South Pacific: Melanesia Discoverer 2020

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Uncover the hidden gems of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. From the culturally rich arterial of the Sepik River we sail north across the Bismarck Sea to the remote shores of Manus and Mussau Islands. Manus has the lowest density of people in all New Guinea with its people still living a very traditional lifestyle. Next delve into the history, culture and wildlife of New Ireland and New Britain.

PONANT’s Africa, Asia, Indian Ocean & Polynesia 2020-21 voyages are now open for sale

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PONANT’s ever-expanding list of global itineraries, epitomised by this latest release of 2020-2021 season of voyages, is now open for sale.

The sales opening features 37 departures with new itineraries out of the 62 total luxury cruises and expeditions released. This enticing assortment of 7 to 15 night voyages include a wide range of destinations that extend from Africa, the Maldives and the Arabian Gulf to India, Sri Lanka, China, Myanmar, Japan and Tahiti.

Cruising early season in Antarctica

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With the early Antarctic cruise season just a few months away, leading expedition cruise specialist One Ocean Expeditions (OOE) is gearing up for memorable immersive voyages to the white continent. Offering a wide diversity of adventures, onboard educational programming and special guests, passengers will explore the remote region onboard OOE’s flagship vessel, RCGS Resolute, boasting the highest ice-class rating in the industry and allowing for access to rich wildlife and mountainous terrain.

Quark previews new ship, Ultramarine

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Quark Expeditions has released new renderings of its game-changing polar expedition ship, Ultramarine, which will set sail in the Antarctic 2020.21 season.

The renderings showcase new livery featuring Quark Expeditions’ distinctive yellow “Q” logo spanning the full height of the ship, reflecting Quark’s mission to go beyond the predictable. New interior renderings highlight Ultramarine’s spacious suites as well as a range of striking public spaces, including the ship’s main restaurant, panorama lounge, lecture theatre, ready room, polar boutique, spa, sauna and fitness centre.

Russian Far East with Silversea

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Silversea Cruises invites guests to discover the untamed and untarnished beauty of the Russian Far East and Alaska with a collection of extraordinary voyages.  Transporting guests in superlative comfort, the luxurious Silver Muse and Silver Explorer offer a range of fascinating itineraries ranging from 7 to 18 days, departing in 2019 and 2020.

White Christmas with Ponant

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We may be in winter, but the heat of summer will be here before we know it. And with it come plans for the traditional holiday season. The same ritual this year-end or, perhaps, something completely different?

PONANT’s range of 10 to 16 nights’ voyages offer the choice of a guaranteed White Christmas in Antarctica, the option of basking in Seychelles or, closer to home, enjoying luxurious cruising along Australia’s East Coast. Something to suit all tastes.

Aurora Expeditions' new ship the Greg Mortimer completes sea trials

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Aurora Expeditions’ purpose-built, X-bow® expedition ship, the Greg Mortimer, has successfully completed sea trials this week ahead of her inaugural voyage on 31 October, 2019 to Antarctica.

The Greg Mortimer is classified as a small expedition ship and has been built to world-class polar standards. The ship underwent a comprehensive trial over the past five days and nights and surpassed engineer’s speed, vibration and noise estimations.

Rare Superyacht Experience in Antarctica

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(c) Justin Hofman/EYOS Expeditions

EXCLUSIVE to iExpedition: Legend, Antarctica’s Only Superyacht Experience, is Redefining Luxury for the Sophisticated, Modern Traveller.

Forget being just one in a sea of thousands: welcome aboard Antarctica’s only private superyacht experience, exclusive to Australian polar expedition company iExpedition.

World’s First Hybrid Expedition Ship to be Christened in Antarctica

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Hurtigruten, the world leader in exploration travel, will be christening the world’s first hybrid electric–powered expedition cruise ship this fall in Antarctica.

MS Roald Amundsen was named after polar hero Roald Amundsen who led the first expedition to cross the Northwest Passage, the first expedition to the South Pole, and the first expedition proven to have reached the North Pole. The ship’s naming ceremony is set to honor his legacy with a ritual invented by Amundsen.

