Author Archives: Andrew Castles

 

 

Read below for details of our 2026/27 Earlybird Fares!

 

Yasawa Princess’s return to cruising the waters of the Maldives is drawing closer, and we’ve received a teaser as to what we can expect from the refurbished small ship upon her return. The operators of the 56-passenger vessel have provided us with a series of renders, showcasing a completely modernised vessel that delivers a real “WOW” factor.

 

 

Yasawa Princess operates 7 & 14-night sailings from Male, the capital of the Maldives, with a focus on uninhabited islands, sand cays, snorkelling, diving and beach relaxation. Withdrawn from service earlier this year to allow the refurbishment of the vessel to take place, the ship will resume operations on 10 November 2025, in time for the peak cruising season in the Maldives which lasts through to April. 

As we can see from the renders supplied to us, the ship’s stylings have been elevated to an entirely new level and promises travellers the opportunity to explore the waters of the Maldives in style. You can check out some of the before and after photos below.

 

 

Refurbishments to the dining room have created a light and airy space. 'Old' above, 'New' below.

 

 

 

The sun deck now offers the opportunity for al fresco dining and relaxing afternoon drinks. 'Old' above, 'New' below.

 

 

Cruise fares for the 7-night cruise (departures between November 2025 & April 2026.) in a Lower Deck cabin are USD $1,995.00 per person, twin share, while the 14-night cruise is priced at USD $3,990.00 in the same cabin type. The rates are based on the ‘all-inclusive’ fares aboard the ship, which includes accommodations, meals, activities and standard alcohol during your stay aboard. Flights and pre / post cruise accommodations are not included in the fare.

 

 

See the 7-night Itinerary

See the 14-night Itinerary

 

MALDIVES 2026/27 EARLYBIRD PRICING

Join the 56-passenger Yasawa Princess on a 14-night cruise discovering the 'Best of the Maldives' and make HUGE savings with our 2026/27 Earlybird Prices.

A limited number of cabins are available on this special offer when you book with Expedition Cruise Specialists by 30 January 2026.

 

Travel Dates

The special prices are available on the following 2026 / 27 cruise dates (14-night cruises):

 

09 November 2026

23 November 2026

07 December 2026

29 March 2027

12 April 2027

 

Earlybrid Prices

Twin Share

Lower Main Deck - USD $2,499 per person (normally USD $3,990)

A Deck - USD $2,785 per person (normally USD $4,395)

Bridge Deck - USD $3,275 per person (normally USD $5,190)

 

Single Traveller

Lower Main Deck - USD $3,232 per person (normally USD $5,124)

A Deck - USD $3,597 per person (normally USD $5,725)

Bridge Deck - USD $4,230 per person (normally USD $6,735)

 

To reserve your place aboard the refurbished Yasawa Princess, give the team at Expedition Cruise Specialists a call today on 1800 90 20 80 or fill in the form below for one of our experts contact you.

 

The renders were supplied by the operator of the Yasawa Princess, Deep Blue Holidays, on 07 September 2025. They are representative of the works to be completed, although some changes / amendments to the renders may be made during the actual refurbishment.  

* Valid for new bookings only made from 11 September 2025 until 30 January 2026 or until withdrawn or sold out. Not combinable with any other promotion or offer. Please note that a limited number of cabins are available at Earlybird prices on each cruise. Prices are in United States Dollars.

 

 

It’s long been our Amazon Rainforest bucket list cruise, and now the Delfin I’s luxe status has been enhanced following a stunning refurb in early 2025.

Returning to service in Peru’s Pacaya Samiria National Reserve during April, the re-imagined Delfin I combines classical design with contemporary updates. Accommodating just eight expeditioners in four luxuriously-appointed, oversized suites, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime Amazon experience. Each Master Suite features a private panoramic terrace - while the two Deluxe Suites add a private whirlpool for real ‘WOW factor’. There’s also floor-to-ceiling windows, inviting the sights and sounds of the Amazon rainforest directly into your suite, ensuring an immersive connection with nature. You will also enjoy newly remodelled bathrooms, while your suite will be serviced three times each day to ensure you feel totally pampered.

 

 

On Delfin 1’s top deck, travellers can relax in a newly-designed lounge area, which comes complete with comfy sofas and a big screen tv, while panoramic windows are likely to draw your eyes to the rainforest views outside. You can enjoy handcrafted cocktails at the bar and stargaze under one of the clearest skies in the world. These thoughtful enhancements reflect Delfin’s commitment to creating elevated, small-group experiences while harmonising with the natural environment. 

