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| In 2017 AmaWaterways will offer more Southeast Asia itineraries onboard the AmaDara (pictured). |
With the year winding down, the cruise industry is looking ahead. This week several major cruise lines opened bookings on 2017 cruises, with more announcing new itineraries for that year.
Silversea has announced it will offer two new Grand Voyages set to circumnavigate South America in 2017. Guests on the "Circle South America" itineraries will enjoy a crossing of the Panama Canal, two days cruising Chile's fjords, a two- or three-day stopover in Rio de Janeiro, as well as multi-day calls in Buenos Aires and Callao (gateway to Lima and Machu Picchu). The itinerary will last 63 days, departing January 16, 2017, onboard Silver Spirit, and last 66 days, departing October 13, 2017, onboard the line's newest ship, Silver Muse.
Also this week Hurtigruten announced it will expand the adventure cruise itineraries in its Explorer Program for 2017 to encompass four ships (up from two in 2015) sailing expedition voyages.
Hurtigruten’s Arctic program will stretch to the Newfoundland and Labrador provinces of Canada, adding to the current roster of Spitsbergen, Iceland and Greenland. Additionally, guests will be able to explore Greenland’s Kangertittivaq or Scoresby (the longest fjord in the world), and an Amazon River voyage will explore the rainforest of Brazil. There will also be chances to stop at Argentina, Chile, Peru and Ecuador.
This week Ponant opened reservations on its summer 2017 cruise season, which offers nearly 50 itineraries in the Arctic, Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Baltic.
All cruises are accompanied by guides, naturalists, experts or lecturers depending on the destination. Guests can also enjoy an open bar and, for a limited time, the line is offering an early booking offer of up to 30 percent off the brochure fare through the Ponant Bonus program. The cruise line has also developed pre- and post-cruise programs to complement each itinerary.
In river cruise news, AmaWaterways also opened 2017 bookings this week. The 2017 season will see the debut of a new ship, the AmaKristina, new Europe and Asia itineraries and 30 percent more wine-themed sailings.
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