Abercrombie & Kent Recent Press Releases
Abercrombie & Kent Introduces Book with Confidence for Travel Through 2021
June 08, 2020
Abercrombie & Kent is introducing new, more flexible booking policies for future travel planning with complete peace of mind. New bookings made by September 30, 2020, for travel in 2020 or 2021, may be changed or cancelled up to 30 days prior to departure in the event of a COVID-19-related reason — whether at home or in their travel destination — and receive a credit toward future travel.
“As travellers are looking ahead and thinking about exploring the world again post-COVID, they need to feel confident that they have the option to adjust their plans, if needed,” says Abercrombie & Kent USA President Keith Baron. “Our worry-free policy offers them flexibility to either postpone their trip or choose a new destination from one of many A&K offers on all seven continents.”
COVID-19-related reasons include:
The U.S. Department of State issues a Level 4: Do Not Travel Global Health Advisory, or the government in the guest’s country of residence restricts all but essential travel
The U.S. Department of State issues a Level 4: Do Not Travel due to COVID-19 for the destination the guest is travelling to, or the government in the guest’s country of residence issues a comparable advisory
The destination the guest is travelling to has entry restrictions in place that prohibit the guest from travelling, such as closed borders or extended quarantine requirements
International flights are cancelled without alternative routing available for guest to use to reach the destination(s) in the itinerary
North America has sparked interest for travel this summer and fall. “Guests want to rediscover the beauty of America’s national parks and Alaska – places where they can escape into nature and where it’s relatively easy to practice physical distancing,” says Baron. “So, we have developed new, fully-customizable Tailor Made journeys featuring private guides and carefully-vetted accommodations.”
Abercrombie & Kent has released dates and prices for 2021 journeys and the full 2021-22 portfolio of Luxury Expedition Cruises. “For 2021, travellers are committing to the bucket list experiences they were hoping to take this year, including Morocco and the Middle East, safaris in Africa and small-ship expedition cruises in wilderness destinations like Antarctica and the Arctic.”
Rediscover America’s Wide-Open Spaces, A&K Style
Abercrombie & Kent Expands Offerings in the American West and Alaska
May 27, 2020
“Travel plans for this summer and beyond have shifted significantly as more and more people are looking to escape into nature and wide-open spaces,” reports Keith Baron, Abercrombie & Kent USA President. “In response, we have added six new Tailor Made adventures across the American West and Alaska, as well as two new iconic Great American Road Trips, each with private guides and carefully-vetted accommodations that offer added space and privacy.”
Abercrombie & Kent’s Tailor Made USA itineraries are built around rewarding experiences for guests who want to travel responsibly as the country begins to open up. Choose from exploring the geological wonders of the most spectacular National Parks in Arizona, Utah and California, wildlife experiences in Alaska and Wyoming, or inspiring wine and culinary tours in Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Each itinerary balances must-see sites with little known treasures that only locals know – and that most guidebooks overlook.
A&K’s Great American Road Trips combine the heritage found along historic byways like Route 66 with A&K’s unsurpassed service and local knowledge. Designed to be a relaxing, stress-free holiday for a couple or family that begins the moment they’re picked up in their driveway and continues throughout as an expert driver-guide reveals hidden corners inside America’s iconic sites and parks. The route and sightseeing can be customized, with luxury vehicles, local guides, behind-the-scenes access and hands-on activities. Along the way, guests stay in handpicked accommodations and explore knowing that every detail of every day has been reserved.
“As domestic travel restarts, we are hearing from luxury Travel Advisors who are looking to provide their clients with the same expert on-the-ground knowledge that A&K offers in exotic, far-flung destinations in places closer to home,” explains Baron.
A&K USA Managing Director Marty Behr brings decades of experience to crafting itineraries in the U.S. and Alaska and finding the very best local guides. His expertise earned him recognition as a top travel specialist for National Parks by Conde Nast Traveler: “He can orchestrate journeys into the least-visited corners of the “big three”—Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon—with a guide to explain the geology, flora, and fauna and get you into places off-limits to most visitors, such as the historic buildings by Mary Coulter at the Grand Canyon.”
TAILOR MADE USA
Abercrombie & Kent’s new itineraries complement a portfolio of guest favorites in some of the country’s most spectacular destinations, featuring wildlife viewing on private ranches, access to historic sites off-limits to most visitors, and meetings with tribal elders and historians who share stories about traditions that are quickly disappearing.
Alaskan Wonder
Experience the full majesty of America’s last frontier, taking in sweeping views by river and air, visiting historic sites, quaint towns, and wildlife-rich landscapes. Gain a new perspective on Denali with a flightseeing adventure — complete with the chance to land on a glacier. Cruise off the Kenai Peninsula, navigating among awe-inspiring glaciers while searching for orcas and whales. Visit the sled dog kennels of a champion Iditarod musher and try leading a team. Seven days from $10,995.
