Le Boreal Luxury Cruise to Antarctica Cancelled

It's a sad day for travelers who were expecting to board Le Boréal expedition ship today. Abercrombie & Kent chartered the ship from Compagnie du Ponant and it was slated to go to Antarctica. Unfortunately, ship repairs need to be made before both companies are comfortable sailing to the remote Antarctic region.

In a press statement A&K said, "We regret the disappointment but safety is our first priority. All clients will receive a full refund or credit with a 10 percent discount for a future Antarctic cruise with A&K. Abercrombie & Kent has more than 20 years of experience operating safely in Antarctica and we are committed to providing the best expedition cruise experience.”

According to Terri Haas, chief commercial officer for the luxury cruise line, “It is very unfortunate that the next sailing had to be canceled, particularly since it was completely booked. We felt we had to make that difficult decision as a precautionary measure and in the interest of our guests’ safety.”

The January 19, 2011 cruise should sail as scheduled.

What do you think of the cruise compensation passengers received? Is a full refund and 10% off a future Antarctica cruise acceptable? Let me know what you think.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent

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2012 Escorted Trip to Antarctica Aboard Silversea Prince Albert II

Ngaire Keene and Ken Hutyra of Brown & Keene Travel will escort a group to Antarctica in January 2012 aboard Silversea's expedition ship, Prince Albert II. The cruise, from January 13–30, 2012, will visit the Falkland Islands, South George, and Antarctica.

Leonard and I traveled to South Africa with one of Ngaire and Ken's groups and it was fantastic! Browne & Keene are luxury cruise experts and have sailed aboard Prince Albert II several times. They can offer expert advice if you plan to book this itinerary or wish to join their escorted trip.

Their website contains tons of useful information, like cabin reports and photos, advice on what to wear, deck plans, flight information, Zodiac landing reviews, and more. Read about Browne & Keene's 2012 escorted Antarctica trip aboard Silversea's Prince Albert II.

Other Browne & Keene Escorted Trips

Regent Seven Seas Voyager Sydney to Beijing (February 23–March 20, 2011)

South Africa ROAR II Luxury Safari (May 18–June 3, 2011)

Regent Seven Seas Voyager Athens to Istanbul (June 17–29, 2011)

AMA Waterways Amakatarina Russian River (August 6–17, 2011)

Regent Seven Seas Voyager Southampton to Monte Carlo (August 19–September 2, 2011)

Regent Seven Seas Navigator Montreal to Fort Lauderdale (October 13–28, 2011)

Regent Seven Seas Voyager Rome to Fort Lauderdale (November 20–December 4, 2011)

Egypt Nile II land trip and river cruise (March 9–20, 2012)

All escorted trips are eligible for BK Rewards, a cash-back reward for booking with Browne & Keene Travel. The amount varies depending on the trip booked.

For more information, visit Browne & Keene's website or call 1-(800) 856-1155 or (972) 701-9292.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

New Mid-Voyage Land Excursions Launched by Silversea

On longer luxury cruises, you may be more inclined to embark on day-trip shore excursions or even spend a few days away from the ship in order to delve deeper into the region you're visiting. Silversea is making this easier to do in 2011 with the launch of seven new—and very cool!—mid-voyage land excursions.

According to Silversea, these single- and multiple-day inland adventures provide guests with a more intimate, in-depth, and personal encounter with the local people, history, wildlife, and natural attractions that lie just beyond the ports of call.

"We continue to develop new programs that will allow our guests to enjoy authentic onshore experiences," said Darius Mehta, Silversea's associate vice president of air and land programs. "These mid-voyage adventures are carefully designed to take guests further into a specific region, giving them plenty of time to actively engage in its scenery, activities and cultural heritage."

Here's a snapshot of a few of the mid-voyage land adventures that are available from Silversea in 2011:

Kangaroo Island Luxury Eco Expedition—Widely regarded as Australia's Galapagos, Kangaroo Island is brimming with diverse wildlife and natural beauty. Enjoy luxurious accommodations at the Southern Ocean Lodge and a staff of naturalist guides to lead your exploration of the island's unique attractions. Memorable sightings might include kangaroos, rare Cape Barron Geese, koalas, and sea lions. To join this three-day adventure, guests disembark Silver Shadow in Adelaide and rejoin the ship in Melbourne. Priced at $4,799 per guest, the program is offered on Silver Shadow's January 19 voyage (#3102), sailing roundtrip from Sydney.

Australian Frontiers & Train Journey—Discover the heart of the Australian outback by rail aboard the glamorous Indian Pacific train as you watch unique landscapes unfold. Visit the opal-mining town of Coober Pedy, then travel to Adelaide to enjoy a culinary and wine adventure that takes in the famous Barossa Valley. To join this six-day adventure, guests disembark Silver Shadow in Fremantle and rejoin the ship in Adelaide. Priced at $7,799 per guest, the program is offered on Silver Shadow's January 19 voyage (#3102), sailing roundtrip from Sydney.

