The Cruise Adviser Adventure Guide 2019 by Cruise Adviser

ADVENTURE GUIDE 2019

THE GROWING TASTE FOR

ADVENTURE

A guide to cruises that go off the beaten track

WITNESS AUTHENTIC BEAUTY

LET US TAKE YOUR GUESTS CLOSER TO THE GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS. Silversea’s new ship, Silver Origin, which has been designed entirely with the Galápagos Islands in mind, will be the most elegant ship to ever sail the region when it launches in summer 2020. The all-suite, 100-guest Silver Origin will embark on her maiden voyage in July 2020, unlocking the authentic beauty of the Galápagos by connecting guests with the destination through immersive experiences. Along with a seven-day voyage, fares also include roundtrip economy class air to Ecuador and between Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands, transfers, a two-night pre-cruise hotel stay and park fees.

Galapagos by Steve McCurry

For more information or for reservations please call 020 7340 0700, visit silversea.com or email salesuk@silversea.com

EDITOR’S LETTER

The industry reacts to the growing appetite for adventure More than 25 expedition ships are due to launch before the end of 2021, marking the largest ever period of growth for the adventure sector of the cruise industry. Although the total capacity of these ships, which range between 30 guests and 530 guests (see adventure cruise in numbers, p6), barely add up to the maximum capacity of, say, Symphony of the Seas, it represents a revolution in the how these sorts of holidays are being enjoyed. Take the Galapágos Islands, for example, where the launches of Celebrity Flora ADVENTURE and Silver Origin, by Celebrity Cruises and Silversea respectively, will cater for the well-heeled who also want adventure. In fact, it is the luxury end of the market that is spurring this growth, with the likes of Ponant and Crystal also adding capacity, and cruise lines across the sector following suit by improving their hardware (gyms, saunas and multiple dining options are now popping up on tiny expedition vessels). There is much demand for adventure cruise, which is being created by past guests who are looking for new and exciting places, and also new customers trying cruises for the first time. As Clia’s Andy Harmer has said, “There is a demand for destinations that people didn’t possibly think that they could travel to in the past. We’ve also seen a shift in the types of holidays that customers want. They don’t necessarily just want to fly and flop any more – they want to have experiences they wouldn’t previously have been able to have.” This means that cruise lines who have traditionally stuck to tried-and-tested itineraries are now looking further afield – the result is a more diverse industry than ever before, as we hope this guide shows. We hope you enjoy reading – and good luck selling. ADVENTURE GUIDE 2019

THE GROWING TASTE FOR

A guide to cruises that go off the beaten track

If you would like to receive another copy of this guide for your office, just email info@cruise adviser.com with the subject line ‘Adventure Guide 2019’ and we’ll send one (or more) out

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The Seabourn Difference in the Polar Regions

• Expert guidance from an onboard Expedition team

• Intimate ships with a private club atmosphere

• In depth discoveries via optional Ventures by Seabourn TM tours, zodiacs & kayaks

• Intuitive, personalised service

• “Caviar on the Ice” and other special deck events • Complimentary Seabourn parka or all-weather jacket ALASKA

ARCTIC

• All ocean-front suites, luxuriously appointed • Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines • Tipping neither required, nor expected

A N TA R C T I C A

EXPEDITION

Contact your BDM or e-mail Salessupport@seabourn.co.uk Call: 0344 338 8614 Reservations: 0344 338 8610 www.seabourn.com

Contents ADVENTURE GUIDE 2019 3

Editor’s letter

Infographic Adventure cruise in facts and figures

News Intrepid Travel closes its headquarters so staff can join the climate strike

Interview Sam Ballard talks to Akvile Marozaite, expeditions operations manager at Silversea

Coral Expeditions Gary Wilson and Jeff Gillies from the Australian small-ship line talk to Anthony Pearce about their ambitious 35th birthday plans

New ships The new and forthcoming ships being introduced to meet the growing demand for adventure cruise

Outside the big three A look at the adventure cruise destinations away from the Arctic, Antarctic and Galápagos Islands

This Adventure Guide is brought to you by Waterfront Publishing

Exploring Antarctica on Silversea’s Expedition World Cruise (p8); Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer, one of a number of new ships (p17)