“We can think of no better place to name the truly unique MS Roald Amundsen than the waters of Antarctica, where no ship has ever been christened before,” Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam says.

When christening his famed expedition ship Maud in 1917, Roald Amundsen switched from using the traditional bottle of champagne to a chunk of ice. Before crushing the ice against her bow, he stated:

“It is not my intention to dishonor the glorious grape, but already now you shall get the taste of your real environment. For the ice you have been built, and in the ice, you shall stay most of your life, and in the ice, you shall solve your tasks.”

Hurtigruten, and the yet to be disclosed godmother, will use the same ritual when christening MS Roald Amundsen.

“To honor Roald Amundsen and his explorer heritage, we will revive his ritual. With over 125 years of polar experience, Hurtigruten will use the first-ever ship naming ceremony in Antarctica to pay our respects to the oceans, environment, and past and present explorers,” Skjeldam says.

MS Roald Amundsen made maritime history by being the first cruise ship in the world to sail purely on battery power, as she left Kleven Yard for her maiden voyage off the coast of Norway in late June. (Visit Hurtigruten’s Digital Showroom for a deeper look at the highlights and other features of the ship.)

Specially designed for exploring some of the most spectacular waters of the planet, MS Roald Amundsen features groundbreaking green technology. The hybrid electric–powered expedition cruise ship is using battery packs to support her low-emission engines and will reduce CO2 emissions with more than 20% compared to other cruise ships of the same size.

“This opens a new chapter in maritime history. MS Roald Amundsen is the first cruise ship equipped with batteries, something deemed impossible just a few years back. With the introduction of MS Roald Amundsen, Hurtigruten sets a new standard not only for cruising, but for the entire shipping industry to follow,” said Skjeldam.

The stunning scenery will be reflected in a modern Scandinavian design, with features including a high-tech Science Center, observation decks, an infinity pool, panoramic sauna, gym and Wellness Center, three restaurants, bars, Explorer Lounge, aft-facing suites with private outdoor hot tubs, and the laidback atmosphere that creates the special Hurtigruten onboard feel.

MS Roald Amundsen’s maiden season includes expedition cruises along the Norwegian coast and up to Svalbard and Greenland, before becoming the first hybrid electric–powered expedition ship to attempt a traverse of the legendary Northwest Passage, following in the wake of the namesake explorer Roald Amundsen’s famed journey.

In addition to eco-friendly expedition cruises along the west coast of North and South America—with destinations larger cruise ships cannot reach—MS Roald Amundsen will head to the extreme south for a full 2019/2020 Antarctic season.

MS Roald Amundsen Facts:

• Large battery packs and groundbreaking green technology
• Built: Kleven Yards, Norway, 2019
• Gross tonnage: 20,889
• Length: 459 ft
• Breadth: 8 ft
• Draft: 17 ft
• Guests: 530
• Cabins: 265
• Crew: 151
• Cruising speed: 15 knots
• Flag: Norwegian
• Ice class: PC-6

Expedition kit for the adventurous and eco-conscious dad

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Treat your Dad this Father’s Day with a gift from Zen Imports, which has a range of equipment and tools suited for everyone from brands including Leatherman, Ledlenser, Klean Kanteen and Fjallraven. Whether your old man is a great outdoorsman, loves to build or fix things, or is a fan of having the latest gadgets, these products are the perfect way to express your gratitude.


LEATHERMAN FREE P2 AND P4 SERIES

The ‘New Generation’ of Leatherman, the Leatherman FREE range has a range of new selling points. The P2 and P4 feature many of the same implements found within classic Leatherman tools, but with new features and technology. The outside features a new signature design and the inside of the tool includes a revolutionary magnetic architecture that allows the tool and its implements to open and close seamlessly.

