Antarctica Ultimate White Christmas via Crystal Cruises

Crystal Cruises is offering what could be considered the “Ultimate White Christmas” voyage, because the Crystal Symphony is spending the holidays in Antarctica. 

The 18-day Dec. 21 Buenos Aires-to-Valparaíso voyage on the Crystal Symphony spends three days in Antarctic waters before sailing to Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Falkland Islands, Cape Horn and the Chilean Fjords.

This is the luxury line’s only Antarctic cruise in 2013 and 2014. 

Crystal is one of the few cruise lines permitted to sail to Antarctica, due to strict environmental regulations. Crystal said it has incurred extra cost and planning efforts to comply with the regulations.

Optional excursions let guests fly, hike and take Zodiac raft rides to view Air Force homes, penguin breeding grounds, and the glacial scenery of King George and Ardley islands. Extremely limited Crystal Adventures also explore more of Antarctica, including an overnight at the Chilean Eduardo Frei Antarctic Base. Onboard speakers include an Antarctic expedition book author, climate change researcher, shark conservationist and CBS News correspondent.

The itinerary visits Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Port Stanley, Ushuaia (overnight), Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, and Valparaíso. The ship will be decorated for the holidays and offer gourmet holiday feasts, a champagne New Year’s gala, religious services and junior cruiser events (including Santa). 

On a warmer note . . . 

The Crystal Serenity will spend the holidays sailing round-trip from Miami on Dec. 21 Turks & Caicos, Curaçao, Santa Marta and Cartagena in Colombia, Roatan Island Belize City, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Key West.

 All-inclusive cruise fares begin at $9,740 per person for the Antarctica/South America voyage and $7,430 per person for the Caribbean, and include $600 and $800 per person in savings, respectively, if booked by Aug. 30.

http://www.crystalcruises.com/


Source: TravelPulse

Crystal Itineraries to See the Midnight Sun

In 2011, Crystal Cruises will double its summer North Cape cruises with two departures cruising Norway's western coast, to the Polar Ice Cap and across the Arctic Circle.

The June 13th Wine & Food-themed cruise celebrates the summer solstice on June 21, officially the longest day of the year, when the sun stays above the horizon. Crystal Serenity's balconies, decks, and 360-degree promenade provide ideal locations to view the varying vistas.

From Copenhagen to Stockholm, calls in Hellysylt/Geiranger, Honningsvag, North Cape, Longyearbyen/Svalbard, Ålesund and Bergen take guests off any beaten path, including a trek across Longyearbyen Glacier, helicopter flight over "Queen of the Fjords" Hardangerfjord, and hike to Plateau Mountain (followed by refreshments at the 23-degree Artico Ice Bar).

A second North Cape cruise departing July 8 also makes a maiden call to Skjolden, Norway, en route to London. Voted World's Best more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in history, special values for Crystal's 14-day North Cape cruises include:

Per person promotional Two-for-One fares beginning at $9,230

• Up to $2,000 per couple Verandah and Penthouse savings

• Free round-trip air transportation from many U.S./Canadian cities

• $1,000 per person 'All Inclusive - As You Wish' shipboard spending credits

• Free Business Class with Penthouse accommodations

• Low Business Class air upgrades with Verandah and Deluxe Staterooms

• Crystal Family Memories bonus savings

• New Perfect Choice Dining with Open Dining by Reservation

Source: Travel Agent Central