Viking Octantis signals new Viking era of adventure cruising

Viking Octantis

A year ago this month, Viking announced it was entering the fast-expanding adventure cruise market. The line had already conquered river cruising with the world’s largest fleet. And ocean cruises, too, had quickly fallen for it’s “No kids, no casinos” marketing position as the cruise line for the “thinking person”. Today, after a year which … Read more

NZ off for now, but P&O maintains Aussie cruising will start in late April

P&O reveals latest details of Pacific Adventure arriving in 2020

P&O Australia has extended its sailings pause until after April 25, but is sticking to its Aussie schedule. Pacific Adventure, a new vessel to the P&O fleet, is currently scheduled to begin sailing from Sydney on 30 April, 2021.  And another newbie,  Pacific Encounter,  is due to call Brisbane home from May 7. And a … Read more

Ponant expects to sail New Zealand in February in a major break for the region

Who has the best small ships? Your guide to boutique vessels

In a major breakthrough for the region, luxury adventure cruise line Ponant has been given “conditional approval” to sail in New Zealand waters. The move follows the Cruise Lines International Australasia model of sailing only with New Zealanders in New Zealand waters.  The model is under consideration by the Australian government. Ponant said in a … Read more

Carnival Cruise Line extends pause in Australian sailings through to 19 April 2021

Carnival to add capacity for an extra 800 guests on the Carnival Splendor

Carnival Cruise Line has further extended its pause in operations for all Australian sailings through to 19 April 2021. In addition, Carnival Spirit sailings will also be cancelled through to June 2021. Carnival apologised for the “disruption to your holiday plans and trust you understand this decision was made with everyone’s best interest at heart.” … Read more

Ponant sees demand for luxury expedition cruises – with a couple spending $175,000

Nick Rains Kimberley

Luxury expedition line, Ponant has started selling its most expensive suites on its 2021 sailings, particularly on new voyages in the Kimberley and Antarctica. Ponant’s commercial director Deb Corbett said the line has increased its capacity in the intrepid Western Australian region after receiving feedback from the line’s clients. “What we are finding is that … Read more

A Christmas cruise miracle: Mediterranean sailing refunded after nine month wait

A Christmas cruise miracle: Mediterranean sailing refunded after nine month wait

A Melbourne couple is celebrating today after finally being promised a $7000 refund for their cancelled Mediterranean cruise  – just in time for Christmas. Billie-Lee Jobe has been chasing her refund for the Norwegian Jade cruise from Rome to Croatia and Greece since April. Ms Jobe today received the good news from Cruise Passenger that … Read more