PONANT EXPLORATIONS launches packaged UK cruise offer
PONANT EXPLORATIONS’s new trade-focused partnership with Aviate marks the first time its fully packaged luxury exploration cruise product will be available to the UK market.
The collaboration, launching this autumn ahead of the 2027 season, will see British travel agents able to sell complete packages combining voyages, flights, transfers and accommodation. The move is designed to remove longstanding barriers for agents, who have traditionally had to build bespoke packages around the line’s itineraries.
Part of the Travel Innovation Group, Aviate will provide a dedicated team to support the rollout, acting as an extension of PONANT’s UK operation and enabling wider distribution through its network of more than 1,200 travel sellers.
The partnership places the travel trade at the centre of PONANT’s UK growth strategy, as the company looks to strengthen relationships with agents and expand its footprint in the market. It also supports the brand’s broader ambition to grow its position in small-ship exploration cruising globally.
PONANT EXPLORATIONS operates a fleet of 13 vessels, including Le Commandant Charcot, offering itineraries across polar regions and remote destinations worldwide. The new agreement is expected to make these voyages more accessible to British travellers while giving agents a more streamlined, sellable product.
Tim Vine and John Archer bring laughs aboard Avalon Waterways
Avalon Waterways is adding a playful twist to river cruising with a one-off itinerary hosted by comedian Tim Vine and magician John Archer.
The eight-day Tim Vine on the Rhine sailing will depart on October 30, 2026, travelling from Amsterdam to Basel. Alongside scenic views of castles, vineyards and historic riverside towns, guests can expect a programme of exclusive comedy performances, magic shows and onboard events.
The themed departure combines entertainment with Avalon’s all-inclusive river cruise offering, including full-board dining, drinks at mealtimes, excursions and gratuities. Accommodation will be in the line’s Panorama Suites, which are larger than standard river cruise cabins.
Lead-in prices start from £2,699pp including flights, with no single supplement available for solo travellers on this departure.
P&O Ferries introduces BSL interpreting service
P&O Ferries has partnered with Convo to roll out a British Sign Language (BSL) video interpreting service across its passenger operations.
The new service allows BSL users to contact booking and customer care teams via a qualified interpreter in real time. Passengers can access the service by scanning a QR code at key touchpoints or by selecting P&O Ferries within the Convo app, connecting instantly to an interpreter who facilitates the conversation.
The initiative forms part of the operator’s broader accessibility strategy, aimed at improving communication for deaf passengers and making travel more inclusive.
Louisa Bell, Passenger Managing Director at P&O Ferries, said the partnership would help ensure customers can access support “in a way that works for them”, adding that accessibility remains a key priority for the business.
Steph Lotz, General Manager at Convo, described the collaboration as a step forward in delivering scalable communication access within the ferry sector.
The launch builds on a range of existing accessibility measures already in place across P&O Ferries’ fleet, including sensory bags, Changing Places facilities on selected Dover–Calais vessels, and participation in the Sunflower lanyard scheme for passengers requiring additional assistance.
