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Eight Awesome Expedition Experiences You'll Love for 2020

9/3/2019

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Picture
Antarctica // Courtesy Abercrombie & Kent
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The Galapagos // Photos courtesy Silversea
By John Roberts
Active travel is our favorite travel, and because we just have to keep on moving, we try to ensure that we always have something to look forward to.
This means we keep our eyes open for new things to try. Next year, it will be all about the expeditions. We have traveled on dozens of cruises, and many of them came with elements of adventure or a strong expedition feel.
Within the next year, though, Colleen and I will be finally heading to two of the most remote regions of the world for a couple of true expeditions -- epic trips that have always ranked high on our wish lists.
In the next three years, more than 24 new expedition cruise ships will be launched, offering travelers more routes and opportunities to travel in style while exploring natural wonders all over the globe.
In this post, I will outline our two upcoming expeditions that will take us to Antarctica and the Galapagos, plus show you a batch of new ships and itineraries that you can look forward to in 2020.

Our First True Expeditions
We're heading to Antarctica with Abercrombie and Kent. This company has been a leader in combining luxury and adventure for five decades, and we'll be sailing and exploring in style on a Ponant expedition ship that carries just 200 passengers.
Abercrombie and Kent's classic expeditions to Antarctica start in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We'll spend a couple days in this vibrant city over the New Year's holiday before starting our cruise itinerary.
The voyage starts in Ushuaia -- the gateway to Antarctica at the end of the world -- and cruises through the Drake Passage before we reach the White Continent for time to spot unique ice formations, penguins, seals and other wildlife.
This type of trip requires more extensive preparation, mainly packing warm-weather clothes and having some sea sickness remedies in mind for the Drake Passage, which can be notoriously rough. We're quite excited though to undertake this adventure to such a remote and important region of the world.
In May, we'll be heading to another vital and fascinating destination: The Galapagos. We all know about the important wildlife diversity here, and we're going to explore this legendary archipelago with Silversea on its 100-passenger Silver Galapagos luxury ship.
The expedition will start with time in Quito, Ecuador, for a few days of hiking and other activities (we're organizing this stuff on our own). Then, we take a flight to Baltra, an island in the center of the Galapagos, to join Silver Galapagos and start our weeklong expedition. We'll sail to 15 different spots while swimming, snorkeling, going on nature walks and hiking to spy blue footed boobies, marine iguanas, giant tortoises, sea lions, penguins and so much more.
The cruise ends in San Cristobal before we fly back to Guayaquil on the mainland to start our trip back home. This Galapagos adventure will be incredible for the photography opportunities and chances to interact with wildlife in their natural and unspoiled environment.

Ships to Look Forward To
Aside from the two trips we have in the works, there are a number of new experiences coming online. A slate of brand-new expedition ships will give active travelers a way to mix their adventures with a side of luxury.
The new Scenic Eclipse has just debuted as an ultra-luxury, all-inclusive expedition ship. Scenic calls the vessel a discovery yacht, and the innovative ship carries 228 passengers in 114 suites. The elegant decor complements the rugged voyages passengers can take to the polar regions and destinations all over the map on Scenic's first ocean ship.
Scenic Eclipse has 10 distinct dining options and features two helicopters, a six-person submarine, heated pool with retractable roof, fitness studios, spa, hot tubs and snorkeling and scuba equipment.
Another luxury expedition cruise option coming in 2020, Crystal Endeavor will sail with up to 200 passengers on itineraries all over the world. The vessel will have a polar class rating that allows it to break ice and reach locations other luxury expedition yachts can't reach.
The ship also is unique in the extras that you can enjoy during your adventure. Crystal Endeavor offers butler service, Michelin-style dining, a glass-enclosed Solarium with pool and hot tub, casino and spa and fitness center. It also carries two helicopters and a seven-person submersible vehicle.
Lindblad Expeditions' new National Geographic Endurance is coming in early 2020 and will carry up to 126 passengers on polar expeditions. The ship is named to honor famed explorer Ernest Shackleton and the Endurance ship on which he set sail in 1914 to the Antarctic.
National Geographic Endurance has more than 10,000 square feet of glass and a special bow design enabling unparalleled scenic viewing as you sail. It's built to be a home base while you visit the world's most remote regions. Expert guides will lead the way with a variety of tools for adventure, such as cross-country skis, kayaks, hydrophones, underwater video cameras, a remotely operated vehicle, a video microscope and a helicopter landing platform. The ship also features a spa, yoga studio, sauna, fitness center, infinity-style hot tubs and multiple dining options.
Silversea is bringing a bold new luxury ship to the Galapagos. Silver Origin will carry 100 passengers for all-inclusive exploration of the Galapagos. The ship will offer eight Zodiac skiffs, expert guides, floor-to-ceiling views, an Observation and Stargazing Platform and two restaurants featuring authentic Ecuadorian cuisine.