Bryan Johnson bryan@cruise-adviser.com 020 3865 9338

Sales manager Rory Collins rory@waterfront-publishing.com 020 3865 4815 Publisher Sam Ballard sam@waterfront-publishing.com Publisher Anthony Pearce anthony@waterfront-publishing.com

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Graphic design Matthew Coles Sub-editors Nathaniel Cramp

info@cruise-adviser.com 020 3865 9360 Digital cruise-adviser.com facebook.com/cruiseadviser twitter.com/cruiseadviser Sign up to our weekly update at cruise-adviser. com/subscribe

Waterfront Publishing, 12-18 Hoxton Street, London N1 6NG

P-P-PICK UP A PENGUIN

INFOGRAPHIC

Adventure: in numbers

South Georgia – a British Overseas Territory in the southern Atlantic Ocean and a stop on Antartica cruises – is a haven for the black and white birds

3m 500k

pairs of macaroni penguins

Some of the facts and figures behind adventure cruise – from spectacular destinations to exciting new ships

pairs of king penguins

plus 105,000 pairs of gentoo penguins and 6,000 pairs of chinstrap penguins

SPECTACULAR DESTINATIONS

THE AMAZON

1,448km The span of the Northwest Passage from east to west measured from the North Atlantic (north of Canada’s Baffin Island) to the Beaufort Sea (north of Alaska) (see p25) The size of Australia’s vast coastline

The Amazon rainforest is home to 10 per cent of the known species in the world (see p25)

1,500

bird species

40,000

(see p12)

35,876km

plant species

2.5m insect species

NEW SHIPS

Number of guests Aqua Expeditions’ Aqua Blu Seabourn’s Seabourn Venture Hurtigruten’s Fridtjof Nansen

30 264 530

expedition ships due to belaunched before the end of 2021 (see p17)

NEWS INTREPID

EVENT

Staff encouraged to join climate strike

cruise adviser to hold adventure cruise event

Intrepid Travel closed its global headquarters in Melbourne last month to take “definitive action”

Intrepid Travel closed its global headquarters last month and encouraged staff to take part in the Global Climate Strike. There were protests in 120 countries around the world in a bid to back the youth-led movement to make governments change their stance on climate change. James Thornton, CEO of Intrepid Travel, said: “We are at a pivotal moment in time. Taking definitive action to fight the climate crisis is critical. Children around the world have been leading the way through the Climate Strike movement, CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

and now is the time for adults – and business leaders – to stand up and support the call for immediate action. “At Intrepid, we believe that we have a particular responsibility to take climate action – because flying is a big contributor to emissions, and we want to ensure we are doing everything we can to mitigate our impact. We have been climate neutral since 2010, and in 2020 we will become a climate positive business. “We want to send a clear message that we demand immediate action.”

cruise adviser is to hold an event dedicated to adventure and expedition cruise. The Adventure & Expedition Social will be held at London’s Soho House Dean Street on the evening of October 15. It will give agents the chance to learn more about one of the fastest growing sectors in the travel industry. According to Clia, the expedition cruise sector will grow 30 per cent by 2022. The headline sponsor for the event is Coral Expeditions, while Silversea will be the drinks sponsor. Other sponsors include Aurora Expeditions, Poseidon Expeditions, Crystal Expedition Cruises, Riviera Travel and Australis. Jenny Southan, founder of Globetrender, the trend forecasting and future travel firm, will also be speaking at the event. Anthony Pearce, publisher of cruise adviser, said: “As one of the fastest growing sectors in travel, it is fitting that we dedicated an entire evening getting to know more about the sector. We’ve got some great sponsors, specialising in areas around the world – it promises to be a great evening.” Travel agents can attend for free, but must register beforehand. Spaces are limited, so email info@cruise-adviser. com to secure your place. 7

INTERVIEW

“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity…” Sam Ballard talks to Akvile Marozaite, expeditions operations manager at Silversea, about the line’s incredible 167-day Expedition World Cruise What is the ultimate expedition cruise? Antarctica? The Arctic? The Kimberley? The world is full of bucket-list destinations and well-heeled travellers have readily ticked them off one-byone. However, now there is a way to tick off a good bunch of them in a single stroke. Silversea’s Expedition World Cruise is a mammoth 167day sailing that will call at Antarctica, the islands of the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Arctic. But, with 60 per cent of calls having to use a Zodiac to get on land, this is very different from the line’s Classic World Cruise. We spoke to Akvile Marozaite, the company’s expedition operations manager at Silversea, to find out more.

