We just received a brochure from on outfit called Wilderness Travel. They are selling an 18 night cruise on Hanseatic 20 Jan 07 through 7 Feb 07. This is our dream trip. Reading through the brochure though it indicates that they have arranged for 20 cabins. They have their own trip leader, Jonathan Green, and Hanseatic Expedition leader David Fletcher, both Brits. It sure sounds to me like the rest of the ship might be all German. It doesn't mention having their own chef either.

Has anyone else received the brochure? Is anyone else interested? Does anyone else think Ngaire might be able to fill twenty cabins and hire our own expedition leader and chef and do the same thing the following year? Actually, if Hanseatic has their own expedition leader, Ngaire can be our own Trip Leader!!!

That would continue the "A" theme....

A for Africa (ROAR)
A for Alaska (MUSH)

We need Australia and Antarctica

David Fletcher is wonderful by the way. A real story teller he can keep you absolutely enthralled there is no one better. Not sure if Johnathon Green is the man we had whose name was also "Green" but he was Canadian. IF it is the same two men then that is a winning team.

I had been trying to co-ordinate with Hapag Lloyd to sell their English speaking cruises to no avail. I love the Hanseatic and they have some really interesting and unique itineraries.

I have to work with the local US rep that wont even call me back. I have called, written and emailed multiple times. The only materials I have came straight from Germany. Never seen anything like this before. Recently I spoke with another TA that said it was ridiculous and she has had the same problems. I decided if they are this difficult, booking with them would be nothing short of a nightmare so I just decided "adios".

I will try ONE MORE TIME to see if anyone is interested in talking to me.

Perhaps Wilderness is just selling the English speaking program and there are 20 cabins available in that program from Hapag Lloyd to anyone who wants to book. Or they may truly have a select group. Who knows. If I have no success then maybe anyone interested, including me, should just book through this outfit.

Why frankly with 20 English speaking people I dont think it is a big deal if the rest are German anyway. It was that way on the Nile Cruise we took - full of Germans it was okay.

The food - I can give up the fabulous food if I get to see the Kings on South Georiga. I know - no lamb and no dover sole but I will survive.

Marc can you copy and send me the materials you received please?

Ngaire, I didn't bring into office today; but will get copied and into mail for you early next week.

We don't have time for both MUSH and this trip with so little time in between; it would be nice to find out if such a trip was available for 2008.

Ngaire and Marc--I also received the info from Wilderness Travel--they have a very good reputation. You can get more info on their Antarctica trips from their website www.wildernesstravel.com
Sounds like an idea for 2008...

Susan

If anyone gets a group together for this trip (or one like it) in late 2007 or early 2008, let us know--we'd be really interested.

Wow , Just went to the website. I wanted to book right then and there! Then I remembered that I wouldn't be able to do it until 2012( when my youngest graduates from HS) :( .

I guess it's never too soon to start planning, so I'm "penciling" it in ;) !

Marc, just read the itinerary and it does sound fascinating! I'm afraid words like "Wilderness", "Explorer" will scare Tom Cruise off! :eek:

His idea of roughing it is if room service is running late!

Marcie:

You need to have Tom read Ngaire's review of her trip on Hanseatic. I think her CC post is probably history but I'm sure she will be glad to send it over. This ship has nothing in common with "roughing it." This was going to be our first Radisson cruise; until we thought Caribbean would be a better locale for an anniversary celebration.

We took a trip with Wilderness Travel - hiking in Tasmania - in `04. Most of the travelers on that trip had taken many trips with them. I also have friends who took their special trip to Egypt last year and were quite happy with it and just met a couple on our Peru trip who went with them on a Namibia trip and were pleased as well.

Will look into it when I return from Lima tomorrow - I`m killing time before a massage and a 1 AM (ugh!) departure!

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Leslie

Anyone up for the trip in January 2007? Here is some info from the Hapag-Lloyd site.

I am investigating this right now and it looks like Ken and I are a go for this trip. I am getting all the necessary information from Hapag Lloyd right now. After the early booking discount is deducted I will be able to offer my normal B&K discount.

I dont want to wait until 2008 because it is so far away and they may not even offer South Georgia in 2008 then it would 2009. By then they could shut Antarctica down to tourists. That rumor has been around for a while now.

I have found out that David Fletcher (who is a WONDERFUL guy) will be on board and available to all guests. Not sure if Johanthan Green is the same guy we had but the key here is David Spencer.

I will have more details hopefully tomorrow.

Ken and I are very excited we really want to see the Kings in South Georgia and now that we can do it on the Hanseatic we are tickled pink.

I haven't seen the Wilderness Travel info yet - will probably have the brochure in NM when I get back there tomorrow - don't see this trip their web site.

Do you know the size of the various cabins, Ngaire? The pictures look nice. A majority of Germans on the ship gives me pause, though....

Send on details when you get them!

Yes, I have been on the Hanseatic Leslie. I love the ship. It is like an upscale Song of Flower. The cabins are great, full size bathtubs and marble bathrooms. The cabins are a similiar size to the Diamond and Mariner cabins. The main rooms are comfortable and large for the number of guests.

I think we will find a lot of English speaking guests on board as there is a pent up demand for a quality ship that takes English speaking people to the South Georgia Islands. It is a cruise they are featuring for English speaking guests and Wilderness was just smart enough to grab 20 cabins but it is open to anyone who wants to book the sailing.

I am going to see if I can dig up all my materials from the Hanseatic voyage I took and will be receiving more information from Hapag Lloyd and I will put that all together. Once I get that done I will send out copies to those interested.