The Great Ocean Road—Discover one of Australia's great scenic coastline drives. The road was built by some 3,000 returning servicemen and dedicated as a memorial to those killed in World War I. The Great Ocean Road passes through diverse and dramatic scenery with breathtaking mountain ranges, rainforests, national parks, historic ports, and the famous Twelve Apostles, the craggy limestone stacks that rise from the Southern Ocean. This 12-hour program, priced at $269 per guest, is offered on Silver Shadow's January 19 sailing (#3102) and Silver Spirit's voyage of February 12 (#5105). Guests depart from Geelong and rejoin the ship in Melbourne.

Principality of Andorra—Venture into the eastern Pyrenees and visit the tiny, landlocked Principality of Andorra. Although only about half the size of New York City, Andorra comprises a region of seven narrow valleys and is hemmed in by mountain peaks reaching more than 8,800 feet (2,700 meters). This one-and-a-half-day package, priced at $999 per guest, is offered on Silver Spirit's May 3 sailing (#5110) from Athens to Southampton. Guests depart from and rejoin the ship in Barcelona.

Inverlochy Castle & Scottish Highlands—Enjoy a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the legends and lore of the Scottish Highlands and discover what is considered by many to be Scotland's most stunning scenery and important historic sites. A visit to a well-known distillery offers a taste of Scotland's best-known national spirit, malt whiskey. This two-day package, priced at $1,899 per guest, is offered on Silver Cloud voyages of June 25 and August 26 (#1118 and 1123). Participants will depart and rejoin the ship in two different ports, Edinburgh (Leith) and Invergordon, as determined by the voyage itinerary.

Solovki: Pearl of the Russian North—Take advantage of this rare opportunity to visit Big Solovetsky Island, once a former Soviet gulag and today known as the "Pearl of the Russian North." Visit the famous Solovetsky Kremlin and learn the history of the monastery complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 12-hour adventure, priced at $1,299 per guest, is offered on Silver Cloud's July 30 voyage (#1121), sailing roundtrip from Copenhagen. Guests depart from and rejoin the ship in Archangel.

Arequipa & Colca Valley—The great Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa called it the "Valley of Wonders," a land of imposing, snow-capped volcanoes, deep gorges, agricultural terraces, remote traditional villages, and some of Peru's most celebrated wildlife—llamas, vicuñas, alpacas, and the rare Andean condor. This three-day package, priced at $1,829 per guest, is offered on Silver Whisper's December 20 sailing (#4137) from Santiago to Fort Lauderdale. Guests depart from Matarani and rejoin the ship in Callao.

Expedition Antarctica—For most globe trekkers, this is the ultimate destination. Fly by chartered aircraft to King George Island on the Antarctic Peninsula and discover the many natural wonders of the world's last pristine wilderness. Memorable sightings might include penguins, seals, and whales. This 13-hour adventure, priced from $6,899 to $6,959, is offered from Punta Arenas, Chile on Silver Whisper voyages of January 20 and December 4 (#4102 and 4136).

Camp Jabulani—Indulge your senses in this tailor-made adventure trip to Camp Jabulani, set within the Kapama Private Game Reserve of Kruger National Park. Highlights include a ride through the bush atop an elephant's back and an open-vehicle game drive through prime big-game territory that supports elephant, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, zebra, and other species. This three-day package, priced at $4,999, is offered on Silver Wind voyages of February 10, 20 and March 2 (#2104, 2105 and 2106). Guests depart from Richards Bay and rejoin the ship in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Futuristic Brasilia—Visit Brazil's capital and you'll discover a fascinating city designed for the twenty-first century, a masterpiece of modernist architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Brazil's finest designers, architects, and artists were commissioned to create Brasilia's monuments and buildings, which attract architecture aficionados worldwide. This three-day adventure, priced at $1,699, is offered on Silver Whisper's November 8 sailing (#4134) from Fort Lauderdale to Rio de Janeiro. Guests depart from Fortaleza and rejoin the ship in Salvador.

The prices listed above are per person, based on double occupancy. The optional mid-voyage land programs feature deluxe accommodations (if overnight stays are required), all transportation, transfers, guided sightseeing, and some meals.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Silversea directly at 1-(877) 215-9986.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo © Leonard Hospidor

Trusted Adventures Consortium Presents Extraordinary Active Vacations

If active travel is your thing, it's time to get acquainted with Trusted Adventures. This alliance, headed up by executive director Brad Moss, is made up of like-minded travel providers that focus on cruise and yacht vacations, eco trips, biking and hiking getaways, rafting adventures, and more.

Read about the group and explore each member's website. I guarantee they'll be a few trips you bookmark for future reference.

American Safari Cruises—focus is on active and luxurious yacht cruises in Alaska, Mexico's Sea of Cortez, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and Hawaii.

Austin-Lehman Adventures—specializes in adult and family vacations around the world, including Yellowstone, Bryce/Zion, Grand Canyon, Costa Rica, the Canadian Rockies, the Galapagos, South Africa, and several western European countries.

Ciclismo Classico—offers expertly designed biking expeditions in many locations, including Croatia, Norway, Italy, Vietnam, and New Zealand.

