Unique Sea of Cortez Photography Cruise

With winter officially here and snow covering much of the United States, you may now be searching for a sun-filled vacation to get you through the duration. If you're also a photography buff who enjoys the warm, brilliant waters of Mexico's Sea of Cortez, consider the March 8, 2009 cruise aboard American Safari Cruises' 22-passenger Safari Quest.

This seven-night voyage through the "Aquarium of the World" travels between La Paz and Loreto. In the company of an onboard naturalist, you'll enjoying skiffing and kayaking, swimming and snorkeling, hiking and beach combing.

Reknown photographers Ellen and Hank Barone will also be on hand to help you get the best shots of whales, dolphins, sea lions, seabirds, and all other manner of wildlife. Ellen and Hank will be at your elbow for one-on-one instruction as you frame the perfect photo. They'll also present a few informal demos and workshops.

In a recent conversation with Ellen Barone, she stressed that passengers need not be photography experts to enjoy this specially themed cruise. She maintains that amazing photos can be taken by both point-and-shoots as well as expensive professional SLR cameras.

Here's the gear that Ellen travels with:

• Two Canon digital SLR camera bodies: the 5D and 50D
• Lenses: Canon EF 16 - 35mm f/2.8L, Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L, and Sigma 18 - 200 f/3.5-6.3
• Canon 430 EXII flash
• Canon 1.4xII tele-extender
• Compact Flash cards
• Extra USB and Firewire cords
• A Joby gorillapod
• Extra batteries and chargers
• Power and adapter cords
• Visible Dust sensor cleaner
• Portable hard drives
• Micro fiber lens clothes
• 15-inch MacBook Pro for downloading and simple editing
• Lowe Pro Dry Pack

Ellen has written and photographed for many magazines, including National Geographic Adventure, Outside, Condé Nast Traveler, Islands, The Los Angeles Times Sunday Travel Section, and Spa.

All-inclusive cruise fares for this itinerary begin at $5,495 per person. For more information, talk with your travel agent or call American Safari Cruises at (888) 862-8881.

Photo courtesy of American Safari Cruises.

Windstar Rescues Catamaran Off Guadeloupe

Windstar to the rescue! According to Vanessa Bloy, a spokesperson for the cruise line, Windstar's Wind Surf assisted in a rescue at sea on the evening of December 23, 2008 in the Caribbean Sea.

A catamaran called Sofrane was experiencing engine problems off the north coast of Guadeloupe in 16-foot seas with winds at 40 knots. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre asked the Wind Surf to help and the ship did so by acting as a windbreak for the catamaran. The Sofrane and its one passenger waited in the calm water created by the Wind Surf for over two hours until a French rescue boat arrived on the scene. The Wind Surf then continued on to St. Martin.

For more information on Windstar Cruises, talk with your travel agent or visit Windstar's website.

American Safari Featured in Cruise Travel Magazine

"It's not down in any map; true places never are." That line from Moby-Dick—by adventure-seeking novelist Herman Melville—is the type of philosophy American Safari Cruises embraces each and every day as the line's fleet of four luxury yachts grace the waters of Alaska's Inside Passage, the Pacific Northwest, and Mexico's Sea of Cortez. These vessels beckon guests to choose the path less traveled in order to discover the essence of a destination's indigenous culture and wildlife."

...to read my complete article about American Safari Cruises, check out the November/December 2008 issue of Cruise Travel magazine, available on newsstands now. To subscribe, visit BarnesandNoble.com.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Seabourn's Innovative "Between Friends" Promo: Save $1,500

Here's an interesting new promotion from The Yachts of Seabourn that will net you a $1,500 per couple cruise credit to be used for private shore excursions on most 2009 European itineraries.

Dubbed "Between Friends," the promotion encourages you to invite two or more couples to sail with you on a 2009 European voyage. One couple must be first-time Seabourn guests. If your group meets this criteria, each couple will receive a $1,500 onboard credit to be used for private shore excursions through Seabourn's Signature Service Desk.

