Cruise news: The land of fire and ice, plant-based cuisine and more

On our cruise radar this week, we have expeditions to the ‘land of fire and ice’, basketball team-ups, plant-based cuisine and more.

Seabourn opens inaugural expedition season

Seabourn has opened for sale its expedition season itineraries for Seabourn Venture, the line’s first ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ship.

Between July 2021 and April 2022, Seabourn Venture will visit a vast number of breathtaking locations and remote destinations in the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as in the Amazon, Caribbean, Central and South America and more.

The ship, which offers all oceanfront veranda suites, is scheduled to visit more than 150 destinations across the globe – many of which few travellers have ever been – and over 65 new or notable destinations with a multitude of new and compelling expedition experiences.

“The ultimate ultra-luxury expedition travel experience”

“We have thoughtfully and carefully designed these expedition itineraries to not just visit but also provide the best authentic destination experiences in some of the most interesting and hard-to-reach locations in the world,” said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn.

“Along with the ultra-luxury lifestyle we are known for, Seabourn Venture’s amazing and immersive voyages will deliver the ultimate ultra-luxury expedition travel experience that our guests will cherish forever.”

The new itineraries include 25 immersive voyages, ranging from seven to 22 days, featuring ample opportunities for travellers to discover diverse wildlife, soak in spectacular scenery and nature, and learn about each region’s colourful history and culture.

Carnival teams up with the Harlem Globetrotters

Carnival Cruise Line has announced an exclusive partnership with the world-famous basketball team, the Harlem Globetrotters, serving as the group’s official cruise line sponsor worldwide.

Combining the Harlem Globetrotters’ high-flying athleticism, theatrical stunts and comedic acts with Carnival’s role as a family cruise specialist, the two ambassadors of fun will bring a new level of excitement to more than 150 of the team’s shows across the country.

The Harlem Globetrotters’ exhibition games will be enhanced by Carnival’s signature brand of fun through in-game integrations, giveaways and joint marketing efforts such as a designated Choose Fun Zone seating area with branded signage, playful décor, special player interactions and more.

Plant-based cuisine

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced the debut of an extensive array of plant-based cuisine on menus across its fleet.

Beginning 1 July 2019, more than 200 gourmet plant-based selections will be offered at breakfast, lunch and dinner to meet the evolving tastes of luxury travellers who are following vegan or vegetarian lifestyles, or hunger to enjoy a more plant-based fare.

“For luxury travellers who are increasingly adding more plant-based cuisine to their meals, we’re offering even more imaginative selections of bold, flavourful appetizers, entrees and desserts, with craveable tastes and mouth-watering presentations,” said Jason Montague, Regent Seven Seas Cruises president and chief executive officer. “Our expanded plant-based cuisine sets the highest benchmark in luxury cruising.”

The land of fire and ice

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) is offering the chance to explore the inspiration behind the setting of the popular ‘Game of Thrones’ TV series.

Iceland is home to one of the world’s most dynamic landscapes, known as the ‘land of fire and ice’. Passengers can discover one of the world’s most dynamic landscapes in Iceland with its lava flows and volcanic craters, geysers and glaciers, bubbling mud pools, geothermal hot springs and dramatic waterfalls. An optional excursion in Reykjavik is the famous Blue Lagoon, a geothermal hot spring, or trips to go whale watching or spotting seals.

Emerald Waterways to celebrate Portugal Day

To mark the celebration of Portugal Day on 10 June, Emerald Waterways is offering complimentary cases of Portuguese inspired wine to guests, who book the eight-day Secrets of the Douro river cruise on the National Day.

Guests will be able to visit the country’s countryside, the terraced vineyards rising from the river banks, the historic landmarks and the townships hidden in the rural hillsides.

Highlights include a dinner hosted at an extra-special traditional rural wine estate in Régua, a sunset cruise through stunning Porto, and a guided canoeing excursion on the Douro River.

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