Swan Hellenic revived as expedition brand

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Seventy years on from Swan Hellenic’s discovery cruise beginnings, the British born expedition cruise line is back. Its core values remain unchanged, as does the brand’s passion for exploratory cruising. Keen again to enrich inquisitive minds who want to discover incredible destinations, reconnect with nature and locals all the while sharing unique experiences.

Rebound on Antarctic Whale Population

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Following the announcement that Antarctica is one of the few Coronavirus-free locations remaining on the planet, it seems that there’s also good news for whale populations in the region - as scientists report seeing an unprecedented 55 blue whales off the UK sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, during a recent 23-day survey.

G Adventures release 2022 Arctic Expedition dates

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Adventures aboard the G Expedition to Norway and the Arctic available to book now -

Global adventure travel expert, G Adventures, has released its 2022 program of Arctic and Norway departures aboard the 134 passenger G Expedition to travellers and agents ahead of schedule. The 12 new departures, which will run from May to September 2022, will allow travellers to explore the wonders of the Norwegian Fjords and the diverse wildlife of the Arctic peninsula, and are available to book now.

Le Jacques Cartier, final ship of the PONANT EXPLORER series delivered

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"At a time of difficulty in the cruise industry, I am pleased to announce on Bastille Day that PONANT, the world leader in luxury expeditions continues to invest in the future with confidence, pursuing our growth strategy exampled by the launch of Le Bellot in March this year, and now the delivery of Le Jacques Cartier, the latest ship to join our modern fleet" announced Sarina Bratton, PONANT Chairman, Asia Pacific.

The sixth and final PONANT EXPLORER concludes the collection of latest-generation ships flying the French flag and built in just 24 months.

On 10 July, PONANT took delivery of Le Jacques Cartier. The first of the EXPLORER series, Le Lapérouse, only left the Vard shipyard in June 2018 and barely 24 months later the last vessel in the series is setting sail, a remarkable achievement.

Le Lapérouse - June 2018
Le Champlain – September 2018
Le Bougainville - April 2019
Le Dumont-d’Urville – June 2019
Le Bellot - March 2020
Le Jacques Cartier – July 2020

“The delivery of Le Jacques Cartier is a success. It marks the completion of the PONANT EXPLORERS series, which has revolutionised the concept of ocean voyages. These six vessels combining cutting-edge technology and respect for the environment are the symbol of a new generation of ships flying the French flag,” declared Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, CEO of PONANT.

Combining a lesser capacity with just 92 staterooms and suites, all with a balcony or private terrace, state-of-the-art technology, respect for the environment and sleek design, Le Jacques Cartier is made for luxurious expeditions. As with all the PONANT EXPLORER ships, it is fitted with a world first, the “Blue Eye”. This multi-sensory underwater lounge allows guests to discover and experience the subaquatic universe. Two portholes, shaped like the eyes of a cetacean, look out into the marine world. Its non-intrusive underwater projectors, hydrophones integrated into the keel retransmitting the natural symphony of the ocean depths, and the Body Listening sofas offer a unique opportunity to listen to and experience the surrounding maritime environment.

With 12 ships in its fleet, PONANT is maintaining its development trajectory and will shortly welcome Le Commandant Charcot, its luxury polar exploration vessel, a hybrid electric ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas scheduled for 2021.

True North Adventure Cruises begins amended 2020 sailing schedule

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Following a Covid-19 enforced shutdown, True North has resumed full-time operations, departing Broome on July 4 with a boatload of excited West Australians.

Hurtigruten's 2021/22 expedition brochure is out

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Dive into Polar and beyond, Hurtigruten’s new 2021/2022 expedition cruise brochure, and discover the world’s spectacular coastlines with the leader in sustainable exploration travel.

Hurtigruten’s Limited Time “Freedom Flash Sale”

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 Offers Travelers up to 50% Off July 1 – 8, 2020 Only

WHAT: This Fourth of July, Hurtigruten, the world leader in expedition travel for more than 126 years, is giving travelers the Freedom to explore with the Freedom Flash Sale offering discounts of up to 50% on select 2020 and 2021 itineraries.* Whether navigating Norway’s majestic fjords, spotting penguin colonies in Antarctica, whale watching in Alaska, or exploring the ancient archaeological sites of South and Central America, travelers can get their vacation plans back on track with this special, limited-time offer.

Aranaui to resume cruising as French Polynesia opens borders

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You might have seen the news that French Polynesia is reopening its borders to international tourists on July 15, 2020, as long as certain conditions are met: https://tahititourisme.com.au/en-au/covid-19/

Cruise lines have also been given the green light to resume cruising and Aranui Cruises is set to recommence passenger services on July 18, with some enhanced health and hygiene measures.

With some uncertainty around who will be able to travel to French Polynesia in the coming months, Aranui is kickstarting passenger operations with a locals’ cruise.

As a mixed passenger-freighter vessel, Aranui 5 is one of the few ships that continued sailing during the pandemic, carrying on with its essential service of cargo delivery to one of the most remote island groups in the world – the Marquesas Islands.

Located nearly 5000 kilometres from the nearest continental land mass (Mexico’s west coast) and 1400km northeast of Tahiti, French Polynesia’s northernmost archipelago is no stranger to isolation and for more than 60 years an Aranui vessel has acted as a vital lifeline connecting the people of the Marquesas with the outside world.

While Aranui’s crew unloads cargo at the six inhabited islands of Hiva Oa, Nuka Hiva, Ua Pou, Ua Huka, Tahuata and Fatu Hiva, passengers usually disembark and explore the places that once lured artist Paul Gauguin, novelists Robert Louis Stevenson and Herman Melville, and musician Jacques Brel, to their volcanic shores.

Since the pandemic grounded flights, closed borders and stopped cruise operations around the world, Aranui 5 has been unable to take passengers on its usual 13-day roundtrip voyage from Papeete to the Marquesas, but this hasn’t stopped the ship making its epic 3000km delivery run to ensure the island communities weren’t completely cut off from the world.

After returning in late January from a dry dock at Sydney's Garden Island, Aranui 5 has made its usual calls to the Marquesas, with the only sign of a pandemic that the frequency of visits extended slightly to monthly and the load has been lighter than usual as communities, which rely heavily on tourism, feel the economic pinch of COVID-19.

To ensure the health and safety of the remote island communities, the 30-strong Polynesian crew wear masks and gloves when handling the cargo, practice social distancing while onboard the ship and locals are encouraged to pick up their cargo at staggered times throughout the day.

Special ‘Welcome Back’ Murray Princess Cruise

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South Australia’s much loved majestic paddlewheeler, PS Murray Princess, is back cruising the Murray River with a unique and one-off, very special seven-night ‘Welcome Back’ cruise from Renmark to Mannum departing Tuesday 23 June 2020.

Quark launches Ultramarine

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Quark Expeditions, the leader in Polar Adventure Travel, celebrates a major milestone with the launch of Ultramarine during a traditional ceremony at the Brodosplit shipyard in Croatia.