Join Heritage Expeditions in 2020 for a Russian Arctic Wildlife Bonanza

for travellers interested in joining an Arctic adventure expedition cruise.

New Zealand-based polar cruise specialist, Heritage Expeditions, has reported an exceptional 2019 season, with multiple polar bear (101 on the latest visit to Wrangel Island!) and brown bear encounters, sightings of pods of humpback, beluga, grey and bowhead whales, and walrus hauling out in their hundreds, to name but a few.

Endeavour Voyages as part of Encounters 2020

- Join a sailing adventure and be part of maritime history

The Australian National Maritime Museum has announced the sale of berths to the general public on a series of voyages to mark 250 years since James Cook's voyage along the east coast of Australia in 1770.

The 2020/2021 itinerary will see the replica HMB Endeavour undertake a series of voyages around Australia over 14 months with these voyages forming part of the Encounters 2020 program.

Encounters 2020 will utilise this historic event to examine its significance in Australian history and its enduring legacy from the dual perspectives of from the ship and from the shore.

Cook's arrival and voyage off the east coast of Australia marked the most significant European encounter by early Western explorers and changed forever the history of Australia. This anniversary offers a unique opportunity for all Australians to reflect on, discuss and re-evaluate the lasting impact this pivotal event has had on us all and, in particular, the repercussions on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The 2020/2021 voyages range from 1 to 25 nights and offer the chance to experience first- hand life on an 18th Century ship.

"Sailing in Endeavour provides an amazing insight into the achievements of Cook and an extraordinary voyaging adventure," said Endeavour Captain John Dikkenberg. "We have all sorts of adventurers join us on our voyages; from first timers to seasoned sailors. Some come to challenge themselves while at the other end of the spectrum we have those seeking to understand 18th century seafaring or parents and their adult children wanting a memorable, unique, shared experience."

The Endeavour 2020/21 voyages will set sail from Sydney Harbour on 24th February 2020 and will conclude, back in Sydney, on 1st May 2021 after completing 38 individual legs.

Details of the various legs, costs and to how to register can be found at https://www.sea.museum/whats-on/events/sail-the-endeavour/2020-21-circumnavigation-voyages.

If you were wanting to take an adventure this year, the Endeavour is also taking part in the New Zealand 250th activities in 2019 and places are still open. For further information on New Zealand go to https://www.sea.museum/whats-on/events/sail-the-endeavour/2019-nz-voyages

Cate Blanchett goes to the Arctic with One Ocean Expeditions

#expeditioncruising .

Polar expedition cruise specialists One Ocean Expeditions (OOE) are proud to be featured on the big screen as the official location partner and polar experts for the feature film ‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette?’.

With a commitment to excellence and safety, and decades of experience traveling to the region, the team at One Ocean Expeditions were able to help Annapurna Pictures bring the characters of ‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette?’ to life with their expert support.

Starring Cate Blanchett, the film premiered in theatres across North America on August 16th, 2019 with OOE featured prominently throughout the film. The production team from Annapurna Pictures, based in Los Angeles, chartered a vessel from OOE in 2016, bringing some sixty-plus cast and crew, including stars Cate Blanchett and Billy Crudup. The film tells the story of a woman suffering from anxiety whose daughter initiates a plan to travel to Antarctica. The main character takes a leap of faith that brings her on an epic adventure that jump-starts her life, allowing her to rediscover herself.

As the expedition cruise operator tasked with bringing the cast and crew to the polar region and supporting the location shoot, OOE provided unparalleled and in-depth knowledge of the region as well as the industry’s finest expedition cruise and sea kayaking program. With safety always the number one priority, an understanding of unique requests, timeliness and the ability to go above and beyond, OOE was well positioned to offer the support needed for the set of a major motion picture.

One Ocean Expeditions was able to assist the film crew in capturing the essence and wonder that the polar regions exude and excelled in the remarkable feat of working in the challenging conditions of shooting a film on location in the polar regions.

Expedition cruise market powers ahead, says expert, but choosing can be confusing

#expeditioncruising .

Expert analysts and strategists are predicting, or perhaps more accurately 'reinforcing', what the small ship cruise sector has known for years, namely that expedition cruising is arguably the most exciting development in the travel industry right now.

Hurtigruten's new hybrid powered vessels are revolutionising the expedition cruise segment (supplied)

"While nothing lasts forever, the cruise industry – and particularly the ‘expedition cruise' sector – remain on a historic run with no indication of a near-term slowdown," says maritime business strategist, Barry Parker in an article on MarineLink.

