For those who can’t spend a year traveling,  Cruise West offers segments ranging from nine- to 18-nights.   Included in the fares are shore excursions, on board lectures by prominent experts in the fields of anthropology and history and exploration by Zodiac to private islands and snorkeling safaris.

One of the big advantages of traveling by small ship is the chance to visit ports inaccessible to larger vessels.  Among the stops  Spirit of Oceanus will make are Ille Rousse, Corsica, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus; small beaches of Belle-Ile-en-Mer, France; Corn Island, a pristine coral reef near Nicaragua; Kurmai, Kalimantan, Borneo and Santa Ana in the Solomon Islands.

For additional information, visit Cruise West’s website.

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*** Departing May 4, 2010, the 14-night cruise from Istanbul to Venice starts at $10,395 per person, double occupancy. The ship journeys on to the ancient sites of Gallipoli (site of a famous WW1 battle), Delphi; the beautiful classic Greek islands of Syros, Sifnos, Santorini, Naxos; Katakolon, the site of the first Olympiad; ancient UNESCO site Butrint and Durres, the oldest city in Albania. The voyage continues to Dubrovnik, with its 13th-century ramparts; Mljet National Park, and the magnificent old town of Zadar before arriving in Venice. Highlight of note includes a tour of the legendary site of Delphi (UEE) on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus and a four-mile transit through the Corinth Canal.

*** Sailing May 17, 2010 from Istanbul to Venice, Spirit of Oceanus journeys on to the ancient sites of Gallipoli (site of a famous WW1 battle), Delphi; the beautiful classic Greek islands of Syros, Sifnos, Santorini, Naxos; Katakolon, the site of the first Olympiad; ancient UNESCO site Butrint and Durres, the oldest city in Albania. The voyage continues to Dubrovnik, with its 13th-century ramparts; Mljet National Park, and the magnificent old town of Zadar before arriving in Venice. Highlight of note includes a tour of the legendary site of Delphi (UEE) on the slopes of Mt. Parnassus and a four-mile transit through the Corinth Canal.

*** The May 30, 2010 cruise from Venice to Valetta visits Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, Sicily and Malta. Highlights include an overland tour of Croatia from the historical Roman town of Porec (UEE) to Pula to study first hand the influence of Rome and Byzantium; Split, known for its 17 centuries of building, renovating and remodeling; the UNESCO site Kotor; and Bari with the famous monument Basilica of Saint Nicholas. Cruise West includes a choice of an international air credit (up to $1300) or a FREE pre-cruise 3-night Venice Land extension on the 12-night voyage, which departs on May 30, 2010 (a value of $2,200 per person). Prices start at $9,995 per person before savings.

*** On June 10, 2010 Spirit of Oceanus sails from Malta to Rome on a 13-night segment calling in seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and stops at picturesque ports in Tunisia, Algeria, Sardinia and Rome. Explore exotic Sousee and La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia; and Annaba and El Kala, Algeria. Per person, double occupancy fares start at $9,595.

*** Sailing from Rome to Barcelona, the June 22, 2010 voyage focuses on the Renaissance and medieval archicture of Italy, France and Spain. Port stops include Bonifacio, Corsica; Elba, where Napoleon spent years in Exile; Pisa and Florence, Portovenere and Portofino, Italy; and the Spanish island of Menorca. The ship sails into Villefranche-sur-Mer located in the French Riviera, Port St. Louis-du-Rhone and Port Vendres where guests explore the serene Fontfroide Abbey and the walled city of Carcassonne. Per person, double occupancy fares start at $10,995.

For reservations and additional information, visit Cruise West’s website.

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Cruise West and Smithsonian Journeys will develop the lecture series for 10 of the 24 distinct itineraries of the yearlong cruise highlighting such exotic locales as Singapore, Rome, Alexandria, Istanbul and Mumbai. Smithsonian Journeys experts will lead in-depth discussions and presentations on each region’s rich history and culture.

The Voyages of the Great Explorers is a collection of distinct voyages that reflects the exploits of the legendary seafarers. Booked separately or as a complete journey, each segment offers historical insights into the sea commanders who first made history along the same routes.

