Our 27-day "10th Anniversary River Cruise/Tour" to Central and Eastern Europe scheduled for September 25 to October 21, 2009 is now "sold out". It has received a great response from many of you that have inquired with an interest for this unique river cruise/tour. As you can see, I have customized this package from the original one as mentioned in my last brochure. I wanted to include more of Eastern Europe, so I have added a 6-night stay in Poland. It begins with a 3-night stay in Warsaw at the prestigious Bristol Hotel. Then we are off to Cracow for a 3-night stay in this historic city. I have also added a 3-night hotel stay in the golden city of Prague before the 15-day river cruise from Nuremberg, Germany to Rousse, Bulgaria. Finishing off this journey of Central and Eastern Europe, we will stay in Sofia, Bulgaria with a 2-night hotel stay. If you wish to take this special customized river cruise/tour package please call our office for a detailed itinerary and put your name on our "waiting list". Should space become available we will contact you immediately. We have a very limited number of cabins still available on the three shorter segments of this same sailing. If you are interested, please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Anyone who wishes to book the original option from Paris to Istanbul or any of other segments please see page 4 for more information.

Our special winter "10th Anniversary Cruise/Tour" to South East Asia and Western Australia for February 2009 has also attracted very large numbers of past and new clients and I am pleased to announce that this sailing is now sold out as well.

Our departure to Dubai and the Persian Gulf with an extension to India has been well received as we have a large group of adventurous travelers that will join us for our second visit to this area. As we all have seen lately in the news, Toronto's CN Tower is no longer the tallest free standing structure in the world. It lost its status this past September to Burj Dubai which I saw under construction on our trip a year ago.
Expo Cruises has set another record by selling our group space of 45 in a matter of days on our 37-day Best of Africa Cruise/Tour from Cape Town to Aqaba, Jordan with Swan Hellenic Cruises. Congratulations to all who acted on it right away. I cannot emphasize enough that if you see a cruise/tour that you like - act on it right away. Please standby as we will offer more exotic itineraries aboard the Minerva in 2010.
I am very excited to announce that Voyages of Discovery aboard the mv Discovery are offering two new extended itineraries to the Indian Ocean during the winter 2009 season. We have selected two great itineraries for you to consider. Both itineraries will give you the opportunity to see India with side trips to Agra to visit one of the wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. Please see page 12 for more details. Please be advised that Voyages of Discovery packages are now being quoted in US dollars.

We still have limited availability on our 2008 European cruises to the Scandinavian Capitals & Russia, the North Cape and the British Isles. All of them include a 2-night hotel stay in London prior to the cruise with flights on Air Canada. Please see page 14 for more information or visit our web site at www.Expo-Cruises.com

Once again we are offering our popular river cruise/tour to Egypt. Since our 2008 departure filled in matter of weeks, we have put together another group departure scheduled for January 12 to 24, 2009. Please visit our web site for more information on this step back in time adventure.

As we have anticipated, all cruise lines have announced that commencing this past November they will apply "fuel surcharges" on all their cruises ranging from $5.00 to $12.00 US per person per day. I believe it is just a matter of time when airlines will impose new higher fuel surcharges as well.

I recently have just returned from Kenya doing several safaris at many National Reserves, followed by a cruise to the Seychelles with Silversea Cruises. Kenya was an amazing experience, seeing the "big five" up close and all the herds and prides of wildlife on our many daily game drives. Despite some long drives and bumpy roads between each site, the superb meals, accommodation and the unique setting and architecture of each lodge provided an amazing "Out of Africa" experience for all of us.

Expo Cruises and Tours and All Staff Wishes Everyone a Healthy and Happy New Year!!!

All prices posted on our web site are include:

Your cruise with all meals, entertainment and activities

Airfare from Toronto (other cities available upon request)

First class hotel stays (where stated in the itinerary)

Return transfers between airport and ship and/or hotel

All your port and departure taxes (except for local taxes)

ALL your shipboard gratuities (tipping) during your cruise

Most of our cruise/tours are fully escorted by our own staff

This is an all inclusive value and is worth remembering when comparing other offers