Tell us more about the planning aspect of the Expedition World Cruise. Why did Silversea decide to put one on? The idea was born a long time ago. Expedition cruising is on the rise. It’s not only polar regions, which we’ve been doing for a long time. There are parts of the world that can only be seen on small vessels – and there are lots of places to see beyond the top three [Antarctica, Arctic and the Galápagos]. With Silversea, we have two different ways of seeing the world – expeditions and classic cruises – world cruises are very popular with our classic guests so we thought we could push it with our expedition guests, too.

Where will the world cruise go? What ports are worth highlighting to guests? We’re going to call at 107 destinations in 167 days – 30 countries across six continents. We’ll start in Ushuaia, with Antarctica, which is a highlight in its own right. Then we’ll go through the South Pacific, calling at Easter Island, Rabaul in Papua New Guinea where we’ll visit tribes. We’ll call at the Kimberley, which is a great hot weather expedition destination. It’s virtually inaccessible by any other means of transport. It’s not just about the destinations, though. One of the big things for me is that we’ll have world leading experts on board – like Felicity Aston, who crossed the Antarctic solo. She will be a guest speaker during that segment. These are people that have lived and breathed those destinations What’s included in the fare? Pretty much everything. Roundtrip business class flights as well as charter flights on arrival. Bon voyage overnight in Santiago. $2,000 per person ship credit. All Zodiac excursions. Guests travelling on the full voyage will also have access to some unique events, including a goodbye dinner in the middle of the

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forest in Iceland, as the Vikings did it. There will also be a dinner on the walkway of Tower Bridge and dinner in Robert Louis Stevenson’s house. Who should agents be aiming these trips at? The typical Silversea expedition traveller likes what I call “luxploration” – exploring during the day but going back and enjoying a glass of Champagne. Imagine clients of companies such as Abercrombie & Kent. They must want oncein-a-lifetime adventures and they must also have time. The lead-in price is £70,000 per person, but 60 per cent of the calls we’ll be making will be via a Zodiac. These destinations are that remote, so it’s a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity. The breadth of places visited are not able to be visited on larger ships. You can go on zodiacs and visit these places you could not visit otherwise. I don’t think we’ll be repeating it.

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For true explorers find freedom in the farthest reaches

If you are curious about the world around you, and freedom from the crowds is your idea of luxury, Coral Expeditions is your cruise line. For 34 years, we have taken like-minded guests closer to remote cultures and nature, with personal service and warm Australian hospitality.

ANCIENT LANDS OF THE

KIMBERLEY

Our classic 10-day voyage is an immersion into Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ancient lands. Explore 40,000 year old rock art, discover abundant wildlife and an incredible natural landscape carved by time.

10 Nights > Departs Darwin and Broome Season: April to September 2020

NEW GUINEA

CIRCUMNAVIGATION

Be one of a special few to join us on our full circumnavigation voyage around New Guinea. Sailing in comfort aboard the brand-new Coral Adventurer, you will be immersed in one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last frontiers.

35 Nights > Darwin to Darwin Departs 2 October 2020

TRUE EXPEDITION CRUISING Not confined by a strict schedule, we are able to listen to the winds and tides to make impromptu changes and find even more magic in our destination. Intimate experiences are enabled by our Xplorer tender, zodiacs and our renowned expedition team.

call +44 (0) 203 934 7170 visit www.coralexpeditions.com email cruise@coralexpeditions.com

CORAL EXPEDITIONS

Coral Expeditions opens UK office and reveals 35th birthday plans Anthony Pearce talks to Gary Wilson and Jeff Gillies from the Australian smallship line, about the adventures to be had on their historic voyages programme Coral Expeditions, the Australian small-ship cruise line, has made a name for itself with its pioneering and unusual itineraries. From mini-cruises across the Great Barrier Reef, to exploration of the Kimberley, Tasmania, and further afield to Papua New Guinea, the Spice Islands (Maluku Islands) and Indonesia, these cruises are the antithesis of the big ship experience, visiting unspoiled destinations with a focus on immersion, adventure and education on vessels of no more than 120 guests. Those familiar with the Cairns-based company will not be surprised to learn that, for its 35th anniversary next year, it has something special planned: a 60-day circumnavigation of

