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The world’s longest cruises

<p dir="ltr">If you’re looking for your next cruising adventure, there are a multitude of time frames you can pick from for your next holiday. </p> <p dir="ltr">While many cruise-goers tend to opt for just a week or two at sea, there are other voyages that can see you spend months travelling the world. </p> <p dir="ltr">Here are ten of the longest cruise journeys that are available for the most dedicated travellers. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Queen Anne - 107 days</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In 2025, new Cunard ship Queen Anne will embark on her maiden World Voyage which includes her first visit to Australia and New Zealand.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 107-day journey starts with a transatlantic crossing before sailing to destinations in the Americas, Australasia, Asia, the Arabian Gulf and finally the Mediterranean.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Crown Princess - 113 days </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The Crown Princess is set to embark on an epic around the world cruise next year, and you can get on in Australia or New Zealand.</p> <p dir="ltr">From there, the voyage will visit 49 destinations in 28 countries over 113 days, crossing the equator twice, and sailing 33,500 nautical miles.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>MSC Magnifica - 119 days</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">MSC's World Cruise 2026 lasts 119 days, with options to book the entire round-the-world itinerary for the most dedicated travellers. </p> <p dir="ltr">The trip starts in Italy, and takes in the Mediterranean before heading across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and South America, before it then sails to California before crossing the Pacific for Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Seabourn Sojourn - 129 days </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Seabourn's 2026 World Cruise sets sail on January 6th 2026 from LA, before taking in Hawaii, South Pacific islands, New Zealand, Australia and the Far East and Asia before heading Alaska and concluding in Vancouver, Canada.</p> <p dir="ltr">That's a total of 63 ports in 14 countries with seven overnight stays.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Volendam - 133 days</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Holland America’s lengthy journey, titled Pole to Pole, takes a round trip from Fort Lauderdale in Florida it visits spots as diverse as Costa Rica, Antarctica, Morocco, France and Canada.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Crystal Serenity - 135 days</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Crystal's 2026 World Cruise is an epic 135-day journey travelling to 72 destinations throughout 27 countries.</p> <p dir="ltr">Departing Los Angeles, Crystal Serenity will traverse the waters of the Pacific taking in the Marquesas Islands, Bora Bora, New Zealand and Sydney, as well as travelling to Hong Kong, Mumbai and Dubai.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Seven Seas Splendour - 140 days </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Guests onboard the Regent Seven Seas Cruises will visit 40 countries over six continents, spending 140 nights onboard the luxurious ship. </p> <p dir="ltr">The voyage visits locations such as Panama, Sri Lanka and Spain, visiting 71 ports around the world. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Silver Dawn - 149 days</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Silversea Cruises' Silver Dawn will explore 80 destinations, covering 35 countries on five continents, including 11 overnight stays. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Viking Sky - 163 days </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The cruise ship Viking Sky will sail for an impressive 163 days on its World Voyage II, taking in 34 countries, with 79 guided tours. </p> <p dir="ltr">Ports of note include Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, Darwin Australia, Colombo Sri Lanka, Cape Town, South Africa and the Shetland Islands in Scotland.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Oceana Vista - 197 days</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The 2026 World Odyssey voyage of Vista will circumnavigate the world, visiting over 100 ports across 43 countries.</p> <p dir="ltr">The voyage visits over 80 UNESCO World Heritage sites across 101 destinations, with 11 overnight stays.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

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Around the world three-year cruise in crisis

