Abercrombie & Kent Charters Expedition Ship for Antarctica
Posted Thu, Oct 1st 2009, 23:08Abercrombie & Kent Charters Expedition Ship for Antarctica
Abercrombie & Kent has chartered the new Le Boreal, an all-balcony expedition ship, for the 2010-11 Antarctic season. “As experts in small ship cruising in destinations worldwide, we carefully match the ship to the destination,” said Scott Wiseman, president of Abercrombie & Kent USA. “In a place like Antarctica you need to strike just the right balance between onboard amenities and full-fledged wilderness adventure. The sleek, contemporary design of Le Boreal allows us to offer a distinctly different adventure cruise experience with private balconies and access to crystal-clear bays and narrow fjords that the big cruise ships simply can’t reach.” Abercrombie & Kent’s shore excursions are hosted by a team of naturalists, geologists, historians and ornithologists. The first Antarctic cruise aboard Le Boreal in December 2010 is scheduled to include Dr. James McClintock, professor of polar and marine biology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, who has been conducting research in Antarctic waters for more than 25 years and recently discovered an anti-cancer compound in a marine invertebrate.
Le Boreal has three passenger elevators, a single-seating dining room, al fresco dining, an outdoor heated pool, a lecture facility and theater, an ample gathering area, library, salon, steam rooms, spa and fitness center. On other cruises to different destinations, it carries more than 264 passengers. But in Antarctica, A&K limits the vessel to 199 guests. The ship features 104 balcony staterooms and suites with various bedding configurations, ranging from king- or queen-size beds to two single beds. Amenities include a mini-bar, safe, flat-screen TV, DVD/CD player, iPod player, individually-controlled heat/air conditioning, wireless Internet access throughout the ship and direct-dial telephone. Bathrooms are lined with marble and teak and are equipped with shower, hair dryer and bathrobes. Laundry service and 24-hour room service are available. The Panoramic Lounge and Terrace offer areas for social gatherings, afternoon tea or relaxing. The Club provides the perfect evening place with live music and dancing. The Theatre is a show lounge with unobstructed views for all. The library offers a range of titles with extended reading areas. A technologically advanced stabilizing system minimizes the effect of rough waters. Le Boreal features two restaurants: The Restaurant, offering gourmet, contemporary and international cuisine and a casual Grill Restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining for breakfast, lunch and themed dinners. A selection of lighter fare and vegetarian dishes is always available, and most special diets can be accommodated with advance notice. In-cabin room service is also available.
A&K has planned three expeditions for the 2010-11 Antarctic season. The “Classic Antarctica” explores the best of the peninsula, including vast penguin and seabird colonies, icebergs and glaciers, and Paradise Bay and the Lemaire Channel. McClintock will share the changes he has seen over the past 25 years and introduce scientists at Palmer Station. The 14-day Dec. 7 to 20, 2010, is priced from $9,995. “Antarctica, South Georgia & the Falkland Islands” follows the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton. This itinerary offers close-up views of the king penguin, along with fur and elephant seals. It also includes a visit to an active research station. Departures Dec. 17, 2010, and Jan. 2, 2011, are priced from $15,795. The Dec. 17 cruise allows children under 18 to save 50 percent of the cruise price when travelling with an adult, except in suites. A&K also offers 20 percent off when booked by March 31, 2010. For more information, call 877.530.5699
