| Aus snaps up NZ’s Ponant season

PONANT has announced eight new Australian coastal voyages for later this year, following the termination of its New Zealand cruise season (CW 04 Feb).

Le Laperouse and Le Soleal will be deployed in Australian waters for eight immersive itineraries featuring the New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tas coastlines, after the New Zealand Government’s shock decision to deny the cruise line entry to the country’s waters.

Each new itinerary will offer back-to-back voyage opportunities, with visits to Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay and the Houtman Abrolhos, and highlights such as dropping in on rare Australian sea lion colonies, experiencing the National Anzac Centre in Albany, exploring the former penal colony at Maria Island or viewing Australia’s highest sea cliffs at Cape Hauy.

The seven-to-15-night itineraries have been created by Expedition Manager Asia Pacific Mick Fogg, with General Manager Sales & Marketing Asia Pacific Deb Corbett picking her favourite highlights as the visits to Port Lincoln, McLaren Vale and the Tamar Valley.

She added Ponant had already received an extraordinary response from travellers registering expressions of interest.

“Acting promptly will secure access to the widest range of available accommodation on each of the eight differing itineraries as well as the highest Ponant Bonus advance purchase incentive – currently as much as 30% savings,” she said.

Start planning HERE.