Heritage Expeditions Offers The Ultimate Polar Bear Adventure
31/05/2011 Leave a comment
 |
Tourism on the island, which lies in the Arctic Ocean off the Siberian coastline in the Russian Far East, is tightly controlled by the Russian Government and is usually closed to human activity other than for scientific purposes. Heritage Expeditions has been granted special permission for unprecedented access to the Wrangel Island Nature Reserve for passengers on the company’s three “Across the Top of the World” voyages on board the 50-passenger Russian ice-strengthened ship Spirit of Enderby, departing on 27 July, and 10 and 24 August 2011. Until now, it has not been possible for tourists to visit the centre of the island or enter the nature reserve.
Travelling in a purpose-built 6WD all terrain vehicle, guests will spend three days traversing more than 150 kilometres into the frozen wilderness accompanied by park rangers, searching for polar bears and other Arctic wildlife.
On arrival at Wrangel Island guests will disembark the Spirit of Enderby at Rodgers Inlet and stay overnight in basic accommodation in the abandoned village of Ushakovskoe, former site of an important Russian meteorological station, where polar bears sometimes lumber down the deserted streets. A night is also spent camping in a remote field cabin at Krasnily Flag sleeping under the northern polar sky. The final leg of the journey crosses low plains dotted with lakes and rivers to Dream Head, a prominent geographical feature on the north coast where a high concentration of polar bears is usually found, before re-joining the ship and circumnavigating the island, landing at historical sites and secret bays bursting with wildlife. A southbound expedition will depart Dream Head and rejoin the ship at Rodgers Inlet. This unique journey includes not only the isolated Wrangel and Herald Islands but also a significant section of the wild North Eastern Siberian coastline where an expert expedition team will deliver lectures and information on the landscape and rich biodiversity and culture of the region.
Prices for the 14-day voyage start from US$7150 per person and include one night pre-voyage hotel accommodation, transfers, all meals, shore excursions, landing fees and permits.
The Overland Expedition option costs US$1250 per person and includes transport, accommodation in basic field huts and meals. Each overland expedition is strictly limited to five people, presenting a rare opportunity for adventurous travellers to explore one of the last undiscovered wonders of the world, where previously only a handful of scientists have been allowed.
For further information please call Miri Lopusna at The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk.
THE CRUISE EXAMINER at 
Now that cruise lines have evolved into mass market operations with mega-ships of well over 1,000 feet long and up to 225,000 tons, capable of carrying up to 6,000 passengers each, the whole industry has changed. Nevertheless, there is a still very much of a market for mid-size cruise ships and new ships continue to be added to those already in service. And contrary to public perception, not all these ships are ultra-luxury ships that the general public cannot afford. There still remains a good element of choice. So this week, we have a look at the mid-size cruise ship market and survey some of the choices that remain.
The most remote archipelago in the world, the French Polynesian Marquesas Islands have long been an inspiration for artists, writers and adventurers who come for the region’s wild beauty and cultural heritage. Aranui 3, the only ship to sail the 2,200 mile round trip from Papéeté to all six inhabited islands in the Marquesas archipelago, has just released its 2012 and 2013 dates and prices, including some special reductions.
While the ship’s crew loads and unloads cargo at each island destination, passengers are taken ashore by wooden whaleboat or barge and welcomed by locals with flower garlands, dancing and music. Four-wheel drive jeeps driven by locals then take participants on spectacular safaris over the mountains to explore mysterious, unspoiled jungles and to experience the fascinating and individual culture of each of the islands.
As if cruise lines do not have enough to worry about with poor economies, high fuel costs and advancing emission control areas, in the past month concerns have started to come to light at the local level in three important cruise ports – first in Victoria, BC, then in Charleston, SC, and now in Europe, in Venice. We also take a look at trends in European cruise market growth in 2010. And, eight months after Cruise West went down in September 2010, Polar Star succumbs after their ship’s January grounding in Antarctica.
The 24,318-ton Explorer will call at fourteen different ports in as many different countries on its next World Cruise, leaving Montreal on August 26, 2011And for those planning to travel from North America to either South Africa or Hong Kong, or from South Africa or Hong Kong to North America, Semester at Sea have just released some interesting sector fares.
From Papeete (Tahiti) to Lautoka (Fiji) via Huahine (Society Islands), Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji
At last week’s Cruise Europe meeting in Stavanger, Holland America Line announced that it would become the latest North American line to base a ship in Europe year-round and the second to base a ship year-round in northern Europe. Meanwhile, two American lines have now announced redeployments away from the eastern Mediterranean for the winter of 2011/12. In South Africa last week, MSC took over local cruise seller Starlight Cruises. And as Genoa and Marseilles announced booming cruise numbers, the MSC Opera sailed from Southampton and SeaDream I arrived in London, each for the first time.
