Big Fat Cruise Wrap

Sapphire Princess, College Fjord, Alaska

How much would we rather be on a cruise ship instead of in freezing cold Sydney? A boatload. Haha, get it?

Silversea Expeditions unlocks two standout experience for guests: 480 Nautical Miles from the Pole and a Swim with Whale Sharks near the Equator

Photo by bruno Cazarini-4

Demonstrating the broad range of experiences on offer, Silversea Expeditions recently unlocked two standout travel experiences in vastly different marine environments: guests on Silver Discoverer were able to swim with basking whale sharks in the warm waters of Cenderawasih Bay, Western Papua while guests on Silver Cloud reached a remarkable 82 degrees north amid icy conditions.

Close to the equator on Sunday, 1 July, Silversea’s Silver Discoverer detoured from its planned route between Cairns and Darwin to facilitate a rare interaction with wildlife: with care and respect for the animals, guests enjoyed the opportunity to snorkel with a school of whale sharks. Silversea’s Expedition Team launched the ship’s tenders in order to reach the sharks, following Expedition Leader Dominic Del Rosario’s decision to change the ship’s itinerary after hearing of the opportunity.

Flexibility has become a key characteristic of Silversea Expeditions’ voyages; adapting itineraries often enables guests to enjoy such extraordinary experiences as swimming with whale sharks. The breathtaking animals were inquisitive and swam close to Silversea’s guests.

In striking contrast, on Monday, 25 June, Silversea’s Silver Cloud reached her highest ever latitude. The most spacious and comfortable expedition ship afloat reached within approximately 480 nautical miles from the North Pole, to the great delight of the cruise line’s guests who gathered at the ship’s bow. The significant moment occurred on the second day of a 12-night voyage between Longyearbyen and Kristiansund, Norway. In foggy conditions and icy waters, and with a light wind of 0-10 knots, the ice class crossover ship reached the Arctic Ice Edge in the Arctic Ocean.

Join renowned editors on a Scenic All-Inclusive South of France Cruise in 2019

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vaucluse, France

Join National Travel Editor of Escape Jana Frawley, and Editor in Chief of Delicious magazine Kerrie McCallum on an exclusive culinary experience cruising in luxury through the stunning south of France with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours.

With two of Australia’s premier food and travel experts on board, explore the unforgettable secrets of one of the world’s most popular foodie destinations on this special journey on our 13 Day South of France river cruise in April 2019.

Journey highlights will include a pre-dinner cocktail evening, exploring the picturesque region of Beaune and sample its most famous export, mustard at a local Mustard Museum, sampling the wines and cheeses of southern France, and an exciting live chocolate art show with renowned American visual artist Mark Alsterlind.

On board, you’ll be treated to world-class meals prepared by local renowned chefs, complimentary beverages, access to e-bikes, Scenic Tailormade devices for self-guided touring, and more than 26 Scenic Freechoice onshore activities giving you the freedom to plan your own style of holiday and have as much downtime (or food-time) as you like.

Peregrine Adventures’ first new build starts cruising the Galapagos

Grand Queen Beatriz

Peregrine Adventures’ first custom-built expedition vessel has begun cruising the Galapagos as part of the company’s burgeoning small-ship Adventure Cruising program which has grown 35 per cent year to date.

One of the newest and most sustainable ships operating in the Galapagos, Grand Queen Beatriz, named after the matriarch of the Galapagueno family who built and own the vessel, departed on her maiden voyage from Puerto Baquerizo Morena in San Cristobal on Saturday July 1.

The first voyage was a combination of Peregrine’s 10-day Classic Galapagos and six-day Galapagos Encounter, offering guests the chance to follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin with a hike on Bartolome, iguana and sea lion spotting at Plaza Sur and Santa Fe, and encounters with ancient giant tortoise at San Cristobal.

The 30-metre vessel has been designed with comfort and space in mind. The ship’s nine cabins have outward-facing windows, ensuite bathrooms, are on average double the size of similar accommodation found on other boats in the region and are spread over three decks with separate communal areas, offering extra privacy and space. The 300-tonne boat is also home to a dining room, two bars, lounge and TV area, and a sun deck with a jacuzzi. The upper deck boasts private balcony rooms.

PONANT update on Antarctic and Kimberley availability

Monique Ponfoort, Vice President Asia Pacific for PONANT, has updated progress on PONANT’s generous trade promotion focusing on Antarctic and Kimberley sailings.

Released just four weeks ago to celebrate PONANT’s 30th Anniversary, she announced a huge uptake by PONANT’s trade partners taking advantage of the generous bonus commissions available. Space is still available on PONANT to the Antarctic.

