Thursday, 10 September 2026

UnCruise Adventures to Double Capacity for 2028 Aleutian Islands Cruises

#expeditioncruising .


UnCruise Adventures will more than double capacity on its Aleutian Islands itinerary in 2028 and has opened bookings.

The line will replace the 36-guest yacht Safari Explorer with the 74-guest Wilderness Explorer (pictured) for its 10-night Aleutian Islands Adventure with Dutch Harbor & Kodiak, citing strong demand. The 2025 debut of the itinerary sold out within days, according to the company.

From On Board Swan Hellenic in North Africa: Casablanca

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)
Location: Casablanca, Morocco


No prizes for guessing the first thing that comes to mind at the mention of this location. The irony of that whole scenario is that not a single frame was shot in Morocco and none of the cast or crew ever set foot in the country. In 1942, the Moroccan city was in enemy hands (as was depicted in the movie), so the notion of filming there was unthinkable.

Wednesday, 9 September 2026

From On Board Swan Hellenic in Western Europe: The pirates of Portimão

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)
Itinerary Atlantic Horizons: Portugal to Canary Islands

Portimão port and fort ruins. (Gennadiy Skorokhod)

The Algarve region of Portugal is full of stories, and they're not all happy endings. Explorers, princes, pirates and slaves are just part of the volumes of tales surrounding this rich maritime precinct along the southernmost coast of Portugal. 

Saturday, 5 September 2026

From On Board Swan Hellenic in Western Europe: Santiago de Compostela

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)
Location: Ferrol, Spain


I really should feel guilty arriving by luxury ship and taking a comfy coach to the famous Catedral Basílica de Santiago de Compostela

Terra Nova replaces St Helena for inaugural Antarctic season

#expeditioncruising .


Expedition cruise start-up Terra Nova Expeditions has abandoned plans to deploy the historic former Royal Mail Ship St Helena for its inaugural Antarctic season, citing disruption caused by the continuing conflict in the Middle East.

Friday, 4 September 2026

Russian flagged expedition vessel Professor Molchanov seized by Norway in Svalbard

#expeditioncruising .


The arrest of
Professor Molchanov, a vessel used for Arctic expedition cruises, is part of Ukraine’s effort to enforce a US$4.22 billion arbitration ruling against Russia.

Norwegian authorities have seized the Russian expedition vessel Professor Molchanov in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard following a legal application by Ukraine’s state energy company Naftogaz.

From On Board Swan Hellenic in Western Europe: Bilbao, Spain

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)
Location: Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain

Bilbao Guggenheim by the River 

Spain, not Spain. Even within the enormity of Europe and its myriad cultures and histories, Bilbao in the Basque Country stands out as a singularly fascinating city for many reasons.

With SH Diana docked at the region's major port of Santander, we boarded coaches for a visit to Bilbao, an easy hour-or-so by expressway. After a rocky start in Ireland, the weather has certainly turned in our favour, with warm, mild days and even some welcome sunshine, making our walking tours a most pleasant experience.

Thursday, 3 September 2026

Seabourn opens bookings for 138-day 2029 World Cruise

#expeditioncruising .

Seabourn Quest world cruise

Seabourn Quest will sail from Miami to Lisbon via 58 destinations, 32 islands and more than 25 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Seabourn has opened bookings for a 138-day world cruise aboard Seabourn Quest, featuring remote islands, extended port stays and destinations across five continents.

The 2029 World Cruise: Iconic Islands & Remote Horizons will depart Miami on January 7, 2029, and arrive in Lisbon on May 26. The itinerary covers more than 32,000 nautical miles, calling at 58 destinations in 31 countries and territories.

Wednesday, 2 September 2026

From On Board Swan Hellenic Diana in Western Europe: Royan, France

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)
Location: Royan, France

The Front de Mer (Seafront Promenade)

To say Royan is like nowhere else in France is no exaggeration. Yes, it's a famous seaside resort town which enjoyed its heyday during la Belle Époque. Its renown, carefree social scene featured horse-drawn carriages, tinkling tram bells, and outdoor cafe terraces where vacationers drank absinthe and enjoyed fashionable sea bathing and thalassotherapy (sea therapy) in the fresh Atlantic air.

SeaDream III to enter service in 2029

#expeditioncruising .


SeaDream Yacht Club will introduce its first new vessel in 25 years when SeaDream III enters service in July 2029.


The approximately 151-metre yacht will accommodate about 200 guests with a crew of nearly the same number. Features will include private balconies across four decks, an expanded range of suites and connecting accommodation, extensive outdoor areas, a dedicated pool deck, three watersports marinas and enhanced spa and fitness facilities.

Tuesday, 1 September 2026

From On Board Swan Hellenic Diana in Western Europe: Roscoff, Brittany

#expeditioncruising .

Vessel: SH Diana (IMO: 9921740)
LocationRoscoff, France

SH Diana enters the port of Roscoff in Brittany (Gennadiy Skorokhod/Swan Hellenic)

I'll be honest, I knew absolutely nothing about the port town of Roscoff before we tied up this morning. Further to that, I knew little else about the enigmatic region of Brittany in the far northwest corner of France. So, my day here was 100 per cent discovery and enlightenment.

Monday, 31 August 2026

Regatta Moves From Oceania to Australian-Created Exploration Cruise Product

#expeditioncruising .


Oceania Cruises’ 684-passenger Regatta has completed its final sailing for the line before moving into a long-term charter for Explorations by Norwegian, a new product developed for the Australian market.


Oceania Cruises’ Regatta has completed its final voyage for the line and is moving into a long-term charter for Explorations by Norwegian, a new cruise product created by Flight Centre-owned Australian company My Cruises in partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line.