Tag Archives: G Adventures

G Adventures’ New Expedition Sets Sail to South America

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G Adventures’ New Expedition Sets Sail to South America

G Adventures’ new Expedition is currently on its way to South America for its maiden season in Antarctica.

Acquired by the company earlier this year, the former Ocean Adventurer spent the last few months in Europe while being prepared for its debut.

Replacing the former Expedition, the 1976-built vessel is scheduled to kick off its first expedition for G Adventures in late October.

Departing from Montevideo, Uruguay, the itinerary features visits to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica before ending in Ushuaia, Argentina.

According to G Adventures, the expedition is highlighted by wildlife and nature, with opportunities to catch up with penguins, whales and seals.

The cruise also includes daily lectures, as well as zodiac excursions, landings and other activities both onboard and ashore.

While the final itinerary is subject to weather conditions, the company plans to visit Port Stanley, the Scotia Sea, the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula and more.

After arriving in Ushuaia in early November, the new Expedition is set to kick off a series of sailings to Antarctica that includes four itineraries.

Among the options is the “Antarctica Classic” expedition, which sails for 11 nights and includes four days in the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands.

Previously operated by Quark Expeditions, the former Ocean Adventurer was acquired by G Adventures in May.

According to the company, the 117-guest vessel marks “an exciting step” for its polar program, securing the future of its small-ship expeditions and allowing room for expansion.

Chartered from SunStone Ships, the Expedition is said to be more comfortable and efficient, featuring a restaurant and bar, as well as a large presentation lounge, a library, a fitness area, an observation deck and more.

The ship also carries 11 zodiacs for daily excursions, in addition to a minimum of 14 expedition experts per sailing.

In related news, G Adventures has recently announced the relaunch of its Arctic expeditions, set to begin in 2026.

Avalon expands to India with Ganges cruises

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For 2019, Avalon Waterways has packaged Ganges River cruises in several itineraries.

For the cruise portion, guests board the 56-passenger Ganges Voyager for a six-day, roundtrip cruise from Kolkata.

The cruise heads north from Kolkata to visit Kalna, where passengers will take a rickshaw ride to the historic terracotta temple complex, and smaller villages where they will observe brass-making, saree weaving and idol making. Avalon will also offer a visit to a farmer’s home and to a rescue shelter for cows, in addition to the region’s stately sites, such as the Hare Krishna centre in Mayapur.

The Ganges Voyager is an all-suite vessel with accommodations ranging from the 260-square-foot deluxe suite to the 400-square-foot Maharaja suite. There is air conditioning throughout, a lounge and bar, a restaurant, gym, two spa treatment rooms and a partially shaded observation deck.

Avalon joins a handful of other river cruise companies and tour operators that have begun offering Ganges River cruises in recent years. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection launched its Ganges program in 2016, and G Adventures started selling Gange’s cruises in 2015.

Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery cease operations

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British company All Leisure Holidays has ceased operations, according to a message on the company’s websites.

All Leisure operated two cruise ships, the Minerva and the Voyager, under the brand names Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery.

“Regrettably, and due to the adverse financial position of ALH, the business has ceased to trade resulting in the majority of employees being made redundant and the cancellation of all future voyages,” said a message that was posted on both the Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery websites.

Customers who have booked and/or paid for package vacations that include flights were advised to get additional information from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority. Customers who have booked and/or paid for a vacation without flights were advised to make a claim online.

G Adventures acquires tour companies

On Dec. 30, Canadian tour operator G Adventures acquired All Leisure’s tour operations, Travelsphere and Just You.

Travelsphere is an escorted tour company and Just You is a U.K.-based solo travel specialist, which puts together vacations for independent travelers without charging a single supplement.

“We are now able to offer an even wider range of escorted tours right across the world and to suit all age ranges,” G Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip said in a statement.