 

 

In the intimate dining room, you will embark on a culinary journey through Peru and the Amazon. In 2017, Delfin Amazon Cruises became the first cruise line in the world to be accepted into the prestigious Relais & Châteaux family. This recognition recognises not only Delfin’s culinary excellence but also a deep commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and unparalleled service. Delfin believes that every dish should tell a story, crafted by expert local chefs who work with seasonal produce to bring the region’s most extraordinary menus to life. 

 

 

The chefs work closely with local producers, ensuring that every ingredient is fresh, sustainable, and deeply tied to the region. This philosophy extends beyond the kitchen - Delfin maintains its own seasonal garden in Iquitos, an educational initiative that teaches local children about sustainable farming and nutrition.

 

 

There’s also been stylish updates to the ship’s exterior, including an air-conditioned observation deck and observatory balconies. The vessel’s new solar panels generate clean energy, further advancing Delfin’s pledge to sustainability and stewardship of the Amazon. 

 

 

Delfin 1 operates year-round three- and four-night cruises through the Upper Peruvian Amazon, where the Andes mountains yield to dense jungle. Spanning over 5 million acres, the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve is the largest protected flooded forest on Earth. During your cruise, you will be accompanied by naturalists and local guides as you visit untouched communities ashore or kayak through the rainforest. Comfortable skiffs get you up close and personal with wildlife including pink river dolphins, sloths and myriad birdlife. 

We’re often asked by our travellers about the best time of year to experience the Peruvian Amazon. Keep in mind that The Amazon is warm and humid year-round, with daily temperatures typically averaging between a minimum 21°C (70°F) and maximum 33°C (95°F).  However, the landscape transforms with the two distinct ‘water seasons’:

• High-water season (December to May) – 85% of the reserve is flooded, allowing deeper exploration by boat into hidden lagoons and forest canopies.
• Low-water season (June to November) – Water levels recede, revealing trails and riverbanks, ideal for walking excursions and wildlife sightings.

 

 

A Delfin 1 cruise through the Amazon Rainforest truly is an unforgettable adventure. Experiences like this don’t come cheap though, with the 3-night cruise starting at USD $5,000 per person and the 4-night cruise at USD $6,600 per person. It is important to keep in mind that you’re travelling in an intimate group of no more than four couples, enjoying luxurious surrounds, outstanding dining and incredible small group naturalist-led excursions. This is a travel experience that will live on in your memory forever.

If your budget simply cannot extend that far, the larger 44-passenger sister-ship Delfin III offers similar itineraries, priced at approximately 25% below Delfin 1 prices.

To find out more about Delfin’s 2025 & 2026 Amazon cruises, contact the team at Expedition Cruises Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80 or visit https://www.expeditioncruisespecialists.com/ships/delphini

 

 

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With the 2025 expedition season gearing up on Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast, one of our favourite small-ships, the 32-passenger Eco Abrolhos is debuting a new, refreshed look for her Lower Deck cabins.

Ideally suited to friends travelling together, those on a budget or even single travellers (due to the low single supplement), Lower Deck cabins offer a comfortable home-away-from-home as you experience the Kimberley Coast aboard a true small ship. The cabins feature upper and lower berths, a porthole, air-conditioning, and importantly, a private en suite. 

 

 

Normally priced at $13,115 per person twin share, we’ve got a handful of cabins available on selected 2025 dates on offer at $11,500 per person, twin share or $12,500 for single travellers.

If you’re after a bit more space, there’s still a handful of Queen Staterooms and the ever-popular King Bed Deluxe Staterooms available across the 2025 Eco Abrolhos Kimberley Season, with some keen pricing on offer, so give our team today a call to find out the best deals currently on offer. 

 

 

The Eco Abrolhos expedition itinerary takes all guests on a complete Kimberley journey – starting at Broome and finishing at Wyndham or vice versa. By visiting the key sites regularly, the Eco crew know the hotspots, where’s safe to swim, where the wildlife lives, the best fishing holes and where to find the largest variety of birdlife.

Their 13-night journeys are not just thrown together on the run. These expeditions are planned over 18 months in advance to correspond exactly with the best tides and moon phases for each voyage. The longer duration also enables Eco Abrolhos to set off on a spring tide (the largest tides) and finish 14 days later also on a spring tide. This planning is critical to provide the ship the greatest water depth (and assistance from the currents) to get into places like the Berkeley and King George rivers and provide guests the maximum “Wow factor” and water movement at iconic locations such as Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef, all of which are at the start or end of each expedition.

To find out more about Eco Abrolhos and her 2025 Kimberley Cruises, or to take advantage of these special prices, call the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80. 

