By Brian Johnston
Oceania Sirena will emerge from an overhaul next May.
WORLD WANDERINGS
Viking Cruises has released four new long cruises. A 41-day British Isles to Eastern Seaboard itinerary sails London to New York on August 31, 2019, taking in Norway, Iceland and Greenland, while an 87-day Americas and Chilean Fjords itinerary visits the Caribbean and South America when it sails New York to Los Angeles on October 10, 2019. Two subsequent cruises link Los Angeles with Sydney in 38 days across the Pacific, and Sydney with London in 82 days via Asia and the Mediterranean. The four Viking Sun cruises can be joined to create a 245-day Ultimate World Cruise.
Phone 138 747. See vikingcruises.com.au
FAB FOUR
Oceania Cruises has announced it will be spending $US100 million to revamp its four 684-passenger ships Regatta, Insignia, Sirena, and Nautica, with enhancements covering 1368 suites and cabins (with new bathroom fixtures and lighting too), as well as lounges, bars and restaurants. The Reception Hall lobby area and Grand Staircase are also getting an overhaul and will be crowned by a grand chandelier in smoked glass. Insignia will be the first ship to emerge from the refurbishment this December, followed by Sirena in May 2019, Regatta in September 2019 and Nautica in June 2020.
Phone 1300 355 200. See oceaniacruises.com
SNAP HAPPY
Patagonian cruise company Australis has announced a series of Art of Photography itineraries hosted by renowned National Geographic extreme-landscape photographer and frequent Patagonia visitor Nori Jemil. The photographer will give on-board seminars with practical tips on how to get the most out of a camera, from exposure compensation to shooting in manual and improving composition. Nori will also guide shore excursions that put photography skills and acquired information to the test. The first four-night photography cruises depart February 17, 2019 from Punta Arenas and February 21, 2019 from Ushuaia, and sail the southernmost tip of South America.
See australis.com
TWO FIJI CHOICES
Captain Cook Cruises Fiji has released 2019-20 departure dates for its two seven-night northern Fiji cruises on small ship Reef Endeavour. The Four Cultures Discovery cruise sails on January 1, May 7, July 2 and September 3, 2019, plus Jan 7, 2020, and circumnavigates Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island with its distinctive Fijian, Polynesian, Micronesian and Indian cultural blend. Meanwhile, the Colonial Fiji Discovery cruise departs February 5, April 2, June 4, August 3 and October 1, 2019, plus February 4, 2020, and explores the history, art and culture of the northern Fiji islands. Phone 1300 86 3454. See captaincookcruisesfiji.com
ICELAND BOUND
Latitude 33 is offering a journey to Norway, Greenland and Iceland in August 2019 on a 24-night itinerary that starts with a chance to chase the northern lights in Tromso. Guests then board Silver Explorer for a 15-night expedition cruise to Iceland, with Zodiac excursions in Norway's Svalbard Islands and Scoresby Sound in Greenland. There's also a stop in Ittoqqortoormiit, where guests can learn about Inuit culture. The cruise additionally visits Reykajavik, Geysir and Gullfoss waterfalls, Thingvellir National Park and Thrihnukagigur volcano in Iceland, finishing with a two-night hotel stay at Blue Lagoon.
Phone 1300 636 848. See latitude33.travel
Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.