From On Board: Day 5: SH Minerva in Melanesia; Witu Welcome

#expeditioncruising .

I'll always remember little Witu, just off the western coast of New Britain as a place of stunning natural beauty and the performances of the Catholic mission children in their elaborate face paint and headdresses.

From On Board: Day 4: SH Minerva in Melanesia; Rabaul Revisited

#expeditioncruising .

Returning to Rabaul in East New Britain is another case of deja vu. I've probably been here six or seven times in 20 years, and it's always a little bit different.

From On Board: Day 3: SH Minerva in Melanesia; Buka, Bougainville

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Minerva
Location: Buka, Autonomous Region of Bougainville
Itinerary: Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea

The island of Buka is a new destination for me and one that reminded me of the Bougainville people's determination to achieve full independence.

From On Board: Day 2: SH Minerva in Melanesia; Minerva meet Maila

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Minerva
Location: Solomon Islands
Itinerary: Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea

Well, we are in the tropics after all, and the Coral Sea seems unusually active with storms right now.

Analysis: As expedition cruising continues to grow, can it remain sustainable?

#expeditioncruising .



The rapid rise of expedition cruising reflects a structural shift in traveller preferences toward immersive, experience-led travel, supported by strong post-pandemic growth across the broader cruise sector.

From On Board: Day 1: SH Minerva in Melanesia; Hello again Honiara

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Minerva
Location: Solomon Islands
Itinerary: Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea

I have to admit, after my debut on Swan Hellenic in the Indian Ocean in 2024, I was more than a little excited to be back on board one of the swish new triplets from this revived boutique cruising brand.

Another cruise ship runs aground

#expeditioncruising .

A small expedition cruise vessel has run aground on a reef in Fiji, with all passengers safely evacuated and no injuries reported.

Norrøna Adventure yacht Varg named among TIME’s World’s Greatest Places

#expeditioncruising .

Norrøna Adventure’s small-format expedition yacht Varg S/Y has been included in TIME’s 2026 list of the World’s Greatest Places, a curated annual selection of 100 destinations spanning hotels, cruises, attractions and cultural sites worldwide.

Seabourn cancels submarine program

#expeditioncruising .

Seabourn has confirmed it will discontinue its expedition submarine program, with the decision announced on 20 February 2026 in a communication to travel advisors and industry partners.

Unlimited Travel Group acquires polar specialist Waterproof Expeditions

#expeditioncruising .

Unlimited Travel Group (UTG), Sweden’s largest listed travel and event company, has acquired Netherlands-based Waterproof Expeditions, expanding its footprint in the fast-growing expedition travel sector.

True North completes $4m fleet refit ahead of 2026 season

#expeditioncruising .

Expedition cruise operator True North Adventure Cruises has completed a $4 million refit of its vessels True North and True North II ahead of the 2026 season.

Oceanwide Expeditions plans two hybrid sail expedition vessels

#expeditioncruising .

Oceanwide Expeditions has signed a letter of intent to build two expedition vessels using hybrid sail propulsion, with delivery scheduled for 2029 and 2030.