CRUISE NEWS
GO WEST
The waterfalls along Western Australia’s Kimberley coast are more impressive than ever after the region experienced one of the wettest wet seasons on record. Luxury French line Ponant is heading there for the first time this season. Its 264-passenger L’Austral is the youngest ship in the region and, the line claims, the most environmentally sustainable ship operating in the Kimberley. It will sail between Darwin and Broome on four, 10-night cruises from July to September. Expedition teams of marine biologists and conservationists will lead guests on Zodiac forays to sites including King George Falls, Swift Bay, Montgomery Reef and Horizontal Falls, highlights of a region spanning more than 2,600 islands. ponant.com
ISLAND ENCOUNTERS
There are even more chances to see the wildlife of the Galápagos Islands on two new seven-night itineraries aboard
Silversea’s 100-passenger expedition ship, Silver Galapagos. Both itineraries have additional ports and onshore adventures, enabling travellers to swim with turtles, climb Prince Philip’s Steps and hike to an extinct volcano. silversea.com
FIT FOR A QUEEN
The $54 million refurbishment of Cunard’s stately Queen Victoria will be completed in Italy this month. Changes on the 2000-passenger ship include 43 new staterooms with balconies, a new sun deck and an indoor lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows. cunard.com
AUSTRALIAN PRINCESS
Princess Cruises’ Majestic Princess will be based in Australia next year. The 3,560-passenger ship, which débuted in April, will be based in Sydney from September 2018 until March the following year, undertaking voyages to destinations that include Fiji, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The line’s Sea Princess,
Sun Princess and Golden Princess will also return for next year’s summer season. princess.com
TECH SAVVY
Want to book tomorrow’s hike from your suite? Browse the dinner menu over breakfast? Plot the quickest way from the pool deck to cocktails? Holland
America Line has launched a free app called Navigator that enables guests to plan itineraries, make dinner reservations, check spa treatments and view deck plans. Goodbye, lining up at the guest services’ desk; hello, planning from bed. hollandamerica.com SAMANTHA TEAGUE