Royal Caribbean International announces 2012 Bermuda and Caribbean voyages aboard Explorer of the Seas Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas’ summer and autumn 2013 line-up will feature 30 sailings to 17 spectacular ports of call on seven itineraries all from the Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New Jersey, near Manhattan. … Read entire article »

Weve come to expect extraordinary repertory and excellent performances from the Milwaukee Choral Artists, under the direction of Sharon Hansen. The womens chorus delivered both Saturday (April 14) at Fox Point Lutheran Church. This Eastern Voyages program focused on music associated with two “easts,” Eastern Europe and East Asia. Five folksongs from Slovenia, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Ukraine opened the concert. The relatively conventional Macedonian and Ukrainian folk-songs contrasted intriguingly with the more rugged Slovenian and Bulgarian sounds. The singers deserve special recognition for singing all of these works in their original languages, as well as imitating (in the Bulgarian song) the unique vocal colors of Bulgarian folk choirs. Most choirs (and choir directors) would not be so brave. Igor Stravinskys Four Russian Peasant Songs for womens choir and four horns followed. The … Read entire article »

Correction Appended James Cameron, the filmmaker whose credits include “Avatar” and “Titanic,” plunged on Sunday in a minisubmarine of his own design to the bottom of the planet’s deepest recess, sinking through the dark waters of the western Pacific to a depth of nearly seven miles. Multimedia Graphic Deep Dive Related Rocket Plunge to Deep End of the Planet (March 20, 2012) Related in Opinion Op-Ed Contributor: Exploring Our Own Alien World (March 27, 2012) RSS Feed Get Science News From The New York Times » … Read entire article »

Quark Expeditions announces another addition to the companys long list of polar firsts. Quark will offset the emissions of the Ocean Diamond, the companys newest ship, thereby offering the first carbon neutral voyages in polar travel history. Travelers to Antarctica, one of the worlds most remote and remarkable destinations for once-in-a-lifetime vacations, will be guaranteed to have a green experience at no added cost to any passenger. Since the companys inception, Quark has been committed to environmentally responsible tourism, said Hans Lagerweij, president of Quark Expeditions. By operating the Ocean Diamond Antarctica voyages as carbon-neutral, we show its possible to visit incredible places and preserve them for future generations. The average emissions per passenger are significantly lower than some former Quark vessels. Carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels are the largest … Read entire article »

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians can soon have a taste of what submariners eat on their long voyages under the sea. The Meat Bar, a ready-to-eat grilled meat dish developed from Royal Malaysian Navy food packs, will be sold in stores once it is produced commercially. Coming in three flavours black pepper, percik madu and satay the packs of chicken or beef only need to be placed in boiling water or in the microwave to be heated before consumption. We came up with local flavours just as we fine-tuned products for the military to suit our needs, said Science and Technology Research Institute For Defence (Stride) director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Ghaffar Ramli here yesterday. It is among our products which we have been working on for the past two years, he said at the Stride … Read entire article »

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – In the 1470s, the prominent Spinola family of Genoa had an apprentice business agent in Barcelona named Christopher Columbus helping to handle their shipments, preparing the young sailor for his later voyages of discovery to the New World. These days, that Italian clan and other ultra-affluent families are moving assets to Singapore by setting up family offices in a city-state often touted as the Switzerland of Asia. Wealthy people from Europe and the Americas have long looked to the East for ways to build and preserve their fortunes. But only recently have they started opening family offices – private companies that manage the trusts and investments of rich households – in the region in earnest. Because Asia has been a place where weve been investing very heavily – more than … Read entire article »

Sixteen new destinations feature in Swan Hellenic’s 2013-14 sailing programme on the single ship Minerva. The line is reflecting sister All Leisure brand Voyages of Discovery in offering free return chauffeur-driven transfers for passengers opting for higher grade cabins as well as a 10% early booking discount until May 31 and free insurance. The complimentary chauffeur service covers travel within a 75-mile radius of the departure port or airport on all cruises departing from February 13, 2013. Those booking a 2013 cruise are also being offered up to 30% off winter 2012-13 extended voyages. Newly revamped Minerva will call at 184 ports around the world in 2013/14 with ex-UK summer departures from Portsmouth to the Baltic, Norway, Spitsbergen, British Isles, Iceland, France and Ireland. Swan Hellenic’s winter 2013-14 programme marks the start of the … Read entire article »

By Osamu Tsukimori TOKYO | Thu Apr 12, 2012 5:37am EDT … Read entire article »

Quark Expeditions is to offset the emissions of a new ‘green’ vessel to operate in Antarctica. This will enable the adventure operator to offer what it claims to be the first carbon-neutral voyages in polar travel history. Quark will offset an estimated 5,682 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents with selected hydro, wind power and reforestation carbon-neutral projects based in Turkey, Kenya, China and India. New 189-passenger ship Ocean Diamond will depart on its 19-night maiden voyage to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica on November 3 with prices starting at £6,060 per person. Company president Hans Lagerwell said: “Since the company’s inception, Quark has been committed to environmentally responsible tourism. “By operating the Ocean Diamond Antarctica voyages as carbon-neutral, we show it’s possible to visit incredible places and preserve them for future generations. “The … Read entire article »

There are cruises – and then there are Voyages. This week marks the start of a new feature on The Avid Cruiser: the introduction of a series of weekly articles we like to call Avid Cruiser Voyages. Designed to highlight some of the the must-see destinations and itineraries that remain exclusive to the cruise industry, Avid Cruiser Voyages will take you off the beaten path to discover new lands by sea, or to simply provide a new way of exploring a classic destination. … Read entire article »