HISTORY ON THE WATER

You might run into John Muir or Meriwether Lewis on some Safari Cruises sailings next year. Impersonators of the early explorers will appear as part of the line’s new Heritage Adventures program.

History will be the theme on a restored replica Victorian steamer the line will add to its fleet in 2013. Named the Safari Legacy, the 88-passenger ship will make two 11-night sailings in Alaska next August, then move to Portland, Ore., for a series of cruises on the Columbia and Snake Rivers until summer of 2014, when it will return to Alaska. The Heritage Adventures program will combine onboard historical presentations with guided tours ashore. Alaska cruise rates start at $7,895 per person, double occupancy; one-week cruises on the Columbia and Snake rivers start at $3,195.

HERE AND THERE

Continuing its $25-million improvement project on its private Bahamian island, Norwegian Cruise Line has opened a stingray encounter and a snorkel adventure on Great Stirrup Cay. Coming soon is a bar partnering with Patron brand spirits.

Viking River Cruises has ordered two more ships for next year, bringing the line’s total of new ships debuting in 2013 to eight. Like the earlier six on order, the two new 190-passenger vessels will have Viking’s “Longships” design with many veranda suites and other state-of-the-art features.

Compagnie du Ponant, a French luxury cruise line, has gone all-inclusive, including all meals, alcoholic drinks, tips, port charges, taxes and fees in the cruise fare. The line has a 64-passenger sailing ship, two 264-passenger liners built in 2010 and 2011 and a third that will enter service next year.

Island Windjammers, successor line to Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, has acquired a second tall ship, the 120-foot, 22-passenger Sagita. That ship will begin Caribbean sailings Dec. 23.

The Great American Steamboat Co., which this spring launched the American Queen on Mississippi, Tennessee and Ohio River cruises, has been renamed in honor of the ship. Its name is now the American Queen Steamboat Co.

Social media goes to sea Oct. 12-15 on Norwegian Cruise Line’s second annual #SeaTweetup on the Norwegian Sky out of Miami. Special networking events will held throughout the three-night cruise, including marketing panels and discussions, giveaways and other group activities.