Monday 31 October 2022

PONANT's Le Commandant Charcot: 2024 itineraries now available

#expeditioncruising . 


PONANT has launched sales of its polar exploration voyages aboard Le Commandant Charcot for its 2024 Arctic season. Following in the wake of the great polar explorers from Greenland’s east coast to the Geographic North Pole, the season comprises five itineraries and eight sailings, each offering enchantment and adventure.

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia - Panguna Mine, Bougainville

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Panguna Mine Google Map Link


Let's face it, the mention of Bougainville does not automatically conjure warm and fuzzy images. The 93,000 sq km island of some 300,000 people has endured more than its share of tumult beginning with its annexation by Germany in 1899, the location of fierce battles in WWII and then its own civil war that saw its people effectively isolated from the world until the 21st Century.

Sunday 30 October 2022

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia - Nissan Island, Bougainville

#expeditioncruising .

Google Map Link


Again, on the gorgeous island of Nissan in the Green Islands of Bougainville, we are presented with the perfect tropical hideaway.

Saturday 29 October 2022

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia - Rabaul, New Britain

#expeditioncruising .


 Some might say Rabaul is a town that can't turn a trick. Located in one of the most beautiful harbours anywhere in the Pacific, it has over time attracted the attention of several of the world's major powers. Britain, Germany, Japan, USA and Australia have all had dibs on this idyllic location for one reason or another.

Friday 28 October 2022

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia - Tsoilik, New Ireland

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Idyllic Tsoilik village from photographer Fiona Watrdle's drone

Today was a vivid example of how flexible and versatile expedition cruising needs to be.

Thursday 27 October 2022

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia - Manus Island

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The mention of Manus Island in PNG conjures images of a joint US/AU military base and an awful detention camp. Today we saw a small part of the true Manus Island – and it was brilliant.

Wednesday 26 October 2022

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions Melanesia. Kopar village on the Sepik River

#expeditioncruising .


People talk about travelling “off the grid” and many times it can be as mundane as finding a new pizza bar away from the main drag. Well, “off the grid” in PNG is what it's all about and usually involves the famous Sepik River at some point. 

Tuesday 25 October 2022

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia - Madang departure

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Even as our vintage Air Niugini Fokker 100 came in on approach to Madang, the pangs of reminiscence began. It's been more than ten years since I visited this important northern port town, the capital of its own province. 

Monday 24 October 2022

PONANT's new expedition ship for 2024 Kimberley Season

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PONANT has unveiled their highly anticipated 2024 Kimberley sailing expedition season with its newest PONANT EXPLORER series small luxury expedition ship Le Jacques-Cartier set to make its Australian debut, joining Le Lapérouse for the very first time in the country.

Saturday 22 October 2022

Adventures by Disney to Debut Its First-Ever Adriatic Sea Expedition Cruise in 2024

#expeditioncruising .

Adventures by Disney will embark on a new expedition cruise itinerary to the Adriatic Sea in 2024 with two summer departure dates. Guests aboard the PONANT ship Le Bougainville, a small, purpose-built vessel specially designed to access remote locations, will sail along the beautiful coastline on an eight-day, seven-night round-trip sailing from Venice, Italy and enjoy stops at ports in Croatia and Montenegro. (Adventures by Disney)

 In 2024, guests will set sail on the all-new Adventures by Disney expedition cruise along the picturesque Adriatic Sea. This famed waterway filled with captivating history, exquisite cuisine and breathtaking views provides the perfect setting for an enchanting adventure. 

The eight-day, seven-night round-trip sailing from Venice, Italy, will visit seven ports in Croatia and Montenegro before returning to the Floating City. The chartered Adventures by Disney expedition voyage is planned for two sailings in 2024 (departures set for June 25 and July 2).

Thursday 20 October 2022

Heritage Adventurer Makes Cruise History On Maiden Voyage


As the first expedition vessel to visit the remote village of Pasir Putih on Indonesia's Buru Island.

