New expeditions for 2015
– our picks
For the intrepid traveller a new adventure need not mean a holiday without home comforts.
Expedition cruises offer guests the chance to see some of the world’s most captivating and remote areas from the luxury of a ship.
And each year operators launch itineraries to new waters, giving cruisers the opportunity to conquer the unexplored.
Here, we run through our pick of new expedition cruises for 2015…
Explore Vietnam and Laos
Pandaw River Expeditions is to become the first operator to offer cruises from Halong Bay to the upper Red River in Vietnam during a 10-night cruise in July 2015.
Guests will have the chance to take in the limestone islands of the Unesco world heritage site in Vietnam’s Quảng Ninh Province before heading upstream towards China’s Yunnan Province where the river narrows.
There is also the chance to visit Laos on the operator’s newest ship the Laos Pandaw next November.
Passengers will traverse rapids and gorges, as well as visit villages and the Buddhist temples of Luang Prabang during over the 10-night cruise.
For more information, see pandaw.com.
Visit the Amazon
Visiting the Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, features on many a traveller’s bucket list.
Now guests have the chance to do in style and comfort – with Cruise and Maritime Voyages’ 42-day cruise which gives passengers the chance to head deep into the heart of the untamed jungle on the historic Marco Polo.
One of this cruise’s unique selling points is the fact the ship will depart from Tilbury in Essex on 5 January – meaning no lengthy transfers, airport queues or hidden costs to get into the heart of South America’s jungle.
There is also the chance to take advantage of a special ‘buy one get one half price’ offer for those booking before of the month. Prices are from £3,999 for the first person and £1,999 for the sharing second person.
For more information, see cruiseandmaritime.com.
Head to the sub-Antarctic
New Zealand’s wild and beautiful sub-antarctic islands are rightfully protected – with Silversea amongst a small selection of cruise lines allowed to venture into these waters.
The 128-capacity Silver Discoverer, part the operator’s expedition fleet, only has six voyages in the majestic region – three in 2014 and three in 2015.
The add to its exploration credentials, the company recently completed its first-ever journey through the legendary Northwest Passage on a 23-day voyage in August.
For more information, see silversea.com.