Latitude 33 has released its 22-night Raffles, Tea Plantations and Golden Triangle tour, taking 20 guests through some of the world’s most exotic destinations, including Singapore, Sri Lanka and India. Commencing on 3 January 2021, the itinerary incorporates a stay at Singapore’s iconic Raffles Hotel followed by four nights exploring Sri Lanka’s Galle and Colombo, an eight-night cruise on board Ponant’s Le Laperouse from Colombo to Mumbai, and finishes with a tour of India’s Golden Triangle, staying exclusively at Oberoi Hotels.

Ponant celebrated its new alliance with Paul Gaugin Cruises late last month when Le Boreal was moored alongside MS Paul Gaugin in Papeete, French Polynesia. It was a moment that will forever mark the history of the two cruise lines.

Ponant has rolled out two new cruise collections and an expanded range of itineraries for 2020/2021.

Ponant will add additional capacity to the Kimberley region in 2021, announcing the deployment of a second vessel for the region to meet “growing demand” for the company’s expeditions.

Ponant has added three new itineraries to explore the islands of the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. Aboard Le Bougainville, a ship in the Ponant Explorers series, guests will be able to enjoy new travel experiences in the Seychelles in exceptional conditions: intimate, smaller-capacity (only 92 staterooms and suites) design, innovative technology and respect for the environment.

Ponant has ditched the single supplement on over 90 cruises during 2019, 2020 and 2021 with some departures also currently on sale at up to 30 per cent off.

Abercrombie & Kent has released its new portfolio of expeditionary voyages on exclusively chartered state-of-the-art vessels with award-winning programs of discovery.

Yes, more news from the glorious Le Lyrial, sailing from Rome to Athens following last week’s column.

Ponant has revealed plans to acquire Paul Gauguin Cruises, the renowned specialist in sailings to exotic ports in French Polynesia and the South Pacific.

Time to see what a boutique-sized luxury hotel at sea is like. I chose Ponant – named for ‘look west’, the opposite of Levant – that is actually more like private yachting than standard cruising. Took a week-long cruise, Treasures of the Mediterranean World: a Family Learning Adventure, on the good ship Le Lyrial.

PONANT is now accepting reservations for 2020/21 voyages to Africa, Asia, the Indian Ocean and Polynesia, expanding the program with a list of new itineraries.

Ponant and Relais & Châteaux have united to introduce three all-new cruise experiences for 2020 through Brittany, Asia and Portugal and Spain.