THAT'S THE SPIRIT
Luxury cruise line Windstar Cruises, which has doubled its fleet size over the last two years, has a line-up of dozens of cruises in 2017 which together visit more than 50 countries and 150 ports of call, 13 of which are maiden visits. They include the company's usual, popular summer cruises in the Mediterranean plus two new cruises in Croatia, but also range across the Panama Canal, Caribbean, Baltic, western Europe and the British Isles. There are also year-round "Dreams of Tahiti" cruises on the 148-passenger sailing yacht Wind Spirit.
Phone 1300 857 43. See traveltheworld.com.au
GLACIAL PACE
Tauck is offering a new 10-day land-cruise tour in Norway in June 2017 that features a week-long cruise aboard Ponant ship Le Soleal, bookended with overnight hotel stays and guided sightseeing in Bergen and Oslo. Highlights of the "Norwegian Fjords & Coastal Treasures" journey include a hike to view Kjenndalsbreen Glacier, the picturesque fishing harbour of Alesund, and an Iron Age archaeological site and walking tour of the old town in Stavanger. The cruise also visits Kristiansand open-air museum and takes a detour into Gothenburg in Sweden.
Phone 1300 732 300. See tauck.com.au
FIRE AND ICE
Variety Cruises sails to Iceland for the first time from June 2017 with a seven-night "Journey in the Land of Fire & Ice" itinerary on the 34-passenger MY Callisto to the western and northern coastlines of the island nation. The cruises sails between Reykjavik and Akureyri (or the reverse) with highlights that include beautiful Myvatn Lake, Godafoss Waterfall, the fishing town of Husavik and the geothermal fields of Namarskard, which comprises lava fields, boiling and steaming mud pools, steam vents and craters. There's also a visit to a folk-music centre, geological museum and thermal springs.
Phone 1800 623 267. See discovertheworld.com.au
NEW ENDEAVOUR
Lindblad Expeditions has transformed the ship Via Australis and renamed it National Geographic Endeavour II for its debut voyage in the Galapagos Islands in January 2017. The ship accommodates 96 guests in 52 outside cabins, including seven family-friendly sets of cabins with connecting door, six triple cabins and nine solo cabins. The ship additionally features a redesigned lounge and bar, library and restaurant and will carry Zodiacs, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear and wetsuits. The ship also features a new spa and fitness centre and will offer exercise classes and host an on-board wellness specialist.
Phone 1300 361 012. See expeditions.com
SUN SEEKERS
A new eight-day "Italian Sojourn" cruise on Viking Cruises' Viking Sun and Viking Spirit will sail from Rome to Venice in April, July and August 2018, stopping at seven ports along the Croatian and Italian coastlines, including Naples, Bari and World Heritage site Sibenik. Meanwhile, Viking Star sallies forth on a new, eight-day "Southern Mediterranean Discovery" itinerary between December 2017 and March 2018. The cruise from Rome to Barcelona visits Sicily, Sardinia, Tunis, Algiers and Valencia, proving an unusual itinerary that knits together the Mediterranean's northern and southern shores.
Phone 1800 131 744. See vikingcruises.com.au
