Ponant releases Latin American and Caribbean cruises, November 2019 to April 2020

HOT AND COLD

Ponant has released its Latin American and Caribbean cruises for the November 2019 to April 2020 cruise season, with itineraries ranging from between seven and 13 nights, covering 26 different countries, and sailing from the tropics to Antarctica. Some of the 31 itineraries will be aboard Ponant's new ships Le Champlain and Le Dumont-d'Urville. Among the highlights are eight expedition cruises to destinations such as the Orinoco River and Chilean fjords; visits to 18 World Heritage sites; snorkelling and scuba-diving in Belize and the Grenadines; and a transit of the Panama Canal. Phone 1300 737 178. See ponant.com

ARCTIC CHALLENGE

Silversea Expeditions is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the introduction of its first crossing of the Northeast Passage, a remote and spectacular cruising route above the Arctic Circle. Few cruise ships have transited the passage, which follows the extreme coastlines of Asia and Europe via destinations such as Wrangel Island, the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago and Murmansk. Silver Explorer sail the route, which covers 5019 nautical miles of dramatic seascapes and untamed wilderness, on a 25-day voyage departing on August 10, 2019, from Nome in Alaska, and concluding at Tromsø in Norway. Phone 1300 306 872. See silversea.com

AFRICAN ADVENTURE

Peregrine Adventures is adding Africa to its rapidly growing adventure-cruising program, expanding on its existing cruises in Europe and Asia when it sails from Spain to Senegal in 2019. Peregrine will cruise into West Africa's rivers from Senegal to The Gambia on an eight-day "Cruising Safari: West Africa" adventure cruise that encompasses UNESCO-listed deltas, chimpanzee and dolphin sightings, and visits to villages, including a cinema night with locals in Kuntaur in the Gambia. Peregrine specialises in low-impact travel and carbon-offsets all trips with renewable energy projects. Phone 1300 854 445. See peregrineadventures.com

AURORA ADVENTURES

Aurora Expeditions has launched itineraries to new destinations in Latin America, the Caribbean coast, Iceland, Greenland and the east coast of Canada. Aurora has previously focused on the polar regions, but with new ship Greg Mortimer launching in October 2019 is now able to sail further afield. The new itineraries include "Wild Chile", "Treasures of a Coastal Desert" along South America's west coast, "Pacific to Caribbean Discovery" and a "Caribbean Odyssey". Aurora has also launched a 21-day "Inuit Arctic and Beyond" voyage that completes its Arctic season with a 21-day expedition through Iceland, Greenland and Canada. Phone 1800 637 688. See auroraexpeditions.com.au

BEST OF BRITISH

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Buckingham Palace, the Royal Yacht Britannia and a luxury country manor are among the highlights of a new cruise-tour from Cruise Express around the British Isles. The itinerary includes a 12-night cruise aboard Crown Princess that visits Guernsey, Cork and Dublin in Ireland, Belfast in Northern Ireland and the Scottish ports of Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh as well as French port of Le Havre. The 18-night "Crown and Country" cruise-tour departs Australia on August 15, 2019. Book before the end of this month for a $300 discount per person, twin-share. Phone 1300 766 537. See cruiseexpress.com.au