Visiting Paradise ... aka French Ploynesia

PREAMBLE

In this article, we describe our visit to French Polynesia in November 2014. The intent of the article is to pass on to you the richness of this travel destination; one of the most enjoyable, relaxing and spellbinding vacations we have experienced. Some of you may prefer to explore what Paul Gauguin Cruises has to offer - all of its itineraries, its schedule of notable guests and on board lecturers. You can review this information directly on Paul Gauguin Cruises' website by clicking HERE.

WHAT VISITORS TO FRENCH POLYNESIA NEED TO KNOW

POPULATION

French Polynesia has a population of approximately 275,000. The capital city is Papeete on the island of Tahiti. Tahiti has an estimated 184,000.

CURRENCY

The islands will accept US dollars and Euros. The local currency is the French Pacific Franc (CFP) which is pegged to the Euro. During our stay, one CAD had a value of approximately 75 CFP. Major credit cards are generally accepted, with MasterCard and Visa favoured.

CLIMATE

French Polynesia is a year-round tropical destination. The average annual air temperature is 26 degrees Celsius. During our stay in mid-November, we experienced temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees. Water temperature in the ocean us also 26 degrees on average.

VISAS

Canadian and US citizens do not require visas to visit French Polynesia.

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AHHH! PARADISE IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC...

It was sunny and warm. It was early Sunday November 16. We could see the steep mountains of Huahine Nui, French Polynesia from the window of our balcony stateroom. We were on board the luxurious m/s Paul Gauguin on a 7-day cruise of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. We had embarked the Gauguin the day before.

French Polynesia is made up of 118 islands and atolls scattered over 3.9 million square kilometres. By comparison, Continental Europe is just over 2.5 times larger at 10.2.  Its islands are divided into five groups or archipelagos – the Marquesas Islands (North-East), the Tuamotu Islands (East), the Society Islands (West), the Austral Islands (South-West) and the Gambier Islands (South-East).

We watched BBC News on TV while we waited for our breakfast waiter. The TV images showed Buffalo NY buried under a seven-foot snowfall. What a contrast! On this, our third day in Paradise, Huahine beckoned outside. We had already become immersed in the natural beauty that surrounded us and in the cheery hospitality of this charming people. Winter seemed distant indeed; more like figments of our imagination. We were on a different planet, where the water and air temperatures had the same averages -- 26 degrees Celsius.

The Gauguin had dropped anchor in water that is said to have visibility up to 45 metres deep. The turquoise ring of colour surrounding the islands defines the lagoon; and the colour of the lagoon contrasted with the blue of deeper water where we were anchored. The island itself seemed powerful with its ridged cliffs towering above the water. The surf was at a considerable distance out to sea at the coral reef. We were in another world!

Our minds drifted to the other Paradise, Hawaii. We realized French Polynesia’s lagoons were formed over a considerable period of time; at least a million years we are told.  We concluded that Hawaii, by comparison, is at a relatively early stage of formation. Hawaii’s lagoons are yet to be formed; craters are not yet submerged. The existence of lagoons extends real estate; hotels build romantic and exotic thatch-roofed bungalows over water. In Bora Bora, our guide pointed out Jack Nicholson’s and Marlon Brando’s bungalows nestled alongside each other. Add welcoming people and islands with buildings not higher than a palm tree! French Polynesia enchants you!

The m/s Paul Gauguin, once part of the Radisson Seven Seas Cruise fleet, has been cruising these waters continuously since 1998. There is everything imaginable on board to satisfy the interests of its guests. In its Marina, accessible from deck 4 aft, guests can be outfitted with snorkel or scuba gear. For those wishing to explore above the water, kayaks and paddle boards are available. For those seeking a different experience, helicopter rides, wave runners, paragliding and more can be arranged. Preview an action video of shore excursions. CLICK HERE
Talented native French Polynesians co-mingle and entertain guests on board the ship, and at BBQ lunch at a motu next to the island of Taha’a. These are the Gauguines and Gauguins, true magnets for guests. In La Palette Lounge on deck 8, enjoy the company of fellow guests as you listen to their folkloric singing to guitar and mandolin accompaniment; join them in sing-alongs. And on stage at the Grand Salon on deck 5, join others as they perform the dances of the Polynesians – an enticing almost provocative style by the Gauguines and warrior-like performances by the Gauguins. CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR BBQ MOTU VISIT OFF TAHA'A.

Paul Gauguin Cruises does not disappoint the curious- minded; there are lecturers on each

sailing. On our cruise we enjoyed an entertaining and informative talk by Mark Eddowes, an archaeologist and anthropologist. We missed Jean-Michel Cousteau; well known for his work in oceanography. Mr. Eddowes came direct from a dig to present his talk. On the next day, he led a group to archaeological sites and current digs. Mr. Cousteau shares his extensive research and knowledge of oceanography through video and other media. He also leads guests on dives – quite a treat for avid divers at one of the world’s premier dive locations.
Having finished breakfast, we prepared to join others on our first shore excursion. We set out with Paul, an anthropologist and tour guide, on a visit to the sacred sites of Huahine Nui and a small vanilla plantation. Paul gave us insights into Polynesian migration and history, the relatively good standard of lifestyle French Polynesians enjoy today, and information on the governing arrangement within this French Protectorate.

