Explora Journeys has revealed the onboard world of EXPLORA III, the third ship in its luxury fleet.
Set to launch ahead of schedule in July 2026, EXPLORA III will debut with an exclusive Mediterranean Prelude Journey (July 24 to 29), before her official naming ceremony in Barcelona on August 1. Her maiden voyage will follow on August 3, sailing from Barcelona to Lisbon, with inaugural journeys later in the year to Northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland.
As the first LNG-powered ship in the Explora Journeys fleet, EXPLORA III reinforces the brand’s commitment to more responsible luxury travel. With just 463 oceanfront suites and one of the industry’s highest space-to-guest ratios, the ship offers expanded public areas, generous open decks and an almost one-to-one host-to-guest ratio.
New highlights include three brand-new dining concepts, a reimagined Ocean Wellness offering, enhanced fitness facilities, an exclusive Chopard boutique and the introduction of a second Owner’s Residence, designed by Patricia Urquiola.
“EXPLORA III represents a natural yet powerful evolution of our vision,” said Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys. “She has been conceived as a destination in her own right, offering even greater space, comfort and choice, while nurturing a deeper connection to the sea.”
With her debut, EXPLORA III marks a major milestone for Explora Journeys, bringing the brand halfway through its six-ship vision and setting a new benchmark for ultra-elegant ocean travel.
Swan Hellenic partners with leading whale scientists
Swan Hellenic is collaborating with two of the world’s leading whale biologists for its Cape-to-Cape cruise aboard SH Diana, sailing from March 5 to 25, 2026.
Professors Ken Findlay and Jonathan Codd will lead an immersive Science Discovery Programme, offering guests a rare opportunity to engage directly with frontline marine research while exploring some of the most remote oceans on Earth.
Professor Findlay brings more than 35 years of experience in marine mammal science and has played a key role in whale conservation across the Southern Hemisphere. Joining him is Professor Codd, a polar biologist specialising in animal movement and physiology, who has designed a hands-on programme enabling guests to participate as citizen scientists. Together, they will guide guests in studying whale populations, behaviour and long-distance migration.
The voyage, which sails from Ushuaia to Cape Town, builds on Swan Hellenic’s long-standing support of HappyWhale, the global citizen science platform dedicated to whale research. Guests will be invited to help identify and track individual whales, document sightings and movements, and contribute valuable data to international conservation efforts.
“Having scientists of this calibre onboard allows our guests not just to observe, but to actively participate in research that has real-world impact,” said Antony Jinman, Expedition Leaders Manager at Swan Hellenic.
Throughout the journey, expert-led lectures and interactive workshops will explore whale biology, ecology and conservation, alongside practical training in identification techniques and population surveys. Data collected during the expedition will be shared with HappyWhale, supporting global understanding and protection of whale species.
Combining exploration, education and conservation, the Cape-to-Cape voyage offers guests the chance to experience the Southern and Atlantic Oceans while contributing meaningfully to the future of marine science.
Early bird savings on Aqua Expeditions’ new Mekong River itineraries
Luxury river cruise specialist Aqua Expeditions has announced a series of new itineraries aboard Aqua Mekong, further expanding its immersive exploration of Cambodia and Vietnam.
Sailing year-round from Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, and Siem Reap, Aqua Mekong offers in-depth journeys through one of Southeast Asia’s most historically rich regions. Expert-led excursions range from kayaking through floating villages and visiting ancient Buddhist temples to cycling past rice fields and meeting local artisans, all guided by experienced local naturalists.
Guests travel with a 1:1 guest-to-crew ratio, personalised service, and fine dining, while low-water season sailings include complimentary flight extensions to Siem Reap, providing access to Angkor Wat.
Aqua Expeditions has introduced new low-water Kratie itineraries, offering four- and seven-night sailings through Cambodia’s Upper Mekong region.
Highlights include visits to the Kampi River, home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, Koh Trong Island’s traditional river life, and Kampong Cham, with guided cycling, hikes, and cultural visits to landmarks such as the 12th-century Nokor Bachey temple.
Further expansion follows in 2027 with new Phat Sandai itineraries focused on the Tonlé Sap region. These three-, four-, and seven-night voyages explore floating villages, community-led conservation initiatives, and biodiverse landscapes through kayaking, cycling, and guided hikes, including panoramic viewpoints over Tonlé Sap Lake.
Aqua Expeditions has also announced an exclusive, one-off expedition in collaboration with The Explorers Club. Departing April 16–23, 2027, the Vietnam and Cambodia Expedition will be hosted by geothermal scientist and conservationist Andrés Ruzo, offering guests insight into the Mekong Delta through the lens of geoscience, culture, and conservation.
To mark the launch, Aqua Expeditions is offering limited-time incentives, including early bird savings of up to 30% on select suites for 2026–2028 departures and a single-supplement waiver on select 2026 and 2027 sailings.
Guests may choose three- or four-night itineraries or combine them into a seven-night journey, with additional savings for extended voyages.
Celestyal completes fleet-first rollout of in-cabin tablets
Celestyal has completed the rollout of in-cabin guest experience tablets across all 630 cabins on Celestyal Journey, becoming the first cruise line to introduce SuitePad tablets throughout its stateroom accommodation.
Available to all guests sailing on the 1,260-guest ship, the tablets are designed to simplify onboard services and improve how information is shared during the cruise. From their cabins, guests can make service requests and purchases via onboard shops, order room service, request cabin upgrades and reserve tables at speciality restaurants.
The tablets also provide access to essential onboard information, including deck plans and entertainment schedules, reducing the need for printed programmes and flyers.
“Technology should always make the cruising experience feel easier and more intuitive for our travellers,” said Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal. “These tablets give guests more control at their fingertips, while creating smarter, more seamless ways to connect them with our onboard offering.”
Celestyal Journey operates year-round, sailing the Greek Islands and Mediterranean from April to November, before relocating to the Arabian Gulf from November to March.
Celestyal offers a seven-night Desert Days itinerary on Celestyal Journey priced from £569pp. Departs February 21, 2026 sailing round-trip from Doha. Calls at Dubai with an overnight, Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Khalifa Bin Salman (Bahrain). Includes all meals (excluding speciality dining), soft drinks, WiFi, onboard entertainment and gratuities.
Silolona Sojourns unveils 2026 astrotourism calendar
Silolona Sojourns has unveiled a calendar of astrotourism experiences for 2026, tapping into the growing trend of travel centred on celestial events and night-sky exploration.
With astrotourism forecast as a key travel trend for the year ahead, the company’s two traditional yachts, Silolona and Si Datu Bua, offer front-row access to some of the darkest, least light-polluted skies in Indonesia.
Sailing remote routes far from over-touristed areas, Silolona Sojourns has identified several major celestial events best viewed from the open ocean.
Highlights include a total lunar eclipse on March 3, visible across Indonesia at sunset; the Lyrid meteor shower, peaking on the night of April 21; and the Perseids meteor shower, one of the brightest annual displays, expected to peak between August 11-13.
Guests sailing between October and April may also catch clear views of the Milky Way while cruising through Raja Ampat, one of the world’s premier stargazing destinations.
Silolona Sojourns complements its astrotourism focus with night diving across Indonesia’s biodiverse waters. Charters offer the chance to explore reefs after dark, when bioluminescent plankton and nocturnal marine life transform destinations such as Raja Ampat, Flores, Alor and Banda into underwater nightscapes.
Onboard, both yachts are designed for relaxed stargazing, with expansive outdoor decks and a bow lounge where guests can recline just above the water.