Your group can tour together or separately, with your own guide, driver, and private vehicle. Seabourn can suggest a variety of tour itineraries, including:

• Joining a top Italian chef for a hands-on, three-hour cooking class in Florence.
• Going on a tasting tour in Rapallo, Italy, with specialty food expert Guido Porrati who will introduce you to focaccia, pesto, olive oil, salame Sant’Olcese, Avetano cheese, strusciata cake and excellent local wines.
• Sailing via private yacht to Birla, Sweden to tour Viking Age ruins, including an in-depth tour of Gronsoo, a privately owned castle on the lake.
• Riding a mountain bike through the wonderful landscape of the Mounts of Malaga in Spain.
• Letting an expert local shopping guide show you around Stockholm’s most famous boutiques with the most internationally acclaimed brands.

To learn more about this promotion, contact your travel agent or call Seabourn at 1-(800) 929-9391.

Save 60% in Europe with Seabourn in 2009

Still shopping for the perfect holiday gift? How about a 7-, 9-, or 14-day Seabourn cruise at 60% off brochure fares? The cruise line has announced a one-week sale on the following European itineraries:

Seabourn Legend
June 20, 2009: Cote D'Azur & Spanish Isles from Monte Carlo to Barcelona (7 days)
July 11, 2009: Sardinia, Corsica & Cote D'Azur from Rome to Monte Carlo (7 days)

Seabourn Spirit
June 20, July 11, or August 1, 2009: Italian Idyll from Venice to Rome (7 days)

Seabourn Pride
April 14, 2009: Mediterranean Panorama from Athens to Lisbon (14 days)
August 20, 2009: Norwegian Fjords Copenhagen roundtrip (9 days)

For more information, contact your travel agent or call Seabourn at 1-(800) 929-9391.

Port Profile: Cape Town, South Africa

This September I spent several weeks exploring South Africa. It's a fascinating and vibrant country and a place I hope to return to soon! While in Cape Town, I was on assignment for Cruise Critic. Several days of touring included a visit to a colony of African penguins, a shark cage-diving adventure, a meet-and-greet with a cheetah "ambassador," and much more. Read more about this unique port of call at Cruise Critic's website. —Andrea M. Rotondo

American Safari Delays Entry to Hawaiian Cruise Market

With the Dow closing under 10,000 today, many of us are reevaluating our business and leisure plans for 2009. Cruise lines are no different. Rising fuel costs, tighter airline capacity, and a soft U.S. economy are affecting all companies and sometimes tough decisions must be made. American Safari Cruises made such a decision today by deferring entry into the Hawaii inter-island cruise market. The line's newly rennovated Safari Explorer was set to sail Hawaiian itineraries starting this November.

According to Capt. Dan Blanchard, president and CEO of American Safari Cruises, "It's the wise and prudent thing to do. We plan to inaugurate our Hawaii cruises when liquidity returns to the capital markets."

Guests who are booked for Hawaii cruises will receive full refunds, future cruise savings of 15 percent, and allowances for air ticketing. They also will be given first priority to secure space in American Safari Cruises' other active warm water destination, Mexico's Sea of Cortés. The 22-guest Safari Quest begins the eighth season in Mexico on November 13 with seven- or nine-night sailings through April 7, 2009. Re-accommodated Hawaii guests will also receive a $250 per person air credit.

While this is disappointing news, I hope all affected travelers will be able to rebook an alternative American Safari experience. This is one of my favorite cruise lines and I look forward to when Hawaii cruises are added back to American Safari's agenda. In the meantime, check their website for other fantastic itineraries in Mexico, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest.

Photo courtesy of American Safari Cruises

Silversea's 2009 South Pacific Season Announced

Ever since Silversea's new 132-passenger expedition ship, Prince Albert II, was launched earlier this year, fans of the cruise line have been anticipating details about the ship's upcoming visits to the South Pacific from mid-March to late October 2009.

The itineraries have been released and there are some outstanding options that include lesser known ports of call in the Austral Islands, the Marquesas, and the isolated Tuamotu Islands. Perhaps the best news is that these Polynesian cruises will follow only a loose itinerary, allowing for the flexibility to stay longer at one location or make a slight detour due to weather conditions.