Great Alaska—this is the place to find sport fishing and wildlife adventure trips to Alas.ka, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

InnerSea Discoveries—this is the sister company to American Safari Cruises (mentioned above); InnerSea offers active cruise adventures at a more affordable price in Alaska.

Myths & Mountains—unusual excursions to Asia (Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Tibet), Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam), and South America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands, and Peru).

ROW Adventures—from Idaho rafting adventures to the Galapagos Islands and everything in between...ROW offers whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing, fly fishing, barge and yacht cruising, biking and hiking trips, and much more.

The Wayfarers—unique walking tours in the British Isles, South Africa, New Zealand, India, and Alaska.

Western River Expeditions—looking for a rafting adventure? Western River Expeditions offers trips in the Grand Canyon, Utah, and Idaho.

Wildland Adventures—Wildland has a varied list of itineraries that feature the best of wildlife viewing and active pursuits in the United States, Africa, Central and South America, the Antarctica, and the Far East.

For more information about these travel companies, visit their websites, call your travel agent, or do some research at Trusted Adventures.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

A New Expedition Ship on Antarctica's Block: MV Le Boreal

2010 brings with it a new luxury vessel purpose-built to sail Antarctica: the all-balcony MV Le Boreal. Abercrombie & Kent has chartered the new ship for the 2010–2011 season.

The 14-night "Classic Antarctica" Philanthropic Journey begins in Buenos Aires on December 7, 2010 and will feature Dr. James McClintock, Professor of Polar and Marine Biology at the University of Alabama–Birmingham. He has spent more than 25 years conducting research in Antarctic waters and recently discovered an anti-cancer compound in a marine invertebrate.

The ship has everything you'd expect, including a single seating dining room, al fresco dining, an outdoor heated pool, library, salon, steam rooms, spa and fitness center, and a lecture theater.

While MV Le Boreal can carry up to 264 passengers, Abercombie & Kent limits the guest count to 199 for Antarctica voyages. Fewer passengers makes it possible to squeeze in more shore excursions each day and ensures that everyone will enjoy an outside cabin with balcony.

MV Le Boreal will be the ship to watch in Antarctica this year and will give Silversea's Prince Albert II a run for its money.

Book by March 31, 2010 and you'll receive up to 20% off the regular cruise fare.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Abercrombie & Kent at (800) 554-7094.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Artist drawing courtesy of Abercrombie & Kent

Orion Expedition Cruises Gets Second Ship for 2011

When you've exhausted the usual cruise itineraries in the Mediterranean, Baltics, and Caribbean, start looking to Australia's Orion Expedition Cruises for something a bit more adventurous.

This luxury expedition cruise line previously had just one ship, the 106-passenger Orion. Today the company announced the long-term charter of a second vessel and will dub her Orion II. Setting sail in May 2011, Orion II will sail Southeast Asia and will call upon Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, the Indonesian archipelago, Japan, and Borneo. (I can't wait until details about the Borneo cruise are revealed!) Expedition teams are scouting locations now and itineraries will be released in 2010.

This long-term charter is of the Clelia II (to be renamed Orion II in May 2011), a a 100-passenger, all-suite luxury expedition ship. Recently subject to a $19 million refurbishment coordinated by the ship’s current operators, with emphasis on technical enhancements and upgraded environmental systems, Clelia II will also undergo additional cosmetic enhancements to bring her fully into the Orion Expedition Cruises style.

Orion II will accommodate 100 guests in 50 oceanview suites that range from 215 to 285 square feet with either a sitting area or separate living room, twin or queen beds, and air conditioning.

According to Orion, the vessel complies with current international and U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations and is outfitted with navigation and communications technology as well as retractable fin stabilizers for smooth sailing, an ice-strengthened hull for Antarctic voyages, and a fleet of heavy duty Zodiacs to enable easy shore access in remote locations.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Orion at (877) ORION US.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Orion Expedition Cruises

Braving Antarctica's King George Island with Crystal Cruises

This is one for the books! Crystal Cruises has developed a super unique two-day excursion to Antarctica's King George Island. The largest of the South Shetland Islands, the only people living there include the scant few manning research stations.

A trip to King George Island isn't all fun and games. As Crystal Cruises notes, it's part of one of "the windiest, coldest, and least populated continent on the planet." Yet, each year a limited number of tourists visit to catch a glimpse of a variety of seals (elephant, weddell, and leopard) as well as chinstrap and gentoo penguins.

There's only room for six participants on this once-in-a-lifetime excursion from Crystal Symphony's December 20th Buenos Aires to Valparaiso, Chile itinerary that includes three days cruising Antarctica.

“Brace for a once-in-a-lifetime excursion that literally exemplifies the type of highly unusual, off-the-beaten-path experiential adventures our guests are seeking,” says John Stoll, director, land programs for Crystal Cruises. “Only a handful of people will ever have the chance to see this remarkable region so intimately.”