Jeff Gillies, Coral’s commercial director (left), and Gary Wilson, senior master, at Australia House in London

Australia, with a flight to Uluru for a special Christmas dinner under the stars. “It came about in a funny way,” Gary Wilson, the line’s senior master, tells cruise adviser when we meet in London. “We were working through some other destinations, working on circumnavigations of Sulawesi and Tasmania, and management said well, ‘What about circumnavigation of Australia?’” An experienced captain, maritime history buff and entertaining storyteller, Wilson is a huge asset for the line and personifies its philosophy. “We wanted to make our 35th birthday a big signature event,” he says. “Because next year is the 250th anniversary of Cook’s

voyage with Endeavour; the 200th anniversary of Philip Parker King exploring the Kimberley on the Mermaid; the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two; and it’s our 35th anniversary, we just thought, well, let’s do a maritime history trip – 35 sites of maritime history around Australia to correspond.” Wilson is joined by Jeff Gillies, the company’s commercial director, on a visit to Coral Expeditions’ London office, where Amy Sharpe, UK sales manager, formerly of eWaterways, is based. Gillies says the UK is the international market Coral Expeditions will be focusing on. “In terms of sheer numbers, it’s a bit of a tie between the Great Barrier Reef and the Kimberley for Brits. The Great Barrier Reef product is the most popular for first-timers; those that have been with us before are looking for a longer expedition voyage,” he says. Wilson adds that the line is “starting to see the numbers of Brits creep up on international destinations: Papua New Guinea, the Spice Islands – some of the more exotic places that are hard to get to.” With a fleet of three, and a fourth on the way, the line is expanding across Oceania

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From top to bottom: a dragon dance in Kopar village on the Sepik river in Papua New Guinea; Coral Adventurer; a Zodiac in the Kimberley

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and the Pacific; Gillies tells me the line has an eye on the Philippines and Japan. “We keep trying to find places that are a bit unique,” Wilson says, noting that when they first sailed to Saparua in the Spice Islands two years ago, they were told they were the first cruise ship ever to visit. “That first trip, the king of Saparua came on board and when we said that would come back the following year and bring the new ship he was very excited about that,” Wilson says. “When we did I got crowned as a sort of honorary king as well!” He also tells a story from Papua New Guinea, when 300 warriors came out to meet the ship. “We invited the elders on board for lunch. They’re all in their traditional dress, with bones through the nose. Three or four of them had this headdress on with a type of cuscus fur, and our guide said, ‘Gary, do you what the significance of that fur is?’ ‘No…’ He said, ‘Those are the warriors that are cannibals – and they’ve done the deed!’” Gillies says this kind of spontaneity is par for the course with Coral Expeditions. Itineraries aren’t set in stone, particularly in regions with unpredictable weather, where Plan A often becomes Plan B, or even Plan C. The ships are small and agile enough, he says, to find another place to land at if they can’t visit the intended port. “We’ve got that ability to scoot around into the leeward side of an island – and ultimately that’s part of the adventure,” he says. “The second the guests get a sense that they’re joining in something that’s a little bit out of the ordinary, they get this visceral sense of adventure.”

EXPEDITION CRUISES

CRYSTAL

ENDEAVOR

™

where LUXURY ROAMS FREELY From the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line comes the world’s largest and most spacious luxury expedition yacht, Crystal Endeavor™.

™

Adventure awaits amidst the exotic isles of Tasmania while New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park captivates the senses. See pink granite mountains, explore botanical gardens and keep an eye out for kiwi birds and fairy penguins aboard the new, spacious, luxury expedition yacht, Crystal Endeavor.

