Lindblad Expeditions Honored For Conservation

National Wildlife Federation, a conservation organization dedicated to protecting wildlife, honored Lindblad Expeditions with its Conservation Achievement Award for Corporate Achievement. The federation presented Lindblad Expeditions with the honor at its annual awards banquet in Washington, D.C. Lindblad Expeditions, the pioneering expedition travel company, works in partnership with National Geographic to inspire people to explore and care about the planet. Founded by Sven Lindblad in 1979, Lindblad Expeditions believes that business and conservation go hand in hand, providing real value to guests, to the local communities where they operate, and to Lindblad’s business over the long term.

Lindblad Expeditions’ educationally oriented voyages to remote and pristine destinations such as Antarctica, the Arctic, Alaska, Baja California and Galapagos allow guests to interact with leading scientists, naturalists and researchers while discovering stunning natural environments, above and below the sea, through state-of-the-art exploration tools. In addition to providing travel opportunities, Lindblad Expeditions has worked hard to be a leader in environmental stewardship. In recent months, the company announced a comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan aimed at minimizing its environmental footprint. And, this past summer, Lindblad Expeditions hosted a high-level Arctic summit of top business, religious and political leaders to maximize awareness and inspire action on global environmental issues. NWF also annually reviews hundreds of wildlife-viewing programs around the globe to select the world's best programs for discovering wildlife while traveling responsibly. In this arena, Lindblad Expeditions consistently is recognized for its outstanding tours to Baja, Galapagos and Alaska and has four itineraries that made it onto NWF's list of the 30 Best Wildlife-Viewing Tours of 2009. For more information, visit www.nwf.org/expeditions. For more information on Lindblad Expeditions, see www.expeditions.com.

25 Percent Off French Country Waterways 2009 Cruises

Luxury river and canal cruise line French Country Waterways is offering early-booking savings on its 2009 itineraries. You can save 10 - 25 percent off the published fares of six-night sailings along the rivers and canals of France, and the offer is combinable with seasonal discounts as well. French Country Waterways' fleet of luxury barges carry 8 - 12 passengers, and the intimate experience includes daily sightseeing tours, dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, wine at lunch and dinner, and new for 2009, a lunch ashore on all itineraries. Early-booking fares range from $5,836 to $7,376.



Sailing Dates

Select departures between April and October 2009



Itineraries

6-night sailings along various rivers and canals in France



Rates

Save 10 percent on April - June and September - October sailings

Save 25 percent on July and August sailings



Booking Information

For information and reservations, please contact Riverdiscounts at 800-640-4899

Authentic Alaska

There are certain images of Alaska that are embedded deeply within the American consciousness—images of sentinel pine trees frozen in time; of glaciers blanketing the peripherals with giant walls of white; of huskies hopping through a snow drift, the tips of their fur crystallized and glistening. But when it comes to the authentic Alaska, these icons are merely the proverbial tip of the iceberg.

Bald eagles don't just flirt with the treetops—they swoop through the air on crisp cushions of frost, their eyes afire with life. Glaciers don't just protect the shorelines—they reach out and embrace the waters, merging with the sea in a million different angles, each one ablaze with the sun's shimmering touch. Around every bend, Alaska unleashes the kind of beauty that will remain as vivid in your memories as your grandchild's first step.

Immense in size and landscape, Alaska is best experienced from the calm waters that hug its striking coastline. Cruise ships provide the vacation essentials—luxurious rooms, scrumptious dining, relaxing spas, first-class entertainment for adults and children alike—and Alaska provides the scenery—picturesque villages bursting with culture, humpback whales swimming alongside, dense forestland engulfing the distance.

All you need to provide is the entire family. Cruise lines host a bevy of entertaining activities to keep all generations smiling wide and laughing loud during the voyage. And with Alaska and its coastal towns as the backdrop, the trip will provide ample time and opportunity to bring your children and grandchildren closer to your heart.

From May to September, premier cruise lines—such as Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises—set sail from Seattle or Vancouver with their compasses pinned on North. With each ship offering unique services while touching base at numerous historic ports, your best bet is to contact your local travel agent to find the right itinerary for you and your family.