GETTING TO PAPEETE, TAHITI

Air Tahiti Nui is a good choice for your flight from Los Angeles to Papeete. For cruisers on Paul Gauguin Cruises, we recommend you purchase air and pre or post-cruise hotel accommodations from Paul Gauguin Cruises. This assures a hassle-free travel experience that includes transfers from and to the airport, to and from the hotel and to and from the ship.
The overnight flight on Air Tahiti Nui from Los Angeles to Papeete is eight hours long - similar in length to flights to Honolulu or Frankfurt from Toronto. The time difference is also similar; French Polynesia and Hawaii are both five hours behind Toronto; Frankfurt is six hours ahead.

A POPULAR STOPPING OFF POINT FOR NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA TRAVELERS

The five-star InterContinental Papeete Hotel is astonishing! Our porter's tattoos marked him as from the Marqueses Islands. He wore nothing other than sandals and a pareo. We were overawed by the beauty and scenery surrounding this hotel – its infinity pools, over-the-water bungalows, and a view of Moorea Island with its ever-present white puffy clouds; all this against a blue sky, offset by gardens and sea life. The hotel's services and staff made us feel as though we were long-time guests. New arrivals such as ourselves were easy to spot.

Like us, their eyes were open wide as were the lenses of their cameras. Several guests we met had extended their cruise vacation at Papeete or at one of the other islands. Others had stopped in on their way to or from New Zealand and Australia. The flight to New Zealand from Papeete is only 4.5 hours long.
The InterContinental Papeete provides a dinner and dance show each Friday. We watched a performance that depicted Paul Gauguin's life and passing in French Polynesia. An impressionist painter, Paul Gauguin is buried on the island of Hiva Ora, in the Marqueses.
The two short video clips following are of a Friday night performance at the InterContinental Papete depicting Paul Gauguin's life and death in French Polynesia. Watch video 1 HERE. Watch video 2 HERE.
After our two-night stay at the InterContinental Papeete, we had become proficient in the use of the words “la orana” (hello) and “maruru” (thank you). We were ready for our 7-day cruise.

THE GAUGUIN

m/s Paul Gauguin has a guest capacity of 332 on seven decks and a staff of 217. The serving staff for the most part are Filipino. The staff had phenomenal recall of our beverage preferences and gave the impression they had known the guests from previous lives.
All three of its restaurants -- L'Etoile, the main dining room on deck 5, Le Grill on deck 8 next to the

pool, and La Veranda on deck 6 presented excellent gourmet meals; it was commonplace for us guests to include “what did you have for dinner?” in our conversations. And “did you have the moon fish?” This fish meal was presented once and talked about for days. (We missed the chef’s demonstration attended by several where he showed how to carve the moon fish named for its circular shape and measuring 5.5 foot long (or was it 5.5 feet wide?)). Guests must make reservations for dinner at La Veranda or Le Grill. Both are transformed to an upscale experience for dinner, and … there is no charge for upscale dining!

The Gauguin’s selection of wines and other spirits were excellent -- sommeliers were well schooled and pay close attention to individual preferences. Many guests chose the Gauguin to celebrate special occasions. Honeymooners received special attention, as did wedding and birthday celebrants. This is a wonderful destination to celebrate such special events.
On our cruise, roughly half the guests were from the US. 44 from France, 31 from Australia and New Zealand, 24 from Canada followed by a mix from Tahiti (a honeymoon couple with entourage) Europe, Central and South America, Asia (China, Thailand) and Haiti.

ABOUT US

Zaneta and Joe Rochemont are owners of Cruise Holidays of Clarkson and Clarkson Tours, with offices in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Within the Cruise Holidays network, they achieved President Circle status in the shortest time of any store and have retained that status every year since 2009. Zaneta is the President and COO of Cruise Holidays of Clarkson. She entered the travel business after a successful career in teaching. Joe retains the position of Director of the Company and supports its operations through oversight and general operational support. Joe is a past executive of a major Canadian Bank and continues to own and operate a management consulting firm specialized in information technology management and advice. The staff at Cruise Holidays of Clarkson including Zaneta and Joe have each accompanied groups on travel and custom tours to virtually all parts of the world. They can be reached by telephone at 1 866 919 2111 or by email at info@clarksontravel.ca to inquire into individual, group or family travel, or to plan your special event. See our website at clarksontravel.pgcruises.com  .

Our February 2013 Invitations and Announcements

Cruise Holidays of Clarkson’s 2013 announcements

Welcome

Welcome to our February 2013 newsletter!

Here, we would like to tell you of the places we would like to take you in the months ahead and in the upcoming Holiday Season. We also invite you to attend and participate in our upcoming events – as you know we can accommodate up to thirty or so attendees comfortably – so call early to reserve your spot.

Upcoming events – you’re invited!

We invite you to the following four events and ask you to call us at 905 855 1700 to reserve a spot for yourself and any friends you would like to bring along. They are:

Feb 23rd	Voyages to Antiquity Presented by Michael Geske of Exclusive Tours and John Van Driel of the New Classical 96.3 FM starting at 3 pm at our store
Mar 5th	Scenic Tours Presentation by Neil Dudley starting at 7 pm at our store
Apr 2nd	South America  presented by Fernando Urgiles of Gateways International, at 7 pm at our store
May 2nd	Regent Seven Seas Cruises presentation by Beverley Vickers at 7 pm at the Mississauga Golf Club

A word on Voyages to Antiquity

Voyages to Antiquity operates the Aegean Odyssey, a premium class ship that carries an average of 350 guests passionate about history, art and cultures of the ancient world. We sailed the Aegean Odyssey on our Treasures of the Adriatic cruise in May 2011. Many of you travelled on this spectacular itinerary that traversed the sparkling waters alongside the Croatian Adriatic coast. This spring we will sail from Rome to Cannes and we will be accompanied by John Van Driel of the New Classical 96.3 FM. Join us—space is truly limited.

