Out to Sea for Oct.
17/15
(c) By Jim and Barb Fox
Cruise travel is
getting even more “amazing” with a growing number of destinations accessible by
ship around this ocean-linked world.
As part of “Plan a
Cruise” month, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has unveiled the “11
most amazing and unexpected” destinations.
“While Caribbean
paradises may be the first cruise destination to come to mind for many, cruise
lines are continually expanding cruise locales to include hidden gems of the world
and surprising locations,” it says.
 |
| One of the most scenic ports to sail out of is San Francisco, passing by Alcatraz island and under the Golden Gate Bridge. (Jim Fox photo) |
Cindy
D’Aoust, CLIA acting chief executive, said from small European towns to
bustling ports in Southeast Asia, “cruise travellers can discover some of the
most amazing travel destinations” aboard a cruise ship.
There are some 1,000
cruise ports and destinations throughout the world, with the number growing as
ships sail rivers and oceans “striving to deliver new cruise vacation
experiences for travellers.”
“Amazing” river cruises
Here is CLIA’s
list starting with sojourns on the world’s most famous rivers.
 |
| River Orchid with Uniworld’s Boutique River Cruise Collection sails Southeast Asia’s longest river to visit Vietnam and Cambodia. |
-- Cambodia’s
Villages: Cruise vacationers can wander the villages along the
Mekong River and immerse themselves in ancient culture complete with a native
Peking duck welcome dinner. Uniworld’s
Boutique River Cruise Collection sails Southeast Asia’s longest river to
the “timeless wonders” of Vietnam and
Cambodia.
-- Nuremberg
Christmas Market: Visit Germany’s most famous market aboard a CroisiEurope cruise. It embraces the holiday spirit by taking travellers along
the Rhine River to visit markets in Strasbourg, Nuremberg and Rudesheim.
--
Queen of the Nile: Travellers looking to explore the magic and the
mystery of the Nile can set sail on the world’s longest river for nine days
with Avalon Waterways’ Highlights of Egypt cruise. Cruisers explore
5,000 years of history at the Luxor Temple, Temple of Isis and Great Pyramids
of Giza.
-- Pretty
Provence: Venture deep into Provence aboard Tauck’s A Taste of France
cruise. Focusing on French cuisine and village life, this Rhone River cruise sails
through vineyard country and visits the indoor food market in Lyon.
-- Famous
Pagodas: Travellers can sample the hidden wonders of Myanmar with AmaWaterways’ cruise through Yangon. On
the cruise along the Ayeyarwady River learn ancient pottery techniques, visit a
rice farm, explore Mt. Popa and the Schwedagon Pagoda that’s a gold-plated,
ruby and diamond-covered marvel.
-- Trailing
Lewis and Clark: American history comes to life with American Cruise Lines’ Lewis and Clark cruises along the
Columbia and Snake Rivers in Washington and Oregon. They follow the epic route
with excursions to Portland’s busy waterfront, volcanic craters in Rainier and the
Rock Fort Campsite aboard a paddle wheeler.
 |
| Holland America’s Rotterdam sails through the Panama Canal as passengers line the decks for a good view. (Jim Fox photo) |
Top “unexpected” ocean cruises
-- Beauty
in Bangkok: Oceania Cruises’
Quintessential Far East
cruise takes guests from Bangkok to Beijing to see breathtaking sights and
hidden cities. Explore Thai culture with onshore adventures, a visit to the
Ayutthaya ruins and other ports of call.
-- Marco
Polo: Seabourn’s Route of Marco Polo cruise from
Greece to Singapore follows the merchant traveler’s trail. There are visits to
the Parthenon, Crusader castles in Jordan and a tea tasting at a plantation in
Sri Lanka.
-- Perusing
the Panama: A cruise is the perfect way to enjoy the sights and all
the grand canal has to offer. Paul
Gauguin Cruises sails through pristine waters and lush greenery, offering
a multitude of adventures including a visit to a private wildlife reserve.
-- Antarctica
– the Cooler Destination: Cruisers can journey to the majestic White
Continent on Ponant’s luxurious
yacht cruises where giant icebergs and natural beauty abound. Experience this polar
paradise with penguin colonies and outings in Zodiac dinghies.
-- Around
the World: Epic journeys
such as Crystal Cruises’ Grand
Pacific Panorama let cruisers see all corners of the world from San
Francisco and Australia to Fiji and beyond. They “soak in the beauty of the
globe,” with a hike through the Garden City of Kuala Lumpur, a mangrove wildlife
safari and tram ride through Bangkok’s ancient city.
 |
| Ad Cruise passengers dip their toes in the waters of the Panama Canal in a stop at the Gatun Yacht Club. (Barbara Fox photo) |
If you sail:
CLIA
represents 60 cruise lines whose ships carry 23-million passengers a year. To
find out about cruising and links to the lines: cruising.org
The
association and member lines are giving away a cruise a day this month. Details:
cruisesmile.org
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Jim and Barb Fox can be reached at outtosea50@hotmail.com
For more Out to Sea trip tips: http://outtoseatravel.blogspot.ca
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