Destination cruise specialist Voyages of Discovery is returning to the Galapagos and the Amazon River in 2008.
April 3 will see the Discovery begin the 11-night Amazon Adventure from Montego Bay, first visiting Dutch-influenced Willemstad, Curacao and Tobago and then heading down the Amazon to Manaus, Brazil. Stops along the way include the riverside towns of Santarem and Boca de Valeria. Fares start at US$2,795, per person.
Continuing on from Manaus, passengers can add two Brazilian ports and a string of islands for a total of 23 nights on the Amazon Discovery cruise. Parintins, famous for a festival, and Alter do Chao, are combined with historic Devil’s Island and the Caribbean islands of Trinidad, Grenada, St. Vincent and Barbados. Fares for the Montego Bay to Barbados voyage start at US$4,595, per person.
The segment from Manaus to Barbados is also available as a separate 13-night Amazon and Caribbean voyage, with fares starting at US$3,095 per person. Fares on these three departures include airfare from New York or Miami. Air add-ons costing from US$95 to US$245 are available from other gateways.
From Alter do Chao, passengers have the opportunity to explore the ecosystem of the Amazon on a river cruise to Lake Maica, from the Wedding of the Waters at the meeting of the Tapajos and Amazon Rivers, to a tributary that provides views of water buffalo, lush vegetation and possibly the rare pink dolphin.
Other tours explore health treatments extracted from native flora; a close-up view of the Amazon’s forests and agriculture in the Santa Lucia Forest preserve; survival techniques in the Amazon jungle with a specialist from the Brazilian army; and an evening alligator-spotting excursion by canoe.
Complimentary excursions to the Galapagos Islands are featured on a 12-night sailing from Quito to Costa Rica departing March 14. Fares start at US$2,950 per person, double occupancy.
From Manta, Ecuador, complimentary shore excursions include full-day excursions to San Cristobal, featuring tours of Isla Lobos, Kicker Rock, La Galapaguera de Cerro Colorado and La Laguna El Junco. A second full-day complimentary tour showscases the “archeological treasure trove” of Machalilla National Park and the biodiversity of Isla de la Plata.
Sail on over to www.voyagesofdiscovery.com for more.
Refurbishing the Cloud and the Wind
Silversea Cruises has announced plans for major dry-dock refurbishments for its 296-passenger ships, Silver Cloud and Silver Wind. The Silver Wind’s month-long refurbishment will take place in Nov. 2008, while the Silver Cloud will be refurbished in May 2009.
Plans for both ships call for major suite upgrades, including new bathrooms, carpets, flat screen TVs and other appointments. Verandas will also be spruced up. And virtually all public spaces and corridors will see substantial enhancements of furnishings and carpets.
Shipboard upgrades will also include the addition of a new ocean-view spa and fitness center on Deck 9, a new Observation Lounge, eight new large suites on Decks 7 and 8, reduction of Vista Suites on Deck 4, and a new guest elevator connecting Decks 8 and 9.
Visit www.silversea.com for more.
New Spirit for Silversea
Silversea Cruises has announced that its newest ship, the Silver Spirit, is slated to join its fleet in late 2009.
The 540-passenger, all-suite vessel is currently under construction at Fincantieri's Ancona shipyard.
With a total of 270 all ocean-view suites, the new ship will maintain the line's reputation for intimate yet spacious ships and will increase the number of accommodations in the most popular suite categories.
Silver Spirit will feature more of the quick-to-sell-out Silver Suites, with a total of 26, and more Veranda Suites, 222. There will also be six Grand Suites and two Owner's Suites. All but 12 suites will have verandas.
Sail on over to www.silversea.com for more.
