From On Board Swan Hellenic in Western Europe: Ireland

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Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)

Itinerary: Western Europe cruise from Ireland to Portugal

Location: Waterford, Ireland

Yesterday I was reunited with Swan Hellenic Diana in Dublin for their Western Europe cruise from Ireland to Portugal. While it may not be “expeditionary” in the classic sense, it is nevertheless a superb small ship experience with expeditionary elements. I had a couple of days scuttling around Dublin before boarding, enjoying this historic city. Our first stop after Dublin was Waterford, a brand as much as a town in this ancient European republic.

For anyone outside of Ireland, the mention of Waterford is automatically associated with the famous crystal creations that adorn everything from kitchen cabinets to world champions’ trophy rooms. Sure, these exquisite, handcrafted items have put Waterford on the world map, but in reality, as Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford was first set foot by the Viking Ragnall more than 1,000 years ago. Or so the legend goes.

Scotland’s Small-Ship Cruises Open Up Remote Coastline

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A little-known maritime rule has helped reshape cruising around Scotland, allowing small vessels carrying no more than 12 passengers to reach remote islands, sea lochs and coastal communities beyond the range of large cruise ships.

Heritage Line’s Anouvong returns to Upper Mekong

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Heritage Line has returned its boutique river vessel Anouvong to service on the Upper Mekong following an extensive refurbishment and redesign.

The 10-cabin vessel began its latest season in late July, operating between Luang Prabang and Huay Xai, near the Thai border and Golden Triangle. Longer voyages extend south from Luang Prabang to the Lao capital, Vientiane.

From On Board AmaWaterways on the Mekong: When the boats stopped coming to Cái Bè

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Vessel: AmaWaterways AmaDara

Location: Cái Bè, Vietnam

 Cái Bè 2011. The floating market is alive and well. (Roderick Eime)

In my 25 years travelling to Vietnam and the Delta, I am continually amazed by the constant changes, and here in Cái Bè, the channel once thronging with aquatic commerce has all but vanished.

From On Board: Tân Châu’s enduring silk tradition

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Vessel: AmaWaterways AmaDara
Location: Tân Châu, Vietnam

Shore excursions in Vietnam's Mekong Delta invariably yield discoveries, and today is no different. We witnessed the labour-intensive hand-woven silk in Phnom Penh, but here at Tân Châu it is more of an industry, albeit with methods dating back well into the last century.

From On Board: The Mekong with AmaWaterways: A river of history

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As the Mekong spreads across the horizon, the towers of Phnom Penh signal AmaDara’s approach to the Cambodian capital. I first came here 25 years ago and have been drawn back repeatedly by the city’s peculiar mixture of tragedy, faded glamour and restless reinvention.

National Geographic-Lindblad Enters European River Cruise Market

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National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has launched its first European river cruise program aboard the chartered Transcend Connect, with itineraries in Holland, Belgium and the Rhine.

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has entered the European river cruise market, launching its first sailing on August 15 with a new Holland and Belgium itinerary.

PNG: The expedition destination that still sets its own terms

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In an age when expedition cruising has grown polished and predictable, a Papua New Guinea cruise offers something increasingly rare: genuine uncertainty and the promise of a true adventure.

Expedition Cruising founder, editor and publisher, Roderick Eime, reviews his 20 years of small ships in Melanesia and delivers a verdict.

Read the full story at Luxury Travel Magazine

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Tauck to Add ms Harmonie to Rhône Fleet in 2028

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The new 130-guest riverboat will sail in France alongside ms Lumière, doubling Tauck’s Rhône capacity as part of a wider fleet expansion through 2028.

Tauck will add a new riverboat, ms Harmonie, to its French fleet in 2028, expanding capacity on the Rhône as part of a multi-year investment in river cruises.

AmaWaterways to Add AmaNubia to Nile Fleet in 2026

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AmaWaterways will debut AmaNubia on Egypt’s Nile River in November 2026, joining AmaLilia and the redesigned AmaDahlia as the company expands its luxury river cruise program in Egypt.

AmaWaterways has released details of AmaNubia, a new luxury river ship scheduled to enter service on the Nile River in November 2026.

Another record season for Unforgettable Croatia

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Specialist small-ship cruising company Unforgettable Croatia has revealed it is on track for another record season.

Halfway through the 2026 season, Unforgettable Croatia Co-Founder Graham Carter said more than 98% of cabins were sold.

Expedition Cruise Demand Expected to Level as Prices Rise

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Expedition cruise executives say sector growth may slow as new shipbuilding eases, while fares are expected to move higher after several years of competitive pricing.

Demand for expedition cruising could begin to plateau over the next few years as new ship supply slows and operators move to restore pricing, according to industry executives speaking at the CLIA Expedition Showcase in Svalbard.