Scenic Group has introduced new early season departures on its European river program, catering for travellers wanting to explore the Continent in cooler weather. The Australian founded company has also added more Christmas departures in its extended season on the Main, Moselle, Rhine and Danube rivers.

The new capacity comes as demand for off-peak travel in Europe soars. New early season departures have been introduced in Portugal on the Douro by the Group.

“As Europe now tends to be experiencing quite a very warm July, August, we’ve seen the shift from seven or eight years ago, when that was the peak period, to shoulder periods now being the peak season,” says Anthony Laver, Scenic Group GM Sales & Marketing APAC.

“We’re now seeing an elongation of the whole season,” Laver told LATTE in Hong Kong last week at Luxury Travel Collections’ Global Owner Managers Harbour Soirée.

The shift is already seeing what has traditionally been the ‘peak summer season’ becoming a new shoulder season, and appealing to different markets.

“We’re seeing a younger cohert coming onboard, as mature travellers don’t want to go in July and August when it is too hot,” he said – carefully noting that he isn’t intending to stereotype any particular demographic.

“A different audience is saying, that’s actually when I want to go.”

“We have this dichotomy of people saying that’s a great time and they can get great deals, but if you want to travel in May, June or the beginning of July, we’ve noticed that the cost of flights have gone up because there is more demand.”

Laver said that in the past, the Group needed to run special promotions and pricing to assist with filling its ships in the shoulder season. And while that activity is still relevant, with earlybird and super earlybird offers to kick off each new season, the extent of the yield management has changed year to year, adjusting to customer demand and shifting trends.

“Our primary objective still remains. To sell all the capacity,” Laver emphasised.

Scenic’s low season for European river cruising remains in January and Februrary, however that too “will change depending on what we put together as product offerings and the season starting earlier,” he suggested.

Scenic Group, which owns and operates rivers ships for both Scenic and Emerald Cruises brands, will add further new metal in Europe in the coming years.

Emerald Astra will join the Emerald Cruises fleet of eight ‘Star-Ships’ in Europe in early May next year. The 180-guest ship will inherit design hallmarks from the brand’s superyachts, featuring enhanced interiors with a sleek and contemporary design. Those tweaks were carried out across the rest of the Emerald river fleet in Europe during the 2025 season.

“We’re on a big growth capacity,” Laver said, revealing to LATTE that further ships, “probably two or three more” will also be announced in 2026.

While unable to confirm specifically which brand and ships the new vessels were destined for, Laver said “we want to make sure that our core product, which we are well-known for river, is also growing in tandem with our ocean product.”

On the ocean, Scenic Ikon is the latest addition confirmed in the superyacht space for the ultra-luxury Scenic brand, joining Scenic Eclipse I and Scenic Eclipse II in the Scenic Discovery Yacht fleet. Meanwhile, Emerald Cruises has two superyachts in service, Emerald Azzurra (build in 2022) and Emerald Sakara (2023), with Emerald Kaia launching next year. Two further superyachts, Emerald Raiya and Emerald Xara will further bolster the Emerald Cruises superyacht fleet to five by 2027.

Notably, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours operates 12 of its ‘Space-Ships’ in Europe – Scenic Sapphire (built in 2008), Scenic Diamond (2009),Scenic Ruby (2009), Scenic Pearl (2011), Scenic Crystal (2012), Scenic Jewel (2013), Scenic Jade (2014), Scenic Gem (2014), Scenic Jasper (2015), Scenic Opal (2016), Scenic Azure (2016), and Scenic Amber, the most recent addition which also launched in 2016.

Meaning, Scenic is well overdue for new metal in its European ‘Space-Ship’ fleet, so perhaps a next-generation ‘Space Ship’ design is in the pipeline?

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Luxury travel advisors are benefitting from various latest trends reported by Luxury Travel Collection (LTC) at last week’s Harbour Soirée in Hong Kong for the group’s Global Business Owners. Speaking to around 100 Owner Members of LTC and partners, Nikki Glading, General Manager of LTC shared insight on what has the interest of the modern luxury leisure traveller in 2026.

Glading said high-net-worth travellers are craving immersion over material experiences, seeking out “transformation over indulgence,” and demanding authenticity in what they do.

“Experiences over possessions, and planning with purpose.”

“Seventy percent of luxury travellers express frustration with travel standardisation, and they are looking for unique destination identities,” Glading said.

“Spontaneity is disappearing and being replaced by careful curation,” she continued, which leans heavily in favour or expert travel advisors.

As has been the trend among trends for a few years, ‘cool-cations’ are popular with LTC’s clients too, such as Antarctica, Norway and Iceland, while solo female travel and multi-generational travel are continuing to be popular too. More than 70% of solo travellers are now female, Glading highlighted.

Event-inspired travel is also booking, especially among Gen Z and Millennials (earning the phrase ‘gig-tripping’) for events, festivals, concerts and sporting events.