The following itinerary descriptions were provided by Silversea:

Austral Island Adventures
Nestled in the Tropic of Capricorn, the remote Austral Islands lie hundreds of miles south of Tahiti and enjoy a slightly cooler climate. Tubuai, largest of these volcanic islands, is probably best known for the failed landing attempts of the H.M.S. Bounty. (The island's villagers assaulted the unwelcome ship with a barrage of stones, and ultimately the mutineers sailed off to Pitcairn.) Prince Albert II and her fleet of eight Zodiac boats will explore the unique culture, flora and fauna of Rapa, Raivavae, Tubuai, Rurutu, and Rimatara on five 11-day, roundtrip journeys from Papeete.
Silver Sailing fares start at $3,897 per person, based on double occupancy.

Journeys to the Marquesas
The mountainous islands of the Marquesas are located nearly 900 miles northeast of Tahiti and just south of the equator. With a lush, vibrant terrain bursting with myriad exotic flowers and fruit trees, it's easy to understand how this tropical paradise captivated the artist Paul Gauguin, who made the Marquesas his adopted home. On four roundtrip journeys of 14 days from Papeete, Prince Albert II's expedition team will lead in-depth explorations of Fatu Hiva, Pua Mau, Hiva Oa, Atuona, Ua Pou, Nuku Hiva, and Tahuata, as well as Manihi and Fakarava Island in the Tuamotu Archipelago and the Society Islands of Bora Bora and Tahaa.
Silver Sailing fares start at $4,917 per person, based on double occupancy.

Tuomotu Expeditions
The isolated Tuamotu Islands, northeast of Tahiti, comprise the world's largest chain of atolls. Its 78 sparsely populated coral islands span over 900 miles of aquamarine waters. Dotted with quaint villages, coral churches and an abundance of wildlife—from bottlenose dolphins and coconut crabs to the rarest of birds, this remote archipelago offers endless possibilities for real Robinson Crusoe-style adventures. Departing from Papeete, Prince Albert II will embark on five 10-day expeditions to the Tuamotu islands of Tikihau, Rangiroa, Apataki, Arutua and Fakarava, as well as Raiatea, Maupihaa, and Huahine in the Society Islands.
Silver Sailing fares start at $3,597 per person, based on double occupancy.

The Prince Albert II is a luxury expedition ship offering an all-inclusive experience featuring spacious staterooms (many with French balconies or full verandahs) and a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.

For more information about Prince Albert II, talk with your travel agent or visit Silversea's website.

Photos courtesy of Silversea.

Maiden Voyage Guests Named Godparents of Seabourn Odyssey

I really like the way Seabourn executives think. First they held a contest for guests to name their forthcoming vessel, due to start sailing in June 2009. (The winning entry dubbed the new ship the Seabourn Odyssey, by the way.) Now the cruise line has announced that all 450 guests sailing on the ship’s maiden voyage on June 24, 2009, will be named a "godparent." What a clever way to tip their hat to the very people who’ve helped make Seabourn what it is today. (In fact, just this month Seabourn was named third-best Small-Ship Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure magazine’s venerable World’s Best Awards ’08. The award has staying power since actual travelers vote, and not magazine editors sitting in their ivory towers…far away from the open seas.)

Upper management at Seabourn certainly appreciate the kudos from past guests and feel they owe maiden voyage travelers something special. “Everything we do at Seabourn is focused on our guests who, in a very real sense, are the reason this superb vessel is being built,” says Pamela C. Conover, president and CEO of The Yachts of Seabourn. “Those joining Odyssey’s maiden voyage will not only be treated like a celebrity, but will become a part of the vessel’s history, representing the many guests who have sailed with us in the past and those who will sail on her in the years to come.”

Maiden voyage guests will hold the title of godparent throughout the life of the Seabourn Odyssey and their names will be engraved on a plaque that will be proudly displayed onboard the yacht.

Departing from Venice, Italy on June 24, 2009, the 14-day maiden voyage will call upon ports along the Dalmation coast, the Greek islands, and Turkey.

