There's a chance to sight polar bears on AdventureSmith Explorations' land-based tours.Credit: Patrick J. Endres
SKY HIGH
Viking Sky, Viking Ocean Cruises' third ship, sets sail on its maiden voyage today from Civitavecchia (Rome) through the Mediterranean. The new ship will then head to Tromsø in Norway to be officially christened, before offering itineraries in Scandinavia and the Baltic. In September, Viking Sky crosses the Atlantic to the Americas and the Caribbean. Viking Sky is an almost-identical sister ship to Viking Star and Viking Sea and carries 930 guests. In November 2017, Viking will also welcome Viking Sun, which will spend its maiden season sailing the company's first world cruise.
Phone 1800 131 744. See vikingcruises.com.au
Viking Ocean Cruises' third ship, Viking Sky, is almost-identical to its Viking Sea seen here in Venice.
DREAM ON
Dream Cruises has announced that its inaugural vessel Genting Dream will be home-ported year-round in Singapore from December 3, 2017, and will call at 10 ports in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam during 2018. It will concentrate on five-night cruises including a Kuala Lumpur-Penang-Phuket itinerary and a cruise in the Java Sea to Surabaya and North Bali. The two can be combined into a 12-day journey with two nights in between in Singapore, either on board or in a hotel. From April to October 2018, Genting Dream then tackles new destinations in the South China Sea.
Phone 1300 658 666. See dreamcruiseline.com
POLAR BASE
AdventureSmith Explorations is introducing four land-based tours in 2017 to provide guests with an up-close encounter with the Arctic to complement its Arctic cruises. Two itineraries focus on Churchill in Manitoba on Canada's Hudson Bay, where the world's largest concentration of polar bears gathers waiting for ice to form so they can begin their hunting season further north. Higher in the Canadian Arctic, 800 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, is Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge, whose activities include hiking, kayaking and fishing. The most remote destination is Base Camp Greenland, a seasonal collection of eight safari-style tent cabins in Sermilik Fjord.
See adventuresmithexplorations.com
CELEBRATING ALASKA
Celebrity Cruises will be busy in Alaska in 2018, with three ships plying various routes in the northernmost American state. Celebrity Infinity will continue to offer seven-night, round-trip itineraries to the Hubbard Glacier from Vancouver, and Celebrity Millennium will undertake open-jaw sailings out of Vancouver or Seward. On board the recently upgraded Celebrity Solstice, meanwhile, guests can embark on a seven-night round trip Tracy Arm Fjord itinerary from Seattle. The journey includes the gastronomic adventure "A Taste of Film", which pairs cuisine with films that evoke a specific cultural, culinary or destination experience.
Phone 1800 754 500. See celebritycruises.com.au
COAST AND MOUNTAINS
If you'd like to combine Alaska and Canada's Rocky Mountains then E-cruising has the answer on its "Alaskan Skies, Rocky Mountain Highs" itinerary. Departing on September 12, 2017, the journey begins with three nights in Seattle before a seven-night cruise on Celebrity Solstice visiting Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria before finishing in Vancouver. Passengers then board the Rocky Mountaineer train for a journey to Banff, where they spend the next five days travelling the Rockies on escorted coach sightseeing tours. Highlights include Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefield, Lake Louise and Calgary.
Phone 1300 106 466. See ecruising.travel
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.