Recommend March 2012 - (Page 18)

SMALL SHIP CRUISING in the U.S. north america The 86-guest Safari Endeavor at the head of Rudyerd Bay in Misty Fiords National Monument, Alaska’s Inside Passage. A 18 march 2012 River cruising in Europe, Egypt, and Asia might be all the buzz, but discovering one’s own backyard—Alaska, the Northeast in the fall, the incomparable Mississippi, the heartland of America—on a steamboat, yacht, or small ship is an inspiring voyage that beckons the well-heeled traveler looking for adventure close to home. paloma villaverde de rico american cruise lines Operating a ﬂeet of six ships—with no more than 150 passengers each—American Cruise Lines offers more than 30 itineraries to all parts of the U.S., including the Paciﬁc Northwest, Maine, New England Islands, Hudson River, Chesapeake Bay, the Historic South & Golden Isles, Florida and Alaska, as well as the Mississippi River aboard the brand-new paddlewheeler Queen of the Mississippi (currently under construction). “It’s a true journey of discovery,” says Timothy Beebe, v.p., American Cruise Lines. “Onboard experts and guest speakers enlighten passengers along the way, educating them on the sights they see, the towns they visit, and more. It’s a very enriching experience.” On board, passengers can expect oversized staterooms—quite possibly the largest in the industry, says Beebe—the majority with private balconies, packed with all of today’s amenities including ﬂat-screen TVs/ DVD player, WiFi, hotel-style full-size bathrooms, either a large picture window or sliding glass door, as well as various lounges and a library, open seating dining in glass-enclosed dining room, and complimentary cocktail hour before dinner (full bar and hors d’oeuvres). Of course, there are also daily lectures from onboard experts, or a performance. Beebe emphasizes that the “atmosphere is friendly and intimate. The captain will often dine and mingle with guests and the crew knows them by name within a day or so. It’s truly a wonderful experience.” But the shoreline is the reason for the trip, and because of that, says Beebe, “we take special care to research and plan excursions at each port. Each excursion highlights something that makes each destination special. These ﬁne local sites give insight into the area’s culture, heritage and history. And on each excursion, passengers are joined by local experts, historians or naturalists to further enhance the experience. We offer hundreds of different types of tours, all dependent on itinerary: guided walking tours, carriage tours, lobster ﬁshing/shrimp boat excursions, jet boat tours, museum visits, narrated tours on trolleys, wildlife tours, botanical gardens, and so many more.” Take for example, the company’s 7-night New England Islands itinerary on board the 104-passenger Independence, which explores Nantucket, Block Island, and Martha’s Vineyard—from its cobblestone streets and 17th century architecture to the inspiration for Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick.” On this tour, clients will visit the famed Gilded Age mansions of Newport, once the summer playground for America’s elite; stroll through elegant Edgartown, a picture-book village with white continued on page 43 recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend March 2012

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk: Vikram Chatwal Hotels
Tour Talk: SITA World Tours
From Zambia to Zimbabwe
Small Ship Cruising in the U.S.
All-Inclusive Resort Guide: The Caribbean & Mexico
Alaska: New Action in an Old World
Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater, Florida
European River Cruising 2012
Pantanal: The Brazilian Serengeti

Recommend March 2012