At last! Scenic Eclipse sails Inaugural Voyage

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As Scenic Eclipse sets sail today on her inaugural voyage, a 13 day discovery itinerary from Reykjavik to  Quebec, the very first images of her luxurious interiors have been released, showcasing this world leading vessel to the world.

From on board MS Roald Amundsen in Greenland

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from John Borthwick

MS Roald Amundsen, the new flagship of Norway's iconic Hurtigruten line, has come through its maiden passenger voyages among Arctic ice-fields and fjords with flying colours.

The 300-pax, 140-metre, hybrid-powered 'expedition' vessel, departing Longyearbyn, Svalbard in late July, achieved successful shore excursions, Zodiac cruises and kayaking trips in Scorseby Sound (the world's largest fjord system), as well as visits to the remote Greenland Inuit settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit and hiking excursions on the west coast of Iceland.

The ship, powered by light marine diesel (as opposed to the more polluting heavy fuel oil (HFO)) and supplemented at peak times by 'harvested' battery power, can tip-toe amid icebergs, nudging aside floes with its bowthrusters, as easily as it can hit its stride at 15 knots in open seas.

Excellent restaurant and buffet fare, staterooms with huge windows and an information-rich Science Centre, plus bars, of course, make this a significant standard-setter in premium, polar-area cruising.

Booking Information: www.inspiringvacations.com

John's full report will appear in The Weekend Australian

Ponant to Acquire Paul Gauguin Cruises

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French small ship cruise line, PONANT, has announced its plan to acquire PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES, a specialist in sailings to exotic ports in French Polynesia and the South Pacific. Like PONANT, PAUL GAUGUIN combines exceptional itineraries with luxury hotel services and fine cuisine to create memorable experiences at sea. Following the acquisition, the two cruise lines will keep their management, Diane Moore as CEO of PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES with her team still based in Bellevue, Washington State (WA) USA and Navin Sawhney as CEO Americas of PONANT, based in New York.

Aranui Adds New Itineraries to Every Corner of French Polynesia and Beyond

Tahitian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises has added three itineraries to its 2021 program, taking guests to 11 new island destinations including the cruise line's maiden voyage to the Cook Islands, an expanded Pitcairn itinerary and the first dedicated Society Islands cruise.

Rare Murray Princess Renmark cruise promises unforgettable New Year’s Eve

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Celebrate the most incredible New Year’s Eve on a unique Murray Princess cruise that only departs once every two years and offers a rare and fascinating itinerary. Departing Mannum on Friday 27 December 2019, the seven-night Renmark New Year’s Eve cruise follows in the footsteps of the great 19th Century pioneers and is filled with exciting new experiences.

G Adventures Introduces Reina Silvia Voyager Galapagos yacht

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Leading tour operator G Adventures proudly introduces a sixth yacht to its fleet of vessels for touring the Galápagos Islands, with 2020 departures posted on its website today. The custom-built catamaran will be among the most comfortable passenger touring vessels of its size in the Galápagos, and will reflect the company’s commitment to responsible tourism.

Mystic World Explorer and Scenic Eclipse ready for deployment

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Two brand new expedition ships are on their way to Northern Europe as Mystic's World Explorer and Scenic's new Eclipse have been handed over and are set to begin regular cruise operations. The two newbuilds represent an expanding and booming expedition cruise market.

Zegrahm Celebrates 30 Years with Four Special Departures and Expedition Giveaway

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Zegrahm Expeditions, a leader in small-ship cruising and wildlife adventures, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with four anniversary voyages to Antarctica, the Seychelles, Iceland and Melanesia along with an opportunity for one lucky explorer to win a spot on their choice of cruises in 2020. In addition to mingling with company founders and the current president on select departures, guests on the anniversary voyages participate in special onboard celebrations, enjoy locally sourced treats and souvenirs, and receive exclusive commemorative gifts.

South Pacific: Melanesia Discoverer 2020

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Uncover the hidden gems of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. From the culturally rich arterial of the Sepik River we sail north across the Bismarck Sea to the remote shores of Manus and Mussau Islands. Manus has the lowest density of people in all New Guinea with its people still living a very traditional lifestyle. Next delve into the history, culture and wildlife of New Ireland and New Britain.

PONANT’s Africa, Asia, Indian Ocean & Polynesia 2020-21 voyages are now open for sale

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PONANT’s ever-expanding list of global itineraries, epitomised by this latest release of 2020-2021 season of voyages, is now open for sale.

The sales opening features 37 departures with new itineraries out of the 62 total luxury cruises and expeditions released. This enticing assortment of 7 to 15 night voyages include a wide range of destinations that extend from Africa, the Maldives and the Arabian Gulf to India, Sri Lanka, China, Myanmar, Japan and Tahiti.