Explore remote corners and less-frequented waterways around the globe from the comfort of these unique and intimate yachts, ships and barges.
"One gloriously sunny day a few years back, I was enjoying the scenery from the deck of a six-passenger luxury barge as it traversed the Canal du Rhône à Sète in southern France, when we passed a pair of elderly locals near the shore. Amused at the sight of us sprawled out in our deck chairs, puttering ever so slowly by, one of the men took the huge cigar out of his mouth and shouted, 'You don't have a care in the world, do you?' And at that moment, I really did not. Now this, I remember telling myself at the time, is what a good cruise is all about. It should transport you, not just to another place, but to another state of mind." - An Andrew Harper Member
This Andrew Harper Member is not alone in her thinking, as more than 16 million people were expected to take a cruise this year alone. If you're one of them, you'll be glad to know there are some unique options that don't involve cookie-cutter cabins, boring buffet lines, cheesy stage shows and tourist-swamped ports of call. Following are some of the more intimate and unique cruising experiences, offered by our prestigious Andrew Harper Alliance cruise and yachts partners.
Calling its excursions "yachtscapes" rather than cruises, this Seattlebased group with a trio of vessels leans toward smaller, more intimate group experiences. "It's like cruising on a friend's luxury boat," says Tim Jacox, the company's executive vice president of sales and marketing.
Expertise: "We specialize in close-up cruising. Our nimble yachts are able to weave through icebergs and nose up to the spray of a waterfall. You have the flexibility to follow the wildlife, play in tiny coves, explore native villages, and experience sights few ever see."
Where They Go: Destinations include Alaska's nature-rich Glacier Bay (where you can hike and kayak amid one of the country's most spectacular national parks), the tropical island of Moloka'i in Hawaii (featuring an authentic luau and ukulele jam session) and Baja's diverse Sea of Cortés (perfect for water lovers who want to try everything from stand-up paddling to swimming with sea lions).
Noteworthy Amenities: Hot tubs, heated tile floors, fitness equipment, memory foam mattresses.
What's New: "We've just added inter-island cruises in Hawaii. There's no other company offering this type of upscale cruise vacation among the islands. We are also expanding our Washington and British Columbia cruises beginning in fall 2012."
Andrew Harper Member: "The crew spared no effort in attempting to provide viewing opportunities. There were many times they went off the beaten path when it would have been easier to stay the course."
With more than 20 years of chartering experience and a fleet ranging from 47-foot catamarans to 237-foot power yachts, All Yachts Worldwide President Karen Kelly can concoct your ideal cruise vacation, no matter where you want to go. Says Kelly: "I meticulously combine my intimate knowledge of the cruising areas, the layout of the yachts and amenities, and my favorite crews, providing all the ingredients to ensure your trip is the perfect combination for a successful charter."
All Hands on Deck: "Guests are welcome to partake in the sailing or steering of the yacht. The head charterer can review the cruising charts with the captain and make decisions on where to travel each day."
Why Choose Charter Cruising: "You have a different view every evening. And you only have to unpack once! It is private, personal, secure and done to your tastes. You control your destiny. You can change routes along the way."
Fan Favorites: "Croatia and Italy are the hot spots at the moment. We are also doing a lot of three-generation cruises, particularly in Alaska and the Caribbean." ANDREW
Andrew Harper Member: "We were so thrilled with every aspect of our trip. Rik was a wonderful, experienced captain and so interesting to speak to. Ann was a fabulous chef and wonderful snorkel guide who helped us really enjoy the tropical fish bowl we were swimming in."
Midnight Sun Alaska Yacht Charters
"I fell in love with boating as a teenager sailing on Long Island Sound," says Midnight Sun Captain Bob Wostmann, who has spent the last 24 years navigating his 70-foot motor yacht along Alaska's rugged Inside Passage.
What You'll See: "We strive to show our guests a little bit of everything southeast Alaska has to offer: glaciers, icebergs, hot springs and 15,000-foot mountains; whales, bears, sea lions, seals, otters and a wide variety of seabirds and marine life."
A Historic Destination: "The Inside Passage is the route the gold miners used to take to get to Skagway, Alaska, from where they would hike over the mountains into Canada and on to the gold fields. From Seattle to Skagway is about 1,000 miles, and almost all of it winds through a spectacular series of coastal islands. In my opinion, the last section, in the northern half of southeast Alaska, is the most beautiful."
The Ship: "The Midnight Sun was built specifically for chartering the remote northern waters and is quite luxurious and comfortable. We have four crew looking after no more than six guests."
Name Your Pleasure: "We work with guests to build an itinerary based on their preferences. One trip might be focused on whale-watching, another on finding beautiful, remote places to hike, and another on fishing all the hot spots."
Catch of the Day: "Every trip includes setting out pots for crab and shrimp, which our chef will serve that same day. We always provision with fresh local salmon and halibut, but if our guests are successful in catching their own, that becomes the menu of the day."
Having helped introduce luxury European barge cruises to American travelers back in the early '80s, Frontiers' Jill Jergel is naturally the go-to barge guru. She has personally inspected nearly every barge on the continent and is the ideal person to recommend a river or canal cruise that's right for you.
The Journey: "A barge cruise is the opportunity to explore the hidden nooks and crannies of Europe, learn about regional culinary traditions and wines and, for charter groups, to do this with the familiar laughter and faces of friends or family."
Your Mode of Transportation: The term "barge" may conjure up images of crusty old freighters; think instead of a luxury houseboat with everything from skylights to sundecks. "It truly is your own floating villa with crew."
