AdventureSmith Explorations Spring 2026 Small-ship Adventure Travel News & Trends

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AdventureSmith Explorations is the global leader in small-ship, adventure cruise vacations. The company’s adventure specialists closely track what’s happening in the travel industry and in the destinations where its expedition trips operate.
 
Here are AdventureSmith’s expert insights heading into the Spring:

Oceanwide Expeditions Sets New Southernmost Navigation Record

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Oceanwide Expeditions has set a new world record for the southernmost position reached by a non-icebreaker vessel in the Weddell Sea, achieving the milestone for the second consecutive year.

Coral Adventurer runs aground in PNG [9 News] Updated

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This report is from 9 News Gold Coast. Coral Adventurer has run aground in Papua New Guinea. No injuries have been reported, and damage is being assessed.

Update: 30/1/26 Vessel arrives Port Moresby and is dry-docked for a complete hull inspection.

Update 26/1/26: Vessel is underway, heading south at 6 knots. Destination Port Moresby. 

Update 11/1/26: According to Marine Traffic, Coral Adventurer is still "at anchor" near the site of the grounding.

Update 29/12: AMSA has detained the vessel in accordance with the Navigation Act 2012, based on reasonable suspicion that it is not seaworthy due to potential damage sustained during the grounding, and that it is sub‑standard as a result of failures in the implementation of its Safety Management System under the International Safety Management Code. [source]

UPDATE: Passengers are being ferried to Lae for flights to Cairns. A tugboat that came from Lae to assist initially failed to dislodge the vessel. Vessel subsequently freed from the reef 

The Coral Adventurer had more than 120 people aboard when it hit a reef at Dregerhafen Point, Papua New Guinea. (Supplied: ABC via Jurgen Ruh)

 

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Scenic Eclipse II's champagne rescue in Ross Sea

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With Antarctic ice continually on the move, keeping skippers on their toes, Scenic Eclipse II found itself in a tight spot while manoeuvring through first-year pack ice near McMurdo Sound.

The US keep a year-round base there, and as luck would have it, their icebreaker USCG Polar Star was on hand to assist. 

Swan Hellenic adds SCUBA diving options to Raja Ampat voyages

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Swan Hellenic has introduced dedicated SCUBA diving programs on four East Asia expedition cruises exploring Raja Ampat, operating aboard the boutique expedition ship SH Minerva. The dive-focused departures include two sailings in 2026 and two in 2027.

Emerald Kaia completes sea trials

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Emerald Cruises & Tours’ new luxury yacht Emerald Kaia has successfully completed sea trials at Scenic Group’s shipyard in Ha Long Bay.

The 128-passenger vessel is scheduled to commence operations with an 11-day “Cyprus to the Acropolis” inaugural voyage, departing Limassol on April 4.

BREAKING: Pat Shaw of Polar Latitudes passes away suddenly

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Pat Shaw (source: LinkedIn)

While details are sketchy right now, ExpeditionCruising.com can confirm that high-profile executive, Patrick (Pat) Shaw, has passed away suddenly while in the Antarctic.

In April 2025, Pat was appointed CEO of Albatros Expeditions and formed a new entity with the merger of Polar Latitudes and Albatros Expeditions.

Prior to that, Pat led Quark Expeditions as President and CEO from 2001 to 2010.

A true leader and visionary in our industry, Pat will be sorely missed.

Everyone here at ExpeditionCruising.com extend our condolences to his family and many friends in the industry.

Read Polar Latitudes Official Statement

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Brand new Australian Star (finally) launching February 2026

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Murray River Paddlesteamers will launch a new luxury vessel, Australian Star, next month, marking the arrival of what is being billed as Australia’s first five-star paddlesteamer and a significant new entrant in domestic river cruising.

Ponant to deploy two vessels in French Polynesia

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Ponant Explorations Group will expand its operations in French Polynesia from the 2026–2027 northern winter season by deploying two vessels in the region, broadening its range of itineraries and destinations.

Twins' Twin Paddle Steamers to Champion Slow Travel on Murray River

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Twins Craig and Rohan Burgess are leading a bold new chapter for river cruising in regional Victoria, committing $8 million to build two luxury paddle steamers aimed at celebrating the art of slow travel.

Based in Echuca on the Murray River, the Burgess brothers’ project is designed to give travellers a more relaxed and immersive way to explore Australia’s longest river, echoing the golden era of paddle steamer journeys.

Seabourn's 2028 ‘Cape To Cape’ 120-Day World Cruise

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Seabourn has announced its 2028 Cape to Cape World Cruise, a 120-day voyage aboard Seabourn Quest covering more than 26,000 nautical miles and visiting over 50 destinations across five continents. The cruise will include complimentary expedition-style experiences, offered for the first time on a Seabourn world cruise.

UPDATED! Aurora Expeditions founder, Greg Mortimer, airlifted off Douglas Mawson after 'medical episode'.

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UPDATED

Good news! Greg is up and about and recovering well. Tough as old boots, he may not be climbing mountains this week, but he's certainly out of the woods. We love you, Greg!

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ExpeditioinCruising.com understands that Greg Mortimer, who founded Aurora Expeditions in 1992 has been airlifted off the brand new Douglas Mawson after a "medical episode".

"We can confirm that Greg Mortimer experienced a medical episode while on board Douglas Mawson in his capacity as Expedition Leader," said a spokesperson for Aurora Expeditions. 

"His condition is stable, and as a precaution, the vessel is diverting to allow for medical evacuation to a hospital facility in New Zealand for further assessment and care.

 

"The safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew remain our priority. We will provide further updates if and when appropriate, and we respectfully ask that Greg’s privacy is maintained at this time."

 

The team at ExpeditionCruising.com join the vast expedition cruising community in wishing Greg a smooth recovery.

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