Hurtigruten delays maiden voyage of Roald Amundsen again

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Expedition cruise line Hurtigruten has been forced to delay the maiden voyage of its new ship Roald Amundsen due to unfinished onboard interior work.

The world's first hybrid-powered ship was due to set sail from Hamburg tomorrow with passengers onboard, but will instead leave from Tromso, in Norway, on Tuesday (July 2).

Roald Amundsen will skip various ports of call in southern Norway as well as sea days in order to get the work completed.

It is yet another delay for the 530-passenger ship, which was due to launch last year.

Read full report at Cruise Critic

Poseidon Expeditions Solar Eclipse 2021 Voyage to Antarctica

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On the morning of Dec. 4, 2021, passengers and crew aboard the M/v Sea Spirit, Poseidon Expeditions’ 114-guest polar expedition ship, will be on deck as a solar eclipse plummets Antarctica into sudden darkness.

This event occurs on Day 14 of a 23-day voyage that departs the world’s southernmost city, Ushuaia, Argentina, on Nov. 20 and returns there on Dec. 12 after firmly fixing in memory place names from history books – South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula itself. The per person rates are from $16,556 (triple occupancy) and $21,866 (double occupancy).

Oceanwide orders sister ship M/V Janssonius

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Croatian shipyard Brodosplit, the builder of Hondius, won the follow on order for M/V Janssonius, which is scheduled to be completed in October 2021. The 174-passenger ship will be nearly identical in size and design, complete with a Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened vessel equivalent to a 1A super ice-class ship.

PONANT takes delivery of Le Dumont-d’Urville

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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

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 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'

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic launches Wild Escapes,

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Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has announced Wild Escapes, a collection of 11 action-packed shorter voyages to experience wildness, wellness and wonder in less time. The Wild Escapes adventures – including four new itineraries – range from 5 to 9 days and explore many of the same exhilarating regions Lindblad has explored for over 40 years with their traditional programs.

UnCruise Adventures Adds Belize, Guatemala and Colombia for 2020

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Small ship adventure cruise line expands further into Latin America

UnCruise Adventures adds additional Latin American destinations in 2020 with Belize, Guatemala and Colombia chosen for new adventure cruise routes. The line’s 2020 schedule of small ship cruises is open for booking with nine ships sailing in Alaska, Columbia and Snake Rivers, Coastal Washington, Mexico, Hawaii, Galápagos, Costa Rica, Panamá, Colombia, Belize and Guatemala.

Lindblad Expeditions is Carbon Neutral

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Lindblad Expeditions announced today that they will become a carbon neutral company beginning in 2019. This announcement continues the company’s legacy in ecotourism, demonstrating their long-standing and growing commitment toward defining travel industry standards for sustainability and environmentally responsible operations.

Lindblad’s announcement also supports National Geographic’s ongoing efforts to identify greenhouse gas emissions associated with its travel programs, and decrease that impact by offsetting carbon emissions that cannot be eliminated.

Lindblad Expeditions’ investments will effectively offset 100% of emissions from their ships (eight from the Lindblad-National Geographic fleet and five leased), all land-based operations, employee travel, offices in New York and Seattle, and additional small but measurable emission contributors.

“As a company, recognizing that global climate change is arguably the greatest threat humanity has ever faced, we all need to urgently step up our efforts whether big or small,” said Sven Lindblad, CEO and Founder of Lindblad Expeditions.

“Our goal is to reduce and offset our carbon footprint, and to commit to carbon neutrality throughout the many layers of our business. It has become increasingly more apparent that we, human beings, and our planet which sustains us are out of balance. Climate change and its resulting impacts on global biodiversity and human health and livelihoods has provided a clarion call and awakening. The message is clear; we must rebalance and rebalance urgently.”

“We are thrilled with Lindblad’s commitment to be a carbon neutral company,” said Nancy Schumacher, EVP Travel and Tour Operations of National Geographic Partners. “We recognize that travel contributes to the overall human footprint that affects the Earth’s climate, and have been actively working to reduce this impact over the past decade, investing more than $1.5 million in verifiable carbon offset projects. We look forward to working together to spur further climate action.”

Working in partnership with South Pole, a leading developer of international emission reduction projects, Lindblad Expeditions now has a portfolio of six carbon project investments that align with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. These investments focus on renewable energy (solar and wind), reforestation, and community-based projects in six countries, including Mexico, Peru, and Vietnam, countries that Lindblad-National Geographic travelers visit.

South Pole requires independent third-party verification and regular monitoring of all projects in their portfolio to ensure they deliver the stated impacts and adhere to the highest internationally recognized standards. Further, South Pole ensures emission reductions are accurately measured and verified to deliver transparent annual public reporting.

Carbon neutrality joins a diverse portfolio of corporate sustainability programs recently expanded under the direction of Amy Berquist, Vice President of Conservation, Education, and Sustainability, at Lindblad Expeditions.

“We are always looking for creative and meaningful ways to support the health of the environment and the people and ecosystems reliant on it,” Berquist states. “Committing to carbon neutrality is a natural extension of our core beliefs, especially in the face of increasing threats posed by climate change.”

Heritage Expeditions Returns to Commonwealth Bay and Mawson’s Huts for Christmas

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Pioneering expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions is returning to East Antarctica with a visit to Mawson’s Hut planned for Christmas Day during its 25-day voyage ‘In the Wake of Mawson’ following the historic region’s first ice free summer in eight years.

Coral Expeditions confirms fifth ship Coral Geographer

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Launches maiden voyage series, “Small Islands of the Indian Ocean”, departing January 2021

Australia’s pioneering expedition cruise line, Coral Expeditions, continues to expand their Australian-flagged fleet announcing the order of a fifth ship, Coral Geographer, to be delivered in December 2020.

The new build, which is currently under construction at VARD Shipyard, will be a sister ship to the company’s recently launched Coral Adventurer, which arrived in home waters in Darwin, Australia, earlier this month.

Aurora Expeditions Orders Second X-Bow expedition ship for Spring 2021

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Aurora Expeditions’ second X-Bow ship will be similar in design to the soon-to-be-launched Greg Mortimer Aurora Expeditions has today announced it has entered into an agreement with shipbuilder Sunstone to build a second X-Bow expedition ship, for delivery in spring 2021.