Your Choice of Destinations: "The most popular region is Burgundy, which has many waterways to explore. The cruise through charming Alsace is fabulous; the autumn cruise on the Moselle River in Germany takes you to one darling little wine town after another; and in Scotland, the barge cruising the Caledonian Canal has a depth finder for the days on Loch Ness. The captain is quite sure that something is down there!"
Easy on and Off: "Flexibility and accommodating individual preferences are the hallmarks of a barge experience. Perhaps the day's excursion is a visit to a local familyowned château, a bike ride to a nearby village, a shopping trip with the ship's chef to the market, or an afternoon wine-tasting."
Orient-Express may be known more for its luxury train treks but, says Timothy Monaghan, a senior account exec at Alice Marshall Public Relations, "Orient-Express prides itself on offering a plethora of exciting and unique experiences," including a cruise along the Irrawady River aboard the Road to Mandalay in exotic Burma.
Why a River Cruise: "Guests aboard a river cruise have a constant view of life on shore, and the pace on the water is slower, allowing guests to truly take in the scenery. Also, a river cruise allows guests to access ports and landmarks a larger cruise ship out on the ocean would not be able to."
The Sights: "Some excursions include visiting local nunneries, touring the ancient city of Ava, exploring some of the more significant pagodas, and seeing Myanmar's famous lacquerware being made in the local market."
Memorable Menus: "The food on the Road to Mandalay highlights the regional cuisine." Sample dishes include gourd tempura, coconut rice, prawn curry and apricot clafouti.
Fun Extras: "A pianist plays nightly in the piano bar, a cultural lecture is held in the observation lounge on sailing days, and a variety of local entertainers perform in the evenings."
Andrew Harper Member: "The Road to Mandalay cruise was a great experience. The guide with whom we took all of our excursions was very knowledgeable and spoke brilliant English."
Having made its maiden South Pacific voyage in 1998, the m/s Paul Gauguin is now the longest continually operating year-round luxury cruise ship in the area. "She was designed specifically to sail the shallow seas of Tahiti and French Polynesia," says Sandy Stevens, the company's vice president of sales, "allowing her to visit small ports that larger ships can't reach."
The Destination: "A person may believe they've been to paradise after visiting the Caribbean, Hawaii or Mexico, but until you get a glimpse of the Tahitian islands—water so many shades of blue a photo can't do it justice, and the people who welcome you with open arms—you'll never really know paradise. French Polynesia isn't just another vacation or destination; it touches people's hearts and souls."
Local Flavor: "What makes us truly special is that we bring French Polynesia right on the ship. Our beloved troupe of Les Gauguines– a local group who serve as cruise staff, entertainers and storytellers– add the unique personality of Tahiti to every cruise."
Bonus Feature: "Instead of spending the night aboard the ship, for an additional cost guests can enjoy an evening at our Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa in an over-the-water Polynesian-style bungalow, along with a candlelit dinner for two and canoe breakfast before rejoining the ship the next day."
Fan Favorite: "The seven-night 'Tahiti & Society Islands' sailings are what daydreams are made of. This itinerary is our most popular and includes a sparkling string of emerald islands that are at the centerpiece of every voyage the Paul Gauguin makes."
A top player on the super-luxurious small-ship European cruising scene for almost two decades, the Hebridean Princess was officially unveiled to North American cruisers earlier this year. "We are delighted to introduce this new and exciting cruise brand to our U.S. and Canadian region, especially at a time when avid cruisers and mature travelers are seeking a one-of-a-kind vacation experience," says Steve Novello, president of All Discovery Cruising, North America, the marketing arm of Hebridean Island Cruises.
Where You'll Go: Destinations include the Channel Islands, Ireland, England, Wales and northern France, as well as scenic ports along the Scottish Highlands, said to be one of Europe's last remaining unspoiled regions. Grand in design but small in stature, the Hebridean Princess can sail to remote coastal villages, picturesque islands, and hard-to-reach bays and lochs normally visited only by private yachts.
Elegant Amenities: Each of the ship's well-appointed cabins is named after a Scottish castle or island. Public features include a library, conservatory, waterfront gym and cozy lounge with a roaring fireplace and sweeping views.
Fit for a Queen : Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the royal family sailed aboard the Princess during a chartered trip in 2010.
Signature Itineraries: Hebridean's "Footloose" cruises are specifically designed for amazing walking adventures, whether you're a seasoned trekker or like a more leisurely stroll.
Asked what makes its ships unique, Sea Cloud's marketing manager, Michael McIntosh, responded, "Even before they step aboard our two five-star sailing ships and luxury river vessel, passengers can tell they are in for a special experience. All of our yachts are known for their intimate, club-like atmosphere; for being more like boutique hotels than cruise ships."
Where They Go: "The sailing ships, Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II, spend spring, summer and fall cruising the Mediterranean, Aegean, Adriatic, Black Sea and North Atlantic and Atlantic coast (Europe and North Africa); in winter, they sail the Caribbean and Central America. The River Cloud II cruises the Dutch waterways, the Rhine, the Danube and the Danube Delta."
The Romance of Sailing: "The Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II are classic sailing yachts that are still sailed by hand. When the crew climbs the rigging, unfurling the more than 30,000 square feet of cloth, and the wind takes the sails, it really is a sight to see."
Benefits of a River Cruise: "On a river itinerary, you're not covering the same distance cruising from port to port, so you have more time to spend ashore in the towns and cities along your route."
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
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