 

Discover the Eco Abrolhos

 

See the Kimberley Itinerary

 

2025 Eco Abrolhos Kimberley Cruise Schedule

 

Broome to Wyndham - 15 to 28 May 2025

 

Wyndham to Broome - 30 May to 12 June 2025

 

Broome to Wyndham - 14 to 27 June 2025

 

Wyndham to Broome - 29 June to 12 July 2025

 

Broome to Wyndham - 14 to 27 July 2025 

 

Wyndham to Broome - 29 July to 11 August 2025 

 

Broome to Wyndham - 13 to 26 August 2025 

 

Wyndham to Broome - 28 August to 10 September 2025

 

 

 

If an expedition cruise on the Amazon River takes pride of place on your travel bucket list you’ll have a lot of important decisions to make when researching and planning your adventure. So, check out our two-minute guide for answers to the top questions about cruising the Amazon River.

There are three key questions you will need to answer when working out which Amazon River cruise will best suit you:

·      Which part of the Amazon to focus on?

·      Which river ship to select?

·      High or low water itineraries?

 

Here’s all the expert advice you need.

 

Which Part of the Amazon River to Cruise?

 

Did you know that the Amazon River and its tributaries flow for 6,437 kilometres through six countries before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean? That’s a lot of river to explore, however the best expedition and river ships concentrate on exploring three main areas of the Amazon region; In Peru, a section of the river near Iquitos, Brazil’s Amazon near Manaus, and the Napo River (a tributary of the Amazon) in Ecuador.

Whilst there is not a lot of difference between the scenery, flora and fauna and wildlife in each region, there are some considerations to make.

 

 

 

 

Firstly, the Brazilian Amazon River is the widest and most commercially developed. You’ll see lots of boat traffic and also be sharing the river with large cruise ships carrying thousands of travellers. Most Brazilian cruises depart from Manaus, a heaving city of more than two million, and expeditions often include stops in other local communities such as Santarem and Parintins. Brazilian Amazon itineraries are considered to place more emphasis on people and cultures than similar cruises in Peru or Ecuador, which tend to be very focused on nature and wildlife.

The major drawcard of a Brazilian Amazon cruise is the ‘Meeting of the Waters’, near Manaus, where two major tributaries - the light brown Solimoes River and the blackwater Negro River - come together and run alongside each other for several miles without merging.

 

 

 

 

The Peruvian section of the Amazon is quieter and less developed than the Brazilian section, and also has some of the most luxurious ships to choose from. Most options sail out of the small city of Iquitos (a short flight from Lima), or the nearby town of Nauta. There are no scheduled port stops on these cruises; instead the ships ply the tranquil waters of the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, with the itinerary changing from trip to trip to take advantage of water levels and wildlife viewing opportunities. Of course, one of the great things about choosing an Amazon cruise in Peru is that you can easily combine your trip with visits to two of Peru’s other world famous sites; the ancient Inca ruins of Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.

The third region where you can consider a cruise is Ecuador. A couple of operators run expeditions into Yasuni National Park, which is located on the Napo River, one of the tributaries of the Amazon River proper. Highlights of the cruise include fantastic wildlife viewing, including clay licks that attract thousands of colourful parrots and macaws. If this option is appealing to you, why not combine your Amazon cruise with an expedition in Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands – speak to our expedition cruise specialists for more details!

 

 

 

 

Which Amazon River ships are best?

 

After you’ve chosen which part of the Amazon you want to concentrate on, it’s then a matter of choosing the best ship. But it can be hard to differentiate between all the various choices and that’s where the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists comes in.

We’ve done all the hard work for you and selected just the very best ships in each region. That means you can rest assured that you will be travelling with an experienced operator, with the best guides, relevant accreditations and safety standards and of course the highest quality ships.  Here’s the  river ships we recommend for Brazil, Peru and Ecuador.

 

 

 

 

 

Brazilian Amazon

Tucano

The 16-passenger motor yacht Tucano was built in the tradition of the steamboats that navigated the Amazon in the late 19th century. Tucano is not a luxury vessel like some of its counterparts in the Peruvian and Ecuadorian Amazon, and some of the cabins are larger than the others, but most travellers agree that the boat is comfortable and elegant. Tucano prides itself on offering the most authentic experience in the Brazilian Amazon and Rio Negro.

 

 

 

 

Peruvian Amazon

Delfin I, II & III

4, 5 & 8 day expeditions

The Delfin fleet of three ships offers something for everyone. Our favourite is the intimate eight  passenger Delfin I, check out those jaw-dropping cabins! The Delfin II and III are larger vessels, accommodating around 40 guests each and also provide an outstanding expeditions into the heart of Pacaya Samiria National Reserve.

