Small Ship Cruise News
By Anne Kalosh
There’s lots going on in the small-ship realm — happenings at the poles, a parade of new ships, beefed-up COVID protocols, even a treasure hunt and a triathlon.
Silversea Confirms Three-Ship Antarctica Season
Silversea put uncertainty about Antarctica expeditions resuming for the upcoming October to March season to rest by reaching an agreement with the Chilean authorities to depart from Punta Arenas.
Silver Cloud and Silver Wind will sail from this southern city, while Silver Explorer will continue with its previously scheduled plan to depart from nearby Puerto Williams.
Silversea will chart Antarctica on cruises from two Chilean ports. * Photo: Silversea Expeditions
“Leading the return of cruising in Antarctica, as facilitated by our agreement with the Chilean government, represents our commitment to delivering unforgettable travel experiences for our guests,” Silversea President and CEO Roberto Martinoli said. He praised Chile for its dedication to restarting cruising to the White Continent in a safe manner.
“Chile is a fantastic gateway with a stable infrastructure and excellent services,” added Silversea’s Conrad Combrink, senior vice president, expeditions, turnaround operations and destination management.
Silver Cloud and Silver Wind passengers will jet to Santiago for a hotel overnight before flying to Punta Arenas the next day to embark their ship. Those sailing on Silver Explorer will embark at Puerto Williams, apart from travelers on Silversea’s new “Antarctica Bridge” program, which will fly them from Punta Arenas to King George Island in Antarctica to join the vessel.
Among Silversea’s varied cruises are two that offer the chance to witness the solar eclipse on Dec. 4 from Antarctica, the only place on Earth where it can be viewed in totality.
Le Commandant Charcot’s North Pole First
At the other end of the globe, small ship cruise news includes Ponant’s newly introduced hybrid electric Le Commandant Charcot reaching the geographic North Pole, 90° North — a first for a French ship and for an LNG-powered ship.
Le Commandant Charcot reached 90ª North, as the bridge console shows, on Sept. 6. * Photo: Ponant
The feat was accomplished at 10:38 a.m. Sept. 6, with Capt. Etienne Garcia at the helm and Capt. Patrick Marchesseau at his side.
“I am hugely proud to have been at the helm of the very first French ship to reach the geographic North Pole,” Garcia said. “It is the ultimate achievement of a collective adventure started by Ponant many years ago. I am very grateful to the crew and all the staff on board that have contributed to making this possible.”
Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot is built to navigate in icy conditions. * Photo: Ponant
Wind In The Sails
Sea Cloud Spirit is sailing for Sea Cloud Cruises following its christening at Palma de Mallorca. The festivities had a Spanish flair, fitting for this tall ship built in Spain, at Vigo.
Gabriela Toran, wife of the vessel’s designer Iñigo Echenique, stepped in as godmother after Infanta Elena of Spain had to cancel. The Champagne Toran smashed on the hull had been blessed at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela after it was carried on foot for a 74.5-mile/120-kilometer pilgrimage by Javier Arias-Camisón, Spanish shipping lawyer and the line’s legal representative.
It’s a smash! Godmother Gabriela Toran broke an especially significant bottle of Champagne to name Sea Cloud Spirit. * Photo: Sea Cloud Cruises
Sea Cloud Spirit’s christening party in Palma de Mallorca. * Photo: Sea Cloud Cruises
The 452.7-foot/138-meter windjammer can accommodate up to 136 passengers. It offers some balcony cabins, a wellness area and a fitness center.
Following Sea Cloud Spirit’s Sept. 14 maiden voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome), it will ply the Italian coast between Tuscany and Sicily before redeploying to the Canary Islands from November until April.
For the 2022/23 winter season, Sea Cloud Spirit is scheduled for the Caribbean and Central America, and also will sail from Florida to the smaller islands of the Bahamas, a first for Sea Cloud Cruises.
Riviera Resumes on More Rivers
After resuming service on Portugal’s Douro River in August, Riviera River Cruises is adding more destinations including France’s Seine and Rhône and an additional itinerary on Germany’s Main and the Main-Danube Canal.
Travelers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or present a negative test prior to travel.
Itineraries running through Nov. 22 include “The Douro, Porto and Salamanca;” “The Seine, Paris and Normandy;” “Burgundy, the River Rhône and Provence;” and “Medieval Germany.”
Douro cruises heralded Riviera’s return to Europe’s rivers. * Photo: Riviera River Cruises
Tauck Vaccination Mandate Goes Worldwide
Expanding a policy implemented earlier for its European trips, Tauck now requires all travelers 12 and older to present proof of full vaccination. This applies to tours and cruises globally.
According to Jeremy Palmer, senior vice president, worldwide operations, the move comes as entry requirements have been evolving rapidly around the world. “We’re seeing a steady increase in restaurants, museums and attractions requiring proof of vaccination,” Palmer said, “to the point where unvaccinated travelers won’t be able to fully participate in their Tauck journeys.”
Palmer added that over the past few months Tauck has hosted thousands of travelers on more than 80 itineraries, earning high guest-satisfaction scores. He also anticipated the company’s customers — 97 percent of whom are reported vaccinated — would appreciate the new policy.
