Seabourn’s exclusive “Sail of the Year” event is available now.
- Savings of up to 25 percent on select voyages;
- A reduced 15 percent deposit on those same select voyages;
- Up to $1,000 shipboard credit per suite for bookings made by January 31, 2024, which can be used for a range of experiences including spa treatments, curated shore excursions, or an upgrade to Seabourn’s exclusive Reserve wine list.
Guests can explore the Arctic, Antarctic, or South Pacific and visit off-the-beaten-path ports in the Mediterranean, Alaska, Canada and New England, among other destinations.
Sailings included in the “Sail of the Year” promotion are:
Credit: Seabourn
Ponant is offering 10 percent additional savings on top of Ponant Bonus rates on select 2023, 2024, and 2025 sailings. The holiday offering was announced by the company in a press release.
Travelers can take advantage of the discounts to explore the fjords of Norway, the subtropical islands of Japan, the snow-covered mountains of Alaska, among other destinations, Ponant said.
While certain restrictions apply, the offer is valid for all new deposited bookings from November 30, 2023, through January 2, 2024. Several new itineraries are included in the holiday incentive, including expeditions to Japan, Ponant said.
One such adventure will see Ponant teaming up with The Explorers Club, a not-for-profit organization made up of explorers devoted to scientific expeditions of all disciplines, on a seven-night journey to the islands of southern Japan, with stops in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Iriomotejima as well as a remote area home to the largest concentration of blue coral in the world.
Also new is a weeklong “Kyushu’s Secret Islands and Ancestral Heritage” itinerary, which combines the wildlife-rich islands of Jeju and Yaushima, historic coastal villages, and five new ports of call including the island region of Amakusa.
The offer is also applicable to bucket-list itineraries to the polar regions, including a 23-day adventure through the Northwest Passage, a springtime voyage along the East coast of Greenland aboard Le Commandant Charcot, and a weeklong expedition to discover Svalbard.
The complete list of eligible sailings can be found on Ponant’s website. Starting rates range from $4,450 per person, based on double occupancy, exclusive of the ten percent discount. To unlock the savings at time of booking, guests must use discount count XMAS10.
Nothing makes Luxury Cruise News more excited, than sharing insight of a collection of the best new cruises, something for everyone, from expedition ships that up passengers’ access to places like Greenland and Antarctica, to an exciting new small-ship circuit of the Mediterranean. There are brand-new and classic options alike—from a luxe Nile River option to leisurely routes in the Caribbean. Here, the best new cruises in the world.
Norwegian Prima
Built in 2022, this is the first of six ships from the Prima Class, which is Norwegian’s first new class of ships in nearly ten years. As the youngest ship in a young fleet, there are many shiny—and innovative—bells and whistles throughout the Norwegian Prima, from a virtual reality arcade room to a three-tiered go-kart racing track. There are 1,586 total suites onboard—all rooms are decorated in a calm, neutral color palette with modern wall art and plenty of lights, plugs, and a large TV. The subtle decor lets the balcony view really shine. Some of my favorite parts of the ship could be lost amongst the flashier amenities—but shouldn’t be. Take a stroll along Ocean Boulevard, a walkway that wraps around the entire ship. Along the way, you can peer through viewfinders to spot birds and incoming ports, pass by the sculpture garden, and glide over the Oceanwalk: a glass walkway where you can observe the sea rolling beneath your feet.
Evrima — The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
The Ritz-Carlton’s foray into cruising melds small-ship (or mega-yacht, depending on your past sea experience) sailing with plenty of scenery options: The European Mediterranean routes range from springtime through fall in Europe (Turkey to the Canary Islands) to winter in the Caribbean (San Juan to St. Barts). The Evrima is the first in a fleet of three ships emerging over the next few years, and an antidote to the water-slide-strapped mega-cruises of the world. Eight of the nine deck levels open to guests hold six restaurants, 149 suite-style cabins, two pools, a cigar humidor, six bars (the interior Living Room and top-floor alfresco Observation Deck, Mistral, The Bar, The Pool House, and The Marina Terrace), a fitness center, a beauty salon and spa deck, and a water-level marina terrace with water toys. Itineraries go deep on less-explored ports, like the small French village of Sanary-sur-Mer, though greatest hits like Bridgetown in Barbados can feature, too. The clear focus on cuisine, relaxation, and small entertainment offerings like live music trios and high tea is a page right out of the Ritz-Carlton playbook, making each sailing feel like a luxury hotel that just so happens to be floating in the ocean, with views on the blues drifting past—all suites here have balconies facing out to the ocean. Not an inward-facing room on site.
Fledgling cruise line Atlas Ocean Voyages has found a sweet spot in the market: an upscale expedition experience that incorporates traditional cruise elements, such as evening performances. But at its core, a trip to Antarctica on World Traveller is an expedition, with landings on the icy continent and its islands, Zodiac cruises around icebergs and alongside porpoising penguins, and lectures by knowledgeable expedition staff. The onboard experience is yacht-like—not in the billionaire’s contemporary megayacht sense, but in the traditional yacht sense, with wood paneling and blue-and-white upholstery throughout the interior. (Think midcentury New England or Italy, with a bit of prep and la dolce vita panache.) This may sound unusual, but the standout feature onboard is a grab-and-go café called Paula’s Pantry. On most expedition ships, light bites between meals are few and far between, but on World Traveller, there’s always a salad, panini, or fresh smoothie available—seasoned expedition cruisers will know that such on-demand light fare is a gift. Perhaps more expected highlights include the SeaSpa by L’Occitane and the L’Occitane products in the staterooms.
Silver Endeavour — Silversea
While sipping complimentary champagne in a solarium hot tub, ogle gentoo penguins standing single file atop a turquoise ice floe through two-story glass walls. One by one, they dive into Antarctic waters like some choreographed chorus line in 1930s flicks. Back in your sumptuous suite, celebrate that sighting with caviar, as a tux-clad white-gloved butler stirs a three-olive martini. Next up? A lavish lobster dinner, served here, there—well, everywhere. Just a typical day on the 200-passenger, polar-class expedition ship Silver Endeavour. The ultra-posh, all-inclusive vessel delivers unforgettable journeys; hop a chartered flight landing smackdab in Antarctica, for an adventure before the adventure. Beyond the poles, the ship sails remote lands with a savvy, passionate expedition team leading the way. Expect private yacht-style service with a one-to-one passenger-crew ratio. Swim laps in the indoor heated swimming pool, and absolutely indulge in Otium spa’s 100-minute golden radiance facial and the flakiest teatime scones with double cream in Art’s Cafe. —