A word on Scenic Tours

Scenic Tours is a privately held Australian company and has been in the tour business since 1987. The company provides a truly all-inclusive river cruise experience; they have opted to differentiate themselves based on unexpected quality rather than replicating the service of their competitors. Please call to reserve a spot.

A word on South America

South America is a feast for the senses with something to fascinate and entertain all travelers. This time we have partnered with Gateways International and Oceania Cruises to present you with an intriguing itinerary visiting the ancient site of Machu Picchu, and sailing on the beautiful Regatta from Lima to Buenos Aires. Join us and learn about this fascinating winter destination.

A word on Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC)

Beverley Vickers of Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) will describe the amenities of the RSSC all-suite fleet. At one of Beverley’s presentations she said “The bathrooms and walk-in closets are oftentimes more elegant that those at our homes!” And Beverley should know, as her husband deals in real estate. No surprises await you in your statement of account at the end of the voyage – actually, there is no statement at all!
We plan to escort RSSC’s voyage in Australia and New Zealand next January. Please call to attend.

2013 River Cruises

Travelers’ interest in river cruising remain high; across the board availability is limited for the rest of 2013 and fellow travelers have started to book 2014 voyages. Good news for 2013 travelers, though! We have reserved cabins on specific 2013 departures and outline them below.

Port wine and Flamenco on the Douro River. This cruise tour travels between Lisbon, Portugal and Madrid, Spain, has hotel accommodations built-in at both ends and a seven-day cruise between Vega Terron and Porto. The ship, AMA Waterways newest, the AMAVida, will be launched this April. We hold space on the June 8^th departure from Madrid. Joe and / or Zaneta will escort the October 4^th voyage from Lisbon. Join us!

HURRY! We have one cabin left on “Magnificent Europe” departing Amsterdam for Budapest September 15^th. All 14 days are aboard AMA Waterways luxurious AMACerto. Victoria De Wildt will be escorting this voyage.

Europe’sRivers and Castles” from pristine Prague to romantic Paris is another enjoyable and emotionally fulfilling travel experience on which we hold space. This voyage departs September 23^rd and sails on the AMADolce.

Burgundy and Provence from scenic Arles to charming Lyon, sailing on September 29^th on the elegant Uniworld-River Royale.

2013 Ocean Cruises

We are really excited about our selection of voyages for the balance of this year and hope you will be too! In this newsletter we focus on near term departures – from April to July; we also include two very special destinations that need to be considered now as they fill early. These and 2014 voyages can be found on our “Value-Added Promotions” web page – we have selected this page heading as there is something extra included in each voyage. Please check them out.

These are the places we would like to take you this year. As mentioned each has some added value and we encourage you to contact us for details or to make a reservation.

April 7^th to April 23^rd: Joe and Zaneta will be escorting the “CanaryIslands Classic” on Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Serenity. The itinerary includes Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
Alexa Petrenko of the New Classical 963FM will be accompanying us and has planned a couple of fun sessions on board. The shore excursions are exclusive to Clarkson and we are proud of what we have been able to organize. Come with us, you’ll love it! 

April 22^nd to May 10^th: “PanamaPassage” on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Navigator travels from Miami to San Francisco. Enjoy the Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ all-inclusive hospitality on board where you can relax – no chits to sign.  Limited availability, savings are being offered; please call.

May 6^th to May 15^th: “Aegean Gems” on Oceania Cruises’ Riviera sails from Venice to the picturesque Dalmatian Coast, with stops at Kotor and Dubrovnik to name a few, disembark at Athens.

May 16^th to May 29^th: Enjoy the “Shoresof the Mediterranean” on Voyages to Antiquity’s Aegean Odyssey with John vanDriel, host of Little Night Music on the new Classical 96.3 FM. Many of you sailed with us on this ship in 2011 and came away full of praises – the itinerary, the quality of the shore excursions, were outstanding! The 2011 voyage was on the east side of Italy on the Adriatic. Our itinerary this May takes us along the western side of Italy – “The Middle Sea” as the Mediterranean is known. We start with two hotel days in Rome before ending in Cannes. Check this itinerary – it is a jewel. Call us to join John on board, or visit our web page at www.clarksoncruises.ca for more details.

May 16^th to May 28^th: Circumnavigate the British Isles on Silversea Cruises’ Silver Whisper from London (Southampton) to Copenhagen. One can kiss the Blarney Stone, absorb yourself in the blood and guts of medieval England’s history, enjoy tastings of Scotch whiskey, be stunned by the surprising landscape of this voyage. Call us, (there are savings available).

May 22^nd to May 31^st: A perfect time to enjoy “Alaskan Adventure” on RSSC’s Navigator as she sails on a ‘round trip voyage – Vancouver to Vancouver. Enjoy all-inclusive small ship travel as you take in the natural beauty of the stunning Alaskan coast. Savings are available – book now!