<p dir="ltr">When Life at Sea Cruises announced their record-breaking <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/world-first-three-year-cruise-revealed">three-year voyage</a> around the world, eager travellers raced to book their cabins onboard. </p> <p dir="ltr">Marketed as the "world's first – and only three year cruise", demand for rooms was “unprecedented”, with some travel enthusiasts moving out of their homes and selling their possessions in preparation for the trip of a lifetime. </p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the demand for a spot on board the MV Gemini, the future of the voyage is now in jeopardy, with Life at Sea Cruises, a subsidiary of Miray Cruises, being inundated with demands for refunds just months after the bookings opened. </p> <p dir="ltr">The entire team at Life at Sea Cruises, which was set up specifically for the record-breaking project, has parted ways with Miray Cruises after an apparent breakdown in communication over the suitability of the ship.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mike Petterson, the now former managing director for <a href="https://www.lifeatseacruises.com/">Life at Sea Cruises</a> confirmed to <em><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/three-year-cruise-crisis/index.html">CNN Travel</a></em> on Wednesday that he and the rest of the founding team have "stepped away" from the project.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the team breakdown, Kendra Holmes, director of business development and commercial operations at Miray International, insisted that the voyage will still go ahead. </p> <p dir="ltr">"This cruise is not cancelled," Holmes said. "We are moving ahead. It is departing November 1st as planned. So I just want to make sure to clear that up right now. We are not cancelling this."</p> <p dir="ltr">However, it's still unclear whether the voyage will go ahead on board MV Gemini, or a different ship.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Currently the name of the ship is Gemini," Holmes added, before explaining that she was not able to discuss a new ship at present.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I wish that we didn't have these kinds of situations," said Fuat G., hotel director at Miray Cruises. "We are moving forward. Whatever we have to do to finish that project. And [we will] go to a second, third, fourth and fifth ship. Whatever it is."</p> <p dir="ltr">A press release announcing the project back in March stated that the MV Gemini would be "overhauled" for the voyage.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, according to Irina Strembitsky, former director of sales and marketing of Life at Sea Cruises, the ship, which has capacity for up to 1,074 passengers, was deemed "unseaworthy" by an engineer, who also expressed doubt that it would be able to complete a three-year journey.</p> <p dir="ltr">Understandably, the news of the uncertainty that the trip will go ahead has caused major concern for passengers, with some demanding a refund.</p> <p dir="ltr">One traveller who voiced her concerns is retired teacher <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/travel/cruising/meet-the-woman-preparing-to-spend-three-years-at-sea">Sharon Lane</a>, who booked a ticket for the entire three-year journey and planned to sell most of her belongings before setting off. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lane says that regardless of how things turn out, she will not be going on the journey, which was due to visit 135 countries and seven continents.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Life at Sea says the trip is cancelled. Miray says it's still a go, but without the entire Life at Sea management team," she told <em>CNN</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I don't really care who is right or wrong. I'm allergic to chaos. Going was a huge calculated risk to begin with. Now, it's far too risky for my liking."</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's very sad," she said. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I was all in. It will take me some time to undo what I have already set in place, but at least I'm not one of those who has already sold a house and all of my belongings. My heart aches for them."</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 15pt;"><em>Image credits: Life at Sea Cruises</em></p>

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Cruising company launches its first literature-themed voyage

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A literature-themed cruise is being offered by Marella Cruises for book lovers to enjoy 16 days at sea. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The all-inclusive cruise across the Atlantic leaves from </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Montego Bay, Jamaica in April 2022, and sails over 16 days to the port of Dubrovnik in Croatia. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This tailor-made experience will allow guests to attend guest talks and interactive workshops with authors and entertainers to satisfy any book lover. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Guests will also be treated to the usual Marella Cruises experience, with all-inclusive food and drink spots, evening entertainment including game shows and quizzes and daytime activities like dance classes and yoga.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Managing Director of Marella Cruises, Chris Hackney, says he hopes the new themed cruise will be as successful as ones run in the past. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It offers something different for guests onboard on a cruise where there are not as many days ashore as some of our other itineraries,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Authors and entertainers joining the cruise include Sarah Cruddas, famous for her knowledge of Space exploration, Tony Strange, known for his comic entertainment and impressions, and crime novelist Barbara Nadel.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The panelists will all share stories and run a series of workshops to guests onboard at no extra cost. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After a difficult year from the pandemic, Marella Cruises will begin its Spanish sailings from September, before heading into Montego Bay where it will port for the winter before commencing the literary cruise. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: Shutterstock</span></em></p>

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Ponant: It’s French for inspired luxury expedition cruising

