Inclusive itineraries
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There's a growing trend towards offering more inclusions in the fares of luxury cruise companies, and now Silversea has announced it will have all-inclusive fares on a trio of Silver Cloud voyages to Africa and the Indian Ocean; 30 Mediterranean cruises aboard Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, and Silver Spirit; and previously announced Silver Shadow cruises in Asia. Select shore excursions, Wi-Fi and (on African cruises) a three-night land safari are now among inclusions. Silversea already offers complimentary butler service, beverages, 24-hour dining service, lecture and enrichment programs and (apart from in ship spas) on-board gratuities.
Phone 1300 306 872. See silversea.com.
Kimberley cruising
Ponant's luxury expedition ship L'Austral is making inaugural voyages to Australia's Kimberley region on 10-night itineraries between Darwin and Broome (or the reverse) between July and September 2017. Itineraries will take in classic Kimberley coast highlights such as the Hunter River, King George Falls, Mitchell Falls, Montgomery Reef and Horizontal Falls, as well as a number of other, rarely visited destinations. Cruises will be accompanied by award-winning photographer and adventurer Mick Fogg, a veteran of 120 Kimberley expeditions, and are timed to coincide with the migration of the world's largest population of humpback whales.
Phone 1300 737 178. See ponant.com.
Arctic affairs
Lindblad Expeditions has released its 2016 Arctic offerings, with eight itineraries on National Geographic Explorer and (for the first time in this region) National Geographic Orion. Among them is a six-day June cruise to Norway's Svalbard Islands, Iceland and Greenland from Oslo to Reykjavik, and a 15-day cruise that follows the wake of Viking explorers from Iceland's western coast across the Denmark Strait to the rugged, ice-sculpted shores of eastern Greenland. There are also two Iceland-only itineraries (including a circumnavigation over 10 days) and a September sail through the Canadian Maritimes.
Phone 1300 361 012. See expeditions.com.
State of grace
River-cruise company Tauck is launching new ship MS Grace this April. The 135-metre ship carries 130 passengers, and the company says it provides more space per guest than any other ship on European rivers. MS Grace features two dining venues, a sun deck, fitness centre and hair salon; the 67 cabins are notable for including 22 large suites and eight double-storey loft cabins. The ship will sail 13-day itineraries on the Rhine and Moselle rivers between Basel and Amsterdam, visiting such towns as Strasbourg, Baden-Baden, Heidelberg, Remagen, Trier and Cochem.
Phone 1300 732 300. See tauck.com.au.
Tahitian travels
AdventureSmith Explorations has acquired the 24-guest luxury yacht Island Passage and is launching new eight and 11-day "Tahitian Affair" itineraries return from Bora Bora, visiting the islands of Tahaa, Raiatea and Huahine. An unhurried pace that averages three to four hours sailing daily provides ample time for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding from motus (small reef islands) that only a small vessel can access. Island Passage will carry an aluminium fishing boat equipped with rods, tackle and gear for line or deep-sea angling. The vessel also has a helipad for a six-seater helicopter.