The 32,000-ton, 450-passenger Odyssey is actually one of three new ships being built for Seabourn. Ninety-percent of the all-suite accommodations—measuring from 290 to over 1,600 square feet—will have private verandas. Guests will enjoy five restaurants, five lounges and bars, a pool and sunbathing area, and a very special 11,400-square-foot two-deck, indoor/outdoor spa facility. The next two ships from Seabourn will debut in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

In 2009, the Odyssey will sail the Mediterranean and Caribbean before heading off on Seabourn’s first World Cruise in January 2010.

For more information, contact your travel agent, call Seabourn at (800) 929-9391, or visit their website.

American Safari's New Safari Explorer

We returned from Alaska two weeks ago and we still can't believe we were lucky enough to spy such varied wildlife. The journey especially sparked our interest in whales and we've been doing a bit of research on whale songs. If you're visiting Alaska with American Safari Cruises, ask your expedition leader/naturalist to explain how whales communicate. It really is fascinating!

As I mentioned last week, while in Alaska we also got to visit the Safari Explorer: American Safari's newest 36-passenger yacht (manned by a crew of 16). She'll sail Alaska each summer and Hawaii in the winter. This 145-foot yacht was christened in May and began her season on May 30 in Juneau.

It's a lovely ship and quite different from the Safari Spirit. The biggest difference is the size. While the Safari Spirit can accommodate 12 passengers, the Explorer welcomes 36 guests per voyage. Since the ship is larger, the Safari Explorer also offers additional amenities such as suite accommodations complete with Jacuzzi tubs and balconies, complimentary massages from the onboard masseuse, and yoga classes.

Here are the stateroom categories aboard the Safari Explorer:

• Commodore Suites (2)—king or twin beds, separate sitting area, sliding glass door overlooking a small balcony, bath with Jacuzzi tub and shower
  
  
• Admiral Staterooms (4)—king or twin beds, windowed door or view window, bath with Jacuzzi tub and shower
  
  
• Captain Staterooms (2)—king or twin beds, view window, windowed door, bath with shower
  
  
• Mariner Staterooms (9)—queen or twin beds, view window, windowed door, bath with shower
  
  
• Single Stateroom (1)—single bed, view window, windowed door, bath with shower (pullman berth available)

*Note: Both Commodore Suites and two Admiral Staterooms are available as triple accommodations.










Outfitted with two skiffs (larger than the one used by the Safari Spirit), the Safari Explorer offers a larger dining room (with eight tables) and salon, as well as a bar and wine library. And, two naturalists sail with this ship to easily accommodate all guests.





All the guests we met aboard the Safari Explorer were having a ball and it was evident in the camaraderie they displayed amongst each other. So, while there are more guests on that ship compared with the Safari Spirit, the atmosphere still seems quite intimate.

The Safari Explorer's seven-night Alaska itinerary, Voyagers' Glacier Country, takes passengers roundtrip to and from Juneau, visiting Funter Bay, Glacier Bay National Park, Sitkoh Bay, Icy Strait, Frederick Sound, Admiralty Island, Saginaw Bay, Brothers Islands, Petersburg, Tongass National Forest, Gambier Bay, Ford's Terror, and Endicott Arm to view Dawes Glacier.

When cruising the Hawaiian Islands, the Safari Explorer visits Kailua-Kona and Hilo on the Big Island, Molokini, Lahaina on Maui, Lanai, and Molokai. This seven-day itinerary includes a helicopter tour of Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, a sail-by of Kahoolawe, an excursion to Maui's Haleakala National Park, and a day-long mule ride down a mountain ravine on Molokai to visit Father Damien's 19th-century leper colony on the Kalaupapa Peninsula.

To learn more about American Safari Cruises, visit their website.

Photos courtesy of American Safari Cruises.

Double Keels Laid for Seabourn's Newest Vessels

Pamela Conover, CEO and president of Seabourn, has got to have the coolest job in the business these days. With three luxury vessels on order—the first, the Odyssey, making its maiden voyage next June—Pamela is always jet-setting around the world to check on the progress of her team.