<p>First impressions count, as we know, which is why I was struck when entering the foyer area onboard one of Ponant’s four near-identical sister-ships, <em>Le Soleal</em>, while embarking recently on one of their <span><a href="https://au.ponant.com">luxury expedition cruises</a></span>. No sign of vintage brass portholes, no ubiquitous aroma of marine oil, paint and varnish that often permeates ships ‘of a certain age’.</p> <p>The reception area is light and bright, spacious, more boutique hotel foyer than fusty club. Taupe colours and light grain timbers set the scene reflected throughout the ship in public areas, as well as in the staterooms and suites. The only timber panelling is in the spa.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7829420/ponant.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e74f6b65bc694dab8354d9b38199ce9e" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>© PONANT Christophe Dugied</em></p> <p>The desk staff is bright, energetic, helpful. The crew immaculately presented.</p> <p>“Welcome aboard.” Thank you, Captain. He is in evidence throughout the voyage.</p> <p><strong>The world leader in luxury expeditions</strong></p> <p>Owning and operating the youngest fleet of luxury expedition ships in the world, Ponant takes cruising the world’s seven seas seriously – 30 years of consistent growth is reflected in the company taking more passengers to the polar zones than any other cruise company. Their ships explore the globe with hundreds of voyages a year stretching well beyond the Antarctic and Northern Europe to warmer destinations such as the Mediterranean, South Pacific, <span><a href="https://au.ponant.com/exploring-kimberley/">the Kimberley</a></span> <span>coast in Australia</span>, Asia and more.</p> <p>This has helped establish Ponant as the recognised world leader of luxury expedition cruising. To maintain this position, they are in the process of building six new slightly smaller ‘Explorer Class’ ships, each with just 92 staterooms and suites, all with ocean view and balcony. While the world has gone mad for behemoths, Ponant finds good reason to reduce the size of their ships, without compromising space or facilities.</p> <p><strong>Small ships, big benefits</strong></p> <p>Compact external dimensions create cruising opportunities denied larger ships, providing the sort of intimate experiences us ‘over-60s’ seek. All Ponant’s ships are small enough to access and moor in places few others can. Passing under Tower Bridge in central London to moor next to <em>HMS Belfast</em> on the Thames, along with squeezing through the famed Corinth canal (with barely a metre spare on each side at one point) while en-route to or from Athens is on my ‘must do’ list for future cruises.</p> <p><em><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7829418/ponant-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b073e40aa11545f185a1b963396e3bc4" /></em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>© PONANT Matthieu Germain</em></p> <p>Small ship experiences offer unexpected benefits. Take accessing the centre of Saigon in Vietnam and St Petersburg in Northern Europe, stepping off the ships to be in the middle of the action, while large ships are forced to moor at the mouth of rivers and arrange ground transport to shuffle passengers to and from the city.</p> <p>Likewise, your senses will be amplified when in expedition mode while unfolding the secrets of the Amazon, the Russian Far East, Northwest Passage, Black Sea or, for example, mingling with rarely-visited tribes in New Guinea – unmarked turn-offs revealing destinations-of-dreams.</p> <p><strong>Expedition cruises with an edge</strong></p> <p>A growing number of voyages feature a National Geographic Expeditions guest expert and a Nat Geo endorsed photographer. This additional duo adds a further dimension to Ponant’s expedition cruises; working with the regular onboard expedition teams, they provide additional specialist insight into the places visited.</p> <p>Depending on the designated Ponant National Geographic voyage selected there may, for example, be a specialist vulcanologist, glaciologist, anthropologist or geomorphologist onboard to add further perspectives.</p> <p>The photographer will share experiences, perhaps relating how he or she managed to capture a special series of stunning images – offering insight into how guests, too, can improve their photographic skills. You may as well learn from the best, whether enthusiastic amateur or smartphone happy snapper.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7829416/ponant-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0266e04aa4cb48818017ae03323dc66a" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>© PONANT Nick Rains</em></p> <p>With new ships come innovative designs, for example Ponant’s world exclusive <em>‘Blue Eye’</em>, an underwater lounge with cetacean-inspired glass windows and aquatic microphones to capture the sights and sounds of the surrounding marine environment. Add to this the very latest in award-winning eco-sensitivity, spanning from tin-free anti-fouling hull paint to onboard/onshore recycling, the exclusive use of high-grade marine fuel and guest briefings on the environments encountered. In 2021, the launch of a new polar exploration ship utilising low emission LNG and electricity hybrid power will herald a new era in marine eco-sensitivity. With Ponant, beauty isn’t skin deep.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7829421/ponant-6.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/87bd1bed034945c1b5a5fa954d2308b9" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>© PONANT Laurence Fischer</em></p> <p>On my recent luxury expedition voyage, guests onboard had joined the ship from around the world, a core of French supplemented by guests from Australia and New Zealand, the UK and USA, Switzerland and Germany, Japan … a commingling of nationalities. This creates a United Nations of travel, with animated interchange, points of view and perspectives creating fascinating conversations and interaction, whether on a Zodiac heading to shore with Expedition Team members or sharing a table at dinner. For those travellers who enjoy a global perspective, these voyages are the place to be.</p> <p><strong>The French touch</strong></p> <p>Of course, Ponant is French, and that means a relaxed elegant style balanced by sophisticated ambiance throughout, including nice touches such as Hermes toiletries for all, daily fresh patisserie, real French butter and, not unexpectedly, a variety of exquisite cheeses. The gastronomique restaurant offerings are influenced by Ducasse Conseil. Veuve Clicquot is sloshed around at functions, (while fine ‘everyday’ champagne is all part of the Open Bar offerings), along with fine French wines, occasional treats such as caviar tastings… and, agreeably, no penguin suits needed onboard, although you will see plenty ashore in the Antarctic regions.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7829419/ponant-5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/707dfc792903427e926679fc5104481b" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>© PONANT François Lefebvre</em></p> <p>For me, fulfilling travel is a combination of elements, Ponant representing the epitome of modern-day expedition cruising, where luxury merges with adventure. It starts with the quality of the ships, the fine accommodation, unobtrusive service and attention to detail, then raises a level with the range of facilities, food and wine all adding to the pleasure and enjoyment of the experience.</p> <p>Espresso to start the day, explore ashore, spa treatment, Arpège by night.</p> <p><strong><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7829417/ponant-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/785920929e6e4810bf8bd0598bf1339e" /></strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>© PONANT Arnaud Delayen-Kotor</em></p> <p>Perhaps at this stage it is just as important to know what Ponant ships do not have – casinos, jostling queues, crowds, shopping malls, go-kart tracks, faux climbing walls, happy hour or schoolies. What is offered is luxury quality yacht-style cruising and exciting expeditions, all the while enjoying French ambiance and a certain<em> je-ne-sais-quoi</em>.</p> <p>Is PONANT the apotheosis of luxury and expedition cruising? There’s only one way to find out.</p> <p> </p>