RRP P2-$259.95; P4-$299.95

MS Roald Amundsen is First Ever Cruise Ship to Sail on Battery Power

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Hurtigruten’s hybrid electric-powered MS Roald Amundsen makes maritime history as the first cruise ship in the world to sail purely on battery power
Hurtigruten, the world leader in exploration travel, is proud to share the first images of the world’s first hybrid electric-powered expedition ship, MS Roald Amundsen. Designed for some of the most spectacular waters on the planet, MS Roald Amundsen features groundbreaking green technology, such as the large battery packs which were put to the test as she left Kleven Yard for her maiden voyage.

“This opens a new chapter in maritime history. MS Roald Amundsen is the first cruise ship equipped with batteries, something deemed impossible just a few years back. With the introduction of MS Roald Amundsen, Hurtigruten sets a new standard not only for cruising but for the entire shipping industry to follow,” Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam says.

Named after polar hero Roald Amundsen, who led the first expedition to navigate the Northwest Passage, the first expedition to the South Pole, and the first expedition proven to have reached the North Pole, MS Roald Amundsen is set to honour his legacy.

Starting this summer, the hybrid electric-powered cruise ship will explore some of the most spectacular areas of the planet using battery packs to support her low-emission engines. The hybrid propulsion will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 20%, compared to other ships of the same size.

MS Roald Amundsen’s features include a high-tech Science Center, three restaurants, Explorer Lounge, observation decks, gym and Wellness Center, sauna with panoramic window, infinity pool, two hot tubs, aft-facing suites with private outdoor hot tubs, and the laidback atmosphere that creates the special Hurtigruten onboard feel. Visit Hurtigruten’s Digital Showroom for a deeper look at the highlights and other features of the ship.

“MS Roald Amundsen was designed and built with sustainability at the core of every little detail. In addition to green technology, she is the first cruise ship in the world designed to be single-use plastic-free. Sustainability will also be an integral part of the guest experience: From the hand-picked Expedition Team who will share their knowledge of sustainable practices in the regions visited to the industry-first Science Center where our team will gather for lectures and workshops, we will give our guests a deeper understanding of the areas we explore,” Skjeldam says.

Hurtigruten took delivery of the world’s first hybrid electric-powered expedition cruise ship from Norway’s Kleven yard last week. She has been built alongside sister ship MS Fridtjof Nansen, debuting in 2020.

“In the world of shipbuilding, some projects stand out—this is one of them. MS Roald Amundsen is not only one of the most advanced expedition cruise ships in the world, she is also a premium ship with a number of groundbreaking solutions. We are extremely proud of the build, which is the result of a tremendous team effort of the Kleven employees and our sub-contractors,” Kleven project manager Asbjørn Vattøy says.

Highly experienced Hurtigruten captain Kai Albrigtsen was at the helm as MS Roald Amundsen left the yard for her maiden voyage along the Norwegian coast.

“To captain a new ship and bring her from the shipyard is always an honour. With MS Roald Amundsen being a green pioneer, this moment is truly special to me and the rest of the crew. I am extremely impressed with the ship, the technology, and how she handles. We are all really looking forward to welcoming the first guests on board and creating life-long memories together,” Albrigtsen says.

MS Roald Amundsen’s maiden season includes expedition cruises along the Norwegian coast, and to Svalbard and Greenland, before becoming the first hybrid electric-powered ship to attempt a traverse of the legendary Northwest Passage, following in the wake of namesake explorer Roald Amundsen’s famed expedition.

In addition to eco-friendly expedition cruises along the west coast of North and South America, with destinations larger cruise ships cannot reach, MS Roald Amundsen will head to the extreme south for the full 2019/2020 Antarctica season, beginning in October.

MS Roald Amundsen Facts:

• Large battery packs and groundbreaking green technology
• Built: Kleven Yards, Norway, 2019
• Gross tonnage: 20,889
• Length: 459 ft
• Breadth: 8 ft
• Draft: 17 ft
• Guests: 530
• Cabins: 265
• Crew: 151
• Cruising speed: 15 knots
• Flag: Norwegian
• Ice class: PC-6

Onboard facilities include:
• Fully equipped Science Center
• Observation decks
• Infinity pool
• Panoramic sauna
• Gym and Wellness Center
• Three restaurants and bars
• Explorer Lounge
• 50% of cabins with private balconies