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

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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.

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Adventure Travel, Arctic/Antarctic Travel, Destination Weddings, expeditionary cruises

Imagine This: a Destination Wedding in Antarctica, Courtesy of Atlas Ocean Voyages

April 17, 2021 MoralCompass

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.– Imagine this! Couples can exchange vows at ‘the end of the world’ on a once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica expedition with Atlas Ocean Voyages’ new Happy Ever Atlas destination weddings and vow renewals.

Departing on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2022, World Navigator’s Happy Ever Atlas voyage will offer couples and their companions the most adventurous destination wedding on earth. The Happy Ever Atlas destination wedding package is complimentary for guests when registered in advance. Plus, the bride enjoys a 50 percent savings off her stateroom when the wedding party books five or more rooms.

The package includes a legal marriage license, valued at more than $650, and many additional inclusions, which ensure a unique, complete and unforgettable nuptial exchange. As with all Atlas luxe-adventure expeditions, all guests travel in the brand’s signature All Inclusive All The Way style, which, on Antarctica expeditions, includes complimentary round-trip air travel aboard Atlas’ private charter jet service direct to Ushuaia, Argentina. For more information about Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Happy Ever Atlas wedding package, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com/AntarcticaWedding.

“Antarctica is the most coveted bucket-list destination and Atlas Ocean Voyages is delivering the Seventh Continent in the most distinctive and memorable way,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “World Navigator’s Happy Ever Atlas voyage will offer couples the most unique setting to exchange their vows for a wedding day they will never forget. Throughout the voyage, guests will also discover fascinating wildlife; awe at Antarctica’s pristine and majestic landscape; and learn about the need to sustain and preserve our planet’s fragile ecosystem.”

Atlas will provide an officiant to conduct the ceremony; a wedding coordinator to ensure everything is perfect for the big day; and a professional wedding photographer to capture each breathtaking moment. Depending on weather, ceremonies can be performed both on land, with penguins, seals and other Antarctica wildlife to bear witness, or in shipboard venues, including World Navigator’s bridge.

The Happy Ever Atlas wedding package includes marriage license, one-tier wedding cake, digital photo package, welcome itinerary & giftbag, personalized bridal parasol, custom penguin jackets, flower bouquet and boutonniere, and custom nuptial announcements and Thank You cards. World Navigator will also throw separate group bachelorette and bachelor parties, as well as host a wedding reception.

Additionally, Atlas will establish an online wedding registry, which allows family and friends to contribute to the couple’s voyage costs or other gifts. Family and friends can gift upgraded transfers, excursions, spa services and more.

Atlas’ signature All Inclusive All the Way provides all guests a complete and seamless experience by including complimentary round-trip air travel, choice of a shore excursion at every port, prepaid gratuities, polar parkas, emergency medical evacuation insurance, premium wine and spirits, international beers and coffees, Wi-Fi, L’OCCITANE bath amenities, and regionally inspired gourmet dining. In every stateroom, guests enjoy binoculars to use on board, en suite coffee, tea and personalized bar service, and butler service in suites.

For its Antarctica voyages, Atlas is the first and only cruise brand to charter its own widebody private jet to bring guests in a safe bubble directly to Ushuaia, where Antarctica expeditions embark. Guests travel from 16 major U.S. and Canada gateways and connect with Atlas’ branded jet at Orlando airport. Atlas’ private charter jet eliminates lengthy layovers in an international airport, common with very limited commercial options.

Atlas’ Plan With Confidence flexible travel policy provides travelers a 100 percent refund of deposited funds up to 91 days prior to sailing. Plus, they can change their reservation as many times as they want, up to 15 days before their voyages’ sail date. They can even change their destination and sail with Atlas in another part of the world or choose to cancel at least 15 days or more prior to the departure date and be assured of a 100 percent future cruise credit.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure expedition cruise brand designed for experienced and fun-seeking travelers to immerse in exciting and awe-inspiring moments in less-visited, bucket-list destinations. At 9,930 GRTs, World Navigator fosters a refined and convivial ambience for up to 196 guests and features the most-modern hygiene and cleanliness measures incorporated into her state-of-the-art design.

World Navigator is Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified and her construction is on schedule for delivery in July 2021. World Navigator will be joined by World Traveller and World Seeker in 2022 and World Adventurer and World Discoverer in 2023.