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What really happens on a cruise ship?

<p>Everyone wakes up on a cruise to find themselves floating blissfully somewhere between vast seas and even vaster skies. While you slumbered, your floating hotel travelled through the night. Come morning, just outside your window is a completely new world and destination waiting for you to discover. What a way to start your day.</p> <p>Early risers can catch the sunrise from the deck with a steaming cup of coffee and warm French pastries before heading to breakfast, while later risers can take in the views and the fresh sea air before heading downstairs to breakfast. Cruise restaurants offer banquets fit for a king. Choose from fresh fruit, omelettes, pancakes and, of course, ­a traditional full English breakfast.</p> <p>Energise your morning with a gentle yoga class, stretching your body and relaxing your mind on the top deck, or doing a few laps of the pool. For something a little more invigorating, hit the gym. If that sounds like too much action, simply spend your morning lounging by the pool or getting lost in a book, perhaps engrossing yourself in the history, culture and legends of your next port of call.</p> <p>If it’s a port day, you might want to head out straight after breakfast to fit in all the sights. Maybe you have a tour lined up to see the local attractions; a boat trip to view a coral reef; or a sightseeing tour from high up above a rainforest canopy.</p> <p>From tropical island paradises of the South Pacific to the majestic ice-scapes of Scandinavia and Alaska and the bustling Mediterranean, where you can take a nostalgic trip back in history and visit ancient monuments and ruins, the world is your oyster as far as cruise travel is concerned.</p> <p>You can also choose to whittle the afternoon away in a quaint restaurant and watch the world go by. If you spent the previous day exploring on land, a day on board allows you to unwind and soak in the delights of ship life, such as a day of spa treatments and pampering, sunbathing by the pool, or simply afternoon tea on deck.</p> <p>For a bit more excitement, try the surfing and skydiving simulators. Or if you want to learn something, take a cookery class, or learn to dance the tango. Whatever your poison, what is not to be missed is watching the sun going down from the deck with a glass of Happy Hour bubbles in hand.</p> <p>An array of Broadway shows, cabaret spectaculars and concerts are on offer after dark. And if you want to party like it’s 1999, head to the nightclubs and chic lounges where everyone’s party can carry on late into the night.</p> <p><em>Written by Alison Godfrey. Republished with permission of <span><a href="https://www.mydiscoveries.com.au/stories/cruise-activities/">MyDiscoveries</a></span>. </em></p>

