrangements with the operator of 50 Years of Victory.

“We also have re-designed itineraries on four upcoming Arctic programs aboard the Sea Spirit. These 14-day voyages will continue to operate roundtrip out of Longyearbyen, Svalbard, on the same dates in July and August, but will not venture into the Russian territorial waters of Franz Josef Land. Instead, the program will provide guests with an in-depth exploration and circumnavigation of the Svalbard Archipelago or a voyage to the Northeast Greenland National Park, depending on the departure date.”

The revised programs can be found on Poseidon’s website:
July 10-23   Svalbard Circumnavigation and Kvitøya
July 22-August 4      Svalbard Circumnavigation and Kvitøya
August 3-16              Svalbard Circumnavigation and Kvitøya
August 15-28            Svalbard & Northeast Greenland National Park

Travelers aboard the four departures in July and August aboard the Sea Spirit are welcome to keep their reservations and enjoy the new itineraries. Guests booked on any of the affected Summer 2022 programs can request a cruise credit for any future cruise with Poseidon Expeditions or a full refund.

Poseidon has chartered and operated the Madeira-registered Sea Spirit year-round since 2015 from SunStone Ships, Inc. of Miami FL.

With corporate headquarters in Cyprus and international offices that include the US, UK, Germany and China. Poseidon Expeditions (https://poseidonexpeditions.com/) is a leading provider of polar expeditions in the cruise industry. The company is committed to safe and environmentally responsible polar travel. It is a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO).

For inquiries and reservations, contact the company’s North American sales and reservation office at SalesUSA@poseidonexpeditions.com or by telephone at 347-801-2610.

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Lindblad Expeditions to Sail 4 Ships in Alaska This Season to Meet Demand

January 22, 2022 MoralCompass

Lindblad Expeditions will have all four of its U.S.-flagged vessels in Alaska this season—the 62-guest sister ships, National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion, and the 100-guest sister ships, National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture – to meet demand.

New York, NY– After bringing more than 3,000 guests to Alaska in 2021, Lindblad Expeditions is heading towards another spirited season in 2022. Bookings have exceeded expectations and with the 62-guest National Geographic Sea Bird almost sold-out, Lindblad has added her sister ship, National Geographic Sea Lion—and a slate of additional departure dates, to meet demand.

Lindblad will now have all four of its U.S.-flagged vessels in Alaska—the 62-guest sister ships, National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion, and the 100-guest sister ships, National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture—offering six separate itineraries ranging from 6-to-15 days. The season begins in May, offering the first guests the advantages of springtime in Alaska, and runs through September.

All voyages will provide guests the wild, iconic Alaska experience Lindblad Expeditions has honed over nearly 40 years of expedition discovery. Guests will witness the exhilarating wildness only accessible via small, nimble ships as they explore deep into remote Alaska—surrounded by extraordinary wildlife and epic landscapes. Some will walk in silent old-growth forests, kayak in secluded coves, and search for foraging bears and soaring eagles. Others will experience the thrilling spectacle of Alaska’s colossal glaciers, humpback whales, and breathtaking fjords.

The Itineraries and starting rates (per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin) include:

The 6-day Wild Alaska Escape: Juneau to Ketchikan and Wild Alaska Escape: Sitka to Juneau voyages explore Alaska on an active, exciting expedition in the compact time frame of one work week. Guests will hike through forests of towering trees, kayak long routes deep into glacially carved fjords, with opportunities for active adventure. Rates begin at $4,660.
The 8-day Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness ventures into a land of mist-shrouded fjords, tidewater glaciers, and islands teeming with wildlife. Spend a full day in Glacier Bay National Park with insights from a park ranger and a Tlingit cultural interpreter. Rates begin at $7,340.
The 14-day Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska & British Columbia uncovers the grand wildness of seldom-seen coasts and legendary national parks. Linger in the temperate rainforests and wildlife-rich channels of British Columbia and explore the breathtaking fjords and towering glaciers of Southeast Alaska. Rates begin at $10,640.
The 15-day A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia & Haida Gwaii explores some of the Pacific Northwest’s most wild and pristine regions between Sitka, Alaska, and Seattle, Washington. By special invitation, discover a nearly lost First Nations culture in the remote, moss-draped archipelago of Haida Gwaii. Rates begin at $11,580
The 8-day Voyage to Great Bear Rainforest: Native Culture & Wildlife in the Land of the Spirit Bear sails into the narrow, winding fjords of northern British Columbia into the Great Bear Rainforest, domain of the rare Spirit Bear. One of National Geographic’s “Places of a Lifetime,” it stretches across the central and northern coast of British Columbia and encompasses a quarter of the world’s coastal temperate rainforest. Rates begin at $5,400.

Lindblad Expeditions is also offering guests the chance to reconnect with friends and family in Alaska: book three full-paying guests and bring a fourth person free on select departures. Guests can also receive free roundtrip airfare from Seattle to Alaska on select departures on Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness and Wild Alaska Escapes or free one-way airfare on select departures on Treasure of the Inside Passage: Alaska & British Columbia and A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia & Haida Gwaii. Complimentary air is based on economy group flights and must be ticketed by Lindblad Expeditions.

