Travel Dynamics International’s “Undiscovered Africa”: A Voyage Exploring West Africa’s Traditional Cultures & Hidden Nature Reserves

The yacht Callisto carries 34 passengers in country house comfort

On two departures only, January 2 and January 22, 2012, The Cruise People have special fares for Travel Dynamics International’s “Undiscovered Africa” cruises on board the 34-passenger yacht Callisto.

Even for a lifetime adventurer, the Bijagós Archipelago is one of the most obscure places in the world. Few people outside anthropological or conservationist circles have ever heard of this tropical 88-island chain off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. A couple of years ago, a reporter for The New York Times found himself there and wrote that to spend time in “these verdant tropical specks…is to enter another world and another century, though it would be difficult to pinpoint exactly which ones.”

The inhabitants of the islands practice an animist religion. Nature is holy to them, and many places are considered sacred, much as they had been in prehistoric times when the Bijagós people settled the islands (believed to be around 9000 BC).  Such beliefs have helped to preserve the rich biodiversity and abundant wildlife of the islands, which have been declared a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. We will spend three days in this “undiscovered” archipelago, viewing the wildlife, including the rare saltwater hippos found only on Orango Island, and meet with the friendly Bijagós people and learn about their ancient culture and traditions.

Three days in the Bijagós Archipelago are only one of the highlights of this unique voyage. Also sail up Senegal’s Saloum River and visit the fishing village of Joal-Fadiout, entirely constructed from crushed seashells. Take in the exuberant musical traditions of Dakar, weave through riverine forests in The Gambia where colobus monkeys gambol, and venture to the gorgeous, isolated Soumba Waterfalls of Guinea. Witness the marvelous songs and dances of Guinea and feel the pulse of life in the region’s cities.

This is the West Africa that few travelers have experienced. Tourism, on a large scale, would destroy these authentic cultures. One must have a small footprint. And that’s only possible aboard a ship like the 34-guest yacht Callisto.

Please join Travel Dynamics International to discover the “hidden” Africa.

Itinerary

Day 1 • FLY FROM EUROPE

Day 2 • DAKAR, Senegal | EMBARK

Day 3 • DAKAR | GORÉE ISLAND | DAKAR

Day 4 • SALOUM RIVER | JOAL-FADIOUT

Day 5 • BANJUL, The Gambia

Day 6 • BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau

Days 7 – 9 • BIJAGÓS ARCHIPELAGO

Day 10 • CONAKRY, Guinea | DUBRÉKA | CONAKRY

Day 11 • FREETOWN, Sierra Leone

Day 12 • FREETOWN | BUNCE ISLAND | FREETOWN | FLY TO EUROPE

View Detailed Itinerary

For further details on these departures and fares please call The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk.

Crystal Cruises ‘Ticks All The Right Boxes’ For Multi-Generational Families

Crystal Cruises’ ultra-luxurious Five-Star Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will go all-inclusive in 2012.

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Crystal Cruises is developing a reputation as the multi-generational family cruise line of choice for well-heeled travellers, a trend observed by Kevin Griffin, Managing Director of The Cruise People – the London based agent specializing in ultra-luxury brands – who has had some interesting large international family group bookings over the last 12-months. And, with the recent introduction of Crystal’s ‘Family Memories’ program, they are offering tremendous value too with benefits such as prepaid gratuities and ship board credits for groups of six or more and a free berth if a group of ten travel together.

“These multi-generational groups can be anywhere between six and 16 family members travelling together, spanning up to three generations from 20s to 60s, and travelling from as far as Israel and Singapore,” says Kevin Griffin. “The casinos onboard the Crystal ships are certainly a draw for the Oriental and Middle East families, as is the specialist cuisine such as kosher-style dining, which is very popular with our Jewish families.”

Crystal Cruises ‘ticks all the boxes’ for these extended families with their exceptional quality and choice of entertainment, spa and fitness facilities, activities and enrichment opportunities offered aboard their two luxury vessels. Crystal Symphony (51,044 ton) and Crystal Serenity (68,700 ton) carry 922 and 1070 passengers respectively, more passengers than Crystal Cruises’ competitor small-ship luxury lines, yet their size is a huge positive in terms of scope for onboard activities.

