Excursions Aplenty on Crystal World Cruise

Passengers on Crystal Cruises’ 2015 World Cruise, the luxury line’s 20^th annual world sailing, shouldn’t have any difficulty finding a shore excursion to their liking.

Some 350 Crystal Adventures are in the offing for those on the 108-day “Silver Celebration” cruise, which embarks Miami on January 25, 2015.

Yes, the shore excursion planners at Crystal have been on overdrive – more than 40 of the excursions are new.

Passengers aboard Crystal Serenity will circumnavigate the globe, visiting 44 ports in 23 countries on an itinerary that includes Central and South America, the South Pacific, Australia/New Zealand, Africa and the Caribbean.

Along the way, there will be opportunity for 17 Overland Adventures including a visit to Machu Picchu, an expedition in the Galapagos and “glamping” in Africa.

Passengers can book tours to visit Aboriginal, Incan and Catholic spiritual centers; mingle with Zulu, Amazonian and Easter Island locals and experience sporting activities in rivers, oceans, jungles and skies, according to the cruise line’s creative publicists.

Prices for the shore tours range from $29 to $5,699 per person.

Passengers will be able to partake in private performances, classes and nightclub visits in South America – to tango, samba or salsa.

Art lovers will find options including being personally guided through Mozambique sculptor Alberto Chissano’s life and work by his grandson and visiting the Montevideo, Uruguay, home and atelier of artist Carlos Páez Vilaró.Extreme adventures include river rafting down New Zealand’s Rangitaiki River, trekking in the Ecuadorian jungle and helicopter sightseeing over Tahiti and The Hobbit movie locations in New Zealand.

Guests can also book excursions to volunteer, through the line’s “You Care, We Care” program. Options include assisting with daily activities at children’s organizations in Durban and Cape Town, South Africa, or planting trees at New Zealand’s Penguin Place.