Voyages of Discovery North America, serving the niche small ship cruising market, launched its exciting new Summer 2012 brochure showcasing its extraordinary collection of 7-to-29 night itineraries. During the season, the 650-guest Discovery will visit a record number of 25 new ports! In addition, Voyages of Discovery unveiled a series of cruise videos that capture the essence of each new itinerary. The new videos and brochure can be accessed by visiting www.voyagesofdiscovery.com.

Beginning in May 2012, Discovery will sail from her London area home ports of Portsmouth and Harwich in England to visit a myriad of spectacular new destinations in the British Isles, Northern Europe and the Baltic. These include the historic ports of Ijmuiden (Netherlands); Port of Tyne, Greenwich, Dover, and Fowey (England); Galway (Ireland); Cherbourg and Dunkirk (France), Heligoland and Sassnitz/Rügen Island (Germany); Szczecin (Poland); Saaremaa (Estonia); Grundarfjördur (Iceland); and Bodø, Kirkenes, Hammerfest, and Florø (Norway).

In September and October, 2012 Discovery will cruise to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea departing from London (Harwich), Barcelona, Dubrovnik, and Istanbul. Itinerary highlights include maiden calls to the picturesque ports of Sète (France); Rapallo, Castellammare di Stabia, and Brindisi (Italy); Pula (Croatia); Kotor (Montenegro); Itea (Greece); and Dikili (Turkey).

Discovery’s new Summer 2012 season offers guests an opportunity to visit awe-inspiring destinations and “hidden gems” rarely visited by other cruise lines. The Spitsbergen and the North Cape cruise includes a three day exploration of the wild, untamed nature around Spitsbergen—a one-of-a-kind experience. Due to the popularity of Discovery’s recent summer itinerary to the White Sea, a longer cruise to the region in 2012 has been introduced. A Nordic and White Sea Adventure features three full days in the remote Solovetsky Islands (Russia). Guests who enjoy walking adventures to off-the-beaten-track landscapes will relish two new “Footloose” themed cruises that offer Voyages of Discovery’s specialized program of guided walks—Nordic Natural Wonders and Around Britain & Edinburgh Tattoo.

Other highlights of the new Summer 2012 season for Voyages of Discovery include:

  A strong focus in the Baltic with three cruises—Baltic Icons, Baltic Treasures and Timeless Baltic—each offering three full days in charming St. Petersburg with the option of either a full day tour to Moscow or an exclusive evening visit to the Hermitage. Guests on board Baltic Icons will be able to visit the region’s iconic cities within one cruise. An absolute must for lovers of the arts, architecture, history and culture with fares starting from $2,399 per person in May 2012 for 15 nights.

  The classic 10-night Heritage of the British Isles will visit Greenwich for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, a national highlight that marks the 60-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Designed in partnership with the National Trust, guests will be able to experience a full selection of sensational shore excursion opportunities to exclusive National Trust properties. This cruise is already selling quickly and fares for remaining available categories start from $2,499 per person departing in May 2012.

  Re-live history on the 8-night D-Day, Normandy, Dunkirk and Beyond itinerary. Join Discovery as she makes her inaugural call to Dunkirk following her cruise along the shores of the famous Normandy beaches. This inspirational journey will be enhanced by guest speaker Brigadier Hugh Willing, a professional soldier, and ceremonies will be held on D-Day to commemorate the anniversary of the historic event. Fares start from $1,599 per person in June 2012.

  Nordic Natural Wonders, “a footloose cruise,” incorporates specialist hikes for keen walkers amongst the region’s most magnificent scenery. For the first time guests will be able to spend a full day exploring Akureyri, which is cradled on the top of one of Iceland’s most breath-taking fjords, Eyjafjordur. Fares start from $2,599 per person for the 13-night cruise in July 2012.

  The 14-night Adriatic and Aegean Odyssey concentrates on the Mediterranean, visiting Venice’s famous canals, the treasures of Ancient Greece in Itea, and Montenegro’s beautiful Kotor Bay celebrated as Europe’s most southerly fjord. Fares start from $2,699 per person departing in October 2012.

To complement the distinctive range of new itineraries and grand voyages, Voyages of Discovery offers an unrivalled guest speaker program that will enrich inquisitive minds and bring guests closer to each destination. Key guest speakers include National Trust curator Hugh Dixon, award-winning music promoter and pianist Christopher Howes, and Major General Stephen Carr-Smith, a senior military expert who served throughout much of the Cold War in Europe.

Small ship cruising aboard Discovery is a unique experience. Guests will enjoy friendly British hospitality in an intimate, relaxed ambience that promotes a special spirit of discovery among the crew and guests alike. Distinguished guest speakers, intriguing worldwide itineraries with a focus on exploration, longer port visits and overnights, and a renowned shore excursion program are signature elements of every cruise.

Discovery’s Summer 2012 season fares start from just over $100 per day (based on double occupancy and subject to availability). Fares include a distinguished guest speaker program, enrichment and artistic workshops, all meals including cocktail parties and gala dinners, entertainment, service fees for onboard bar and spa purchases, plus more!