This was published 5 years ago
Lindblad offers shorter Galapagos trips on National Geographic Islander ship
Exploring the Galapagos Islands with Lindblad Expeditions.
EXPLORE MORE
French cruise company Ponant has celebrated its 30th anniversary this year by announcing two further ships in its Ponant Explorer series, bringing its fleet to 12 ships by 2021. Le Bellot and Le Surville will be sister ships to four other new Explorer-class vessels, with 92 all-balcony staterooms, cutting-edge technology, compliance with international Clean Ship eco-certification and the world-first underwater viewing lounge, known as Blue Eye. By 2021 the company will be offering 460 cruise departures across the world, especially in remote destinations such as polar regions, the Amazon, PNG and the Kimberley.
Phone 1300 737 178. See ponant.com
ANIMAL ATTRACTION
From this November, Lindblad Expeditions is offering new, shorter Wild Galapagos Escape itineraries on its newly refurbished 48-guest ship National Geographic Islander in the famously wildlife-rich Galapagos archipelago. The expedition explores the archipelago over five days, with one night pre-voyage in Guayaquil on mainland Ecuador and the option of another night post-voyage, and includes multiple excursions such as walks and hikes, kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkelling. Guests can also combine the Galapagos with Lima, Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley in nine days on Lindblad's new Wild Galapagos & Peru Escape.
Phone 1300 361 012. See expeditions.com
ISLANDS AHOY
Paul Gauguin Cruises has presented its new 2019 cruises, including several itineraries around French Polynesia and an 11-night cruise linking French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. The company is also returning to Fiji with 12- and 13-night itineraries that take guests through Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands and French Polynesia's Society Islands. All passengers sailing on The Gauguin have access to the company's two exclusive retreats: Motu Mahan off the island of Taha'a for water sports, Polynesian activities and a barbecue; and a private beach in Bora Bora for volleyball, snorkelling and paddle-boarding.
Phone 1800 251 174. See pgcruises.com
DOUBLE JOINTED
Viking is offering two ocean and river combination cruises next year, with a repeat of its 15-day Rhine + Viking Shores & Fjords itinerary between Bergen and Basel, departing June 2, 2019, and the launch of a new 22-day Grand European + Viking Fjords cruise between Bergen and Budapest, with departures on May 26 and June 2, 2019. The latter visits 19 coastal and river ports and some of cruising's most iconic landscapes, including the Norwegian fjords and the Rhine Gorges. The itinerary also visits Oslo and the highly scenic village of Flam deep in the fjords.
Phone 138 747. See vikingcruises.com.au
MEDITERRANEAN MEANDER
Windstar Cruises has announced a 51-day Grand Mediterranean cruise on Wind Surf, currently the world's largest sailing ship, featuring five masts and nearly 2500 square metres of sails. The itinerary takes in 42 ports in 11 countries, departing from Lisbon on July 7, sailing 9500 nautical miles, and finishing in Barcelona on August 27, 2019. Along the way, Wind Surf visits big-name ports such as Rome and Athens, small towns such as Sanary-sur-Mer in France and Rovinj in Croatia, and iconic destinations such as the French Riviera, Spanish and Greek islands, Gibraltar, Monaco and the Adriatic.
Phone 1300 749 875. See windstar.com.au
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