PONANT has four luxury expedition ships operating in the Antarctic – more than any other cruise company – and still have space available for both the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 seasons for any trade partners who have guests interested in travelling this year or next. The Kimberley too has limited space still available for 2019 on our brand new Explorer ship Le Laperouse being inaugurated next week.

For all NEW bookings made and deposited during the period June 4 to July 31, 2018, on 2019 Kimberley and/or 2018-2020 Antarctica sailings, consultants will earn a $500 Coles/Myer Gift Voucher for every guest booked, plus, each agency will earn a BONUS five per cent commission.

P&O Cruises Australia digital team excels with award winning online user experience

Mumbrella Win

P&O Cruises couldn’t be more proud of its award-winning Digital Team after taking out a double honour for the excellent user experience delivered online with pocruises.com.au.

The team had already won the Mumbrella award for ‘best user experience in travel’ to then win the same category across all industries represented in the awards program.

In addition to the awards, the digital team, Mike Ainsworth (not pictured) and (left to right), James McKeown, Meg Wilson, Madeline Wong and Georgia Elliott,are driving the commercial success of P&O’s online site.

Inspiring Luminaries announced for Seaboard conversations aboard the ultra-luxury Seabourn Sojourn 2018-2019 extended Explorations Voyages

Seabourn Sojourn

Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line, is continuing its quest to intrigue and inform guests with a new line-up of distinguished Seabourn Conversations guest speakers and personalities aboard Seabourn Sojourn’s upcoming Extended Explorations voyages beginning in October 2018.

The popular onboard enrichment program will host distinguished speakers and personalities from a variety of fields including anthropology, space exploration, culinary, military history, and the arts.

This season’s line-up of Seabourn Conversationalists includes first-time and returning speakers to keep guests entertained and engaged as they explore the South Pacific, Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand aboard Seabourn Sojourn.

The Seabourn Conversations enrichment program allows guests to hear about rich life experiences firsthand, through lectures but also as speakers participate in the daily social scene onboard, sharing meals, adventures ashore and casual chats throughout the voyage.

Venture into the Arctic Circle with Scenic

Sapphire Princess, College Fjord, Alaska

Join the Ultimate Canadian Rockies, Alaska and Arctic Circle tour with Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, and discover one of the last wild frontiers in remote Alaska. You will even fly across the Arctic Circle and gaze down at this incredible and remote landscape.

Scenic is the only operator who has a tailormade itinerary packaging up its Alaskan and Arctic Circle program with the mighty Rocky Mountains of Canada and an Alaskan cruise with Princess Cruises for a 27 day tour and cruise that is unlike anything you have ever experienced. From Denali, Northern America’s highest peak, to the orca whales and bears that populate the region everything in this land is on a grand scale – a place of rare and remote beauty.

Our included Scenic Enrich programs takes you behind the scenes to enjoy private access and special moments not available to the ordinary traveller. From a visit to the historic Porterfield homestead in Talkeetna to learn how the family has lived on this remote land, mining for gold, farming, hunting, and home schooling their children; to a cruise along the Chen and Tanana Rivers on an authentic Alaskan Sternwheeler from the gold rush era; to a riverside fishing camp, to learn how Alaskan natives traditionally prepare salmon for smoking and drying.

Starting at $18,745 per person with departures from May to August 2019 the Ultimate Canada Rockies, Alaska and Arctic tour will take you to places beyond your expectations. With our Earlybird offers valid until 28 September 2018 take advantage of our flight offer of $795 per person ex Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Peregrine Adventures launches new Antarctica and Arctic Voyages with up to 30 per cent off in Earlybird Sale

Intrepid Travel-Peregrine Adventures-Antarctica_Port Lockroy_052

Peregrine Adventures is celebrating the launch of five new voyages in its 2019/20 Exclusive Voyages brochure with up to 30 per cent off a select range of polar cruises when booked before 19 August 2018.

The new brochure, which covers Antarctica and the Arctic and is available now, will see guests follow in the footsteps of Drake and Shackleton as they explore the White Continent in comfort and style.

Ensuring guests have the most enriching experience, Peregrine polar voyages feature a team of experts in a range of fields including glaciology, ornithology, marine biology and polar history.

Some voyages are onboard the new Hondius vessel that rates among the elite few civilian ships with Polar Class 6 notations meaning it’s the strongest ice-strengthened ship available. Hondius carries 176 guests and each of its 84 cabins have views of the Antarctic landscape. The remaining voyages will be onboard the newly updated Ocean Atlantic ship that carries up to 198 passengers, and includes a gym, polar boutique and panoramic views from the bar.

Latest News