Abercrombie & Kent Galapagos…Luxury Adventure Cruise

by Arie Boris, CruiseGourmet.com Editor-in-Chief

From the moment I received the beautifully bound leather folder containing my documents, I knew this A&K adventure cruise to the Galapagos was going to be special! Their cruise/tours may at times explore the most remote parts of the world, but never without a modicum of luxury.

After a very comfortable flight from New York’s JFK airport on COPA, Panama’s national airline, we arrived in Quito, Ecuador. We were greeted just outside customs with a warm welcome from an A&K representative. Immediately, our bags were collected and we were ushered into a private van to the gorgeous Swiss Hotel, one of Quito’s most upscale. During the ride, our host gave us all kinds of additional information, folders and maps for Quito and the Galapagos cruise. He would be our host for the entire A&K experience, so we did not have to worry about logistics or when to be somewhere…we just had to follow his daily briefing instructions and look for him in the hotel lobby for the trip to our ship, the Eclipse.

The transfer to the Eclipse, was an elaborate all day affair involving a flight to the Ecuadorian coast city of Guayaquil, with continuing service to the Galapagos on AeroGal, the local Galapagos airline. After the five-hour flight from Quito, we had a real sense of just how remote these islands, made famous by Darwin, were!

Buses from the airport dropped us at the pier for the short “panga” ride to the m/s Eclipse (Panga’s are the motorized rubber rafts they use for excursions). The sudden realization we were “not alone’ took me by surprise…the benches and waiting area on the pier were filled with sleeping sea lions enjoying the shade of the covered waiting area. Talk about up close and personal! Forget Sea World…this was the real world of the Galapagos!

We were welcomed aboard the Eclipse by a warm and friendly crew…shown to spacious accommodations and got to meet our fellow travelers and crew over lunch. Many families were onboard and most everyone was well traveled…this is neither an ordinary cruise nor an ordinary destination. People have to travel well off traditional cruise routes and go out of their way to experience the natural wonders, animal and marine life of the Galapagos.

The crew was very attentive and well organized….describing the “boot camp” like instructions as necessary for everyone to get the most out of this adventure experience. According to our Cruise Director, “The focus is on immediate immersion into the outstanding natural environment.” Following lunch, and after a short sail, we were all onboard pangas heading for a wet landing and our first interaction with the amazing natural wonders of the Galapagos.

In our first afternoon we witnessed a feeding frenzy of thousands of Blue-footed Booby’s, flocks of Pink Flamingos wading through nearby wetland lakes and hundreds of Marine Iguanas near enough to touch! The daily expeditions were sometimes exhausting, but always fascinating. A typical day might include a two-hour walk along sharp, uneven lava rocks observing a myriad of creatures with explanations of what they were and how they impacted the environment. Then we would snorkel on the beach before heading back to the ship for lunch. After eating, it was back onto a panga and we sailed off to a different beach and a new adventure.

And what snorkeling! We would break up into small groups and swim along rocky cliffs witnessing swarms of magnificent sea creatures. We snorkeled among expansive schools of all kinds of fish, large and small. Hundreds of hammerhead sharks, which we had been forewarned about, circled below. Our naturalist guides explained that, due to the abundance of sea life in the Galapagos Islands, humans are simply not seen as bait…..still it was scary, but at the same time exhilarating!

My absolute favorite experience was swimming with the sea lion pups. These yearlings are as playful as any pet pooch at home and really love to interact with humans. If you blow bubbles in the water, they blow bubbles back at you. They dart around, appearing and disappearing in an instant. If you roll over in the water they do too…it was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced! One actually attempted to play catch, tossing a shell at me underwater. He just kept getting it closer and closer until he would snatch it away just before I could reach it…no kidding! This was unbelievable and worth the whole trip! We were told while swimming with the pups or walking along the beach, to avoid any barking bulls (male sea lions). The barking is a warning to respect their territory and harem of females. It was a new experience to literally feel as though we were part of their pecking order.

The naturalists onboard were our guides by day and lecturers at night. Each evening, before dinner (and over cocktails) we would review the day’s adventures and learn so much about the environment, the creatures and the impact of the islands on Darwin’s process. They were all incredibiably knowledgeable and most taught on a college level in their own fields of expertise when not working on the Eclipse.

