Travel and Leisure

Bali is noted for its extensive variety of tropical plants and trees. Banyan trees grow in the villages and on the temple grounds; there are Tamarind trees to the North as well as numerous other varieties throughout the island. Clove, Acacia, Flame, and Mangrove in the South, as well as Coconut and Bamboo. There are hundreds of flowers everywhere you look. The Bali Cruise you embark upon will fill your senses with the fragrant smells and your eyes will take in the sights of unbelievable beauty of this tropical paradise.

Wildlife is abundant, as you will see as your Bali Cruise navigates the pristine waters of your tour. You will see monkeys in the trees, deer in abundance-both barking and mouse, and birds of every color and species-over 300 species in fact. You will also be entertained by the dolphins that gather near Lovina, Candi Dasa, or Padangbai. If you choose to dive, the sight of coral in a beautiful array of colors will amaze you on the East coast, and you will find yourself amidst schools of coral fish as well as reef fish and plankton eating sharks.

A Bali Cruise is more than just a chance to relax. It offers you the opportunity to see sights you may have only heard or read about. The climate of this tropical oasis is moderate year round. Temperatures hover between 68 to 93 degrees. December to March weather may bring heavy rains, and the humidity will rise, but most of this takes place during the night, leaving the day sunny and warm. The humidity level drops during the months of June through September, and the evening temperatures cool down considerably. You wont see much rain during these months and this is the best time to plan your Bali vacation.

There are over 3 million people residing in Bali, with most of the population residing in the South along the coast. Denpasar is the largest island town to date, with a population of over 370 thousand. As your Bali Cruise takes you through the island, you will see how the people live, and have a chance to sample products and food that are made and grown locally. You may even get a chance to visit the vineyards in the North. The friendly people of Bali will greet you with smiling faces and welcome you to their beautiful island.

A Bali Cruise aboard a sailing yacht is a great way to spend the day. Sail to nearby Lembongan Island for a fun filled day of relaxation. Enjoy the refreshments that are offered, drink your coffee or tea as you feel the warm ocean breeze on deck. You may want to try your hand at troll fishing as you make the passage to the island. The sun, the warmth, the fresh air and the relaxed atmosphere will soothe you like nothing else can. Once you reach Lembongan Island Bay you can partake in a fantastic onboard barbecue buffet. What better way to spend the day, and still be back in your room by early evening. If you havent yet visited Bali, now is the time to begin your vacation plans!

Think of cruise holidays and invariably the image of island-hopping between paradisaical islands in the Caribbean comes up and while it’s true that there are many cruises like that, there are also cruise ships out there offering experiences which could be described as the polar opposite. Luxury liners are replaced for smaller more specialised boats that travel between remote and untouched destinations. Guests who opt to take these adventure cruises will find themselves travelling in more specialised groups exploring the unknown during the day and making use of the cruise ship’s facilities in the evening.

Antarctica

Antarctica is the remotest, most undiscovered continent in the world which makes it ideal for adventure cruises. It also perhaps the only destination in the world where people book cruise holidays to, but never end up leaving their ship. This concept might sound strange yet most of Antarctica’s attractions can be seen from the ship; perhaps because most of the attractions in the region are of the furred and feathered variety. Keep a look out for humpback whales and emperor penguins which can often be seen swimming in the ice-cold waters below your boat. Travellers to this region will usually travel to the destination on special cruise ships designed with the difficult terrain in mind. However, they also contain many facilities offered by other cruise ships, like state-of-the-art gyms, basketball courts and virtual golf stimulators. There are even evening photography courses to ensure that the pictures that you take on your cruise are worth sharing with your family.

Galapagos Islands

The flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands is truly like no-where else in the world. Travel on the Celebrity Xpedition, a well-equipped cruise ship that allows you and up to 91 fellow guests to explore the islands in style. The ship has been especially designed to help protect the world-famous archipelago and features environmentally sound design. Sadly, the islands are not a cheap cruise destination, but the price is well worth it for that once in a lifetime experience.

These Galapagos Islands were founded by Charles Darwin and famously gave rise to much of his theories on evolution. You’ll see giant tortoises everywhere, but make sure you stop by the Charles Darwin Research Centre and visit Lonesome George; the sole survivor of his species. Blue-footed boobies are one of the more unusual birds that you’ll see in the Galapagos and distinguishable by their bright blue feet. After a day’s sightseeing, enjoy a mimosa in the Blue Finch Bar or unwind after a hard days exploring with a hot-stone massage.

A cruise ship is the perfect way to get around whether you plan to view the incredible flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands or the undiscovered terrain of Antarctica. With many ships designed to leave minimal environment impact, you can not only travel to your destination with a clear conscience, but enjoy a cocktail on the top deck as you do so.