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MSC Cruises Opens Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas

2/13/2020

MSC Divina at MSC Cruises Ocean Cay private island in the Bahamas

By John Roberts
Cruise lines have long battled the perception that they are part of the problem when it comes to the environment and conservation.
In decades past, that reputation was well earned.
MSC Cruises, however, has made it a mission to be part of the solution. And the signature project for the world's fastest-growing cruise line is something the entire cruise industry can be proud of -- and should use as a template for responsible development of private cruise destinations.

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve features a Lighthouse that has a light show at night. You also can climb the tower for amazing views of the entire island.

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve is an eco-friendly port that opened in December 2019 after a three-year cleanup and rehabilitation project that transformed a former industrial sand-excavation site in the Bimini Islands chain.
The 95-acre island is located just 65 miles from downtown Miami, and MSC partnered with scientists and engineers to build a gorgeous cruise destination that features soft white sands, mesmerizing blue waters and plenty of watersports activities.

The marine life, such as sharks, rays and tropical fish are returning to the waters as the coral reef around the cay and the seabed and seagrasses improve. The marine reserve features 64 miles of protected waters, and you won't find swimming pools, ziplines or waterslides at Ocean Cay.
Instead, it's a destination where cruisers can come to embrace the beauty of nature and interact a bit with the marine life in a natural way. Ocean Cay also will have a Conservation Center that will be an active base for resident scientists to study the coral, seagrass and marine creatures. The educators will also interact with passengers to help them learn more about Ocean Cay and marine conservation.

Dr. Owen R. O'Shea, a research scientist at the Centre for Ocean Research & Education (CORE), has worked alongside MSC Cruises on the development of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. I spoke with him at length about the significance of the project and its importance in raising awareness among travelers.
Check out the full interview in my video below:

If you are interested in cruises that take you to Ocean Cay and what you can do at this revolutionary new cruise destination, you might also like . . .

Discover Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

We're excited that companies like MSC Cruises are taking a leadership role in educating travelers and creating new experiences that aim to have a positive impact on the environment. What do you think?

Thanks for reading, and remember to always travel happy!
JR

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Viking Expands Focus on Destinations with New Expedition Fleet

2/7/2020

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The Hangar marina features the Zodiacs and other toys you use for your expeditions. // Renderings courtesy of Viking

By John Roberts
Viking has joined the rapidly growing expedition cruising scene, announcing new ships and itineraries for the polar regions plus the Great Lakes.
Viking's launch of new expedition voyages further expands the rapidly growing line's reach throughout the word. Viking's fleet of sleek ships has long been the preferred choice for river cruisers, and its line of adults-only 930-passenger ocean ships have earned rave reviews for their appeal to people seeking an emphasis on destinations.
Now, Viking's destination-focused travel experiences get an additional boost with the Viking Expeditions program available on the new ships that will begin sailing in January 2022.
The first vessel, Viking Octantis will feature voyages to Antarctica and North America's Great Lakes. Then, Viking Polaris will debut in August 2022 and sail to Antarctica and the Arctic. Viking's arrival to the Great Lakes brings the newest and most modern vessels ever to explore this region of North America and will bring a huge boost to tourism for the states of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario.

The Hangar marina offers a innovative way to load passengers into boats for daily excursions.

The ships will feature many of the favorite venues and amenities found on the ocean ships, in a scaled down version. The ships will carry up to 378 people, have a pool, World Cafe, Mamsens eatery, Living Room, AquaVit Terrace, Explorers Lounge, Library, balcony suites, LivNordic Spa and fitness center.
The ships will also have a number of innovative features, like the Aula glass-walled auditorium with tiered seating that allows full panoramic views of the scenery outside the ship. This space leads to a gorgeous terrace outside. The Hangar is a marina that is enclosed in a mid-ship space, offering the fleet of Zodiacs, RIB boats and kayaks. Passengers will enjoy seamless and safe loading into the boats for their tours and adventures.

The Aula glass-walled auditorium has picturesque views at the aft.