Most ocean liners voyage along the great Alaskan shores by one of two routes: the Inside Passage or the Glacier Route. Vessels traveling the Inside Passage meander through the channels and fjords of Alaska's panhandle to hidden villages only gold miners know. The Glacier Route bypasses the inner channels and follows the coastline further north, visiting unsurpassed glaciers and seaports en route to Seward, a stepping-stone to Anchorage and the interior.

The ports of call along either route rival the majestic scenery, beginning with your ship's likely starting point—Vancouver—considered by travel agents as one of the great cities of the western world. Picturesque and multicultural, Vancouver is worth an extra day before or after your cruise to explore a true Canadian gem.

Leaving Canadian waters, your first stop will be Ketchikan, Alaska's southernmost port. Originally a rugged town for loggers and fisherman to blow off steam, this "Salmon Capital of Alaska" has since renovated its unique waterfront area to welcome its many visitors. Hop off the boat and visit the Totem Heritage, which houses the world's largest collection of totem poles.

Further north up Stephens Passage, your ship will port in Juneau, Alaska's capital. Gold put this city on the map, but today Juneau relishes its cosmopolitan feel while still embracing its wilderness suburbs. While docked, strike it rich at the Gold Rush Historic District or take a bus tour of the Mendenhall Glacier for a truly eye-opening experience.

The next stop is Skagway, a small town with major appeal. Skagway exploded overnight in 1898, when the town absorbed 20,000 prospectors during the Klondike Gold Rush. Today, Skagway is home to an old-fashioned Main Street with shopping you just won't find in the lower 48, while enchanting visitors with organized tours to the Trail of '98 Museum and the Gold Rush Cemetery where fool's gold glimmers in the headstones. Just a brown bear's jog from Skagway is Glacier Bay National Park, where 13 glaciers combine to create a sight that will send your heart soaring to heights only eagles dare venture. From the ship you may witness the incredible sight of calving, when chunks of ice detach from a glacier and plummet to the sea, creating a sound so unique you will never forget it.

The last destination for many cruises is Seward, perched at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula. One of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities, Seward provides an ideal launching point to Anchorage, where, on a clear day, you can peer past the moose traipsing through the streets and see North America's tallest mountain, Mount McKinley (20,320 ft.), 130 miles away in the heart of Denali National Park.

For those who prefer a more intimate inspection of the natural wonders of Alaska, then climb aboard a small ship. With cabins for around 100 guests, small ships, like those offered by Cruise West, can navigate narrow channels to explore off-the-beaten track. With more time between ports, boat captains often choose to linger while sea otters put on a show or to search for a pod of humpbacks after a nearby fisherman radios their location.

Discover the Alaska of legend from the comfort of the waters. Cruise ships allow you to relax in luxury and feast on the finest cuisine as your grandchildren play under the supervision of a cruise counselor. Cruising this wild coastline is a soothing vacation full of scenic adventure for the entire family. Contact Alaska Cruise Tours Online ( http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com/ ) to uncover the Alaska within yourself.

World Cruises 2009-2010

This winter you can drive to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and set sail on one of several ships that circumnavigate the planet.

Cunard Line, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises are among the lines offering world cruises from Port Everglades.

Other lines sail from U.S. ports including New York and Los Angeles and international ports.

Typically, these voyages take 90 to 100 days to sail around the world, but shorter-duration segments are available and many opt for one of these "in a part of the world they probably have never seen before," said Terry Dale, president and CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association.

The voyages generally visit scores of ports on several continents and usually feature guest lecturers including actors, government officials, astronauts and other celebrities as part of enrichment programs.

Fares listed are per person, double. Always ask if there are specials, discounts, air upgrades, pre-voyage hotel stay, onboard credits and other benefits that may be available.