TASMANIA & THE FJORDS OF NEW ZEALAND SYDNEY TO CHRISTCHURCH | 14 NIGHTS | 14 NOVEMBER 2020

Coral Sea AUSTRALIA

SYDN NEY N

Flinders Island King Island

CHRISTCHURCH Milford Sound

Doubtful Sound Dusky Sound Tasman Sea

Wineglass neglass Bay Coles es Bay TA A ASMANIA

Hob ob bart

Bruny Island

BOOK NOW FARES FROM £12,704

PER PERSON CRUISE ONLY

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING, PLEASE CALL: 020 7399 7603

www.crystalcruises.co.uk

NEW ZEALAND

Dunedin Bluff SOUTH Stewart Island PACIFIC Maria Island OCEAN

Sydney, Australia › Cruising the Coast of Australia › King Island, Tasmania › Flinders Island, Tasmania › Wine Glass Bay, Tasmania › Coles Bay, Tasmania › Maria Island, Tasmania › Bruny Island, Tasmania ( ) › Hobart, Tasmania ( ) › Cruising the Tasman Sea › Milford Sound, New Zealand › Doubtful Sound, New Zealand › Dusky Sound, New Zealand ( ) › Bluff, New Zealand › Stewart Island, New Zealand ( ) › Dunedin, New Zealand › Christchurch (Lyttleton), New Zealand.

( ) = Overnight stay

EXPEDITION CRUISES

Fares are per person, cruise only in UK sterling based on double occupancy in a deluxe suite and include port, security and handling charges, which vary by departure. All fares, offers and itineraries are subject to change and availability and can be withdrawn at any time. Fares may fluctuate and should be used as a guide only. Prices may go up or down. You should contact us on 0207 399 7603 before booking, or visit our website www.crystalcruises.co.uk. The fares are available to new bookings only and are only available to UK & Eire residents. Restrictions apply. See crystalcruises.co.uk for complete terms and conditions of all offers. ©2019 Crystal Cruises, LLC. ABTA No.V8548 Ships’ registry: The Bahamas.

2020-22 EARLYBIRD FARES Out Now

Earn £20 for EVERY Scenic Eclipse booking you make www.riverrewards. cruises

THE NEW BENCHMARK IN ULTRA LUXURY EXPEDITION CRUISING Truly All-Inclusive Luxury Return ﬂights from UK airports Pre/post-cruise hotel stay Spacious all-verandah suite accommodation Butler service for every guest and 1:1 staff-toguest ratio Choice of up to 10 on board dining experiences Unlimited complimentary beverages* Extensive choice of all-inclusive shore excursions Scenic Enrich unique experiences

Expert Discovery Team and local experts Zodiac, kayak, snorkel and snow-shoe adventures Soar above in two on board helicopters Dive up to 300m in Scenic Neptune The freedom of our e-bikes 550m2 Senses Spa, gym, yoga and Pilates studio Indoor and outdoor swimming pools All tipping, transfers and taxes, on board and onshore FREE private door-to-door chauffeur transfers

Departing Nov 2020 – Feb 2021 Nov 2021 – Feb 2022 Ushuaia > Ushuaia

ICELAND DISCOVERY

BAJA TO COSTA RICA: WHALES AND WILDERNESS

Departing 18 & 26 July 2021 Reykjavik > Reykjavik

Departing 26 September 2020 San Diego > San Jose

Savings from £1,100 per person

Savings from £830 per person

Savings from £1,180 per person

16-day cruise from £10,325pp

10-day cruise from £7,145pp

16-day cruise from £10,045pp

ANTARCTICA IN DEPTH

Book the Ultimate in Luxury Call 0808 115 0463 | Email agencysales@scenic.co.uk Terms and Conditions: Prices correct at time of going to print (26 September 2019). Prices advertised are based on two sharing a Verandah Suite paying the Earlybird fare with economy ﬂights departing London Heathrow, subject to availability. Prices include the advertised Earlybird saving plus an Early Payment Discount of £500 per suite. Early payment discount of £500 is per suite and based on two persons sharing. Discount will be reduced for single occupancy. Full balance payment must be made on or before 31 December 2019 to receive this discount. Discount amount will be deducted from balance payment. ‡Supplements may apply for regional departures. Private door-to-door transfers are complimentary within a 75 mile radius from your home address. For any journey over 75 miles, a £2.00 per mile supplement will be charged. Offers are valid for new bookings only made before 31 October 2019 and can be withdrawn at any time. Earlybird Fares are strictly limited. Pre-departure night included on all season departures – hotel stay will be allocated and booked by Scenic, includes bed and breakfast. Helicopter and submarine activities are weather permitting, may incur additional costs and are subject to availability. *All drinks on board are included except for a very small number of rare, ﬁne and vintage wines, champagnes and spirits. Scenic Tours Pty trading as Scenic. Registered: 05770868

NEW SHIPS

The brand new ships to match the growing taste for adventure The expedition sector used to be known for its old tonnage: former polar research ships repurposed for tourism. Of course, when you’re sailing to some of the most dramatic, inaccessible and fascinating ends of the earth, you’re not really on board for the ship’s décor, you’re there for the destination. But, as the demand has grown for adventure cruise, the industry has invested more in hardware – ships that allow for greater immersion, safer travel, better food and more luxurious surroundings. Here were looking at eight of new-builds in expedition cruise – from the recently launched to those that are coming soon.