May 25^th to June 1^st: For a look at our Canadian coastline, and our history, join us on Holland America Line’s 7-DayCanada and New England Discovery onboard ms Veendam. This voyage starts in Quebec City and ends in Boston. A great opportunity to see Canada!

June 15^th to June 24^th: “Russian Reverie” on Crystal Cruises’ Serenity travels from Copenhagen to Stockholm with two full nights in St. Petersburg. We consider this to be amongst the best of times to travel this region – witness the “white nights’ where the sun never fully sets and its refracted light paints the sky like a canvas. If this and Crystal Cruises position as the world’s # 1 cruise line for 18 consecutive years are not sufficiently compelling to venture on this voyage, consider Hermitage, Peterhof, … this period in history and destination should not be missed. 

June 17^th to July 1^st: Care to enjoy opera and a change in pace with the English gentry? Join this Clarkson exclusive tour "Summer Intermezzo" that commences in London, England for two days, moves to Glyndebourne, East Sussex renowned for its lush gardens and Opera Festivals. Then on to Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 that awaits in Southampton for our westbound crossing to New York City. Those of you who have traveled the QM2 would be familiar with its dance floor – the largest on the ocean and courteous hosts eager to twirl with you to wonderful ballroom dance music. And on board, savour excellent lecturers, British fare and traditional cruising at its best.

June 25^th to July 5^th: “BalticOdyssey”: on Oceania Cruises’ Marina from Stockholm to Copenhagen with three days in St. Petersburg. Enjoy famed Jacques Pepin cuisine and a wide variety of restaurants on board. And there is Tallin, Estonia and Helsinki, Finland and Gdansk, Poland. Gratuities are prepaid.

July 4^th to July 22^nd:  “Voyage to the Midnight Sun” on Oceania Cruises’ Nautica from London (Tillsbury) to Copenhagen. Guests on this amazing cruise will experience the Arctic Circle, the lifestyles of the Nordic people – rugged coastline, rugged climate, and its rugged people. Great for history buffs and shoppers – crystals, sweaters, etc. Call us for more information.

November 4^th to November 26^th: Join the Aegean Odyssey again on “Highlights of ancient Egypt and India” from Cairo, Egypt to Delhi, India. This cruise tour has nine hotel nights included along with intra-regional flights. The excursions are out of this world and take us to ancient Egypt, and Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal. We delve into India’s spectacularly rich sixteenth century Mughal dynasty. Past travelers on this itinerary (November 2012) have returned full of praise! We advise you to book early!

Ocean cruises over the Holiday Season

December 21^st to January 5^th: A perfect getaway over the Holiday Season for families and close friends. We invite you to Crystal Cruises’ 18-day voyage on Crystal Symphony from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Valparaiso, Chile with boots on the ground in the Antarctic. This needs to be considered now.

About our “Refer a friend” program

We invite you to take advantage of our referral offer. Refer a friend, have your friend book and earn CAD 150 bonus on your next booking. Conditions apply.

Why Cruise Holidays of Clarkson

Store Front 1739 Lakeshore Road West

Cruise Holidays of Clarkson is independently owned and specializes in group and individual leisure travel services. Our business relies heavily on word of mouth and the promise of a lifetime travel experience.

We are part of Travel Leaders Group and benefit from the scale of that operation when dealing with suppliers. This positions us to provide significant value to our clients.

We have qualified for membership in Cruise Holidays’ President’s Circle, i.e. amongst the top 20 stores in North America, for the past four years, and we are a two-time recipient of Royal Bank Insurance’s award for quality business.

For more information on group or individual travel, see www.clarksontours.ca; or call 905 855 1700 or email info@clarksontravel.ca . Or better yet, drop in at our store located at 1739 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga ON L5J 1J4; we have ample free parking at back.

Featuring Bali and other exotic Australasian destinations

Temples, Religions and Paradise – featuring Bali as a destination

As I write this, I am a week away from departing Toronto for Bangkok, Singapore, on Cruise Holidays of Clarkson’s “Orient Experience that travels by rail to Singapore, then on to Bali and Hong Kong. Two guests would have started their tour in Beijing two days earlier.

This voyage visits the teeming city of Bangkok with its famed temples Wat Arun and Wat Pho, travelers experience the Malaysian countryside as we travel to Singapore, and the “Island of the Gods” – Bali -- so named for its twenty thousand temples. We return home after three nights at the world’s shopping Mecca – Hong Kong.

Not having visited Bali before, I did a little research. I was preoccupied by the temples in Bangkok and astounded by the number of temples in Bali. I wondered about the culture and system of beliefs on this island of just under 4 million inhabitants. I learned the Balinese predominantly follow the Hindu religion; as compared to Buddhism in Singapore’s (5 million) and Bangkok’s (8 million). My research did not establish a clear predominance for Hong Kong (7 million) amongst Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and other religions practiced there.

Now for the jam on the bread – the word “Paradise” in the title; this is what Bali is also called!

Bali as a destination

Undoubtedly, Bali’s main source of income is tourism. Yet, Bali’s main port (Benoa) is new and was just opened to ocean-going cruise lines last year; I delved into the reason for this late entry, and discovered that Bali just recently, within the last fifty years, was able to establish the political wherewithal and stability to attract capital and to build its economy. A summary look at relatively recent events shows this: 

• 1949: Independence from Dutch rule.

