The Luxury Experience Avalon Waterways, whose unique cruise/land tours, combined with outstanding service and a sleek, modern fleet, landed the company one of Sherman’s Travel 2009 Smart Luxury Awards. The 138-guest Avalon Scenery glides along the Saône and Rhône rivers through the French countryside of Burgundy and Provence on 7-night sailings to Arles, in Provence (followed by a one-night hotel stay in Nice). Guests board the ship in Chalon-sur-Saône (about 185 miles from Paris) after bunking down for two evenings in the French capital (premium hotels are included in rate). Port highlights include the Beaujolais wine region, Lyon, Avignon, and others –complimentary shore excursions and guided sightseeing are offered for each.  Read the rest of this post »

The Luxury The SeaDream Yacht Club has the perfect fallback plan for travelers should the last leg of winter just not want to quit: Carrying only 112 passengers, the SeaDream I will set sail from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 23 and spend five nights plying the Caribbean. The ship’s small size will allow it to dock at less crowded ports, including the stunning bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico; as well as Gustavia on St. Barts; and two of the British Virgin Islands: Norman Island and Jost Van Dyke. (Norman Island served as the backdrop for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island.) SeaDream offers a more unstructured vacation than what’s granted on most cruise lines: Guests can linger in ports without feeling rushed and dress casually while enjoying a luxurious experience. Read the rest of this post »

SHERMAN’S EXCLUSIVE

The Luxury Itineraries for Blue Lagoon Cruises maximize Fiji’s remote appeal. Passengers spend only a few hours each day at sea aboard the 70-passenger Fiji Princess, and the rest anchored in isolated lagoons. En route to the Yasawa Islands, the six-night Gold Club sailing includes visits to traditional Fijian villages where guests are greeted with an ancient welcoming ceremony. Back on deck, tropically inflected dinners are accompanied by live island music. The trip finishes up with a visit to the private island of Nanuya Lailai, where guests can snorkel, kayak, or simply enjoy the secluded oasis. Read the rest of this post »

This year, French Country Waterways is tipping their glass to married couples everywhere by offering a quinquennial wedding anniversary special (for those that have been together for five or more years). The luxury river-barge line is reducing rates by five percent for each quinquennial anniversary celebrated. The longer couples have been married, the more they’ll save (it almost makes up for those brief moments when they may have wanted to kill each other). Lovebirds celebrating their golden anniversary will save 50 percent! This offer is valid from April through October, however to get the most bang-for-the-buck, as part of shoulder-season savings, sailings in April are already reduced up to $1,000  – starting from $4,845.

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THE LUXURY Itineraries for Blue Lagoon Cruises maximize Fiji’s remote appeal. Passengers spend only a few hours each day at sea aboard the 70-passenger Fiji Princess, and the rest anchored in isolated lagoons. Enroute to the Yasawa Islands, the six-night Gold Club sailing includes visits to traditional Fijian villages where guests are greeted with an ancient welcoming ceremony. Back on deck, tropically inflected dinners are accompanied by live island music. The trip fi nishes
up with a visit to the private island of Nanuya Lailai, where guests can snorkel, kayak, or simply enjoy the secluded oasis.
THE VALUE Sherman’s Travel readers will save 30 percent on all three- to six-night itineraries through April 30 booked by March 15. With the discount, the price for the six-night Gold Club cruise starts at $2,171 a person.
THE CATCH Airfare to Fiji, which runs at least $1,100 round-trip from the West Coast or $1,400 from the East Coast, is not included.
THE DETAILS Call 877/252-3454 (mention code 30%OFFALLST), or visit www.bluelagooncruises.com.

From the February/March issue of Sherman’s Travel Magazine.

The French cruise line, Compagnie Du Ponant has been kept a secret for over 20 years by European travelers, but now that the company is planning on opening a new office in Miami, the cat is out of the bag. Ponant specializes in luxury cruises to off-the-path ports in Antarctica, Greenland, Europe, and beyond.  Passengers can enjoy exceptional cuisine, spacious staterooms, and a welcoming family environment (kids sail free). Now, with two new state-of-the-art mega yachts on the way it’s quickly becoming a rising star in the industry.

When the newest ship, Le Boréal debuts in May 2010 she will uphold the sleek, modern design found on the three others, but Le Boréal will also feature impressive new amenities. Some highlights include a spa and fitness center, theater, all oceanview cabins with iPod docking stations, internet access, and even espresso machines in suite cabins. (After all, it is a European ship.) The maiden voyage, which is priced from 2,390€ ($3,547), embarks from Monaco and sails to Naples, Capri, Portofino, and other charming ports of call throughout Italy and France. L’Austral, the sister ship of Le Boréal, will launch in 2010.

For more information about Compagnie Du Ponant, visit www.ponant.com.

SHERMAN’S EXCLUSIVE

The Luxury The lesser-known Marseilles-based cruise line, Compagnie du Ponant has been drawing adventure-seeking Europeans for over 20 years, is now making waves among U.S. travelers. This winter, the intimate 200-passenger vessel, Le Diamant will be gliding through the majestic waters of Antarctica on a 10-night voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina. In addition to navigating the Brown Bluff, Drake Passage, and Paradise Bay, this unforgettable journey will take passengers to Deception Island, and other remote ports of call for a rare opportunity to witness penguin colonies in their natural habitat. During the time at sea, enjoy the ship’s intimate setting by relaxing in the library and observation lounge, or dining on exquisite French cuisine. Read the rest of this post »

The Luxury Over the holidays the port cities of Northern Europe beckon visitors to a winter wonderland. This December, the Fred Olsen company offers a memorable voyage aboard its elegant Balmoral to ports of call graced by traditional holiday markets. Embarking from Dover, England, on December 12, the seven-night cruise stops in Copenhagen, which will glow with enchanting lights. The ship also stops in Hamburg, Germany, and Amsterdam (pictured), where passengers can browse for handcrafted decorations or homemade sweets. Travelers will spend evenings on land, and pass their days at sea, perhaps warming up in the British pub or leafing through a book in the library (topside turns a bit chilly). Read the rest of this post »

The Luxury: Those seeking relief from holiday stress can try a quick three-night Bahamas cruise. Embarking December 14 or December 17, these sailings will let first-time cruise-goers get their feet wet while checking out Princess Cruises’ latest addition to its fleet, the 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess. The voyages sail from Fort Lauderdale to the cruise line’s own private island resort, Princess Cays. Launched in November 2008, the Ruby Princess includes highlights like an adults-only Sanctuary area, an outdoor movie theater, a nine-hole putting course, a sprawling piazza-style atrium, and  duty-free boutiques. Passengers can take refuge from the seasonal rush within the Lotus Spa or the ship’s signature Italian restaurant.

The Value: The price of a mini suite starts at $369 per person ($411 with taxes), about a 33 percent discount on the original rates.
The Catch: The ship docks in the Bahamas for just eight hours.
The Details: Call 800/774-6237, or visit  www.princess.com.

From the Smart Luxury issue of Sherman’s Travel magazine.

If you’re thinking that this trend of over-the-top onboard entertainment is the new direction of the cruise industry: think again. One cruise line that has recently surfaced is traveling back in time by placing emphasis back on the ports of call. Voyages to Antiquity will soon be sailing the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Red Sea with a focus on the culture and history of each destination. Founded by Gerry Herrod, (who also introduced Ocean Cruise Line and Orient Lines), Voyages to Antiquity will offer nine unique itineraries aboard its boutique vessel, the Aegean Odyssey – which is slated to debut in May 2010.

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