Elsewhere, “more and more people are switching off from their everyday world to immerse themselves in wellness and destinations experiences” choosing a digital detox of some form.

Trending destinations for LTC include Antarctica, Scandinavia, Japan, post-Olympics Paris, and alternative destinations to the widely popular European favourites of Italy in Spain in peak season, to the likes of Slovenia, Croatia and Portugal), and National Parks.

More from LTC’s Harbour Soirée in LATTE this week.

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The Luxury Travel Collection (LTC) has quietly launched a new advisor level option for high-yielding independent travel specialists to join the luxury business. Called The Club by LTC, the division aims to offer a solution for independent contractors and mobile advisors who want to be part of FCTG’s flourishing specialist high-end travel arm. 

Details of The Club by LTC, along with LTC’s planned entry into the New Zealand market were confirmed this week at the group’s Global Business Owners Harbour Soirée in Hong Kong. 

Speaking with LATTE at the three-night conference, Nikki Glading, General Manager of LTC said since launching two years ago the intention was to expand across ‘the ditch’, with soaring demand meaning the time was right, now. 

LTC expansion to New Zealand builds on demand

“We were always going to launch New Zealand because the markets are so closely aligned, and so similar in a lot of ways, but also so different. I think the LTC has some good ‘friends’ already in the luxury community in New Zealand,” Glading said. 

LTC’s plan for New Zealand will be to grow “as large as the number of right people for our community requires,” she said. “Our criteria is not changing. It’s been there since day one.

“They need to be entrepreneurs, they need to embrace our core values, be known for a strong focus on service, a high reputation for luxury business, and suppliers need to feel that they are relationship-based.” 

Danielle Galloway, Global MD Luxury & Independent, Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) admits LTC’s entry into New Zealand is “probably before we necessarily would have wanted, but it’s fantastic to see and we’re being bold in terms of taking on those other pathways to get more of the right members that are asking to be part of the community.” 

Galloway indicated there will be announcements of new members imminently. 

“We think our investment of being on the ground in a market that has different nuances to the Australian market, and recognising those differences, and having somebody on the ground is also an advancement in terms of the focus on New Zealand, and it recognises that there is a lot of growth that’s happening in the luxury space there”. 

“We’re hearing that from our partners, and also, many of our customer interactions,” Galloway told LATTE. 

Since launching in 2023, LTC has increased its membership from seven to 25 members, with a 100% retention rate. Since Q1 2025, LTC has welcomed five newcomers, with the latest being Bespoke Journeys and Why Travel who came online this month.

“Everybody is happy. Everybody is staying. They have great, strong relationships with our partners. Shannon [Fogarty, Head of Product for LTC] and her team are procuring a really refined range for the Galleries De Luxe collection, which is putting amazing product on the shelf for our members to choose from.” 

LTC’s 25 members represent 86 locations across Australia and have more than 500 advisors. Last FY, the Luxury Travel Collection witnessed 84% growth in TTV, and the brand is forecasting to double that figure this financial year. Touring and cruising are both strong sellers, along with – somewhat surprisingly, notes Glading – are air sales. 

“Since launching in 2023, the influence of the members of LTC have made a big noise in the luxury travel industry in Australia and New Zealand,” Glading said. 

Where The Club by LTC fits in

The Club by LTC is the new, word-of-mouth exclusive group of luxury advisors who are joining LTC for the same reason that member agencies have done, which is “to become part of a very special luxury community,” the head of LTC remarked. 

“A reimagined luxury advisor model that is there to cater for a need for people who want to be a part of what we are doing,” Glading explains. 

The new advisor level means LTC has three options for potential members to join. The Classic model which was rolled out from the outset to the initial seven members, an Affiliate membership whereby members of other consortia can purchase luxury products through LTC’s ‘House of Luxury’ offering, and now at the Advisor level. 

“We are meeting the demands of advisors who have been asking us for two years, ‘how do I become part of LTC?’” 

“Some of our members are host agencies for brokers. We are now going to be a host agency for these independent advisors. They may be part of another high-profile agency group who are looking for something unique and different, with a lot more support.” 

“We are being quite careful. We have an amazing advisor network in-market already, which is Envoyage, a sister-brand to us, and we’ve also got amazing members in Link and LTC that also host. We don’t want to come in and try and steal from our family, but there is demand.” 

Glading adds, “the joining criteria has not, and will not change. High performance and profitable results.” 

Galloway adds, “In such a short time, LTC is really influencing the market in terms of people wanting to go beyond the model that we’re offering to be part of the community.” 

“People are actually asking to be part of it. We’ve been saying no since the launch of LTC.”

“We’ve held out, but now it would be silly to continue to do so. There’s way too many and they are the right members to be part of LTC. Demand has created expansion.” 

