Cruise passengers can immerse themselves in local cultures through unique land experiences.
Windstar Cruises has launched its first-ever series of cruisetours, kicking off in Asia and Arabia. “We’ve applied our philosophy of exploring hidden harbors and secluded coves to our land experiences, handpicking the best excursions to taste the local culture,” says Hans Birkholz, Windstar Cruises’ chief executive officer.
One of the itineraries is the Singapore, The Malay Peninsula, & Myanmar Cruistour, a 4-day journey visiting Yangon and Bangan to explore the Bagan Archaeological Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as a visit to Phwar Saw Village where locals welcome guests into their homes to share cooking secrets and a meal. Travelers will also receive a complimentary hot air balloon ride in Bagan. This itinerary is an add-on to the 10-day Signapore & the Malay Peninsula voyage from Singapore, and includes stays at Sule Shangri-La and Bagan Lodge.
Cruisetour rates including the cost of the cruise, flights to the cruisetour city, accommodations in a luxury hotel, excursions with an expert guide in each new city, select meals, and transfers. Rates start at $5,299 pp, but if you hurry and book your clients by Aug. 29, they’ll receive up to $1,000 airfare credit pp, free hotel and transfers on arrival, a complimentary exclusive Private Event on the voyage for Windstar guests, as well as a 50 percent savings on the cruise fare.
For more information and additional itineraries, call (800) 258-7245 or visit windstarcruises.com/destinations/mediterranean.
Crystal Cruises is offering six Boutique Adventures aboard Crystal Serenity’s East Coast/New England voyages from September to November 2014. These Boutique Adventures offer shoreside excursions in Boston, New York City, the Magdalen Islands, and Charleston. Some of these exclusive adventures include a private tour of the MoMA with a local art historian (while it’s closed to the public); seats for four to dine at Daniel, one of New York’s exclusive restaurants, to experience an 8-course tasting menu at the chef’s table in a glass-enclosed Skybox above the main dining room and open kitchen; a cuisine crawl in Boston through North End (“Little Italy”); a cooking lesson in the Magdalen Islands where guests will learn the secrets to preparing the island’s giant and princess scallops; and a tour of Charleston, where guests will step inside the the setting for the book, “Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden,” led by Mrs. Whaley’s daughter.
“Whether it’s VIP treatment for a sought-after luxury experience, or simply the opportunity to gain insights only a local expert would know, the Boutique Adventures allow our well-traveled guests to experience destinations in ways that most travelers cannot, and band with each other in the shared intimacy of the adventure,” says John Stoll, vice president of land programs, Crystal Cruises.
The ship’s 5-, 7-, and 10-day cruises from Boston, New York, and Quebec City sail on Sept. 19 and Sept. 29; and Oct. 6, 16, and 26. On Nov. 5, a sixth East Coast cruise will sail from New York to Miami for a 14-day itinerary visiting Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Turks & Caicos, Curacao, and Aruba. Your clients can save now through Aug. 29 with the Book Now offers starting at $2,830 pp. For more information, call (888) 799-4625 or visit crystalcruises.com.
In 2015, Silversea Cruises will be offering 60 extended mid-voyage inland adventures, including 11 new excursions with either single- or multiple-day inland adventures, which offer a more intimate, in-depth, and personal encounter with the local people, history, wildlife, and natural attractions beyond the ports of call.
“We always strive to offer fresh, innovative programs that provide a variety of authentic onshore options,” says Darius Mehta, Silversea’s vice president of air and land programs.”These new mid-voyage adventures are carefully designed for travelers seeking one-of-a-kind experiences that will take them further into a region, giving them plenty of time to actively engage in its scenery, activities, and cultural heritage.”
Silversea’s new overland adventures offer rare access to places and experiences such as facing track mountain gorillas in Africa, seeing marine life from a balcony of an overwater bungalow in Polynesia, or getting an up-close look at a giant tortoise in the Galapagos. Some adventures your clients can experience in 2015 include a 2-day adventure at the Tsavo East National Park in Africa where visitors explore the park on foot, or on two included game drives. This excursion is available on the March 6 voyage aboard the Silver Whisper. There are also longer stays available such as the 5-day trip to the Andes where guests can immerse themselves in the diversity of Ecuador’s Andean region, including a train ride through the Andes to the Devil’s Nose, featuring a 45-degree descent. This trip is available aboard the Silver Shadow’s Jan. 7 voyage. For more information and additional tours, call (877) 215-9986 or visit silversea.com.
