Cruise line Swan Hellenic has launched a major new sales initiative across a wide range of its expedition cruises.
The campaign, titled Elevated Expeditions, applies to bookings made between now and the end of February and features savings of up to US$1,500 per guest on selected sailings worldwide. Guests can also benefit from up to US$500 onboard credit per person, complimentary wi-fi upgrades and additional incentives for group bookings of eight guests or more.
As part of the promotion, Swan Hellenic is also rewarding the trade, with travel agents receiving up to US$500 bonus commission on every booking. Group bookings of eight or more benefit from extra onboard credits, bonus amenity points that can be used to customise guest experiences, and elevated commission levels for travel advisors.
The sale covers a portfolio of 78 voyages ranging from six to 32 nights, exploring remote wilderness regions alongside iconic cultural and historic destinations. It spans sailings across the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America.
Guests can choose from Swan Hellenic’s three boutique expedition vessels, with departures running from March 5, 2026 through to October 28, 2027.
The Elevated Expeditions campaign comes with no booking restrictions, allowing guests to reserve multiple voyages, including back-to-back itineraries, in order to create extended periods of exploration while maximising savings.
Agents can win festive prizes with Scenic and Emerald
Travel agents can win a range of festive prizes this Christmas with a new giveaway from the Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours and Emerald Cruises trade team.
Running until December 24, the competition features 12 prizes inspired by the luxury cruise brands. Rewards include a Taste of Fortnum’s Hamper, a Hotel Chocolat Classic Cabinet box and a helicopter experience for two.
To enter, agents are required to visit the Scenic and Emerald Cruises Totally Trade Facebook page and correctly answer a question linked to the cruise lines’ ships or itineraries. One agent with the correct answer to each question will be selected at random and contacted directly by the Scenic and Emerald Cruises trade team.
Jonathan Davies, Head of Sales at Scenic Group, said the initiative was designed to recognise and thank the trade community for its continued support.
“Christmas is the perfect moment to celebrate the incredible work of our travel agent community,” he said.
“We know that unforgettable journeys begin long before guests step on board; they begin with the expertise, passion and dedication of our trade partners. Our festive giveaway is our way of saying thank you for the unwavering support and strong relationships that drive our industry forward.”
scenic.co.uk; emeraldcruises.co.uk
Deals at their Peak with Ambassador
Ambassador Cruise Line has launched its new Peaks campaign, offering a range of deals on selected sailings, headlined by half-price drinks.
Available to guests booking between December 18, 2025 and February 12, 2026, the campaign includes savings of 50% on the Ambassador Fare on selected cruises across the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons. The discounted fare includes the Expedition Drinks Package.
The Expedition Drinks Package covers premium and house brand spirits and wines by the glass, premium teas and coffees, non-alcoholic beverages including unlimited soft drinks, all gratuities and service charges, as well as preferential dinner sitting selection.
The per-person offer applies to guests travelling with family or friends, as well as solo travellers, and spans a wide range of no-fly itineraries. Sailings are available on Ambience, Ambassador’s first lady of the sea, operating from London Tilbury, and Ambition, which sails from Tilbury and six regional ports: Newcastle, Dundee, Liverpool, Belfast, Bristol and Portsmouth.
As part of the Peaks campaign, Ambassador is also highlighting enhanced offers for solo travellers. Following strong demand, the cruise line is providing attractive single supplements across all four solo cabin categories for both the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons.
Solo guests can take part in a dedicated programme of onboard events, lunches and drinks, including an introductory meet-up and a Welcome Cocktail Party on sailings of six nights or more, while retaining the option to enjoy independent time on board.
In addition, Ambassador is promoting incentives for group bookings of 15 guests or more. Groups can benefit from a 5% discount on selected sailings for full-paying adults, with one free place offered for groups of 25 adults and two free places for groups of 50 adults. Group bookings also include a welcome cocktail party on board and preferential dining arrangements.
Expedition cruise set for strong growth in 2026
Expedition cruise sales continued to accelerate in 2025, with all expedition cruise operators and nearly two-thirds of travel trade professionals reporting year-on-year growth, according to new research from The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN).
Findings from The Expedition Cruise Network 2025–2026 Insights Report show that 100% of ECN expedition cruise operator members recorded growth in 2025, while 62% of travel trade professionals also reported increased sales.
This represents a sharp rise compared with ECN’s 2023 Insights Report, when just 33% of advisors reported growth and 71% of operators saw increased sales. In just two years, advisor-reported growth has almost doubled, while operator growth has risen by nearly a third.
The research also highlights rapid expansion across ECN itself, with operator membership increasing from 18 to 30 and the number of affiliated travel trade professionals growing from 900 to 2,400 over the same period.
For the 2025/26 report, ECN gathered insights from expedition cruise operators, travel advisors and more than 11,000 consumers, revealing an increasingly complex and competitive expedition cruise market.
Demand remains strongest in the polar regions, with Antarctica continuing to lead as the most visited, fastest-growing and highest-demand destination. The Arctic follows closely, particularly Greenland, Svalbard and the Canadian High Arctic. Elsewhere, strong interest is being seen in the Galápagos, South America, Patagonia, the Amazon, Alaska and the west coast of North America, as well as Australia’s Kimberley region and the wider South Pacific. Africa is also emerging as a growing expedition cruise destination.
In high-demand regions such as Antarctica, Svalbard and the Galápagos, demand is rising faster than available capacity. Operators are responding through shorter itineraries, extended seasons and carefully managed capacity increases within regulatory limits. Despite this, overcapacity and market saturation continue to be cited by operators as key concerns, mirroring findings from 2023. Average load factors in 2025 ranged between 87% and 93%.
Sustainability also emerged as both a driver of demand and a growing challenge. Consumers cited wildlife encounters, remote destinations, learning opportunities and engagement with local communities and cultures as key motivations for booking expedition cruises. Meanwhile, travel trade professionals called for clearer, standardised sustainability information to better compare brands and communicate value to clients.
While operators are investing in lower-impact vessels, scientific partnerships, conservation initiatives and new technologies, the report notes that sustainability transparency remains inconsistent across the sector. ECN concluded that improving clarity and education around sustainability will be critical to maintaining trust and supporting long-term growth.
Akvile Marozaite, CEO of Expedition Cruise Network, said she was encouraged by the findings, particularly the role of the trade in driving growth.
“I’m delighted to find that the expedition cruise sector is growing and importantly, growing through the trade in The ECN’s Insights Report 2025–2026,” she said.
“With economic uncertainty, increased scrutiny in sustainability, diversity of product and destinations, travel trade professionals need clarity in product differentiation, in-depth training and more support than ever before if they are to provide inspiration and reassurance to a broader range of curious travellers.
“With a significant proportion of new customers in the sector, the opportunity for growth is clear but it will only be realised if the industry works together.”
Zuiderdam unveils new enhancements
Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam has returned to service following a two-week dry dock in the Bahamas, unveiling a series of onboard enhancements.
The Vista-class ship departed Miami on December 6 on a 17-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruise, showcasing upgrades that include a redesigned Crow’s Nest, the addition of new ocean view staterooms and refreshed interiors across public spaces and accommodation.
The Crow’s Nest lounge has been reimagined with a new bandstand-style stage, created to support more intimate performances and events. The venue has also been fitted with upgraded lighting and audio systems to host live music, lectures and speaking engagements.
As part of the refit, 11 new ocean view staterooms were added on decks one and seven. All verandah staterooms on decks five through to 10 received new carpeting, along with Neptune, Signature and Pinnacle suites.
Further stateroom upgrades include full bathroom refurbishments in verandah staterooms on deck eight, featuring new mirrors, bathtubs, flooring and wall finishes. Around 300 additional staterooms across the ship were also updated with new bathroom flooring and refreshed wallpaper.
Public areas throughout Zuiderdam have also been refreshed. New carpeting has been installed in the Dining Room, Lido Market, Canaletto, guest corridors, stairwells, elevator lobbies and the Greenhouse Spa and Salon. The Atrium has been repainted and re-carpeted, while Canaletto and Lido Market now feature updated upholstery on dining chairs and banquettes.
Additional enhancements include a redesigned sales counter and retail area in the onboard Photo Gallery, along with new furniture on the outdoor deck and in the hydro pool area.
Clients wishing to sail on the enhanced vessel can be booked onto a seven-day Eastern Caribbean: San Juan and St. Thomas sailing which departs on April 11, 2026 from Miami. The trip visits Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. Prices start from £1,249pp. Includes all meals (excluding speciality dining), afternoon tea, theatre shows, onboard gym and children’s clubs.
