A Sunsail yacht off Mallorca in the Mediterranean.
SAIL AWAY
Yacht charter company Sunsail has two new flotillas in the British Virgin Islands and Mallorca, offering the freedom of independent yachting yet with a set route to follow, a sociable environment and the services of expert lead crews. Participants can join group activities and tours or sail off by themselves with crew assistance close at hand. Highlights of Mallorca in the Mediterranean include Cabrera Archipelago National Park for scuba diving, traditional Spanish fishing towns and Porto Christo, a yachties' favourite at the end of a long, sheltered inlet.
Phone 800 803 988. See sunsail.com.au
Palma de Mallorca with Sunsail.
ALASKAN ADVENTURES
Azamara Club Cruises is heading to Alaska for the first time in 2019, with a series of 11 voyages of eight or 10 days between May and September. It promises late-night stays in ports, a combination of popular and lesser known destinations, and complimentary events featuring local experiences, such as seafood tasting with fishermen in Icy Strait Point, dog sledding on Mendenhall Glacier and an artist's studio visit in Haines. Before and after voyage land programs of between two and six nights include riverboat cruising, dog sled racing and a native village visit.
Phone 1800 754 500. See azamaraclubcruises.com
Nightingale Island with Quark Expeditions.
REMOTE FLOAT
Quark Expeditions has a new South Georgia to Cape Verde itinerary departing March 10, 2018, that visits some of the Atlantic's most remote islands, including the Falklands, South Georgia, Tristan da Cunha and Cape Verde. The cruise also visits St Helena, Ascension and Botswainbird Island. It offers passengers the opportunity to see volcanic islands, varied and rare birdlife, and encounter a long history of exploration and human settlement. The 33-day sub-polar adventure is accompanied by noted ornithologist Noah Strycker, who will give on-board lectures and insights on shore excursions, during which green turtles, whales and dolphins might also be spotted.
Oceania's ship Marina sails into Cuba's Havana harbour.Credit: Vlad Kryhin
CUBA CALLING
Oceania Cruises has announced 10 new Journeys to Cuba sailings in 2018 on Insignia that range from seven to 10 days, round-trip from Miami. All include calls in Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. Highlights might include a visit to a Havana cigar factory, a journey into the lush Vinales Valley, or a discovery of the World Heritage-listed architecture of Cienfuegos or nearby Trinidad. The new cruises are in addition to the company's Cuban cruises on Sirena and Regatta, bringing the total to a choice of 20.
Phone 1300 355 200. See oceaniacruises.com
DOWN TO EARTH
Tauck is expanding its partnership with BBC Earth, the award-winning documentary maker behind such wildlife series as Planet Earth II. Form next year, all Tauck Expedition small-ship cruises become part of the Tauck Earth Journeys portfolio. BBC Earth experts will sail on board select cruise departures, and Tauck directors will be trained and certified by BBC Earth filmmakers and historians. Ships will carry field-equipment gadgets such as sensitive long-range microphones, thermal imaging cameras, night-vision goggles and self-activating camera traps for an enhanced appreciation of wildlife. Iceland is the latest destination to be added to Tauck's Earth Journeys collection.
Phone 1300 732 300. See tauck.com.au
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