Lonely Planet Embarks on 60 Unforgettable Water Trips with Amazing Boat Journeys

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Includes three in Australia

From salt breezes to river safaris, Lonely Planet has left no hull unturned to collect 60 of the world's greatest water adventures for the publication of Amazing Boat Journeys this month.

Following the success of Lonely Planet's best-selling Amazing Train Journeys last year, Amazing Boat Journeys features accounts of 60 of the world's most unforgettable voyages over water, accompanied by beautiful photographs and practical details to assist travellers in planning their own memorable trips.

With a Foreword by round-the-world Australian sailor Jessica Watson, Amazing Boat Journeys celebrates a slower, more romantic and rewarding way of travelling — from sailing the Nile by felucca and cruising the Canadian Arctic, to reaching the Pitcairn Islands by cargo ship and exploring Halong Bay in Vietnam.

Sydney’s Manly Ferry, Kimberley Coast Cruise, and Sailing Ningaloo Reef are the Australian boat journeys featured.

The book's other top journeys include:

·         Felucca Nile Journey (Egypt)
·         Cape Town Fishing Vessel (South Africa)
·         Mississippi Paddle Steamer (USA)
·         Amazon Exploration (Peru)
·         The Galápagos Islands (Ecuador)
·         Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego (Chile)
·         Halong Bay (Vietnam)
·         Kerala Backwaters (India)
·         Mekong River (Vietnam and Cambodia)
·         Yangtze River (China)
·         Cigarette Boat on the Tonlé Sap (Cambodia)
·         Dalmatian Coast (Croatia)
·         Aran Islands Pilgrimage (Ireland)
·         Aegean Islands (Greece)
·         Blue Cruise (Turkey)
·         Hurtigruten Fjords (Norway)
·         Baltic Sea Crossing (Finland to Sweden)
·         Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia)
·         Cook Strait Ferry (New Zealand)
·         Coastal New Guinea (Papua New Guinea)
·         Marine Mammals Expedition (Antarctica)

LONELY PLANET: AMAZING BOAT JOURNEYS

Published: November 2019

ISBN: 9781788681308 / Dimensions: 240mm x 185mm / Format: 304pp, hardcover

Price: AU$39.99

New expedition cruise brand to launch in 2021

#expeditioncruising .

Scylla will launch a new expedition cruise brand, VIVA Cruises Expeditions, in summer 2021 with the SeaVenture sailing to Northern Europe and the Arctic.

The Switzerland-based vessel management company owns and operates more than 30 riverboats for various brands, and has its own river brand in VIVA Cruises.

Earlier this year, the company purchased the Bremen from Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. It will take delivery of the 155-guest ship in 2021.

Scylla will then operate it under the VIVA brand for the summer season, before a winter charter sees the ship sail for Polar Latitudes in Antarctica as the SeaEscape.

Scuba Divers Take the Plunge from Luxury Yachts in Burma

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New Sail & Dive Initiative allows divers to explore the Mergui Archipelago in style

Burma Boating is set to launch monthly cruises around the Mergui Archipelago, combining two of the most sought-after activities in these pristine waters – yachting and scuba diving.

PONANT Offers Over 80 Cruises With Scuba Diving Options

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Ideal For Divers Who Like To Cruise Or Cruisers Who Like To Dive

 PONANT offers the opportunity to dive in some of the most remarkable underwater sites around the world, all the while enjoying the luxury and trappings of modern small ship cruising with a French touch.

AdventureSmith Explorations Offers 2021 Solar Eclipse Viewing On Seven Antarctic Cruises

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On Dec. 4, 2021, there will be a total eclipse of the sun in Antarctica, a region most can only dream about.
 However, the international expert in small ship expedition cruising, Adventure Smith Explorations, announces limited availability for voyages to the Antarctic Peninsula to witness this phenomenon that will only be seen in the south polar region.
 
Vessels accommodating from 102 to 170 passengers are uniquely appointed to maneuver the ice-bound waters of Antarctica for positioning in the center of the moon shadow during the eclipse.
 
Itineraries of 20 to 24 days will utilize in-depth technology to find the best possible viewing area, hoping to ensure an unobscured sun.

New tall ship for Sea Cloud

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• Small luxury ship with balcony suites, a spa, fine and casual dining
• Unique sailing experience, visiting smaller lesser-known ports

In summer 2020, Sea Cloud Cruises’ third tall ship will be taking to the seas. Just this week she passed her first round of seaworthiness tests. “Since the tests were successful and the shipyard is running on time, the new ship’s maiden voyage is on track for August 29, 2020,” said CEO Daniel Schaefer. Just like its sister ships the Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II, the Sea Cloud Spirit combines a genuine passion for sailing with the atmosphere of a private yacht.  The 453 square feet three-masted sailing ship can accommodate up to 136 guests and, like its two sister ships, occupies a special niche within the expanding cruise market, offering a casual elegance sailing experience.

Ponant continues to grow

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Ponant will continue its growth in 2020 with two new ships, Le Bellot and Le Jacques Cartier.

The French cruise line has also announced a new partnership with the Musée du Louvre for two of its 2020 sailings, as well as 50 new itineraries visiting destinations in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

PONANT releases two new cruise collections

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PONANT releases two new cruise collections for adventurous travellers:

2020-2021 Caribbean & Latin America and Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf & Polynesia voyages

The Caribbean & Latin America 2020-2021 Collection:

This collection represents a wish-list of 38 tempting voyages, departing between September 2020 and April 2021, that include evocative destinations such as the Caribbean, Belize, Grenadines, Martinique and Guatemala as well as exploration in the Sea of Cortez, Chilean fjords and the Amazon River.

“Calypso, salsa, cassava, macaws and caiman ….. let PONANT introduce you to the world of the Caribbean and Latin America,” says Monique Ponfoort, Vice President Asia Pacific for PONANT. “Across 38 exceptional voyages, many featuring our new Explorer ships Le Champlain and Le Dumont-d’Urville, explore coastlines and islands from Miami to Cape Horn, with an emphasis on cultural discoveries and intimate encounters with local populations.”

Aurora Expeditions christens their new ship ‘Greg Mortimer’

#expeditioncruising .

The first passenger ship utilising the Ulstein X-Bow®

Aurora Expeditions, a world leader in expeditions to the polar regions, today celebrated the christening of their highly anticipated and innovative ship, the Greg Mortimer.

One Ocean Expeditions 'restructuring' [updated]

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UPDATE: If you or your client(s) are directly affected, a Facebook page has been set up here

A mysterious, non-commital statement issued by One Ocean Expeditions today would indicate an interruption to service on the eve of the 2019/20 Antarctic season.

The statement below by MD Andrew Prossin says the company is "restructuring" in the aftermath of the loss of its two Russian-flagged vessels earlier this year.

The Canadian company's remaining vessel, RCGS Resolute, was last tracked in the port of Buenos Aires where it had sailed from about a week ago. The reason for the sudden return to port is not clear, but one source close to the company indicated a medical emergency required a crew member be disembarked urgently. This cannot be confirmed and attempts to contact the company directly have been unsuccessful.

A news item posted in the local Squamish Chief would indicate the office is closed and the lights are out.

Another news item posted on the national CBC news site cites claims by staff members about late payments.

"None of us knew for years why we just constantly had issues with not being paid," said bartender and guide Ian Peck, who was eventually paid for his work.

Another former staff member, Caro St. John, says she is still owed $6,400 USD and wonders if she will ever see her money.

"We're the ones who make the experience on the boats above and beyond. And then to not pay them and not communicate with them I think is very poor management," she is quoted as saying in the article.

The company statement, meanwhile, does not include information about passenger bookings, refunds or impacts to staff members.

We will attempt to bring you updates on this situation as they come to hand.