Worst timing ever? Kontiki Expeditions, a new cruise line, plans to launch later this year
Even as most established cruise lines around the world remain mired in a global halt to operations due to the coronavirus pandemic, there's a new cruise company hoping to start up by the end of the year.
To be called Kontiki Expeditions, the just-announced brand plans to specialize in voyages on intimate, yacht-like vessels that will hold just 18 passengers a piece.
The idea sounds great. The timing? We're not so sure.
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Designed to offer trips to off-the-beaten-path places that only can be accessed by very small ships and yachts, Kontiki Expeditions is being billed as a "new concept in luxury ocean vacations focusing on conscious travel and immersive experiences."
The company's initial vessel will be 128 feet long and feature nine suites, a sun deck, a gourmet salon, two outdoor lounges, bar, Jacuzzi, spa treatment room and fitness area. To be called Kontiki, it's scheduled to debut in December with sailings on two itineraries along the little-visited coast of Ecuador.
Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles
The two initial itineraries will be one-way routes between Mompiche in the north of the country and Mompala in the south. They'll offer a chance to explore small Ecuadorian towns, historic sites and nature areas full of wildlife while traveling in an upscale vessel with a wellness focus.
“We are pioneers in offering luxury sea expeditions along seldom-traveled routes,” the founder and CEO of Kontiki Expeditions, Carlos Nuñez, said in a statement accompanying the announcement. “Our new expeditions reveal the beauty and authenticity of coastal Ecuador, passing through small, uncrowded towns and historical sites; forests and wetlands; pristine beaches; and protected ecological reserves.”
The new ship will sail with wellness professionals, naturalist guides and a local chef. There will be 10 crew members in total as well as two local experts.
Related: When will cruise ships resume sailing? A line-by-line guide
The vessel will carry kayaks, paddle boards and snorkeling equipment for passenger use. Diving also will be an option.
Nuñez said a fundamental part of the Kontiki program would be to support the communities its vessels visit.
During initial sailings in Ecuador, passengers can expect to see such wildlife as blue-footed boobies, sea lions and howler monkeys, the company said. A focus on cuisine will include the incorporation of local seafood and produce on board and on land as well as tastings of local chocolate.
The company said it would implement measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus such as temperature screenings for passengers and enhanced cleaning. Crew will wear masks and gloves when serving meals, and meal times will be staggered.
While most cruise lines around the world have halted all operations, a handful of small ships in Europe -- mostly river ships -- have just begun resuming voyages on a very limited basis. Industry watchers say small vessels that focus on single-country itineraries may have an easier time restarting operations than bigger ships with itineraries that include multiple countries.
In part, this is because small vessels offer a sort of small-group travel that’s easier to manage in an era of social distancing than the mass tourism of big ships. The typical river ship in Europe, for instance, has fewer than 100 cabins. It essentially operates as a small boutique hotel — albeit one that happens to move from town to town. Touring always is in small groups or on an individual basis. Onboard spaces rarely are crowded.
Fares for the new Kontiki Expeditions sailings start at $7,245 per person per week, based on double occupancy, and include all activities, meals, and transfers to and from ports. Solo traveler rates and private charter rates are also available.
More information on Kontiki Expeditions is available online at the company's website.
Planning a cruise for when sailings resume? These stories can help:
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.