Atlas welcomes travelers to ‘come back to something new’ in the brand’s new marketing campaign “At Last… Atlas” (www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com/itstime.) To learn more, visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. Follow Atlas Ocean Voyage on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AtlasOceanVoyages), Twitter (www.twitter.com/atlascruises), Instagram (www.instagram.com/AtlasOceanVoyages), and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/atlascruises). Travel Advisors can call 844-44-ATLAS (844-442-8527) to book their clients on this luxe-adventure expedition.

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cruises, ecotourism, expeditionary cruises, Uncategorized

Lindblad Expeditions Resumes Voyages to Galapagos, Alaska This Summer

April 1, 2021 MoralCompass

*Lindblad Expeditions is resuming voyages to the Galapagos on the National Geographic Endeavor this summer (photo provided by Lindblad Expeditions).*

New York – Lindblad Expeditions, the global provider of small ship expeditions cruises and adventure travel experiences, has announced that they plan to resume operations for the 2021 season in Alaska and Galápagos in June. In keeping with Lindblad’s focus on exploring remote places, they will return to nature in the pristine wildness of these two iconic destinations.

In making the announcement, Sven Lindblad, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions, reflected on the experiences of the past year, its impact on many, and how “we have always turned to nature, in times of collective stress and trauma, for the restoration of our spirits, believing in what Thoreau called the healing “tonic of wildness.”

“Our internal team has spent the last year examining every single aspect of our operation to be prepared to operate in the ‘new normal.’ Led by our resident medical expert, Dr. David Lorber, we have enlisted the assistance of many health and safety experts and met with authorities in the regions we intend to explore to ensure we are welcome and meet or exceed their expectations. We will also require that all guests 16 years of age and over be vaccinated prior to travelling onboard,” he stated.

A complete list of health and safety protocols are listed here. Key components include: two negative COVID-19 tests, daily guest temperature checks, and thorough sanitation protocols. From start to finish, guests will travel exclusively with their expedition community, all equally tested.

In resuming travel to Alaska, Lindblad intends to head deep into the wide-open spaces, into the far reaches of her straits and waterways—to where bears, glaciers, eagles and whales will be guests’ only ‘companions.’ They will begin the season with 6 and 8-day itineraries aboard their 100-guest sister ships National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture, with the first departures June 5^th and June 6th.

Similarly, guests will explore the remoteness of the Galápagos archipelago to visit volcanic isles inhabited by some of the most charismatic wildlife on earth on a 10-day itinerary set aboard the 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour ll. The first Galápagos departure is set for June 4^th.

Guests will return to an exhilarating expedition experience they have come to know and love. They will search for wildlife, revel in the wonders of the natural world, and explore the legendary Alaska and Galápagos archipelago landscapes under the guidance of our amazing expedition team.

For reservations or additional information on Lindblad Expeditions voyages to some of the most beautiful and fascinating places on Earth, visit www.expeditions.com, call 1-800-EXPEDITION (1-800-397-3348) or contact your travel advisor. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.

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cruises, expeditionary cruises, Nature & Wildlife

Kontiki Expeditions Inaugural Sailings to Seldom-Visited Ecuadorian Coast

March 22, 2021 MoralCompass

*Kontiki Expeditions is introducing two itineraries on the luxury yacht, M/Y Kontiki Wayra, to five provinces of the seldom-visited Ecuadorian coast.*

(Manta, ECUADOR) At a time when traveling to uncrowded areas is more desirable than ever, Kontiki Expeditions is introducing two itineraries on the luxury yacht, M/Y Kontiki Wayra, to five provinces of the seldom-visited Ecuadorian coast. Kontiki’s small size, only 198 feet long, allows visits to off-the-beaten-track areas to one of the most biodiverse places in the world. With only nine staterooms carrying a maximum of 18 guests, Kontiki Expeditions offers “NEO Luxury” both above and beneath sea level. Sailings begin this summer.

The yacht sails two seven-night routes along the Ecuadorian coast, Toquilla and Spondylus, and takes full advantage of 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 communities.

Kontiki’s 10 crew members and two local experts including wellness professionals, naturalist guides and a local chef – a nearly 1:1 crew to guest ratio – add to the distinctive Kontiki experience. Gastronomic experiences feature local chocolate, seafood and produce; nature-loving guests can expect to see the country’s blue-footed boobies, sea lions and howler monkeys… without the crowds.