The adventure departs from Ushuaia, Argentina and rejoins Crystal Symphony in Punta Arenas, Chile. Highlights depend on weather conditions, and include:

• Travel by King Air beach craft from Ushuaia to King George Island;
  
  
• Overnight accommodations at the Chilean Antarctic Institute;
  
  
• Visits to the Chilean Eduardo Frei Antarctic Base and the Uruguayan Base Artigas;
  
  
• Snow coach trek to Collins Glacier, which once covered 90 percent of the island;
  
  
• Zodiac excursion to Ardley Island and a penguin breeding ground; and
  
  
• Two-hour hiking expedition to observe elephant and fur seals, and Villa Las Estrellas.

Other adventures ashore include a helicopter ride to a humpback whale sanctuary, a 4 x 4 expedition to a King penguin colony, and trekking the mountains of Chile. Fares for the “Extreme Overnight Adventure” start at $9,774 per person, double occupancy.

In addition to Buenos Aires and Valparaiso, the cruise visits Montevideo, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; Ushuaia, Argentina; and Punta Arena and Puerto Montt, Chile. Cruise fares start $8,995 per person, double occupancy.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Crystal Cruises at (888) 799-4625.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of baby elephant seal on King George Island

Lindblad's Nat'l Geographic Explorer Charts European Adventures This Summer

Sven-Olof Lindblad, president of Lindblad Expeditions, writes compelling letters. Like many of you, I'm on Lindblad's mailing list and every so often I receive a brochure with a letter penned by Mr. Lindblad himself. His missives are always persuasive and he crafts the letter to dovetail with a special offer that makes it really difficult to say "no" to an upcoming expedition adventure.

His May 15th letter introduces us to the 148-passenger National Geographic Explorer and her summertime European itineraries. He talks about visiting Europe "through the front door" from the sea. I agree when he says that it's a magical way to see Europe.

"It's different sailing into a harbor, watching a city's skyline unfold in front of you, than entering by bus from the airport."

That is so true!

Lindblad goes on to say that "at the end of the day, what's perhaps most important is the camaraderie that so naturally develops on the National Geographic Explorer between, frankly, the most intersting guests on the planet, a most engaging staff of historians, naturalists, and just plan raconteurs, and a crew that is really enjoying their new ship and would love to have you join them."

If only I had some more time to devote to vacations this year! Lindblad is promoting two excellent European itineraries right now that include free air and $2,000 in cruise fare savings.

European Odyssey: A Passage Through Centuries of Culture & History
September 27, 2009 aboard the National Geographic Explorer

• 9/27: depart the U.S. for Copenhagen, Denmark
• 9/28: arrive in Copenhagen
• 9/29: Lubeck, Germany
• 9/30: Transit the Kiel Canal
• 10/1: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• 10/2: Oostende, Belgium (Bruges)
• 10/3: Bayeux, France
• 10/4: Cherbourg, France (Normandy D-Day Beaches)
• 10/5: St. Malo and Mont-St. Michel, France
• 10/6: at sea
• 10/7: Ile D'Aix and La Rochelle, France
• 10/8: La Cote Basque, France
• 10/9: Bilbao, Spain
• 10/10: La Coruna/Santiago De Compostela
• 10/11: Islas Cies and Bayona
• 10/12: Oporto, Portugal
• 10/13: Lisbon, Portugal

Exploring the Baltic's Historic Waterways
September 5 and 13*, 2009 aboard the National Geographic Explorer
*travels from St. Petersburg to Copenhagen

• Day 1: fly to Copenhagen, Denmark
• Day 2: Copenhagen
• Day 3: Lubeck, Germany
• Day 4: Christianso & Bornholm Islands, Denmark
• Day 5: Gdansk, Poland
• Day 6: at sea
• Day 7: Riga, Latvia
• Day 8: Visby, Gotland, Sweden
• Day 9: Stockholm, Sweden
• Day 10: Stockholm Archipelago
• Day 11: Tallinn, Estonia
• Day 12: Helsinki, Finland
• Day 13–15: St. Petersburg, Russia
• Optional Moscow extension is available

If you book the September 5th Baltic voyage, you'll sail with Gil Grosvenor, chairman of the National Geographic Society, and his wife Wiley.

For more information about these voyages, talk with your travel agent or contact Lindblad Expeditions at 1-(800) 397-3348.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and copyright Sisse Brimberg & Cotton Coulson

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Last Chance to Sail Antarctica With Crystal

In April I wrote about possible upcoming limits on cruise itineraries to Antarctica. The cruise lines are taking this seriously and many are taking the region off their schedules in 2011. Crystal Cruises has announced that the Symphony's December 20th sailing will be the last chance to sail this line to Antarctica.

Antarctica Holiday

• December 20—Buenos Aires, Argentina
• December 21—Buenos Aires, Argentina
• December 22—Montevideo, Uruguay
• December 23—Cruising the South Atlantic Ocean
• December 24—Puerto Madryn, Argentina
• December 25—Cruising the South Atlantic Ocean
• December 26—Falkland Islands/Port Stanley, U.K.
• December 27—Cruising the Drake Passage
• December 29–30—Cruising Antarctica
• December 31—Cruising the South Atlantic Ocean
• January 1—Cruising Cape Horn / Ushuaia, Argentina
• January 2—Ushaia, Argentina
• January 3—Punta Arenas, Chile
• January 4–5—Cruising the Chilean Fjords
• January 6—Puerto Montt, Chile
• January 7—Cruising the South Pacific Ocean
• January 8—Valparaiso, Chile

This is an interesting itinerary since you embark in South America where it's summer and then cruise to the land of snow and ice that is Antarctica. In addition, you'll experience Crystal's holiday decorations, celebrations, and special dinners. (Over $100,000 worth of seasonal decorations will adorn Crystal Symphony during the holidays.)