Glading and Galloway say the potential for The Club by LTC within the first 12 months would sit around 10 independent advisors. 

“We’re keeping it quite exclusive,” Galloway said. 

“When the right people come along, we’ll know,” added Glading. 

Lead image: Rachel Kingswell, General Manager, Travel Associates; Danielle Galloway, Global MD Luxury & Independent, FCTG and Nikki Glading, General Manager, Luxury Travel Collection.

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Scenic has been taken aback by the level of interest for its newest superyacht, Scenic Ikon, to the point that the luxury cruise company is recalibrating its next steps.

Slated to commence operation in April 2028, the third project in the Scenic Discovery Yachts fleet – after Scenic Eclipse I and II – was confirmed by Scenic Founder and Chairman, Glen Moroney two weeks ago in Sydney. Moroney was in the country from Europe on a multi-city showcase to promote the brand’s new 270-guest yacht that will be equipped with helicopters and submarine.

According to Anthony Laver, Scenic Group GM Sales & Marketing APAC the response from consumers and the trade for Scenic Ikon has been “phenomenal”. He says the initial response has meant Scenic has had to “recalibrate what we thought was going to be forward bookings and deposits.” 

“The fact that we’ve sold out the first two departures and nearly sold out the third, our bookings into 2029 with some quite high percentages for the Med 2028/29, and Antarctica ‘29, we look at the forecast we originally put in place, and they’re all smashed, so we’re really excited.” 

And there’s still a lot more to be revealed for Scenic Ikon, Laver told LATTE on the sidelines of the Luxury Travel Collection’s Global Business Owners’ Harbour Soirée in Hong Kong this week, with an elevated wellness program, new dining experiences and more destinations still to be announced for the maiden season. 

Moroney chose Australia, where Scenic Group has its strongest roots, to launch Scenic Ikon to the world for good reason. 

“Australia being the birthplace of Scenic and having a strong brand, [it] made sense of us to go out and test the waters in an area that we know has a strong loyalty base, a very strong brand recognition, strong travel partnerships and more importantly, we have a strong reputation for delivering all-inclusive luxury,” Laver explained. 

Scenic Discovery Yachts vs hotel brand yachts

Laver said with luxury hotel brands such as The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Four Seasons, Orient Express and Aman entering the yachting space, it’s Scenic’s all-inclusive offering that will set the brand apart. 

He says these upmarket hotel brands are working off a ‘hotel base’ pricing structure, meaning the client is only paying for a hotel room as the core product, and everything else is, generally, an add-on. Such as transfers, dining, beverages, experiences, entertainment, touring, tipping and more. 

“There is a quite a large menu of things that are optional extras, and that’s where we have a strong point of difference.” 

“We don’t go out and compare. We believe we have all-inclusive ultra-luxury yacht cruising in a class of its own, which differentiates us.” 

Laver adds that competition is healthy for cruising, telling LATTE: “we want them to come in to the market because it actually shows the value equation much more strongly when they’re going out offering one thing, and we’re going out offering a similar… let’s call it ‘amazing yacht experience’, but with all these extra inclusions.”  

“That’s where we see is a major benefit to the brand, and the experience.”  

Polar class advantage

Another crucial point of difference between the Scenic Discovery Yachts and hotel brand yachts is the Polar Class 1A hull of the vessels. And while Scenic Ikon enables Scenic Group to increase its focus on the Mediterranean and warmer water sailings, where Laver admits there was a “gap in our portfolio,” (and where it will sail 60-70% of the year), the ice-strengthened hull gives the luxury cruise and travel company “greater versatility.” 

“When you have polar class 1A, you can go into polar regions. There may or may not be ice there, but having the flexibility when you’re in the northern part of Europe to go to the Arctic, or to fjord regions where there’s a lot of floating ice, gives the ship the ability, and for us to say, that we can be completely global.” 

He notes, “When you produce a ship for a specific season and reason, then you’re stuck to that, whereas the versatility of what Scenic Eclipse and Ikon has, is that it can go to all these regions and it can still deliver these amazing experiences, both offshore, onshore and on the ship. That still is not comparable.” 

Scenic Ikon II?

Given the apparent ‘overnight success’ of Scenic Ikon’s launch, and based on Scenic’s history of building more than one ocean ship in each segment it operates, LATTE quizzed Laver when was Scenic Group planning to cut the first steel for Scenic Ikon II? 

A clear flattered Laver said optimistically, “If you look at our history with Emerald, we did Azzurra and Sakara, you look at what we did with Scenic Eclipse… Let’s just see how the first Ikon goes. “ 

“I’m sure that if it continues as successfully as it has, then I’m confident Glen will make the announcement at the right time. But there’s nothing set in stone, because this industry is quite dynamic.” 

“We’re so delighted with the response for Ikon as it is, whether a second ship comes or not, it is going to depend on how that sells in the first six months. So stay tuned.” 

