If you have never experienced a traditional New England Clambake you are missing out on one of the ultimate summer experiences. New England Clambakes take some of the favorite foods the region is famous for and combines them into one yummy feast. You may be wondering how such a feast came to be and the answer is quite interesting.

When the settlers arrived they witnessed the Native Americans cooking seafood over seaweed and hot stones and interpreted the method to what we know today as the traditional New England Clambake. Throughout the years the New England Clambake has proven to be a joyous tradition used for various celebrations along the New England coastline.

The typical clambake consists of vegetables such as corn and potatoes which on occasion will be joined by sausage and of course it wouldn’t be complete without the clams and lobsters. What is ironic about this New England tradition is that lobster, a modern-day delicacy, was once considered a mark of poverty and served to indentured servants and lower society who went as far as protesting having to eat it as many as 3 times a week. It was not until the mid 19th century when a change in the transportation industry allowed lobster to be shipped from the ports to urban centers that it became a luxury food: which brings us to what we know of lobster as today and consider a staple summer food in New England.

Whether you prepare your clambake on the beach or in a pot, American Cruise Lines highly recommends this scrumptious feast. In fact they love it so much that Clambake themed cruises have been planned for both their Maine Coast and New England Islands cruises. American Cruise Lines hopes you’ll join them for a fun-filled and mouthwatering experience.

Travel + Leisure Magazine just announced its 2009 World’s Best Awards. And a couple of our small ship companies made the list.

Under the category of top 20 tour operators and safari outfitters, two small ship cruise companies were noted. International Expeditions is listed in 11th, same as in 2008, with a score of 90.75 out of 100. Lindblad Expeditions rounded out the list in the 20th position, up 10 spots from 2008, with a score of 86.94. Lindblad Expeditions also made the “Top 10 Small-Ship Cruise Lines” listing, in 5th place (same as in 2008) with a score of 84.11. That’s pretty darn good, as The Yachts of Seabourn took the 1st place position.

Check out all the awards from Travel + Leisure Magazine from their website.

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We recently posted an article that the Clelia II was heading to the Great Lakes for a series of summer cruises. From a recent report from a local news program, the Clelia II is having a positive impact to Duluth, Minnesota’s economy.

Besides nice views of the ship, there were some nice interviews with passengers from the ship.

View the video or read the report from Duluth’s WDIO-TV.

Lighthouses date far back in the history of mankind. In year 283 the Egyptians, who were the first people to use light to guide ships, completed the tallest lighthouse ever built, standing 900 feet. The first lighthouses in America were built in New England, dating back as far as 1716, and are an important part of the region’s maritime heritage. Once responsible for guiding ships safely to shore, lighthouses today give us a glimpse into our nautical past, filled with folklore and stories of heroism, and even ghosts.

To celebrate these stately structures, American Cruise Lines has planned two Lighthouse theme cruises for this summer, which will follow the Grand New England 10-night itinerary departing August 15 out of Providence, Rhode Island and August 26 out of Bangor, Maine.

Along the course, passengers will have the opportunity to view over 50 New England Lighthouses. Some of the lighthouses to be viewed include Brant Point originally built in 1746 and located on Nantucket Island, Portland Head Light in Maine, completed in 1791 and the Castle Hill Light in Newport, RI, completed in 1890.

To further enhance the experience, local historians and authors will be invited aboard to share stories of lighthouse history, haunted legends and the inspiring spirit of the lightkeepers who once called these treasures home.

Take a journey aboard American Cruise Lines and discover the history of these faithful beacons. These are sure to be very popular cruises, so contact Sunstone Tours & Cruises today to reserve your stateroom.

Citing economics and guest preference, Cruise West has decided to suspend stops to Ketchikan during the 2010 Alaska cruise season.

The pullout will have both an economic and emotional effect. Ketchikan was one of three ports that welcomed the company’s southeast Alaska cruises in 1984.

Based on feedback, guests want even more time to explore shorelines, looking for wildlife and learning about the flora and fauna.

With the 2009 Alaskan cruise season half-way through, cruise lines are making major changes to their 2010 cruise schedules to adapt to the economic changes sweeping the cruise industry. Several cruise lines have pulled ships from Alaska to more lucrative waters.

The good news in all this? Change. Some cruise lines have reduced their 2010 Alaska sailings by almost 50%. Others have consolidated and reinvented itineraries. Most all are or will be offering substantial savings for booking in 2009 for 2010 sailing.