Pioneering expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions' new flag ship Heritage Adventurer has made cruise history on her maiden voyage as the first expedition vessel to visit the remote village of Pasir Putih on Indonesia's Buru Island.

Wednesday 19 October 2022

Scenic Eclipse II on schedule to launch in April 2023

#expeditioncruising .

Scenic has announced updates on the construction of the highly anticipated second ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse II. With its innovative design, state-of-the-art technology and unrivalled discovery, a new era of expedition cruising will arrive when Scenic Eclipse II sets sail. With construction in its final stages and progressing as planned, Scenic Eclipse II’s inaugural voyage will be the 11-Day Incredible Iberian Discovery, from Lisbon to Barcelona, departing on 13 April 2023.

Saturday 15 October 2022

Antarctica's Best Landing Sites

#expeditioncruising .

Guests sailing on Antarctic expedition voyages will have opportunities to step ashore and explore many of the most beautiful and interesting sites on the Antarctic Peninsula. The following list has been compiled by Seabourn's expedition leader, Robin West, which will give visitors the chance to view different species of penguins, seals and whales; visit sites of historical and geological interest; gain first-hand insights into regional scientific research; see a variety of types of ice features and enjoy scenic cruising of spectacular waterways and passages.

Friday 14 October 2022

Robin West, Seabourn's head of expeditions, addresses Australian media

#expeditioncruising .

Robin West, Seabourn's Head of Expeditions, met media for an exclusive lunch event where he briefed us on the launch of Seabourn’s brand new, luxury expeditions to some of the world’s most exciting and remote destinations - Antarctica, Patagonia, Greenland and the Amazon. The new luxury, small-ship voyages feature state-of-the-art submarines, zodiacs and an elite expedition team of wildlife experts, scientists, naturalists and historians. Here is a transcript of that address:

Hurtigruten and Speedcast reach for the stars

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One of the bugbears of the connected generation is the poor quality and expense of internet connections at sea. Sure, things are improving, but for most cruise ships, there is still a long way to go.

Wednesday 12 October 2022

Cruise Traveller specials on Mekong Princess

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Australian small ship cruise specialist, Cruise Traveller, is offering savings for couples and solo travellers on an exclusive Mekong River package through Cambodia and Vietnam with excursions and beverages all included.

Silversea Cruises names Felicity Aston MBE as the Godmother of new ship Silver Endeavour

#expeditioncruising .


The world’s most luxurious expedition ship, Silver Endeavour will set sail for Antarctica on her maiden voyage on November 21, 2022

Wednesday 5 October 2022

Refurbished Le Ponant reinvents travel by sea

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Freshly refurbished Le Ponant hoists sails again and reinvents travel by sea

 

PONANT's iconic three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant, which was the founding ship where the PONANT story began, has undergone a major renovation ahead of her voyage to Australia to set sail for her inaugural Kimberley season in 2023. 

 

After several months undergoing renovation at the San Giorgio del Porto yard in Italy, the yacht offers a remarkably private setting and has been entirely updated with cutting edge eco-responsible innovations. After an exclusive collection of itineraries in the Mediterranean, Le Ponant will spend the winter in the Seychelles before arriving in Australia in April 2023. 

 

The newly imagined Le Ponant is an invitation to go sailing whilst recharging the batteries on voyages that respect the world around, where privacy and exploring with others go hand in hand with eco-responsibility.

 

When luxury and privacy combine with the magic of travel and eco-responsible navigation

Monday 3 October 2022

New luxury paddlesteamer planned for Murray River

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Australia’s iconic Murray River will soon gain a “game-changing” hero drawcard with the announcement by Murray River Paddlesteamers that it will build a brand new $6.75 million, five-star river vessel offering year-round, all-inclusive, overnight cruises from the historic Victorian river town of Echuca.

Fusing heritage charm with contemporary luxury and stretching 35m, the deluxe 40-guest vessel will become Australia’s first five-star river cruise experience, the largest paddlesteamer in the Southern Hemisphere and the only wood-fired, five-star accommodated paddlesteamer in the world.