PONANT takes delivery of Le Dumont-d’Urville

#expeditioncruising .

PONANT welcomes its ninth ship as it continues to expand it’s fleet of modern small luxury expedition ships.

On schedule on 14 June, PONANT took delivery of Le Dumont-d’Urville, the ninth ship in the fleet, with the ship leaving the port of Søvik in Norway for Bergen, ready to commence her maiden cruise.

Reasons to go Small Ship Cruising

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There are many reasons to choose the small ship alternative for your next cruise vacation and the cruise lines are a waking up to the boutique alternative too. A record number of smaller cruise ships and advanced expedition vessels are launching right now, ready to explore the world in a way you never imagined - and never could aboard a conventional ‘big’ ship.

Read the full story at Travel Associates

Expedition through The Northwest Passage

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Adventure Canada’s two Northwest Passage expeditions are Canadian Signature Experiences. The signature experience designation represents a collection of high-quality, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that can only be found in Canada.

Aurora Expeditions takes NASA scientists on 2021 Antarctic solar eclipse voyage

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Aurora Expeditions has today announced NASA astronomer Dr Michelle Thaller and NASA Engineer Dr Andrew Booth as special guests for the expedition company’s total solar eclipse voyage in December 2021.

Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre, Dr Michelle Thaller will act as the main lecturer for the voyage. Dr Thaller will conduct a series of talks together with Dr Andrew Booth on the solar eclipse, Antarctica and general astronomy in the staggering surroundings of Antarctica.

Witnessing a solar eclipse from Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime event. 

Travellers on this voyage will be part of a once-in-a-lifetime event as the full eclipse will only be visible from Antarctica. Taking place in the early hours of December 4, 2021, Aurora Expeditions’ soon-to-be-launched polar-class ship, the Greg Mortimer will be in prime viewing position to see the moon transition in front of the sun, shrouding the white Antarctic wilderness in surreal darkness.

New brochure: Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic 2020-21 Antarctica

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has launched its 2020-21 Antarctica brochure inviting adventurers to visit one of the most exhilarating places on Earth.

New for 2020, travellers will have their choice in experiencing the world's foremost polar vessel, National Geographic Endurance, making her Antarctic debut in October 2020. Slated for delivery in January 2020, the new 126-guest vessel is the first new polar build in the line's history and uniquely equipped to facilitate unparalleled bases for discovery whilst providing state of the art features for an excellent experience.

BlackWolf Strato 40 Technical Daypack: comfort, safety and practicality

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The Ideal Expedition Cruising Daypack

Whether you are hiking in the bush or tackling an urban adventure, BlackWolf’s Strato 40 Technical Daypack is the perfect backpack for all conditions. Made for both urban and outdoor settings, the Strato Daypack is built with comfort, safety and practicality in mind.

While the BlackWolf Strato 40 may seem like an ordinary backpack, it’s equipped with handy features for adventures in the outdoors and city living. For sticky situations in the bush, the Strato 40 comes with a safety whistle to easily signal for help and a night reflective daisy loop to be easily seen in the dark. Built with an internal pocket for a hydration tank, BlackWolf’s new backpack is hydration compatible for those long stints away.

Coral Expeditions expands solo traveller program as fleet grows

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Coral Expeditions, Australia's pioneering cruise line, is expanding its solo traveller program with a variety of new options and offers that cater for the varied circumstances and expectations of the contemporary solo traveller.

PONANT opens sales for inaugural Arctic voyages on board Le Commandant Charcot

PONANT opens sales for the first expedition cruises to the Arctic in 2021 aboard Le Commandant-Charcot, the world's first luxury polar exploration vessel with hybrid propulsion



Today sees the opening of sales for Arctic 2021 cruises aboard Le Commandant-Charcot, a truly exceptional luxury polar exploration vessel.

Oceanwide launches Polar Class 6 Hondius

#expeditioncruising .

 It's been a very exciting week for polar cruising enthusiasts, with the launch of the the m/v Hondius. Two years in the making, Hondius recently sailed from the Brodosplit shipyard in Split, Croatia to her Dutch homeport of Vlissingen, home of her owner Oceanwide Expeditions. After a gala welcome ceremony on 03 June 2019 it was time for the inaugural guests to board before setting off on her maiden voyage to the Arctic.

David Sinclair to lead expert team on line’s new expedition ship

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Crystal Expedition Cruises has appointed seasoned explorer David Sinclair as expedition leader for its upcoming ship Crystal Endeavor launching in August 2020. Sinclair has spent over two decades traversing all seven continents with an emphasized expertise in the polar regions. He has shared his knowledge and passion for wilderness discoveries with travelers on bold expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula, Ross Sea, Adelie Coast, South Georgia, Macquarie Island, the Falkland Islands, Greenland, Svalbard and the Canadian Arctic. In his role, he will be involved in the planning and development of the vessel’s shoreside excursions, as well as leading a team of skilled expedition guides and experts.

Finally! Scenic Eclipse completes sea trials [video]

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Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has today announced that Scenic Eclipse, the World’s First Discovery Yachts, continues to move closer to her official launch on August 15 2019, with the successful completion of extensive sea trials.

FACT CHECK: The world’s first Expedition World Cruise

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Silver Cloud in Canada after its Polar Class conversion (R Eime)

Luxury small ship and expedition cruise line, Silversea, are touting their Expedition World Cruise as “a pioneering world first”. But is it? Let’s check.

Followers of this blog will recall an announcement from the now-defunct expedition cruise line, Cruise West when it began a 335-day world circumnavigation, "Voyages of the Great Explorers", from Singapore aboard the Spirit of Oceanus in 2010.

Unfortunately, this landmark voyage, comprising 24 segments, failed mid-cruise when the Spirit of Oceanus was sold and the passengers unceremoniously put ashore in St John’s, Newfoundland.

Thus, we can establish that the Silversea Expedition World Cruise, scheduled to last 167 days from January to July 2021, is not the first such voyage offered, even if we don’t count those of James Cook and his contemporaries. (Yes, James Cook carried paying passengers on his first voyage. Can you name them?)

Silversea's Expedition World Cruise. (Click to enlarge)

Silversea’s voyage is also not a circumnavigation, nor do they claim it to be. It departs Ushuaia, Argentina, on January 30 aboard Silver Cloud and arrives Tromso in Norway on July 16 having visited 107 ports in 30 countries via 10 routes.

VERDICT

So, while the claim does require some clarification, it will most likely be the longest single continuous expedition voyage of the modern era (if you sail all segments) when it is completed mid-2021. Just not the first (yet).

SEE ALSO: Fact Check - Who are the true pioneers of 'luxury expedition cruising'