Named after the legendary French polar explorer and scientist, Jean-Baptiste Charcot, French line has launched the world’s first PC2 luxury hybrid-electric polar exploration ship, Le Commandant-Charcot in Le Havre, France last week. The revolutionary adventure ship will take 270 guests to some of the world’s most isolated and previously inaccessible polar destinations on the planet … Read more
As Australia prepares to open its borders, cruise fans are pinning their hopes on a local restart in early February 2022 as both state and federal government officials focus first on local and international tourism first. Federal and state leaders are expected to announce tentative timelines for international travel today. And cruise industry leaders believe … Read more
Australian cruisers face the prospect of cruising internationally before setting foot onboard a ship in local waters. As Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed Australians are expected to travel internationally in November and cruise lines cancelling 2021 local sailings, cruise industry experts believe that now is the time to book those international cruises. The news rules … Read more
“The sheer vastness of the seascape, the excitement of seeing my first iceberg, the second, third…and later emerging on the horizon, land, but one like nothing I’d seen before. “Relentlessly beautiful and rugged, it’s an expedition into one of the world’s last true wilderness areas and yet, it’s done with French style and panache.” This … Read more
Alastair Newtown, the Director of National Geographic Partnership at PONANT, has been to a few places. He’s been an expedition leader, taken private jet tours and created itineraries for a large superyacht. But nothing prepared him for his experience sailing with PONANT aboard Le Commandant Charcot through the North Pole. The first sentence of his … Read more
PONANT, a world leader in luxury expeditions, has revealed its newest selection of voyages for the Antarctic season in 2023 These voyages aboard Le Commandant Charcot take you to some of the most ecologically unique corners of the earth and shower you in luxury while they do it. Included amongst the voyages for the 2022/23 season … Read more
Health Minister Greg Hunt has extended the ban on overseas travel and foreign flagged cruise ships for a further three months, all but dashing hopes of a wave season this year. The announcement came as a bitter blow to Australia’s home-grown cruise industry, once the envy of the world with the largest number of passengers … Read more
Luxury French line Ponant has announced new itineraries for 2022 and 2023 for cruisers looking for a tropical getaway. Visiting places like Okinawa, one of Japan’s subtropical islands, Zanzibar and Melanesia, the itineraries are aimed at giving guests an insight to different cultures, wildlife and landscapes and UNESCO World Heritage status. “Some of these destinations … Read more
Indigenous operator, Wijingarra Tours on the Kimberley coast, is struggling to survive with 70 per cent of its bookings cancelled – thanks to the international cruise ship ban and the pandemic. “Its been really tough on us. Nothing happened last year with no tours – all our tours did not operate. This year, we have … Read more
She's the most specious ship yet from luxury line Oceania Cruises. James Sitters tells Rose Kelly and Peter Lynch what's on board the new class of ship, including restaurants, spas and suites.