Scenic Group’s partnership with LTC

Meanwhile, Laver said Scenic Group’s partnership with LTC for the Harbour Soirée as Platinum Partner was important for the Australian-born brand. 

“Not just because LTC/Travel Associates and the Flight Centre Group are an important part of our growth, but that they really are focusing on that luxury cruise market.” 

“We are eager to develop a deeper B2B relationship with the areas of the FCTG that are growing,” he said. 

After an around the country tour to promote Scenic Ikon in Australian cities late last month, Moroney continues the global launch of the new six-star ship in Canada this week, followed by the US next week, and then the UK. Other markets, including Latin America, Asia, India and EMEA, will follow in the first quarter of 2026. 

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Ownership of luxury boutique Dolphin Island Fiji has changed hands, recently returning to the original family after Huka Lodges offloaded the asset it acquired in the late 1980s.

Located off the coast of Rakiraki in the northern part of Viti Levu, the 14-acre all-inclusive Dolphin Island Fiji accommodates a maximum of eight guests in four luxurious bures. Due to its size, it is not uncommon that a booked couple will have exclusive-use of the resort.

Requiring a three-night minimum stay, the primary market for the propertry is Australian travellers, followed by guests from the United States, which since the pandemic, has overtaken the Kiwi market that’s currently experiecing a lull. European honeymooners are another strong source market, says Susan Magi, the Australian representative for Dolphin Island Fiji.

The island takes around 20 minutes to stroll around, and guests can swim directly off the beach that surrounds the island, and snorkel in the crystal clear waters. Two private islands nearby are also accessible to guests by boat for a picnic lunch.

Guests are quickly welcomed and made to feel at home by resort manager and head chef, Dawn Simpson, who has lived on the island for the past 40 years. Visitors can be as active or as relaxed as they like, with their time truly their own, Magi says.

Dolphin Island offers access to a genuine and authentic relationship with Fijian culture, making it possible for guests to immerse themselves in the kava ceremony, tapa cloth making, listen to all the amazing legends and stories passed down the generations from the village elders, enjoy the beautiful voices raised in song and join the rhythm of the drums accompanying the traditional dances.

The property is accessed from the mainland on a 10 minute boat ride from the wharf in Rakiraki. The destination itself is a scenic 2.5 hour road transfer from Nadi, passing through dozens of local Fijian communities. Land transfers are included in the rate. Guests also have the option of a 35-minute heli-transfer into and out of Dolphin Private Island, cutting the journey time down considerably.

While most bookings for Dolphin Island Fiji tend to come direct, the change in ownership has triggered a response to re-establishment ties with the trade and travel advisors directly.

Magi works directly with advisors, offering nett rates, enabling partners to set their own costs. She acts a personal concierge for travel advisors, able to provide all the answers a client may have about the resort and their stay.

Magi was in Sydney last week where she hosted an intimitate gathering of travel advisor at Cafe Sydney.

Lead image, back row from left, are: Ken Higgins, Travel Associates Mosman; Helen George, The Honeymoon Boutique; Kevin Looney, AirBnB APAC; Wendy MacFarlane, NorthShore Travel; Lisa Caldwell, Spencer Travel; Julie Li, Lux Voyages; Lynn Ormiston, Luxperience and Susan Magi, Dolphin Island Fiji.

Front row, left to right: Allan Hopper, Hopperound Cruise & Travel; Mario Paez, Plantdwellers; Anya Hollstein, Travel Associates Blues Point; Geda Selim, Envoyage Miranda; Janene Pendleton, Envoyage Drummoyne; Johnny Papas, Quintessentially Travel and Michelle Adamcewicz, HelmsBriscoe.

Contact Susan at Dolphin Private Island for enquiries at reservations@dolphinislandfiji.com.

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Luxury Travel Collection (LTC) members from across Australia will converge in Hong Kong next week for the first overseas Global Luxury Business Owners Harbour Soirée. 

Key partners of the event include Regent Hong Kong, Scenic Group (Platinum Partner) and Hong Kong Tourism Board (Destination Partner). 

105 members across Travel Associates’ Business Leaders and LTC Independent agencies will unite at the five-star Regent Hong Kong for the four-day conference, which commences this Sunday.  

A dozen LTC Member agencies will be represented from Luxury Cruise Escapes, Chirn Park Travel, Why Travel , Destination HQ, Travel Experts, The Travel Notebook, Playford Travel Group, Tailored Journeys, Take Off Go, Bicton Travel & Claremont Travel, Complex Travel and Emma Whiting Travel, along with members from FCTG’s luxury retail network, Travel Associates. 

Representatives from some 20 LTC partner/suppliers are also making their way to Hong Kong, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Tauck, Viking, Ponant Explorations, AmaWaterways, Adventure World, The Armstrong Collective, Intrepid, HX Expeditions and others. 