Farewell, Crystal Esprit
In other small ship cruise news, Crystal Esprit, the first vessel that joined Crystal’s fleet following its acquisition by Genting Hong Kong in 2015, has been sold to an undisclosed buyer.
Crystal said the Esprit yacht no longer fit into its plans. * Photo: Crystal Cruises
Star Cruises’ former MegaStar Taurus had been upgraded for its conversion into Crystal Esprit. With its own submersible, ample watersports activities and remote itineraries, the 62-passenger, all-suite yacht provided an especially active luxury experience.
In a statement, the company said: “Crystal Esprit has been a wonderful part of the Crystal fleet, offering a boutique yachting experience unmatched in the industry, earning the devotion of discerning travelers and winning awards since her debut in 2015.
“However, as we have been evaluating our focus post-pandemic, the single, small yacht concept does not fit into future plans for the company as we continue to concentrate on the successful deployment of our Crystal ocean, river and expedition fleets, as well as exploring new builds for expansion.”
Aurora Tightens Health Protocols
Australia’s Aurora Expeditions updated its Health & Safety Program developed in partnership with health crisis management company Respond Global.
All crew, expedition team members and passengers must be fully vaccinated four weeks before embarkation (different from the standard two weeks of many companies).
Further, a PCR test is required within 72 hours before sailing. Plus, an antigen test may be mandated at embarkation.
Instead of entering service late this year as planned, the new build Sylvia Earle is now scheduled to debut in April 2022 for an inaugural season in the Americas, including Baja California, the Sea of Cortez and Alaska.
Then the 132-passenger ship will explore the Russian Far East and Pacific islands before joining sister vessel Greg Mortimer in Antarctica for the 2022/23 season.
Sylvia Earle is now scheduled to enter service in April 2022. * Rendering: Aurora Expeditions
Another New Lindblad Expedition Ship Nears Completion
Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Resolution completed sea trials in Norway’s Vartdalfjord, the outermost part of the Storfjord, at the entrance of the iconic Geirangerfjord.
Over three days the ship was put through its paces with a series of tests involving the engines, azipods, navigation systems and emergency maneuvers.
The 126-passenger Resolution is the sister of National Geographic Endurance, which entered service in July in Iceland. Both sport Ulstein Design’s distinctive X-BOW for better seakeeping and fuel efficiency and are built to a high Polar Class 5/Category A ice rating.
Following the trials, National Geographic Resolution returned to Ulstein Verft for final outfitting before its scheduled fourth quarter delivery. Its maiden voyage to Antarctica is set for Nov. 7.
National Geographic Resolution completed sea trials in Norway leading up to its delivery planned for the fourth quarter this year. * Photo: Ulstein Verft
It’s A Treasure Hunt!
Windstar Cruises is doling out clues to a treasure hunt that runs until Oct. 1. Someone will win a cruise for two but there is another massive prize that the winner will be tasked with finding while sailing to a fabled port.
The contest is part of a celebration to commemorate cruising’s return.
More than half of Windstar’s fleet is now operating, carrying all vaccinated crew and passengers.
To find the location of the hidden treasure, players must go online and watch 11 short videos hosted on Windstar’s social channels and on the sweepstakes landing page at WindstarCruises.com.
Windstar Cruises will award a free cruise and give the winner more clues to find another prize.
Each video contains a number, letter or symbol that, strung together, form a Google Plus code revealing the destination with the treasure. Once players crack the code, they can earn up to $200 shipboard credit and are entered to win a cruise.
The winner will then embark on a mega treasure hunt with a partner of their choosing to retrieve the extraordinary grand prize.
RELATED: A Cruise on the Newly Stretched Star Breeze. by Dana Freeman.
UnCruise Ironman Alaska Adventure
Other small ship cruise news includes the Ironman triathlon going to Alaska for the first time in August 2022. And, UnCruise Adventures was selected as the exclusive small boat operator to collaborate with the organizers to offer a taste of adventure in the Alaskan outback.
There is limited space on a 12-night VIP Adventure Charter with Travel Juneau and Ironman Alaska.
The post-race cruise on the 86-passenger Wilderness Legacy sails from Juneau to Seattle along the Inside Passage. Highlights are Misty Fjords National Monument and Glacier Bay National Park.
Wilderness Legacy will be visiting Glacier Bay, here, among other highlights. * Photo: UnCruise Adventures
Reservations are open with an additional incentive of $250 per person savings for athletes, families and solo travelers.
“As a Juneau resident and adopted Tlingit clan member of the killer whale house we have the opportunity to share the beauty of the capital city and the honored lands of the Tlingit people with more visitors than ever,” UnCruise CEO Capt. Dan Blanchard said. “After an iconic 140-mile race in some of Juneau’s most beautiful locations, we can’t wait to show guests what it’s like to adventure in Alaska’s outback, a place unlike anywhere else in the world.”
Wilderness Legacy is expected to fill, with the primary Ironman Alaska registrations already sold out.
Travelers and athletes can enter for the chance to win a cabin for two. Submissions are accepted through Nov. 30 with the winner to be announced Dec. 1.
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HEIDI SARNA
