Crystal Cruises returns to Alaska in 2022

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 11 December 2021 11 December 2021

Crystal Cruises marks its return to Alaska after three years with a series of 7- to 11-night voyages in summer 2022 aboard Crystal Serenity with nearly 100 different Destination Discoveries ashore providing guests the ultimate way to experience and explore the the Last Frontier.

Round-trip and one-way voyages will operate from Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska; and Vancouver, Canada, offering opportunities for guests to view massive glaciers, magnificent fjords and rainforests, as well as orcas, eagles, sea lions, humpback whales and other marine and animal life. From explorations of Native American traditions and visits to rustic, Gold Rush-era towns to hands-on culinary-themed activities and whale-watching, flightseeing and kayaking adventures, even artic lake snorkeling expeditions, a Crystal cruise to Alaska is sure to create a lifetime of memories.

“A Crystal Alaska cruise is like no other, offering the only seagoing vacation that combines up close and personal looks at awe-inspiring scenery and wildlife with the incredible six-star service and an array of onboard amenities that have earned us a reputation as the leader in luxury cruising,” said Jack Anderson, Crystal president. “It’s so wonderful to welcome our guests back to Alaska to experience this incredible cruising region like only Crystal can.” Anderson noted that Crystal’s Alaska sailings will be exclusive to 2022 as the line does not have any voyages to the region scheduled beyond next year.

Crystal Serenity’s 2022 Alaska program is designed to maximize guests’ enjoyment of the region, with intimate experiences that allow for more in-depth encounters ashore, and varied cruise durations that take place in the optimal late June to August season which offers the longest daylight hours for scenic cruising. Best of all, guests experience all the fantastic outdoor adventures ashore, then return to their Crystal home at sea to relax and enjoy the comfort and luxury of the well-appointed Crystal Serenity.

A team of onboard experts are on hand to help guests maximize their Alaska vacation, providing valuable insight into the region’s incredible marine and animal life, majestic landscapes, and interesting history gleaned from years of living and working in the region.

Guest lecturers include Kurt Dunbar, a longtime Alaska resident who has shared his vast knowledge for the past 20 years both to cruise guests as well as university students. Sample lectures will include “Fire and Ice: The Geology of Alaska,” focusing primarily on glaciers; “Fur and Feathers” highlighting native land mammals and birds; “Warm Blood in the Cold Seas,” a look at the region’s fascinating whale population; and “The First Alaskans,” an overview of the native cultures of the Northland.

Crystal Serenity’s 2022 Alaska season encompasses series of five high-season voyages of 7 or 11 nights that run from June 23 to August 1.

Hurtigruten Expeditions launches more West African and South American expedition cruises

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 08 December 2021 08 December 2021

Hurtigruten Expeditions – the world’s largest and leading expedition cruise line – has rapidly expanded its global offering of small-ship expedition cruises in recent years, adding destinations such as the Galapagos, West Africa, the Caribbean, and the only year-round expedition cruises directly from Germany and UK to the Norwegian coast.

The 2023/24 season will be the most extensive in the company’s 125 years of exploration. Some of the new highlights includes:

– Exploration of the remote and rarely visited parts of West Africa including Cape Verde and the Bissagos Island. The itineraries include four countries: Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal, with MS Spitsbergen based out of Dakar, one of Africa’s most bustling cities. Hurtigruten Expeditions is the only cruise company offering West African-based cruises.
– More small-ship Caribbean and Central American expedition cruises inviting guests to immerse in stunning scenery, pristine beaches, long lost cultures, and small communities – Hurtigruten Expeditions style.
– North American national parks galore – visiting stunning natural reserves both on the east and west coasts of the United States
– Even greener exploration on board the recently elected “World’s Most Sustainable Cruise Ship” Fridtjof Nansen – and identical sister ship Roald Amundsen
– A brand-new, ten-day expedition cruise from Panama to Barbados.
– A total of 32 expedition cruise packages where small-ship expedition cruising can be combined with land-based exploration of world renowned destinations such as Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, the Galapagos Islands, and Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio.