The theme of the conference is ‘The Power of Influence’, with LTC members and partners playing a significant role in influencing not only their clients but in shaping the industry as well, the luxury arm of Flight Centre Travel Group said. 

The Leadership Program will bring together visionaries, innovators, and our member changemakers shaping the future of luxury travel.

Danielle Galloway, Global MD Luxury & Independent, FCTG will lead the narrative on ‘The Influence of Luxury Psychology,’ exploring what drives people to desire extraordinary experiences.

Simon Kriss, Chief AI Officer & Author will discuss the ‘Emerging Influence of Technology’, while Rachel Kingswell, General Manager of Travel Associates, will moderate a fireside chat with Ivona Siniarska of Take Off Go and Christine Botterall of Ashmore, Harris & James Travel Associates, to shed light on approaches to leadership and brand influence.

A focus of this Soirée is for LTC members to rediscover Hong Kong, which has seen a resurgence as a destination for luxury travellers, some years after the covid pandemic.  

The multi-day Harbour Soirée includes destination experiences, a scenic Dim Sum Cruise on Hong Kong Harbour with LTC’s executive team and multiple networking opportunities. 

More from The Global Luxury Business Owners Harbour Soirée in LATTE next week.

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Silversea Cruises is responding to the ‘slow travel’ movement, with its new itineraries offering guests more time in port, overnight stays, late departures, new tailored shore excursions and visiting smaller communities in lesser-known locations.

Speaking about luxury cruising in general following the recent release of Silversea’s 2027/28 Voyage Collection, Adam Radwanski, Managing Director of Asia Pacific said: “There’s an evident shift to experiences, to immerse yourself within destinations.”

“Not to escape the world but to escape into the world, and to see how the locals live, how the small communities operate,” he told media, including LATTE, at the Japanese themed, Five at Prefecture 48 in Sydney’s CBD on Tuesday.

“We don’t flood the villages and small towns with thousands of guests.”

“Our classic fleet is only 388 guests to 728, so small enough, especially, as we have a great selection of shore excursions to disperse the client across the communities so there is very little to no impact…apart from them benefitting from it, of course.” 

“Having smaller ships gives us increased flexibility where itineraries can visit major, well-known ports, in addition to several lesser-known boutique local ports. The big ports have the global appeal and recogntion, and everybody wants to visit them, coupled with some small ports in places like Corsica or Sicily.” 

“There’s the curosity element of something new and the comfort of the known, and I think that’s the ‘golden recipe’ for Silversea’s success.” 

“414 itineraries. 606 destinations. That makes us truly, the most global luxury cruise line in the world,” he boasted.

“We can be proud of this. Covering all seven continents, 600-plus destinations, a lot of those destinations that are small, unique ports, thanks to the size of our ships, but also thanks to our itinerary stewardship.” 

Sailings are focussed on immersive experiences and exclusive access. The program features shorter, combinable itineraries and a stand out is the luxury cruise line’s first summer season in Japan. There are also expedition voyages in Japan and Asia, along with new shore excursions, Silversea’s Director of Brand Marketing for Asia Pacific, Philippa Walker, said.

Grand Voyages

Three Grand Voyages that unlock a destination “from the inside out” are available in the 2027/28 program, including the close-to-home 51-day Grand Voyage Asia 2028 on Silver Muse, the 77-day Grand Voyage South America 2028 aboard Silver Ray and before those, the 60-day Grand Voyage of the Mediterranean in 2027, aboard Silver Dawn.

New shore excursions where the customer has full control over how they want to experience a destination. Accessing many more small ports, and overnights. 

Guests are telling us they don’t want to come to a destination for five hours and then have to run away. They want to stay for maybe 8 to 12 hours, or even to overnight and experience a destination in the evening versus during the day. 

Marquee Events and Local Festivals

A key pillar of the 2027/28 season is positioning Silversea’s ships to destinations hosting major key events. Honing in on the events segment, the cruise line is working with tourism boards where annual events are taking place, forward planning its port calls to coincide with major events and festivals.

That includes the Australian Open in Melbourne in January, the Amori Nebuta Festival in Japan, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Monaco Grand Prix, Rio’s Carnival, and more, Radwanski said.

In a lot of these places Silversea will be the only cruise line in our segment to give a flavour. Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Rio Carnival, and many others. 

“This is testament to our vision to provide our guests with something beyond just cruise. Our ships are amazing, floating luxury hotels, our customers want something more than just cruising. They want destination immersion,” Radwanski said.

First time Japan summer season deployment

The program features Silversea’s debut summer season in Japan, with a retrofitted Silver Muse to offer its S.A.L.T. ecosystem, “to meet the needs of the market and to enhance the culinary offering”. 

“We are the first luxury cruise line basing our ship in Japan throughout the year. Usually, cruise ships will operate during the cherry blossom season and then in autumn. We are keeping Silver Muse in Japan,” he said.

