![Nachvak fiord.](/web/20161024161519im_/http://www.traveller.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/4/o/o/4/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gs4nx3.png/1476875833403.jpg)
GOING GREEN
Adventure Canada is offering a Greenland & Wild Labrador cruise departing September 23, 2017, from the head of Sondre Stromfjord in Greenland to St John's in Canada. It sails the western coast and fiords of Greenland and across the Davis Strait to Canada for a visit to Torngat Mountains National Park, which combines dramatic peaks with polar bears. Northern Labrador (Nunatsiavut) is explored on daily Zodiac expeditions and hikes. Along the way it also visits the abandoned community of Hebron; Nuuk, one of the world's northernmost capital cities; and L'Anse aux Meadows, with its history of early Viking exploration.
FIREWORK FEVER
Black-tie service, on-board celebrations, cocktail parties and two of the best destinations in the world for New Year fireworks are being offered this year by Crystal Cruises. Its ocean ship Crystal Symphony sails into Sydney Harbour for the occasion during an Auckland-to-Melbourne cruise, with guests enjoying the fireworks from catamarans as champagne flows and a live band and DJs entertain. Meanwhile, small ship Crystal Esprit will be in Dubai on a round-trip cruise that takes in the Gulf States, with a VIP vantage point on the fireworks for the big night.
Phone 1800 251 174. See crystalcruises.com
TULIP TIME
European river-cruise operator Amras, which recently started marketing in Australia, has rebranded as Amadeus River Cruises from the 2017 season. The company differentiates itself by, among other things, allowing passengers to choose between an all-inclusive package or one in which they explore ports of call by themselves. The 2017 season opens in April and May with eight-day Tulip Serenade cruises round-trip from Amsterdam through Belgium and the Netherlands that visit Keukenhof, one of the world's largest flower gardens, renowned for its springtime tulips. Book before November 30 for early-bird discounts.
Phone 1300 269 228. See amadeus-rivercruises.com.au
SILVER SERVICE
Silversea Cruises is on track to launch its ninth ship, Silver Muse, in April 2017. The mid-sized ship (40,700 tonnes) will accommodate 596 guests in 286 luxury suites that will provide greater flexibility than the company's other ships by offering more connecting suites for families and more spacious, higher-category suites. Silver Muse will also have eight dining venues, more than any other luxury ship afloat. Three will be open-air, part of the ship's increased focus on more open-air public spaces and lounges. The ship is scheduled to first sail round-trip from Monte Carlo on April 10, 2017.
Phone 1300 306 872. See silversea.com
ROOF OF RUSSIA
The Northwest Passage has lately been in the news as the latest sailing route, but Heritage Expeditions is pushing the boundaries of Arctic navigation with a 28-day inaugural journey through the Northeast Passage, with two departures in mid-2017 from either Nome in Alaska (westbound) or Longyearbyen in Norway's Svalbard Islands (eastbound). Changing ice conditions in the Northeast Passage across the top of Russia have allowed a handful of expedition vessels to transit the waterway. The journey will be made on Akademik Shokalskiy, which has participated in Russian exploration of the area since the late 1980s.
Phone 1800 143 585. See heritage-expeditions.com
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