ExpeditionCruising: Why 2023 is all about small ship adventure

Respected Australian journalist and recent recipient of AFTA's Consumer Travel Journalist of the Year, Fiona Carruthers, reviews the exciting developments in the luxury expedition cruising sector.

"It's hard to think of a bigger year for luxury expedition yachts hitting the market than over the past 12 months," notes Carruthers, "starting with Ponant's luxury hybrid-electric icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot."

Read the full article at the Financial Review

Two dead in Zodiac mishap

News just in: a Zodiac has overturned in Antarctica killing two persons. For report see: https://news.paxeditions.com/news/cruise/quark-zodiac-boat-overturns-antarctica-killing-two

Aranui Offers More Australs and Goes Back to Bora Bora in 2024

French Polynesian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises has released its 2024 program including a return to Bora Bora and more Discovery cruises taking guests to far-flung corners of the region.

Win a 7-night Alaska expedition cruise

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Internationaltraveller.com is offering a lucky reader and a partner the chance to win a 7-night Alaskan Inside Passage cruise for two people worth up to $30,000*.

See all the details here

Aurora Expeditions launches the Sylvia Earle

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Aurora Expeditions has today launched its second purpose-built small ship, Sylvia Earle, which will embark on her inaugural voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina to Antarctica on December 10, 2022.

Quark Expeditions Launches Arctic 2024 Season

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Quark Expeditions celebrates the launch of its Arctic 2024 season which offers guests more ways to experience Greenland, Svalbard and the Canadian High Arctic than are possible with any other operator in the region. In addition, the breadth of the season’s off-ship experiences ensures there are adventures to satisfy travelers of all interests.

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia - Michener's Tales

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Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

Every time I come to Santo I can't help recalling James Michener's epic novel, Tales of the South Pacific.

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia - Loh and behold

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Torres Island Group. Loh Island.
Google Map Link 

Young women colour their hair with ground flower petals (Fiona Wardle/Heritage Expeditions)

With so many islands earlier in our voyage having not seen rain for months of end, today was the day the drought broke.

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia: Noipe's Red Feathered Brides

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Nendo Island Google Map Link

The village of Noipe on the island of Nendo is the last place in the Solomons where the tradition of  'red feather money' is carried on and the village has turned out in force to show us how the rituals are performed. We also visited here in 2015, so some of the faces were familiar. 

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia - A Makira Morning

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Location: Star Harbour, Frigate Island (Nafinua), Makira

Google Map Link

In our now well-rehearsed procedure, our flotilla of Zodiacs approach the beach on Frigate Island (Nafinua) at Star Harbour in Solomon Islands' remote Makira province. Grass and shell-clad men await and as our bows touch the sand, they issue their formal challenge of yelps and hollers accompanied by much waving of warclubs.

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia - Mysterious Malaita

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While there may not be any uncontacted tribes remaining in the Solomon Islands, the Kwaio people of the Malaita highlands would come close.

Quark Expeditions Kicks off Antarctic 2022-23

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Quark Expeditions, the global Leader in Polar Adventures, embarked on its first voyage of the Antarctic 2022-23 season on November 1 with the 11-day "Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th Continent" voyage. Guests on this much-awaited polar adventure sailed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on Quark Expeditions' game-changing new ship, Ultramarine.

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia. Tetepare Island - cursed or blessed?

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Google Map Link

Tetepare warrior confronts his guests (Fiona Wardle/Heritage Expeditions)

The 120sqkm lush, thickly wooded island of Tetepare located in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands is the largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific. Just how it became that way is the stuff of legend.

Broome-based True North to add second vessel

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True North Adventure Cruises is excited to announce that TRUE NORTH's predecessor is returning to service.

The first TRUE NORTH to feature a ship's helicopter has more recently been available for charter in Indonesian waters.

Aurora Expeditions Founder to Lead Arctic Expedition

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Join legendary explorer Greg Mortimer on a life-changing voyage of discovery to the Arctic

From On Board: Heritage Expeditions in Melanesia - Kolombangara Solomon Islands

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Google Map Link

(Pic: Fiona Wardle/Heritage Expeditions)

Lukim Yu (Goodbye) Papua New Guinea, hello Solomon Islands.