“Our guests see Asia as almost an extension of the ‘close to home’ market”.

Silversea will have 41 voyages spread across two ships in Asia, with Silver Moon joining Silver Muse.

He highlighted the benefits for guests sailing to Asia over summer, instead of Europe, including the less likelihood for Australian travellers off suffering jetlag, as the destination is within easy reach – about 6-10 hours flying time. 

“In exchange, the guest is getting this incredible, rich cultural and culinary experience.” 

“The season in Japan gives our guests an alternative to the Mediterranean to escape te Australian winter, with a reasonable cost of travel, even for those flying Business Class.” 

The cost is half that of flying to Europe in Business, there’s the time saving and the culture and culinary experiene in Japan. Itineraries feature a variety of destinations in Japan, plus Korea which is trending, and Beijing and Shanghai in China.

“We have very high hopes for this season and we’re very proud that we are literally the only luxury offering in this part of the world,” Radwanski reiterated.

Mediterranean commitment with dual Nova Class ships

In the Mediterranean, Silversea will have four ships, including its two Nova Class sister ships, Silver Nova and Silver Ray.

Silver Nova will operate exclusively in the Greek Islands, navigating to smaller islands and communities the brand hasn’t yet explored. That program has no ‘sea days’, providing “great value in terms of experiences,” Radwanski said. Itineraries have been designed so guests can book back-to-back sailings and avoid doubling up on common ports. 

Meanwhile, Silver Nova will sail the Western Med, based mostly from Lisbon, Nice, Barcelona and Rome. 

Expedition cruising

Silversea Expeditions will cruise the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctic, Western Africa, the Galapagos, French Polynesia the Kimberley, “which we’ve been coming to for years with a highly successful product,” the Melbourne-based cruise chief adds.

New for Silversea are voyages in Melanesia, Micronesia, Southeast Asia and through to Japan. The program will feature a positioning voyage from Okinawa through the Philippines and into Darwin. 

Private charter aircraft with Silversea product

Radwanski lauded the “incredible support” from parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, saying the company is continually investing in Silversea to enhance the product to “stay ahead of the competition”.  

That includes the investment in an exclusive chartered aircraft that now features an elevated Silversea branding and product onboard.

He said the aircraft was necessary as the quality of the product on commercial airlines “is not always the best” and was bringing guests’ first touchpoint and experience of Silversea’s Antarctic experience down.

Silversea’s aircraft is based in Santiago in a private jet terminal, “avoiding the hustle and bustle” of the busy main commercial terminal. Guests then fly into Puerto Williams to join a classic cruise across the Drake Passage, or Silversea’s fly/cruise program, either a six- or nine-day itinerary, which Radwanski says represents “the pinnacle… and most premium and amazing Antarctic experience”. 

Two of Silversea’s three ships in Antarctica are devoted to the fly/cruise program, including it’s benchmark expedition ship, Silver Endeavour, and Silver Wind. Meanwhile, Silver Cloud operates the luxury cruise brand’s other Antarctic sailings of 10, 12 and 18 nights. 

Silversea’s first hotel nearing completion

And soon, Silversea will also have its own hotel in Puerto Williams, The Cormorant 55 South, primarily to cater for the fly/cruise client. At the hotel, guests will be able to kayak or join a curated walking excursion, experience Chilean cuisine and the indigenous cultures. 

The property broke ground in October last year, and has been pre-assembled in Mendoza, Argentina, more than 3,450 kilometres away from the site in Patagonia, where the hotel is being pieced together.

Silversea’s website states the 150-key hotel will begin welcoming guests in January 2026.

Staff at the waterfront property are being trained the Silversea way, “so guests can expect the same smooth, amazing service” they are familiar with on the water. 

Lead image: Silversea Cruises’ Adam Radwanski, Managing Director APAC and Philippa Walker, Director – Brand Marketing APAC | Image: Guy Dundas

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EXCLUSIVE

Explora Journeys is making plans to deploy its first ship, EXPLORA I, in Australian waters in the late summer of 2028/2029, according to recently updated port schedules. Australia has always been part of Explora Journeys’ long-term vision, and by 2029, MSC Group’s ultra-luxury cruise brand will have six ships in the water, so a local deployment has always been on the cards.

LATTE can exclusively reveal that both Darwin Ports and Ports Victoria are showing the 461-all suite ship will make its debut Down Under from February 2029. While noting port schedules can change, cruise lines often hold slots well ahead of commencing operation to secure space and to itinerary plan.

Darwin’s cruise ship schedule is showing EXPLORA I will dock at the Northern Territory capital on 5 February at 5:30am, and depart later the same day at 5pm. EXPLORA I is the only ship currently scheduled that far ahead on the Darwin Port’s website.

Meanwhile, Vic Ports’ website similarly shows EXPLORA I is slated to arrive at 7am at Station Pier, Port Melbourne on 20 February 2029. It will then set sail at 9pm the same day.

