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

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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.

From On Board Swan Hellenic Diana in Western Europe: Roscoff, Brittany

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Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)

Itinerary: Western Europe cruise from Ireland to Portugal

Location: Roscoff, France

SH Diana enters the port of Roscoff in Brittany (Gennadiy Skorokhod/Swan Hellenic)

I'll be honest, I knew absolutely nothing about the port town of Roscoff before we tied up this morning. Further to that, I knew little else about the enigmatic region of Brittany in the far northwest corner of France. So, my day here was 100 per cent discovery and enlightenment.

Regatta Moves From Oceania to Australian-Created Exploration Cruise Product

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Oceania Cruises’ 684-passenger Regatta has completed its final sailing for the line before moving into a long-term charter for Explorations by Norwegian, a new product developed for the Australian market.

Oceania Cruises’ Regatta has completed its final voyage for the line and is moving into a long-term charter for Explorations by Norwegian, a new cruise product created by Flight Centre-owned Australian company My Cruises in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line.

From On Board Swan Hellenic in Western Europe: Waterford, Ireland

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Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)

Itinerary: Western Europe cruise from Ireland to Portugal

Location: Waterford, Ireland

Yesterday I was reunited with Swan Hellenic Diana in Dublin for their Western Europe cruise from Ireland to Portugal. While it may not be “expeditionary” in the classic sense, it is nevertheless a superb small ship experience with expeditionary elements. I had a couple of days scuttling around Dublin before boarding, enjoying this historic city. Our first stop after Dublin was Waterford, a brand as much as a town in this ancient European republic.

RELATED STORY: SH Diana Ship Review

For anyone outside of Ireland, the mention of Waterford is automatically associated with the famous crystal creations that adorn everything from kitchen cabinets to world champions’ trophy rooms. Sure, these exquisite, handcrafted items have put Waterford on the world map, but in reality, as Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford was first set foot by the Viking Ragnall more than 1,000 years ago. Or so the legend goes.

Scotland’s Small-Ship Cruises Open Up Remote Coastline

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A little-known maritime rule has helped reshape cruising around Scotland, allowing small vessels carrying no more than 12 passengers to reach remote islands, sea lochs and coastal communities beyond the range of large cruise ships.

Heritage Line’s Anouvong returns to Upper Mekong

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Heritage Line has returned its boutique river vessel Anouvong to service on the Upper Mekong following an extensive refurbishment and redesign.

The 10-cabin vessel began its latest season in late July, operating between Luang Prabang and Huay Xai, near the Thai border and Golden Triangle. Longer voyages extend south from Luang Prabang to the Lao capital, Vientiane.

From On Board AmaWaterways on the Mekong: When the boats stopped coming to Cái Bè

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Vessel: AmaWaterways AmaDara

Location: Cái Bè, Vietnam

 Cái Bè 2011. The floating market is alive and well. (Roderick Eime)

In my 25 years travelling to Vietnam and the Delta, I am continually amazed by the constant changes, and here in Cái Bè, the channel once thronging with aquatic commerce has all but vanished.