For example, Giovanni teaches geology at a university in Ecuador. Fascinated by volcanic eruptions, his hobby is collecting fresh volcanic ash from recent eruptions around the world. Maria studies and teaches ornithology. She was thrilled to have seen the Blue-footed Booby feeding frenzy for the first time in all the years she has spent in the Galapagos. Evidently, this behavior is rare for the species and we were lucky enough to witness it our first day.

The Eclipse is well run and the days are full. The cabins are not luxurious, but very comfortable, especially after a long hike through the lava beds. It is one of the best adventure boats available in the Galapagos and used exclusively for A&K programs to the islands. Dining is family style with open seating and buffets. Considering the limitations and remoteness of the location, the meals were impressive and it was always nice to have a chance to share the adventures of the day. They had a surprisingly good selection of wines, with a strong showing of Chilean wines from Concho y Toro. The Eclipse only accommodates 48 guests and, as you can imagine, by the end of the week we were all like family.

This experience is not for everyone, but if you like the wonders of nature and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded travelers, then this is for you. For more information about A&K and their Galapagos cruise/tours log onto www.abercrombiekent.com.

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Experience Nature and Enjoy Adventure When You Go on a Hawaiian Cruise

By Joseph Ducat
The islands of Hawaii make up what may be our Earth’s most intoxicating paradise, a place that is rich in the wonders of natural beauty. People come to Hawaii to have a good time in the sun and sand, enjoy the warm and friendly vibe of the Pacific Ocean, and just find the time to relax and unwind somewhere that is far away from all of your troubles. One of the best ways to really experience the wonders of the islands is through the Royal Caribbean Cruises to Hawaii.

I am sure you will be surprised at the sheer variety of things that you will be able to do in Hawaii. You can choose to just take it easy, and spend most of your time relaxing on the lovely Hawaiian beaches. However, Hawaii has a lot more to offer in terms of sightseeing and adventure. There is no end to the amazing sights you will be able to experience, counting among them the beautiful rain forests of the Big Island and the fabulous waterfalls of Maui. And of course, there are the magnificent volcanoes of Oahu and elsewhere–it is through volcanic activity that the Hawaiian Islands were formed.

Hawaii also offers a lot of activities for people who enjoy sports and adventure. You will have a chance to snorkel among friendly dolphins or gallop across the coastline astride a horse. And of course, you can always try some surfing–Hawaii is famous for its fabulous waves. When you are tired of sports and just want to sit back, just take in the displays of bravura by the magnificently skilled Hawaiian surfers.

On your Hawaiian cruise, you will visit many of its islands, including the heavily populated Oahu, nicknamed “The Gathering Place”–it is only the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands, but it has the largest population among them. At Oahu, you will be able to see the Diamond Head Crater in Waikiki. This is an internationally famous volcanic crater that is so named because when it was first found by British sailors in the 1800s, they thought that the sparkling of crystals in its lava rocks were the sparkles of diamonds. A moderately easy hike to the top of the Diamond Head Crater will reward you with a spectacular view of the western side of Oahu.

Maui, the second largest of the islands, is marked by Haleakala, the largest dormant volcano in the world. At Haleakala National Park, you can take a fairly challenging hike to witness a magnificent sunrise from the volcanic summit.

Hawaii, the largest island, is also known as the Big Island to avoid confusing it with the entire state. It is home to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you will find Mauna Loa, the world’s most massive volcano, and Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Uniworld’s Christmas Holiday Markets Cruise

by Arie Boris, CruiseGourmet.com Editor-in-Chief

Uniworld’s Christmas Market Cruise in Germany is not only a charming excuse for a visit to Europe during the off-season, but the value for what you get is unbeatable! Tops in service, accommodations and included shore excursions, Uniworld makes river cruising in Europe too good to be true.

River cruising is experiencing a true renaissance. It is more like an all-inclusive European tour, but instead of having to repack and catch a bus every morning, you unpack once, wake up at your leisure, stroll to the dining room for a made to order omelet while enjoying glorious views of the passing countryside. “You stop in villages, towns and vineyards along the way,” said Bob Whitley, head of the U.S. Tour Operators Association. “You have access to inland areas of countries in the Baltics, France and Germany the big ships can’t get to. It’s equivalent to an escorted tour without the continual unpacking.”