Other major Australian gateway cruise ship ports, such as Sydney and Fremantle (Perth), along with Brisbane and Cairns, haven’t released their 2029 cruise timetables as yet.

Similarly, Port of Auckland’s online cruise schedule is only released up until late August 2026, while Christchurch’s cruise port, Lyttelton, has future ship arrivals only through to next April.

Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore also doesn’t feature its cruise ship schedules many years in advance, however intriguingly, the website does list both EXPLORA I and EXPLORA III on a dropdown menu. Last month, Explora Journeys’ released its 2027/28 program which includes sailings aboard EXPLORA III through Asia, including calls in the Lion City, but not details on the luxe cruise brand’s first ship in the fleet visiting Singapore.

The ultra-luxury EXPLORA I debuted in 2023, with LATTE the sole Australian travel industry publication welcomed aboard for the christening cruise from New York to Quebec.

Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific have been on Explora Journeys’ radar before the first ship even set sail. Explora Journeys’ inaugural CEO, Michael Ungerer, told LATTE in 2022 that Australia would “eventually” be added to the list of destinations the brand will explore. At the time, Ungerer cited Australia’s lack of liquified natural gas facilities presented a challenge for the cruise line.

As we previously reported, Ungerer said Australia and New Zealand journeys are “definitely” on the horizon. “Certainly, for sure, once we have a fleet.” He indicated EXPLORA III and IV would be more inclined to be positioned closer to Europe and the US when they debut – due to LNG resources – freeing up the option for I or II to likely explore Australasian waters. 

Last month, Antonio Paradiso, VP International Sales for Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises, restated that although Australia and New Zealand do not feature in the newly release collection, he assured LATTE that both destinations are “very much on our radar”.

LATTE has sought confirmation of Explora Journeys’ potential deployment in Australian waters for the first time.

*** Monday, 27 October: Responding to LATTE‘s report last week, Explorer Journeys has confirmed it will send EXPLORA I to Australia in 2029.

A statement from the Geneva based luxury cruise line, sent first to LATTE, stated: “Explora Journeys can confirm that EXPLORA I will include calls to select Australian ports as part of our future itineraries. Further details will be announced in due course.”

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Travel advisors are being encouraged to better leverage AI in their everyday workflow to improve efficiency, while honing their own knowledge. Speaking in Sydney earlier this month, Nolan Burris, Training & Development Consultant for Signature Travel Network, called on frontline sellers to embrace AI, citing proven examples of how other some advisors have built their business around the technology. 

In Australia from Canada to speak at Luxperience 2025 about professional fees (learn more here), Burris discussed some of his expert finds on artificial intelligence with a break-out group of Signature’s Australia–based members at the Shangri-La Sydney, also exclusively attended by LATTE. 

Burris recounted one AI-savvy independent member of Signature Travel Network, affiliated with a host agency, has based her business around a detailed discussion with ChatGPT. 

“Before she even started her one-person business, she used ChatGPT to define who is her ‘dream’ client and what their characteristics are.” 

“They had a back-and-forth conversation about the places that client travels, how long, their age group and how do they feel about fees. That sort of thing. And once she had defined who they were, she then used ChatGPT to help create a mission statement that aligns with her clientele. Then she created a marketing plan to attract that ideal client. 

“She then used ChatGPT to work out how much it was going to cost to deliver what she wanted to deliver to that kind of client, and to come up with the right kind of fee, and then a name for the fee, and how to communicate that fee in a positive way.” 

“That is a brilliant use of AI,” Burris said. “Her image was managed from top to bottom, and she had no conflicts.” 

The visiting Vancouverite suggested that AI might also be “more helpful in travel marketing than anything,” discussing the four biggest players in the artificial intelligence space, namely ChatGP, Gemini, Claude and LLaMA  – and how they differ. 

Burris discussed three key areas where advisors can utilise AI, including basic enquiries to begin the sales process; trip planning and the ‘human’ elements, such as food and dining; and, what he believes is the most “untapped” area of AI – “using it to help you with your selling and consulting skills”. 

New, or even experienced travel advisors, unfamiliar with a destination a client is interested in can use AI to ask questions such as, what they should expect to be asked? and what are the top things to do in said destination?, with one AI platform going so far as offering talking points and suggested itineraries for the consultation. 

He said use AI to learn about talking points such as dining options for vegetarians in the destination, and if the client has family roots to the destination, find out anything special that may link them.

“Now we’re starting to really get into the human stuff. The kind of thing that makes a trip truly personal.” 

Burris said be specific with the information being sought, and to ask AI to display results in a table format that makes it easier to compare discussion points. Including a specific website URL in your search alsl enables the AI platform to use “real, known information.”  

“You could just give it the website, but they don’t trawl through whole websites, yet.” 

