Viking river cruises came to fame offering small, luxurious ships sailing on the world’s most wondrous waterways to explore Old World cities in Europe, Asia, and Egypt. Now, Viking has introduced its latest itineraries taking you through the Great Lakes and Canada on brand new Expedition-class ships with just 930 passengers.
Join other experienced travelers who appreciate discovering fresh destinations and sharing their journeys in comfort with good friends and family.
New Great Lakes Collection
Sail all five of the Great Lakes and see Niagara Falls on this 15-day cruise.
Starts in Toronto, Canada, ends at the Downtown Waterfront in Duluth, MN. In between, marvel at the Welland Canal and experience more than a dozen stunning, outdoor wonders on both the Canadian and American sides of the glacial great lakes.
Tour the scenic waterfronts of Detroit and Cleveland, and explore Mackinac Island, Michigan, and picturesque Canadian lakes by kayak, bike, or on foot. Includes 10 tours.
Undiscovered Great Lakes
Start your adventure in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada and go kayaking around several stunning islets and shoals en route to stops at the Downtown Waterfront in Duluth, MN, and a crossing through the famous Soo Locks to American waters.
Mackinac Island, MI, offers beautiful scenery for hiking, biking, and kayaking then on to historic Milwaukee, WI, for the last day.
Great Lakes Explorer
Starts on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee, WI, and hops from Mackinac Island to several breathtaking points in Georgian Bay before disembarking in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Discover the maze of granite islands in the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve and hike the boreal forests of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park on Lake Superior’s northern shore. Eight days of adventure.
Niagara and the Great Lakes
Start in Toronto and enjoy eight days sailing through the Welland Canal by Niagara Falls, to Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, to Detroit, Alpena, and Mackinac Island, Michigan, for kayaking, biking, and hiking. Disembark in Milwaukee, WI, on the shores of Lake Michigan.
For details, guidance on cruise selection, and to find your ideal sail dates, call 609.426.1200 or eecruise@aol.com.
The Lighthouse at the End of the World. Photo: Diamond Cruise & Travel.
As we sailed aboard a catamaran in the Beagle Channel between the sheer rock and stunning glaciers of Tierra del Fuego with Argentina on one side and Chile on the other, I spied the legendary landmark I’d only read about – the famed lighthouse at the end of the world — right there, in front of us. Sea lions meandered just yards away and many colonies of black and white cormorant birds dotted the sky, resembling penguins from a distance, as if penguins really could fly.
Cormorants on Beagle Channel. Photo: Diamond Cruise & Travel.
“Can this get any better?” I wondered. Oh yes – it can. The next day we sailed around Cape Horn, the southernmost point in South America connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Centuries of sailors’ lore suggested we’d be in for rough seas, but not on this cruise – just lovely, calm waters overlooking striking mountains, jagged islands and some of the most picturesque scenery that can be witnessed from a cruise ship.
Sea Lions at Beagle Channel. Photo: Diamond Cruise & Travel.
We had sailed on more than 150 cruises and freely advise people planning a cruise for the first time or help with cruise vacation planning – but we’d never sailed this far south around the southern tip of South America. When we discovered this cruise on Princess Cruises, it seemed the perfect itinerary. Days before docking at Ushuaia at Tierra del Fuego, the Emerald Princess itinerary took us from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Santiago, Chile, with tours of Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, Puerto Montt and the Falkland Islands.
Once we’d sailed around Cape Horn into the Pacific Ocean, we docked in Punta Arenas, the natural penguin habitat. Like many vacationers, we had seen penguins in Sea World, watched the March of the Penguins movie and enjoyed Burgess Meredith as the Penguin in Batman. But on this cruise, we were so close that you could reach out and shake their wings – if they were so inclined.
The cruise destination list followed with an enjoyable day sailing through the Chilean Fjords to Amalia Glacier and then on to Puerto Montt and extensive tours of the city of Valparaiso and the capital city of Santiago.
After sailing on virtually every Caribbean cruise vacation itinerary available, and on nearly every transatlantic and European cruise itinerary, we found this new experience in the Southern Hemisphere rejuvenating. We also look forward to visiting many other countries below the equator.
As word of this region has traveled, several other cruise lines including Celebrity, Regent, Crystal, Oceania and Seabourn Cruise Line have added similar itineraries. For guidance in selecting the ideal cruise ship and tours for your vacation, call me at 800-547-9829 or eecruise@aol.com.
