On three exclusive departures in 2025 guests are invited to embark on an extraordinary journey aboard Le Commandant Charcot, to explore Snow Hill Island on foot, walking the same ice fields as the magnificent Emperor Penguin colonies. Le Commandant Charcot is the only commercial vessel that can navigate through heavy drift ice into the Southern reaches of the Weddell Sea ensuring a truly authentic polar expedition unlike any other. Guests will enjoy the exceptional privilege of visiting these colonies on foot, approaching as close as five meters^—an exclusive experience offered only by PONANT. They will have the opportunity to linger for hours amidst this awe-inspiring landscape, free from any time constraints, immersing themselves fully in the wonders of Antarctica before returning to the warm and comforting amenities of the world’s only luxury icebreaker.

Guests can expect to observe not only Emperor Penguins but also Adelie, Gentoo, and Chinstrap penguins among other diverse wildlife, and will also have opportunity for kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing and even taking part in a polar plunge* on these 12-night itineraries.

“As an expedition leader with Ponant, I’m thrilled to be able to offer guests the exclusive opportunity to explore Snow Hill Island aboard Le Commandant Charcot.” says Ryo Ijichi, Commercial Manager Japan, Korea and Antarctica Expedition Leader at PONANT, “Our exclusive 2025 departures offer more than just observation; they provide an immersive, authentic polar expedition. Guests have the privileged opportunity to encounter these colonies in person venturing into the Weddell Sea from the Drake Passage, to an area that is inaccessible to other vessels”.

The Emperor Penguin of the Weddell Sea

• Ushuaia – Ushuaia
• Includes 12-night expedition, overnight in Santiago, return flights and transfers*
• Departs 30th October, 11th & 22nd November 2025
• Aboard Le Commandant Charcot

Highlights

• An exploration into the almost inaccessible Weddell Sea, in search of majestic emperor penguins, amidst immaculate and dreamlike landscapes.
• Inclusive expert led daily shore visits and outings in a zodiac*
• The eye and the advice of photo ambassador, Cindy Miller Hopkins, a privileged opportunity to immortalise your trip with, in the programme: workshops, conferences and personalised advice to improve your photographic skills.
• Conferences and information meetings on board with our passionate experts, specialists in the fauna, flora and history of the polar regions.
• Landscapes: immense glaciers, table top icebergs, immersion in the heart of the ice floes.
• Wildlife: the possibility to observe emperor, Adelie, chinstrap and gentoo penguins; Weddell, leopard and crabeater seals; humpback, Minke whales and orcas.
• Opportunity for kayaking, hiking, snowshoeing and polar plunge*

PONANT continues to offer opportunities to witness a variety of penguin species in their natural habitats in their 2025/ 26 Antarctic season. Departing from Dunedin New Zealand, on the Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic – Ross Sea Expedition, guests can explore Macquarie Island, a haven for Royals, Kings, Gentoos, and Rock Hoppers, where over 3.5 million seabirds thrive. Stepping foot on Ross Island unveils the historic legacy of polar explorers like Sir Ernest Shackleton, where guests can visit the historical hut where fewer than 1,000 people have been able to reach, amidst remarkable diversity of penguins, including the elusive Adélie and the iconic Emperor. Alternatively, journeying on The Great Austral Loop Expedition to South Georgia and the Falkland Islands reveals colonies of Gentoo, King, Macaroni, Adélie and Rockhopper penguins amidst breathtaking landscapes, providing unforgettable encounters for penguin enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike.

Scott & Shackleton’s Antarctic – Ross Sea Expedition

• Dunedin – Dunedin
• One departure only in 2025 aboard Le Soléal
• Departs 26 January 2025, 21 Nights

The Great Austral Loop

• Ushuaia – Ushuaia
• Includes 17-night expedition, overnight in Buenos Aires, return flights Buenos Aires / Ushuaia and transfers*
• Departs, 10th November, 12th & 20th December 2025 aboard Le Lyrial

* Each departure is unique. The itinerary, landings, wildlife encounters and activities are subject to weather and ice conditions.

^Ponant follows IAATO biodiversity regulations in Antarctica.

The post PONANT Celebrates World Penguin Day with New Emperor Penguin Itineraries appeared first on TravelTalk.

“We are delighted to be able to offer our Aussie/Kiwi guests the opportunity to savour local and regional experiences onboard and have up close culinary delights such as fresh fish including Alaskan seafood onboard”, said Ryan Taibel, Vice President of Sales and Partnerships at Holland America Line.

Alaska Season Itineraries and Cruisetours

Through September 2024, guests can embark on Holland America Line’s Alaska cruises and Cruise Tours from Vancouver and Seattle aboard Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam and Zaandam. In addition to seven-day itineraries, guests can take longer 14-day cruises and a new 28-day Arctic Circle Solstice Legendary Voyage that includes 12 Alaska ports.

