Recommend July 2016 - (Page 10)

For 2017, Ponant is adding to its Antarctica sailings. Expedition Cruising: Adventure of a Lifetime NATHALIE MICHEL Cruise/Latin America Paloma Villaverde de Rico Fifty years ago Lindblad Expeditions founder Lars-Eric Lindblad led the first citizen explorer expedition to Antarctica, marking the invention of the category of "expedition travel." According to press material, Lindblad noted, "My enchantment with Antarctica had been so great since childhood that I wondered why I had never thought of it before. I was aware that the idea of setting up tours to that frozen continent would be tangled with complications. Going there might even be impossible. But inspired by koumiss [fermented dairy product], I boldly announced to everyone, 'Our next exploratory tour will be to a place that isn't even on the map.'" As the saying goes, "We've come a long way, baby." Today's traveler is hungry for this type of voyage-seeking out destinations that are truly off the beaten path, ones that are most certainly on their bucket list. "We believe strongly that we are in a new age of travel," points out Jacinta McEvoy, v.p., worldwide sales, Lindblad Expeditions. "Expedition travel provides the most outstanding experiences possible, exploring the world's most remarkable places. People are increasingly seeking true exploration, access to remote places...." 10 july 2016 Adds Gordon Dirker, managing director, Hurtigruten North America, "People are looking for new destinations and experiences and are looking to immerse themselves and broaden their horizons." John Delaney, sr. v.p., marketing and sales, Seabourn, concurs, noting that, "Travel agents should be looking for those signs that point to a client who wants to get off the ship and come away with immersive experiences they may never have had before." And "surprisingly," as Candie Steinman, MCC, franchise owner, Dream Vacations, points out, "the passengers that choose expedition cruising are usually those who have done land vacations or other adventure-based travel, rather than your typical cruise passenger." The demand is certainly there for expedition cruising, most especially when the cruise includes exploring the continent of Antarctica. Says Dirker, "We have seen a huge growth in Antarctica, and tripled our capacity for 2017 as a result of this demand." Look over the expedition cruises we've selected for this feature, and as you go through your mental Rolodex keep in mind what McEvoy notes regarding your client base. "Travel advisors need to look at their client base, and start with those that are more adventurous, curious, intelligent, well-traveled, well-educated with a passion for learning about the wonders of the world." And although these cruises do tend to be high-priced, don't let that deter you from reaching out to just the right client, because as Steinman points out, "Most passengers realize costs before talking to their agents. They know this is a very specialized trip and as most are very inclusive, the cost factor is not a real problem." Hurtigruten Hurtigruten, which started expedition voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula in 2002, offers two vessels for Antarctica voyages. Midnatsol only recently began its Antarctica expeditions, sailing to Antarctica this summer and then over Christmas taking cruisers on adventures to Patagonia and Antarctica. The Midnatsol, which carries a maximum of 500 passengers and provides, as the company says, Discovery Style Voyages, offers seven itineraries, including the 17-day Southern Hemisphere Adventure: South America and Antarctica, departing March 1, 2017 with rates starting at recommend.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend July 2016

Editor’s Notes
Hotel Desk: Escape the Ordinary
Tour Talk: Rail Travel in Europe
Expedition Cruising: Adventure of a Lifetime
Onboard Review: Holland America’s MS Koningsdam
Do Like the Locals in Latin America
Only on These Islands
Travel Advisor Corner: Dining Out on International
Onsite Review: Barbados
Explore Israel Off the Well-Trodden Road
Onsite Review: South Africa: From Beach to Bush
Explore the Great Outdoors via Rail Travel
Onsite Review: Club Med Sandpiper Bay
Singular Experiences
Onsite Review: At Home in Thuringia, Germany
Journeys Beyond the Ordinary
Come Aboard: India Rail Travel

Recommend July 2016