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Cruise Lines International Association
(CLIA) ships transport travelers across the seven seas
to every continent - including the North and South poles.
While not ideal destinations for sunbathing on deck, the
Arctic region, north of the Arctic Circle, and the Antarctic
Peninsula, due south, are perfect for adventurous souls
who yearn to see and experience the beauty and spectacle
of the world's most remote and unspoiled destinations.
Most cruise ships cross the Arctic Circle during the summer
months, sailing from Scandinavian and Northern European
ports to the region's vast forests, dramatic fjords, and
crashing waterfalls, bathed in the eerie light of the
Midnight Sun. Just up the coast is the North Cape, Europe's
northernmost point, with breathtaking views towards the
Barents Sea and the polar north.
Antarctic cruises are offered from
December through March. Sailing from South America's southernmost
ports, these cruises showcase the Antarctic Peninsula's
awe-inspiring icescapes and abundant wildlife. Depending
on the cruise line, passengers can make landings via inflatable
expedition boats, purchase optional flight-seeing tours
and enjoy scenic cruising. "One of the many attributes
of a cruise vacation is the chance to visit destinations
that are inaccessible by any other means of transportation.
Itineraries that visit Antarctica and cross the Arctic
Circle enable guests to see parts of the world to which
few have ever ventured," said Terry L. Dale, president
and CEO of CLIA - the cruise industry's chief marketing
organization and North America's largest travel industry
association based on agency membership.
The following is a listing of Antarctica
and the Arctic itineraries offered by CLIA-member cruise
lines in 2005 and 2006:
-- Cunard Line. Queen Elizabeth
2 passengers cross the Arctic Circle when she sails
from Reykjavic to Akureyri on her 14-night Northern Lights
cruise to Norway and Iceland, departing July 30, 2005,
from Southampton. Meanwhile, her big sister Queen Mary
2 will be the largest liner in the world to cruise
around South America when she visits on two 12-day "Cape
Horn & Chilean Fjords voyages departing January 27
and March 22, 2006. Passengers can appreciate Antarctica's
scenic wonders on optional flightseeing excursions.
-- Crystal Cruises. Crystal Symphony
sails from Copenhagen on a 12-day North Cape & Norwegian
Fjords cruise that crosses the Arctic Circle in late June
to call at Honningsvåg, the gateway to the North Cape
plateau, Europe's northernmost promontory. Five 11-day
summer Baltic itineraries offer the option of private
jet excursions into Finland's legendary Lapland to tread
upon the Arctic Circle. In 2006, Crystal Serenity
will mark some of summer's longest days with a new Arctic
cruise that travels as far north as Spitsbergen.
-- Holland America Line. In 2005 and
2006, the line's Rotterdam and Prinsendam
offer passengers the opportunity to view Antarctica's
magnificent icescapes via scenic cruising of Elephant,
Deception and Anvers (Palmer Station) islands, Hope Bay
(Esperanza Station) and Lemaire and Neumayer channels.
However, there will be no landings on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Meanwhile, both ships also cross the Arctic Circle, Rotterdam
on her 12-day cruise June 20, 2005 and Prinsendam on a
21-day voyage May 21, 2006. Voyages feature renowned geologists,
naturalists and biologists.
-- Norwegian Coastal Voyage. Norwegian
Coastal Voyage offers both Arctic and Antarctic voyages
from June through August 2005, passengers cruise under
the Midnight Sun exploring Spitsbergen's Arctic landscapes
and abundant wildlife on eight-day cruises aboard MS
Nordstjernen or 11 days on MS Polar Star. All
the company's Arctic programs feature naturalist guides
and Zodiac landings. From November 2005 through March
2006, MS Nordnorge and MS Nordkapp showcase
the magnificent glaciers, icescapes and abundant wildlife
of Antarctica on expeditions, with lecturers and PolarCirkel
boat landings.
-- Orient Lines. The Marco Polo
crosses the Arctic Circle and winds its way to the North
Cape on 17-day North Cape & Fjords CruiseTours, departing
July 12 and August 14. For the 2005/2006 Austral summer,
Orient Lines' flagship will return to Antarctica for her
11th consecutive season with six voyages. Marco Polo uniquely
combines the comforts and amenities of a midsize liner
with an ice-strengthen hull, an outstanding team of naturalist
guides and shore landings on the Antarctic Peninsula via
Zodiac expedition boats.
-- Princess Cruises. Sea Princess
offers scenic cruising of Magdalena Fjord and Spitsbergen
on a 14-day North Cape voyage, departing June 18, 2005.
In the Southern Hemisphere, a 21-day itinerary from Rio
to Santiago, Chile, aboard Regal Princess, departing January
8, 2006, combines South American cities with seaside resorts,
the Falkland Islands and Chilean fjords. However, the
highlight of the itinerary is four days of scenic cruising
around Antarctic landmarks, including Esperanza Station,
Antarctic Sound, Gerlache Strait, and Elephant, Sigma
and Deception islands.
-- Radisson Seven Seas Cruises. The
490-guest, all-suite Seven Seas Navigator will
sail the Arctic Circle in June and July with a series
of four Top of the World voyages. In January 2006, the
Explorer II will offer two 11-night expeditions
to Antarctica, roundtrip from Ushuaia. Highlights of the
voyages include glacier landings via inflatable Zodiac
boats, lead by a distinguished expedition team. The world's
top-rated expedition ship features an ice-strengthened
hull and a casually intimate ambiance with its number
of guests limited to 198.
-- Silversea Cruises. In December 2005,
passengers aboard the Silver Cloud will have the
opportunity to experience the majesty of Antarctica on
two 16-day voyages between Buenos Aires and Valparaiso,
Chile. An optional overland excursion from the port of
Punta Arenas, Chile, will transport travelers by air to
the Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva Station, a Chilean
meteorological center, where they will trek to a lookout
for a chance to get up-close and personal with three species
of penguins, plus elephant, Weddell and Antarctic fur
seals.
For more information on CLIA
member cruise lines' cruises to Antarctica and the Arctic,
contact a CLIA-member travel agency. To locate an agency
near you, use the Travel Agent Locator on CLIA's website
at www.cruising.org .
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