Ngaire, I would like that information. Always wanted to go to Antartica. Not sure we'll be "up" for it by then but you never know. anyway, would still like to look at the ship info. Thanks, Jean (Other Mom)

Oh it would be so nice to have my parents along!!! I would be delighted if you came.

It is not really "roughing" it at all. The ship is very comfortable and luxurious. Some landings are much easier than others. There are landings where the ground is flat and the penguins are just right there where you get off. No hard walking up hills or anything like that. I am going to dig out my pictures so people know what to expect.

Actually on our trip last time we had a very nice man who was suffering from Bladder cancer with a very poor prognosis. He was taking 28 pills a day on an experimental treatment. He was diagnosed AFTER be booked, had insurance and could have cancelled. However, he was determined to come along. He could not leave the ship but his wife came with us on a few landings. He recovered from his cancer which I sincerely believe was a "force of will". He still says it is was his best trip. You miss a lot not doing the landings and standing among the penguins but it is still a scenic wonderland from the ship.

We also had a 90 year old lady that went on almost all the landings. If you two can hang in with the MINT crowd in the disco you can hang in with the penguins!

Ngaire, be sure to put us on your list for this trip in Jan, 2007 --we haven't booked a cruise in a month or so, I'm getting withdrawal. :rolleyes:

Here is another site with lots of information about Antarctica.

http://www.coolantarctica.com/Travel/antarctica_travel_home.htm

For those of you going to N.Z. or on Tusk who received my binded booklet I am creating a booklet similiar for this trip. I plan on doing one for the ROARERS too - just takes time to pull all this together.

I know this trip is far off but a combination of South Georgia, the Hanseatic, and an English speaking cruise is something I have been waiting for since 2005. I bet I am not the only one so I think we need to get this out and get good cabins as soon as I can get it handled.

My goal is to have this finished by Sunday, the weekend will be help me pull it together. I need some more information from Hapag Lloyd as well.

Ngaire, we need a name. Can I build on PiP and offer up:

PoP - Penguins on Parade :)

Maybe we can even find a penguin "graemlin."

Ngaire, we might be interested too!!

Marc, that is a perfect name!

Oh, send us the information, too, Ngaire. It will mean hard choices but information is everything, right?

Hmm we need a good tea pot contest before the OO7 folks steal Karen away from us.

Lets do it - name this cruise

Penguin
Passionate Explorers Navigating Galantly Unique Icelands and Nature

POP Penguins on Parade (much less complicated)

We will post a poll when we get more names. Been too long since our last "name that cruise poll"

Other offerings please!!!

I am developing a booklet - did a lot today but I still have a lot of unanswered questions. Normal work keeps inteferring too. BUT I am very focused on getting this out so I hope in a few days.

I will send a copy to everyone on this thread and anyone that emails me.

Hi - If you have extras, add me, although chances are slim that I can go. But I never know. If you run short, I will get the info another way.

I'm in!!! <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

I wont run short Betty, just print one more. My pleasure.

No clue if we'd be able to go but would be interested in seeing the material, if possible, Ngaire. :)

Masaki

ICE Ice Continent Explorations

I'd like the info, too, please. I was thinking of going for my 50th in 01/09, but now that I read "by then they could shut Antarctica down to tourists"... well, 48 is a good birthday too!

Kim

Ngaire, if you wouldn't mind a copy for us..... David's eyes lit up over this one........
cindy

Ngaire, I'd love to see the details, although I think it's too soon for us to do a January trip (i.e., until David retires.) If you have lots of brochures, could I get one please?

Please send us info too...though it might mean cancelling MUSH.

Seeing the "Kings" on So. Georgia is a great dream of a lifetime accompanied by a good English speaking program, & a great ship with Ngaire & Ken. Great combination! - Michele

I've asked Ngaire to send me the info too. 3 weeks off from work might be doable for a trip like this!

Just received the Wilderness Travel brochure - Jonathon Green is billed as the "Wilderness Travel Trip Leader", David Fletcher is billed as the "MV Hanseatic Expedition Leader.

Ngaire - do you think you will be able to grab a block of cabins?

----
Leslie

Jonathon Green is not the guy I thought he was that is Geoff Green. David Fletcher is TRULY outstanding. I am so excited he will be there. He can tell a story and have you on the edge of your seat.

I am working on a block. Believe it or not the ship is already pretty full. We have to book category 4 cabins and there are not many of those left either. Category One is not offered, two and three are sold out. Cost is going to be around $12,000 US per person. It is a lot but it is 18 nights, includes round trip charter air from BA to Ushuaia and some cancellation insurance (mandatory with Hapag Lloyd) So when you break it down and consider there are no shore excursion expenses it is about what you would expect. Compare it on a per day basis to SS or RSSC not that much higher. At 18 days that is $666 per day. That is the same as an E category on a 14 night world cruise segment on RSSC. It also includes charter air and all your shore excursions. It is just a long trip.

I am booking those very serious right away. Made bookings today and will do more tomorrow.

Other cabins may open up later on if people cancel or some blocked space falls off.

Ngaire, when you consider the shopping Mecca that Antarctica is not, many of us will end up spending less than if we went to more "developed" locations with lower up front costs. :D

Marc, I hardly ever shop anymore while cruising. It used to be so much fun before the dollar fell so badly.

Well you can buy tee shirts at the Antarctica station and also at Cape Horn. That is about it though. The Falklands have some little shops I have penguin from the Falklands.

Actually it was funny when we hit the scientific station it was like a "buying frenzy" we were in this spectacular spot, penguins everywhere, mountains reflecting in the water - absolutely beautiful. There everyone was pushing to get into the little tiny hut to buy a tee shirt or post a letter. They were starved for shopping opportunities.

Here's an interesting link with more links to Hanseatic info:

Hanseatic info from about.com

and a few good pictures: