Too many people think the only place to cruise is in the Caribbean. Sorry, folks — that’s wrong, wrong, wrong.
Sure the Caribbean is considered the cruise capital of the world, but now, with the mighty armada of ships, you can easily expand your horizons and cruise the world.
Each year in January, many lines feature world cruises that can last up to 120 days. Unfortunately, these ships really do not cruise the entire world. But a new line that is making its name in adventure-style cruises is planning a world cruise for the turn of the century that will, for the first time, call on every continent, including Antarctica. What also will set it apart from others are the prices for this 114-day cruise — ranging from $9,995 to less than $15,000 for the entire cruise, including air fare. Even the highest-priced cabin is less than the lowest price for other world cruises. Among ports of call: Easter Island, Sicily, Gibraltar, Madeira, Pitcairn Island, Auckland (for the America’s Cup Races), Sydney, Perth, Bali, Singapore, Mombassa, Port Said and Tel Aviv.
Sam Blythe, who heads the Toronto-based Marine Expeditions, which will conduct the world cruise, is known for running unusual trips to the far corners of the world. This summer, he introduced a Greenland cruise and offered trips to the high Arctic to coincide with the arrival of the summer solstice. Blyth believes in offering “extraordinary” experiences at affordable prices, and he adds, he will “always turn right for whales” rather than stick to a set itinerary.
Among ships heading around most of the world this January are the Saga Rose, formerly the Cunard Sagafjord and now owned by Saga Holidays of Boston. The ship, for travelers 50 and older only, will sail from Dover, England, on a 97-day cruise.
Crystal Cruises plans a Routes of Royalty trip, a 101-day global circumnavigation on its Crystal Symphony. “Our goal is to make the world cruise the ultimate one-of-a-kind luxury travel experience,” said Joseph Watters, president of the line. “Accordingly, we view the onboard experience as being of equal importance to the itinerary.” Among onboard highlights will be a Kings of Comedy Series with Jonathan Winters and others, a wine and food festival, and a computer university at sea.
Princess will feature a 64-day World Cruise, March 15-May 17. The Island Princess will sail from Rome to San Francisco, visiting five continents.
This year Cunard celebrated the 75th anniversary of the world cruise when the Queen Elizabeth 2 departed in January on a 103-day sail. For its 76th world cruise, the QE2 will begin a 104-day journey on Jan. 6.
On all world cruises, passengers can book just a portion of the cruise.
One new way to discover South America is aboard NCL’s Norwegian Crown, one of the newest members of its fleet. The Crown will offer 14-day cruises between Santiago, Chile, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, beginning in January. Its call on Cape Horn will offer opportunities to fly to Antarctica.
The explosion of traveling beyond the Caribbean can be seen in sailings this year in Europe and the Mediterranean. More than 1,000 cruises — 28 percent more than last year — are exploring ports throughout the continent. And there are good reasons why Americans are using cruises to discover Europe — and other exotic ports.
“You are transported from country to country completely effortlessly — quite literally, as you sleep. You don’t have to worry about learning different languages and finding your own way, and once in port, your ship serves as a convenient home base while you sightsee at your leisure,” said James Godsman, president of the Cruise Lines International Association, which is the marketing arm of the North American cruise industry. “Furthermore,” Godsman said, “your trip is paid for in advance in U.S. dollars; there’s no sticker shock from exchange rates.”
Next year, the legendary Norway, the former SS France, will return to the waters of its illustrious past. From April through October, the Norway will offer a series of cruises throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. Nine of the cruises, including two 14-day trans-Atlantic crossings will be marketed for North Americans; other programs will cater to European markets.
However, you don’t have to wait for a world cruise to see some of these exotic destinations.
Egypt can easily be explored via a 30-passenger yacht, the MS Hapi. The tour by Special Expeditions offers travelers different itineraries depending on time available. An “Exploring Egypt” tour is a four-night sail on the Nile, while the “Passage Through Egypt” features a seven-night journey on the Nile. A four-night extension to Jordan is also available. Sven-Olof Lindblad, president of Special Expeditions, said travelers are taken behind the scenes and the company uses “guides who communicate their exceptional love for their subject, making each journey a one-of-a-kind experience.”
Not only is Europe seeing a growth in cruises, but so are the Pacific and the East Africa and Indian Ocean area. In 1991, no visitor to East or South Africa, the Seychelles or the Indian subcontinent arrived by cruise ship. The first cruise ship arrived in 1992, and since then the number of visits has increased yearly.
There are good reasons for the growth in these new areas. Since 1992, the cruise fleet has grown substantially, with far more passenger capacity. With the growth, the cruise lines have been seeking new destinations to attract passengers. Another factor, especially in Africa, is the changing political situation.
For cruise passengers, the opening of these regions offers new opportunities for exotic discoveries, historic sites and fascinating cultures.
Africa, for example, offers more than safaris. There is a great diversity of cultures — African, European, Indian, Arab, Indo-Malay and Persian — and there are historic sites, from ancient ruins to grim reminders of the slave trade. There are also wonderful places for sun and beach worshipers — Mauritius and the Seychelles.
The Pacific has more wonders than one can even imagine: Pacific isle paradises; China, where one can cruise up the Yangtze River and witness the beauty of the Three Gorges region before it disappears beneath the waters behind a massive dam the Chinese are constructing; the Spice Islands, where one can view Komodo dragons, monstrous lizards; Australia; unspoiled French Polynesia; Hong Kong; and more.
Closer to home, more cruise lines are offering sailings through one of the modern wonders of the world, the Panama Canal.
Even Carnival Cruises is expanding its horizons in the East. The company is in a joint venture with Hyundai Shipping Corp. and will begin cruises from Inchon, South Korea, next spring aboard the Tropicale. Ray Lutz, president of Carnival Cruises Asia, told a gathering of cruise executives last spring in Miami that he sees a vast potential for cruise growth in that part of the world. “Europe dominated the world in the 19th Century, and the U.S. dominated in the 20th Century, but Asia will do so in the 21st Century,” Lutz said.