The M/Y Kontiki Wayra yacht offers luxury with a sundeck, gourmet salon, two outdoor lounges, bar, Jacuzzi, and a gym and fitness area. Staterooms are well appointed and include WiFi, on-demand entertainment and sustainable local amenities.

Pricing begins at $7245 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. Private charters and solo rates are available.

Health and safety precautions are paramount with all protocols prior to boarding, on ship and on land strictly maintained and updated as required. Sailings have met The Safe Travels accreditation by WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council). Sanitization and wellness protocols are summarized at https://kontikiexpeditions.com/en/health-policy/.

For more information, visit www.kontikiexpeditions.com/en, call +5933984364149; email [email protected].

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cruises, expeditionary cruises

PONANT Announces World Affairs Cruise in the Baltic

March 22, 2021 MoralCompass

The 184-passenger PONANT explorer yacht,  *Le Jacques-Cartier (StudioPONANT-Laure Patricot)*

PONANT, a world leader in luxury expeditions and itineraries to ports of call that only small ships can navigate, has announced a compelling World Affairs Cruise in the Baltic. Scheduled for July 17 to 25, 2021, the eight-night cruise is an offering within PONANT’s Quintessential Collection, a series of cruises that delve deeply into a subject and destination. The cruise, aboard the newly launched PONANT EXPLORER yacht, Le Jacques-Cartier, will travel to six countries, beginning in Stockholm, Sweden and ending in Copenhagen, Denmark. Fares start at $7,070 per person (inclusive of 20% PONANT Bonus Savings).

The itinerary will be matched by an equally captivating on-board experience with an opportunity to interact with leading thinkers and policy makers about the current state of U.S. relations with the rest of the world. The timely program will feature lectures and discussions by four distinguished speakers among which include:

Robin Wright is a foreign affairs analyst, author and highly decorated journalist who is noted for her coverage of wars, revolutions and uprisings. She has served as contributing editor to The New Yorker since 1988 and was previously a diplomatic correspondent for The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and CBS News. During her 40-year career, she has reported from more than 140 countries.

Ambassador Douglas Lute served as the U.S. Ambassador to NATO from 2013-2017. In 2007, President George W. Bush named him Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan. The New York Times referred to him as the “War Czar,” due to his senior advisory position overseeing the wars. Lute served six years in the White House having also worked under the Obama administration.

Jane Holl Lute is the Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the United Nations where she has held several positions in peacekeeping. Lute also acted as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security from 2009 to 2013. She was responsible for the U.S. department’s efforts to prevent terrorism, enhance security and manage the nation’s borders.

The cruise will visit the great cities that edge the Baltic Sea, a fascinating comingling of metropolitan life with centuries of rich history dating back to the Vikings. The ship will first dock in Helsinki, internationally recognized for its striking modern architecture, followed by two full days in St. Petersburg, where virtually the entire city is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During a stop in Tallinn, Estonia, explore the 13th-century Dome Cathedral and see the “My Free Country” exhibit at Maarjamäe Palace, which takes visitors on a 100-year journey through the Liberation War, Soviet occupation and restoration of independence.

Ports-of-call also include Gotland, Sweden, the largest island in the Baltic Sea to tour the preserved medieval town of Visby with its 12th century defense wall – the oldest surviving non-religious building in the Nordic countries. The final stop is Szczecin, a city in Poland nearly destroyed during World War II, which has since been completely rebuilt. Here, guests will meet with the first democratically elected President of Poland and Nobel Peace Prize-winner, Lech Walęsa, for an exclusive discussion onboard the ship. Walęsa is known for leading the effort in 1989 to end the communist rule in Poland and ushering in the conclusion of the Cold War. 

The 184-passenger Le Jacques-Cartier debuted in July 2020 offering a sleek, super-yacht feel with each of the 92 staterooms and suites outfitted with balconies or private terraces. The ship also offers an industry first: The Blue Eye – a multi-sensory lounge that allows guests to experience the sub-aquatic world through sight, sound and feel. Evocative of cetaceans and jellyfish with rounded furniture directed toward two large, eye-shaped portholes in the shape of whale eyes, the lounge features digital screens displaying feeds from three underwater cameras along with a collection of Body Listening Sofas that vibrate in unison to the sounds of the ocean. Guests enjoy attentive service, gourmet French-inspired cuisine under the direction of Ducasse Conseil, and a relaxed, congenial ambiance.

