More Excursions On Cruises Demand Exertion

[Jason]

Long associated with shuffleboard and all-you-can-eat buffets, cruise companies have been fighting that image in recent years by rolling out ever more ambitious land excursions — from helicopter tours over Alaskan glaciers to cooking lessons on St. Thomas. Now, in an effort to attract younger cruisers and thrill seekers, they're adding more extreme adventures.

For instance, Crystal Cruises recently announced a new excursion to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in northeastern Tanzania, near the Kenya border, right. The nine-night land program begins next March in conjunction with two Crystal Serenity cruises beginning or ending in Cape Town.

Last year, Crystal introduced a Russian MiG fighter excursion where guests get to zoom over Moscow at twice the speed of sound. Despite the cost — $21,099 a person — six passengers have already signed up. Silversea Cruises offers a similar Russian fighter jet flight for $24,000, which culminates in a dinner at the Writers' Club, a restaurant in a mansion.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (formerly Radisson Seven Seas) offers an Alaskan glacier adventure that includes four hours of hiking and climbing, using rope techniques and crampons. Cost: $470; And Norwegian Cruise Line has $110 volcano hikes in Hawaii, taking guests through lava fields, and near steam vents and flowing lava.

Source: Michelle Higgins, New York Times

[JoeyandDavid]

Sounds good to me......I am always looking for new ideas...:grin:

[Joanandjoe]

While I probebly wouldn't take an excursion involving hours of mountain-climbing or other exertion, it's good to know the cruise lines offer more choices. In Iceland, we simply walked around the geysers. You'd be standing close to a hole, and suddenly - WOOSH. Nobody gave us fireproof clothing or even told us not to stand close to the geysers. The guide assumed we wouldn't sit down on any holes, or even go too close. I wonder about safety and insurance for these "more dangerous and demanding" excursions.

My favorite demanding excursion was a three-tapas-bar tour of malaga. Three drinks, three snacks, and the city never looked better.

[Joanandjoe]

Ah, Joan, we agree on this, as well as most other things. While others were exerting themselves rushing to Granada from Malaga, we had a leisurely walking tour of Malaga, all downhill from the castle at the top, with lots of wine and tapas. Leave the rope climbing or kayaking to someone else: we'll stick to the wine and food tours. Hic! Joe

[schatje]

Joe I love the Iceland story and agree that they should have told you how hot the geyers really are. We lived in Iceland for 1 year (DH 2yrs) while in the Navy and we used to play with the geyers to see just how close we could get without getting burned. We were ofcourse young and foolish at the time :smiley:

As for wild excursions being offered on some of the cruiselines, I think we are past the age of being able to enjoy some of the stuff but it sure sounds like fun!

[Joanandjoe]

Actually Joan's post and story. Iceland certainly is a weird and wonderful place. We wish more cruises went there; but the few that do go sail in the summer, when I'm very busy at work. Something to try when I retire. Joe

[schatje]

Believe me when I say that the only time you can go to Iceland is in the summer! On the coldest day in the Winter it got down to -85 and that is not with the wind chill. DH called and told me (then 18yrs old) to not go outside because the cold could freeze your blood in less than 2 minutes.

The county is different, I agree, but we are planning on a cruise in the future just to go back again. Did you know that two of the astronauts went to iceland to practice walking around on the rugged terrain before going to the moon. We went to live in Iceland 4 days after we got married and had quite an adventure there. We loved going camping when it was 6 months daylight because we could walk around as long as we wanted. I will try and find some pictures to post.

[Joanandjoe]

Was it only two astronauts? Yes, we knew about astronaut training.

The sun in Icelaad in June is so strong that I (Joe) had to put on sun block to go for a walk at 10 p.m. on a nice day.

Yes, we know that Iceland is a summer place, which rules it out for my present (and, hopefully, last before I retire) job.

[CruiseLady]

Me thinks I'll stay with the regular shore tours, beach & sand and a "frozen-thingeeee"!!! :cool: