WIN a Mekong River Cruise for two

#expeditioncruising .

,

Tweet

BREAKING: Coral Expeditions CEO, Mark Fifield, to retire.

#expeditioncruising .

Coral Expeditions CEO,
Mark Fifield, retires after
23 years. (supplied)

In a message to trade, industry and past passengers, Coral Expeditions Chief Commercial Officer Jeff Gillies announced the retirement of CEO Mark Fifield after 23 years in the position.

"After 23 years with Coral Expeditions, Mark has made the decision to retire and begin a new chapter in his personal life. On behalf of our guests and crew, we thank Mark for his long service and leadership and wish him and his family all the very best for the future. The Coral Expeditions brand and team have grown significantly during Mark’s tenure, and the friendships and connections formed along the way will endure."

Meanwhile at the parent company, NRMA, there’s also bit of a changing of the guard, with the organisation confirming that Mike Baird will step in as its next chief executive from August 2026.

In the meantime, the group has been under the steady hand of interim CEO Carolyn Darke, who took over in October 2025 after the departure of long-time chief Rohan Lund.

Baird is no stranger to big leadership roles. Before moving into the corporate world, he served as Premier of New South Wales from 2014 to 2017.

Seabourn opens 2028–29 expedition season with expanded Arctic programme

#expeditioncruising .

Seabourn has opened sales for its 2028–2029 expedition season, featuring 49 departures across more than 180 destinations in 29 countries, with a focus on expanded Arctic exploration and the return of its long-duration Pole to Pole voyage. 

From On Board: Day 13: SH Minerva in Melanesia; Pray for Mansinam

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Minerva
Location: Mansinam Island West Papua
Itinerary: Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea

Just to prove all shore excursions have their unique qualities and surprises, so too it is with Mansinam Island (Pulau Mansinam).

From On Board: SH Minerva in Melanesia; Enriching journeys

#expeditioncruising .

One of the hallmarks of expedition cruising is enrichment, and to this end, Swan Hellenic, via Expedition Operations Manager Jane Wilson, has assembled a stellar cast of lecturers and supporting staff to deliver a series of talks that help us interpret both the human and natural environment in which we're travelling. 

Solomon Islands targets growth in expedition cruise sector

#expeditioncruising .

Honiara — The Solomon Islands is positioning itself as a key destination for the expedition cruise sector, with forward schedules for 2026–2027 showing increased deployment of small-ship and high-value itineraries.

From On Board: Day 9: SH Minerva in Melanesia; Manam Mayhem

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Minerva
Location: Manam Island PNG
Itinerary: Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea

Prepare for boarders!

Even with the worst of Cyclone Maila behind us, some residual effects linger. Consequently, the seas were again too rough for a safe landing at Manam Island, much to the dismay of our resident volcanologist, Professor Brent, who had his heart set on going ashore on the still-active volcano.

[updated] Blue Lagoon Cruises retires Fiji Princess after grounding, new vessel launching

#expeditioncruising .

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

From On Board: Day 8: SH Minerva in Melanesia; Magic in Madang

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Minerva
Location: Madang PNG
Itinerary: Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea

Today will live in my memory as one of the most outstanding experiences anywhere in PNG.

As you know, PNG is one of the most ethnically diverse countries anywhere in the world and today reaffirmed my reflex answer when people ask me “what is your favourite country to visit?”

From On Board: Day 7: SH Minerva in Melanesia; Tabs on Tab

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Minerva
Location: Tab Island PNG
Itinerary: Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea

The smouldering embers of Cyclone Maila continued to throw up enough wind and uncomfortable swell to make our intended landing at Crown Island unsafe, so Expedition Leader Nicki DeSouza and Captain Sven made the decision to push on to a more favourable location, so our intended landing at tiny, remote Tab Island was brought forward a couple of days.

From On Board: Day 6: SH Minerva in Melanesia; Tiny Tami

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Minerva
Location: Tami Island PNG
Itinerary: Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea

The vibrant and exuberant welcome from the Tami islanders is typical of the joyful reception we've been receiving throughout the Bismarck Sea. It seemed like the whole island had dressed up to greet us.

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

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Minerva
Location: Witu, Garove Island, PNG
Itinerary: Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea

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.