Cruising News Magazine Cruising News February 2019 | Page 8

First Full Season of Alaska Voyages in 2020 Cunard has announced it will spend a full season in Alaska from June through to September 2020 on the newly-refurbished Queen Elizabeth and is making its long-awaited return to Alaska in May this year after a 20- year break – and due to high demand the line will more than double their program in 2020. The expanded program will offer nine roundtrip sailings departing Vancouver, ranging from nine to 12 nights, plus a special cruise to San Francisco including an overnight stay on Independence Day. Guests will have the opportunity to take in the breathtaking beauty of Alaska – the Great Land – with its awe- inspiring landscapes and magnificent wildlife whilst enjoying the very best in luxury on board Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth. “We had an incredible response to Cunard reinstating voyages to the beautiful Alaska frontier and are delighted to be offering more than double the number of Cunard sailings for 2020,” Simon Palethorpe, President, Cunard said. Each Alaska voyage will feature stunning destinations along the Northwest Pacific coast of Alaska and British Columbia including Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka and more. In addition, the voyages offer more than 120 excursions to choose from, including scenic cruising in the narrow waterways of the Inside Passage, the Hubbard Glacier and Sawyer Glacier’s twin fjords, Tracy Arm and Endicott Arm. Guests have the opportunity to combine voyages together, including the Alaska roundtrips from Vancouver and the North Pacific Crossings to and from Tokyo. Cunard will also continue its partnership with Rocky Mountaineer, offering pre and post cruise tours on the famous railroad. Silversea Continues to Unlock Remarkable Experiences successful day. Cruising in a distinctly different ecosystem to that of Silver Cloud, Silver Discoverer will enable guests to explore Australia’s Kimberley Coast throughout 2019, showcasing the destination’s beautiful landscapes, remarkable wildlife, and fascinating aboriginal history, among other alluring features. Offering truly immersive experiences in the region, Silversea guests will journey to the King George Falls by Zodiac, getting close enough to feel the spray from the 80m twin cascades; witness Aboriginal rock art dating back more than 50,000 years; and spot spectacular wildlife, including the saltwater crocodile, rare bird species, and various reptiles. Many other memorable experiences will ensure a once-in-a-lifetime voyage. In its 10th year of expedition cruising Silversea Cruises is continuing to unlock a broad range of deep travel experiences for guests. From the cool conditions of Antarctica to the warm climates of Australia and beyond, Silversea’s guests will explore over 900 destinations in 2019. Standout experiences include a recent trip to the isolated waters of the 66th parallel south and a number of upcoming voyages in the spectacular Kimberley region. 8 Issue 29 On 13 January, Silversea’s Silver Cloud journeyed to the 66th parallel south, crossing into the Antarctic Circle, the first time the ship has ventured so far south. Guests were rewarded with a special ‘Red Nose’ ceremony on the pool deck, and shortly after, a record 98 guests celebrated with a polar plunge, followed by informative lectures and trivia games. Guests even spotted humpback whales as the ship sailed northward, rounding off a “Many travellers who visit the Kimberley Coast share the opinion that it is a life-changing destination,” says Adam Armstrong, Silversea’s Managing Director for Australia & New Zealand. “This remote and unspoiled region is a truly unique place that is best explored by ship. Silversea’s trademark level of comfort and exemplary service complement the immersive experiences on offer to make these expedition voyages unforgettable for guests.”