Seattle-based cruise line operator Cruise West is set to offer its first-ever world cruise in 2010.
Having previously operated mainly in Alaska, Cruise West will send its 4,500-ton, 120-passenger ship the Spirit of Oceanus liner on what will be the world’s longest cruise voyage.
The 335-night "Voyages of the Great Explorers", which sets sail on March 5, will visit 242 ports in 59 countries, spanning six continents.
Dietmar Wertanzl, president and CEO of Cruise West, said: "Alaska is who we are, but in this tough economy, we have to do something to stand out."
Since few passengers will sign up for the entire trip, the Great Explorers voyage has been divided into ‘chapters’
"Each of the 24 segments is a voyage by itself, each held at the best time to cruise the best ports in the world," says Wertanzl.
Many of the cruise segments have been scheduled to coincide with regional festivals at the ports. The Spirit of Oceanus ship will visit Edinburgh during the Military Tattoo, a festival showcasing Scottish military music, while passengers on the Auckland-to-
The world cruise also includes visits to 85 World Heritage site; from Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, to the creepy stone heads of Easter Island. There will also be 11 overnight stays during the voyage, in ports such as St. Petersburg in Russia, Istanbul in Turkey and Brisbane in Australia.
Passengers will get to experience a number of unique excursions during their cruise, depending on which section of the voyage they will be on-board for. The Alexandria-to-
So far the cruise has two solo travellers booked for the full 11 months at sea, at a cost of over $250,000. 85 per cent of the bookings are for a single voyage, with the other 15 per cent booking for two segments or more.
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