CONTINENTAL DRIFT
Oceania Cruises has unveiled its 2018 cruises in Europe, featuring destinations across the Mediterranean, Baltic and North Atlantic. Some voyages feature overnight stays in significant ports. One of the most impressive voyages is an 85-day exploration of Europe on Sirena's round-trip from Miami, departing on June 23, 2018. Meanwhile, the 20-day "Vikings & Royals" cruise from London, departing July 30, 2018, on Nautica, showcases the best of the British Isles, Faroe Islands, Iceland and Greenland, while "Glorious Greece" on Riviera departs on October 14, 2018, and explores the Greek islands as well as Valletta and Taormina.
Phone 1300 355 200. See oceaniacruises.com
RIVER HOSTS
Scenic has announced three hosted river cruises in 2017. Getaway host Catriona Rowntree will cruise the Seine on June 19 from Paris, taking in Honfleur, Monet's garden at Giverny and Auvers-sur-Oise. Author and historian Peter FitzSimons follows on the Seine on June 29 to share his knowledge of northern France's war history, including visits to the Somme battlefields, Villers-Bretonneux and Normandy beaches. And finally, Ray Martin will cruise the Mekong River from August 22 between Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City, visiting Phnom Penh, historic Vietnamese towns and the floating market at Cai Be.
Phone 13 81 28. See scenic.com.au
REGENT REFURB
Seven Seas Voyager, which sailed out of Sydney last week for Auckland, has just completed a bow-to-stern refurbishment that has given the luxury ship an elegant new decor and seen renovations to its suites, flagship Compass Rose restaurant and La Veranda restaurant, as well as the debut of Chartreuse restaurant. It has also launched a collection of spectacular new shows in its Constellation Theatre, including tributes to the Rat Pack, Hollywood musicals and Broadway shows. The revamp is part of Regent's US$125 million ($168 million) fleet-wide refurbishment program that aims to provide a consistent look and feel to all its ships.
Phone 1300 455 200. See rssc.com.au
SAIL AND RAIL
Recently launched, Melbourne-based online cruise-holiday company International Cruise has joined forces with International Rail and Oceania Cruises to create a luxury sail-and-rail through the Canadian Rockies and Alaska. The seven-night cruise departs on May 24, 2017, from Seattle on board Regatta and cruises the Alaskan coast to Wrangell, Juneau and Sitka before heading south to stop at the historic Alaskan town of Ketchikan and back through the Inside Passage. Guests then board the Rocky Mountaineer train in Vancouver for a two-day journey that showcases Rockies scenery and visits Kamloops and Banff.
Phone 1800 793 431. See internationalcruise.com.au
WILD CUBA
Last week saw the first departure of Wild Earth Travel's Pearl Mist on round-trip cruises from Miami to Cuba, in another clear sign that the Caribbean nation is the hot cruise destination of 2017. The ship will circumnavigate Cuba on numerous sailings between November and May each year, visiting destinations such as Havana; Punta Frances National Park for its reefs and turtles; World Heritage cities Cienfuegos and Trinidad; and Holguin, a pretty city surrounded by coastline declared by Christopher Columbus to be "the most beautiful land human eyes have ever seen".
Phone 1800 107 715. See wildearth-travel.com