Scenic Eclipse

Scenic Launched: September 2019 Guests: 228 (200 in polar regions) The World’s First Discovery Yacht, as Scenic has dubbed it, may have been much delayed due to financial issues at the shipyard, but it’s well worth the wait. The Polar Class ship has been built with adventure cruise in mind and it will explore the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as the Americas and Europe. The ship is among the most beautiful we’ve seen – from its 114 all-balcony suites to its 10 dining venues (an amazing amount given it can only carry 228 guests; 200 in polar regions). Its headline-grabbing features are its submarines and helicopter, which allow for greater exploration of Antarctica in particular.

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Le Jacques-Cartier Ponant Launches: 2020 Guests: 184

The sixth ship in a new series, joining Le Laperouse and Le Champlain (2018), Le Bougainville and Le Dumontd’Urville (2019), Le JacquesCartier will launch in 2020, along with Le Bellot. It will, according to Ponant, boast a “a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort”, with 92 staterooms and suites. The ship will begin its first season in northern Europe before heading to the Middle East and then Indian Ocean. A hybrid LNG ship, Le CommandantCharcot, is scheduled to launch in spring 2021.

MS Fridtjof Nansen Hurtigruten Launches: 2020 Guests: 530 (500 in Antarctica)

The sister ship to MS Roald Amundsen, this will be Hurtigruten’s second hybrid ship, which, powered partly by electricity, will cut emissions. Light, airy and Scandi in style, the ship will have three restaurants and the Nansen Science Center, where guests can get a deeper understanding of the areas it explores. That is: Norway, Svalbard, Greenland and Antarctica.

National Geographic Endurance Lindblad Expeditions Launches: January 2020 Guests: 126

Purpose-built for polar navigation, National Geographic Endurance is a fully stabilised, highly strengthened, ice-class Polar Code PC5 (Category A) vessel. Like Greg Mortimer (see right) it will employ the innovative X-Bow design, making for smoother saliling. It will have 69 cabins, 75 per cent of which will have balconies, while 12 cabins will be designed for solo travelers. An outdoor barbecue is another nice touch.

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Greg Mortimer

Aurora Expeditions Launched: August 2019 Guests: 120 Named after the Australian mountaineer, one of the first two Australians to successfully climb Mount Everest, and the co-founder of Aurora Expeditions, this 104m-long ice-class ship will debut the X-Bow, an inverted bow designed to enable gentler sea crossings and reduced emissions – perfect for Antarctica, where it will sail for part of the year. The ship will feature hydraulic viewing platforms, a Zodiac launching platform and a custom-built activity platform for kayaking and diving. There are private balconies in about 80 per cent of the staterooms, and even interconnecting staterooms, which are perfect for families.

Crystal Endeavor

Crystal Cruises Launches: August 2020 Guests: 200 Another new-build in the ultraluxury sector, Crystal’s megayacht has been designed to cruise the polar regions, as well as Japan, Australia and the Pacific. Beautifully decorated and employing state-of-the-art technology and replete with submarine and helicopters, it promises to bring expedition and comfort to well-heeled guests – and also boasts a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio.

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Silver Origin

Silversea Cruises Launches: summer 2020 Guests: 100 Replacing Silver Galapagos, Silversea’s purpose-built Silver Origin will arrive in the Galapágos Islands next year. With eight Zodiacs, the ship will allow deep exploration of the region that inspired Darwin’s On the Origin of Species (hence the name). The ship will feature an area called the Base Camp for socialising and learning. With all-suite accommodation, Horizon Balconies, butler service, and 90 crew members for 100 guests, this will be the most luxurious vessel dedicated to the region.

