Cruise Specialists Cares shore tour program is an opportunity to give back to those in need during your next cruise voyage. In this video Cruise Specialists guests aboard Holland America World cruise visited the SOS Children’s Village from the port of Durban, South Africa. Donations included everything from toys to the shirts off our client’s backs. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed meeting these smiling wonderful children. Cruise Specialists Cares is part of Cruise Specialists exclusive Shore Tour Program, for more information visit our Custom Shore Excursions page.
Buddy and I were very lucky to recently get to take part in an exclusive Cruise Specialists Bora Bora shore tour. Cruise Specialists designed a series of unique and exclusive tours for our January 2010 Rotterdam 63-day Polynesian Paradise & Incan Empires cruise.
During our recent trip aboard Holland America Line’s fabulous Polynesian Paradise & Incan Empires 63–day cruise we spent a fabulous day in Costa Rica. Encouraged by our experienced and enthusiastic group member, Sharron Hiebert, four other adventuresome Cruise Specialists
Aerial Tram Ride Up
passengers set out on a truly marvelous day Zip Lining through the rain forests of Costa Rica.
After a gorgeous day on the sugar cane and beautiful beach strewn island of Mauritius we headed for South Africa- with Rev Desmond Tutu on board as our interesting and somewhat controversial keynote speaker.
Our first port was to be Durban with the many high rise blocks of flats along the coast line that I remember from visits many years previosly. However the entire city seemed alive with new buildings of luxury homes, hotels and of course to crown them all the impressive stadium (almost) complete for the World Cup.
Because of the social and political unrest in Thailand, there was some concern about traveling into Bangkok. Regent offered all of their passengers on the World Cruise one night in Bangkok complete with deluxe hotel, transfers, meals and a cocktail cruise on the Chao Phraya River at sunset. The weekend prior to our arrival there were 100,000 protesters on the streets of Bangkok. Several days before our scheduled stay, the protesters began collecting their own blood which would be used in upcoming marches. The leaders of the Red Shirts declared class warfare and vowed to shut the city down. So things didn’t look too promising! We also had private car arrangements pending for some of our guests. Our tour operator and the ship’s staff kept us apprised of the situation and the decision was made to go ahead with the excursion to Bangkok.
Cruise Specialists’ Holland America world cruise clients visit and donate supplies to children’s orphanage
Seattle, WA (March 24, 2010) – A group of kindhearted world cruisers recently opted to forgo a more traditional shore tour in Durban, South Africa for the opportunity to visit and donate much needed supplies to a children’s orphanage as part of the Cruise Specialists Cares shore excursion program. The philanthropic travelers hauled 17 boxes of supplies for the orphaned children with them all the way from Ft. Lauderdale on the Holland America ms Amsterdam.
Arriving in Sydney harbour is always special and this time we arrived in the afternoon. We were met at the Heads by hundred of small boats and the shoreline was lined with many people - much flag waving from those ashore and those of us on board.
After an amazing tour of the Antarctic Peninsula we began our long sail north - past Elephant Island - an ice covered island off the coast of Antarctica - famous as the refuge of Ernest Shackleton’s crew in 1914 following the loss of their ship in the ice.
By now, our ship was beginning to be covered in ice and snow - crew members from the Philippines and Indonesia who had probably never seen snow before, built a snowman on the outside Lido deck, which gave us a great photo
opportunity.
Cruise Specialists Bids Celebratory Farewell to Regent World Cruise Guests
While it was hard to top the recent Holland America World Cruise bon voyage party in Ft. Lauderdale, the Cruise Specialists Regent Seven Seas world cruise guests were also given similar VIP treatment at their own farewell affair in San Diego. Enthusiastic travelers boarded the Seven Seas Voyager for an afternoon celebration on the ship to toast the start of their 119 night journey weaving through exotic destinations in Australia, Asia, and Africa.