Find Lindblad on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.

Video: See what happens deep inside Alaska where Lindblad’s small ships roam

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Adventure Travel, Arctic/Antarctic Travel, expeditionary cruises, luxury travel

Atlas Deploys Two Ships to Antarctica for Winter 2022-23; Travelers Save 20 Percent Plus Up to $2,000 When Booking with a Travel Advisor

January 22, 2022 MoralCompass

*Atlas Ocean Voyages, a luxe-adventure cruise company, will deploy two luxury expedition ships to Antarctica for the winter 2022-23 season.*

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – Atlas Ocean Voyages will deploy two luxury expedition ships to Antarctica for the winter 2022-23 season. World Traveller will embark on her inaugural Antarctica season, while World Navigator will return to Antarctica for its second.

Travelers who make a new booking through a travel advisor by March 31, 2022, can save up to $2,000 per suite or stateroom on newly announced itineraries, as well as an additional 20 percent when paying in full.

The two ships offer a choice of 20 expeditions, ranging from nine- to twenty-night itineraries, sailing from November 2022 through March 2023. The two ships offer different kinds of expeditions: World Navigator sails shorter nine- to 11-night expeditions, while World Traveller offers extended immersive itineraries, ranging from 13 to 20 nights.

“Atlas Ocean Voyages brings travelers to remote and captivating destinations for once-in-a-lifetime and bucket-list experiences,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “In our brand’s second Antarctica season, we offer travelers a choice of two different Antarctica experiences by deploying both recently launched World Navigator and newly constructed World Traveller to the region. Whichever Atlas expedition ship travelers choose, our expert expedition teams will deliver fascinating context and unforgettable experiences on the Southern Continent.”

World Traveller will sail nine expeditions to Antarctica on 13-, 16- and 20-night itineraries for an in-depth exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula. Her inaugural Antarctica voyage departs on November 1, 2022, with a 17-night expedition from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Ushuaia, Argentina. Guests on this voyage, as well as those aboard the January 16 and February 18, 2023, expedition will visit and make select landings at the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Islands, South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula to catch sightings of a variety of penguins, including King, Rockhoppers, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Megellanic and Macaroni penguins. Travelers can also choose among three departures that cross the Antarctic Circle and join the Order of the Red Nose on the December 1 and 14, 2022, and February 5, 2023, expeditions. On the November 18, 2022, and January 3 and March 10, 2023, departures, World Traveller will bring guests to the Diego Ramirez Islands, Chile, which is situated in the Drake Passage. All World Traveller expeditions, except for the November 1, 2022, voyage will sail round-trip from Ushuaia.

World Navigator will sail 11 round-trip expeditions from Ushuaia on nine-, 11-, and 20-night itineraries starting on December 3, 2022. For the most accessible Antarctica expedition, travelers can choose among five, nine-night departures that feature some of the must-see sites throughout the South Shetland Islands and on the Antarctic Peninsula. Furthermore, World Navigator will also bring guests into the Antarctic Circle on 11-night expeditions departing January 10 and 30 and March 2, 2023. The December 12, 2022, expedition brings guests on a unique nine-night, Tierra Del Fuego expedition that visits Chile’s most awestriking and scenic fjord lands and glaciers. Furthermore, travelers can combine the Tierra Del Fuego expedition with the subsequent 20-night Antarctica immersive expedition, departing December 21, for an epic Tierra Del Fuego and Antarctica New Year’s expedition.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure expedition cruise brand designed for discerning, fun-seeking travelers to immerse in unique and awe-inspiring moments in remote and captivating destinations. World Navigator, Atlas’ first ship, has begun service and World Traveller will launch in July 2022, with three additional sister ships, World Seeker, World Adventurer and World Discoverer, to join the fleet by the end of 2023. At 9,930 GRTs, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ ships are Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified.

The luxe-adventure cruise brand welcomes travelers to ‘come back to something brand new’ in its ongoing marketing campaign “At Last… Atlas” (www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com/itstime.)

For more information about Atlas Ocean Voyages and World Traveller and World Navigator’s winter 2022-23 Antarctica season, visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com.

Travel Advisors can call 844-44-ATLAS (844-442-8527) to book.

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Active Travel, expeditionary cruises, Travel Contests

Jeopardy! And Lindblad Expeditions Launch ‘Explore Alaska Sweepstakes’

January 16, 2022 MoralCompass

Set to take place weekdays January 17-28, 2022, the *JEOPARDY!* *Explore Alaska Sweepstakes* will award 10 lucky winners and their guests an 8-day small ship adventure exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness aboard Lindblad Expeditions. Alaska, Katmai National Park (photo supplied by Lindblad Expeditions).

NEW YORK — JEOPARDY!and Lindblad Expeditions have teamed up again for a viewer promotion: set to take place weekdays January 17-28, 2022, the JEOPARDY! Explore Alaska Sweepstakes will award 10 lucky winners and their guests an 8-day small ship adventure exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness.

