Ponant's L'Austral.Credit: Nath Michel
In 2004, the award-winning "first lady" of cruising, Sarina Bratton, launched Orion Expedition Cruises with one boutique expedition ship. Since then, the demand for luxury expedition and soft-adventure cruising has boomed and as Asia-Pacific chairman of French cruise line Ponant, Bratton recently announced the company is building four new luxury expedition vessels.
Bratton says that the deal, which is worth more than half a billion dollars and doubles the size of the company's fleet, is the single largest investment in the expedition cruise sector, ever.
"There are very few companies who can offer new, modern expedition vessels to explore the world's treasures," she says. "Clearly Ponant leads the way, in the future for the luxury expedition sector. There have been few new builds in the sector, mainly due to the high, per berth cost associated with building small ships, plus the additional cost of ice strengthening vessels which are highly regulated under the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) Polar Code."
The pool deck and bar on board Scenic Spirit.
Like their fleetmates L'Austral, Le Boreal, Le Soleal and Le Lyrial, the four new ships will be small-capacity, intimate ships. They will be 128 metres long, have 92 staterooms (all with private balconies) and carry a maximum of 180 passengers and 110 crew. The ships will be fully equipped for adventuring in the polar regions, carry 12 Zodiacs each and will be built with the latest environmental preservation technology. The marina deck has been specially designed to be raised or lowered to improve access to the Zodiacs and it will be possible to board two at a time.
While the presently named Explorer 1, 2, 3 and 4 are small vessels, their seven decks will feature an observation lounge, main lounge and terrace deck, formal and casual dining venues, interior and exterior bars, spa, gym and an infinity pool. An underwater observation lounge is a new addition and if you prefer to get wet while exploring the marine world, scuba-diving and snorkelling equipment will be provided.
The first ship is due to launch in May 2018 and it will be coming straight to Australia, and it will then operate cruises in Australasian and South-east Asian waters. While Ponant is renowned for its "white expeditions" to Antarctica and the Arctic, its sleek, chic ships travel the world on "blue expeditions" to the islands of Oceania and "green expeditions" to unspoilt spots in destinations such as Papua New Guinea, South America, Costa Rica, the Orinoco River in Amazonia and the Indian Ocean.
Paula Harrigan, cruise director on board the Scenic Spirit.
MEET THE CREW
NAME Paula Harrigan, from Melbourne, lives in Siem Reap, Cambodia
POSITION Cruise Director, Scenic Spirit
NCL Cruise Line, Pride of America, Nawiliwili, Kauai.Credit: Danny Lehman
MY JOB… is about making sure guests have a five-star experience, on board and onshore.
A TYPICAL DAY I'm at reception every morning to greet people and answer questions as they get ready for shore excursions. Sometimes I accompany excursions, to check everything is running smoothly; then there's daily admin and liaising with headquarters in Australia and local operators. I present port talks every day.
FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT Sunrises and sunsets on the Mekong.
Star Clippers.
FAVOURITE CRUISE PORTS Kampong Tralach, a tiny village where we ride on ox carts through rice fields – and Saigon, for its bars, shopping and galleries.
INSIDER TIP Buy some tiger balm when you're in Vietnam or Cambodia. It costs less than a dollar and is useful for muscular aches and pains, headaches and clearing the respiratory passages.
TIP
Talk and charge simultaneously with the pocket-sized Go Travel Single Power Bank, a mobile phone charger for use with smartphones or small USB devices. It's capable of fully charging a smartphone in three hours. $29.95; ciaobellatravel.com.au.
NEWS
New-look Pride of America
The American-flagged Pride of America, the only mainstream cruise ship to sail regular round-trip cruises within the Hawaiian islands, has returned to its Honolulu home port after an extensive refurbishment. Norwegian Cruise Line is spending US400 million on upgrading its fleet and changes to Pride of America include an expansion of the Mandara Spa, which now has more treatment rooms and New Mexican décor; renovations in all the dining venues with menus based on those from the new Norwegian Escape; and a new spot for the wedding chapel. On its standard seven-night itinerary, the 2190-passenger Pride of America offers overnights on Maui and Kauai, as well as stops in Hilo and Kona, and an afternoon cruise of the Napali Coast. See ncl.com.
Star Clippers' silver anniversary
In 1991 Star Clippers launched its first ship, Star Flyer, a re-creation of classic 19th-century sailing ships. Now in its 25th year, the company has announced that its fourth ship, to be launched at the end of 2017, will be called Flying Clipper. It will be the biggest ship of the Clipper fleet, powered by 35 sails and carrying 300 passengers, and its design is based on that of France II, the biggest square-rigger ever built. Flying Clipper will join the current flagship Royal Clipper, which accommodates 227 passengers, and its two smaller sisters, Star Flyer and Star Clipper, which both accommodate 170 passengers. Flying Clipper will have three pools, a water sports platform and a variety of cabin grades. See starclippers.com
Tauck river fleet doubles
The recent launch of Tauck's 130-passenger Grace and the arrival of Joy in June this year more than doubles the size of the high-end company's European river fleet. In 2014 it had four ships and by June it will have nine. Tauck is also expanding its family-friendly river cruises in 2017, including a new Seine itinerary, and undertaking a two-year refurbishment plan for five of its ships. Grace, which will sail on the Rhine and Moselle, has 22 suites and eight loft cabins, which extend from the first to second deck for extra views. Pricing for most 2017 Tauck river cruises is available now at fixed Australian dollar rates; see tauck.com.
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Cruise 1st's new 21-night fly/stay/cruise package, departing Australia on October 6, combines a nine-night Greek Islands cruise on Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas with a seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise on NCL's Norwegian Epic. Return flights and accommodation in Rome included; from $3999. Phone 1300 596 345, see cruise1st.com.au.
MORE DEALS
CRUISE TRAVELLER Cruise Iceland for seven nights, on board Ponant's Le Soleal on a 10-night trip that includes return airfares and three nights in Reykjavik. Departing July 19, 2017, from $9699; offer valid until May 30. Phone 1800 507 777, see cruisetraveller.com.au.
CELEBRITY CRUISES' Global Sale offers two perks on worldwide voyages when booked by May 1: one free Classic Beverage Package per person and $389 on board credit per stateroom. Phone 1800 754 500, see celebritycruises.com.au.
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