Grand Teton & Yellowstone
Seek out wildlife and awe-inspiring scenery in two of America’s greatest national parks. Spend a full day exploring Yellowstone, site of Old Faithful and home to free-roaming bison, on privately guided hikes. Explore Grand Teton National Park on a wildlife-spotting excursion led by a private naturalist guide. Float down the scenic Snake River in a traditional river dory. Six days from $7,995.
National Parks by Air
The full majesty of America’s natural beauty is revealed on an ultimate flying safari to the most iconic national parks — Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone — using privately chartered air. Fly from one awe-inspiring landscape to the next, exploring with local guides and enjoying five-star hospitality along the way. Hike the Grand Canyon with a private guide, track bison and bears in Grand Teton and Yellowstone and visit secluded, and rarely seen, slot canyons as well as the graceful natural landscape of Arches National Park. Price varies by group size and aircraft.
Northern California
Experience the City by the Bay with a privately guided walking tour of San Francisco. Explore Yosemite on a full-day privately guided excursion, and see larger-than-life El Capitan, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. Ride the Buena Vista Pass on a private horseback trail to experience it as the cowboys once did. Kayak off the Monterey coast, in a sheltered inlet abundant with seals, otters and birdlife. Eight days from $12,295.
Utah: The Mighty Five
An adventure-packed outdoor odyssey through five of Utah’s national parks, exploring by four-wheel-drive vehicle, on horseback and by river raft. Marvel at the canyons, mesas and nature-made stone sculptures of Zion National Park. Saddle up to ride the trails of Bryce Canyon guided by cowboys steeped in the region’s history. Explore Arches and Canyonland on foot and by four-wheel-drive. Raft along a quiet stretch of the Colorado River with expert river guides. Eight days from $12,295.
California: Wine Country
California’s wine country is renowned as a mecca for wine lovers, with some of North America’s most lauded varietals hailing from this region. Discover Napa Valley’s vineyards on a private, full-day guided tasting experience tailored to your palate. Enjoy a cooking class at Peju Vineyards, learning from a master chef and pairing your creation with a local wine. See one of America’s great natural wonders with a visit to the towering trees of the Armstrong Redwoods Reserve. Finish off your journey with a half day of tastings by bicycle in Sonoma Valley. Five days from $9,995
GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIPS
Start and end points customized based on location. Vehicle options vary by itinerary and group size.
Los Angeles to the Southwest
Journey across the Southwestern U.S. with an expert driver-guide, travelling in comfort between the Grand Canyon and Zion, exploring by hot-air balloon, helicopter and off-road vehicle as well as on privately-guided hikes. Venture into a secluded slot canyon via a private road and try your hand at canyoneering under an expert’s eye. End the journey in glittering Las Vegas, where your local guide shows you all the can’t-miss sites — and shares some insider tips.
Chicago to the West
Leave the city behind on a chauffeur-driven adventure from Chicago into the heart of the American West. Explore eight states in 18 days on one extraordinary journey, visiting sites made famous by Lewis and Clark, as well as Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Canyonlands and more. Spend an invigorating day hiking, riding and fishing at a scenic ranch, follow in the footsteps of Buffalo Bill and Mark Twain, and get a comprehensive view of the historic American West, gaining insight into native traditions as well as the true stories behind some of our country’s most enduring legends.
LUXURY PRIVATE STAYS
Discover the best of the U.S. privately and in safety with A&K Luxury Private Stays: an end-to-end private experience centered around a luxury property secured for exclusive use and personalized with activities, amenities and services. Owing to A&K’s longstanding relationships with the finest luxury hotels and lodges, we can secure exclusive accommodations for a family or small group in the country’s best outdoor adventure destinations. Come and go — with minimal exposure to other travellers —at a working ranch in Moab, a lodge on the doorstep of Denali or an inn with Michelin-starred cuisine in the heart of California’s wine country. We arrange for local guides as well as private, beyond-the-guidebook experiences, all while safeguarding guest health and wellbeing.
Fully crewed chartered yachts, accommodating from six to 20 guests, are a rewarding way to explore the Inside Passage of Alaska, the San Juan Islands in Washington or California’s Channel Islands. All craft offer luxury private staterooms with daily housekeeping, onboard cuisine tailored to guest preferences, and rafts or kayaks for going ashore.
Chartered air is a safe alternative to commercial flights that makes it possible to combine far-flung destinations into uniquely-inspiring adventures. From four-passenger turboprops to long-range private jets that can carry 18 passengers in style, A&K can match a chartered aircraft to any itinerary and any group size, unlocking possibilities unavailable any other way.
