CHANGE OF COURSE
Hurtigruten's MS Spitbergen will be sailing out in refurbished style from early May and will be plying Norwegian waters in tandem with MS Lofoten. However, Spitbergen won't be making overnight port calls, leaving it with more in-port time during daylight hours. Whale watching, horse riding and sea-eagle safaris are among its excursions. The ship will also feature Hurtigruten's new, just-launched "Coastal Expedition" concept, which includes a lecture program, accompanying expedition team and regular on-shore hikes. After September 2016 Spitbergen will revert to operating Hurtigruten's more traditional working-ship schedule.
Phone 1800 623 267. See discovertheworld.com.au.
FLEETING MOVES
Silversea Cruises is moving Silver Cloud to its expedition fleet from November 2017, when it will become one of the most luxurious polar ships afloat. The ship will mostly sail Arctic and Antarctic seas, with passenger numbers restricted to 200; the ship will carry 260 guests in other destinations. Refurbishments will convert Silver Cloud into an ice-class vessel with strengthened hulls, additional equipment and 18 Zodiacs for shore excursions, which will be led by geologists, marine biologists, historians and other experts. There will also be onboard photo presentations and destination lectures.
Phone 1300 306 872. See silversea.com.
FALKLAND LANDINGS
Quark Expeditions has added two small-boat itineraries to both the East and West Falklands and Antarctic Peninsula thisyear as part of its Explorer's Collection of itineraries: a 17-day "Intimate Falklands" and a 19-day "Unchartered Antarctic" cruise. The nimble, 12-passenger ship Hans Hansson is small enough to take passengers on flexible shore visits to the region's inlets, small harbours and remote bays in order to enjoy rugged landscapes and abundant wildlife such as elephant seals, penguins, sea lions, whales and barking seals. The Falklands cruise also takes in the islands' historic sights.
See quarkexpeditions.com.
INSIDER STORY
While the classic Mekong River cruise in Vietnam and Cambodia is increasingly popular, Laos remains mostly untraveled by cruise vessels. Unusually, Insider Journeys is offering an exploration of Laos and Cambodia by boat and road that includes a float along the Mekong from northern Thailand to Luang Prabang in Laos, a cruise in the Four Thousand Islands region and the chance to spot pink river dolphins at Kratie in Cambodia. The company's small-group journeys are limited to 16 guests and aim to present insider knowledge through local guides.
Phone 1300 138 755. See insiderjourneys.com.au.
NEW ADVENTURES
Star Clippers, known for its sailing ships, will be sailing Asian waters for the first time from December this year on seven-night itineraries that take in Singapore and the islands of Malaysia and Thailand. Also new for the coming season are 10 and 11-night itineraries in the Caribbean that sail to latest hotspot Cuba. And Royal Clipper has a first foray into Greece and Turkey on seven-night sailings from Istanbul to Athens, as well as new 10 and 11-day "Grand Mediterranean" cruises out of Cittavecchia (Rome) to Sicily, Malta and Tunisia.
Phone 1300 295 161. See starclippers.com.
