Want to be in the know for your luxury cruise enthusiast clients? Here’s a selection of the latest new offers, itineraries and luxury ships launching across river, barge, expedition and ocean voyages.
PONANT launches an exclusive offer for AU/NZ markets with inclusive flights on select 2024 Japanese itineraries
For a limited time, Australian and New Zealand guests can take advantage of inclusive flights on six itineraries. Return economy flights are included from major Australian capital cities, as well as Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington in New Zealand (conditions apply). Business class upgrades will be available to guests from AUD $2,999 per person, plus taxes.
PONANT will become the first operator to bring its small-ship fleet to some of Japan’s most remote locations, cruising on board Le Jacques-Cartier and Le Soléal. The selection features six luxury cruise itineraries, including two new expeditions to the western part of Kyushu Island. Guests can discover brand-new ports of call in the Koshikijima Islands, on Kamigoto as well as South Korea’s Jeju Island, and the island region of Amakusa. PONANT’s expedition team will lead guests to nature sanctuaries and UNESCO sites such as the islands of Yakushima and Iriomote.
The launched flight offer can be booked from 18 October 2023 to 30 November 2023 – or until sold out. The luxury cruise operator recently announced it would now include one complimentary excursion, per person and per stopover, on all its voyages.
Aurora Expeditions unveil new sustainable dining options
Australian-owned expedition company Aurora Expeditions has unveiled new developments in its dining offering, in line with its Sustainability in Action program. Commencing its Antarctica 2023-24 season later this month, guests travelling on board Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle this Antarctic season can enjoy new options from Aurora’s Sustainable Food Program. Produce will include locally-sourced organic fruit, vegetables and dairy products, free-range chicken and eggs, Argentinian grass-fed beef and a selection of other local products.
All seafood will be certified by internationally recognised certifying bodies. Meanwhile fish eggs and tuna will be eliminated from onboard menus across both ships, due to concerns related to overfishing. There is already a ‘Sustainable Sea Day’ in place during Sylvia Earle itineraries, where seafood is not available on day six of each voyage in honour of the ship’s namesake and her advocacy for the protection of the world’s oceans.
Earlier this year, Aurora Expeditions released its inaugural Impact Report, detailing its extensive efforts to solidify sustainable practices across all areas of the business.
Heritage Line introduces newly refurbished ship to sail the Mekong River
Southeast Asian boutique river cruise specialist Heritage Line is relaunching its newly refurbished ship Heritage Line JAYAVARMAN. The French-Colonial style ship will sail through Cambodia and Vietnam along the Mekong River, offering seven, four and three-night itineraries. The new ship offers enhanced culinary features, and shore excursions will revolve around gourmet experiences such as visiting a family-owned mango farm to learn the art of making green mango salad, or visiting local markets.
To celebrate the relaunch, guests booking a 7-night sailing, before 30 November, for luxury cruise departures between 16 December 2023 and 31 December 2024 will receive a USD$300 per person discount for 2023 departures, or a USD$200 per person discount for 2024 departures.
Uniworld announces new ships, itineraries and exclusive offers
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will be adding to its fleet, with two new ships, the S.S. Victoria and S.S Elisabeth to begin sailing in Europe in 2024 and 2025 respectively. The 110-guest S.S. Victoria will be the first to set sail in March 2024, debuting in Amsterdam.
In 2024, Uniworld is launching five new luxury Cruise & Rail itineraries throughout Europe: to Istanbul, Transylvania, the Swiss Alps and more. New 2024 dates have also been added to its popular cruise and rail itinerary in India, ‘The Sacred Ganges & The Maharajas’ Express.’ The trip will now operate from Kolkata to New Delhi in 2024, instead of Kolkata to Mumbai.
The luxury cruise brand has also announced its second annual Rivers of the World cruise for 2024, which will be even bigger than its inaugural sailing. The 55-day journey, for 40 guests, will depart on October 3, 2024, from Lima, Peru.
‘The Choice is Yours Savings’, offering 10 per cent off all 2024 and 2025 cruises (plus an additional 10 per cent for guests who book and pay in full by October 31) will expire on 31 October. Travel Advisors are encouraged to complete the What’s New for 2024 certification on Uniworld’s online training portal, Uniworld University. Upon completion, advisors will receive a badge to display in their e-mail signature, and be eligible for fares up to 60 per cent off the standard Uniworld cruise fare.
European Waterways introduce new vessel to celebrate 50 years
Luxury hotel barge operator European Waterways has released its 2024/25 cruising brochure and has announced a new vessel, the Kir Royale. Cruising through the Champagne region of France from May 2024, the eight-passenger Kir Royale will cruise the River Marne and Canal latéral à la Marne from May through October.
The ship features a more spacious layout, modern furnishings, three sundecks, a spa pool, an upper observation deck with a panoramic view, and four spacious en suite cabins. Meanwhile, Christmas Market Cruises will take place in November and December on the 12-guest hotel barge, Panache, in the Alsace and Lorraine region of France.
European Waterways is currently offering 10 per cent off whole-boat charters aboard Kir Royale for travel throughout 2024 (excluding all September departures), when booked by November 30, 2023. In addition, guests can enjoy 2024 cruises at 2023 prices when booked by May 31, 2024.
