From On Board: Swan Hellenic in the Philippines

#expeditioncruising .

After two and a half days at sea northwest of Raja Ampat, SH Minerva reached the first of the Philippines’ 7,641 islands—though only 7,107 remain at low tide. Spread across 1,800 kilometres of turquoise sea, the archipelago is home to more than 117 million people, yet many islands remain tiny, remote and accessible only by Zodiac.

Medical emergency aboard Hondius. Three dead. More critical.

#expeditioncruising . 

BBC has reported: "Three people have died after a suspected hantavirus outbreak on an expedition cruise ship en route from Argentina to Cape Verde, the World Health Organization tells the BBC"

The cruise company concerned, Oceanwide Expeditions has reported they are currently "managing a serious medical situation on board the vessel m/v Hondius, located off the coast of Cape Verde.

"During this voyage, three passengers have passed away. In addition, one passenger is currently being treated in intensive care in Johannesburg, and two crew members on board require urgent medical care."

Hantavirus is a viral infection spread through the urine, saliva, or faeces of rodents. It can cause severe respiratory and kidney disease in humans. It is considered extremely rare under normal circumstances and more so for shipboard cases.

More details as they come to hand.

Tweet

Orient Express Corinthian christened ahead of Mediterranean debut

#expeditioncruising .

The Orient Express Corinthian, described as the world’s largest sailing cruise ship, was christened on April 29 and delivered to its owners, Orient Express Sailing Yachts, marking the brand’s entry into maritime travel.

From on Board: SH Minerva in Raja Ampat

#expeditioncruising .

Lauded as the “last snorkelling paradise on earth,” Raja Ampat is some 1,200 kilometres north of Darwin and sets a high bar, one that feels even higher at 4 a.m. when the alarm sounds for a flight from Bali to Sorong. Not a morning person at the best of times, three hours on a small plane is not an obvious way to begin a luxury cruise.

From On Board: South Atlantic with Oceanwide Expeditions

#expeditioncruising .

Landing on the Edge: Tristan da Cunha and the South Atlantic Islands

From Hans Verdaat, Expedition Leader, Oceanwide Expeditions

Out here in the South Atlantic, plans are always provisional. The charts are precise, the briefings thorough, but the ocean still has the final say.

Aurora Expeditions expands Antarctic operations with record 2025/26 season

#expeditioncruising .

Aurora Expeditions has reported its largest Antarctic cruise season to date for 2025/26, with 30 voyages, about 819 landings, and a 30% increase in passenger numbers across 56 nationalities.

The growth follows the launch of its third vessel, Douglas Mawson, which entered service in November, enabling the company to operate three ships simultaneously in Antarctica for the first time in its 35-year history.

AmaWaterways adds AmaMelodia on Colombia’s Magdalena River

#expeditioncruising .

River cruise operator AmaWaterways has christened its second vessel on Colombia’s Magdalena River, AmaMelodia, marking a further expansion of its operations in the region.

The ceremony in Barranquilla was attended by representatives from ProColombia, government officials and local community leaders. A traditional blessing was performed by a local Mamo, reflecting the river's cultural significance.

Crystal weighs return to expedition cruising as growth stabilises

#expeditioncruising .

Luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises is considering a return to expedition cruising as it reports improved financial performance following its relaunch under Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group.

The company said it delivered positive EBITDA in 2025, its second full year since relaunch, with occupancy levels above 90% continuing into 2026.

Seabourn to exit Kimberley cruises after 2027 as Arctic demand reshapes deployment

#expeditioncruising .

Seabourn will cease sailing in Western Australia’s Kimberley region after the 2027 season, redeploying its expedition vessel to Arctic and European itineraries in response to growing demand for polar voyages, the luxury cruise line said.

Atlas Ocean Voyages to launch expedition sailing yacht in 2028

#expeditioncruising .

Atlas Ocean Voyages has outlined plans for a new expedition vessel, Atlas Adventurer, scheduled to enter service in 2028, featuring hybrid propulsion and an all-suite accommodation design.

The ship is being developed as a sailing-assisted expedition yacht, combining conventional engines with a triple-masted sail system to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. It will also incorporate dual-fuel engines, battery-supported hybrid propulsion and ice-class capability for operations in polar regions.

Expedition Cruising: The Long Game Behind Remote Voyages

#expeditioncruising .

From multi-year planning cycles to complex regulatory hurdles, expedition cruising demands meticulous coordination between operators, destinations and communities to deliver seamless experiences in the world’s most remote regions. Based on reporting by Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise. 

Expedition cruising is a long-lead, highly coordinated process that can take up to three years to move from concept to execution, with deployments already being mapped out close to a decade ahead. Demand mirrors this timeline, with passengers often booking specialist voyages as much as two years in advance.

WIN a Mekong River Cruise for two

#expeditioncruising .

,

Tweet