Silversea is launching its latest ship Silver Muse in 2017, and reservations have just opened. The ship will carry 596 passengers and have more flexible accommodation types than other Silversea ships, with more connecting suites for families and friends and larger, higher category suites. Guests will be treated to a diversity of cuisines at eight restaurants, providing more dining options than any other ultra-luxury ship. Silver Muse also promises to redefine open-air cruising, with an abundance of outdoor spaces, including three open-air restaurants and lounge areas, one of which will have a traditional Italian pizza oven.

Phone 1300 306 872. See www.silversea.com.

Going solo

Boutique river-cruise company Pandaw River Expeditions has doubled the number of Asian sailings that solo travellers can join with no single supplement, with discounts of up to 20 per cent also available for couples (subject to availability) – though you'll have to hop to it, since bookings must be made before November 30. Solo travellers score a double bonus, not only by avoiding single supplements but additionally benefiting from the 20 per cent discount on the twin-share fare, which they can use for themselves on, for example, Pandaw's seven-night Mekong and 14-night Irrawaddy​ cruises.

Phone 1300 783 188. See www.activetravel.com.au.

Alaska untamed

AdventureSmith Explorations has significantly expanded its portfolio of new itineraries and new small ships and yachts in Alaska for 2016, thanks to a spike in demand for more boutique wilderness cruises that take passengers away from Alaska's main cruise lanes. Among the offerings is an eight-day "Exploring Muir's Wilderness" itinerary on the 84-guest Safari Endeavour into Glacier Bay National Park and wildlife-rich Port Houghton, and an eight-day "Yachter's Alaskan Frontier" itinerary that focuses on active luxury. It has upscale yacht accommodation on the 22-guest Safari Quest and includes kayaking and hiking in the iceberg-rich Endicott Arm, Dawes Glacier and Tongass National Forest.

See www.adventuresmithexplorations.com.

Polar packages

Aurora Expeditions has rolled out its 2016-17 Antarctica cruises, with some packages including a 12- or 18-day Antarctica expedition on Polar Pioneer, return airfare to South America and domestic flights within it, and a three-night stopover in either Santiago or Buenos Aires, including accommodation, sightseeing tour and airport transfers. The packages will be offered on cruises including "Photographer's First Light",  departing November 19, "Spirit of Antarctica", departing December 6, and "In Shackleton's Footsteps", departing March 8, 2017. If you book before January 31, 2016, you can nab a partners fly free deal.

Phone 1300 061 490. See www.auroraexpeditions.com.au.

Passage to India

A cruise to Sri Lanka and India is coupled with an overland tour through Rajasthan and a visit to the Taj Mahal at sunrise as part of a new 26-day cruise-tour in March 2016 from Cruise Express. The all-inclusive itinerary features stays at a string of five-star Taj Hotels, including Udaipur's​ iconic Taj Lake Palace. The cruise component is 14 nights aboard the 114-passenger MS Island Sky between Chennai and Mumbai via eight ports in both India and Sri Lanka. Excursions include visits to temples, palm-lined beaches and spice and tea plantations.

Phone 1300 764 509. See www.cruiseexpress.com.au.​