NEWS YOU CAN USE CRUISE
Ponant’s Le Lapérouse in the Kimberley Islands
Nat Geo-Lindblad releases maiden Galápagos fly-cruise brochure
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has launched its first Galápagos fly-cruise brochure exclusively for the UK market. The brochure focuses on the 10-day Exploring Galápagos itinerary on National Geographic Endeavour II, with prices from £6,789 for six departures in 2026. Along with the brochure, there is a booking incentive until December 31 offering agents a 2026 expedition for new bookings from the brochure.
expeditions.co.uk
Ponant targets solo travellers by waiving single supplements
Ponant Explorations has waived solo surcharges across most of its voyages to allow travellers to book double staterooms or suites without an extra charge. The solo-friendly policy is
targeted at solo travellers and groups of solo friends. The line has 160 cruises with
solo staterooms available until November 2027, with each sold to a certain capacity on each ship. Two 2026 itineraries – Journey
to Austral Lands and Valdes Peninsula, and The Geographic North Pole – have been identified as offering particular appeal to solo travellers, with prices from £12,360 and £32,560 respectively. UK and Ireland general manager
Anthony Daniels said: “Solo travellers often seek introspection, and the polar regions provide unmatched stillness, vastness and personal space – with no compromise on comfort.”
uk.ponant.com
Cunard ship to show
Come from Away play Cunard will bring the Olivier Award-winning musical Come from Away to Queen Elizabeth for its first production at sea. The show will debut on the ship’s maiden Caribbean voyage on October 16 and continue throughout the season. There will be two performances in the Royal Court Theatre on each voyage.
cunard.com
20 18 SEPTEMBER 2025
Traditional dress, Papua New Guinea
The Philippines PICTURES: Shutterstock/Miguel Schmitter; Unsplash/Bob Brewer
Swan Hellenic plots expedition cruises in Asia-Pacific in 2026
Ella Sagar
Swan Hellenic has puts its first cultural expedition cruises in the Asia-Pacific region in 2026 on sale. Voyages will be operated by Minerva, the line’s
152-passenger flagship which is set to rejoin the fleet in November after a refurbishment. Four expedition sailings in the South Pacific and
southeast Asia are scheduled between April 5 and May 20. The first three cruises are bookable only with Swan
Hellenic’s Cruise Plus package, which includes specially booked hotel accommodation, charter flights and transfers to reach the departure ports. The 13-night Wild Eden of Papua New Guinea
expedition on April 5 will island-hop from the capital of the Solomon Islands, Honiara, to Papua New Guinea, with fares starting at £8,650. The 10-night Secrets of the Coral Triangle: West
Papua and Raja Ampat, departing on August 18, leads in at £7,000. The 11-night Raja Ampat and the Philippines
Cruise: the Last Paradise on Earth will sail from Sorong in Indonesia to Manila in the Philippines on April 28, with prices beginning at £7,700. The 11-night Philippines to Japan Cultural
Discovery Cruise, sailing from Manila to Hiroshima from May 9, will cost from £9,350. Swan Hellenic chief commercial officer Patrizia
Iantorno said: “We’re so proud that Minerva, the emblem of Swan Hellenic’s renaissance, is bringing the magic of this extraordinary region to our enthusiastic guests for the first time. These first four cultural expedition cruises of the Asia-Pacific offer deep explorations of its immense cultural diversity and natural beauty, while launching a new chapter of global exploration for Swan Hellenic.”
swanhellenic.com
travelweekly.co.uk
Azamara launches ‘Live like a Local’ excursions range in Med
Azamara Cruises has launched a ‘Live like a Local’ excursions programme for its Mediterranean 2026-27 sailings. The collection features small-group excursions led by local guides, visits to regional festivals and artisan workshops, culinary experiences showcasing regional cuisine and tours of cities in off-peak hours when tourist crowds have dispersed.
azamara.com
PICTURE: Ponant/Nick Rains
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