Celebrity Constellation’s “Journey to Three Continents”

Cruising aficionados know that there is no better way to explore the world than on a lavish vessel sailing the seven seas.  However, sometimes the very nature of cruising puts restraints on where a ship can logistically take you, unless of course a land tour accompanies the cruise. That being said, one of the most exciting land - sea adventure I have ever seen offered is Celebrity Cruise Line’s “Journey to Three Continents – African Safari, Turkey, and the Black Sea!”

Yes, you read that correctly…an African Safari!  This once in a lifetime expedition will be offered in conjunction with sailings onboard the Celebrity Constellation.  Journeys are scheduled to depart on September 13, September 28 and October 7, 2014. Land accommodations in Africa are at four or five star hotels and game reserve lodges, and include most meals.

The five-night Africa pre-cruise journey includes two nights in Nairobi with a visit to the Karen Blixen Museum and Giraffe Center.  If you are wondering why that name sounds familiar, Karen Blixen was the author of “Out of Africa”, and lived in this house, now museum, on the outskirts of Nairobi from 1914 to 1931 where she ran a coffee plantation on the site.  The conservation and educational work carried out at the Giraffe Center is exceptional, particularly their efforts regarding poaching and conservation. The giraffe center gives a completely up close and personal interaction with the endangered Rothschild Giraffe, where guests have the opportunity to view the majestic animals as well as feed them.

Then it’s off to Lake Nakuru National Park, located in the Rift Valley of Central Kenya.  The park is legendary for the diversity of the bird life that inhabits the region, with the brightly feathered flamingos taking center stage. The black rhinoceros and white rhinoceros are a major attraction of the area but lions, zebras, buffalo, gazelles, warthogs, baboons, and monkeys also dwell in the area.

Say “African Safari” to anyone and the first thing to come to mind is Africa’s “big five”… elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions and buffalo. That’s why the “Journey to Three Continents” itinerary spends two nights at the Masai Mara National Reserve.  There have been some 95 species of mammals, amphibians and reptiles and over 400 birds species recorded on this reserve. Nowhere in Africa is wildlife more abundant, and a visitor certainly has a good chance of coming home with photographs of the “big five”! Other game includes hippopotami, cheetah, gazelle, impala, topi, giraffe, antelope, wildebeest and the nocturnal bat-eared fox.

After the completion of the African Safari portion of the trip, guests are flown to Istanbul, the only city in the world that actually straddles two continents, Europe and Asia.  Here guests will board the beautiful Celebrity Constellation for a cruise through the Black Sea.

Cruising with Celebrity Cruise Line allows travelers to experience exciting itineraries taking in exotic ports of call, with the advantage of returning each day to luxurious accommodations, award winning cuisine, top-notch entertainment and impeccable service.  Take an exceptional Celebrity cruise and add something as unique as a pre-cruise African Safari, and you have a once in a lifetime adventure!"