• Mid 1960’s: General Suharto’s purge of rival Communist political parties / members. 500,000 Indonesians died, 80,000 of them Balinese.
• Post purge: creation of a democratic, western aligned, government. 
• “Paradise” reinstated; transition from an agriculturally-based economy to tourism.

The beauty of this island is nested in its people, its geography, and its culture. The society follows a caste structure, and is patriarchal. Family is big; generations occupy the same ancestral compound or village; women are typically the only members to move from one compound to another and that would be at her marriage -- to join her husband at his compound.

One of the fascinating features of Bali’s past is that of its complex irrigation system for rice paddy fields built circa 914. The island also treats tourists to rituals and culture with performances of the Barong dance (see mask) – a struggle between good and evil. Don’t be surprised to see monkeys as family pets.

A coral reef surrounds the island, bringing with it a wide variety of sea life --  952 documented species of fish. The island’s landscape is spectacular with high majestic volcanic peaks rising to 3,000 metres.

Bali Voyages to consider

For your consideration, we have identified four voyages involving three cruise lines that offer fulfilling itineraries and good value for money. Each has some variation of itinerary and we suggest you call us for details. We start below with the ship with least capacity and progress from there.

Voyages to Antiquity: “Bali to Bangkok and Beyond”

Voyages to Antiquity’s Aegean Odyssey has a capacity of 350 passengers. This 21-day voyage departs Bali January 21, 2013. It ends in Bangkok February 10^th and includes hotel nights in Bali, Siem Reap, Cambodia (the home of Angkor Wat) and Bangkok. To view details of this voyage CLICK HERE.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises “South Pacific Secrets”

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ all-suite Voyager has a capacity of 700-passengers. This 21-day voyage departs Bali December 19^th and ends in Auckland, NZ January 10^th. A most memorable way to celebrate both Christmas and New Year’s with your loved ones and family!
We invite you to call us for details, or visit www.clarksonregent.ca and select the December 19^th departure date for Voyager.

All-inclusiveness is just a part of the reason to travel with Regent. This voyage carries a generous shipboard credit of $700 per suite and significant savings if booked before November 1^st.

Crystal Cruises “Reefs and Rain Forests” and “Spice Islands and Beyond”

Crystal Cruises’ Symphony has a capacity of 940-passengers. We recommend two voyages, both with a duration of 12 days.

        “Reefs and Rain Forests” departs Sydney Australia February 11^th and arrives in Bali February 23^rd. Crystal Cruises has reduced the fare by $700 PP on this voyage if booked before October 31^st; call us to check whether this offer has been extended. We add to the attractiveness of this offer by including a $250 shipboard credit PP.“Spice Islands andBeyond” boards in Bali February 23^rd and sails February 24^th. This voyage ends in Singapore March 7^th. Crystal Cruises has reduced the fare by $1,200 PP on this voyage if booked before October 31^st; call us to check whether this offer has been extended. We add to the attractiveness of this offer by including a $250 shipboard credit PP.

 

Both these voyages provide the opportunity to extend one’s stay in Bali either pre or post cruise. Call us for details or visit www.clarksoncrystal.ca and select the above 2013 departure dates for Symphony.

Crystal Cruises has been voted #1 by Conde Nast Traveler for an unprecedented 18 years running. No hotel, resort, or other cruise line has such a record.

You may have heard Alexa Petrenko’s on-air invitation to join her on Crystal Cruises’ “Canary Islands Classical” that sails from Lisbon to Barcelona. You may view details at www.clarksoncruises.ca.

Group Tours at Clarkson

Group tours at Clarkson offer a promise of travel with like-minded travelers, the start of new friendships, learning from guides, and continuing enjoyment that lingers in one’s mind. Each year we select groups to escort and our 2013 selection is as follows:
April 7^th: Zaneta and Joe will escort “Canary Islands Classical” cruise tour from Lisbon to Barcelona
June 11^th: Tal McKelvey will escort the “Russian Waterways” cruise tour from St. Petersburg to Moscow
September 15^th: Victoria De Wildt will escort the “Magnificent Europe” cruise tour from Amsterdam to Budapest.

About our “Refer a friend” program

We invite you to take advantage of our referral offer. Refer a friend, have your friend book and earn CAD 150 bonus on your booking.

Why Cruise Holidays of Clarkson

Cruise Holidays of Clarkson is an independently owned travel agency specializing in group and individual leisure travel services. Our business relies heavily on word of mouth and the promise of a lifetime travel experience.

We consider it important to understand our clients’ travel dreams, preferences, and needs, to keep abreast of travel trends, opportunities, and geopolitics, and to deliver travel services aligned with expectations.

We are part of Travel Leaders Group and benefit from the scale of that operation when dealing with suppliers. This positions us to provide significant value to our clients.

Cruise Holidays of Clarkson is a member of Cruise Holidays’ President’s Circle, i.e. amongst the top 20 stores in North America, for the years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 and is a two-time recipient of Royal Bank Insurance’s award for quality business.

For more information on group travel, see www.clarksontours,ca; for individual travel see www.clarksontravel.ca ; or call 905 855 1700 or email info@clarksontravel.ca . Or better yet, drop in at our store located at 1739 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga ON L5J 1J4; we have ample parking at back.

