Ponant Heads Down Under

Those looking for a cruise on the more exotic side are increasingly spoiled for choice these days - and that choice is about to get even broader with the latest news from boutique French operator Compagnie du Ponant.

Ponant's new itineraries for the winter 2014/2015 season include seven innovative cruises to Australia and New Zealand, with the new itineraries taking passengers to the South Pacific Ocean and Oceania. Destination highlights include not only Darwin, the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania, but also Auckland and Rotorua, cradle of Maori culture.

The voyages will all aboard the sleek and stylish yacht-like cruiser L’Austral, with 132 staterooms and suites, and a high-quality array of public rooms and dining choices.

Highlights of the eye-catching programme Down Under include:
 

• Combining wide open spaces with the delicate “French Touch” on board the latest generation luxury yacht.
• Zodiac® outings with experienced naturalist-guides to explore unspoiled wildlife.
• Expedition programmes designed to explore Australia’s most emblematic sites and meet the Aborigines.
• Snorkelling in the turquoise blue waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
• Discovering New Zealand, an archipelago on the edge of the world, and Maori culture.

Ponant offers seven departures between December 12, 2014, and February 2015 on board L’Austral, from just €2,150 per person, cruise only.

More info: call 0800 980 4027 or visit www.ponant.com.

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A Rare Sub-Antarctic Voyage With Zegrahm

20-Day Luxury Voyage Travels from Tasmania to New Zealand to Explore some of the World’s Most Remote and Wildlife-Rich Islands

Zegrahm Expeditions is delighted to have been granted exclusive access to visit the fragile Sub-Antarctic Islands as part of its November expedition, Tasmania to New Zealand: A Voyage through the Sub-Antarctic Islands. With wildlife encounters that rival destinations like South Georgia and the Galápagos, the Sub-Antarctic Islands offer opportunities for travellers to spot more than half the world’s albatross species; eight penguin species, including five endemics; huge numbers and varieties of birds; as well as elephant, leopard, and fur seals; unique marsupials; and dolphins.

Highlights of Zegrahm’s exploration of this amazing area include:

Macquarie Island: One of the premier wildlife sites in the world, Macquarie Island features vast numbers of penguins, albatross and seals, and is the only place on the planet where you can find royal penguins.

Campbell Island: Enjoy up-close views of southern royal albatross, second in size to the wandering albatross, the largest of all flying birds. The combination of broad bays, vertical headlands, and surf-washed beaches is a photographer's dream.

Enderby Island: Sheltered by a canopy of twisted and gnarled rata forest, travellers will find red-crowned parakeets, yellow-eyed penguins, royal albatross, light-mantled sooty albatross and some of the rarest endemics in the world - Auckland shag, Auckland flightless teal and the snipe - plus beaches covered with Hooker's sea lions.

Snares Islands: Home to millions of seabirds that darken the sky each dawn and dusk, along with the endemic Snares crested penguin.

In addition to these amazing wildlife encounters, adventurers will be treated to five days exploring Tasmania and cruising through New Zealand’s picturesque Dusty, Doubtful and Milford sounds. This 20-day journey aboard the all-suite, 100-passenger Caledonian Sky takes place November 25-December 14 and is priced from $13,980 per person.

For more info, visit www.zegrahm.com and for more adventure-cruise ideas, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure cruising specialists.

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Regent's Big Deal Down Under

Regent Seven Cruises have passed on some great special offers so far this year, but this latest one is a real eye-opener, especially if you are interested in a cruise in New Zealand waters, with a lot of extras.

Here's what they have to offer:

Sydney to Auckland

Take a cruise on Seven Seas Voyager (above) and enjoy a specially-priced voyage, with a night's luxury hotel stay pre-cruise, 10 nights aboard the all-inclusive six-star ship and the chance to enjoy a pre or post-cruise land tour.

The voyage sails on January 7, 2014 and is now priced at just £3,999pp (was £4,789pp), based on two people sharing an H category suite (subject to availability). Highlights: Sydney, cruising Doubtful Sound, Dunedin, Akaroa, Picton, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland, with up to 13 FREE excursions, PLUS a 3-night pre or post cruise land programme from just £599 per person. Choose from: Sydney and beyond, including a tour to the Blue Mountains or Hunter Valley; Luxury retreat in Australian Bush; or New Zealand countryside and wineries.

As ever, Regent promise the most inclusive luxury cruise experience, with free flights and transfers, free 1-night pre-cruise Luxury Hotel Package (in Concierge Suites and above), unlimited shore excursions on every cruise, and fully inclusive onboard, including fine dining, premium spirits and fine wines, gratuities and entertainment. 

For bookings, follow this link to our sponsors, The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.