"We invented the concept of modern river cruising when we launched in 1997," Viking founder and chairman Torstein Hagen said. "Then, we reinvented ocean cruises . . . . Now, in creating the 'thinking person's expedition,' we are perfecting polar expedition cruising, and we will usher in a new era of comfortable exploration in the heart of North America."
With the addition of an expedition fleet, Viking will be able to provide voyages on more than 20 rivers, five oceans and five Great Lakes, visiting 403 ports in 95 countries on all seven continents.
Viking has partnered with some of the world's most prestigious scientific institutions. The lead partner is the University of Cambridge's Scott Polar Research Institute. This relationship is underpinned by a major endowment from Viking for scientific research into the polar regions: The Viking Chair of Polar Marine Geoscience, a Cambridge University full professorship based at the Scott Polar Research Institute, as well as a sponsorship fund supporting the Instituteâ€™s graduate students.
As part of this endowment, the institute's scientists will perform field work on board Viking's expedition vessels and join voyages to share their expertise with passengers. Viking has also partnered with The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a globally recognized bird research facility, whose ornithologists will regularly be onboard the expedition ships, providing advice and interaction.
Additionally, Viking has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), whose scientists will join expeditions in the Great Lakes to conduct research focused on changes in the region's weather, climate and ecosystems. NOAA scientists may also offer enrichment lectures about the Great Lakes' unique environment during these voyages.

The Living Room is a popular space on Viking ships.

Viking has partnered with some of the worldâ€™s most prestigious scientific institutions. The lead partner is the University of Cambridge's Scott Polar Research Institute. This relationship is underpinned by a major endowment from Viking for scientific research into the polar regions: The Viking Chair of Polar Marine Geoscience, a Cambridge University full professorship based at the Scott Polar Research Institute, as well as a sponsorship fund supporting the Instituteâ€™s graduate students.
As part of this endowment, the institute's scientists will perform field work on board Viking's expedition vessels and join voyages to share their expertise with passengers. Viking has also partnered with The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a globally recognized bird research facility, whose ornithologists will regularly be onboard the expedition ships, providing advice and interaction.
Additionally, Viking has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), whose scientists will join expeditions in the Great Lakes to conduct research focused on changes in the region's weather, climate and ecosystems. NOAA scientists may also offer enrichment lectures about the Great Lakes' unique environment during these voyages.

The Explorers Lounge also features amazing views to soak in during your expedition.

Noted adventurers and educators Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft were named ceremonial godmothers to Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, respectively. Arnesen, a native of Norway, became the first woman in the world to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole in 1994. Bancroft is the first woman to successfully ski to both poles. Arnesen and Bancroft also became the first women to ski across Antarctica in 2001. Together, they co-founded Bancroft Arnesen Explore / Access Water, an environmental initiative. Arnesen will periodically serve as a member of the Viking Expedition Team.

Thanks for reading,
JR

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Our Expedition Cruise to Antarctica with Abercrombie & Kent

2/3/2020

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This cute Weddell seal was among the first creatures to greet us when we reached Antarctica.

By John Roberts
We like to think of ourselves as adventurous travelers.
That means Antarctica had been on our radar for quite a while, of course.
So, imagine our excitement when the calendar ticked off the days toward 2020 and counted down the time until our voyage to the White Continent with Abercrombie & Kent.
We rang in the new year in style with a special trip of a lifetime, a 21-day journey to Antarctica and South Georgia Island. There are so many ways to cruise in the Antarctic region these days, and we were happy to be traveling with A&K, which pulls out all the stops when it comes to an all-inclusive luxury experience.
An expedition to such a rugged environment goes nicely when paired with the special touches and posh accommodations we had onboard our small cruise ship. Abercrombie & Kent partners with Ponant to offer these voyages. A&K provides the expedition leaders, and Ponant provides the ship that is used as your floating boutique hotel as you sail down from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the Southern Ocean and the most remote places on earth.
While the first explorers to the Antarctic sailed in sturdy wooden sail boats being tossed around like corks on the ocean, we were quite pleased to be in the high-seas-worthy and plenty stable Le Lyrial, a ship that carries up to 199 passengers on its Antarctica voyages.
We did have our own period being thrashed about by the high seas, however. That was just part of an overall spectacularly memorable adventure that also had us cuddling up to penguins and seals and gazing at soaring seabirds by the hundreds. The awesome beauty of nature and wildlife was on full display.
This is the first of two posts that recaps our expedition cruise Antarctica and South Georgia Island with Abercrombie & Kent.