Getting ready to travel -- Frequently Asked Questions

Update on river cruising -- Our September 2012 Newsletter

September 2012 Travel Report "River Cruising: witnessing history inland" by Joe Rochemont Cruise Holidays of Clarkson Experts at land and cruise travel Visit our website About Us Value-Added Promo Calendar

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On River Cruising … Past and Present

Foreword:

Detailed information on river cruises contained herein can be found at our website: www.clarksontours.ca and select "Rivers and Land". In this newsletter we review river cruising in general, excluding rivers in the Americas. We draw conclusions at the end of the newsletter employing the market stratification model adopted by the travel industry for ocean cruising -- specifically, "luxury", "premium", and "mass" markets. We trust you will find this information useful and welcome your queries as to availability and / or advice on the many voyages we identify herein.

Canals; an enabler for our inland waterways

Let’s turn the clock back a few thousand years to the days of Nero – an Emperor of Rome. Nero engaged Egyptian engineers to design the Corinth Canal to join the Ionian and Aegean Seas. Nero was assassinated before work could be completed. Going back just one thousand years takes us to China’s Grand Canal that connects Beijing and Hangzhou – a distance close to 1,800 kilometres. The idea of cutting across land to reduce travel time has been with us for some time; however it was not until 1992, when the Rhine and Danube rivers were interconnected, that river cruising, as a segment of the cruise industry, took hold.

River cruising; the concept

Driven by the needs of trade, the connection of rivers in Europe saw a concept come to full life – that of a floating hotel on rivers (i.e. river boats); tourists could visit far distant, historical and major cities from a vessel literally docked downtown; all from the comfort of their “hotel room” – their cabin or stateroom on board their river boat.

Since 2007, river cruising has grown at the rate of 15% annually (see chart). At this rate, capacity doubles every five years. 

Rivers, the main inland thoroughfares of the past, afford us an upfront and close look at major cities; the fact is that most were built on the banks of rivers or at seaports.

Europe, and river cruising in general

Passenger capacity on river boats ranges from a low 92 to over 200 passengers and the size of staterooms from 140 to over well over 350 square feet. River cruise lines include excellent tours at virtually each port of call, where knowledgeable tour guides are capable of making your head spin – they can provide such detail.

The European Waterways in particular served as natural land boundaries that helped define and develop countries. And they facilitated trade – the main driver for interconnecting these rivers through a system of locks. It does boggle the mind that one can sail from Amsterdam to the Black Sea  (link takes you to a voyages ending in Budapest) by way of the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers. This voyage traverses nine countries (see map), the Continental Divide, and an elevated waterway.

Let’s have a brief look at some of the rivers and the itineraries they afford.

The Rhine

As one travels the Rhine from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands, we have the ever-present reminders of a toll-collecting practice, evidenced today by enormous mountaintop castles (or ruins thereof), some still functioning as converted restaurants. The story goes that in some places, logs were placed in the river, thereby impeding travel and enabling toll collection.

Seasonal cruises on the Rhine include “Tulip Time”, and theme cruises such as wine with attending renowned sommeliers with starting points in Zurich, Paris, Basel, and Amsterdam.

The Danube

A popular and satisfying voyage is that of Budapest to Nuremberg then on to Prague – a jewel of a city, not taking anything away from Budapest – with its many points of interest and iconic Parliament Buildings – a photographer’s delight particularly when viewed from Fisherman’s Bastion at the opposite side of the river.

The voyage from the Black Sea, starting in Istanbul with its bazaar and Blue Mosque past the Iron Gates ending in Vienna is another historic delight and visits places mentioned in the Bible.

The Rhone

Start in Paris, travel by high-speed train (the TGV) to Lyon. Sail from there to the Beaujolais area up the Soane River then down the Rhone past medieval towns – the Provence area. Enjoy a flamenco show in Barcelona. Wine theme cruises are a real treat. Or travel the Seine and the Rhone on the Grand France.

The Duoro

Love port wine, or just good wine? Enjoy a country with rugged and inviting coastlines? A country with rich history and excellent foods? Visit Portugal and Spain. Start in Lisbon, end in Madrid. Join our President’s cruise in October 2013.

Other European Rivers

Still more river cruises are offered on the Elbe which flows from the Czech Republic through Germany into the North Sea, the Dnieper River which flows through Belarus and the Ukraine into the Black Sea, and the Po River which features Venice, Italy.

Russia: the Volga River

Each June, at the time of the “White Nights”, we at Cruise Holidays of Clarkson offer this voyage between Moscow and St. Petersburg; opulence is the byword here, when one visits Hermitage and Catherine the Great’s Palace in St. Petersburg. But travelers also experience the simpler things of Russian life, like sharing a meal with a Russian family.

China: the Yangtze River

In China, the Yangtze River cruise travels between the cities of Chongqing and Yichang. Chongqing has a population of 33 million people and was once the capital of China. This tour visits Beijing, where the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall of China can be visited, then Nanjing, home of the Terra Cotta warriors, Shanghai – its Financial Centre, other mainland China locations and Hong Kong. To avoid crowds, travel late in the year.

Egypt: the Nile

Start in Cairo, where the pyramids and the famed Sphinx are located near the city; at the Cairo Museum, see the mummy of the Pharaoh Ramses II, over 3,200 years old still with recognizable features. The tour continues to the Valley of the Kings, where multiple tombs were discovered on the west side of the Nile, then on to Luxor and Abu Simbel, at the south end of Lake Nasser.  Travel in the spring or in the fall to avoid extremely high temperatures.