New Itineraries
Among the new 2020 expedition experiences that have us excited are new itineraries added by UnCruise Adventures, one of our favorite small-ship lines. UnCruise is expanding its lineup of destinations with trips that now give travelers opportunities to explore Colombia, Guatemala and Belize -- in addition to existing expeditions in Alaska, Costa Rica, Panama, Coastal Washington, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, Sea of Cortez and Hawaii.
UnCruise's new voyages:
Colombia and Panama
The line's 66-passenger Safari Voyager sails three trips on a new weeklong Colombia and Panama "Coral, Jungles, Canal" itinerary between Cartagena and Panama City (or reverse) in October. On the trip, you will transit the Panama Canal, meet native Guna and Embera people and visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites -- the Darien Jungle and the colonial walled city of Cartagena.
Belize and Guatemala
Six departures on a new weeklong adventure cruise explores the beaches and jungles of Belize and Guatemala. Safari Voyager sails in this region October to December and offers the opportunity to snorkel Belize's Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, seek out marine life, venture up the Monkey River and explore Mayan historical sites.

We think this array of expedition experiences will appeal to all of you adventure-seekers out there. Which ones do you like?
Thanks for reading,
JR
We are an affiliate of Cruise Critic Smart Deals, where you can find the best prices for your upcoming cruises. Check out the deals here. We get a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you click through and visit the website. Happy sailing!
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Crystal Serenity Shows Us What's Possible for Fitness as We Age

12/31/2018

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fitness studio on Crystal Serenity cruise ship
Crystal Serenity has a well-equipped gym, and fitness instructors lead classes to suit all levels. The classes are included in your cruise fare.
By John Roberts

I am not generally a person who holds preconceived notions about any travel experiences.

It's much better to "see for myself" -- and then judge whether it's something I would enjoy doing regularly.

But I must admit that I was more than a little skeptical about how many good fitness options would be available on Crystal Serenity as I prepared to take a voyage on the refurbished luxury cruise ship.

I had heard about Crystal Cruises' sailings and know they appeal to well-traveled and "well-aged" travelers. The average age on these cruises regularly touches 60 and older, with many of the nearly 1,000 passengers onboard well past 70.

So, I wondered whether I would be among a few in the gym getting in my daily workouts and also what else could I find to do on the ship that can get the blood flowing and ticker pumping a bit.

Turns out there is a pretty nice complement of fitness options, and many of these consist of leisure-type sports that I can appreciate as a draw to people who want to stay active as they age.

While I am determined to stick to my hardcore workouts and adventurous pursuits as long as possible, I do realize that there will be a time that I -- a nearly 52-year-old kid at heart
 -- will be forced to slow down.

I'm in denial now, of course, but I was glad to see so many options available onboard for when I must retool my fitness regimen. I have long been preaching that you have to use it or lose it when it comes to your body and aging, and I saw so many people on this luxury cruise who shared that motto.

The gym on Crystal Serenity was regularly packed, as the ship's fitness center features a full range of cardio and weight-training equipment. Throughout the week of my sailing, people of all ages were in the gym fairly religiously, starting their days with a vigorous workout.

However, it was the extra options for fitness that caught my attention.

Here are five cool sports and activities you can enjoy on Crystal Serenity:
Crystal Cruises Crystal Serenity paddle tennis courts
Two paddle tennis courts are located on Deck 13 on Crystal Serenity.
Paddle Tennis
Not exactly tennis but certainly more similar to that traditional court sport than pickleball, paddle tennis takes place on a nearly full-sized tennis court using a tennis ball and a solid paddle instead of a racket with strings.