The ship is certified as a “CLEANSHIP” and meets the highest environmental standards for energy conservation and resource management.

In collaboration with the IHU (Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire) Méditerranée Infection of Marseilles, one of the world’s leading centers in the field of infectious diseases, and Bureau Veritas, PONANT has developed a “Covid-Safe” protocol based on health standards that exceed international regulations. Discover PONANT health protocol.

Created in 1988, by officers of the French Merchant Navy, PONANT offers worldwide itineraries to the Arctic, Antarctica as well as in the Atlantic and North Europe, Asia, Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, Eastern Asia, Oceania, Central and South America, visit www.ponant.com, call1-844-747-2873 or contact your travel advisor.

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cruises, expeditionary cruises, luxury travel, Uncategorized

Luxe-Adventure Atlas Ocean Voyages Provides Complimentary Shore Excursion At Every Port On All Sailings When Launches in 2021

January 23, 2021 MoralCompass

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – Atlas Ocean Voyages announced that the all-inclusive, luxe-adventure cruise brand designed for experienced and fun-seeking travelers is including more. All guests on all sailings will enjoy a choice of complimentary shore excursions at every port, known as Atlas Ashore, and is part of the Atlas Ocean Voyages’ ALL Inclusive ALL The Way commitment.

Launching in July 2021, Atlas’ first newly constructed, small, expedition ship, World Navigator, will bring guests on once-in-a-lifetime, luxury adventures, which includes 285 complimentary Atlas Ashore options in 107 port calls in the Holy Land, the Black, Mediterranean, and Caribbean Seas, and South America. Additionally, travelers who make a new booking between now and Mar. 31, 2021, will enjoy 50 percent-reduced deposits and receive a complimentary one stateroom-category upgrade and an additional $600 per stateroom, based on double-occupancy, to apply toward pre-cruise purchases of additional shore excursions. For more information about Atlas Ashore, visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com/offers.

“Atlas Ocean Voyages is already one of the industry’s most-inclusive luxury brands and we now deliver even greater value to all of our guests with the new Atlas Ashore program,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “Atlas’ unique itineraries to less-traveled and bucket-list destinations provide travelers the highly anticipated return-to-cruise that they are planning right now. And Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Atlas Ashore augments our already distinctive All Inclusive All The Way experiences, as we continue to add more complimentary Atlas Ashore options.”

Atlas’ Plan With Confidence flexible travel policy provides travelers a 100 percent refund of deposited funds up to 91 days prior to sailing. Plus, they can change their reservation as many times as they want, up to 15 days before their voyages’ sail date. They can even change their destination and sail with Atlas in another part of the world or choose to cancel at least 15 days or more prior to the departure date and be assured of a 100 percent future cruise credit.

Its signature All Inclusive All the Way provides guests a complete, seamless and worry-free experience by including complimentary round-trip air travel, shore excursion at every port, prepaid gratuities, polar parkas, emergency medical evacuation insurance, premium wine and spirits, international beers and coffees, Wi-Fi, L’OCCITANE bath amenities, and regionally inspired gourmet dining. In every stateroom, guests enjoy binoculars to use on board, en suite coffee, tea and personalized bar service, and butler service in suites.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure expedition cruise brand designed for experienced and fun-seeking travelers to immerse in exciting and awe-inspiring moments in less-visited, bucket-list destinations. At 9,930 GRTs, World Navigator fosters a refined and convivial ambience for up to 196 guests and features the most-modern hygiene and cleanliness measures incorporated into her state-of-the-art design.

World Navigator is Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified and her construction is on schedule for delivery in July 2021. World Navigator will be joined by World Traveller and World Seeker in 2022 and World Adventurer and World Discoverer in 2023.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is welcoming travelers to ‘come back to something new’ in the brand’s new marketing campaign “At Last… Atlas” (www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com/itstime.) To learn more, visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. Also, follow Atlas Ocean Voyage on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AtlasOceanVoyages), Twitter (www.twitter.com/atlascruises), Instagram (www.instagram.com/AtlasOceanVoyages), and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/atlascruises). Travel Advisors can call 1.844.44.ATLAS (1.844.442.8527) to book their clients on an unforgettable luxe-adventure expedition.