Here she is on July 1 in San Giorgio di Nogaro, Italy, with Marco Bisagno, president of T.Mariotti S.p.A. The duo are holding coins that were ceremoniously welded onto the keel blocks for two yet-to-be-named vessels that will be launched in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

T.Mariotti is also the shipbuilder responsible for the Seabourn Odyssey, which is currently at the company's facility in Genoa where finishing work is being done before the ship sets sail in June 2009.

This is all exciting news for Seabourn fans since capacity will increase 217% over the next three years! Hopefully this means it will be easier to snag your favorite suite category the next time you book a Seabourn voyage.

For more information, talk with your travel agent, call Seabourn at (800) 929-9391, or visit their website.

American Safari Cruises: Food & Wine Review

If you've been reading my posts from Alaska, you know Leonard and I just returned from a seven-night itinerary aboard American Safari Cruises' Safari Spirit. Due to the intimate size of the yacht, accommodating just 12 passengers, we hoped the chef would create some extraordinary meals.

We spend most of our time in New York City and are lucky enough to dine at excellent restaurants on a weekly basis. We're not picky, but we are discerning and several luxury cruise lines have disappointed us in the past when it came to food and wine. I'm pleased to report that the Safari Spirit and Chef Dave Gipson exceeded our expectations.

As I previously mentioned, there is one sitting for each meal and guests gather in the Dining Room on the Main Deck. Chef Dave provides an early risers breakfast from 6:30–8 a.m. in the Salon and the full cooked-to-order breakfast starts at 8.

The early risers buffet consisted of muffins (a different homemade flavor each day), toast and English muffins, yogurt, three kinds of cereal, and fruit.





The main breakfast was usually either an egg scramble of some sort with potatoes, bacon and/or sausage or pancakes. Chef Dave prepared a scrumptious eggs benedict with salmon one morning. You could also order toast, oatmeal, eggs cooked to order, etc. Several types of juice are offered, as is coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

At about 12:30 p.m., a light lunch was generally served: a soup and salad combo, a sandwich, or something like seafood gumbo. Dessert was always served but if you wanted something more healthful, you could request a plate of fruit or a dish of sorbet.

Above: seared tuna salad

Above: corn chowder and spinach salad

Above: grilled chicken breast and salad with a spicy dressing

Above: seafood gumbo and biscuit

In the afternoon when returning from whale watching or hiking, Kim and Kim often had freshly baked cookies waiting for us.

Appetizers and cocktails were served nightly at 6 p.m. Some of the items Chef Dave served included salmon cakes, quesadillas, vegetable dumplings with spicy peanut sauce, and smoked pink and white salmon with cheese and crackers.

Wine and champagne were available each evening, as were select liquors and spirits.









Dinners were hearty and often focused on fish and seafood. The starter was always either salad or soup and then there were two entrees to choose from (or you could have a bit of each). The chef was careful to accommodate everyone's allergies and preferences. For example, on the first day one guest casually mentioned his dislike of cilantro. After that, any dish with cilantro was personalized for that guest. Again, dessert was served nightly: a delectable peanut butter pie, berry cobbler with ice cream, a lemon/blueberry pudding, and more.

Above: rack of lamb

Above: rockfish with rice, asparagus, and mango salsa

Above: scallops with cous cous and snap peas

Above: Alaskan king crab with spaghetti squash and risotto

Above: shrimp scampi with mashed sweet potato

If you visit American Safari Cruises' website, you'll read that these cruises are all-inclusive. The line serves premium wine, champagne, and spirits. The wines rotate but here's a list of what was served during our sailing:

L'Ecole N 41 cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and chenin blanc
Hedges Family Estate cabernet/merlot
Apex merlot
Lava Cap petit syrah
Robert Mondavi pinot noir
Elk Cove pinot noir
Maryhill syrah
Napa Cellars zinfandel
Edna Valley chardonnay
Chateau St. Jean fume blanc
Santa Margherita pino grigio
Adelsheim pinot gris
St. Supery sauvignon blanc
Alexandria Nicole viogner

We really enjoyed our journey with American Safari Cruises and the excellent food and wine only enhanced our voyage. Bravo to Chef Dave Gipson!

Photos © Leonard Hospidor and may not be used without permission