The Silver Cloud in Venice, Italy will take part in new "mid-voyage" land adventures including learning of the legends and lore of the Scottish Highlands and exploring Inverlochy Castle. (Handout)

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Exotic explorations to Kangaroo Island, Andorra, Solovki, Inverlochy Castle and Camp Jabulani are among new "mid-voyage" land adventures for cruisers.

Silversea Cruises, with its luxury all-suite ships, is offering seven new off-the-ship adventures among dozens of extended excursions next year.

Unlike a partial-day shore tours, these single-or multiple-day inland adventures offer travellers a more intimate, in-depth and personal encounter with the local people, history, wildlife and natural attractions that lie just beyond the ports of call.

"These adventures are carefully designed to take guests further into a specific region, giving them plenty of time to actively engage in its scenery, activities and cultural heritage," said Silversea's Darius Mehta.

A "corker" of trip with the roos

Among the off-ship excursions is the Kangaroo Island Luxury Eco Expedition in Australia's Galapagos.

The island is filled with diverse wildlife and natural beauty with memorable sightings that can include kangaroos, rare Cape Barron geese, koalas and sea lions.

Guests stay in luxurious accommodations at the Southern Ocean Lodge on the three-day outing and naturalist guides lead the explorations.

Cruisers disembark the Silver Shadow in Adelaide and rejoin the ship in Melbourne.

It's priced at $4,799 US and offered on the Jan. 19 voyage, sailing roundtrip from Sydney.

There are also the Australian Frontiers and Train Journey into the heart of the Outback and the Great Ocean Road, discovering the country's great scenic coastline drives.

Andorra and Solovki beckon cruisers

Silver Spirit's May 3 sailing from Athens to Southampton offers the rare opportunity to visit the Principality of Andorra.

This adventure in the eastern Pyrenees visits tiny, landlocked Andorra that comprises a region of seven narrow valleys and is hemmed in by towering mountain peaks. The one-and-a-half-day package costs $999 US and guests depart and rejoin the ship in Barcelona.

Solovki on Big Solovetsky Island was once a former Soviet gulag and today known as the "Pearl of the Russian North."

The tour includes the famous Solovetsky Kremlin to learn the history of the monastery complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It's a 12-hour adventure, priced at $1,299 US, offered on Silver Cloud's July 30 voyage roundtrip from Copenhagen. Guests depart and rejoin the ship in Archangel.

Legends and lore galore in Scotland

Cruisers can immerse themselves in the legends and lore of the Scottish Highlands and explore Inverlochy Castle.

This is a chance to "discover what is considered by many to be Scotland's most stunning scenery and important historic sites."

There's the requisite visit to a well-known distillery for a wee taste of Scotland's best-known national spirit, malt whisky.

It's a two-day package, priced at $1,899 US, offered on Silver Cloud voyages of June 25 and Aug. 26, departing and rejoining the ship in Edinburgh (Leith) and Invergordon, as determined by the voyage itinerary.

Africa's big game territory

Travel by elephant and open-air vehicles in this tailor-made adventure offered to Camp Jabulani in the Kapama Private Game Reserve of Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Highlights include a ride through the bush atop an elephant's back and an open-vehicle drive through prime big-game territory that supports elephant, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, zebra and other species.

It's a three-day package, priced at $4,999 US, offered on Silver Wind voyages of Feb. 10 and March 2. Guests depart from Richards Bay and rejoin the ship in Port Elizabeth.

Valley of Wonders, Brasilia, Antarctica

Other trips include Arequipa and Colca Valley, a land of imposing, snow-capped volcanoes, deep gorges, agricultural terraces, remote traditional villages and exotic wildlife in the "Valley of Wonders."

In Brasilia, Brazil's capital, cruisers will explore the fascinating city designed for the 21st century with its modernist architecture along with heritage sites.

An ultimate destination for globe trekkers is Antarctica where cruisers will fly to King George Island to discover the many natural wonders of the "world's last pristine wilderness." The three options are available on Silver Whisper sailings.

www.silversea.com; 1-877-215-9986

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Wavelet:

- When the Disney Dream sets sail next month on three-to-five day Bahamian cruises, its entertainment options will "charm and bedazzle" the entire family.

The new heights for Disney Cruise Line include elaborate original musicals, over-the-top deck parties and the "largest fireworks spectacular" aboard a cruise ship.

There will be such things as a little mermaid soaring over the stage in an aerial ballet, pirates rappelling from atop the ship's funnel during a swashbuckling adventure and the evening sky lighting up with a spectacle of sound and colour. http://disneycruise.disney.go.com; l-800-951-3532

Jim and Barb Fox can be reached at outtosea50@hotmail.com