This is a fast-growing market, with many new purpose-built expedition ships setting sail. We’ll keep you up to date with the latest cruise options, news and developments.

Scenic Eclipse in Croatia

Scenic Eclipse to sail Saudi waters for first time from July to December

Scenic’s luxury cruiser Scenic Eclipse is to set sail in the Red Sea for the first time on Saturday (17 July) to kick off a programme of cruises through to December. And the good news is that selected sailings from October to December will be open to international guests to experience the rich Saudi heritage,

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Crystal Endeavor champagne christening

High price to pay as Crystal Endeavor fares cost more per night than any other ship afloat

Crystal Expedition Cruises has finally got off the ground with the christening of its first luxury expedition yacht, Crystal Endeavor. The 20,200-ton all-suite, all-veranda, all-butler serviced vessel is the first ever Polar Class 6 luxury expedition yacht to be made in Germany for remote worldwide exploration. And Tan Sri KT Lim, chairman of Crystal’s owner,

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Silver Moon

Silversea back in business with maiden voyages of Silver Moon and Silver Origin

Silversea Cruises marked its healthy return to global operations today with the maiden voyage of its new flagship, Silver Moon, left, from Athens, followed tomorrow by the inaugural sailing of new expeditionary vessel Silver Origin from San Cristobal in the Galapagos. Silver Moon’s launch also sees the unveiling of S.A.L.T., the line’s much-anticipated culinary programme.

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Scenic Eclipse II keel laying

Key milestone reached for the world’s next Eclipse in 2023

The keel-laying ceremony for the newest ship in the Scenic Cruises fleet – Eclipse II – took place last week at the Maj 3 shipyard in Rijeka, Croatia. The sister ship to Scenic Eclipse is the second Discovery Yacht and is due to launch in the Mediterranean early in 2023. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković

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Scenic Eclipse

Scenic Eclipse offers Business Class flight upgrades on Antarctica cruises

Scenic is offering a complimentary one-way Business Class flight upgrade on selected 2022 Antarctica itineraries on new bookings made by 31 March. Guests will also enjoy savings of up to 20 per cent on selected Scenic Eclipse voyages. The flight upgrade and savings apply to the following itineraries: The 16-day Antarctica in Depth voyage Make

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Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony

Crystal guests MUST be vaccinated before boarding ship

Crystal guests must be fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to boarding ship, the line announced today. Guests will need to provide proof of vaccination before embarkation and must have received both doses of the vaccine if recommended by the manufacturer by that timeline. The line also announced it has

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Scenic Neptune

Scenic gives guests truly IN-DEPTH venture into ‘The Aquarium of the World – by submarine

Scenic Eclipse has unveiled a new itinerary offering guests a once in a lifetime chance to explore ‘The Aquarium of the World’ by submarine. The cruise will visit the Sea of Cortez, one of the most biodiverse seas on the planet, where guests will witness nature at its finest. The 12-day itinerary in April 2023

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Silver Spirit

Silversea doubles up with savings of up to 20% on 2021-22 cruises

Silversea Cruises is offering up to 20 per cent Early Booking Bonus savings on selected voyages in 2021 and 2022 – doubling the customary savings available for being quick off the mark. The offer applies to new reservations booked and paid in full by February 28, 2021. On selected voyages setting sail in 2021, guests

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MS Lofoten

Hurtigruten’s ‘true gem’ MS Lofoten goes into training

After nearly six decades servicing the Norwegian coast, MS Lofoten is to leave the Hurtigruten fleet in 2021 to become a training ship, educating future generations of seafarers. Hurtigruten, a world leader in exploration travel, has signed a letter of intent with the Norway-based Sorlandet’s Maritime High School and the 151-bed vessel is due to

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Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam

How did cleaner-than-clean Hurtigruten end up with a COVID catastrophe?

Hurtigruten boss Daniel Skjeldam has spoken openly about the company’s failure to observe strict protocols as a large scale outbreak of COVID-19 swept the MS Roald Amundsen during an Arctic expedition cruise. “We have made mistakes and we have failed,” he told a news conference in Oslo yesterday. “We thought we were ready to start the expedition

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