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cruises, expeditionary cruises, Responsible Travel

Lindblad Expeditions Becomes First Self-Disinfecting Fleet in Cruise Industry

June 3, 2020 MoralCompass

*Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Endurance.*

NEW YORK, NY, – Lindblad Expeditions, a global leader in responsible tourism, has become the first self-disinfecting fleet in the cruise industry. In keeping with their legacy of sustainability and protecting the places they explore, they have announced that they are now implementing Premium Purity fleetwide, a unique cleaning system which creates a cleaner, healthier ship while drastically reducing the impact on the environment.

The new system, ACT CleanCoat™, is a photocatalytic process that works when illuminated, breaking down unwanted microbes such as bacteria, viruses, mold, and airborne allergens. It can be applied to all surfaces which become self-disinfecting after application. Created by ACT.Global A/S, a Copenhagen-based company, the antibacterial spray is transparent, odorless, and activated by light, and protects a room like an invisible insulation – plus purifies and deodorizes the air for up to one year. Video

Chemical free, the product uses the ACT ECA water system created by electrolysis of salt and water, to clean the rooms which is completely harmless to guests, staff and the environment.

“As the oldest and most experienced expedition travel company in the world, we go to some of the most pristine places on the planet. We are very conscious of the waste we produce, and how the cleanliness of our ship and protection of our guests onboard is vital to a healthy environment,” said Bruce Tschampel, Vice President, Hotel Operations for Lindblad Expeditions.

“Premium Purity is unlike anything we have seen out there. Our ships are truly pristine and healthy, and we already have measurable results to prove it from our initial pilot program on one ship. We reduced guest reported illness by 50%; eliminated over 1,000 plastic bottles of cleaning products; and dramatically reduced water usage by 1.1 million gallons per year. The crew is raving about how much healthier the ship is and how effective it is to use this solution,” he continued.

The fleetwide rollout is another step in Lindblad’s commitment toward defining travel industry standards for sustainability and environmentally responsible operations. In 2019 they become a carbon neutral company, offsetting 100% of emissions from their ships, all land-based operations, employee travel, offices in New York and Seattle, and other contributors. They successfully eliminated guest-facing single-use plastics fleetwide in 2018 and have operated a sustainable seafood program aboard the fleet for many years. Other related sustainability initiatives include building new ships that reduce emissions while increasing efficiency; mandating supply chain solutions to eliminate plastic; sourcing and serving local, organic produce; and making crew uniforms from recycled plastic.

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Active Travel, Adventure Travel, expeditionary cruises, Expeditionary Travel, Uncategorized

AdventureSmith Makes It Easy to Explore Remote Northernmost Reaches of North America By Land and By Sea

May 3, 2020 MoralCompass

AdventureSmith Explorations, a leader in small ship cruises and wilderness expeditions, makes it easy to explore the northernmost reaches of North America by land and by sea, promising opportunities for epic wildlife encounters, unforgettable landscapes and fascinating cultural and historical learning experiences.

TRUCKEE, CA – AdventureSmith Explorations, a leader in small ship cruises and wilderness expeditions, makes it easy to explore the northernmost reaches of North America by land and by sea, promising opportunities for epic wildlife encounters, unforgettable landscapes and fascinating cultural and historical learning experiences via trips in Canada, Alaska and their greater Arctic regions.

“North America offers 9.54 million square miles of diversity, and its northernmost territories showcase some of the most remote and pristine landscapes on Earth,” said Todd Smith, founder of AdventureSmith Explorations. “We pride ourselves in introducing our passengers to regions along the Pacific and Arctic oceans. Our fleet of small ships and wilderness lodges access hard-to-reach and often remote regions where guests can step back millennia into a natural world.”

As COVID-19 restrictions begin to be lifted, travel to such remote places on small-ships scrupulously sanitized, will be an option.

“This crisis will end someday. When is anyone’s guess. But life will go on and people will seek travel again. Destinations that offer seclusion, distance from urban areas, few people and abundant nature will be more in demand than ever. This is exactly what this is all about. Planting seeds for the future which we all hope is still a reality for summer and fall travel,” the company says.

“AdventureSmith is closely monitoring the unique situations and status reports from all of their travel destinations, suppliers and partners – on a daily basis. They only will recommend travel when they, health organizations and experts deem it safe to do so. In the meantime they are being as understanding and flexible as possible with trip deposits, final payments, cancellations and postponements. Their goal is to give the consumer peace of mind that their travel investment won’t be lost for any related COVID-19 reason.”