Winners will discover iconic, wild Alaska on an expedition aboard one of Lindblad’s 100-guest sister ships, National Geographic Quest or National Geographic Venture, accompanied by a team of naturalists, certified photo instructors, an undersea specialist and a wellness instructor.

Nimble expedition ships will take guests into a land of mist-shrouded fjords, tidewater glaciers, and islands teeming with wildlife, where the bears forage, bald eagles soar, and whales spectacularly breach. They’ll Zodiac cruise amongst electric blue icebergs, kayak along the coast, witness calving glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park, and even explore the vibrant marine world through the lens of an undersea specialist.

To enter the JEOPARDY! Explore Alaska Sweepstakes, viewers are invited to tune-in to JEOPARDY! every weekday and enter the daily Final Jeopardy! category on the sweepstakes entry webpage here (which will be live on Monday). Then, they will be entered for a chance to win an expedition for two exploring authentic Alaskan coastal wilderness from the unique vantage of a small ship. Each winner and their guest will receive round-trip coach-class air transportation from the winner’s closest major gateway airport, $1,000 US spending cash, as well as all shipboard accommodations, meals (excluding alcoholic beverages), and activities for travel valid in 2022 or 2023. Check local listings for JEOPARDY! show times and stations.

The promotion is an outgrowth of a 17-year collaborative relationship between JEOPARDY! and Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic to enlighten, engage, and excite viewers and travelers. Partners since 2005, Lindblad Expeditions’ fleet has served as a platform to take the late Alex Trebek and the JEOPARDY! Clue Crew all over the world, resulting in hundreds of clues in some of the planet’s wildest and most inspirational places including Antarctica, Galápagos, Baja & the Sea of Cortez, the high Arctic, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the wild fjords of Southeast Alaska, and many more.

For more information visit us at www.expeditions.com.

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cruises, expeditionary cruises, luxury travel

Atlas Ocean Voyages Includes Airfare, 20% Savings for 2021 Black Friday Sale

November 11, 2021 MoralCompass

This Black Friday, travelers can enjoy more value and more savings when they book an all-inclusive luxe-adventure journey to some of the world’s most captivating and remote destinations aboard Atlas Ocean Voyages’ *World Navigator* and *World Traveller*.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. –This Black Friday, travelers can enjoy more value and more savings when they book an all-inclusive luxe-adventure journey to some of the world’s most captivating and remote destinations aboard Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Navigator and World Traveller. From November 26 through 30, 2021, travelers will receive complimentary round-trip, intercontinental business-class air travel for all new deposited suite bookings or 20 percent savings for all new deposited stateroom bookings made aboard Atlas voyages departing from March 1 through September 30, 2022, based on availability.

Travelers can choose among 29 voyages in Antarctica and the Arctic, South America, the Mediterranean, British Isles and Northern Europe, and Iceland and Greenland aboard newly launched World Navigator and World Traveller, launching in July 2022. Travelers must mention code BLKFRI21 at time of booking. For more information about Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Black Friday offer, call Atlas Ocean Voyages at 1.844.44.ATLAS (28527).

“Our generous Black Friday Offer delivers the best value, savings and selection for an all-inclusive, 2022 luxury adventure with Atlas,” said Carlos Garzon, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Atlas Ocean Voyages. “World Navigator and World Traveller call at smaller ports than other cruise ships and can ply narrow channels and shallow waters to bring guests to authentic, off-the-beaten-path locales, as well as dock in city centers for the most convenient access. Because of this, Atlas Ocean Voyages is ideal for seasoned travelers seeking a distinctive, luxurious and safe experience.”

For Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Black Friday Sale, travelers can choose among 20 World Navigator voyages, ranging from six to 16 nights, and nine inaugural season voyages aboard World Traveller, ranging from seven to 11 nights. All guests enjoy Atlas’ industry-leading All Inclusive All The Way, which offers the most inclusions, such as complimentary round-trip air travel from 16 major U.S. and Canada gateways, choice of a complimentary shore excursion at every port, unlimited premium wine and spirits, international beers and coffees, prepaid gratuities, polar parkas, regionally inspired gourmet cuisine, Atlas Assurance protection program, and L’OCCITANE bath amenities. In every stateroom, guests enjoy robes, slippers and binoculars to use throughout the voyage, personalized coffee, teas and bar service, and butler service in suites.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure expedition cruise brand designed for discerning, fun-seeking travelers to immerse in unique and awe-inspiring moments in remote and captivating destinations. World Navigator, Atlas’ first ship, has begun service and World Traveller will launch in July 2022, with three additional sister ships, World Seeker, World Adventurer and World Discoverer, to join the fleet by the end of 2023. At 9,930 GRTs, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ ships are Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified.

The luxe-adventure cruise brand welcomes travelers to ‘come back to something brand new’ in its ongoing marketing campaign “At Last… Atlas” (www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com/itstime.) For more information about Atlas Ocean Voyages, visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. Travel Advisors can call 1.844.44.ATLAS (1.844.442.8527) to book.

For more travel features, visit:

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