News Round-Up from ECN

One of the biggest stories this month was PONANT’s announcement of acquiring a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions. Both brands are renowned for their luxury expeditions, and this exciting collaboration promises to bring fresh opportunities and growth to both companies. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.

New small ship, American Legend, christened in Key West, Florida

#expeditioncruising .

American Cruise Lines is pleased to announce that American Legend, the newest small ship in the company’s innovative Project Blue series, was officially christened in Key West, Florida last week. The celebration took place while the ship was docked at Mallory Square, just steps from the City’s vibrant town center. American Legend was visiting Key West along one of the company’s popular 8-Day Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises, which sail roundtrip from St. Petersburg, Florida. American’s new Florida itineraries are the only cruises exploring the Sunshine State that offer guests the exclusive opportunity to sail the region while remaining fully domestic, similar to the Line’s U.S. River cruises.

The French Riviera aboard Le Ponant: new for summer 2026

#expeditioncruising .

PONANT EXPLORATIONS is unveiling a brand-new itinerary along the Côte d’Azur, aboard the company’s iconic three-master, Le Ponant. From May 2026, the first Relais & Châteaux labelled sailing yacht will be offering 32 guests a unique travel experience, both self-indulgent and revitalising.

PONANT's Le Commandant Charcot Returns to the Arctic

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As the only high polar exploration vessel capable of navigating through the ice in the depth of the boreal winter, Le Commandant Charcot unlocks a rare opportunity to explore territories otherwise unreachable during this season. From the Baltic Sea to the shores of the St. Lawrence River in Canada, passing through Norway and Greenland, PONANT unveils 16 departures from October 2026 to March 2027.

Grafitti attack on historic aircraft hangar at Whalers Bay

#expeditioncruising .

The historic aircraft hangar at Whalers Bay on Deception Island was recently vandalized with graffiti, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation from the conservation community.

Windstar’s Huge Surge in Demand for Japan

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Windstar’s 2027 Japan Itineraries Open for Booking Due to Huge Surge in Demand

On the back of unprecedented demand for its 2026 sailings in Japan on board its newest ship, Star Seeker, small ship luxury cruise line Windstar Cruises has opened up its 2027 Japan itineraries for booking earlier than planned and added an extra 2026 sailing date.

Viking Expedition Deals

#expeditioncruising .

 

Antarctic Explorer - Viking's most popular polar experience

Discover the “last continent” with Viking’s 13-day Antarctic Explorer voyage from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia. Pricing starts from $19,195 pp in a Nordic Balcony with free airfare for your companion valued up to AU$2,400 per booking. Plus, receive AU$500 shipboard credit. Offers ends 31 March 2025.

New 2026 Northwest Passage Expeditions on Seabourn Venture

#expeditioncruising .

Seabourn has announced their 2026 itineraries to the Northwest Passage and Canadian Arctic, giving travellers the chance to explore some of the world’s most historic destinations and storied waterways. From August to October 2026, Seabourn Venture will offer six meticulously crafted voyages, ranging from 8 to 24 days, guided by a 23-person Expedition Team of experts.

Ponant acquires majority stake in Aqua Expeditions

#expeditioncruising .

PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, a world leader in luxury expedition cruises in the small ships segment under 500 passengers, proudly announces the acquisition of a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions, the award-winning small ship expedition company renowned for its exceptional river and ocean cruises in South America, Southeast Asia and beyond.

Seabourn's 2026 Northwest Passage Expeditions

#expeditioncruising .

Seabourn, a leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel, has unveiled its 2026 itineraries to the Northwest Passage and Canadian Arctic, giving guests the chance to explore some of the world’s most historic destinations and storied waterways. Between August and October 2026, Seabourn Venture will offer six voyages ranging from eight to 24 days, traversing the historic routes of The Northwest Passage and Canadian Arctic before sailing south to explore the Caribbean, South America and Antarctica. The expedition voyages are now on sale, with dates and full itinerary details available at www.seabourn.com.

UnCruise Adventures' Wilderness Adventurer is back

#expeditioncruising . 

UnCruise Adventures is proud to announce the return of the Wilderness Adventurer for the 2025 season. Recently refreshed under the guidance of CEO and Founder Captain Dan Blanchard, the 60-guest vessel is back by popular demand to accommodate the overwhelming interest in UnCruise’s Glacier Bay Adventure with 2 Days in Glacier Bay itinerary. 

Unforgettable Croatia Yacht Cruise Collection

#expeditioncruising .

Award-winning specialist operator Unforgettable Croatia has announced an innovative new style of boutique cruising for 2025. The ‘Yacht Cruise Collection’ is available for six sailings from June to September 2025, departing from Split to Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik to Split, and Zadar to Dubrovnik.

Win a Kimberley Expedition Cruise - but hurry!

#expeditioncruising .

Win this Kimberley expedition cruise worth over $21,000!
Up for grabs are two spots to sail Australia's untouched Northwest in a luxurious Balcony Cabin with Coral Expeditions.

DETAILS HERE

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Australia and Indonesia work together to open up new expedition cruise ports

#expeditioncruising .

A dispatch has just been received from Justin Friend, a long-time supporter of this website and a major player in the provision of excursions through his company, Austronesian Expedition Services.

Justin has been instrumental in opening numerous destinations to cruise ships, including Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, and Indonesia.

[Pic above: L-R Justin Friend, Director of Austronesian Expedition Services, Australian Consulate-General, Glen Askew, Captain Thomas McCandless of Le Laperouse, Acting Governor of East Java, Adhy Karyono, Mick Fogg, Australian Director of Expeditions at Ponant.]

American Cruise Lines Doubles Capacity in Alaska for 2025

#expeditioncruising .

American Cruise Lines announces their biggest Alaska cruise season ever. The company will have two small ships in Alaska and five extraordinary itineraries, delivering once-in-a-lifetime experiences aboard sailings operating this May through September.

Natalya Leahy appointed Lindblad Expeditions CEO

#expeditioncruising . 

Natalya Leahy, the former president of Seabourn, became the CEO of Lindblad Expeditions on January 1, 2025.

Leahy has a background in the luxury cruise industry and has held leadership positions at Holland America Group, The Procter & Gamble Company, The Coca-Cola Company, and the United Nations. As president of Seabourn, she oversaw the operations of the luxury cruise line and led a global team of over 4,000 employees.

Leahy's appointment to CEO of Lindblad Expeditions comes as the company's founder, Sven-Olof Lindblad, transitions to the role of co-chair of the board. Rick Goldberg was also appointed as CFO of Lindblad Expeditions, effective December 31, 2024

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New Discoveries on the Mekong

#expeditioncruising .

Captain Dinh Hoe Holds The Line
Major February discounts on CFM Mekong River TT2 cruises

Captain Tran Dinh Hoe looks at me and smiles. He remembers. It was a year ago when he let me take the helm of the Toum Tiou 2 on the New Discovery Tour. We were cruising the Mekong River from Tonle Sap Lake, S.E. Asia’s largest freshwater lake between Cambodia and Vietnam. Everything would have been okay had the boat not taken a bearing off course prompting the Captain to nudge me aside to restore control.