The following article was originally published in Islands Magazine.

There we were, smack-dab in the middle of a blue whale’s footprint. “Can’t we stay here until it’s completely gone?” I all but begged, wanting to prolong the stillness and wonder of lingering in that shimmering, ever-widening pool on the surface of the sea. But Kirk was already motoring out of the footprint’s circle, adjusting the speed of the skiff so as to arrive, just at the perfect moment, at the spot where he thought the whale would surface next. Suddenly we were right on the behemoth, so close that I imagined I could reach out and touch it. Perhaps I could even jump aboard its enormous arched back and ride the big blue into the depths, leaving behind yet another footprint to broaden and disperse under the Baja sky. Then reality took over. Whew! When whales blow, the smell is really, really fishy. “You’re looking awfully small out there:. Capt. Rod Dufour’s voice crackled over the radio from the wheelhouse of the Safari Spirit, the expedition yacht from which we’d launched our skiff.

More than 100 icebergs are approaching the south coast of New Zealand. The icebergs, which were first tracked 900 miles away, are now only approximately 200 miles away. The largest one is thought to be a third of a mile wide, 165 feet tall and with a total thickness of almost a quarter mile.

While the event is creating havoc for cruise and shipping lines, as well as fishermen, it’s a temporary boom for the tourism industry, with tourist flocking via helicopter rides to see the mammoth icebergs.

The event however, is short-lived, as the icebergs move into warmer waters, only the largest icebergs are thought to last 6 to 8 weeks.

As we reported back in September, the authentic paddlewheel Queen of the West was purchased by American Cruise Lines. The ship had last sailed the Columbia River in 2008 for the now defunct Majestic America Line.

The only paddlewheel sailing American waters, the Queen of the West is due to sail three itineraries on the Columbia River departing from Portland, Oregon and Clarkston, Washington starting August 2010. Stops along the route will include the Columbia River Gorge, Multonomah Falls, Mt. St. Helen’s, The Dalles, Hells Canyon and Astoria. Passengers can look forward to a few modifications to the ship including a number of even larger staterooms and a decrease in passenger capacity, allowing for an even higher level of personal service from the all-American crew.

Passengers who have had the pleasure of cruising on Queen of the West in the past can expect the same unparalleled experience they had aboard this grand ship. But now they can discover the additional features, such as exceptional cuisine and the highest level of personalized service, for which American Cruise Lines is known.

Stay tuned for details on these unique itineraries.

After recently announcing that their icebreaker, the Kapitan Khlebnikov, would be retired in 2012, Quark Expeditions had to make another announcement concerning it’s signature icebreak.

It’s stuck.

The icebreaker is currently exploring the Wendell Sea of Antarctica. During it’s visit to an emperor penguin colony near Snow Hill Island, the sea-ice began to compress around the ship, making it difficult for the vessel to maneuver effectively. The vessel’s command is waiting for weather conditions to improve before beginning the transit north. There is no immediate danger and all on board are safe and well.

The ship is expected to be delayed only a short time.

Much fanfare and press was made for the arrival of The Oasis of the Seas as it arrived at Port Everglades this past Friday. The worlds largest cruise ship, at 226,000-tons, is 40% larger than the next largest ship.

So when will these new cruise ships become too big? Not physically, but perceived by cruise passengers? it may already have started. View the article, and make sure to view some of the comments at the bottom. To paraphrase, “I’ll stick with the “little” ships.”

Hey cable subscribers, listen up.

If you subscribe to the Travel Channel, don’t miss Forbes Luxe 11 Extreme Excursions. The show features 11 of the world’s most breathtaking journeys, including a cruise to the North Pole.

Fewer than 10,000 people have ever been to the top of the world, literally at 90 degrees North.

And even fewer have popped a bottle of champagne and sipped bubbly there aboard a Quark Expeditions cruise, a journey that begins in Russia aboard Quark’s icebreaker 50 Years of Victory, plowing through ice as thick as 10 feet!

This one-hour special airs on the Travel Channel tomorrow, November 14th at 10:00PM ET. The episode will re-air on November 15th at 2:00AM ET.

Visit our site to view the details of this unqiue cruise itinerary…

“Bucket List” travel is becoming more and more popular, as people race to see how many places they can visit before they die. Sometimes travel is all about bragging rights, and the Travelers’ Century Club is a worldwide group for globetrotters who like to tally up their travels.

