Small Ship Safaris, the aquatic division of African Safari Company, announces seasonal departures of a nature and culture cruise in the Hawaiian Islands beginning in late 2013. It also released details on a new two-departure cruise in Antarctica beginning in 2015.
“The addition of Hawaii to our cruise destinations enables adventure travelers to experience the ocean around the islands in a way that is not available to most visitors and to enjoy some amazing marine wildlife viewing,” said Mike Nesbitt, owner/founder.
Nesbitt notes that Antarctica, offering wildlife viewing in one of the planet’s last remaining pristine wilderness areas, is so popular that travelers should begin planning now for 2015.
Departures of a seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes journey aboard the 36-passenger M/S Safari Explorer (rates from $3,595 per person double) offer perspectives from land and sea of the most remote and wild aspects of the archipelago. Guests are in and out of Zodiacs for complimentary land excursions and in and out of the ocean for night snorkeling with Giant Pacific Manta Rays, exploring coral gardens teaming with underwater life and snorkeling in a known sea turtle habitat in Olowalu. They sail through the 1,400-square-mile Humpback National Marine Sanctuary, one of the world's most important whale habitats where up to 10,000 endangered North Pacific Humpback Whales migrate every winter to calve and mate.
From their unique excursions, guests begin understand the underbelly of the archipelago – its volcanoes. A strong cultural element includes exploring Moloka'i, the archipelago's fifth largest island and a pristine haven of traditional Hawaiian culture and a slower way of life.Maui, the second largest island in the chain, is said to have some of the best beaches in the world. Waters off the coast offer some ofHawaii’s prime humpback whale watching locations from December to early May. On the National Register of Historic Places, Lahaina, located on the west side of Maui and 45 minutes from the Kahului Airport, is the former capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, a quaint 19th-century whaling village transformed into a Maui hot-spot of art galleries, unique shops and restaurants.
The small size of the ship and the excellent two to one guest to staff ratio add to the intimacy and enjoyment of the adventure. The vessel offers an extensive Wine Library and a spa area with fitness facilities and sauna. Yoga classes and one massage session per person are complimentary. See here.
Travelers wanting to visit Antarctica are advised to book their 2015 expeditions now. Two 2015 departures, Jan. 22 for the Antarctica Sun Expedition (rates from $13,700 per person double for 19 days) and Feb. 9, (rates from $14,270 per person double for 20 days) for the Antarctica Ice Expedition, visit the Falkland Islands (penguins, elephant seals, birds), South Georgia, South Orkney and South Shetland islands, Arctic Circle and Drake Passage.
These cruises immerse guests into the exploding world of summer in Antarctica, however brief but still revealing the tenacity of life in the land of eternal life with thousands of baby penguins, seals and sea birds. On both itineraries guests enjoy accommodation aboard the 92-cabin M/S Hanseatic, among the few expedition ships to hold five stars. Every luxuriously appointed and spacious cabin and some public spaces offer private email and internet access. The ship offers a heated freshwater pool, fitness facilities and a choice of restaurants. See here and here.