“A world journey deserves world-class lecturers and guides,” said Dietmar Wertanzl, president and CEO of Cruise West. “We recognized early on that a lecture series provided by Smithsonian Journeys would be a perfect complement for our adventure, given their long experience with onboard enrichment augmented by speakers recognized as authorities on our destinations. Working together, we can better achieve our mutual objective — to educate people in the arts, history, sciences and culture through rich travel experiences.”

Smithsonian Journeys, the Smithsonian Institution’s educational travel program, feature top experts who are passionate about their subjects and delight in sharing their knowledge in lively, informative lectures and informal discussions.

Specific voyages featuring the Smithsonian Journeys’ Lecture Series include:

Voyage 2, 16-nights Song of India Chennai to Mumbai departing March 20, 2010, starts at $9,995

Voyage 4, 18-nights Pharaohs and Prophets Muscat to Alexandria departing April 17, 2010, starts at $10,695

Voyage 5, 14-nights Isles of the Turquoise Coast Alexandria to Istanbul departing May 4, 2010, starts at $11,595.

Voyage 6, 14-nights Echoes of Odysseus Istanbul to Venice departing May 17, 2010, starts at $11,595

Voyage 7, 12-nights Pax Romana Venice to Valetta departing May 30, 2010, starts at $9,995

Voyage 8, 13-nights, Romans & Carthaginians Valletta to Rome departing June 10, 2010, starts at $9,595

Voyage 18, 9-nights Sojourn to Easter Island Guayaquil to Easter Island departing October 24, 2010, starts at $3,895

Voyage 22, 17-nights Discovering the Maori Coast Auckland to Sydney, December 15, 2010, starts at $14,395 (also a holiday cruise)

Voyage 23, 19-nights, The Land Down Under Sydney to Darwin December 31, 2010, starts at $10,695

Voyage 24, 16-nights Dragons and Spice Darwin to Singapore, January 18, 2011, starts at $10,995

Prices per voyage include a hotel night pre-cruise. For maximum savings, cruisers can book and pay in full by October 15 and save up to 21 percent. Passengers who book more than one voyage save an additional five percent. For guests who book the entire voyage starting at $230,295, Cruise West will include first class airfare.

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For that you need to take a small cruise ship, such as Cruise West’s 100-passenger Pacific Explorer. The company is best known for Alaska and British Columbia small ship cruises, although you’ll find their vessels on some of the world’s most exotic South Pacific itineraries. And Cruise West’s “Between Two Seas” Panama Canal/Costa Rica sailings have been attracting nature lovers for years.

The company has expanded the 2008/09 cruise season by adding two additional departures, enticing new optional land tours and six theme cruises. Cruise West passengers may choose from two holiday cruises, two PENTAX photography cruises (Dec. 8, 08 and March 2, 09) or the option to travel in the company of a Panama Canal expert on two departures.

Frankly, I’m willing to forgo the casino, art auctions and Las Vegas-style floor shows for the chance to see nature p close, visit a local Indian tribes and tour rainforests accessible to few tourists.

Sailing between Panama City and San Jose, Costa Rica the 10-day voyages takes passengers to the San Blas Islands and a Kuna Indian Village, Portobelo and through the entire Panama Canal. The ship continues to the remote Emberá Village in the Darién Jungle, Coiba National Park, Golfo Dulce, Caletas Beach and Manuel Antonio National Park, known for its prolific wildlife and bird viewing.

The optional land tours include a three day visit to Monteverde Cloud Forests; a five-day stay in the Tortuguero National Park and a six-day Costa Rica tour.

Departure days are Nov. 10, Dec. 11, Dec. 29, 2008; Jan 16, Feb. 3; Feb. 21; Mar 11, Mar 29; April 16, May 4; Nov. 9 and Dec. 28, 2009. Per person, double occupancy fares start at $3799 including gratuities, zodiac excursions ashore and many activities ashore. Visit Cruise West’s web site for additional information.

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The 102-passenger Spirit of Endeavourwill sail on eight-day “Pacific Northwest Coastal Escape” cruises sailing round-trip from Seattle visiting Nanaimo, “The Harbour City”; Desolation Sound Provincial Marine Park, Victoria and historic Port Townsend.  Departure dates are Sept. 21, 28 and Oct. 5, 12, 2008 and April 19, 26 and May 3, 2009. 