South Africa: Chobe River

This tour includes visits to game reserves, Cape Town, and a cruise ending at Victoria Falls. A once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Vietnam and Cambodia: The Mekong

The tour commences in Hanoi, with its French influence, then on to the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, Ha Long Bay, before flying to Siem Reap in Cambodia. See UNESCO sites such as Angkor Wat, before boarding for a cruise along the Mekong to Ho Chi Minh City. This tour is mind-altering … one has much opportunity to mingle with the locals; to us westerners, their lifestyle is extraordinary. See floating villages and more. Best time to travel: February / March.

Cruise Lines, market segmentation and coverage

Let's have a look at market segmentation within river cruise products; and let's use ocean-cruising's segmentation model: specifically, "luxury", "premium" and "mass" markets. In ocean cruising, we have a mature product wherein the players differentiate their products by how the products and services are delivered and the level of service. Examples of points of differentiation are the quality of linen, butler service, suites, quality and choice of shore excursions, etc. 
Carnival Cruise Lines for example, own eleven brands and operate in all three segments. Seabourn operates in luxury, Holland America Line operates in premium and Carnival (the brand) operates in mass. 
Until recently, river cruise line companies all claimed "luxury" level services and indeed the cruise experience was, and still is, reasonably uniform. We do see, however, the emergence of two luxury companies -- Scenic Tours and Tauck (see chart). Each of these companies has tour beginnings, and operates worldwide. They have proven to be game changers.

About Cruise Holidays of Clarkson

We are a full-service travel agency and provide expert advice and services in land and cruise vacations.

We have been a member of the Cruise Holidays President Circle (awarded to the top 20 stores in North America) for the last three years running and won Best Group Promotion Awards in 2008 and 2011. We are dedicated to deliver travel experiences that match our clients' individual lifestyles and pride ourselves in managing lasting relationships earned through the integrity of our service. We thank you for your business and we stand ready to review, discuss, and help you maximize value from your travel investment.

Call us at 905 855 1700 or email info@clarksontravel.ca for more information.
Our address is 1739 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga ON L5J 1J4 and there is ample free parking at the rear of our store. Drop in!

Zaneta Rochemont
President,
Cruise Holidays of Clarkson
1739 Lakeshore Road West
Mississauga ON L5J 1J4

T: 905 855 1700 | F: 905 855 1701 e: info@clarksontravel.ca| w: www.clarksontours.ca

July 2012 Newsletter -- Trans Atlantic Crossing on Cunard's Queen Mary 2

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President Circle, Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee, Cunard’s Atlantic Crossing, and more …

We were part of the Cruise Holidays President’s Circle cruise, awarded to 20 of the top Cruise Holidays businesses in North America. The cruise was aboard Cunard Line’s legendary Queen Mary 2, sailing from Southampton, England to New York, June 10-17, 2012. Being our first trans-Atlantic cruise, we share the experience with you.

Canterbury, Kent – a voyage into the past

We traveled to Canterbury a week before the sailing -- just in time to participate in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration; the passion and outcry of love for the Queen was amazing! Hundreds of thousands exercised squatter’s rights – taking up vantage positions days in advance to catch sight of the Queen and the Royals. And according to the Guinness Book of Records, witness the largest ever flotilla up the Thames or anywhere for that matter. 

Flotilla, Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee

The Queen was visibly touched by her son Charles’ address which started with “Your Royal Highness, Mummy ...”

We celebrated with locals at a 700 year-old pub in Canterbury, Kent with our friends Mike and Ann. Dressed in regal regalia, the locals danced, sang, and made merry. Mike and Ann were great hosts; we visited historic sites of Canterbury and the coast north of Dover, a concert at the new Marlowe Theatre that sticks out magnificently amidst the older Canterbury landscape.

View of Trafalgar Square

In London, Zaneta remarked, “Of all the cities I have visited, these landmarks are impressive!” We wanted to update ourselves on London, the city and at the same time experience the services of one of our preferred ground operators and travel partner. We treated ourselves to a private morning tour using their services, and inspected 4 and 5-star hotels aligned with our travelers’ preferences. Stay tuned for our enhanced British Isles cruise-tours or a trans-Atlantic crossing on Cunard! Traditional cruising with the largest dance floor on the ocean!

Southampton – a haunted hotel and embarkation

Bristol Room, New Place

In Southampton, we stayed at a rural hotel – Devere Venues New Place. Built in 1906 it has the appearance of a manor of much older vintage. Its Bristol Room – moved piece by piece from another house and reassembled at New Place exactly as before. The fireplace carries the coat of arms of the family and a date circa 1650. The manor was used as a school before becoming a hotel and mysterious happenings occurred in the boys’ dormitory above the Bristol Room. The story goes that there were some unexplained appearances in the dorm – the last being in 1983 by a “Brutus” who had died accidentally at the manor performing repairs to the roof.

The crossing

The next day, we traveled from rural Hampshire to Southampton and boarded the Queen Mary 2. Once on sail, we were quick to appreciate Cunard’s distinction between an “ocean liner” and a “cruise ship”. The crossing on Queen Mary 2 was as smooth as silk even in choppy waters.