Cruisetours range from nine to 18 days and include a one-, two- or three-day visit to Denali National Park. Select Cruisetours also include a journey into the wilds of Canada’s Yukon. Holland America Line remains the only cruise line that offers overland tours to the Yukon combined with an Alaska cruise and Denali experience.

‘Glacier Day’ Puts a Spotlight on Alaska’s Majestic Glaciers

As a leader in Alaska cruising, Holland America Line offers more Glacier Bay National Park experiences than any other cruise line. The new Glacier Day includes sighting times, scenic commentary, presentations, informational viewing stations, photo opportunities, Dutch Pea Soup on deck, Glacier Ice cocktails, insightful talks by Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and Huna cultural interpreters, an open bow for viewing, and more.

Every Alaska cruise includes a visit to one or more of Alaska’s iconic glacier destinations: Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, Dawes Glacier, and the Twin Sawyer Glaciers of Tracy Arm. Shore excursions also offer the opportunity to visit additional glaciers, including Mendenhall and Portage glaciers.

Serving Fresh Fish in Alaska

Holland America continues to build on its groundbreaking Global Fresh Fish program, which includes being the only cruise line with Alaska seafood certified sustainable by the Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) and bringing locally sourced fresh fish from port to plate in less than 48 hours. In addition to the seafood and other local delicacies served on the menus, ships in Alaska will serve three exclusive dishes created by the brand’s Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto: Fresh Black Cod Yuzu, Morimoto Epice Lobster and Fresh Halibut XO.

A new Alaska Seafood Boil will be offered once per cruise in Lido Market for a surcharge. The foodie feast will serve Ivar’s Northwest-Style Clam Chowder, Dungeness Cruise Clusters, Alaska Salmon, Penn Cove Clams, Penn Cove Mussels and a Shrimp Bucket, with Triple Berry Crisp and vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Offered once per cruise, all dishes on the Alaska Brunch menu in the Dining Room were created with the influence of fresh, local Alaskan and Pacific Northwest ingredients. The selections range from sweet to savoury and include Alaskan Blueberry Pancakes, Salmon & Potato Chowder, Wild Forest Mushroom and Tarragon Crepes, Kodiak Steak and Egg Skillet, Crab and Hot Smoked Salmon Cakes, Biscuits with Gravy and Alaskan Reindeer Sausage, and Home Smoked Gulf of Alaska Cod Benny.

Bartender Sam Ross Creates Alaska Cocktails

Acclaimed bartender Sam Ross created a menu of exclusive cocktails that will be featured in the bars on all Alaska ships: Juneau AK, Klondiker, PNW Penicillin, Mosquito, Midnight Sun and Frontier Champagne Flip. Ross was the 2011 “U.S. Bartender of the Year” and his flagship bar, Attaboy, won the 2022 award for “Best Bar in the U.S.” by The World’s 50 Best Bars. Ross is credited with creating two of the most famous modern classic cocktails: Penicillin and Paper Plane.

New Exclusive ‘Killer Whale Pale Ale’ Available On Board

Holland America Line is debuting a new “Killer Whale Pale Ale” on all Alaska cruises. The beer was produced in collaboration with Pike Brewing – Seattle’s oldest craft brewery – and features notes of honey, citrus and tropical fruits. The label artwork was created in collaboration with Native Artist Rico Worl, a member of the Tlingit and Athabascan community, who also designed the Native artwork featured on the Alaska menus. The Killer Whale Pale Ale label represents the food chain in the Pacific Northwest, with a seal deftly manoeuvring out of the grasp of a killer whale.

More Wildlife Viewing than Any Other Cruise Line

Alaska is synonymous with stunning wilderness, and Holland America Line offers more ways to see wildlife in its natural habitat. Alaska ships carry an expert on board to help guests witness the majestic animals found in the region, and a Wildlife Spotting Guide points out the native animals found along the cruise route and includes a map with the best places to see each species. Ashore, Holland America Line offers nearly 180 shore excursions to see species of all kinds.

On Deck for a Cause Continues to Support Alaska’s Parks

Holland America Line will continue to donate proceeds from its “On Deck for a Cause” charitable event aboard ships in the region to Alaska Geographic, the nonprofit education partner of Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges and conservation lands. Called “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks,” guests on all Alaska cruises will be invited to donate $25 to participate in a noncompetitive 5K fundraising walk aboard every sailing. Funds raised through “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks” will go to support education, science and research in Alaska’s parks. The 2023 Alaska season raised more than $100,000 for Alaska Geographic.

 For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1300 987 322 or visit hollandamerica.com.

The post What Is Holland America Line’s New ‘Glacier Day’? appeared first on TravelTalk.