Discover the Arctic Through the Eyes of Abercrombie & Kent’s Explorers in Residence
Webinar featuring Explorers Grand Slam mountaineer Alex Pancoe: Feb 20
February 17, 2020
At the heart of every Abercrombie & Kent Luxury Expedition Cruise is an emphasis on learning. Meet two extraordinary adventurers who will join A&K’s Arctic expedition cruises this summer as Explorers in Residence – each one a pioneer in their own fields, pushing boundaries and accomplishing remarkable feats.
Joining Ultimate Iceland & Greenland Cruise is Alex Pancoe, who summited Alaska’s Denali in July 2019 achieved what very few have: the Explorers Grand Slam. His recovery from a brain tumor at 18 inspired him to climb the seven tallest peaks with the goal of raising one million dollars for the Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago where he received treatment. Also on board will be Fiann Paul, a record-breaking ocean rower, who captained The Impossible Row across the treacherous Drake Passage in December, making him the first person to complete the Ocean Explorers Grand Slam.
“We have selected these accomplished Explorers in Residence because they not only have achieved at the highest level, but have inspirational stories to share about their pursuits,” explains Bob Simpson, Abercrombie & Kent’s Vice President of Expedition Cruising. “Guests will have the opportunity to learn from each of these remarkable individuals during on board lectures and shore excursions, and informally while enjoying a drink, sharing a meal or spotting wildlife while cruising the fjords.”
Pancoe will share stories from his adventures conquering the tallest peak on every continent and trekking the final degree to the North and South Poles. Guests can sign up to ascend Iceland’s Dynjandi Falls, rappel down a rock formation overlooking the ancient village of Qaqortoq and trek on the Greenland Ice Cap under his guidance. Fiann Paul describes his experience as Captain of The Impossible Row team, which completed the first completely human-powered crossing of the Drake Passage this past December. Kayak with him in the waters of Iceland’s Westfjords or Greenland’s Tunulliarfik Fjord.
These Explorers in Residence will be joined by Cultural Expert Lykke Geisler Yakaboylu, whose deep family roots in Greenland led her to focus on the unique cultural traditions in the villages she holds dear, adding an additional layer of expertise to A&K’s enrichment program. She joins the A&K Expedition Team of accomplished explorers, from award-winning scientists to habitat conservationists, historians and recipients of the prestigious Polar Medal.
Following routes once pioneered by the Vikings and great Arctic explorers, guests are invited to join Fiann Paul on the new 48-day Grand Arctic Voyage (July 31-Sept 16, 2020), which combines all three of A&K’s Arctic cruises into one extraordinary voyage of discovery:
Arctic Cruise Adventure: In Search of the Polar Bear (Jul 31-Aug 14, 2020) voyages through the Svalbard Islands and along the rarely-visited east coast of Greenland. Visit Svalbard, Norway’s polar bear haven, an Inuit village on Greenland’s Scoresby Sound and Iceland’s verdant West Fjords. 15 days from $15,995 per person (was $17,495).
Ultimate Iceland & Greenland Cruise (August 13-27, 2020) explores spectacular Lindenow Fjord, Prince Christian Sound and the Westman archipelago, with excursions for active guests and families alike. Visit Inuit villages and discover the deeply-rooted Viking history of both countries. 15 days from $15,995 (was $17,495)*; Children 17 & under from $8,745.
The Northwest Passage: From Greenland to the Bering Sea (Aug 24- Sep 16, 2020) traces the rarely-transited route from western Greenland through the Canadian Arctic to the Bering Sea and Nome, Alaska. 24 days from $29,995 per person (was $33,995).
*Book by Mar 31, 2020 and save $1,500 per person in all staterooms and suites, plus receive an additional $1,500 per-person international air credit when you reserve your international air through A&K. Waived single supplement for solo travellers in stateroom categories 1-3.
Live Webinar with Alex Pancoe: Feb 20
For a taste of what guests will experience, join a webinar on Thursday, Feb 20 at 1:00 pm eastern, during which A&K’s Bob Simpson chats with Alex Pancoe about his adventures.
Witness a Total Solar Eclipse in Antarctica with Abercrombie & Kent
Special Edition Cruise Features Astronomy Experts Including the First Woman to Walk in Space
November 22, 2019
Embark on the ultimate adventure to Antarctica, where towering icebergs and massive glaciers set the stage for a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon: a total solar eclipse. Abercrombie & Kent’s Antarctica & the Total Solar Eclipse Cruise (Nov 28-Dec 12, 2021) provides the best opportunity to experience this rare astronomical spectacle alongside experts including former astronaut Kathy Sullivan, award-winning astronomer Massimo Tarenghi and rocket scientist David J. Crain.