View/Read more on this group and their drive to visit every corner of the world.

Below is a letter from Sven-Olof Lindblad concerning the January 7, 2010 Antarctica departure aboard National Geographic Explorer featuring reknown astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

For more information on this very limited offering, visit the Antarctica – The White Continent itinerary page on our website.

Dear Traveler,

As you know, we have a long tradition of sending our guests out on expeditions accompanied by some extraordinary travel companions. Perhaps you’ve personally traveled with one of the leading lights who’ve enhanced our voyages in the past.

This season is no exception, and frankly, even more exceptional.

Buzz Aldrin, PhD, NASA astronaut and historic moonwalker will join our January 7, 2010 Antarctica departure aboard National Geographic Explorer.

Now, there are many people on our roster of Global Luminaries that I would profoundly enjoy meeting and getting to know over the course of a voyage. Buzz Aldrin is at the top of my list.

His achievements alone would qualify him in my estimation — as a person I’d relish spending time with. And then there’s his personality.

I spoke with him at length while developing our Global Luminaries program, and it is obvious that he will be a great traveling companion. He is affable, welcoming, not at all standoff-ish, and a terrific storyteller with, needless to say, some pretty astounding stories to tell.

In addition, Dr. Aldrin is traveling to Antarctica for the first time, so he’ll be discovering it for himself — as he celebrates a milestone birthday on board. And since he is actively involved in the formulation of the current Administration’s space exploration plans, his onboard talks will be relevant to our future, as well as our past.
How interesting and fun might it be to share the discovery of Antarctica with “Rocket Hero” Buzz Aldrin — one of the world’s most acclaimed space explorers? It will undoubtedly be an experience to value. And speaking for myself, I’d definitely want the Video Chronicle of the voyage in my library!

This is a unique opportunity — to explore Antarctica with one of the world’s greatest explorers — and I’d hate you to miss it. So, I’m writing to let you know that we only have 12 cabins remaining, so only 24 more people will get the chance to join this voyage. If you’re interested in taking advantage, I’d suggest you call immediately to speak with an Expedition Specialist.

I hope you will choose to join the voyage. I know you’ll have an otherworldly experience.

Best regards,

Sven-Olof Lindblad

Itineraries will include no ports of call, only adventures.

The owner of luxury line American Safari Cruises has announced a new brand, InnerSea Discoveries, that will focus on adventure-minded vacationers.

InnerSea Discoveries is designed as a less expensive alternative to 12-year-old American Safari Cruises. The new line will operate two ships that have been out of commission for several years, the 80-passenger Wilderness Discoverer and the 66-passenger Wilderness Adventurer, which formerly belonged to Glacier Bay Cruise Lines. The vessels will undergo a top-to-bottom renovation before setting sail for the new line.

InnerSea Discoveries will offer seven-night voyages between Ketchikan and Juneau, but in an unusual twist, the sailings won’t include a single port call. Instead, the ships will spend the entire week exploring the tree-lined fjords and inlets of the mountainous Southeast region in search of wildlife and natural beauty. Nature guides stationed on the vessels will take passengers on frequent off-ship excursions on inflatable boats and kayaks to explore glaciers and icebergs, look for wildlife such as whales, bears and sea lions, and make landings for hikes through remote forests. Other adventure activities will include paddle boarding, snorkeling, “polar bear club swims,” fishing, birding and glacier walks. The line even plans optional overnight backpacking and kayaking outings from the ships.

Stay tuned for details on these itineraries.

Kapitan Khlebnikov

Polar adventure specialist Quark Expeditions announced last week that its flagship Kapitan Khlebnikov will retire as an expedition vessel in March 2012.

The icebreaker, which cruises the Arctic and Antarctic, will include special itineraries and guests during its final seasons. Khlebnikov’s last voyage for Quark will be Dec. 6, 2011, to Jan. 5, 2012. Capt. Petr Golikov, the only master mariner to have circumnavigated Antarctica in an expedition vessel twice will be aboard.

The icebreaker will return to Tanquary Fjord in Canada’s High Arctic, northern Greenland and an Emperor Penguin rookery in the Weddell Sea. Kapitan Khlebnikov will circumnavigate the Arctic before sailing one last time to the Ross Sea.