Royal Caribbean targets Vanuatu for first carbon-neutral private cruise destination

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Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica: Explorers and Kings • There are a number of travel companies that offer cruises to Antarctica, all of them lengthy — about three weeks — and somewhat pricey, generally ranging from $13,000 to $17,000. On the Explorers and Kings tour, travelers experience extraordinary landscapes, from mountains and glaciers to the stark Antarctic environment that locked Ernest Shackleton’s famous expedition in ice. Most spectacular is the wildlife viewing; passengers can expect to see penguins, seals, whales and many species of seabirds, including the legendary albatross. S_Lew / Getty ImagesFamily cruises • As an alternative to the family road trip, a cruise can be an affordable and memorable vacation, with plenty of things to do and see for both children and adults. Cruise lines compete to offer the most fun experiences for the best prices, well beyond the swimming pools that were the center of entertainment in the early days of cruising. Different cruises advertise activities that include water slides, laser tag, climbing walls, go-karts, mini-golf, children’s “camps” and teen lounges. There is adult entertainment as well, and relaxing downtime while the kids play. Not surprisingly, Disney offers some of the best family cruises, heavily promoting its own characters and movie themes, but other cruise lines also have highly rated — and less expensive — family excursions. Norwegian Cruise Lines is prominent among them.  Jodi Jacobson / Getty ImagesGalapagos • Although visits to the Galapagos islands are restricted to protect its wildlife and wild character, there are dozens of vessels that offer tours of four to 10 days, accommodating up to 100 passengers, the largest allowed. Most are smaller, with fewer than 20 passengers. Although they are all geared toward nature lovers, some boast luxury accommodations, offering high-end linens, gourmet meals and even butler service. In any case, it is an expensive vacation because of the small ships and tight restrictions on tourism but also because the cruises start and end in the Galapagos Islands, requiring passengers to fly there, usually by way of Ecuador. SL_Photography / Getty ImagesMediterranean cruise • From ships as immense as those that ply the oceans, to those more closely resembling the riverboats sailing to Europe and Asia’s riverine ports of call, Mediterranean cruise ships carry passengers along portions of the Mediterranan coast to some of Europe’s most spectacular destinations. Some itineraries are based on a particular theme, such as island-hopping or beaches, with many others focused on either the eastern Mediterraean — the east coast of Italy, Croatia, the Greek islands, Turkey and Egypt — or the western Mediterranean — Spain, France and the west coast of Italy. Viking offers a popular Mediterranean voyage for travelers interested in the history of the region, taking passengers on an eight-day trip from Rome to Athens. Dubbed the Journey to Antiquities, it covers Rome’s Coliseum and Athens’ Acropolis but also takes a side trip to Ephesus, Turkey and the imposing ruins of a once-important Mediterrean port. Olga_Gavrilova / Getty ImagesRussia by river • For travelers who are curious about less touristy destinations and perhaps have an interest in geopolitics, three riverboat cruise lines (Scenic, Uniworld, and Viking) offer a European-style river cruise on the Volga River between St. Petersburg and Moscow. Viking hosts a 13-day Waterways of the Tsars tour beginning at $5,449, including air travel. Passengers live on the ship for a four-day stay in Moscow at the beginning of the voyage and for four days in St. Petersburg at the end. City tours include visits to Russian homes, parks, monuments, museums, galleries and historic sites. In between there are a number of excursions to markets, ancient towns and UNESCO World Heritage sites. wastesoul / Getty ImagesCruise the Nile • A hugely popular cruising river, the Nile hosts over 200 cruise boats, from traditional Egyptian sailboats with limited toilet and shower facilities and passengers sleeping on deck, and a Victorian steamship on which Agatha Christie modeled her vessel in “Death on the Nile,” to modern luxury cruise ships with air conditioning and other amenities designed for comfort. Because the climate is hot and lines waiting for locks can be long, it pays to choose luxury for this trip. Fortunately, luxury is a relatively affordable way to view the wonders of ancient Egypt, including the Valley of the Kings and the Karnak Temple. The Sanctuary Sun Boat III offers a four-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor and boasts a stylish design, modern cabins for up to 36 passengers, a pool and sun deck, gourmet dining and a class in Egyptian cooking, beginning at $1,300. 68166820@N08 / Flickr

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