Here is a look at world cruises featured this coming season:

CRYSTAL CRUISES Crystal's 14th annual world cruise, on board Crystal Serenity, departs Los Angeles Jan. 21, on a 106-day voyage visiting 45 cities in Mexico, the South Pacific, New Zealand, eastern and western Australia, Indonesia and Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Russia, Alaska, and British Columbia before returning to Los Angeles via San Francisco.Segments are available in lengths of 12 to 22 days. Special guests onboard will include Deborah Norville, Ed McMahon, Richard Dreyfuss, Jack Hanna and more than two dozen experts on world affairs and other topics. The trip will also feature 125 new shore excursions, including several on a complimentary basis. Fares start at $54,135.

CUNARD LINE Both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria embark on their second World Cruises in 2009. Queen Victoria makes a 99-day Exploration of Distant Horizons world cruise (from $20,995) departing from New York Jan. 10 and calling on the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.It is also available in four segments including a 17-day New York to Los Angeles segment and a 27-day Sydney to Singapore segment. Queen Mary 2's 90-day Epic Expedition (from $19,362) departs Fort Lauderdale Jan. 13 and circumnavigates South America before sailing "Down Under" and then through Asia and Europe. Segments include a 28-day Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles cruise and 31-day Singapore to New York voyage.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE Rotterdam offers a 128-day Grand World Voyage departing Jan. 5 from Fort Lauderdale (from $23,639). T he westbound route sails the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, and on through Asia and Africa before visiting the Caribbean and home to Ft. Lauderdale.Overnights are featured in Sydney, Australia; Hong Kong and Shanghai, China; Mumbai, India; Mombasa, Kenya, and Cape Town, South Africa. Segments of 22 to 69 days are available. The voyage will feature the east coast of Africa to South Africa and a rare "Midnight Golden Line Crossing" when the Rotterdam crosses the Equator and the International Date Line simultaneously.

PRINCESS CRUISES Princess will offer two global itineraries in 2009. The 670-passenger Tahitian Princess and 710-passenger Royal Princess will offer similar 107-day itineraries from Fort Lauderdale, the former departing Jan. 12 and finishing up in Dover, Engla nd and the latter sailing Jan. 20, concluding in Rome.The itinerary features South America, the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, India and Egypt as well as a variety of European destinations. Both will feature a new port for Princess – Port Blair in the Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean. Other exotic destinations include Vietnam, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and the Great Barrier Reef. Fares begin at $21,495.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES The 700-passenger Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner will visit a total of 110 ports of call in 50 countries on six continents. Segments ranging in length from 12 to 24 nights are available in the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia, Southeast Asia, Japan, India, the Middle East, North African and the Mediterranean.Celebrity guests will include former Florida Governor Bob Graham, football coach Don Shula, Apollo astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Al Worden and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. The Seven Seas Voyager sails from L.A. to Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 13 (116-days, from $64,995); the Seven Seas Mariner sails from Fort Lauderdale to Vancouver on Jan. 26 (121 days, from $64,995).

SILVERSEA CRUISES Fort Lauderdale-based Silversea Cruises is offering its first ever Grand Pacific Voyage in 2009, a 92-day extended odyssey timed to coincide with prime regional seasons of the Pacific Ocean (from $55,170). The voyage will depart Los Angeles on March 7, 2009 on Silver Shadow.Composed of six themed segments, passengers will visit 45 ports, 15 countries and two hemispheres with overnight stays in Bora Bora, Sydney, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Guests sailing the full voyage receive complimentary hotel accommodations in Los Angeles on the eve of departure, plus20transfer and baggage handling between airport, hotel and ship.Enrichment speakers scheduled include Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space, and Pulitzer Prize winner, Frank McCourt. For more information on world cruises call Grand Voyages at 800.365.1445

Michelin Restaurants Added To Luxury River Cruise Itinerary

Apology on the Happy Hours!

An apology is owed! After my wonderful assistant completed the information for the newsletter with all the Happy Hours in it this past weekend, I thought I'd set it to be sent out automatically, but obviously I goofed and it did not get out as scheduled. I'm so sorry! I was spending time up in Windsor, Colorado, the community which was hit hard by a F4 tornado last week, helping family friends with some clean-up efforts, and didn't even notice I didn't have the confirmations in my email. Oops!

