Arctic Concerns About Cruising

After the latest disaster in Europe with the Costa Concordia of Costa Cruises, would-be cruisers today are becoming a lot more cautious about the safety of the ships they are opting to use to take a cruise - especially when they’re traveling to climatically less inviting areas of the world. Possible cruise ships are now susceptible to a more detailed scrutiny before bookings are made.

The MV ‘Le Boreal’ offering Arctic cruises is no exception.

As far as personal safety is concerned, a technologically-advanced stabilizing system minimizes the effect of rough seas. MV 'Le Boreal' has an ice rating which exceeds that required for these demanding conditions and is equipped with the latest navigation, communications and safety equipment, including a GMDSS emergency communication system and a satellite weather system that receives real-time images of weather and ice conditions.

And as far as environmental issues are concerned, the MV ‘Le Boreal’ is also the most environmentally-friendly ship to sail in Arctic, with cutting-edge technology that includes the most up-to-date waste water system, recycling facilities, and other measures designed to ensure that the ship operates with minimal impact on the environment. Zodiac boats are equipped with fuel efficient 4-stroke engines that meet the strictest environmental standards.

The ship has been “Cleanship” certified by the Bureau Veritas. This label is given to ships whose design and equipment are utilized to control and limit the emission of polluting substances in water and air, and who go beyond the MARPOL convention for waste treatment, anti-fouling or propulsion systems.

Click here for more information about Abercrombie & Kent’s An Arctic Cruise Adventure: Polar Bear Country cruise, or visit the latest Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine News page about this topic.

The Worlds Best Cruise Lines from Travel & Leisure

Featured in Travel + Leisure’s August issue, available on newsstands July 23, Travel + Leisure announced today their list of the World’s Best awards - and Crystal Cruises, the Yachts of Seabourn and Abercrombie and Kent clean up the cruise categories.

Crystal Cruises, winning the award for the World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line have held onto their #1 ranking every year since the poll began in 1996.

The top ten large-ship cruise lines, ranked in order, are:

1 - Crystal Cruises
2 - Regent Seven Seas
3 - Oceania Cruises
4 - Disney Cruise Line
5 - Azamara Cruises
6 - Cunard
7 - Celebrity Cruises
8 - Holland America Line
9 - Royal Caribbean International
10 - Princess Cruises

The Yachts of Seabourn also top their own list as the World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line

The top five small-ship cruise lines, ranked in order, are:

1 - The Yachts of Seabourn
2 - Silversea Cruises
3 - Lindblad Expeditions
4 - SeaDream Yacht Club
5 - Windstar Cruise

And in a new category, Abercrombie and Kent wins the award for the World’s Best River Cruise.

The top five river cruise lines, ranked in order, are:

1 - Abercrombie and Kent
2 - Avalon Waterways
3 - Tauck
4 - Viking River Cruises
5 - Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection

The results of the Travel + Leisure questionnaire, developed by the editors of Travel + Leisure, were collected from readers between December 15, 2009 to March 31, 2010 and addressed the cruise lines, their cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, activities, and value.

For more awards for the top cruise lines take a look at the 2009/2010 Prow's Edge Cruise Magazine Best Cruise Lines