The Emerald Princess. Photo: Diamond Cruise & Travel.
For an immediate, free consultation and to place your name on our mailing list, call us at 800-547-9829 or e-mail us at eecruise@aol.com
We’d always wanted to see the northern lights dancing over the ocean and when a North European cruise sailing above the Arctic Circle came up, we jumped at the chance. Cruising from England to Norway, the Shetland Islands, Iceland and Newfoundland then to New York, I’d envisioned Iceland as a frozen wasteland of glacial cold and ice. But just under the surface, it turns out, the entire island bubbles with hot lava. Perhaps that’s part of what gives its people such warmth and charm, and this itinerary such breathtaking scenery.
After flying to London and sailing from Southampton, our ship, the Ruby Princess, arrived in the port of Bergen, Norway. To my surprise, it was green and lush with trees! We rode the Funicular up to Mt. Flolen and gazed upon the entire city. We’d dressed for very cold weather, but at the top of Mt. Flolen, it was so warm no were jackets required. After a day at sea, we arrived at the famous Shetland Islands.
The Shetland Islands bring to mind the Shetland Ponies, and there they were, along the road and in so many places, amid a landscape of heather-covered moors and farms with grazing sheep. The road led to the Eshaness Lighthouse, built in 1929 by uncles of Robert Louis Stevenson and the last of the Stevenson lighthouses to be built in Shetland.
Sailing from the Shetland Islands to Iceland, we saw exactly what we were hoping to see. After crossing the Arctic Circle around 10:00 p.m., we gazed upon the Northern Lights from the port side of our ship. Pale green waves of light danced up and down in the night sky. No picture can adequately capture the feeling of witnessing this natural light show from the deck of a luxurious cruise ship floating in the cool, sea breeze.
Northern lights over Iceland Photo credit: Hordur Finnbogason
Upon arrival at Akyreyri, Iceland, we prepared for any kind of weather from rain to sun as we set out to tour Godafoss Waterfall. We got rain but it only made the view of the rushing water that much more inspiring. Our next stop in Iceland was Namaskard, the site of boiling mud pools. One of the most active volcanic areas on Iceland, we saw weirdly shaped lava formations from the road that were left exposed as this former lava lake cooled and receded. So many panoramic views along the way, so much to photograph.
Iceland’s beautiful landscapes
Finally, we arrived at Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik. It is not a land of cold and ice. It is a lovely, bustling city with temperatures of approximately 50 degrees F. Its downtown looks similar to other city downtowns. We were looking forward to seeing Strokkur Geyser, an explosive geyser whose steamy spouts sometimes blast at least 60 feet skyward. The area is roped off because, unlike Yellowstone’s Old Faithful, it is difficult to predict when it might spout. Getting too close can result in injury. So many other marvelous sights in Reykjavik: the Geothermal Power Plant, Blue Lagoon where you can bathe in hot springs, Thingvellir National Park and the fishing village of Eyrarbakki. Tip: Wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes, a waterproof jacket, and layers.
I’d thought sailing across the North Atlantic Ocean might be a little rough, but it was so smooth and calm and the weather became only more and more warm and pleasant as we arrived in St. Johns, Newfoundland. There in Canada, I found a wonderful, friendly city. This time, we signed up for a tour with a professional photographer, who brought us to the most scenic and colorful architecture, natural vistas and coastal landscapes. He also offered his guidance and experience in selecting camera settings to shoot like a pro.
We climbed up a hill to view the Cape Spear Lighthouse, Newfoundland’s oldest lighthouse, and then to Signal Hill, the sight of Cabot Tower, which was built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot’s discovery. It is also the place where Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless signal. Of course, the true inventor of wireless radio was Nikola Tesla but Marconi secured the patent and the fame.
Sailing down the coast of the Canadian Maritime Provinces, we soon saw the New York City skyline and Port Liberty. After more than 150 cruises, I’d finally crossed the Atlantic. I solved the mystery. Iceland and its neighbors are not lands of cold and ice. They are wonderful, picturesque lands with friendly people and a comfortable warmth that’s worth discovering for yourself.
For an immediate, free consultation and to place your name on our mailing list, call us at 800-547-9829 or e-mail us at eecruise@aol.com