 

 

 

 

Aria Amazon & Aqua Nera

4, 5 & 8 day expeditions

The 32 passenger Aria Amazon was designed by famed Peruvian architect Jordi Puig. The word that best describes this ship is ‘style’. Aria Amazon features extremely generous dining and lounging areas, including an outdoor river facing jacuzzi. Floor to ceiling windows face the Amazon River in the ship’s 16 Design Suites, each measuring 23 square metres (250 square feet).

The latest addition to the Aqua Expeditions fleet is the stylish 40-passenger Aqua Nera, launched in 2020. Aboard the Aqua Nera, award-winning architects Noor Design crafts every space to perfection. The vessel’s 20 spacious Design Suites convey a sense of Amazon tranquility, while the social spaces showcase refined elegance with a touch of drama. 

 

 

 

 

Ecuadorian Amazon

Anakonda

4, 5 & 8 day expeditions

The 40-passenger Anakonda riverboat is the only luxury boutique Amazon cruise winding its way through Ecuador's 'El Oriente' Amazon region. Anakonda features an expansive observation deck complete with loungers and an outdoor Jacuzzi. A comfortable al fresco lounge offers panoramic views along the river and is an ideal spot for cocktails, relaxation, reading or simply enjoying the view. Anakonda's expert naturalist guides and special travel concierge go out of their way to ensure you a personalised cruise experience. 

 

 

 

 

When to cruise the Amazon? High or Low Water Itineraries

 

The time of year you cruise the Amazon can have a large bearing on what you can expect to see. The reality is, that being in the rainforest you can expect regular rainfall, which is why we no longer call the two seasons the “wet” and the “dry”. Instead, we can look at the seasons as either “high water” (January to May) or “low water” (the rest of the year).

If travelling in the “high water” period, you can expect to see many birds and monkeys in the branches of the flowering trees lining the river banks, attracted by fruits and blooming flowers after the major tropical downpours. Given the landscapes may be flooded and quite wet, you might expect to spend less time hiking ashore during this period.

 

 

 

 

After the major tropical storms have subsided, the river waters again begin to subside, and the ‘low water season’ means travellers can expect to see the sandy beaches that line the Amazon, and enjoy plenty of opportunity to travel ashore with local guides to explore on foot.

Are you interested in learning more about Amazon River cruising options? Call the expert team at Expedition cruise Specialists today on 1800 900 20 80 (or +61 7 4041 2101 if calling from outside Australia) for more tips and advice.

 

Want more? Read our article ranking the Amazon River’s Most Luxurious Cruise Cabins.

 

Sign up to our monthly e-news to receive more articles like this and the latest information on adventure and expedition cruising directly from us.

 

 

 

Images supplied by Tucano, Aqua Expeditions, Delfin Amazon Cruises and Anakonda Amazon Cruises

 

If Antarctica has always been on your travel bucket list, but fares have kept this destination out of your reach, last-minute travellers can make big savings on upcoming Antarctica expeditions when they cruise with one of the leaders in global polar cruising Oceanwide Expeditions.

There’s a number of exciting expeditions to choose from, departing from Ushuaia or Puerto Madryn aboard Oceanwide’s fleet of three expedition ships, the state-of-the-art Hondius and classic vessels Plancius and Ortelius. Itineraries on offer include the Basecamp Hondius voyage, which is designed for active adventurers, Ortelius’s voyage into the heart of the Weddell Sea in search of Emperor Penguins and Plancius’s comprehensive 21-day Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica.

For a limited time, you can make big savings off normal prices on these expeditions, and on selected departures each traveller will also receive complimentary Zeiss 8x32 Terra binoculars, valued at $600,  to make that penguin spotting even easier!

 

Basecamp Hondius – Departing Ushuaia 01 November 2024

SAVE UP TO 40% PLUS receive FREE Zeiss 8x32 Terra binoculars

 

 

Designed specifically for more adventurous travellers, Oceanwide’s 13-day Basecamp programmes offer a range of daily activities including kayaking, zodiac adventures, mountaineering, Antarctic camping, snowshoeing and more.

 

Click here to find out more about Basecamp Adventures

 

See Hondius's Antarctica Basecamp Itinerary 

 

On this incredible adventure, you’ll cruise aboard the state-of-the-art Hondius. Launched as the world’s first Polar Class 6 expedition ship, Hondius is truly designed to take you deep into the polar regions, and with a maximum capacity of just 170 expeditioners, you’ll have plenty of time to get onto the ice to explore.

