Three Exotic Cruises on My Hit List

One of my favorite bloggers, Gary Leff of View from the Wing, often talks about aspirational travel. His focus is on frequent flyer miles and back in July he talked about why he loves spending his own miles on first class travel to places like Southeast and Central Asia.




His blog post got me thinking about the cruises I prefer and which are still on my wish list. Many are "aspirational" because they either focus on far-away ports of call, wildlife sightings, or the chance to meet and talk with the great thinkers of our time. 




Here are a few cruise itineraries that I'm looking forward to...

Orion Expedition Cruises

Camp Leakey: Faces in the Forest Bali – Borneo – Singapore Itinerary

Orion II

2011: September 30 and December 29

2012: January 8, February 17, August 14 & 24, October 2 & 12

This itinerary travels between Bali and Singapore with seven days spent in Borneo in search of wild and ex-captive orangutans.

Compagnie Du Ponant Yacht Cruises

Male, Maldives Roundtrip

Le Ponant

2012: January 11, 18, 25, February 1, 11, 18, 25, March 3

The Maldives have been calling my name all year and the toughest question has been, which atoll should be home base during our vacation. Compagnie Du Ponant Yacht Cruises has solved that dilemma with its series of cruises that visit the following atolls: Mulaku, Thaa, Dhaalu, Faafu, South Ari, North Ari, and South Male.

Anantara Cruises

Chao Phraya River, Bangkok, Thailand

Anantara Dream

In July 2011 Anantara took over Manohra Cruises, a specialty travel company sailing two refurbished 100-year-old rice barges down Bangkok's Chao Phraya River. I'd book the two-cabin Anantara Dream for an ultra exclusive two-night experience.




What cruises are you most looking forward to? I'd love to hear about them! 

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

10-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise with Crystal Symphony for $1,995

It's that time of year again... cruise lines are reviewing their fourth quarter bookings and are tweaking rates to spur last-minute bookings. Here's a terrific deal to Mexico's Riviera from Crystal Cruises.

Sun-Kissed Shores (Voyage 1230)

December 11–21, 2011

Crystal Symphony

Rates form $1,995 per person

Los Angeles – at sea (2 nights) – Puerto Vallarta – Cabo San Lucas – 

Topolobampo – Loreto – La Paz – at sea (2 nights) – Los Angeles

Despite so many sea days (of which I'm not a huge fan), I like this itinerary because Crystal is offering so many strong shore excursions. My picks include a sea lion encounter, whale photo safari, sea kayaking, and a Mexican fiesta with traditional clambake.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Crystal Cruises.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Last Minute 2-4-1 Fares for Orion Expedition Cruises in New Zealand

Orion Expedition Cruises is still on my "must try" list so I'm always interested in news from this Australian cruise line. This weekend Orion sent out an e-mail offering last-minute 2-for-1 fares on two cruises in and around New Zealand.

Exploration of the Antipodes—Voyage of Discovery

Departing October 24, 2011
14 nights – Auckland to Hobart

The Antipodes sub-Antarctic Islands are a tundra eco-region that includes five island groups in the Southern Ocean: the Bounty Islands, Auckland Islands, Antipodes Islands and Campbell Island groups of New Zealand, and Macquarie Island of Australia. This expedition to the sub-Antarctic islands is designed for nature lovers and photographers alike. The remnants of the old whaling station on Macquarie Island, the high cliffs and numerous caves and arches formed by marine erosion on Campbell Island present dramatic contrast to the prolific bird life, penguins, seals, sea lions, and flora in this remote sanctuary.



New Zealand and Sub-Antarctic Wildlife Adventure

Departing December 20, 2011
14 nights – Bluff to Hobart

Home to over half of the world’s seabirds, some of which exist nowhere else, this wildlife paradise contains 40 percent of the world’s albatross species and 50 percent of the world’s penguin species, including the endangered yellow-eyed penguin, plus hundreds of thousands of other endemic birds—petrels, prions, and cormorants.

For more information, call Orion's reservation department at 1300 361 012 or e-mail info@orionexpeditions.com. Ask for the NZ 2 for 1 offer.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for Luxury Cruise Bible

Photo courtesy of Orion Expedition Cruises