Subantarctic cruising from New Zealand

#expeditioncruising .

Subantarctic cruises from New Zealand are growing in popularity for the sheer adventure and opportunities to see rare wildlife, especially seabirds. These remote New Zealand subantarctic islands fall into the band between 46° and 60° degrees south of the equator and include islands in the southern regions of the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Read Full Story at Cruise Critic

Why Small is Big in Antarctica

#expeditioncruising .

Are you ready for your big adventure cruise?



You must be sick of hearing about your friends’ fantastic Antarctic adventures by now, so isn’t it about time you had your own?

Yes, it’s true, there are adventure cruises all around the world now but for most people, it’s Antarctica that sets the heart racing and is your first taste of true wilderness. The great empty white continent is the coldest, windiest, driest, least inhabited continent on the planet and hardly seems like an ideal holiday destination. Well, I’m about to tell you Antarctica is the sort of place you DON’T go for a holiday - but instead, for the most rewarding, enlightening and enriching adventure experience you will ever have.

READ FULL STORY AT: Expedition Cruise Specialists

'Cruise, Point & Shoot' with Quasar Expeditions and Award Winning Photographer Harry Skeggs

#expeditioncruising




Travellers can take advantage of the value-added opportunity to elevate their wildlife photography skills with award-winning NatGeo photographer Harry Skeggs when cruising the Galapagos with Quasar Expeditions in January 2020.

At last! Scenic Eclipse sails Inaugural Voyage

#expeditioncruising .

As Scenic Eclipse sets sail today on her inaugural voyage, a 13 day discovery itinerary from Reykjavik to  Quebec, the very first images of her luxurious interiors have been released, showcasing this world leading vessel to the world.

From on board MS Roald Amundsen in Greenland

#expeditioncruising



from John Borthwick

MS Roald Amundsen, the new flagship of Norway's iconic Hurtigruten line, has come through its maiden passenger voyages among Arctic ice-fields and fjords with flying colours.

The 300-pax, 140-metre, hybrid-powered 'expedition' vessel, departing Longyearbyn, Svalbard in late July, achieved successful shore excursions, Zodiac cruises and kayaking trips in Scorseby Sound (the world's largest fjord system), as well as visits to the remote Greenland Inuit settlement of Ittoqqortoormiit and hiking excursions on the west coast of Iceland.

The ship, powered by light marine diesel (as opposed to the more polluting heavy fuel oil (HFO)) and supplemented at peak times by 'harvested' battery power, can tip-toe amid icebergs, nudging aside floes with its bowthrusters, as easily as it can hit its stride at 15 knots in open seas.

Excellent restaurant and buffet fare, staterooms with huge windows and an information-rich Science Centre, plus bars, of course, make this a significant standard-setter in premium, polar-area cruising.

Booking Information: www.inspiringvacations.com

John's full report will appear in The Weekend Australian

STOP PRESS:

Hurtigruten announced it would be transforming three of its existing ships into premium, hybrid-powered expedition cruise vessels.

After introducing the world’s first cruise ship with hybrid assistance, MS Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian cruise line revealed it would be turning the current the MS Trollfjord, MS Finnmarken and MS Midnatsol ships into the new and improved MS Maud, MS Otto Sverdrup and MS Eirik Raude, respectively. [Full Report]

Ponant to Acquire Paul Gauguin Cruises

#expeditioncruising .

French small ship cruise line, PONANT, has announced its plan to acquire PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES, a specialist in sailings to exotic ports in French Polynesia and the South Pacific. Like PONANT, PAUL GAUGUIN combines exceptional itineraries with luxury hotel services and fine cuisine to create memorable experiences at sea. Following the acquisition, the two cruise lines will keep their management, Diane Moore as CEO of PAUL GAUGUIN CRUISES with her team still based in Bellevue, Washington State (WA) USA and Navin Sawhney as CEO Americas of PONANT, based in New York.

Aranui Adds New Itineraries to Every Corner of French Polynesia and Beyond

Tahitian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises has added three itineraries to its 2021 program, taking guests to 11 new island destinations including the cruise line's maiden voyage to the Cook Islands, an expanded Pitcairn itinerary and the first dedicated Society Islands cruise.

Rare Murray Princess Renmark cruise promises unforgettable New Year’s Eve

#expeditioncruising .

