Charter your own dahabiya on the Nile with Sanctuary Retreats

Nile smile

Sanctuary Retreats is operating a bespoke traditional sailing boat or dahabiya on the Nile River in Egypt for four-night charters. Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau features an upper deck and sun deck and indoor-outdoor spaces in public areas. The sailing boat, which has just four cabins and two suites, tailors its itinerary to the wishes of its 12 guests, from when meals are served to the timings of excursions. Visits includes off-the-beaten track sites such as the Valley of the Workers, which provides a look at the lives of ordinary folk in ancient times.

Phone 03 9536 1831. See sanctuaryretreats.com

Caribbean queen

Viking Cruises is breaking out some new Caribbean itineraries next year. "From the Caribbean to the Amazon" on Viking Sea in December 2017 takes passengers on a 22-day jaunt return from San Juan that includes sailing into the mouth of the Amazon in Brazil and visits to ports such as Puerto Rico, Barbados and Antigua. Meanwhile a "New York, Bermuda and the Western Indies" cruise between New York and San Juan in October 2017 (and again in September 2018) visits nine Caribbean ports over 15 days, including Bermuda, Guadeloupe, St Kitts, St Martin and St Thomas.

Phone 1800 131 744. See vikingcruises.com.au

Monkey business

AdventureSmith Explorations has added the 62-passenger small ship Safari Voyager to its fleet following recent restoration, and will be operating it on cruises in Central America. Among them is an eight-day "Uncharted Isthmus" cruise with departures between December 2016 and April 2017. The route covers the entire Pacific coastline of Panama as well as most of Costa Rica's, and includes a transit of the Panama Canal. Guests visit Corcovado National Park, spot wildlife such as sloths and monkeys, and have the chance to snorkel, paddleboard and kayak off the coast.