MV 'Clipper Odyssey'

While some travellers are thrilled just to visit another country, others seek a deeper knowledge and appreciation, an experience of a more profound nature that expands their understanding of the world. That is the philosophy that underlies the inspiring adventure cruises planned by Abercrombie & Kent. Seven new itineraries in the Asia/Pacific region are built around the unique capabilities of the intimate, 118-passenger 'Clipper Odyssey.' Her small size and fleet of Zodiac landing craft make it possible to land on out-of-the-way islands and remote stretches of coastline, not accessible by land or larger cruise ships. Exploring with a small group of like-minded fellow travellers, guests enjoy the personalized attention and superb service possible when guides, staff and crew can focus on just a handful of guests and not hundreds of other passengers. Carefully-crafted itineraries designed by A&K's award-winning expedition staff offer an in-depth, personal introduction to unspoiled and otherwise inaccessible regions of Japan, the Russian Far East, Alaska, the South Pacific and New Zealand.

Alaska by Private Yacht

Itineraries:
MY 'Safari Escape' - 112-foot 12-Passenger luxury yacht
Route: Juneau - Prince Rupert, B.C.  Duration: 9 Days
MY 'Safari Explorer' - 145-foot, 36 passenger luxury yacht
Route: Juneau Roundtrip   Duration: 8 Days
MY 'Safari Quest' - 120-foot, 22-passenger luxury yacht
Route: Juneau - Sitka  Duration: 8 Days
MY 'Safari Spirit' - 105 -Foot, 12 Passenger luxury yacht
Route: Juneau - Petersburg  Duration: 8 Days

Alaska's Inside Passage and Glacier Bay are best experienced free from crowds and in a way that constantly puts the shore, wildlife, glaciers and remote villages at your fingertips. The 22-guest luxury yacht 'Safari Quest' spends two days inside Glacier Bay for exclusive guided hikes, up-close glacier viewing, and kayaking excursions to observe bear, wolf or moose. A park ranger joins the yacht's naturalist on board to escort hikes and interpret the mysteries of this glacial wonderland.

Depending on your party's size and interests you may prefer the 12-guest 'Safari Spirit' that explores LeConte Bay and the whales of Frederick Sound on seven-night cruises between Petersburg's "Little Norway" and Juneau. The 12-guest 'Safari Escape' navigates Southeast Alaska's innermost waterways from Prince Rupert, British Columbia, to Juneau. The 36-guest 'Safari Explorer' rounds out your choices with seven-night adventures that include Glacier Bay.

All four yachts navigate the narrowest channels, linger with breaching whale and offer opportunities for further exploration on guided hikes, kayak and skiff excursions. Stand on the bow as your yacht nudges underneath a waterfall and breathe in Alaska's fresh air as you relax in the on-deck hot tub. Your cruise includes freshly caught seafood, premium spirits, shore excursions and an on-board naturalist. An all-American crew provides outstanding service with a guest to crew ratio of 2:1.

The MV 'Minerva' Antarctica Cruise

Itineraries:
Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands
Antarctica, Falkland Islands & the South Atlantic
Classic Antarctica

For travellers ready to step off the beaten track into wilderness realms of beauty and splendor, there's no finer ship than 'Minerva' (formerly called 'Explorer II'). She offers an on-board experience that's second to none, and takes you to places few other cruise passengers ever see.

Strength and Style. 'Minerva' looks and feels like a country house hotel. But there's strong steel (including an ice-strengthened hull) behind the graceful exterior. Bow and stern thrusters make her extraordinarily maneuverable, and stabilizers minimalize the effects of wind and water to help keep passengers comfortable in remote seas.

Hands-on Exploration. Some people are content to watch the world scroll past the rail of a cruise ship's promenade deck. 'Minerva' passengers experience a very different reality. This ship brings you into direct contact with the exciting world around you.

Zodiac auxiliary craft - safe, stable, motorized rubber rafts - are the workhorses of any well-planned Antarctic expedition, and 'Minerva' carries a fleet of twelve. Easy to launch and land, Zodiacs make it possible for passengers to explore remote Antarctic shores where there are no piers or other docking arrangements. They also function as exploratory vessels, specializing in "up front and personal" encounters. You'll never forget your first circumnavigation of a 100-foot-high aquamarine-tinted iceberg, followed by the placid gazes of the dozen sleek seals camped out on its slopes.

Adventuring in Comfort. Every 'Minerva' departure is a real adventure: a fresh, spontaneous, unscripted journey that's fundamentally different from a traditional cruise itinerary in all ways but one: on-board comfort and style.  'Minerva' boasts uncommonly elegant guest quarters, among the most spacious and comfortable available on any Antarctic cruise. Many have walk-out balconies, and all have outside views.

Warm, Personal Service. To ensure the highest quality of service, 'Minerva' carries a crew of 146 to accommodate just 199 passengers.

Scheduled Bridge Visits. If you've ever wondered what gets entered into a ship's log, or whether mariners still use a sextant, just visit the Bridge and ask the officer on duty. Scheduled visits to the bridge are offered on each cruise, for a fascinating glimpse into the art and science of blue-water navigation.

MV 'Eclipse'
The Best Ship in the Galapagos Islands

Itineraries:
Galápagos Family Holiday
Signature Peru and The Galápagos
Tailor Made Ecuador & the Galápagos
Wonders of the Galápagos

Large enough to travel the Pacific in comfort and safety, small enough to dock at remote ports and negotiate inter-island landings with agility, 'Eclipse' is the perfect size for an expeditionary cruise to the Galapagos.

At 210 feet long, with a beam of 41 feet, most Galapagos ships the size of 'Eclipse' would, and do, carry an average of 80-100 passengers. 'Eclipse,' however, hosts just 48 guests in 27 spacious cabins, all with outside sea views, private facilities and air conditioning throughout.

Add her smaller-than-usual passenger complement, and a naturalist-guide for every 12-16 guests aboard, and we believe she's "simply the best" travel choice in the islands today.

Spacious cabins
'Eclipse' offers accommodation in three cabin categories, all charmingly decorated and equipped with private facilities, air conditioning, and ocean-view windows or portholes. Deluxe outside doubles, on the lower deck average 165 square feet, while her suites and deluxe staterooms are among the largest of any ship now sailing the Galapagos Islands. Staterooms, about 176 square feet in size, include a large closet and either queen or twin bed configuration. Suites offer an average of 207 square feet each, complete with a queen bed plus a sofa bed and bathtub.

Relaxed atmosphere and inviting public spaces
Passengers appreciate the "non-cruise" atmosphere aboard 'Eclipse,' informal, unregimented and with a warm sense of camaraderie. While you might like to change out of your beach clothes for dinner, you won't need a wardrobe any dressier than "smart casual" wear. Meals are served in a single open seating so everyone can eat together; the lounge offers a bar with plenty of comfortable seating, the perfect place for an informal recap of the day's events with your naturalist-guide; and the "best seats in the house" for outdoor sightseeing and star-gazing are found topside on the Observation Deck.

Ship features also include an air-renewal system; a shaded al fresco dining area and outdoor bar; hot tub; sun deck; gift desk; library/video room; an infirmary with a medical doctor on board at all times; and an open-bridge policy. Guests are welcome to visit the Captain and his officers for a lesson in navigation or marine engineering whenever the ship is anchored. Snorkeling equipment is available on board at no extra charge and a limited number of wet-suits are available for rent at a nominal cost.

The spirit of discovery
'Eclipse' carries her passengers in comfort, but she never forgets they're on board to explore one of the world's most exciting wildlife environments. She sails with a fleet of hard-bottom, inflatable pangas (rubber boats) quick to launch, stable to ride and ready to land almost anywhere. Each seats a maximum of 12 passengers with its own naturalist-guide.

Safe and ecologically sound
'Eclipse' operates under two equally important guidelines: to ensure the comfort and safety of our passengers at all times, and to do all that is possible to protect the integrity of the fragile Galapagos environment. Partnering with the Galapagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Research center to provide conservation education, 'Eclipse' complies with all current SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) and ISM (International Safety Management) regulations.

Smart Voyager Certification
The Rainforest Alliance has awarded their "Smart Voyager" seal of approval to 'Eclipse,' certifying it as eco-friendly and socially responsible. The certification program works to minimize the environmental impact of tourism and recognize operators who meet strict conservation standards for protecting the environment, wildlife and the well-being of workers and local communities. Smart Voyager, designed and operated by the Rainforest Alliance in collaboration with Conservación y Desarrollo (a non-profit environmental organization in Ecuador) is a founding member of the Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas and was recognized by UNESCO as an example for other World Heritage sites.