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EVEN BEFORE the November pirate attack on a Seabourn ship was repelled, the cruise industry had been emphasizing the security of ship travel. The International Council of Cruise Lines held seminars in key ports around the world, including San Diego in October, to detail industry safety measures—and hint of others that were, for obvious reasons, being kept secret. If you have questions about the security of cruising, check the ICCL Web site (iccl.org/pressroom/security. cfm) for a comprehensive overview.
SILVERSEA, ranked in several polls as tops in small-ship luxury, is expanding its offerings, including the line’s first-ever world cruise. The Silver Shadow departs January 15, 2007, from Fort Lauderdale for a 126-day, nine-segment voyage during which it will cross three oceans, seven seas and six continents, visit 61 ports, then finish on the originating coast, in Before heading on its global jaunt, however, the Silver Shadow provides what Silversea terms the only luxury cruises to Alaska in 2006. From May to September, 11 nine- to 14-day voyages are scheduled, with several optional land trips available, depending on the city of departure. More info: 877-215-9986 or silversea.com (which, incidentally, has been redesigned into one of the classiest Web sites around).
SEADREAM YACHT CLUB, which in the winter usually sails its twin vessels from Caribbean ports, this year sends SeaDream I on a series of 10 sailings in South America between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. Five of the nine-night, 10-day sailings depart from Rio and end in Buenos Aires. These include an overnight in Rio with the SeaDream yacht as the guests’ hotel, and a day flight to Iguaçu Falls. The other five leave from Buenos Aires and end in Rio. These include an overnight and extra day in Buenos Aires, with the yacht serving as the hotel. Ports of call are Buzios, Parati, Ilhabela and Porto Belo, all in Brazil, plus Punta del Este, Uruguay. There is also a stop at Itajai in Brazil, from which guests take a jet charter to Iguaçu Falls. One of the sailings includes Rio’s famed Carnaval (February 17-20), and another places SeaDream I in Rio for the New Year’s holiday. Those voyages, you can bet, will fill quickly. 800-707-4911 or seadreamyachtclub.com.
VICTORIA CRUISES, specializing in sailings along the Yangtze in China, launches a new ship in April along with expanded offerings for the 2006 season. The 154-cabin Victoria Anna, seventh in the Victoria fleet, boasts the highest passenger capacity and the most suites of any vessel cruising the Yangtze. It also provides more sailing dates for Victoria’s four- to nine-day programs—Three Gorges Highlights, Three Gorges Explorer and Grand Yangtze Discovery—scheduled from March through November. A gastronomic note: The line hired a firm to broaden its menus and include more Western-style cuisine choices. Could it be that, even on a cruise ship, Chinese food left the passengers hungry an hour later? 800-348-8084 or victoriacruises.com.
New York City, on May 22. Silversea’s all-inclusive amenities will include guest lecturers such as Gourmet magazine wine expert Michael Green and Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, considered the key man in bringing the 2005 King Tut exhibition to the United States. Those who pay the $52,000-plus for the entire voyage will also get several complimentary shore events and extras.
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