Tag Archives: expedition ship

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji Introduces the Caledonian Sky

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Captain Cook Cruises Fiji is introducing the Caledonian Sky to its fleet. Acquired from APT Cruises earlier this year, the 114-guest expedition ship will debut for the Fiji-based brand in November 2023.

According to a statement available on Captain Cook’s website, the 1991-built vessel will replace the Reef Endeavour, ushering in a “new era of high-end cruise experiences never seen before in Fiji.”

Currently, the company’s sole vessel, the 168-guest Reef Endeavour has been in service for the company since 1996.

The arrival of the Caledonian Sky “elevates and expands the pioneering expeditions” that its original ship has undertaken since entering service, the company added.

Described as a “luxury expedition small ship,” the Caledonian Sky will sail to destinations that are otherwise unreachable, Captain Cook said, including the most remote parts of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.

The program includes different three- to 14-night expeditions, all accompanied by a team of Marine Biologists and cultural experts.

The schedule also includes new itineraries for the 2024-25 season, such as a seven-night cruise to Southern Lau and Kadavu.

Sailing from Port Denarau, the expedition explores the remote southern Lau and Kadavu island groups and allows guests to witness the great sea reef while visiting islands including Dravuni, Moala, Fulaga, Mutuku, Beqa and Vatulele.

Also new is the 14-night Southern Lau and Tonga Whale Migration Cruise.

According to Captain Cook, the itinerary sails to the southern portion of the Lau group of islands before embarking on an expedition to the outer islands of Tonga during the whale migration period.

Originally built for Renaissance Cruises, the Caledonian Sky has sailed for several operators during its three-decade cruising career, including Noble Caledonia and Star Cruises.

According to Captain Cook, the vessel is “tailor-made” for the “adventurous sophisticated traveller” and offers “spacious boutique comfort” with just 57 ocean-view staterooms.

The ship also carries a fleet of ten zodiacs, the company said, in addition to a team of 70 crew members.

Seabourn’s Expedition Ships to Get Starlink

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Seabourn announced that its two ships, the Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, will be equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi technology, according to a statement.

The technology will ensure all guests aboard Seabourn ships have fast and reliable internet access.

We are committed to providing the best ultra-luxury expedition experiences at sea, and the Starlink partnership will offer a significantly enhanced connectivity experience during our expedition journeys,” said Natalya Leahy, president of Seabourn. “From the polar regions to Australia and the South Pacific, our guests will experience a more reliable connection, allowing them to share those special moments and experiences with their loved ones as they sail on Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit.”

The first Seabourn ship to offer Starlink Wi-Fi is the Seabourn Venture beginning on May 12, 2023, ahead of its Arctic season. The Seabourn Pursuit will be equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity following its debut in the summer of 2023. 

“Starlink offers Internet capabilities and functionality to meet growing service demands globally, and I am so pleased that guests and crew members on both of our expedition ships will benefit from this innovative technology,” said Kathleen Erickson, Seabourn’s vice president of technology.

Viking Octantis Floats Out Ahead of 2022 Debut

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Viking has announced its first expedition ship – the 378-guest Viking Octantis – was “floated out” at VARD, marking a major construction milestone and the first time that the new ship touches water.

Scheduled to debut in early 2022, the Viking Octantis will spend her maiden season sailing voyages to Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes.

A second, identical expedition ship, Viking Polaris, is set to debut in summer 2022 and will sail journeys to Antarctica and the Arctic. 

“Working with Fincantieri over the last eight years, we have built the world’s most beautiful ocean ships. We are pleased to continue our partnership with Fincantieri’s VARD and celebrate this important milestone in the construction of our first expedition vessel,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking.

“In creating ‘the thinking person’s expedition,’ we are perfecting polar expedition cruising, and we will usher in a new era of comfortable exploration in the heart of North America. Viking Octantis and her sister ship, Viking Polaris, will allow our guests to explore further – to the ends of the earth as well as closer to home. I would like to thank our partners at VARD and everyone working at the yard for the hard work and dedication on the building of Viking Octantis; we look forward to welcoming her to our fleet in early 2022.”

The float out is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float-out ceremony of the Viking Octantis took place on December 22; she was then moved to a nearby outfitting dock for further construction and interior build-out. After final outfitting, Viking Octantis will be delivered at Fincantieri’s VARD shipyard in Søviknes, Norway.