All eyes will be on the sky throughout this voyage to the center of the eclipse’s path of totality, a band that stretches through the rarely-visited South Orkney Islands. A&K’s Luxury Expedition Cruise team selected the ideal location for the ship to be positioned: in a very narrow track on the surface of the earth where the radiating “circle of light” is best seen — weather, sea and ice conditions permitting — which will allow for a remarkable viewing time of approximately one minute and 40 seconds.
During a welcome event at Santiago’s Observatorio Astronómico Andino, Dr. David Crain will set the stage for the adventure ahead. Kathy Sullivan will share what it’s like to live in space, including the view from the Space Shuttle – 140 miles above the earth in in-board lectures and informal conversations. Dr. Massimo Terenghi, who spent his career working with state-of-the-art telescopes in Chile’s Atacama Desert, will provide tips on photographing the eclipse.
Dr. Kathy Sullivan, Astronaut, Geologist and Scientist
One of the first women to join NASA in 1978, Dr. Sullivan’s tenure also includes the distinction of being the first American woman to walk in space. She is the former Administrator of NOAA and currently serves as an Ambassador at Large for the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, travels the globe as a scientific expert and holds a Ph.D. in geology from Dalhousie University.
Dr. Massimo Terenghi, Scientist and Photographer
A former professor of astrophysics at the University of Milan, Dr. Terenghi has worked in leadership roles with the European Southern Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert. In addition to serving as the director of the ALMA telescope, he spent 17 years building the Paranal Observatory in Atacama. He’s won multiple awards, including the Bernado O’Higgins Grand Cross by the Chilean government and the Tycho Brahe Award by the Institute of Navigation, and now spends his time on astronomical photography.
Dr. David Crain, Scientist and NewSpace Entrepreneur
With a Ph.D. in Atmospheric and Space Physics, Dr. Crain has founded and co-founded several commercial space startups with an emphasis on weather observations. He has also been on several observational expeditions for past Solar Eclipses and currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Utah State University and Sam Houston State University.
These experts join members of an award-winning A&K Expedition Team, many who have been travelling to Antarctica for decades. These accomplished explorers range from pioneering scientists and recipients of the prestigious Polar Medal, to seasoned academics, photographers and field naturalists. Count on in-depth insight and hands-on guidance from an average of 18 A&K Expedition Team members, with a staff-to-guest ratio of 1 to 12. These friendly pros accompany guests throughout the journey, offering fascinating lectures and kid-friendly activities at sea, guiding shore excursions, and sharing captivating stories about their adventures over meals.
“We’re bringing together some of the foremost experts in astronomy and polar expeditions for the ultimate polar adventure cruise,” explains Bob Simpson, A&K Vice President of Expedition Cruising. “The next total solar eclipse in this part of the world isn’t until 2061, which makes this a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
For even more astral adventures, A&K is offering a 6-day pre-cruise extension to explore the Atacama Desert and the lunar landscapes of the Moon Valley. Visit the Paranal Observatory – alongside its founder, Dr. Tarenghi – for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, including a look at the world’s most advanced optical instrument, the VLT, or Very Large Telescope.
Truly Luxurious, All-Inclusive Cruising
By chartering the luxurious mega-yacht ‘Le Lyrial’ in Antarctica, A&K is able to limit guest capacity to 199, which not only allows unrestricted access to landing sites prohibited to larger vessels, but also affords personalized attention on board the ship, as well as a private balcony in every stateroom. Pricing is all-inclusive, featuring arrival and departure transfers, gratuities and bar drinks, in addition to complimentary Wi-Fi and Traveller’s Valet® laundry service – exclusive A&K amenities. Guests also have a choice of included excursions in Santiago, such as a bicycle tour of the city, a visit to an artist studio, a stroll through the city’s famed graffiti street art district, or a wine tasting in the Maipo Valley.
Onboard a fresh menu inspired by French culinary heritage encompasses everything from lavish multi-course dinners and international buffets to carefully-selected cheeses and freshly-baked pastries that rival those found in Paris. With a choice of two restaurants, no formal evenings, and 24-hour room service, guests have the flexibility to dine when and where they wish.
To ensure travellers have all the gear they need for their polar voyage (and not use up valuable luggage space), A&K provides an expedition parka, backpack and water bottle. Guests also enjoy complimentary use of boots, waterproof pants and trekking poles, delivered to staterooms, courtesy of A&K’s exclusive concierge service.
Environmentally Responsible
‘Le Lyrial’ boasts a 1C ice class rating and is one of the most environmentally-friendly ships to sail in polar waters, with cutting-edge technology that includes dynamic positioning and the most up-to-date wastewater treatment and recycling. The ship is “Cleanship” certified by the Bureau Veritas as operating with minimal impact on the environment.
