All aboard for a memorable cruise

Bailey Robinson, the designer of authentic bespoke journeys worldwide, is highlighting five memorable cruise options to South America and the Galapagos, the Antarctic, British Columbia and Egypt.

9-day Air Cruise to Antartica with 10% discount if booked before 28 Feb
Beyond Tierra del Fuego, at the bottom of South America, lies Antarctica, the world’s last great wilderness, not to mention the earth’s coldest, driest, highest and least populated continent. Adventure lovers will relish Bailey Robinson’s fantastic nine-day air-cruise on board the Grigory Mikheev whose highlights include visiting:

- the Frei Chilean Base and the Bellingshausen Russian Base on King -- George Island in the South Shetland Islands
- sailing along ice-filled fjords between spectacular icebergs
- watching sea birds, penguins, seals and whales
- daily exploratory landings
- educational lectures

The 9-day itinerary costs from £8,295 per person sharing a double cabin and includes flights from London to Santiago de Chile, two nights in the Chilean capital, flight to Punta Arenas in Tierra del Fuego, an overnight hotel in Punta Arenas followed by the fully-inclusive six day/five night air-cruise.

Bailey Robinson also offers shorter trips to Antarctica aboard the Silversea Expedition cruise ship Prince Albert II starting from £4,535 per person, based on double occupancy.

Luxury Nile cruise on “The Oberoi Zahara”
The Oberoi Zahara, launched by the Oberoi Group just over a year ago, is setting new standards in Nile cruising with guests enjoying all the pampering an exclusive boutique hotel can offer whilst discovering the amazing highlights of ancient Egypt. Highlights of Bailey Robinson’s seven-night Nile cruises, Luxor to Aswan or vice versa, include:

- Valley of the Kings and Queens including Hatshepsut’s Temple and Colossi of Memnon
- Tutanhkhamun’s tomb
- shopping in the bazaars of Luxor
- Karnak Temple, the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae at Aswan
- afternoon sail by felucca around Kitchener’s Island and its Botanical Gardens
- optional excursion by air or coach to the Temple of Abu Simbel

Guests also benefit from exclusive docking areas transferring to small luxury coaches for the land excursions. On board accommodation includes 25 elegant cabins with panoramic views of the Nile and facilities such as massage suites and spa, swimming pool, gym, library, cigar lounge and theatre. There is also an on board astronomer to explain the majestic night sky.

Prices start from £2,050 per person, based in two people sharing a double cabin, and include international flights, transfers, guided excursions as per itinerary and full board accommodation. Luxor March departures are on 10th and 24th, and 3rd and 17th from Aswan.

Wildlife/culinary/garden/activity cruises on “Pacific Yellowfin”
Travellers seeking an unforgettable cruise in a stunning destination should head for British Columbia and the M.V. Pacific Yellowfin, a former US military ship from the 1940’s that has been luxuriously decked out.

Cruise options range from two to seven nights and include the two-night ‘Gulf Islands Culinary Cruise’ featuring the region’s freshest organic produce, artisan cheese and just caught Dungeness crabs. This cruise can be combined with the five-night ‘Culinary Garden Cruise’ that explores the region’s best gardens.

For active cruisers the three-night “Desolation Sound Explorer” includes kayaking, canoeing and swimming. Additionally, all itineraries will satisfy wildlife lovers as cruising through British Columbia’s Mediterranean-like Gulf Islands offers the opportunity to see humpback whales, eagles, grizzly bears, coastal wolves and stella sea lions.

The five-night ‘Culinary Garden Cruise’ starts from £2,455 per person and includes international flights with British Airways, internal flights, accommodation in an Orca Cabin, all meals and beverages, guided kayaking, hiking, use of bikes and motorbikes, all permits and meet and greet services.

Cruise the Galapagos on Grace Kelly’s honeymoon yacht
Experience the amazing Galapagos Islands in ultimate luxury on the 145 foot ‘M/Y Grace’, the honeymoon yacht of Princess Grace of Monaco given to her as a wedding gift from Aristotle Onassis. The indulgent onboard service, coupled with a remarkable nature and wildlife experience, is unlike anything currently offered in the Galapagos and is ideal for couples, families and private charters.

By opting for this elegant yacht, travellers will see sites along the Galapagos archipelago normally out of bounds to larger ships. Highlights include:

- the Tower of Genovesa, a giant collapsed crater
- Floreana Island
- Punta Espinosa
- Fernandina
- North Seymour Island

The awe inspiring wildlife includes blue-footed boobies, the magnificent frigate bird, marine iguanas, giant tortoises and playful sea lions. The yacht has nine spacious staterooms with private bathrooms, accommodating a maximum of 18 guests. Facilities include a sun deck, library, bar and Jacuzzi.

Prices start from £4,990 per person, based on two people sharing a double cabin, and includes return flights to Quito, two nights at the Hotel Plaza Grande, Quito, return internal flight to the Galapagos, seven-night full-board cruise, plus a tour to the Otavalo area and the $100 Galapagos National Park Tax.

Epic 91-day Silversea “Spirit of South America” maiden voyage
Silversea has announced that Silver Spirit’s maiden voyage will be the epic 91-day ‘Sprit of South America’ cruise which will set sail from Fort Lauderdale on 21 January 2010. Bailey Robinson has started taking bookings for this amazing journey that will see the ship:

- dock in Rio de Janeiro in time for the world’s most famous carnival
- journey around the end of the earth at Cape Horn
- explore the beautiful Mexican Riviera
- pass through the Panama Canal
- and arrive in New York Harbour for a spectacular Statue of Liberty event

In total, the ship will visit 45 ports in over 20 different destinations across two continents with overnight stays in Fort Lauderdale, Rio, Buenos Aires, Punta Arenas, Lima, Acapulco and Los Angeles. Guests will also have the opportunity to attend the ship’s naming ceremony, a gala dinner event on the eve of departure, and a VIP evening at the Rio Carnival. They will also receive a $2,000 spending credit per suite.

Prices for the whole cruise start from £23,597 per person, based on double occupancy. Amongst other luxurious amenities the Silver Spirit will offer a 8,300 square-foot spa, a fitness centre, a pool deck, a library and internet cafe, various boutiques and a full schedule of enrichment programs.

For more information, visit Baileyrobinson.com.