Cruise West

Cruise West will operate just four ships in Alaska next year, down from five this year and eight in 2008. It is also dropping several itineraries, including “In Harriman’s Wake,” “Coastal Odyssey,” and “Voyage to the Bering Sea,” which were explored aboard the Spirit of Oceanus. That ship is being redeployed to a world cruise. The best of “Alaska’s Whales & Wilderness” is being rolled into the popular “Alaska’s Inside Passage,” leaving Cruise West with just four itineraries to select from. And now you can save up to $1,400 per cabin if you book, make deposit and pay in full by August 14, 2009.

Alaska’s Inside Passage

Cruise West’s most popular itinerary is getting a bit of a makeover. Now sailing roundtrip from Juneau, the itinerary drops Ketchikan, Metlakatla and Haines and adds the highlights of “Alaska’s Whales & Wilderness.” Alaska’s Inside Passage now adds Wrangell, two additional days spent searching for sea and wildlife, including opportunities to explore around Lake Eva, Red Bluff or Security Bay by Zodiac inflatable craft, and a full day at Icy Strait and the Inian Islands. Cruise West’s 138-passenger Spirit of Yorktown and 102-guest Spirit of Endeavour will operate the seven-night itineraries. Prices start at $4,399 per person, double occupancy.

Glacier Bay Highlights

The 84-passenger Spirit of Discovery, meanwhile, will sail four-night voyages to Glacier Bay National Park (including two nights in the park) out of Juneau (Prices start at $1,599 per person, double occupancy).

Glaciers of Prince William Sound

The 78-passenger Spirit of Columbia will sail a four-night Glaciers of Prince William Sound itinerary out of Whittier that includes a stop in the small fishing village of Cordova (Prices start at $1,199 per person, double occupancy).

Gold Rush Inside Passage

Cruise West offers a shoulder season 10-day Gold Rush Inside Passage itinerary that has been revised to include Misty Fiords and Metlakatla. The one-way departures between Seattle and Juneau take place at the beginning and end of the season on all four ships heading to Alaska.

Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad Expeditions is the only cruise line which is maintaining their current two itineraries.

Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness

This Alaska expedition explores the magnificent Inside Passage of Alaska with an intimate number of guests in the company of Naturalists. Enjoy Zodiac and kayaking forays, whale watching, and learn about Alaska’s rich Native American heritage. A full day is spent in Glacier Bay National Park. You may also join our optional land extension to Denali National Park.

Alaska, British Columbia and the San Juan Islands

This shoulder season itinerary sails from Seattle, Washington to Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park, including the San Juan Islands. This wilderness expedition travels through some of the most spectacular scenery in North America, sailing past mist-shrouded fjords and tidewater glaciers. These waters are among the best for whale watching, with good chances of finding humpback and orca whales. Along the way, meet people of Native American, Russian and Scandinavian ancestries. Kayak, beachcomb and explore forest trails under the guidance of our expert Naturalists.

American Safari Cruises

Luxury yacht cruise line American Safari Cruises is scaling back their 2010 Alaska cruise schedule, dropping their “Voyagers’ Glacier Country” and “Naturalists’ Whale Country” itineraries. For 2010, the luxury adventure cruise line is placing all three of their luxury yachts on two itineraries. Each itinerary features an exclusive 2-days in Glacier Bay National Park.

Discoverers’ Glacier Bay

Spend two of a total of eight days exploring Glacier Bay National Park with a park Naturalist aboard a luxury yacht. Kayak and view wildlife such as bears & whales crusing Alaska’s inside passage.

The Famed Inside Passage

Experience Alaska’s Inside Passage in depth during the shoulder season with this 15 day itinerary. Travel between Seattle and Juneau, through the San Juan Islands, Prince Rupert, the Alaskan’s towns of Ketchikan and Petersburg, remote fjords, all leading to the climax, two full days in Glacier Bay National Park. And there’ll be plenty of opportunities for kayaking, wildlife viewing, and guided nature walks in Alaska’s rain forest.

Travel Writer Robert Reid recently posted on his blog 44 travel rules that he has come up with through his many travels around the world. From wise to insane, the list is most entertaining.

A few favorites are:

• Animals will probably attack you if you try to give a Snickers to them.
• People without much education abroad often seem to be better educated than a lot of people back home.
• It’s OK to get frustrated or mad sometimes, just try to keep it to yourself as much as you can.
• Try a couple days without the camera or email.

View Robert Reid’s 44 Little Travel Rules No One Tells You…

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I recently stumbled across this amazing time-lapse video filmed in Antarctica, in and around McMurdo Station and Scott Base. It covers the two primary seasons, summer & winter. Enjoy!

View Antarctica Expedition Cruise Itineraries…