As with most of Uniworld’s riverboat fleet, The River Countess, is relatively new. It accommodates only 134 guests in compact, but surprisingly plush, staterooms. The soft wood paneled accommodations offer flat screen televisions, thick terry cloth bathrobes, towels and luxurious European-style comforters. Many cabins have floor-to-ceiling picture windows and are serviced twice a day by a skilled housekeeping staff. With so few guests, the attention and personal touch provided on the River Countess is truly impressive. The entire staff was wonderful!

Dining onboard a Uniworld ship is both a visual and culinary event. Surrounded by the beauty of passing riverbank towns and villages, this classic dining experience features breakfast and lunch buffets daily and full dinner service nightly, with a single open seating. Chefs use the finest local ingredients to create tantalizing menus of regional specialties and classic favorites. Innovative dishes include fresh fish, and vegetarian entrees. Caesar salads, filet mignon and Crepes Suzette are just some of the specialties available. Afternoon tea is served daily in the lounge along with specialty pastries and desserts. The knowledgeable and friendly staff is trained in the best traditions of personalized service. Special meal preferences are graciously accommodated. Available for every meal are wine pairings, occasionally from a vineyard en route. Warmly decorated with rich wood paneling, brass railings, crystal chandeliers and spacious picture windows, the culinary experience was quite similar to banquet dining in a fine European hotel. Another welcomed alternative river cruising offers is getting a recommendation for local restaurants from the ship’s staff for lunch or an occasional dinner at one of the many charming “ports of call” along the river. We had a fantastic meal in Frankfurt at the Holbein Museum. A famous German artist, the museum is worth a visit and the Holbein’s Restaurant within the museum is strictly A-List!

I have always had a desire to visit the famous Christmas Markets of Germany. A tradition, since the Middle Ages, these Christmas celebrations are enjoyed by locals throughout the month of December and attract millions. Uniworld’s Holiday Market Cruise was the perfect, cost-effective way to enjoy several of these charming events in a variety of towns along the Rhine. Everyone onboard, delighted in discovering the origins of many beloved Christmas traditions from decorated trees to candy canes. We admired delicate glass-blown ornaments, sipped mulled wine, nibbled on gingerbread and shopped for local gifts to put under our Tannenbaum back home.

Starting off in Nuremberg, in a week’s time we visited the Christmas Markets in Bamberg, Rothenburg (located on the “romantic mile”), Wuzburg, Wertheim, Heidelberg and Frankfurt. Each town and local market had a character of its own. Coach excursions provided by Uniworld to some of these out of the way places were well organized, comprehensive and were thoroughly enjoyable. Guides were excellent and on full day tours a hearty lunch with wine or good German beer at a local restaurant was included.

There are many ways to travel through Europe, but none compare to the luxury, comfort, and convenience of a Uniworld Grand River Cruise. You glide along the gentle waterways of Europe, rather than congested highways. Your ship docks right in the heart of each city and shore excursions are included. Passengers on our Christmas Market sailing raved about the service, attention and warmth of Uniworld’s staff. They were equally impressed with the quality, value, and charm of visiting the Christmas Markets with Uniworld river cruise.

Christmas Market Cruises offered by Uniworld for 2007 include Rhine Holiday Markets (Basel to Cologne), Danube Holiday Markets (Budapest to Passau), Rhine and Main Holiday Markets (Cologne to Nuremberg), and European Holiday Markets (Nuremberg to Vienna). For prices and dates, call your travel agent or visit the Uniworld Web site, www.uniworld.com. For a free brochure, call (800) 733-7820.

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Crystal Cabaret 2006

by Arie Boris, CruiseGourmet.com Editor-in-Chief

Not just the same old entertainment on this cruise! Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, along with a sampling from the American popular songbook… performed in the intimate style of Cabaret by some of New York’s most dynamic Broadway performers…The Crystal Symphony’s Starlight Lounge was transformed into a trendy New York night club featuring sophisticated entertainment and music one would expect at a late night show at the Hotel Carlyle!

Barging through Burgundy

by Arie Boris, CruiseGourmet.com Editor-in-Chief

There is a mystique surrounding the idea of canal barging. I have heard many descriptions from floating B&B to houseboat with frills. Having never experienced it, I was filled with anticipation at the prospect of hosting a “gastronomic” cruise through the French countryside.

After a three hour drive from Paris with twelve fun-loving CruiseGourmet.com readers, we embarked on La Luciole for a passage through time on the western waterways of Burgundy. The winding, ever varying Nivernais route