Ponant releases 2019-20 season luxury expedition cruises

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This was published 5 years ago

Ponant releases 2019-20 season luxury expedition cruises

By Brian Johnston
Silversea Expeditions explores Antarctica.

Silversea Expeditions explores Antarctica.

AUSSIE ADVENTURES

Australian company Coral Expeditions has entered into a new partnership with Australian Geographic that will see curated experiences for guests and the development of year-round Australian Geographic Society "In Residence" programs that will use the research facilities on Coral Adventurer, due to launch in April 2019. Four expedition cruises will signal the new alliance, starting with an exploration of the Western Australian coast from Broome in September 2019, and a journey between Darwin and Cairns around Arnhem Land and Cape York in October 2019. Cruises to Papua New Guinea and Indonesia's Spice Islands will follow.

Phone 1800 079 545. See coralexpeditions.com

Artist's impression of Scenic's submarine in the Caribbean.

Artist's impression of Scenic's submarine in the Caribbean.

NEAR AND FAR

Ponant has released its 2019-20 season luxury expedition cruises, featuring 83 journeys of between eight and 44 nights. There's a big focus on the polar regions, with cruises visiting the Arctic, Iceland, Alaska, Antarctica, South Georgia and the Chilean fjords, as well as far-flung destinations in the Russian Far East such as Wrangel Island. But there are also a series of tropical expeditions to exotic locales including French Guiana, the Orinoco delta, Indian Ocean islands, Borneo and West Papua, Indonesia and the Pacific. Eight voyages sail along our own Kimberley coast.

Phone 1300 737 178. See au.ponant.com

Coral Expeditions' passengers in PNG.

Coral Expeditions' passengers in PNG.

EXPEDITIONS AHOY

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Next week is the last week of Choose Cruise Month, organised each October by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). If you're keen to get cruising it's a great chance to bag a bargain, book a cruise or simply get advice on which ships or journeys might be best for you. And if you haven't thought about cruising before, maybe next week's focus on expedition cruising – which generally features smaller ships, more remote destinations and more active excursions – will finally have you convinced to get on board. To contact a specialist CLIA travel agent in your area, see cruising.org.au

EASTERN EXPEDITIONS

Silversea Expeditions is sailing itineraries to some interesting and remote corners of the Far East in 2019. Among them is a 13-day "Pacific Ring of Fire and Japan" itinerary in April from the Pacific island of Guam to Kobe in Japan, with highlights that include active volcanoes, traditional gardens, whales, World War II sites and World Heritage culture. There's also a nine-day "Land of the Rising Sun" cruise in May from Kobe to Busan in South Korea, stopping at ports such as Okayama, Hiroshima and Kanazawa, plus the chance to visit South Korea's Seoraksan National Park.

Phone 1300 306 872. See silversea.com

DOWN UNDER

Scenic has revealed details of the submarine on board Scenic Eclipse, the company's first venture into ocean cruising. The U Boat Worx Cruise Submarine 7 can dive to a depth of 300 metres and will have a three-person pod both on the front and at the back for a total of six guests plus the pilot. The seats are mounted on a platform that can swivel 180 degrees, so the guests can see to both sides of the submarine. Strong exterior lights will illuminate the details of wrecks and other underwater sights.

Phone 13 81 28. See scenic.com.au

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