He suggests using the URLs of two different hotels to ask AI to compare their amenities, stand out features, proximity to local sites, primary clientele, etc. 

AI can also be used as another set of eyes to review a proposal to a client, with Burris saying to ask the platform “Did I miss anything important?” before sending it on. 

As a side note, Burris also told the Signature advisors, never to call a proposal a “quote”. 

“Call it anything but a quote because you know you spent hours preparing it. They think you might have just looked at Expedia to come up with a number when you call it a quote. Call it the results of your research.” 

His expert comparative analysis of the four main AI systems, in short, determined; 

• OpenAI’s ChatGPT is the most diverse, however inaccuracy is an issue 

• Google’s Gemini is the most current, but influenced by advertising 

• Anthrop\c’s Claude is best for long-form writing, but has limited we access, and; 

• Meta’s LLaMA is good for trends, while being trained on social posts. 

But, what is it that a travel advisor can do that artificial intelligence is completely incapable of?, he questioned his Signature Travel Network audience?

“Care. Humanity.” 

“When you think about how you would articulate your value. How you would sell yourself? That should be the absolute focus, because AI is going to get better and better and better… and it will get to the point when the consumer won’t know that they’re not talking to a human. It’s a little scary.”

“We must focus on our humanity, make it every single enquiry, even with repeat clients, maybe even especially with repeat clients, because they forget.

“They forget that when they spoke to you a year ago, how great you were.” 

“Integrate [humanity] throughout your whole sales process with your clients, and always be mindful that even if they’re not saying it out loud, somewhere they are thinking why should I use you? So answer it before they even ask, because they’re probably not going to ask. Be proactive about it. And be eloquent about it.” 

Burris used the analogy of an ultra-luxury cruise brand with its heavy and glossy brochure with strong visuals but not having a cruise expert to discuss the brand and brand. 

He quipped, “If the only thing in the brochure was, Yeah, we have some great cruises and some nice food, come on, it’s only $25,000, you’ll have a great time! – then they’d be out of business tomorrow!” 

“You, as travel advisors, lead the discussion with the client about the product, and you make it personal. What is service. What is being attentive.

“Share your stories of how you rescued a client during their travels. You’ve all got those stories. And make it human.” 

“My smartphone. My watch, can actually book a cruise. Only another human can actually care.” 

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Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park has been named in National Geographic‘s ‘Best of the World 2026‘ list of the “most awe-inspiring, meaningful and immersive travel experiences for the upcoming year”.

National Geographic says the ‘Best of the World’ is “the definitive guide to the top destinations to visit in 2026”.

“From Rwandan safaris to Pittsburgh museums, this year’s edition encourages readers to rethink how they travel, embracing deeper connections with nature, culture and communities,” the esteemed, Washington D.C.-headquartered travel publisher said.

The fabled Red Centre landmark is the only location in Australia featured in the 25 most diverse destinations globally, handpicked by National Geographic’s global community of editors, travel contributors and international partners.

National Geographic has positioned Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa in the same field of other destinations such as The Dolomites in Italy, Yamagata Prefercture in Japan, Türkiye’s Black Sea Coast and the Basque Country of Spain. Or cities and towns including Manila in the Philippines; Beijing, China; Banff, Québec and Vancouver in Canada; Rabat in Morocco, and Hull in Yorkshire, England. And even entire countries; namely Dominica in the Caribbean; South Korea and Fiji.

In fact, Fiji and Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa were among only four destinations that made Nat Geo’s ‘Best in the World’ grade, located in the Southern Hemisphere, alongside Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Akagera National Park in Rwanda.

Four U.S. locations were also in the Top 25. They were North Dakota’s Badlands, Pittsburg in Pennsylvania; Maui in Hawaii and Route 66 (in Oklahoma), which celebrates its centennial in 2026.

National Geographic says its curated selection of ‘Best of the World’ destinations aspires to “inspire travellers,” and includes “something for everyone: families, foodies, animal lovers, adventurers and more”.

“This year’s list stands apart by featuring destinations that celebrate distinctive cultural moments, one-of-a-kind events and experiences, awe-inspiring natural wonders and sustainable travel.”

“At Nat Geo, we know that travel has the power to inspire and transform us,” said Nathan Lump, Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic.

“In this year’s Best of the World, we especially wanted to highlight unexpected destinations that the algorithms are probably not serving you — for instance, Uzbekistan’s Khiva or Rwanda’s Akagera National Park,”

“Of course, we know that not every trip can be an off-the-beaten-path adventure, so we were mindful to include some surprisingly compelling places that are also more easily accessible. Whatever kind of traveller you are, our goal is to ensure we’re sharing fresh ideas that help you connect with that feeling of discovery and joy that comes from a great travel experience.”

Of the top 25 destinations, National Geographic’s Readers Choice winner was Banff, Canada.

View the full Best of the World 2026 list, with more details, here.

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