CRUISE NEWS
The latest updates and looking ahead
Small ship adventure
VISIT the only place on the planet where you can find all the ‘Big Three’ — whale sharks, humpback whales and manta rays — on 72-guest Coral Discoverer’s ten-night cruise to Ningaloo and the West Coast of Australia. Sailings on May 17 and 28, 2021, include snorkelling in Rowley Shoals and scuba diving off the Muiron Islands. Fly-cruise prices are from £7,473 pp ( coralexpeditions.com; 0203 934 7170).
Watch river dolphins
SEE pink river dolphins on Ecuador’s River Napo during a voyage on 30-guest MV Manatee Amazon Explorer. Includes trips to Yasuni National Park and Limoncocha Wildlife Reserve. Seven-day trips through 2021 from £3,449 pp include a flight from Quito to Coca ( rainforestexcursions.com, 020 808 96875).
Sail Ol’ Man River
STRETCHING 2,350 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River (pictured below) has played an important role in America’s history, commerce and culture. Viking guests can choose from four itineraries, including the eight-night American Heartland sailing. Prices from £4,790 pp departing August 27, 2022 ( vikingcruises.co.uk, 0800 319 66 60).
Stay close to home
SAGA Cruises has two new British Isles sailings for 2021. The 14-night Treasures Of The British Isles voyage on Spirit of Adventure sails clockwise from Dover on May 20, 2021; prices from £3,375 pp. The 13-night A Taste Of The British Isles on Spirit of Discovery cruises anti-clockwise from Southampton on August 2, 2021; prices from £3,076 pp. Both call at Portland in Dorset, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Belfast and the Orkneys ( travel.
saga.co.uk/cruises/ocean, 0800 50 50 30).
Think rail and sail
TAKE Eurostar to Amsterdam at no extra charge to join Emerald Waterways’ 2021 European river cruises. They include Emerald Dawn’s ten-day Springtime Delights sailing to Holland and Belgium on April 1, 2021, with visits to Keukenhof Gardens and a museum in Arnhem. From £2,420 pp ( emeraldwaterways.co.uk, 0803 301 3352).
Family fortunes
BRING the family and enjoy butler service on 34-suite Mekong Navigator with April 4, and August 8 and 22, 2021, departures, with the second suite free for two children up to the age of 17. Sailings from My Tho, in Vietnam, to Kampong Cham, in Cambodia, start from £1,357 pp, excluding flights ( lotuscruises.com), +84 28 5410 7882).