 Unlike most ocean-going voyages, a trans-Atlantic crossing is not defined by a series of port calls. Passengers feel a sense of timelessness, as each day brings new opportunities to relax and unwind aboard the ship. Very quickly, one realizes there is no pressure to rise early in order to leave the ship to sight-see, shop, or go to the beach. Overheard sentiments of one passenger:  “From the moment you step aboard, you are not stepping back in time, but in a sense you are stepping away from it.”

Restful, yet Stimulating

Stairwell, QM2

Those who feel a 7-day ocean crossing may leave too much idle time need not fear. Although there is a feel of a slower pace, there are countless activities to take part in from sun-up until well past sundown. The days are filled with everything from early riser’s yoga, to insightful guest lecturers, to Afternoon Tea, to exciting casino action or relaxing visits to the spa.

Glittering, Glamorous Evenings

The Golden Age of ocean travel comes alive in the evenings on a trans-Atlantic cruise. Passengers dress in their finest formalwear and enjoy exquisite dishes such as Lobster Américaine Flambé, Châteaubriand, and decadent desserts, like Cassis Champagne Mousse. Nothing can compare to the lavish themed balls, such as the Black and White Ball or the Royal Ascot Ball, held on the largest dance floor at sea, amidst a sea of glittering ball gowns, tuxedos, magnificent hats and fascinators.

The Ultimate Experience

Passengers who wake early the final morning of the sailing are treated to one of the most unique experiences anywhere at sea – sailing into New York Harbor, under the Verrazano Bridge and past the Statue of Liberty. It’s the ultimate experience to wake up before sunrise, go out on deck in a warm sweater with a celebratory glass of champagne or a steaming mug of coffee or tea in hand. To see land after an extended period at sea is a moment that brings hope and a sense of new possibilities.

Packing Tips

Packing for a trans-Atlantic cruise does require a considerable amount of forethought, but information on dress requirements is readily available well ahead of the cruise departure, giving you time to plan accordingly. Think of items you may be able to re-purpose, especially shawls, wraps or light jackets. There is a laundry service onboard and launderettes are generously spread throughout the ship on most decks. Of course the advantage of all types of cruising is once you are at the ship you only need to unpack once.

About the Cruise Holidays President’s Circle

The formula for determining President’s Circle members is based on two factors. The Cruise Holidays businesses that earned the most revenue in the previous year along with those who had the most revenue growth compared to the previous year were chosen as President’s Circle winners. Additionally, while most of the winners were Cruise Holidays storefront agencies, the top three virtual offices (home-based businesses) were also selected for the President’s Circle.

Zaneta and I are honoured to have been named to the President’s Circle for the last three years running, and thank you for your continued support. We stand ready to help you realize your dream vacation or check off one more of your “bucket list” items.  Call us at 905 855 1700 or email info@clarksontravel.ca for more information. Our address is 1739 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga ON L5J 1J4 and there is ample free parking at the rear of our store.

Join our team

Over the years, several of you, our fellow travelers, have demonstrated a passion for travel driven as we are for an ongoing learning of historical influences of the diverse cultures of the world. We are expanding, and invite you to join us! We are particularly interested in individuals who wish to work from the comfort of their homes. Please call us to discuss.

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Cruise Holidays is part of the oldest cruise-specialty retail franchise in North America, with stores and home-based franchises in both the United States and Canada. Cruise Holidays is also a distinguished provider of land tour vacation packages.  Founded in 1984, Cruise Holidays is part of Travel Leaders Group.  With approximately 1,300 travel agency locations in the United States and Canada, Travel Leaders Group serves millions of individual leisure travelers, as well as select corporate clients and destinations.

An invitation to join Zaneta and Joe on two upcoming voyages.

Zaneta and I have had the pleasure of travelling with many of you, and we have selected two voyages that we will escort together -- by far our preferred way of travel. We describe these voyages below and invite you to join us:

Orient Express from Bangkok to Singapore

1.       “The Deluxe Orient Experience” departing Toronto November 2^nd 2012 for Bangkok. This is a land tour, filled with activity designed to provide an understanding of ancient culture at our places of visit, and experience then influence of this past on today’s lifestyles. And music, art, stunning landscapes and architectural wonders all form part of the total experience.  There are a total of twelve hotel nights – Bangkok, Singapore, Bali and Hong Kong and with three nights on board the Eastern and Oriental Express.

2.       Crystal Cruises’ “Canary Island Classic” departing Toronto April 7^th 2013. Alexa Petrenko of the New Classical 96.3FM radio station will join us on this voyage, and will be available to meet, socialize with you, and share her experience with 96.3 and her vast exposure to the world of classical music. Alexa hosts “Oasis” that airs weekdays from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM and “Sunday Night at the Opera”. This voyage visits the powers of the Old World, Portugal and Spain, the steamy kingdom of Morocco, and the revered Canary Islands. There is much to see, learn, experience and do on board and on shore. We invite you to come with us. Note we are in the process of adding concerts etc. however don't wait to book!

Crystal Cruises’ has been voted # 1 by Conde Nast for 17 years running. 


For alternate dates and voyages, please view our Calendar of Value-Added Promotions. We have something extra in each!

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We thank you for your business and we stand ready to review and discuss how you can achieve your travel plans or dreams and advantage of existing value offers. Please call us at 905 855 1700 or e-mail info@clarksontravel.ca for more information. Our address is 1739 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga ON L5J 1J4 and there is ample free parking at the rear of our store.