*** Crystal Cruises’ fall Canada New Englandcruises feature active shore excursions for those seeking a more in-depth experience of the area’s, maritime heritage and natural beauty.  From Sept. 16 through Oct. 29, Crystal Symphony sails on ten- and 11-day itineraries between New York and Montreal visiting Newport; Boston; Bar Harbor; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia and Quebec City.

New shore excursions include Riding the Reversing Rapids in Saint John; a photographer’s tour of Newport and a schooner cruise in Halifax.  Passengers may also tour Gros Morne National Park by helicopter and take a kayaking expedition that ends with a beach site lobster bake.

For reservations and additional information contact your local travel agent.

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While Carnival Fantasy may be one of Carnival’s oldest ships, she’s still popular on four- and five-day Caribbean itineraries from New Orleans.  This fall she will undergo an extensive upgrade during dry dock with a new aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long water slide, an exclusive adults-only area, and a totally redesigned “resort-style” main pool. Taking center stage on the Carnival Fantasy’s Verandah Deck will be Carnival WaterWorks, a spectacular aqua park featuring a four-deck-high 300-foot-long corkscrew water slide – the longest, most elaborate at sea – along with an 82-foot-long dual-lane racing slide, and various water spray apparatus creating cool and exhilarating fun for kids and adults, alike.  And, located aft will be Serenity, an adults-only outdoor retreat with two whirlpools and thatched cover.

*** Watch HAL’s Eurodam Being Built

If you’ve ever wanted to watch a ship being built, Holland America provides a bird’s eye view on a blog for its next new ship, Eurodam, scheduled to enter service in July, 2008.   Photos show each stage of ship building, from the hull to super structions and interiors, as they are being built.  Visit Eurodam News.

*** NCL Offers Valentine’s Day Specials

If you don’t have plans for Valentine’s Day, Norwegian Cruise Line is offering incentives to book a cruise during the official day for romance.  Last minute specials include the Norwegian Pearl’s nine-day Southern Caribbean voyage departing Feb. 8 from Miami at prices starting at $999 per person, double occupancy.  The Feb. 10, five-day Western Caribbean cruise of Norwegian Jewel from Miami starts at $419 per person, double occupancy.  Similar discounts are available on most ships in the fleet.  In addition, the “Romance Package” includes sparkling wine and strawberries in the stateroom upon embarkation, two 25-minute half-body massages a pedicure and manicure for one and tea service in your stateroom one afternoon.  The package is priced at $249 per stateroom.  Contact your travel agent for information and reservations.

*** Cruise West Offers Fall Wine & Food Cruises

Cruise West, which operates a fleet of small ships, has announced a new itinerary, “Taste of the Pacific Norwest” featuring the distinctive wines of Oregon and Washington, with visits to family-owned wineries and vineyards and tours through winery cave system.  The one-week cruises aboard the 84-passenger Spirit of Discovery sail round-trip from Portland, Ore., and visits Columbia River Gorge; Walla Walla, WA; Hanford Reach National Monument and Horse Heaven Hills & Red Mountain.  Departures are Sept. 28; Oct. 5, 12 and 19 and per person, double occupancy fares starting at $3,149.  For additional information visit Cruise West.

*** Crystal Cruises To Offer Active Europe Shore Excursions in 2008

The luxury cruise line, Crystal Cruises, is offering new “self-propelled” shore excursion during the 2008 Europe season, including Cliff Climbing in Split, Croatia (climbing the cliffs of Omis followed by a dip in the Cetina River); Cycling expeditions in Barcelona and Ronne, Denmark; exploring the sea caves of Corfu; shipwreck diving near Dubrovnik and climbing the slopes of Mt. Etna, Taormina, Italy by jeep followed by bicycling at the top.  For information on Crystal’s Europe program, visit Crystal Cruises.

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Spirit of Oceanus entered service in 1991 as Renaissance V and has been refitted as an all-suite vessel.  Originally built to carry 720 passengers, Spirit of Oceanus’ passenger capacity is 120 and 60 crew.  Informality is the buzz word for all Cruise West ships and dining is single, open seating in two restaurants. 

Would you pick a conventional cruise ship (Princess, Royal Caribbean, Holland America) for an exotic itinerary in the South Pacific or is a small boutique vessel more your style?

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