Pandaw Cruises to Resume Irrawaddy Delta Expeditions After Six-Year Hiatus

River cruise operator Pandaw Cruises will resume expeditions in Myanmar's Irrawaddy Delta in November, marking a return to the region after a six-year layup.

The company said its vessels RV Kanee Pandaw and RV Kha Byoo Pandaw sailed from Bagan to Yangon last month for dry docking and survey. Both ships have secured permissions to operate the delta route.

The 10-night round-trip expedition from Yangon is scheduled to begin in November, with the second vessel joining in December. The itinerary explores the delta's network of waterways, colonial-era river towns, markets and birdlife, with visits to Yangon including the Shwedagon Pagoda and National Museum.

Pandaw said more than 200 passengers have booked. Cabins remain available, with fares starting at $4,677.75 per person.

The company said UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advisories against travel to conflict areas of Myanmar do not include the Irrawaddy Delta region, with the exception of Pathein. Pandaw said it would assess Pathein prior to departure and substitute an alternative port if needed.

Pandaw suspended wide-scale operations in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup. The Irrawaddy Delta, once known as Asia's rice basket, spans about 1,000 square miles.

From On Board Swan Hellenic in North Africa: Astapor (Essaouira)

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Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)

Itinerary: Atlantic Horizons: Portugal to Canary Islands
Location: Essaouira, Morocco

(C) HBO

I thought I was a Game of Thrones expert, but I only found out today that the ramparts of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Essaouira here in Morocco were used as the slave port of Astapor. You know, that scene where Daenerys lines up the Unsullied to become her private army in Season 3? Yeah, well I stood right there in the 18th-century Skala de la Ville. [shivers]

UnCruise Adventures to Double Capacity for 2028 Aleutian Islands Cruises

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UnCruise Adventures will more than double capacity on its Aleutian Islands itinerary in 2028 and has opened bookings.

The line will replace the 36-guest yacht Safari Explorer with the 74-guest Wilderness Explorer (pictured) for its 10-night Aleutian Islands Adventure with Dutch Harbor & Kodiak, citing strong demand. The 2025 debut of the itinerary sold out within days, according to the company.

From On Board Swan Hellenic in North Africa: Casablanca

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Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)

Itinerary: Atlantic Horizons: Portugal to Canary Islands

Location: Casablanca, Morocco

No prizes for guessing the first thing that comes to mind at the mention of this location. The irony of that whole scenario is that not a single frame was shot in Morocco and none of the cast or crew ever set foot in the country. In 1942, the Moroccan city was in enemy hands (as was depicted in the movie), so the notion of filming there was unthinkable.

From On Board Swan Hellenic in Western Europe: The pirates of Portimão

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Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)

Itinerary:  Atlantic Horizons: Portugal to Canary Islands

Location: Algarve, Portugal

Portimão port and fort ruins. (Gennadiy Skorokhod)

The Algarve region of Portugal is full of stories, and they're not all happy endings. Explorers, princes, pirates and slaves are just part of the volumes of tales surrounding this rich maritime precinct along the southernmost coast of Portugal. 

From On Board Swan Hellenic in Western Europe: Santiago de Compostela

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Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)

Itinerary: Western Europe cruise from Ireland to Portugal

Location: Ferrol, Spain

I really should feel guilty arriving by luxury ship and taking a comfy coach to the famous Catedral Basílica de Santiago de Compostela. 

Terra Nova replaces St Helena for inaugural Antarctic season

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Expedition cruise start-up Terra Nova Expeditions has abandoned plans to deploy the historic former Royal Mail Ship St Helena for its inaugural Antarctic season, citing disruption caused by the continuing conflict in the Middle East.

Russian flagged expedition vessel Professor Molchanov seized by Norway in Svalbard

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The arrest of Professor Molchanov, a vessel used for Arctic expedition cruises, is part of Ukraine’s effort to enforce a US$4.22 billion arbitration ruling against Russia.

Norwegian authorities have seized the Russian expedition vessel Professor Molchanov in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard following a legal application by Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz.

From On Board Swan Hellenic in Western Europe: Bilbao, Spain

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Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)

Itinerary: Western Europe cruise from Ireland to Portugal

Location: Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

 

Spain, not Spain. Even within the enormity of Europe and its myriad cultures and histories, Bilbao in the Basque Country stands out as a singularly fascinating city for many reasons.

With SH Diana docked at the region's major port of Santander, we boarded coaches for a visit to Bilbao, an easy hour-or-so by expressway. After a rocky start in Ireland, the weather has certainly turned in our favour, with warm, mild days and even some welcome sunshine, making our walking tours a most pleasant experience.

Seabourn opens bookings for 138-day 2029 World Cruise

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Seabourn Quest will sail from Miami to Lisbon via 58 destinations, 32 islands and more than 25 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Seabourn has opened bookings for a 138-day world cruise aboard Seabourn Quest, featuring remote islands, extended port stays and destinations across five continents.

The 2029 World Cruise: Iconic Islands & Remote Horizons will depart Miami on January 7, 2029, and arrive in Lisbon on May 26. The itinerary covers more than 32,000 nautical miles, calling at 58 destinations in 31 countries and territories.

From On Board Swan Hellenic Diana in Western Europe: Royan, France

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Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)

Itinerary: Western Europe cruise from Ireland to Portugal

Location: Royan, France

To say Royan is like nowhere else in France is no exaggeration. Yes, it's a famous seaside resort town which enjoyed its heyday during la Belle Époque. Its renown, carefree social scene featured horse-drawn carriages, tinkling tram bells, and outdoor cafe terraces where vacationers drank absinthe and enjoyed fashionable sea bathing and thalassotherapy (sea therapy) in the fresh Atlantic air.

SeaDream III to enter service in 2029

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SeaDream Yacht Club will introduce its first new vessel in 25 years when SeaDream III enters service in July 2029.

The approximately 151-metre yacht will accommodate about 200 guests with a crew of nearly the same number. Features will include private balconies across four decks, an expanded range of suites and connecting accommodation, extensive outdoor areas, a dedicated pool deck, three watersports marinas and enhanced spa and fitness facilities.