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Sludge, snags and surreal animals: a voyage to the abyss of the deep blue

<p><em><strong>Tim O’Hara is a senior curator of Marine Invertebrates at the Museum of Victoria.</strong></em></p> <p>Over the past five weeks I led a “<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.nespmarine.edu.au/abyss-landing-%20page" target="_blank">voyage of discovery</a></strong></span>”. That sounds rather pretentious in the 21st century, but it’s still true. My team, aboard the CSIRO managed research vessel, the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.csiro.au/RV-Investigator-virtual-tour/rv_investigator.html" target="_blank">Investigator</a></strong></span>, has mapped and sampled an area of the planet that has never been surveyed before.</p> <p>Bizarrely, our ship was only 100km off Australia’s east coast, in the middle of a busy shipping lane. But our focus was not on the sea surface, or on the migrating whales or skimming albatross. We were surveying The Abyss – the very bottom of the ocean some 4,000m below the waves.</p> <p>To put that into perspective, the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.gnb.nsw.gov.au/place_naming/placename_search/extract?id=KWwGjzsETR" target="_blank">tallest mountain</a></strong></span> on the Australian mainland is only 2,228m. Scuba divers are lucky to reach depths of 40m, while nuclear submarines dive to about 500m. We were aiming to put our cameras and sleds much, much deeper. Only since 2014, when the RV Investigator was commissioned, has Australia had the capacity to survey the deepest depths.</p> <p>The months before the trip were frantic, with so much to organise: permits, freight, equipment, flights, medicals, legal agreements, safety procedures, visas, finance approvals, communication ideas, sampling strategies – all the tendrils of modern life (the thought “why am I doing this?” surfaced more than once). But remarkably, on May 15, we had 27 scientists from 14 institutions and seven countries, 11 technical specialists, and 22 crew converging on Launceston, and we were off.</p> <p><strong>Rough seas</strong></p> <p>Life at sea takes some adjustment. You work 12-hour shifts every day, from 2 o’clock to 2 o’clock, so it’s like suffering from jetlag. The ship was very stable, but even so the motion causes seasickness for the first few days. You sway down corridors, you have one-handed showers, and you feel as though you will be tipped out of bed. Many people go off coffee. The ship is “dry”, so there’s no well-earned beer at the end of a hard day. You wait days for bad weather to clear and then suddenly you are shovelling tonnes of mud through sieves in the middle of the night as you process samples dredged from the deep.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/41245/discovering-the-deep-blue-in-text-1_500x333.jpg" alt="Discovering The Deep Blue In Text 1"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Shifting through the mud of the abyss on the back deck. Image credit: Jerome Mallefet.</em></p> <p>Surveying the abyss turns out to be far from easy. On our very first deployment off the eastern Tasmanian coast, our net was shredded on a rock at 2,500m, the positional beacon was lost, tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of gear gone. It was no one’s fault; the offending rock was too small to pick up on our <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://mnf.csiro.au/Vessel/Investigator-2014/Equipment/Marine-acoustics-seafloor-mapping-and-fisheries-acoustics.aspx" target="_blank">multibeam sonar</a></strong></span>. Only day 1 and a new plan was required. Talented people fixed what they could, and we moved on.</p> <p>I was truly surprised by the ruggedness of the seafloor. From the existing maps, I was expecting a gentle slope and muddy abyssal plain. Instead, our sonar revealed canyons, ridges, cliffs and massive rock slides – amazing, but a bit of a hindrance to my naive sampling plan.</p> <p>But soon the marine animals began to emerge from our videos and samples, which made it all worthwhile. Life started to buzz on the ship.</p> <p><strong>Secrets of the deep</strong></p> <p>Like many people, scientists spend most of their working lives in front of a computer screen. It is really great to get out and actually experience the real thing, to see animals we have only read about in old books. The tripod fish, the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.nespmarine.edu.au/faceless-fish-looks-happier-and-heartier-it-did-1887" target="_blank">faceless fish</a></strong></span>, the shortarse feeler fish (yes, really), red spiny crabs, worms and sea stars of all shapes and sizes, as well as animals that <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.nespmarine.edu.au/beam-us-j%C3%A9r%C3%B4me" target="_blank">emit light</a></strong></span> to ward off predators.