The net is a little lower than in tennis and the court smaller. Crystal Serenity and its sister ship Crystal Symphony are two of the very few ships on the oceans to offer paddle tennis courts. Crystal Serenity has two paddle tennis courts that were constantly in use on Deck 13 overlooking the pool area below on Deck 12.
Crystal Serenity paddle tennis
Paddles and balls are available to use. They are stored in the benches located next to the courts.
Passengers played doubles matches for hours every day, and teams rotated in to play winners. Many of the cruisers even brought their own paddles with them for the cruise (paddles and balls are available if you didn't bring your own, though). Some people I chatted with book cruises on Crystal Cruises ships specifically to play their favorite game during their vacations. Paddle tennis is a great way to keep your reactions sharp and work on your endurance, flexibility, balance and change of direction. Plus, it's fun to play with new friends while sailing under sunny skies.

Golf
Crystal Serenity cruises with a PGA golf pro who gives lessons to avid golfers and wannabe golfers. The ship features a sports area at the back of the ship on Deck 6, and this space has two "driving ranges," which are netted cages that allow you to take full swings off a tee to work on all types of shots. You can also practice your stroke on the putting greens. Table tennis is also found back here, by the way.
Promenade on Crystal Serenity
Nordic Walking classes take place on the Deck 7 Promenade, which is also a wonderful place to do your walking or running workouts. The deck is three and one-third laps per mile.
Nordic Walking
The ship's Promenade (Deck 7) offers a complete circuit that takes three and one-third laps to complete a mile, and Nordic Walking poles and weighted vests are available for passengers to use while enjoying the scenic surroundings during vigorous walks.

What is Nordic Walking? The ship offers instructor-led sessions of the activity in which walkers use long poles similar to those used for cross-country skiing. The benefits of the sport include training for better balance on unstable or uneven surfaces (such as walking on a moving cruise ship promenade) as well as reducing the load on joints such as knees and ankles by allowing for more points of contact from the poles. It'
s a wonderful sport for those feelings some of the common aches and pains of aging.

The weighted vests simply make the sport a bit more challenging.

Fitness Classes
Trainers on Crystal Serenity offer a range of fitness classes that are included in your cruise fare. You can take part in Tour de Cycle spin classes, yoga, Pilates, stretching and other sessions. The ship offers classes appropriate for all levels of fitness.
Deck 13 on Crystal Serenity
The turf surface on Deck 13 is ideal for jogging and scenic walking.
Walking/Jogging
I already talked about the Promenade on Deck 7 when discussing the Nordic Walking activity. The Promenade is just more than three laps per mile and is a wide space great for walking and even jogging around the ship. Additionally, you can use the turf lawn surface that encircles Deck 13 for running or walking workouts.

This is a fabulous space for sunrise or sunset jogging and is a nice soft surface forgiving on the feet and knees. I took several laps at both times of the day but became partial to mornings because I was able to spot whales and dolphins during our route along the California coast.


Thanks for reading and be sure to always travel fit, travel happy and travel often.
JR
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Fort Lauderdale Beach is Fantastic for the Fit Traveler

3/16/2016

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Fort Lauderdale Beach basketball courts and outdoor fitness area
Fort Lauderdale Beach features plenty of opportunities for fitness-inclined travelers. Run along the wide beachfront sidewalk, play hoops at the courts or dive in to a body-weight workout at the outdoor gym on the sand.
By John Roberts 

If you're going to hold a convention in sunny South Florida in the middle of March, you can be damn sure that I am going to go exploring to find out what the beach is like. 
 
Welcome to Fort Lauderdale, home to the annual "all things cruising" convention known as Seatrade. I snuck away from the stuffy confines of the convention center to get outside for a day of play. I took a leisurely run from my hotel down to Fort Lauderdale Beach. I say leisurely because that is all I could muster. This New Jersey guy -- visiting the Florida heat and humidity -- will need a few days to get properly acclimated. 

One word about this beach area: Awesome!  

The Blue Wave-certified beach (a system that rates the cleanliness and environmental quality) was just coming to life around 9 a.m. when I finished my two-mile run down State Road A1A to the ocean. The sands are clean, in almost pristine condition, and I immediately shed my shirt and MP3 player and GPS watch to jump into the clear and cool waters.  
Runners, bikers and walkers will love that the main oceanfront road, as Seabreeze Boulevard becomes North Atlantic Boulevard, is wide and smooth.  

Along the four-mile stretch of sand, I discovered several items to entice the fitness-seeking traveler. After running to the beach and jumping in for a swim, how about shooting some hoops on the basketball courts? Right next to this is an outdoor fitness space, complete with pullup bars and plenty of other pieces of equipment that allow you to get a complete body-weight workout.
 
