Is your Wednesday being spent cruising through the Kimberley? Neither is ours, but luckily there’s news from Western Australia here to keep you sated.

Agent information sessions to introduce Viking Expeditions

Rendering of the Deck 2 Aft area, Finse Terrace, on-board Viking Expeditions’ ship (supplied)

Viking has announced a selection of dedicated travel agent-only information sessions showcasing its new expeditions product, designed to provide travel partners with the information and tools they need to sell voyages to the ends of the earth when Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris launch in 2022.

Agents will have the chance to check out the brand new 2021–2023 Viking Expeditions brochure, available to order from TIFS today.

Offering light refreshments including canapes, wine and beer, Viking’s agent-only expedition information sessions will be held in the following locations:

• Brisbane: 6:30pm, Tuesday, 17 March 2020, Howard Smith Wharves, The Rivershed
• Sydney: 6:30pm, Tuesday, 24 March 2020, Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park
• Melbourne: 6:30pm, Thursday, 26 March 2020, Hotel Windsor.

Further dates for additional information sessions are to be announced in the near future.

New details on Sapphire Princess’ inaugural season in Western Australia

Princess Cruises has announced several new and exciting itinerary enhancements to Sapphire Princess’ inaugural season in Western Australia.

As part of its ‘Greatest Hits’ program with 27 new voyages around the state, Princess Cruises will now take guests to the Kimberley region this winter season.

On sale now, Sapphire Princess’ program will include nine maiden calls along Western Australia’s coast with visits to Albany, Broome, Exmouth, Geraldton, the Kimberley Coast, Kuri Bay and Yampi Sound (scenic cruising), Busselton (Margaret River) and Perth (Fremantle).

Hurtigruten introduces new season of British Isles expedition cruise itineraries

Dartmouth Castle, England (supplied)

For the first time, Hurtigruten is inviting adventurous guests to experience a whole new side of the British Isles.

From the Isles of Scilly in the south – including the Orkney Islands and the Inner and the Outer Hebrides – to the Shetland and Faroe Islands in the north, Hurtigruten will explore more than 20 islands.

Hurtigruten’s new hybrid expedition ship MS Fridtjof Nansen will, alongside the MS Spitsbergen, offer four slightly different combinations of islands and landings.

All itineraries comprise exceptional scenery, wildlife and local culture. Additional to outdoor activities such as hikes and kayaking, the voyages feature highlights such as visits to Sir Lachlan McLean in his 800-year-old Scottish Castle, a call at Fair Isle – a fantastic bird watching destination – and visits to the Isle of Islay with its eight whisky distilleries.

Beyond the new British and Scottish Isles expedition cruises, Hurtigruten also offers a wide range of expedition cruises to Alaska and parts of British Columbia, Europe, the Caribbean and South and Central America.

Silversea expands rebooking options

Following the relaxation of Silversea’s cancellation policies for the benefit of guests, launched on 5 March 2020, the ultra-luxury cruise line is going further by also embracing the Royal Caribbean Group’s ‘Cruise with Confidence’ initiative.

Guests on cruises departing before 31st July 2020 now have the additional option of cancelling their voyage as late as 48 hours prior to sailing.

Silversea’s existing cancellation policy offers guests long-term peace of mind on all sailings departing between 1 June and 31 December 2020, while the ‘Cruise with Confidence’ policy covers upcoming voyages in the coming weeks.

A&K to celebrate 30 years of expedition cruising

In 2021, luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent celebrates 30 years of operating luxury expedition cruises into the polar regions.

In more recent years, the portfolio has expanded to include exploration of some of the world’s great cultural and historic destinations, including Australia’s own extraordinary Kimberley Coast.

The company has announced 2021–2022 departures of some of its most popular polar expedition cruises are now available for booking.

From the frozen landscapes of Antarctica to adventures in search of the Arctic’s iconic wildlife, A&K’s cruise portfolio takes travellers into the heart of the action, with an unmatched expedition team on every voyage.

Now available, travel agents can book itineraries on A&K’s newly released Luxury Expedition Cruise portfolio, including ‘Antarctica & the Total Solar Eclipse Cruise’ (departing November 2021), and ‘Kimberley Cruise – Australia’s Last Frontier’ (departing May 2021).

International Women’s Day celebrated on Cunard’s Queen Mary II in Melbourne

To celebrate International Women’s Day, group of women from different departments on board Cunard’s Queen Mary II gathered for a historic group photo on the forward bow of the ship while berthed at Station Pier in Melbourne.

Cunard’s flagship is currently on her world voyage from Southampton to Southampton, taking 105 days to cross the world and visiting 12 countries.

The 345-metre ship carries 2,691 passengers and 1,292 crew and is the only ocean liner with a regular transatlantic service in the world.

Evergreen releases 2021 Canada preview brochure

With the launch of its 2021 Canada preview brochure, Evergreen Cruises & Tours is encouraging travellers to start planning now to secure best possible pricing on a 2021 Canada experience.

With itineraries ranging from 14 to 25 days, Evergreen invites guests on its hand-crafted deluxe journeys to discover the length and breadth of Canada, Alaska and USA.

Preview offers which end 30 June 2020 or until sold out include:

• Two for one airfares, including taxes on journeys of 18 days
• Save up to $1,000 per person on journeys of 18 days or longer
• Solo travellers get 50 per cent off economy class airfares on journeys of 18 days or longer
• $950 per person discount on journeys of 18 days or longer and $500 per person on 14-day itineraries if the flight deal is not taken
• Save up to $800 per couple with Evergreen’s early payment discounts

Crystal Cruises releases limited edition 30^th anniversary cookbook

As Crystal marks its 30^th anniversary of cruising this year, the company has unveiled ‘Taste’, a commemorative cookbook celebrating the onboard culinary experience of the cruise line.

From cover to cover, the book takes readers and aspiring chefs on a global journey through the destinations Crystal explores and the traditions and stories surrounding the cuisine from around the world.

In all, 64 Michelin-inspired recipes – each including a curated wine pairing from Crystal’s expert sommeliers –will bring flavours from Crystal ships to the home tables of luxury travellers.

Featured image: An aerial view of Gantheaume Point in Broome, Western Australia at golden hour just before sunset (iStock.com/paul fowler)