Celebrate the most incredible New Year’s Eve on a unique Murray Princess cruise that only departs once every two years and offers a rare and fascinating itinerary. Departing Mannum on Friday 27 December 2019, the seven-night Renmark New Year’s Eve cruise follows in the footsteps of the great 19th Century pioneers and is filled with exciting new experiences.

G Adventures Introduces Reina Silvia Voyager Galapagos yacht

#expeditioncruising .

Leading tour operator G Adventures proudly introduces a sixth yacht to its fleet of vessels for touring the Galápagos Islands, with 2020 departures posted on its website today. The custom-built catamaran will be among the most comfortable passenger touring vessels of its size in the Galápagos, and will reflect the company’s commitment to responsible tourism.

Star Clippers Guest Perks on 2020 #TallShip Mediterranean Sailings

#expeditioncruising #starclippers #starclipperssailings #tallship
Book by August 31, 2019 to Receive Choice of Cabin Upgrade,

Shipboard Credit, Spa Services and Prepaid Gratuities

Mediterranean cruises offer an incredible variety of sights and experiences, from pristine beaches and picture-perfect coastal towns to ancient ruins and architecture to authentic versions of favorite culinary delights. In short, the Mediterranean region is easily one of the most diverse in the world, and Star Clippers allows travelers to experience this area the way it was meant to be seen, from on board a classic tall ship. Unlike the large ocean liners that ply the warm waters of the Mediterranean, Star Clippers ships are intimate—the largest vessel holds just 227 guests—and because of their smaller scale can visit remote ports of call not accessible by larger ships. This, of course, translates to fewer crowds, and a more authentic experience in ports frequented largely be locals. And because Star Clippers’ fleet of tall clipper ships are true sailing vessels, they sail solely under wind power whenever possible, up to 90% of the time in the Mediterranean. Standing on deck as the nautical crew raise the sails by hand, watching the port recede into the distance and feeling the wind catch and start to carry you is incredible experience in and of itself.

  Star Clippers sailings in the Eastern and Western pay call on more than 10 countries, with intriguing ports of call like Skopelos, Greece, where some of the most iconic scenes from Mamma Mia! were filmed; Propriana, Corsica, with its colorful harbor with luxury shopping; and Vis island, a pearl among Croatian Adriatic Islands that has been left untouched by tourism for many years. Now, Star Clipper is making it easier for travelers to make this Mediterranean sailing dream a reality with a choice of perks on select 2020 unique tall ship sailings in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean.

  Guests who book by August 31, 2019 can choose their two favorite perks: (1) one free cabin category upgrade OR $200 in shipboard credit, plus (2) prepaid gratuities OR a one-hour massage. Deal is good on select three to 11 day sailings on the 227-passenger Royal Clipper in the Western Mediterranean, with sailing out of Malaga, Spain, Rome, Venice and Cannes. Rates start at $830 per person for the three-day sailing and $2,890 for the 11-day. In the Eastern Med, the promotion is applicable on five to nine day sailings out of Athens, Malaga, and Valletta, Malta on the 170-passenger Star Flyer. Rates start at $1,320 for the five-day sailing and $2,170 for the nine-day.

  For more than 25 years, Star Clippers has been introducing travelers to the thrill of modern tall ship sailing to remote ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indonesia and Far East. The company operates three of the world’s largest and tallest sailing vessels: Star Clipper and Star Flyer are traditional clipper ships with modern amenities carrying 170 guests, while the 227-guest Royal Clipper holds the Guinness World Record for being the largest and only five-masted, full-rigged sailing ship in service today. All three ships have expansive teak decks, swimming pools, informal dining, convivial tropical bars on deck and piano lounges.

  For more information or to make a booking, contact your travel agent, or call 800-442-0551 or visit www.starclippers.com.

Mystic World Explorer and Scenic Eclipse ready for deployment

#expeditioncruising .


Two brand new expedition ships are on their way to Northern Europe as Mystic's World Explorer and Scenic's new Eclipse have been handed over and are set to begin regular cruise operations. The two newbuilds represent an expanding and booming expedition cruise market.

Zegrahm Celebrates 30 Years with Four Special Departures and Expedition Giveaway

#expeditioncruising .

Zegrahm Expeditions, a leader in small-ship cruising and wildlife adventures, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with four anniversary voyages to Antarctica, the Seychelles, Iceland and Melanesia along with an opportunity for one lucky explorer to win a spot on their choice of cruises in 2020. In addition to mingling with company founders and the current president on select departures, guests on the anniversary voyages participate in special onboard celebrations, enjoy locally sourced treats and souvenirs, and receive exclusive commemorative gifts.