By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY
Tired of the same-old cruise ports in the Caribbean and Europe? Here's something different: A voyage to Russia's Far East.
Orion Expedition Cruises has announced plans for two new expedition sailings in the region to kick off on June 18 and June 28 on its newest ship, the 100-passenger Orion II.
The 10-night "Natural Treasures of the Russian Far East" voyages will begin and end in Sapporo and Petropavlovsk, Russia (which both have international flight access) and follow a string of 32 volcanoes that stretch across the Bering Sea, known as the Northern Ring of Fire.
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Orion says passengers will have the chance to a climb a caldera wall to a hydrothermal field with hot springs and sulphur crystals, and visit local markets in seaside villages, among other outings. Native wildlife also will be a top draw, including arctic foxes, whales, seals and some of the world's largest eagles, the line says. The Orion II carries a fleet of small Zodiac boats to take passengers into locations larger ships cannot access to watch wildlife.
The region's attractions include the rugged Kamchatka Peninsula and the sparsely-populated Kuril Islands, and Petropavlovsk is home to picturesque Russian Orthodox churches and one of Russia's few remaining statues of Lenin.
Founded in 2004, Orion is an Australia-based expedition cruise company that offers adventure-focused trips to Antarctica, Papua New Guinea, Borneo and other off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Fares for the Russian Far East voyages start at $6,930 per person. More information is available on the line's website, orionexpeditions.com.
Cruise Loggers, would a cruise to Russia's Far East interest you? Share your thoughts below.
Posted Mar 9 2011 7:33AM
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