Fort Lauderdale Beach picnic area and playground
Fort Lauderdale Beach is ideal for picnics, with clean benches in a shady area under beautiful trees and next to a playground.
Wander farther along the boulevard, and you can find dozens of places to grab a bite to eat, from seafood, pizza, burgers and more. The oceanfront corridor is also lined with boutique shops to check out. 

I saw people enjoying paddleboarding on the calm morning waters. The beach features a lot of gorgeous trees that cast comfy shade over picnic areas, as well as at least one playground space for kids. It seems to be a family-friendly beach. Signs are posted stating that there is no alcohol allowed. But I'd bet that you can bring in a small cooler, be discreet, don't get out of control and be sure to pick up after yourself and no one will mind if you have a few cold ones during your stay. Lifeguards are on duty. (Regulars at this beach? Let us know how strict this rule is please.) 

The beach is free and open to the public, but parking is metered on the street. I have visited South Beach in Miami several times, and it's also very nice, with a great running path and outdoors fitness equipment. But I really like the feel of Fort Lauderdale Beach much more. It's more laid back. No creepiness at all compared with the attention-starved vibe that some South Beach regulars throw off. The people in Fort Lauderdale don't need your attention; they just need their quiet and blissful beach time, thank you very much.  

No wonder Fort Lauderdale has been a fast-rising beach destination. I was glad to get to finally check it out. 
 
Picture
Chef Roy Yamaguchi is partnering with MSC Cruises to create a pan-Asian restaurant on the line's new MSC Seaside, which will start sailing out of Miami in December 2017. (Photo courtesy MSC Cruises)
Other News and Notes from Seatrade . . .

From the hive of competing cruise-related news and flash and glitz, I was able to sift through the news releases to find a few items of interest to you.
 
  
Well, I find them intriguing at least, so I'm going to go ahead and tell you about them. Got it?  
Here is what's new at Seatrade that's good for adventurous travelers who seek to venture beyond the sun decks and buffet lines. The right kind of cruise traveler can find time for food, sun and active fun. Just sayin'! 

Celebrity Cruises announced that it is acquiring two more vessels to expand its offerings in the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity Cruises acquired tour operator Ocean Adventures and its two ships, MV Eclipse and MC Athala II. Eclipse holds up to 48 passengers, and Athala II, a catamaran, holds 16.

Celebrity already operates its Celebrity Xpedition 100-passenger yacht in the Galapagos. The smaller ships expand the itineraries that Celebrity can offer in the pristine island region. The ships can venture to Puerto Villamil, Darwin Bay, Black Turtle Cove, Chinese Hat Islet and Wall of Tears.
 MV Eclipse and MC Athala II will continue with Ocean Adventure voyages until a drydock in January 2017. After the refresh, they will sail as part of the Celebrity Cruises fleet with signature elements from the line. Celebrity will have to rename at least Eclipse; the line already has another ship with that moniker. No word yet on the new name.

Crystal Cruises has plans to build a second expedition yacht, Crystal Endeavor, which will be the sister ship to Crystal Esprit. Crystal says Endeavor will be the world's largest megayacht when it debuts in August 2018. The vessel will be the first purpose-built polar class expedition yacht. Sounds great. I'm not sure what that means. I know that I've been told it will be 600 feet long and feature an incredible number of fitness-based activities you can enjoy during your voyages. 

The 200-passenger ship will carry two seven-person submersible subs and have 270-degree panoramic views for whale watching or spotting other wildlife in the exotic destinations it will sail. Yes, there will be a spa, Jacuzzi and a gym. It also will have two helicopters for flightseeing excursions, eight Zodiac boats, jet skis, wave runners, kayaks, fishing gear, paddleboards, snorkel and dive equipment, underwater scooter and an ATV. That ship will pack a lot of toys for your vacation. 

MSC Cruises announced a partnership with Chef Roy Yamaguchi, who helped popularize Hawaiian-inspired cuisine and founded dozens of Roy's restaurants. Yamaguchi will create a pan-Asian eatery that will offer a range of flavors in a teppan style. The cover-charge eatery will offer healthy fare on the new MSC Seaside, which will debut in December 2017 and sail voyages from Miami.

Thanks for reading. 
Travel fit! Travel happy! Travel often!
JR

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