</p> <p>The level of public interest has been phenomenal. You may already have seen <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-30/researchers-drag-faceless-fish-up-from-the-abyss/8572634" target="_blank">some of the coverage</a></strong></span>, which ranged from the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.npr.org/2017/06/15/533063615/explorers-probing-%20deep-sea-%20abyss-off-australias-coast-find-living-wonders" target="_blank">fascinated</a></strong></span> to the amused – for some reason our discovery of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://mashable.com/2017/06/18/peanut-worm-looks-phallic/#GAkg8P.vh8qC" target="_blank">priapulid worms</a></strong></span> was a big hit on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPgVtWDljcU" target="_blank">US late-night television</a></strong></span>. In many ways all the publicity mirrored our first reactions to animals on the ship. “What is this thing?” “How amazing!”</p> <p>The important scientific insights will come later. It will take a year or so to process all the data and accurately identify the samples. Describing all the new species will take even longer. All of the material has been carefully preserved and will be stored in museums and CSIRO collections around Australia for centuries.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/41243/discovering-the-deep-blue-in-text-2_500x375.jpg" alt="Discovering The Deep Blue In Text 2 (1)"/></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Scientists identifying microscopic animals onboard. Image credit: Asher Flatt.</em></p> <p>On a voyage of discovery, video footage is not sufficient, because we don’t know the animals. The modern biologist uses high-resolution microscopes and DNA evidence to describe the new species and understand their place in the ecosystem, and that requires actual samples.</p> <p>So why bother studying the deep sea? First, it is important to understand that humanity is already having an impact down there. The oceans are changing. There wasn’t a day at sea when we didn’t bring up some rubbish from the seafloor – cans, bottles, plastic, rope, fishing line. There is also old debris from steamships, such as unburned coal and bits of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.ehow.com/info_12152358_causes-clinkers-coal-fired-boilers.html" target="_blank">clinker</a></strong></span>, which looks like melted rock, formed in the boilers. Elsewhere in the oceans there are plans to mine precious metals from the deep sea.</p> <p>Second, Australia is the custodian of a vast amount of abyss. Our marine <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/national-location-information/dimensions/oceans-and-seas#heading-1" target="_blank">exclusive economic zone (EEZ)</a></strong></span> is larger than the Australian landmass. The Commonwealth recently established a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.environment.gov.au/topics/marine/marine-reserves" target="_blank">network of marine reserves</a></strong></span> around Australia. Just like National Parks on land, these have been established to protect biodiversity in the long term. Australia’s <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.nespmarine.edu.au/" target="_blank">Marine Biodiversity Hub</a></strong></span>, which provided funds for this voyage, as been established by the Commonwealth Government to conduct research in the EEZ.</p> <p>Our voyage mapped some of the marine reserves for the first time. Unlike parks on land, the reserves are not easy to visit. It was our aim to bring the animals of the Australian Abyss into public view.</p> <p>We discovered that life in the deep sea is diverse and fascinating. Would I do it again? Sure I would. After a beer.</p> <p><em>Written by Tim O’Hara. First appeared on <a href="http://www.theconversation.com" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Conversation</span></strong></a>.<img width="1" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/79924/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation"/></em></p>

Cruising

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Europe’s biggest cruise ship embarks on maiden voyage

