Abercrombie & Kent Announces Immersive Cultural Cruises

Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent is expanding its cruise expeditions to include more immersive cultural experiences in such places as Greece, Japan, and Italy.

The new offerings come in response to growing interest from travelers, the company said in a statement.

To meet that demand, A&K has curated a new portfolio of luxury expedition cruises including a new Italian itinerary for 2019 that takes participants from Florence to Venice. The focus of the new offerings will be on more in-depth land touring than found on traditional cruises.

MORE Cruise Line & Cruise Ship

Uniworld Partners With Adventure World

New Disney Cruise Line Ship to Homeport in Singapore

Travel Talk: The Big Comeback for Cruising

“A sense of discovery was our guiding inspiration when searching for experiences along the coast of Italy as we brainstormed ideas for this new itinerary,” Bob Simpson, Abercrombie & Kent’s vice president, Expedition Cruising, said in a statement. “Our research team spent time in working ports and little-known locales to develop the most rewarding shore excursions, as well as find expert local guides who serve as cultural interpreters.”

Onshore experiences will be complemented with on-board briefings by expedition staff to provide the historical context needed to understand the significance of places being visited.

The new cruises will offer a choice of included shore excursions each day, ranging from outdoor adventures to discussions of history, art, and architecture; as well as hands-on experiences and tastings at local restaurants and vineyards.

On the new Italy cruise, the active adventure options include hiking or taking a 4 x 4 excursion on Mount Etna and rowing the canals of Venice. Walking tours will focus on revealing how the art and architecture of Palermo and Florence reflected the revival of interest in classical learning against a backdrop of political stability and growing prosperity.

There will also be cooking classes, vineyard visits and food-and-wine walks in small villages offering a distinctly local flavor.

Those who are repeat visitors to Italy will be exposed to sights further off-the-beaten-path, such as the dramatic coastline and giant yews in Puglia’s Gargano National Park or the chance to stroll from the port through the Old Town of Bastia on the French island of Corsica.

The new itineraries for 2019 are:

Italy Cruise: Hidden Treasures from Florence to Venice (August 18-30, 2019)

Embark on a voyage along the coast, beginning with two days in Florence, the home of the Renaissance, before cruising to treasures from iconic Rome and Venice to exotic Sicily and the paradisal Aeolian Islands, as well as Puglia’s Gargano National Park, UNESCO-protected Urbino, and French Corsica. Cruise in intimate luxury aboard brand-new ‘Le Bougainville,’ a luxury yacht with occupancy limited to 150 guests. 13 days from $12,995 per person, double occupancy. Book early to save $1,000 per person in stateroom categories 1-3.

Wonders of Japan Cruise (May 30-Jun 12, 2019)

Discover Japan by small ship, visiting unique ports and off-the-beaten-path wilderness areas. Spend two nights in culture-rich Kyoto, staying in the historic heart of the city.

Visit Gyeongju, South Korea, ancient dynastic capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reflect on Japan’s turbulent history and witness its miraculous resurgence at Hiroshima. Set out on incomparable art experiences, perhaps visiting the Chichu Art Museum, O’Hara Museum of Art and the Adachi Museum of Art. Witness a private performance by the world-renowned Kodo taiko drummers. Cruise aboard luxurious ‘Le Soleal,’ with no more than 199 guests for optimal comfort.14 days from $15,995 per person, double occupancy.

Cruising the Greek Isles (Oct 16-25, 2019)

Following this year’s sold-out inaugural cruise, A&K will begin with two nights ashore in Athens, followed by a seven-night cruise through the islands, with access to rarely-visited, vibrant Symi, uninhabited Delos and Syros, where we enjoy a private performance at the Apollo Theater.

Discover the palace of Knossos on Crete, medieval Rhodes and whitewashed Mykonos. Enjoy exclusive evening events in Athens and Rhodes, featuring unique venues, local cuisine, and live entertainment.

Privately visit an organic farm in Crete, where you participate in a cooking demonstration and sample fresh ingredients at their source. Taste fabled Santorini wines with a wine expert. This sailing is aboard the exclusively-chartered ‘Le Bougainville’ for no more than 150 guests. 10 days from $9,999.