From elegant afternoon teas and traditional paddle tennis, to discovering a flair for languages at the innovative Creative Learning Institute, joining the exclusive Walk-On-Water WOW? programme or indulging in exotic spa therapies, Crystal Cruises offer their guests a huge range of choices to fill both days and nights. Hence the attraction for the large family groups, spreading across three generations in some cases and with ages ranging from 25 to 65 (and more), as there’s plenty onboard to keep the whole family happy.

Further features of the ships’ size are the guest-to-space and guest-to-staff ratio, among the highest in the industry. The service onboard is flawless and the choice of international cuisine is superb. Kosher-style dining is offered onboard both vessels, “traditional cuisine was a particular highlight for our Jewish family, whilst the sushi from world-class chef Nobu Matsuhisa is a great reason for our Oriental families to book this product,” says Kevin Griffin.

Crystal was the first luxury line to make a significant commitment to attracting families by upgrading children’s onboard facilities and activities. They cater for younger families with a fully supervised program for kids between the ages of 3 and 17, although The Cruise People’s family groups are mostly jet-setting adults.

To date, The Cruise People’s large adult family bookings have typically come from cultures where strong families are traditional. “However there’s no reason that this principal should not be applied to other international families,” says Kevin Griffin, “where clients who live in different countries could use a cruise to get together for family events and celebrations.”

Crystal Family Memories Program

For family or friends travelling together or celebrating an important occasion such as a silver wedding anniversary or big birthday, ‘Crystal Family Memories’ offer even more reason to celebrate. For every six guests who book and pay in full on any 2011 cruise, Crystal Cruises will provide pre-paid gratuities, shipboard credits of US$100 per person and more. And, if the group consists of ten full-fare guests, they will also receive one free berth!

For further details call Gay Scruton at The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk

Only Three Cabins Left for 2012: Book Now if You Want to Sail by Cargo Ship from Europe to the South Pacific, Australia & New Zealand: Northbound Voyages Still Available However

Three ships run in an 84-day round voyage from Tilbury to the US East Coast, the Pacific islands of Tahiti, Fiji and New Caledonia, Australia and New Zealand. A twin Owners cabin and two double cabins are offered on each of the CMA CGM Manet, CMA CGM Matisse and CMA CGM Utrillo from Tilbury, Rotterdam, Dunkirk and Le Havre to Australasia and back. The round trip can also be booked as one-way voyages between Europe and Australia/New Zealand. Each ship carries six passengers but they are heavily booked through to 2013 so bookings have to be made a year or more in advance to be guaranteed of space. We have just been advised of the following availability over the next eighteen months. Book now if you want one:

2012

From Le Havre on/about 4th July to Australia & New Zealand  BOOKED
From Le Havre on/about 3rd October to Australia & New Zealand  BOOKED
From Tilbury on/about 22nd December 2012 to Papeete only  BOOKED

2013

From Tilbury on/about 21st January 2013 return to USA
From Tilbury on/about 1st March
… and later sailings in 2013.

However, it is a little easier to obtain northbound space. In fact a 15% reduction has just been announced  on the remaining sailings for 2011. Here is what is available to the end of 2012:

2011

From Tauranga on / about 13th December 2011 to Europe CMA CGM Utrillo Owners (15% off)
From Papeete on / about 19th December 2011 to Rotterdam CMA CGM Manet Supercargo (15% off)

2012

From Tauranga on / about 24th January 2012 to Rotterdam CMA CGM Matisse Owners & Supercargo
From Sydney on / about 26th March to Europe CMA CGM Manet  Supercargo
From Sydney on / about 9 April to Tauranga return CMA CGM Matisse  Supercargo
From Sydney on / about 28th June to Tilbury CMA CGM Matisse Owners
From Melbourne on / about 30th June to Tilbury CMA CGM Matisse 2 cabins
From Tauranga on / about 22nd August to Rotterdam CMA CGM Utrillo Supercargo
From Sydney on / about 11th September Roundtrip CMA CGM Manet  Owners & Supercargo
From Tauranga on / about 14th November to Tilbury CMA CGM Utrillo 2nd Officers
From Napier on / about 21th December to Le Havre CMA CGM Matisse Owner
From Tauranga on / about 22th December to Le Havre CMA CGM Matisse Supercargo
From Noumea on / about 10th December to Manzanillo via Europe CMA CGM Matisse 2nd Officers

The fare is €110 per person per day including full board, port charges and complimentary French wine with lunch and dinner, so the full round voyage is €9,240, or about £8,495, per person. Non-US and Canadian citizens will need full US visas as cargo ships are not included in the various visa waiver programs (also known as ESTA).

Each double cabin is about 235 sq ft, fitted with a double bed, sofa, desk, chair, wardrobe, a bathroom (wc/shower) and a fridge. The Owners Cabin has twin beds and its own door into the Passenger Lounge. Common areas include a Gymnasium and Library on Deck B, Passenger Lounge on Deck E with: TV, video, DVD and an indoor Swimming Pool.

The port rotation for each voyage is Tilbury – Rotterdam – Dunkirk – Le Havre – New York – Savannah – Kingston (Jamaica) – Manzanillo (Panama) – Panama Canal – Papeete (Tahiti) – Lautoka (Fiji) – Noumea (New Caledonia) – Sydney – Melbourne – Napier – Tauranga – Manzanillo – Kingston – Savannah – Philadelphia – Tilbury.

For further details please call The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk.

The Cruise Examiner for 26th September 2011 – New Orders by TUI Cruises and Compagnie du Ponant – Other Cruise News: One Ocean Doubles Fleet – Happy Cruises Shuts Down – Cuba Cruise Delay

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com
by Kevin Griffin

New Orders by TUI Cruises and Compagnie du Ponant  – Other Cruise News: One Ocean Doubles Fleet – Happy Cruises Shuts Down – Cuba Cruise Delay

Mein Schiff 2 in Hamburg before entering service this May

As European cruising continues to grow, last week saw reports of two orders for new ships for European owners, one for two rumoured 98,000-tonners from Finland for Germany’s TUI Cruises and a confirmed order from Compagnie du Ponant for another 10,700-tonner, third in a series, from Italy. Meanwhile, Canadian operator One Ocean Expeditions is doubling its fleet and will be operating two sister ships from November 2012. In the not so good news category come reports that Spain’s independent Happy Cruises is shutting down and that Cuba Cruise of Toronto has delayed its planned start-up of seven-day cruises from Havana with the Louis Cristal until December 2012. Seeing as Happy Cruises may not now be sending the Gemini to Havana for a second season of Cuban cruises this winter, the timing of the latter announcement seems rather unfortunate, coming as it did only four days before Happy Cruises shut down.

THIS WEEK’S STORY

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One Ocean Expeditions Doubles Its Polar Adventure Fleet

One Ocean Expeditions (OOE) has announced that the highly regarded Akademik Sergey Vavilov will join her sister ship Akademik Ioffe as its second polar expedition vessel with effect from November 2012.

The Akademik Sergey Vavilov, seen here in icy Antarctic waters

Both ships were built  in Finland in the late 1980’s for the Russian Academy of Sciences.  They undertook hydro-acoustic research and are consequently extremely quiet, fast and stable ships, widely acknowledged as among the the best expedition vessels for difficult polar waters.

Andrew Prossin, who founded OOE in 2006, is a twenty-year veteran of both Antarctic and Arctic expeditions and has worked extensively with both vessels.

“This addition to our fleet was both necessary and timely for OOE. It is necessary because our 2011/12 season has almost completely sold out and we definitely need a second vessel. It is timely because the opportunity to take the Vavilov now puts us in a leading position with the two best expedition vessels in the world,” said Prossin.

With berths for 105 passengers, (but limited by OOE to 92) the Vavilov will initially be deployed in Antarctica, followed by the 2013 Arctic season. But first, the ship will be extensively refurbished. ”The Vavilov is a great ship, and with the forthcoming improvement program we will have no trouble bringing her up to the high expectations of One Ocean Expeditions’ clients”, said Prossin.

Partial view of a typical twin cabin on the Akademik Sergey Vailov

“This is a terrific platform where we can offer an innovative expedition product and continue to hone the high levels of onboard guest services our clients have come to expect from us.” A major renovation is planned, including redecorated cabins, enhanced, modernised public areas and a wellness centre.

For further details of Arctic and Antarctic expeditions with One Ocean please call Miri Lopusna at The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk.

Cargo-Passenger Service Between New York and Europe

Note: The passenger service previously offered by the Commander has now been withdrawn but a substitute service is available from Hamburg-Süd with its Rio Madeira, which carries three passengers in an Owners cabin and a Single cabin. Her route is from Southampton to New York, Norfolk and Charleston, returning via Rotterdam, Hamburg and Le Havre. The full round voyage is 28 days.

Built in 2009, Rio Madeira offers a twin-bedded Owners Cabin and a Single Cabin for passengers. The ship is air conditioned and features table tennis, a fitness room and outside swimming pool. The fare from Hamburg to New York  is €1,445 (about £1,175 or $1,820) per person, while the fare for the full 28-day round voyage is €2,965 (about £2,410 or $3,735) per person.

The 80,455-ton Rio Madeira replaces the 35,770 deadweight ton container carrier Commander, which sailed every 21 days from New York’s Global Terminal to Hamburg and returned to New York via Antwerp. Non-US and Canadian citizens require a full US B1/B2 visa for entry into any US port as this service is not included in the ESTA Visa Waiver Scheme.

For further details on Transatlantic sailings 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 for 19th September 2011 – After Private Islands, Do The New Cruise Ports Really Appeal? – Other Cruise News: The Fall of Far East Cruises – The Rise of Chinese Cruising

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com
by Kevin Griffin

After Private Islands, Do The New Cruise Ports Really Appeal? – Other Cruise News: The Fall of Far East Cruises – The Rise of Chinese Cruising

Photograph of Falmouth court house by Brian Elliott Photography

In 1977, Norwegian Caribbean Lines, as Norwegian Cruise Line was then called, started a new trend when it opened its own private island at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas. Now, more than three decades later, cruise lines are opening their own new cruise ports at places such as Grand Turk, Costa Maya, Roatan and the newest, Falmouth, Jamaica, whose newly refurbished courthouse is shown here. We have a look at a recent Cruise Critic poll on the subject of these ports and the comments of Arthur Frommer. Meanwhile, the number of European cruise lines that have cancelled their 2011/12 Far East programs has now risen to three, with Classic International Cruises’ Funchal and Swan Hellenic’s Minerva undergoing major refits and Compagnie du Ponant withdrawing its Le Diamant. And Chinese owner Xiamen International Cruise has ordered China’s first cruise ship, and a 100,000-tonner at that.

THIS WEEK’S STORY

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The Cruise Examiner for 13th September 2011 – The Great American Steamboat Company: Return of an Icon – Other Cruise News: Alaska Steady in 2011 – Louis Drops Genoa and Marseilles To Concentrate on Piraeus – Royal Caribbean’s New Chinese Joint Venture

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com
by Kevin Griffin

The Great American Steamboat Company: Return of an Icon – Other Cruise News: Alaska Steady in 2011 – Louis Drops Genoa and Marseilles To Concentrate on Piraeus – Royal Caribbean’s New Chinese Joint Venture

The American Queen is powered by a steam-driven paddlewheel, assisted by two diesel Z-drives

As a new World Trade Center rises on the New York skyline, with opening scheduled for 2013, and the US is on its way to regaining its place as the world’s largest producer of oil in 2017, another great American icon is about to return, as the Great American Steamboat Company prepares to re-introduce the 436-passenger sternwheeler American Queen to cruising on the Mississippi River in 2012. Elsewhere, after a stinging loss of business in 2010, Alaska manages to hold its own in 2011, while Louis Cruises abandons Genoa and Marseilles in favour of Piraeus. And Royal Caribbean makes a deal with China World Cruises.

THIS WEEK’S STORY

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“In The Footsteps of St Paul The Apostle” – A Unique Christian Themed Cruise in Classic International Cruises’ 300-passenger MV Arion

And Now For Something Completely Different!  A Unique Themed Cruise in Classic International’s 300-passenger Arion in Association with The Friends of Canterbury Cathedral. Departing on Tuesday, 25th October.

This excellent 7-night itinerary tracks St Paul’s travels around the Aegean. Including: Corinth, Transit of the Corinth Canal, Thessaloniki, Veria, Athens, Kavala, Dikili, Mytilene, Kusadasi and Aeropagus.

