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Cruise Offerings

By Don Braunagel
Cruise Offerings

Crystal I: Here’s a deal that could dispel the stereotype of cruise-ship passengers wanting only to eat and avoid anything strenuous. In a first, Crystal Cruises is offering its guests a land package that includes a trip to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The nine-night program, offered through a partnership with Micato Safaris and starting in March 2007, is available pre- or post-cruise with two Crystal Serenity itineraries beginning or ending in Cape Town, South Africa.

It’s definitely not for the weak of heart, but you need not be a triathlete. You hike four to six hours each day, then spend the nights in comfortable mountain huts. The varied terrain includes tropical rain forests, alpine grasslands, moorlands, alpine desert, volcanic scree and finally ice fields. Final destination is Uhuru Peak, 19,340 feet up.

The Kilimanjaro excursion must be reserved at least four months in advance. Availability, obviously, is extremely limited. 800-804-1500 or crystalcruises.com.

CRYSTAL II: For 2007, Crystal has slated its first-ever cruise from Singapore to Dubai as part of its return to Asia after a two-year hiatus. The line offers an expanded selection of extended land programs, including a new six-night jaunt to Tibet.

From March through May, Crystal Symphony will take two 14-day journeys exploring China, an 11-day cruise spotlighting Vietnam and the new 16-day Singapore-Dubai cruise featuring three days in Myanmar. Itineraries include overnight stays in such cities as Hong Kong and Shanghai, China; Osaka, Japan; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Bangkok, Thailand; and Singapore. More than 100 optional shore side tours can be customized through the luxury line’s Private Adventures program.

CRYSTAL III: Planning a holiday cruise? Crystal is making it easy, offering a 12-day Mexican Riviera round trip on the luxury Crystal Symphony that will leave directly out of San Diego. Decking the halls of the ship, departing December 22, will be $100,000 of seasonal décor, and the voyage will include a gala black-tie New Year’s Eve celebration. Stopovers include Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and La Paz.

SHIP-TO-SHORE: Since people consider their cell phones important appendages, cruise lines are responding. Carnival has teamed with Wireless Maritime Service to offer high-bandwidth cell-phone connectivity. It should be available fleet-wide by early 2007. International roaming fees will apply.

Silversea is also making it easy to phone home. The line has partnered with SeaMobile. Since, however, there are passengers who cruise to get away from phones, Silversea has set up quiet zones——restaurants, spa, library——where cell phones won’t work.

BIG EASY REDUX: New Orleans’ recovery from Katrina has been painfully slow, but tourism has picked up and will get a boost when Carnival and Amtrak reintroduce their “Rail and Cruise” service in October. Carnival will resume four- and five-day cruises from the port; Amtrak offers discounts to passengers traveling by train to and from all Carnival cruises, through December 13. Carnival’s Fantasy visits Cozumel and Calica or Costa Maya. Amtrak’s City of New Orleans departs daily from Chicago; the Crescent departs daily from New York; and the Sunset Limited departs Los Angeles. 888-CARNIVAL or carnival.com; 800-USA-RAIL or amtrak.com.

TWO-FOR-ONE: Regent’s new luxury Seven Seas Voyager has its inaugural sailings to the Mediterranean in September, October and November, and the line is marking the occasion with some introductory offers, including two-for-one fares, Circles of Interest theme cruises and complimentary commemorative albums. 877-505-4370; rssc.com.