Ponant opens 2028–29 Antarctic season with a second circumnavigation
Ponant has put its 2028–29 Antarctic season on sale, headed by a second 59-night circumnavigation aboard Le Commandant Charcot. It departs Jan. 11, 2029 and includes the Ross Ice Shelf and Mount Erebus. The first 2028 circumnavigation sold out, so expect this departure to move quickly.
The season has 12 itineraries. The 13-departure Emblematic Antarctica program includes a Buenos Aires pre-night plus Ushuaia flights and transfers, which makes it an easy bundle to sell. Fares start at $15,450 per person. Smithsonian Journeys and Explorers Club departures give advisors an affinity-group angle.
For advisors with polar clients, the practical step is to hold space now, particularly on the circumnavigation.
Lindblad loads 2028–29 Central America and returns to French Polynesia
National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has opened 2028–29 inventory, including a new 15-day Epic Costa Rica & Panama itinerary and new 6- and 8-day Guanacaste options. National Geographic Orion returns to French Polynesia, which is the main new-destination hook.
The shorter Costa Rica departures give advisors a lower-commitment entry product for clients new to expedition travel. Lindblad's trade marketing head is pitching advisors on wildlife, photography and multigenerational clients. Early holds are the sensible move on the longer itinerary and on Orion's Polynesia sailings.
Lindblad co-chairman's trust files to sell 1.5M shares ahead of Nov. 3 results
The trust of Lindblad co-chairman Sven Lindblad filed a Form 144 around Oct. 16 to sell 1.5M shares, about $53.2M. The stock is up roughly 145% year to date and trades near its 52-week high. Jefferies rates it Hold with a $32 target, below the market price.
The filing is not a booking signal. It is a supplier-stability data point, and the next thing to watch is Q3 results on Nov. 3. Bookings and pricing commentary there will show whether expedition demand and pricing power are holding.
Silversea's first hotel, Cormorant 55° South, opens this month
Silversea is extending the brand onto land with its first hotel, Cormorant 55° South, which it describes as the world's southernmost. It is due to open this month. That points to a possible pre- or post-cruise gateway product for Patagonia and Antarctic clients.
The source gives few specifics. Before pitching it, ask Silversea about packaging, commission treatment and whether the hotel will be bundled into polar fares.
Swan Hellenic confirms six SETI science cruises for 2027
Swan Hellenic has scheduled six 2027 'Explore Space at Sea' voyages with SETI Institute scientists. They cover the Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic and Antarctic. These are themed, science-led departures that advisors can sell to affinity and enrichment clients who might otherwise skip expedition cruising.
Because they sail in 2027, they can still be booked for the coming season. They are a smaller commercial lever than the Ponant and Lindblad schedules, but they offer a differentiated hook.
A&K Sanctuary details the food and drink on its new Nile riverboat
A&K Sanctuary's new Egypt riverboat, Nile Seray, launches in November. It comes with a food and beverage program that is new to A&K, including tasting menus and botanical beverages. It adds to the A&K Sanctuary ultra-luxury portfolio.
Advisors with Egypt-bound luxury clients can position it against other Nile product. The coverage is mostly culinary, so confirm pricing and commission terms before quoting.