Ultramarine

Quark Expeditions Launches: 2020 Guests: 200 Taking its name from the colour of the same name: Ultramarine means “beyond the sea”. Quark Expeditions’ new vessel, which will sail Antarctica and the Arctic, boasts two twin-engine helicopters and two helidecks, 20 quick-deploy Zodiacs and clean, modern décor. It promises an incredible “robust adventure activity portfolio” including sea kayaking, paddling, hiking, mountaineering, crosscountry skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, helicopter flight-seeing, heli-hiking and heli-skiing.

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CRUISING TICKS ALL THE BOXES WITH RIVIER A TR AVEL

Return Flights from many regional airports

The services of our experienced Tour Manager

Overseas Transfers

Dedicated regional Sales Team available for support

Fascinating Excursions and Knowledgeable local guides

DURATION

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NEW FOR 2020 - Cruising Italy & Croatia on the Azamara Quest

CRUISE

14 days

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NEW FOR 2020 - Cruising South Africa on the Azamara Journey

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£3,499pp

NEW FOR 2020 - Cruising the South of France & Corsica on the Azamara Pursuit

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NEW FOR 2020 - Cruising the Baltic Sea to St Petersburg on the Azamara Quest

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NEW FOR 2020 - Cruising the Black Sea on the Azamara Journey

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£7,699pp

Voyage to the Arctic & Spitsbergen

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£3,199pp

Cruise the Adriatic Coast by Yacht

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£1,499pp

The Maldives: Cruising the South Male, Vaavu & Ari Atolls

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CONTACT OUR AGENCY SALES TEAM: Call for support: 01283 744307 | Email: agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk

CALL RESERVATIONS 7 DAYS A WEEK: Call to book: 01283 744370 | Book online: www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents Riviera Travel booking terms and conditions apply.

ABTA No. V4744

Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctic Islands Antarctic Awakening What are the advantages in traveling to the Southern Ocean in October? Enjoy early season features not available for later visitors.

Antarctic wildlife sanctuary

Remote natural wonders

As winter sea ice breaks up, the continent comes alive with the sight of returning penguins engaging in courtship rituals and methodical nestbuilding. South Georgia boasts thousands of King penguins seen in expansive colonies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a spectacle found nowhere else on earth!

First visitors of the season are rewarded with pristine, snowy landscapes, glistening icebergs and awe-inspiring sunsets. With the small 114-passenger Sea Spirit, we are able to experience all of Antarctica in exceptional comfort but with a true spirit of adventure.

Awaken your clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Antarctic dreams! Reserve space aboard our October 19-November 11, 2020 departure and save 10-15 per cent from regular rates! Early booking discount valid until October 31, 2019. For reservations: sales@poseidonexpeditions.com

Please call + 44 203 808 7787 or visit poseidonexpeditions.com

King penguins at Salisbury Plain, South Georgia

54°03’ W 37°19’ S

Next departure is October 19, 2020

DESTINATION

Outside the ‘Big Three’ Away from the Arctic, Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands, there’s a whole world of adventure to be discovered. Anthony Pearce looks at some of the best options

When we talk about adventure and expedition cruise we mostly think of the ‘Big Three’: the Arctic, Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands. But, as this once niche part of the industry continues to grow, there are more options than ever – from Cape Horn to Greenland, the Kimberley to Cape Verde. Here are some fantastic options available to intrepid guests. For those that have sailed the Arctic and want to try something different but similar, the Northwest Passage offers great adventure, giving guests the chance to follow in the wake of seafaring explorers of the past. Crystal Expedition Cruises’ luxury yacht, Crystal Endeavor, will embark from Anadyr, Russia for Tromsø, Norway on August 18, 2021 on a 28-night expedition. The 200-guest ship, will visit some of the world’s most remote islands and coastlines. It will sail the

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East Siberian Sea, the White Sea, the Barents Sea and the Laptev Sea, calling at Russian Federation ports Provideniya; Cape Dezhnev & Uelen Village; Kolyuchin Island; Ayon Island; Novaya Zemlya; Arkhangelsk; Solovetsky and Zayatsky Island (from £41,803pp). Hurtigruten, the Norwegian shipping company, also sails the passage on MS Roald Amundsen, which became the first hybrid ship to navigate the crossing; on August 20, 2020, MS Fram will sail from Reykjavík to Edmonton, Canada calling at Kvanefjord, Nuuk and Sisimiut in Greenland (from £10,714pp) Down Under, Coral Expeditions have pioneered cruises to the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania and the Kimberley, with others now following suit. It has expanded its programme to include Papua New Guinea, Raja Ampat, the Spice Islands, West Papua and Indonesia