These are AdventureSmith Explorations’ top picks of North America by Land and Sea scheduled for the upcoming 2020 and 2021 seasons. Each itinerary allows guests to embark and disembark in North America.

By Land

Classic Polar Bear Adventure spends six to seven days based in historic Churchill, Canada, near the world’s greatest concentration of polar bears. While the bears await the freeze of Hudson Bay and the start of seal hunting season, up to 16 guests on each departure are safely and comfortably positioned to observe these creatures from inside a Polar Rover, the world’s premier tundra vehicle (built for 35 passengers). This adventure begins with a charter flight from Winnipeg, the gateway airport, to Churchill. Departures are several times weekly throughout October and November 2020.

Camp Denali & North Face Lodge Adventure offers the flexibility of spending from six to 10 days exploring one of the world’s greatest wilderness regions. Denali National Park is six million acres inhabited by grizzly bears, moose, caribou and wolves. Naturalist guides lead day hikes with time left over for paddling, picking blueberries and biking. Guests have the option to stay at two different remote lodges on this exciting land tour from early June through mid-September 2020.

Arctic Watch epitomizes “getting away from it all” over 10 days in the Canadian Arctic 500 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Activities emanate from the Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge and a world-class beluga whale observation site on Somerset Island in Nunavut, Canada. Guests participate in Arctic safaris with possibilities of spotting polar bears; they may also fish, paddleboard, fat bike, ride ATVs searching for musk ox and ring seals, and they can kayak with opportunities to see beluga (white) whales. Five itineraries are planned in July/August 2020 and four in July/August 2021.

By Sea

Many inquiries that come into the AdventureSmith office are from potential clients who have never experienced a small ship cruise. To answer questions on why small ship cruising may be the best option for certain travelers, the staff prepared a Small Ship vs Big Ship blog. Some of these points found in the blog are clearly highlighted when looking through the following itineraries AdventureSmith showcases that embark from some of the highest-latitude North American shores.

The Northwest Passage follows the fabled sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Adventures are for nine to 17 days. Accommodation is aboard the 200-passenger, purpose-built polar ship, Ultramarine, debuting this season. In 2021 the program will include a weather-dependent, small-group, 10- to 15-minute helicopter flightseeing excursion, as well as a helicopter transfer to a landing site. (The rate includes roundtrip charter flights between Toronto and Resolute Bay in Nunavut, Canada.)

Sea Wolf Glacier Bay Adventure is for only 12 guests who appreciate that the Sea Wolf small ship is locally owned and staffed by local pros, the best resource when it comes to insider experiences. Guests transfer from Juneau to Gustavus, Alaska, for embarkation. New bookings on departures for May 16, May 30, June 13 or July 4, 2020, come with a per person savings of $300. There are frequent departures from May through August 2020.

Alaska’s Glaciers & Whales is an eight-day immersion through the Inside Passage aboard the 84-guest Safari Endeavour expedition ship, complete with a hot tub, premium spirits, wine and beer. This is a well-rounded cruise with a strong focus on glaciers and icescapes, with ample dollops of culture and wildlife. Departures are from May through August 2020.

Across the Bering Sea transports guests from Nome or Seward, Alaska, over 13 or 22 days into or near the Arctic Circle. The 102-guest National Geographic Orion offers luxurious onboard amenities that welcome passengers home after they explore on the 13-day program a remote Siberian coastline and venture past the Arctic Circle. Farther on the Wrangel Island Reserve (a federally protected nature sanctuary administered by Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) is home to the highest density of ancestral polar bear dens, the world’s largest population of Pacific walrus and a variety of plant life. A 22-day alternative cultural- and wildlife-focused itinerary sails through Alaska’s Katmai coast then along the coast of Russia through Kamchatka. Six departures are scheduled from June through August 2020 and five from June through August 2021.

For details on all of AdventureSmith Explorations’ small ship cruises, itineraries, availability and for 2020-2021 reservations, call 866-575-2875 toll-free or visit the company website.

Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Explorations is based in Truckee, CA, near the northern shore of Lake Tahoe. A recognized leader in small ship cruising, in 2012 owner Todd Smith first joined the ranks of Condé Nast Traveler‘s prestigious world’s Top Travel Specialists list as the leading expert on small ship expeditions, a distinction that he still enjoys to this day.

AdventureSmith offers thoughts and policies on their website. See:

https://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/resources/coronavirus/

https://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/trips/covid-travel-update/

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