 

 

Basecamp Hondius

Ship: Hondius

Departs 01 November 2024

13 Days Ushuaia to Ushuaia

 

Last-minute Prices

All prices are per person, twin share in United States Dollars (USD)

 

Twin Porthole – USD $7,500

Twin Window – USD $7,750

Twin Deluxe – USD $7,800

Superior – USD $8,050

Junior Suite – USD $8,300

Grand Suite with Balcony – USD $9,200

 

 

 

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Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica – Departing Puerto Madryn 18 October 2024

SAVE UP TO 35% PLUS receive FREE Zeiss 8x32 Terra binoculars

 

 

This comprehensive itinerary covers the Falkland Islands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula. You’ll visit some of the most beautiful arrays of wildlife on Earth. This journey will introduce you to at least six species of penguin and a whole lot of Antarctic fur seals!

 

Find out more about your expedition ship, Plancius

 

Accommodating just 108 expeditioners, the classic Plancius was originally launched as a polar research vessel, before being reconfigured as an expedition ship taking adventurers to the polar regions. Regularly refurbished, she offers comfortable onboard facilities and excellent access into all corners of Antarctica.

 

 

Falkland Islands, South Georgia & Antarctica

Ship: Plancius

Departs 18 October 2024

21 Days Puerto Madryn to Ushuaia

 

Last-minute Prices

All prices are per person, twin share in United States Dollars (USD)

 

Quad Porthole – USD $9,650

Triple Porthole – USD $10,750

Twin Porthole – USD $10,750

Twin Window – USD $11,700

Superior – USD $13,500

 

 

 

 

Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin – Departing Ushuaia 20 November 2024

SAVE UP TO 20% on remaining cabins

 

 

A true expedition, Ortelius’s Weddell Sea cruise sets out to explore the range of the Emperor Penguins near rarely-visited Snow Hill Island. You will also have the opportunity to tour the area via Ortelius’s helicopter and see a variety of other birds and penguins including Adélies and Gentoos.

 

See the Weddell Sea Itinerary

 

Find out more about your ship, Ortelius

 

The ice-strengthened Ortelius accommodates just 108 expeditioners, and travels with helicopters, allowing exploration further from the mother ship. This helicopter capability gives you the rare chance to see the famed emperor penguin rookery south of Snow Hill Island, numbering around 4,000 breeding pairs. The thrilling helicopter flights make this search possible, enabling you to land in locations otherwise inaccessible this early in the season.

 

 

Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin, incl. helicopters

Ship: Ortelius

Departs 20 November 2024

11 Days Ushuaia to Ushuaia

 

Last-minute Prices

All prices are per person, twin share in United States Dollars (USD)

 

Quad Porthole – USD $9,700

Twin Porthole – USD $11,050

Twin Window – USD $11,500

Superior – USD $12,650

 

 

 

 

Antarctica Discovery & Learning – Departing Ushuaia 30 November 2024

SAVE UP TO 30% PLUS receive FREE Zeiss 8x32 Terra binoculars AND FREE Kayaking

 

 

For those travellers with limited time, this Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands expedition aboard the polar-strengthened Ortelius delivers you into a landscape of dark rugged rock, pure white snow, and a fantastic variety of wildlife. Come say hello to whales, seals, and thousands of penguins.

 

Find out more about your ship, Ortelius

 

On this trip, Ortelius’s 108 adventurers will have the opportunity to take part in an Antarctic Navigational Workshop. Be part of a true polar expedition at locations such as Wauwermans Islands (close to Anvers Island), where the ship’s navigational experts will chart and make depth measurements while you explore the area in zodiac boats and kayaks. Navigation workshops and presentations about historic Antarctic voyages are also part of this exciting activity-based expedition.

 

 

Antarctica Discovery & Learning

Ship: Ortelius

Departs 30 November 2024

11 Days Ushuaia to Ushuaia

 

Last-minute Prices

All prices are per person, twin share in United States Dollars (USD)

 

Quad Porthole – USD $7,900

Twin Porthole – USD $6,300

Twin Window – USD $6,550

Twin Deluxe – USD $7,000

Superior – USD $7,500

 

 

 

To book your 2024 Oceanwide Expeditions Antarctica cruise call the expert team at Expedition Cruise Specialists today on 1800 90 20 80 or fill in the form below and one of our team will contact you shortly to discuss this special offer.

 

Have a question or would like a call back from our Antarctic experts?

 

 

Terms & Conditions: All offers are valid for new bookings only made from 31 July 2024 on selected cruise dates until sold out or withdrawn. The offers may not be combined with any other deal. Prices are cruise only from cruise departure point and do not include return airfares or pre / post cruise hotels. All prices are per person, twin share (unless specified) in United States Dollars (USD).