(see p12 for a profile of the company). Ponant’s Iconic Kimberley itinerary is a10-night cruise in the Pacific and Oceania on board Le Lapérouse from Broome to Darwin. Departing on May 18, 2020, ports of call include the Lacepede Islands, Collier Bay, Careening Bay and Hunter River and Mitchell Falls (from £7,408pp). APT offer a 15-day Grand Kimberley Coast cruise, exploring Montgomery Reef, Horizontal Falls and King George River (from £7,495pp). Guests on Silversea can explore Melanesia, a subregion of Oceania, on the fourth segment of its expedition world cruise, sailing from Lautoka to Cairns (departing March 23, 2021). Calls include Pentecost Island, home to the land divers that provided the inspiration for bungee jumping, and Rabaul, home to the Baining tribespeople and their fire dance (see Silversea.com for prices).

In the Western half the southern hemisphere, intrepid types can explore Cape Horn and Patagonia with the expedition specialists Australis. On either the 200-guest Stella or Ventus Australis, guests can journey to the “uttermost end of the earth” on a four-night cruise that takes in the fjords of Tierra del Fuego, Pía Glacier, Cape Horn and Ushuaia (from $1,440pp). Similarly, Silversea offers a 19-day cruise from Lima (Callao) to Ushuaia on board Silver Cloud (departing October 28, from £8,910pp), taking in Chile’s considerable coastline, with stops including Puerto Montt, Valparaíso and Punta Arenas, as well as a day cruising the Chilean fjords. Further north, the Amazon offers adventure in abundance. Its Brazilian part is well-explored, with numerous cruise lines traversing its widest stretches, including ocean-going ships. Seabourn offers a 21-day Brazil & The Amazon cruise,

from Buenos Aires to Manaus, Brazil, the capital and largest city in Amazonas, and near the confluence of the Negro and Solimões rivers. Calls at Rio de Janeiro, Recife and Natal make this a cruise with it all (from £5,854pp). Less well known is the narrow Ecuadorian Rio Napo tributary. Guests on either the Manatee Amazon Explorer and Anakonda Amazon Explorer can visit the little-explored region on itineraries up to seven-nights. The longest cruise costs $3,931pp and takes in one of the world’s most fascinating and biodiverse regions, which includes a canoe trip to Pañacocha Lake, a chance to see the parrot clay licks (where dozens of exotic birds gather), and meetings with local tribes. It’s perfect for wildlife lovers. Off the coast of west Africa, guests sailing with National Geographic explore Cape Verde and the Bijagós Islands with a 12-day sailing on Ponant’s Le Dumont-d’Urville. In Cape Verde,

guests can enjoy São Nicolau and its mountainous landscapes; Mindelo’s culture, and the sugar cane plantations and savannah of Fogo, also known as “volcano island”. The Unesco Biosphere Reserve of the Bijagós Islands is located off the coast of GuineaBissau and is one of the most protected archipelagos in the world (from £7,833pp). On the continent, HapagLloyd has a South Africa and Namibia itinerary that sails from Cape Town on March 7, 2021 for 15 nights to Walvis Bay. It includes calls visits to the Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, with a chance to see the Big Five, and a kayak tour on the Nahoon River. In Durban a game drive through Tala Game Reserve takes guests through the bush, and past hippos, ostriches and various species of wading birds and birds of prey, while in Richards Bay guests can head with gamekeepers on a night safari to watch sea turtles. From £8,351pp.

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The polar adventure of a lifetime...

Very Small Ships

Over 27 Years Experience

Advanced Expedition Ships

Maximum Experience

First passenger ship with the unique Ulstein X-BOWÂŽ design

Most extensive activities program

27+ Among the smallest ships in expedition cruising Average 126 passengers per voyage

Very experienced polar operator Pioneered by renowned mountaineer Greg Mortimer

Purpose-built for expeditions

Maximise your time on shore, average 2 excursions per day+ Excludes sea days