<p>Europe’s biggest cruise ship has left on its maiden voyage, departing from its dock in Saint-Nazaire, Brittany.</p> <p>The MSC Meraviglia, which cost $1 billion, measures 37.5 metres tall and 300 metres long.</p> <p>The ship holds 5,714 passengers, boasts 19 decks and has been dubbed as the world’s first “smart ship” due to MSC Cruises inclusion of high technology throughout the ship.</p> <p>It has the world’s biggest LED dome at sea, augmented reality mirror and virtual reality experiences. Daily cruise newsletters have been forgotten on this ship and instead guests book excursions, shows and restaurants on one of the 300 interactive screens on board.</p> <p>Children on board also have a smart bracelet where parents can track them via an app on their phone.</p> <p>The shopping precinct also embraces new technology with augmented reality boards which allow guests to try on different clothes without stripping in a changing room.</p> <p>A highlight of the ship is the Cirque du Soleil show which will be performed for the first time at sea.</p> <p>The show occurs in the ship’s Carousel Lounge, a custom-designed performance space which includes a 180-degree circular glass wall that is fitted with high-tech equipment.</p> <p>The ship also includes an aqua park with several swimming pools, an amusement park and a zipline which runs along the length of the ship.</p> <p>For the adults, there is a 25-metre swimming pool with no children allowed.</p> <p>The ship has attracted a lot of attention – French President Emmanuel Macron was one of the guests that waved the ship off as it departed on Wednesday.</p> <p>The ship will sail the Mediterranean until 2019 and then it will sail to Miami to offer Caribbean cruises.</p> <p>Cabins can be booked via their <a href="https://www.cruiseaway.com.au/ship/msc-meraviglia" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">website</span></strong></a>.</p>

Cruising

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World’s first underwater lounge on a cruise ship

<p>Cruising is one of the fastest growing travel sectors at the moment and many cruise lines are looking to offer new, innovative experiences to entice passengers.</p> <p>But this new one from cruise line Ponant is a bit special.</p> <p>The French cruise line, which specialises in expedition-style adventure cruises, is set to launch a range of new vessels that have been outfitted with subaquatic lounges for passengers. This means people cruising with Ponant will be able to enjoy a drink (or two) under the waves, while catching a glimpse of the passing ocean life!</p> <p>The subaquatic lounges will be fitted on all the new vessels set to join Ponant’s fleet, with the first one expected to start sailing as early as 2018.</p> <p><em>Telegraph</em> cruise editor Teresa Machan said this is a reflection on recent trends in the cruising in industry which has seen lines get creative in expanding their offerings.</p> <p>Mr Machan said, “This is the latest in a raft of exciting developments for cruisers. Passengers will soon have access to purpose-built submarines, on-board amenities akin to those found on a luxury yacht and the ability to cruise to some of the most exciting destinations on the planet."</p> <p>The new seven-deck ships are set to be something special. Only accommodating around 184 guests, these cruise ships are diminutive in size and svelte in shape, to help access different cruise experiences by navigating tighter passages and coastline spots.</p> <p>In addition to being able to view some of the ocean’s most spectacular marine life over a gin and tonic, passengers will also have access to an infinity pool, sundeck and scuba facilities. The 92 staterooms are set to be something else as well, offering passengers their own private balconies to view the extraordinary locations this line will visit.</p> <p>Ponant’s vessels will be servicing destinations as diverse as the Great Lakes, Panama Canal, Amazon, Baltic Sea, Indian Ocean, Great Barrier Reef and the Mediterranean.</p> <p>To find out more about this cruise line, click here.</p> <p>How do you feel about these new underwater lounges? What’s the favourite experience you’ve ever had on a cruise ship?</p> <p>Share your story in the comments!</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/05/historic-rusting-ocean-liner-could-be-restored-to-luxury/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Historic rusting ocean liner could be restored to luxury</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/05/new-zealand-by-a-cruise-ship/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Wine, wonder and Lord of the Rings – New Zealand by cruise ship</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/05/woman-sells-everything-to-become-permanent-cruise-ship-resident/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Woman sells everything to become permanent cruise ship resident</strong></em></span></a></p>

Cruising

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