This was published 4 years ago
Cruise Express tempts intrepid travellers with an Arctic expedition in 2021
By Brian Johnston
Polar bear spotting on Cruise Express expedition cruise on le Commandant Charcot.Credit: Servane Roy-Berton ?Studio PONANT/Servane Roy-Berton
REMOTE REEF
Coral Expeditions has launched a completely re-imagined program of Great Barrier Reef expeditions from June 2021 with longer, more immersive experiences and a focus on the lesser-seen outer reefs and northern islands. The new seven-night Outerknown Adventures on the Great Barrier Reef sailings on Coral Discoverer focus on the marine life and cultural and natural heritage of the Reef and Daintree Rainforest, with destinations including Cooktown, Lizard Island, Hope Island and remote Osprey Reef. An expert expedition team and resident specialists including a Master Reef Guide and marine biologists accompany the cruise.
Phone 1800 079 545. See coralexpeditions.com
POLAR ECLIPSE
In December 2021, sustainable expedition cruise operator Hurtigruten is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a solar eclipse from one of two expedition ships. The total eclipse on December 4 will only be visible (weather permitting) from Antarctica, and the world's first hybrid expedition ship, MS Roald Amundsen, and sister ship MS Fram will be in prime positions outside the South Orkney Islands to see this spectacular natural phenomenon. Experts will give lectures and insights about the solar eclipse as a supplement to Hurtigruten's regular lectures on marine biology, history, glaciology and other topics.
Phone 1300 489 872. See hurtigruten.com.au
AMAZON AND ATLANTIC
Latitude 33 is hosting a Venture to Peru and the Amazon journey in 2022 that opens with a seven-day tour of Peru before a 22-night cruise along the Amazon and across the Atlantic on new expedition ship Seabourn Venture. Guests explore the length of the Amazon, with highlights including Iquitos in Peru, Manaus in Brazil, the flooded forest of Boca dos Botos and a Zodiac excursion along the tributary Guajara River. In the Atlantic, the cruise visits Devil's Island in French Guyana and the Cape Verde Islands. The journey begins on April 2, 2022.
Phone 1300 636 848. See latitude33.travel
ARCTIC PASSAGE
Cruise Express is tempting intrepid travellers with an Arctic expedition in 2021 that sails from Iceland to Alaska through the Northwest Passage on the world's first hybrid electric polar exploration ship, Le Commandant Charcot, which launches in April 2021. The 24-night cruise departs Reykjavik on September 7, 2021 to sail in the wake of great Arctic explorers and seafarers on an itinerary that features icebergs and glaciers, Inuit villages, vast mountain chains and sites of historic shipwrecks. Abundant wildlife includes foxes, narwhals, beluga whales and walruses, with a chance of spotting polar bears.
Phone 1300 766 537. See cruiseexpress.com.au
RIVER DEBUT
Uniworld will set sail in South America for the first time with two new itineraries in the Peruvian Amazon aboard Aria Amazon, set to debut in September 2020. The new itineraries include the 15-day Peruvian Amazon & Machu Picchu Exploration which opens with a land visit to Lima, followed by a seven-night Amazon cruise, and ends with trips to the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco. An 11-day Peruvian Rivers & Rainforest Discovery takes guests to explore Lima and Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, and journeys along the Amazon River round-trip from Iquitos.
Phone 1300 780 231. See uniworld.com
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