Cruising with Crystal Symphony near Hiroshima,Japan.Credit:Crystal Symphony
EYES ON ASIA
Asia has long been a surprisingly overlooked cruise destination,but that has changed,with more Asian ports receiving more ship visits. Next year,in celebration of its 25th anniversary,Crystal Cruises has developed a particularly interesting Asian cruise season with visits to new ports (including Belawan in Indonesia,Sanya in China and Aomori in Japan) and more overnight stays,as well as later evening stays in ports such as Sihanoukville in Cambodia,Keelung in Taiwan and Pusan in Korea. Some cruises concentrate on Malaysia,Vietnam or Indonesia,while two are all-China. Phone 1800 251 174. Seecrystalcruises.com.
IN THE PINK
Sailing with Chimu Adventures in Antarctica.
Cruising is generally a glorious self-indulgence,but now travellers can give a little back from their time afloat. Aussie-owned company Chimu Adventures is leading an expedition to the Antarctic in November 2015 in support of the McGrath Foundation. Proceeds from cabin sales on the"Pinktarctica"voyage will support breast-cancer nurses and raise awareness of breast cancer. McGrath Foundation director Tracy Bevan and artist Ken Done will accompany the 12-day journey from Ushuaia on board the expedition ship Sea Adventurer. Phone 1300 213 045. Seechimuadventures.com.
ONLY WAY TO GLIDE
Aqua Expeditions launches a third luxury vessel on the Mekong this month. The 20-cabin Aqua Mekong (which will also be chartered by Abercrombie&Kent) sails between Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia and features five-star comforts such as walk-in rain showers,on-board spa and Vietnamese-influenced cuisine. Kick back and relax:with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows,you don't even need to budge as you watch bamboo forests,Buddhist pagodas,jungle-tumbled mountains and stilt villages float by. All accompanied by a gin pahit once the sun is over the yardarm,of course.
Phone 1800 243 152. Seeaquaexpeditions.com.
FJORD FOCUS