Our trip included four days in Buenos Aires, where we went on an organized tour and also had time to explore the city on our own.

BUENOS AIRES AND ANTARCTICA
Our experience started in Buenos Aires with four pre-cruise days to explore the capital of Argentina. Some of the other travelers on our cruise chose the other A&K pre-cruise option to spend time at Iguazu Falls. A group of 30 took that side trip to see the awe-inspiring waterfalls, one of the most iconic sights on the planet.

Abercrombie & Kent offers a city tour that stops at the Plaza de Mayo, home of the presidential residence, "The Pink Palace."

The Rio de la Plata offers a vibrant and emerging waterfront area within the city.

La Recoleta Cemetery is one of the top attractions in Buenos Aires.

The cemetery is adorned with beautiful tombs.

We also got our fill of delicious steaks.

In Buenos Aires, we set out for independent exploration, taking a couple morning runs to see all the highlights and numerous beautiful parks. We made a special point to go to La Recoleta Cemetery, one of the most famous burial places in the world. It has thousands of graves with beautifully carved tombs, and the winding walkways, trees and plants at the site give it the feel of a majestic park.
We also enjoyed meals featuring the renowned Argentinian steaks and empanadas. Not being wine drinkers, I know we missed out on the lovely Malbecs that people rave about, but we got a taste of the local beers to wash down our delicious and astoundingly inexpensive meals. We paid just over $60 at Piegari Carnes -- for a delightful steak dinner with appetizers, sides, breads, drinks and outstanding service.
That was a great way to cap our last night in Buenos Aires.
The next morning, we boarded a charter flight with our fellow cruisers to fly the three-plus hours south to Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego at the "End of the World."

During the cruise south toward Antarctica, passengers and expedition leaders frequently gathered outside to look for seabirds such as albatross and petrels.

When the gorgeous ice came into view, we knew we had arrived to Antarctic waters.

Trying on our red parkas, which would be our uniforms throughout the voyage.

The voyage takes more than two days of sailing south, and we would spend three days in Antarctica.
We got settled in and familiarized with the cruise ship. Le Lyrial is a luxury expedition ship from Ponant, and the layout covers seven decks.
While sailing, it's a good time to head to the outer decks and watch all the seabirds -- and whales frequently emerge in the chilly waters. Abercombie & Kent's naturalists join passengers to point out birds, highlight the distinguishing characteristics of each type and answer any questions. We get our cold-weather parkas, pants and boots and make sure they are sized correctly. The red jackets and black pants will come to represent our uniforms for the week, and we stand out as a regiment of curious and eager explorers each day as we march around the ship or along the beaches and paths at our destinations.
The two photo experts sailing with us also offered the best tips for lighting and advice on how to capture great shots of wildlife and nature. The two sea days were also filled with a series of enrichment talks held in the ship's main theater. We enjoyed the free time to get to know our fellow cruisers over cocktails in the main lounge and at dinners at the buffet restaurant and in the main dining room.
Like us, almost every other passenger was excited to make their first visit to the White Continent. For many of them, it marked their seventh and final continent. It was my sixth (still missing Australia) and Colleen's seventh.
The great news: We had smooth sailing through the Drake Passage, which can get notoriously rough and tumble. Some people were actually a little disappointed not to have some nice big waves.
I honestly was a little torn, too. I wanted to see what the big bad Drake is really like, but I also don't like the idea of possibly being seasick for two straight days. Spoiler alert: We would get some legendary swells during a big storm on the way back, but I'll save those details for Part 2 of our trip (a coming post).
As we approached the Antarctic waters on Day 3, we were briefed about the biosecurity measures that are strictly followed to avoid contaminating this pristine destination. We must thoroughly clean our boots, waterproof pants and parkas before heading ashore and upon our return to the ship. This practice continues for each stop of the entire journey and entails walking through a tub of Virkon disinfectant as we pass through the marina area on the water to the skiffs and after we return, as well. We also have to get hosed down regularly with a sprayer to get especially sticky penguin guano (poop) off the soles of our boots.

Gentoos were the most-spotted variety of penguins at our destinations throughout Antarctica.

Our first day in Antarctica brought us ashore on Danco Island, where we were introduced to a gentoo penguin colony. This was our first up-close encounter with the wildlife in Antarctica. The animals are unafraid of humans, so it's a delight to be able to watch them go on about with their fascinating behaviors.
We saw the penguins and seals in a variety of feeding, swimming, playing, squabbling, resting, nesting and mating activities at each destination.
We also stopped at Neko Harbour. This is where we saw the most whale activity of the trip, becoming mesmerized by a large pod of killers. Ashore, we went for a hike past bustling penguin colonies up to a high viewing point over the harbor (see picture immediately below).
The day also turned especially sunny, and a few of us onboard took full advantage of the heated pool on Le Lyrial to have the rare chance to go swimming in Antarctica while gazing at glaciers and snowy mountain peaks.

We had a special day in Neko Harbour. A vigorous hike up a snowy trail yielded these incredible views.

Yes, we were swimming in Antarctica.

The next day, we went on a Zodiac ride in Cierva Cove in the early morning. We saw humpback whales, a leopard seal, crabeater seals, and gentoo and chinstrap penguins. The cove also had some of the most stunning ice formations, including an incredibly pretty sapphire blue formation that shimmered.
In the afternoon, we headed ashore at Mikkelsen Harbor in blustery conditions and marveled at the pile of whale bones on the rocky beach, remnants and reminders of the region's past as a hunting ground for the great creatures.

Cierva Cove was filled with fascinating ice floes and more than a few marine animals.

This crabeater seal is just chilling out.

Mikkelson Harbor is littered with whale bones on the beach.

We awoke to a blustery morning in Yankee Harbor. This was our final day in Antarctica, and it offered another busy schedule for the morning and afternoon. We hopped into our Zodiacs and rode into a crescent-shaped cove to come ashore with the mists hanging over the mountain peak. A large glacier sits adjacent to Yankee Harbor. The glacier created a huge moraine field that we scale to get a look from a higher vantage point. Our expedition guide Jason explained how the curved gravel spit that frames that harbor was caused by the wave action of the seas.
Thousands of gentoos and chinstraps mingle here as one large colony. We saw parents nesting on eggs and others feeding their cute chicks -- many of the youngsters had feathers left dirty and in wild disarray because of the rugged conditions.

Yankee Harbor offered another picturesque look at Antarctica.

Young seals were always practicing their fighting techniques.

This little chinstrap penguin gets in a good stretch.

Sometimes, you just have to scratch that itch.

In the afternoon, our stop at Aitcho Islands brings us to another vast colony of penguins (gentoos and chinstraps, with the odd Adelie penguin in the mix). They are all spread across a series of rocky formations on the island. Polar skua birds harassed several areas of the colony, looking to steal eggs or young chicks.
At the beach, there were dozens of huge elephant seals resting, occasionally tussling and frequently farting and snorting.
It's simply fascinating to see the symphony of wildlife at play on the island, and it was an eye-opening experience overall during our too-short time on the White Continent.
But it was time to get back to Le Lyrial to clean up, eat up and rest up for a couple days of sailing to South Georgia Island. We were told that the wildlife is even more vibrant there.
It's hard to believe that, isn't it? But we'll fact check that claim from our guides, and we'll show you what's there in the next post.

Thanks for reading,
John

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MSC Cruises Opens Ocean Cay Marine Reserve in the Bahamas

Viking Expands Focus on Destinations with New Expedition Fleet

Our Expedition Cruise to Antarctica with Abercrombie & Kent

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