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Canada & New England Cruises, from $699

Canada & New England Cruises, from $699

Six nights' accommodations aboard the Caribbean Princess and all meals, from $699 per person—including taxes and port charges.

Depart on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008 (senior special); add $200 for Aug. 24, Sept. 7 (adult fare); additional departures are on Sept. 21 and Oct. 5, but prices and availability vary.
The starting rate is only valid for seniors (aged 55 and up); add about 10 percent or more for a regular adult fare depending on departure date and availability. Accommodations in an inside cabin, all meals, taxes, and 24-hour room service are included. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $367. Airport transfers are not included; expect to pay about $50 each way for airport-ship transfers by cab. Sightseeing tours, excursions, and airfare are not included.

cruisedirectonline.com saves you time and money by allowing you to compare rates offered through various cruise lines without actually having to spend days shopping around online. The $699 rate, which breaks down to about $120 a night, includes accommodations, all meals, taxes, and port charges. The regular rate for this same cruise is $1,070 with tax.
The cruise is six nights aboard the 3,100-passenger Caribbean Princess, departing from and returning to New York City. You'll stay in an "interior double," a 163-square-foot inside cabin.

The first night is at sea, then arrive in Halifax, capital of Nova Scotia. You'll have from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to independently explore some of the city's major attractions, which include the famous lighthouse at Peggy's Cove; Halifax Harbor, the world's second largest natural harbor, lined with museums, shops, and eateries; and the Prince of Wales Martello Tower National Historic Site at Point Pleasant Park.

From Halifax, sail overnight to St. John, New Brunswick. Canada's oldest settlement has more than a few treasures worth checking out. There is one of the country's oldest farmers markets, St. John City Market; Carleton Martello Tower, one of 16 such towers built by the British during the War of 1812 to protect the coastline; and the "reversing falls" rapids, where the river actually flows upstream.

The next stop on the itinerary is Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island in Maine, also home to Acadia National Park and a lobster museum and hatchery. The port is also a popular whale-watching destination.

The cruise sails on to Boston. One smart way to explore the city in a limited time is to follow the Freedom Trail, a three-mile route that passes 16 national historic landmarks.

The last stop before sailing back to New York is Newport, R.I. As with the rest of the shore excursions, you'll have about eight hours for sightseeing. The seaside city on the southern tip of Aquidneck Island is famous for its glorious envy-inspiring mansions like The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House.

Deals like this sell out fast and may not be available at the time of your inquiry. All cruises are subject to availability at time of booking.

For more details, additional dates, and adult fares, visit Princess Cruises Online.

Tauck Launches new ship

Save with RiverBarge packages in the U.S

This summer, clients can enjoy more than backyard barbeques and dips in the neighbors’ pool by rediscovering our great nation’s inland waterways. RiverBarge Excursions, operating the only floating hotel barge in the U.S., celebrates “10 Years of Sharing America’s Stories” this year with an eight-day excursion and special pricing for guests.

Passengers can receive a reduced single occupancy supplement from 25 percent to 50 percent, as well as all-inclusive pricing in one of the 98 staterooms (all meals, soft drinks, scheduled shore activities, onboard entertainment, port charges and taxes; Also, you may want your clients to note that no tipping is allowed.)

$50 Barge Bucks, an onboard credit that may be used for alcohol and gift shop purchases, will be awarded to guests booking and depositing $500 per stateroom.

As for the journey, the R/B River Explorer will take clients on an eight-day excursion, beginning Aug. 21, 2008. The all-inclusive package, called America’s Junction, ranges from $2,479 for the Royal Deck to $2,659 for the Platinum Deck (the Platinum Deck staterooms feature a small balcony). Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.

The package includes an overnight stay in Louisville, Ky., in addition to visits at Henderson and Paducah, Ky. Additionally, guests will barge on the Ohio River and the Mississippi River through five historic locks. While traveling on the Upper Mississippi River, they will pay visits to Cape Girardeau, Mo., and Chester, Ill. before ending the adventure with an overnight stay in St. Louis on Aug. 28.

800-640-4899