Cruise fares start at $8,995 per person, double occupancy.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or visit Crystal Cruises' website.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Video: Orion Expedition Cruises

Orion Expedition Cruises is a line we don't hear too much about in North America, but they've got some of the most enticing itineraries in the southern hemisphere.

Check out this promotional video from Orion Expedition Cruises:

The cruise line, headed up by founder and managing director Sarina Bratton, operates one expedition ship: the 106-passenger MV Orion. The ship was built to be both rugged and environmentally friendly. She's equally at home sailing Antarctica or Papua New Guinea. Despite the far-flung locales she sails, Orion is also a luxury vessel serviced by 75 well-trained crew members.

Orion's dance card looks like this:

February and March Sailing Melanesia and Norfolk Island
Nine- and 10-night voyages available calling upon the Melanesian Islands that stretch between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Ports of call include Auckland, Te Raawhiti Inlet, and Russell, New Zealand; Norfolk Island, Australia; Isle of Pines, New Caledonia; Anatom, Tanna Island, Port Vila, Malekula, and Espiritu Santo, Vanatu; Santa Ana Island and Marovo Lagoo, Solomon Islands, Ngella, Florida Islands; and Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. Wonderful itineraries for those interested in World War II or volcanoes.

March and April Sailing Papua New Guinea
You'd be hard-pressed to find a more unique cruise. You'll have 11 nights to explore Rabaul, Sepik River, Madang (for Goroka), Tami Islands, Tufi Harbour, Fergusson Island, Samarai and Kwato Islands, Milne Bay, and Cairns, Australia.

May to August Sailing The Kimberley Region of Western Australia
This 10-night cruise embarks Darwin and ends in Broome with the following ports in between: King George River and Falls, Vansittart Bay, Bigge Island, Hunter River (for Mitchell Falls), Montgomery Reef/Raft Point, Talbot Bay/Horizontal Waterfals, and Cape Leveque and the Lacepedes.

September and October Sailing Southeast Asia
As far as Southeast Asia cruises go, this one would be hard to beat. The Orion embarks from Singapore and calls on Tioman Island and Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia; Ko Samui and Ko Kood, Thailand; Kampo, Cambodia (for Angor Wat); and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

December Sailing New Zealand and Sub-Antarctic Islands
There are two 13-night Sub-Antarctic itineraries: one is a roundtrip out of Hobart (Tasmania), Australia and the other is out of Bluff (Invercargill), New Zealand. You may visit Macquarie Island, Australia and, in New Zealand, Campbell Island, Auckland Islands, Snares Island, Fjordland, Mileford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, and Stewart Island.

December and January Sailing the Antarctic Continent
There are two outstanding Antarctic offerings from Orion. One is an 18-night adventure that starts in Bluff, New Zealand and ends in Hobart, Tasmania. In between you'll sail New Zealand's Snares and Auckland Islands; Australia's Macquarie Island; and the Commonwealth Bay Region. The 20-night itinerary also calls upon the Ross Sea Region and Campbell Island, New Zealand.

For more information about Orion Expedition Cruises, talk with your travel agent.

—Andrea M. Rotondo

Should We Ban Antarctica "Cruise-Bys"?

Should scenic "cruise-bys" be banned in Antarctica? That's what Sven Lindblad, CEO of Lindblad Expeditions—one of several cruise operators in the region—thinks. He'd like to see more regulations when it comes to tourism policies in Antarctica.

As you may imagine, limiting access to other cruise lines would ultimately help his business, but there's more to it than that according to the company. That's why this week Lindblad threw his staunch support behind the call from the Obama Administration for stricter enforcement and limits on tourism. (You'll recall that last week I wrote about the suggested amendments to the Antarctica Treaty.)

In essence the amendments will make a formal policy out of the voluntary practices that members of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operations (IAATO) follow now.

For example:

• Limit landings to no more than 100 people at a time
  
  
• Provide at least one guide for every 20 travelers
  
  
• Ships with more than 500 passengers are not allowed to land tourists

Lindblad argues that ships with a capacity of more than 500 passengers shouldn't even be allowed access to Antarctica for scenic cruise-bys. Why? It's a simple matter of safety. Those ships don't often sail the region and are less familiar with the poorly charted region and they are usually non ice-class vessels without special reinforced hulls. An accident with a ship like that could lead to the loss of lives as well as negatively impacting the environment.

Lindblad Travel, parent company of Lindblad Expeditions, was one of the first tour operators to offer travel packages to Antarctica. That was back in 1966 and the company has spent decades intimately acquainted with the area and respecting its unique topography and ecology. In fact, Sven Lindblad himself spent 1973/1974 in Antarctica working with his father on the Lindblad Explorer, the first purpose-built expedition ship. "It was exciting, to be sure, but not without danger," says Lindblad. "We were hit twice by storms so intense and without warning that it's still a surprise to me that no serious accidents occurred."

Lindblad went on to explain that today "our ship expeditions are much safer than they were in the 1970s, as we have better weather and ice prediction services, improved emergency communications, and new technology that allows us to navigate our ships more safely. But clearly the most important difference is how much more experience we have now, and our captains and expedition leaders are—without a doubt—the most experienced and knowledgeable in the industry, with many of them having over 100 expeditions in the ice of Antarctica."

"Lindblad Expeditions believes it is important for the entire industry, and not just a segment of it, to operate at the highest standards possible, with well equipped, well built ships and knowledgeable, experienced crews," maintains Lindblad. "I am confident in our ability and experience to test limits and give our guests an exciting expedition by taking them into the real teeth of Antarctica, and also to get them back safely. It makes sense for everyone operating down there to be similarly confident, and we hope these guidelines are formalized."

For more information, visit the…

• Secretariat of the Antarctica Treaty
  
  
• National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs
  
  
• Association of Antarctic Tour Operations
  
  
• Lindblad Expeditions

Interested in luxury cruise news and unbiased reviews? Visit LuxuryCruiseBible.com.

Limits on Antarctica Cruises Possible Soon

Did you visit Antarctica by cruise ship in 2008? If so, you may have crossed this dream trip off your to-do list at the right moment in time. Cruise cabin capacity to this region may become much tighter soon if the fifty-year-old Antarctica Treaty is amended.

Several years ago, very few people traveled to Antarctica. It was too far away, too expensive, and too risky. But as more cruise lines and expedition travel companies beefed up their itineraries, the number of visitors to the area has grown:

Antarctica Cruise Tourism Growth

• 6,700 passengers cruised there during 1992
  
  
• 29,500 visited in 2006
  
  
• 45,213 sailed Antarctica in 2008

The sheer number of people interested in seeing Antarctica is a testament to how important our natural earth and its inhabitants are to many of us. That interest though, brings danger to the very ecosystem we all so desperately wish to preserve. Just last season two ships were grounded on the continent and, in 2007, a ship sank. All three incidences adversely affected the local ecosystem.

Today, President Obama and many in his administration including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are pushing to strengthen protections placed on this area. They are suggesting amendments to the Antarctica Treaty (printed in its entirety below).

Suggested terms include:

• Cruise ship size (limited to 500 passengers)
  
  
• One ship calling on a "landing site" at one time
  
  
• No more than 100 passengers allowed on shore at a time
  
  
• One guide per 20 tourists while on land
  

While the treaty terms are upheld voluntarily by all parties, everyone seems to be in agreement when it comes to tougher restrictions. Diplomats are meeting this week in Baltimore, Maryland, to discuss possible amendments to the Antarctica Treaty. —Andrea M. Rotondo

For more information, visit the...

• Secretariat of the Antarctica Treaty
  
  
• National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs

Luxury cruise options in Antarctica...

• Lindblad Expeditions with National Geographic
  
  
• Silversea
  
  
• Abercrombie & Kent
  
  
• Hurtigruten

Full Text of the Original Treaty, Signed in 1959

Antarctica Treaty

Preamble

The Governments of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, the French Republic, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Union of South Africa, The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America,

Recognizing that it is in the interest of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord;

Acknowledging the substantial contributions to scientific knowledge resulting from international cooperation in scientific investigation in Antarctica;

Convinced that the establishment of a firm foundation for the continuation and development of such cooperation on the basis of freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica as applied during the International Geophysical Year accords with the interests of science and the progress of all mankind;

Convinced also that a treaty ensuring the use of Antarctica for peaceful purposes only and the continuance of international harmony in Antarctica will further the purposes and principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations;

Have agreed as follows:

Article I Antarctica for peaceful purposes only

1. Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only. There shall be prohibited, inter alia, any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, as well as the testing of any type of weapons.

2. The present Treaty shall not prevent the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes.

Article II Freedom of scientific investigation to continue

Freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica and cooperation toward that end, as applied during the International Geophysical Year, shall continue, subject to the provisions of the present Treaty.

Article III Plans and results to be exchanged

1. In order to promote international cooperation in scientific investigation in Antarctica, as provided for in Article II of the present Treaty, the Contracting Parties agree that, to the greatest extent feasible and practicable:

(a) information regarding plans for scientific programs in Antarctica shall be exchanged to permit maximum economy and efficiency of operations;

(b) scientific personnel shall be exchanged in Antarctica between expeditions and stations;

(c) scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available.

2. In implementing this Article, every encouragement shall be given to the establishment of cooperative working relations with those Specialized Agencies of the United Nations and other international organizations having a scientific or technical interest in Antarctica.

Article IV Territorial claims

1. Nothing contained in the present Treaty shall be interpreted as:

(a) a renunciation by any Contracting Party of previously asserted rights of or claims to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica;

(b) a renunciation or diminution by any Contracting Party of any basis of claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica which it may have whether as a result of its activities or those of its nationals in Antarctica, or otherwise;

(c) prejudicing the position of any Contracting Party as regards its recognition or nonrecognition of any other State's right of or claim or basis of claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica.

2. No acts or activities taking place while the present Treaty is in force shall constitute a basis for asserting, supporting or denying a claim to territorial sovereignty in Antarctica. No new claim, or enlargement of an existing claim, to territorial sovereignty shall be asserted while the present Treaty is in force.

Article V Nuclear explosions prohibited

1. Any nuclear explosions in Antarctica and the disposal there of radioactive waste material shall be prohibited.

2. In the event of the conclusion of international agreements concerning the use of nuclear energy, including nuclear explosions and the disposal of radioactive waste material, to which all of the Contracting Parties whose representatives are entitled to participate in the meetings provided for under Article IX are parties, the rules established under such agreements shall apply in Antarctica.

Article VI Area covered by Treaty

The provisions of the present Treaty shall apply to the area south of 60o South latitude, including all ice shelves, but nothing in the present Treaty shall prejudice or in any way affect the rights, or the exercise of the rights, of any State under international law with regard to the high seas within that area.

Article VII Free access for observation and inspection

1. In order to promote the objectives and ensure the observation of the provisions of the present Treaty, each Contracting Party whose representatives are entitled to participate in the meetings referred to in Article IX of the Treaty shall have the right to designate observers to carry out any inspection provided for by the present Article. Observers shall be nationals of the Contracting Parties which designate them. The names of the observers shall be communicated to every other Contracting Party having the right to designate observers, and like notice shall be given of the termination of their appointment.

2. Each observer designated in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article shall have complete freedom of access at any time to any or all areas of Antarctica.

3. All areas of Antarctica, including all stations, installations and equipment within those areas, and all ships and aircraft at points of discharging or embarking cargoes or personnel in Antarctica, shall be open at all times to inspection by any observers designated in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article.

4. Aerial observation may be carried out at any time over any or all areas of Antarctica by any of the Contracting Parties having the right to designate observers.

5. Each Contracting Party shall, at the time when the present Treaty enters into force for it, inform the other Contracting Parties, and thereafter shall give them notice in advance, of

(a) all expeditions to and within Antarctica, on the part of its ships of nationals, and all expeditions to Antarctica organized in or proceeding from its territory;

(b) all stations in Antarctica occupied by its nationals; and

(c) any military personnel or equipment intended to be introduced by it into Antarctica subject to the conditions prescribed in paragraph 2 of Article I of the present Treaty.

Article VIII Personnel under jurisdiction of their own states

1. In order to facilitate the exercise of their functions under the present Treaty, and without prejudice to the respective positions of the Contracting Parties relating to jurisdiction over all other persons in Antarctica, observers designated under paragraph 1 of Article VII and scientific personnel exchanged under subparagraph 1(b) of Article III of the Treaty, and members of the staffs accompanying any such persons, shall be subject only to the jurisdiction of the Contracting Party of which they are nationals in respect to all acts or omissions occurring while they are in Antarctica for the purpose of exercising their functions.

2. Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article, and pending the adoption of measures in pursuance of subparagraph 1(e) of Article IX, the Contracting Parties concerned in any case of dispute with regard to the exercise of jurisdiction in Antarctica shall immediately consult together with a view to reaching a mutually acceptable solution.

Article IX Treaty states to meet periodically

1. Representatives of the Contracting Parties named in the preamble to the present Treaty shall meet at the City of Canberra within two months after date of entry into force of the Treaty, and thereafter at suitable intervals and places, for the purpose of exchanging information, consulting together on matters of common interest pertaining to Antarctica, and formulating and considering, and recommending to their Governments, measures in furtherance of the principles and objectives of the Treaty including measures regarding:

(a) use of Antarctica for peaceful purposes only;

(b) facilitation of scientific research in Antarctica;

(c) facilitation of international scientific cooperation in Antarctica;

(d) facilitation of the exercise of the rights of inspection provided for in Article VII of the Treaty;

(e) questions relating to the exercise of jurisdiction in Antarctica;

(f) preservation and conservation of living resources in Antarctica.

2. Each Contracting Party which has become a party to the present Treaty by accession under Article XIII shall be entitled to appoint representatives to participate in the meetings referred to in paragraph 1 of the present Article, during such time as the Contracting Party demonstrates its interest in Antarctica by conducting substantial scientific research activity there, such as the establishment of a scientific station or the dispatch of a scientific expedition.

3. Reports from the observers referred to in Article VII of the present Treaty shall be transmitted to the representatives of the Contracting Parties participating in the meetings referred to in paragraph 1 of the present Article.

4. The measures referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall become effective when approved by all the Contracting Parties whose representatives were entitled to participate in the meetings held to consider those measures.

5. Any or all of the rights established in the present Treaty may be exercised as from the date of entry into force of the Treaty whether or not any measures facilitating the exercise of such rights have been proposed, considered or approved as provided in this Article.

Article X Discourages activities contrary to Treaty

Each of the Contracting Parties undertakes to exert appropriate efforts, consistent with the Charter of the United Nations, to the end that no one engages in any activity in Antarctica contrary to the principles or purposes of the present Treaty.

Article XI Settlement of disputes

1. If any dispute arises between two or more of the Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation or application of the present Treaty, those Contracting Parties shall consult among themselves with a view to having the dispute resolved by negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement or other peaceful means of their own choice.

2. Any dispute of this character not so resolved shall, with the consent, in each case, of all parties to the dispute, be referred to the International Court of Justice for settlement; but failure to reach agreement on reference to the International Court shall not absolve parties to the dispute from the responsibility of continuing to seek to resolve it by any of the various peaceful means referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.

Article XII Review of Treaty possible after 30 years

1. (a) The present Treaty may be modified or amended at any time by unanimous agreement of the Contracting Parties whose representatives are entitled to participate in the meetings provided for under Article IX. Any such modification or amendment shall enter into force when the depositary Government has received notice from all such Contracting Parties that they have ratified it.

(b) Such modification or amendment shall thereafter enter into force as to any other Contracting Party when notice of ratification by it has been received by the depositary Government. Any such Contracting Party from which no notice of ratification is received within a period of two years from the date of entry into force of the modification or amendment in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph 1(a) of this Article shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the present Treaty on the date of the expiration of such period.

2. (a) If after the expiration of thirty years from the date of entry into force of the present Treaty, any of the Contracting Parties whose representatives are entitled to participate in the meetings provided for under Article IX so requests by a communication addressed to the depositary Government, a Conference of all the Contracting Parties shall be held as soon as practicable to review the operation of the Treaty.

(b) Any modification or amendment to the present Treaty which is approved at such a Conference by a majority of the Contracting Parties there represented, including a majority of those whose representatives are entitled to participate in the meetings provided for under Article IX, shall be communicated by the depositary Government to all the Contracting Parties immediately after the termination of the Conference and shall enter into force in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of the present Article.

(c) If any such modification or amendment has not entered into force in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph 1(a) of this Article within a period of two years after the date of its communication to all the Contracting Parties, any Contracting Party may at any time after the expiration of that period give notice to the depositary Government of its withdrawal from the present Treaty; and such withdrawal shall take effect two years after the receipt of the notice by the depositary Government.

Article XIII Ratification and accession

1. The present Treaty shall be subject to ratification by the signatory States. It shall be open for accession by any State which is a Member of the United Nations, or by any other State which may be invited to accede to the Treaty with the consent of all the Contracting Parties whose representatives are entitled to participate in the meetings provided for under Article IX of the Treaty.

2. Ratification of or accession to the present Treaty shall be effected by each State in accordance with its constitutional processes.

3. Instruments of ratification and instruments of accession shall be deposited with the Government of the United States of America, hereby designated as the depositary Government.

4. The depositary Government shall inform all signatory and acceding States of the date of each deposit of an instrument of ratification or accession, and the date of entry into force of the Treaty and of any modification or amendment thereto.

5. Upon the deposit of instruments of ratification by all the signatory States, the present Treaty shall enter into force for those States and for States which have deposited instruments of accession. Thereafter the Treaty shall enter into force for any acceding State upon the deposit of its instrument of accession.

6. The present Treaty shall be registered by the depositary Government pursuant to Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations.

Article XIV United States is repository

The present Treaty, done in the English, French, Russian, and Spanish languages, each version being equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the United States of America, which shall transmit duly certified copies thereof to the Governments of the signatory and acceding States.

In witness whereof, the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, duly authorized, have signed the present Treaty.

Done at Washington the first day of December, one thousand nine hundred and fifty-nine.

For Argentina:
Adolfo Seilingo
F. Bello

For Australia:
Howard Beale

For Belgium:
Obert de Thieusies

For Chile:
Marcial Mora M.
L. Gajardo V.
Julio Escudero

For the French Republic:
Pierre Charpentier

For Japan:
Koichiro Asakai
T. Shimoda

For New Zealand:
G.D.L. White

For Norway:
Paul Koht

For the Union of South Africa:
Wentzel C. du Plessis

For the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics:
V. Kuznetsov

For the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:
Harold Caccia

For the United States of America:
Herman Phleger
Paul C. Daniels

Photo courtesy of iStockPhoto.com

For more luxury cruise news and unbiased reviews, please visit LuxuryCruiseBible.com.

Antarctica Slide Show from Vacations to Go

A lot of cruise travel agencies send out electronic newsletters touting their latest deals. Nothing new there. But a few agencies, like VacationstoGo.com, actually add a personal touch. Alan Fox, chairman and CEO of this online agency, almost always adds enlightening commentary to each e-blast and discusses a cruise or land-based trip he's recently taken.

His March 17 missive recounts his recent Antarctica cruise aboard the Regent-chartered Minerva. Alan also uploaded a fantastic Antarctica slide show to his website. Don't miss it!

While Regent won't be chartering the Minerva next season, Abercrombie & Kent will. For more information, contact VacationstoGo.com or your own travel agent.

For more cruise news and unbiased reviews, please visit LuxuryCruiseBible.com.