The cruise features daily lectures with the Reverend Canon Peter Brett, Senior Canon at Canterbury Cathedral until 2001, Daily Eucharist and Compline and Optional Excursion Programme

Tuesday 25th – depart London Heathrow for Athens and transfer to Corinth for embarkation and settling in on board your comfortable ship. Flights are also available from London Gatwick and from Manchester.

Wednesday 26th – optional excursion to Corinth and the site where St Paul preached, visit to Corinth Town and the church dedicated to St Paul in Archea Corinth. Evening departure to sail through the magnificent Corinth Canal towards Thessaloniki.

Thursday 27th – at Thessaloniki you have the option to visit the Church of San Demetrios, the ancient city walls, the shrine at Veria witnessing St Paul’s presence, and some of the numerous churches.

Friday 28th – arrive Kavala in time for breakfast and our optional excursion to visit the Baptistry Lydia and site of Philippi.

Saturday 29th – breakfast arrival in Dikili in Turkey with an early start for the optional excursion to visit the important Pauline sites at Assos and Troas. It’s a long drive but well worth the visit in an area that is not on the main tourist trail – Canon Brett is particularly looking forward to going.

Sunday 30th – after a long day on Thursday this is a chance to have some time at leisure in the traditional Greek harbour town of Mytilene, capital of the island of Lesbos.

Monday 31st – arrive Kusadasi at dawn. Today’s optional excursion takes us to Ephesus, one of the most fabulous ruins in the Mediterranean and a unique historic site. St Paul preached in the fabulous 24,000 seat amphitheatre here. St John bought the Virgin Mary here after the crucifixion and we will visit the small house claimed to be her last home – dating of articles found on the site lends credence to the fact she actually did live here. There is so much to see we in fact have three different excursions from which to choose.

Tuesday 1st – disembark Athens. Morning excursion including the Acropolis and the Aeropagus where St Paul debated, followed by an evening return to the airport, or transfer to your hotel for those opting to stay over.

Fares start at £599 per person in a Standard Outside Cabin, Cruise-Only, and £899 per person Fly/Cruise from London. Fares include Port Charges but not Gratuities. Optional stay in central Athens or a coastal hotel from £59 per person per night (four-star) or £89 per person per night (five-star).

MV Arion – Classic International Cruises
With just 155 cabins and maximum 320 passengers, the classic Arion is a small ship with a warm and friendly atmosphere and a deserved reputation for providing attentive service and good food. Officers and crew are mostly European and facilities include a swimming pool, sun decks, show lounge, Lido lounge, Piano bar, photo shop and gift shop. Cruising speed is 15 knots and technical specification includes stabilisers and full air conditioning.

For further details of this fascinating alternative cruise that involves a totally different kind of rock climbing, please call The Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk

Construction of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ Europa 2 Begins at St Nazaire

Yesterday, the cutting of the first steel for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ new Europa 2 marked the official beginning of her construction. The cruise line’s managing director Sebastian Ahrens  gave the start signal at STX’s famous shipyard in St Nazaire, where celebrated ships such as the Normandie, the France and the Queen Mary 2 were built. With the MS Europa 2, to enter service in the spring of 2013, Hapag-Lloyd will advance its pioneering role in the luxury sector.

A total of 835 shipyard workers will be involved in the project, with an estimated 2.5 million hours of labour dedicated to the new ship’s completion. “After an intense planning stage, we are very pleased to be taking this decisive step towards the extension of our fleet with the first steel cut,“ said Mr Ahrens.

With individual parts of the ship being assembled in different shipyard halls over the coming months, the keel laying will take place in the spring of 2012, and commissioning in the spring of 2013.

The Europa 2 will enhance the luxury segment of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, offering a modern and informal interpretation of the existing Europa, the only cruise ship to be awarded with the highest “5-stars” plus ranking in the Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships.

The Europa 2 will have eleven decks and will offer 258 suites. She will have a maximum capacity of 516 passengers and will boast more space per passenger than any other cruise ship in the world. Spa Suites, Penthouse Suites and family suites will complement the range of accommodations on board.