“Exploration is not solely about geography; it’s a mindset. We receive clear feedback from guests that they want to experience new ways to explore, and in more places. This is the reason why we continue to launch and expand our offerings to immerse in nature, culture, history, and science across the whole planet,” said Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen.

North American National Parks

For the 2023/24 season, two hybrid-powered custom-build expedition ships will let guests explore nature reserves such as the western Redwood National Park and the Olympic Biosphere Reserve and National Park – and the eastern Acadia National Park and the Cape Cod National Seashore.

The twin hybrid ships Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen will offer six unique North American expedition cruises. As on all Hurtigruten Expeditions voyages, the voyages include scientists in the signature onboard Science Centers deepening the guest experience. Guests are also encouraged to partake in Citizen Science projects.

“We offer travel with learning and personal development. Our guests want their journey to have meaning and depth – while they explore unparalleled destinations leaving the lowest possible climate and nature footprint,” said Lassesen.

Bigger expedition teams – even more exploration and activities

All Hurtigruten Expeditions’ cruises feature a large on-board expedition team with experts handpicked for each itinerary. Building on more than 125 years of experience, Hurtigruten Expeditions offers the widest range of experts in the industry.

Leading up to the 2023/24 season, the size of the expedition team on all Hurtigruten Expeditions’ ships will be increased even further. More expedition equipment will also be added to the ships.

For the guests, this will mean a significant improvement, with an even wider range of activities to choose from – such as more kayaking, more small-boat exploration, hiking, lectures, science projects and other activities – and even more experts to indulge in knowledge and create a deeper understanding of some of the most spectacular destinations of the planet.

“In short, great will get even better. Our on-board colleagues, and the way they share their passion, knowledge, and expertise of the areas we explore is the core of the Hurtigruten Expeditions’ experience. Bigger expedition teams mean more of everything – more experts, more knowledge, more activities and more options for our guests,” said Lassesen.

Photo credit: Dr. Verena Meraldi

Helsinki Shipyard delivers SH Minerva

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 08 December 2021 08 December 2021

Helsinki Shipyard in Finland has delivered the first of three Vega-class ships under construction for Swan Hellenic, the Cyprus based expedition cruise line.

“The vessel, named SH Minerva, will start the cruise operations of the iconic Swan Hellenic shipping company and (on) 3 December she left Helsinki towards Ushuaia, from where the vessel’s maiden cruise will take off,” the shipbuilder said.

Soon after the naming ceremony on 23 November SH Minerva headed to the sea trials where it was ensured that the built next-generation polar expedition vessel complies with what has been agreed with the customer and that it meets the international criteria, which are inspected and approved by the classification society. 

Sea trials went according to the plan and completed within demanding schedule. The performance and the quality of the ship were proven to be good and in accordance with the agreed measurements. 

Installation and commissioning works continued in the pier at the shipyard and the delivery readiness was reached on Friday, 3 December

The project has not been easy in the middle of the pandemic and related logistic challenges. Despite of these obstacles the vessel has been completed after only 26 months from the signing of the contract which is a remarkable achievement, Helsinki Shipyard noted.

TUI: slowdown in cruise bookings on Omicron news

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 08 December 2021 08 December 2021

TUI AG, the world’s largest tour operator that is also a significant action in the cruise industry, said that cruise bookings had started to soften in November in the wake of news about the new Omicron variant of Covid-19.

“The short- term booking environment continues, with bookings strong in September and October, however November softer in light of recent sentiment and news flow,” the company said in a statement. 

“As a result, incoming bookings for H1 2022 are slightly behind pre-C-19 comparable periods, but at significantly higher rates.  Bookings for H2 2022 and 2023 are level with pre-C19 comparable periods, at higher rates,” TUI said.