Seven restaurants including a sushi bar, two lounges and four bars will enhance the ship’s culinary diversity. Guests will also enjoy a wide range of on board entertainment, a large wellness and spa area, and numerous sports and health-oriented offerings.

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries visit www.hl-cruises.com. For bookings, inquiries, or to request a brochure, please call Gay Scruton at The Cruise People Ltd on020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk

Photo: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises

The Cruise Examiner for 5th September 2011 – Three Ships In, One Out For UK’s Smaller Fleets – Other Cruise News: Minerva To Get An Upgrade – East of Aden for Voyages to Antiquity – Royal Caribbean Fails the Avis Test: Update

THE CRUISE EXAMINER at Cybercruises.com
by Kevin Griffin

Three Ships In, One Out For UK’s Smaller Fleets – Minerva To Get An Upgrade – East of Aden for Voyages to Antiquity – Royal Caribbean Update

The Voyager has had balconies added and will join the Discovery at Voyages of Discovery

Last week was a big news week for the UK’s small to medium-size cruise ship lines, with announcements that both Voyages of Discovery and Noble Caledonia will be doubling their single-ship fleets, with the Voyager and Caledonian Sky, while Saga’s introduction of the Saga Sapphire will see its smallest ship, Spirit of Adventure, returning to the German market as FTI Berlin. Meanwhile, Voyages of Discovery’s sister line Swan Hellenic has announced plans for a major refurbishment of its Minerva, which will receive more balcony cabins, a forward-facing observation lounge and a new walk-around promenade one deck up from the new balcony cabins. Elsewhere, Voyages to Antiquity will be going year-round rather than seasonal in 2012/13 by adding winter itineraries to the Aegean Odyssey‘s program of summer Mediterranean cruises. And lastly, Royal Caribbean has done an about face on credits for the 130 passengers it left behind from the Serenade of the Seas last month in San Juan.

THIS WEEK’S STORY

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The First Passenger Ship To Cross The Northern Sea Route – From Murmansk to the Russian Far East at Anadyr

Last Thursday we tweeted that the tanker Vladimir Tikhonov had just carried a commercial cargo of over 120,000 tonnes of gas condensate across Russia’s Northern Sea Route. This voyage was the first time ever a ship of this size,  over 160,000 tonnes deadweight (ice-class 1A), has transported a full consignment of the cargo using this route.

Today, the news is that Australian expedition-cruise company Aurora Expeditions has become one the first companies ever to complete Russia’s Northern Sea Route in an ice-strengthened passenger ship.

The chartered Russian vessel Akademik Shokalskiy, departed Murmansk with 50 passengers, 10 staff and 23 crew on August 10, taking 26 days to traverse Siberia’s vast north coast to Anadyr, and in the course of her voyage crossed nine time zones and six seas.

The Akademik Shokalskiy followed in the wake of the Swede, Baron Nils Nordenskjöld, who first succeeded in the steamship Vega in 1878, calling at numerous archipelagos, huge Siberian river deltas and isolated Eskimo villages, polar bear dens and a observing a treasure trove of Arctic wildlife. But while the Akademink Shokalskiy took 26 days, the Vega had been trapped for the winter and did not reach the Russian Far East until the following spring.

Only a privileged few have ever sailed through the Bering Strait and pack ice to Wrangel Island and explored the rugged scenery of the Siberian and Chuckchi coasts.

This inaugural voyage was Aurora Expeditions’ most adventurous in scope and duration, visiting places where few people have ever been.  Passengers also had the opportunity to visit militarily restricted Novaya Zemlya, name peaks on mountainous Severnaya Zemlya, make a midnight cruise around the Novosibirskie Islands, along with a special tour of polar bear haven and World-Heritage listed Wrangel Island.

Reaching 80 degrees north, the voyage offered attractions such as abandoned Russian polar stations and working meteorological huts, and passengers observed 10,000-year-old fossils of mammoth tusks and teeth, as well as housands of birds and hundreds of walrus, whales and polar bears.

Aurora Expeditions 2012 “Across the Northeast Passage” cruise has already sold out. For information on the 2013 Northeast Passage voyage or the 2012 Northwest Passage voyage with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises across the Canadian Arctic please call The Cruise People on 020 7723 2450  or email cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk.