Land & sea: Audley Travel launches ocean cruising

As part of plans to enhance its touring proposition, tailor-made tour operator Audley Travel has added ocean cruising to the mix, combining the best of its carefully curated programme of land-based experiences with a range of ocean cruising itineraries for future bespoke trips for UK-based clients.

Joining the existing river and expedition cruise offering, clients of Audley will now benefit from being able to curate their own ‘hybrid trip’ to maximise their travel time and destination exploration, whilst travelling in comfort, luxury and style. With carefully selected cruise operators as partners, Audley Travel’s specialists will be applying their personalised approach to itinerary planning to extend to all elements of the trip experience, from helping clients choose the right ship, stateroom or suite and onboard experiences, to expertly crafting bespoke landside activities and excursions.

Cruise experiences now available to Audley’s clients as part of wider, bespoke itineraries include sailing onboard a fully rigged ship in the picturesque Bay of Kotor, gliding between the karsts of Halong Bay as the sun sets, exploring hard to reach places like the icescapes of Antarctica or spotting rare lemurs on a rare Madagascar island as well as bucket-list journeys such as navigating the Panama Canal.

In addition to existing river and expedition cruise operators, Audley will be initially working with ocean cruise lines including Aranui, Azamara, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard, Holland America, Paul Gauguin, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea Cruises and Star Clippers.

Sean Atton, Global Cruise Manager at Audley Travel said: “Travelling with Audley is about revealing the best of a destination and that often means experiencing it by land and by sea. Our experts are experienced in creating meaningful trips which include a cruising element so the careful expansion of our rich cruise offering to partner with ocean cruise operators is a natural progression as we look to enhance our overall proposition for clients.

“The beauty of cruise being part of a land itinerary too means clients are able to really enjoy the journey as well as the destinations, and all of the places in between. Our Specialists are excited to now be able to push their destination knowledge further to provide not only the level of personalised service and expertise clients of Audley expect, but also take client’s bespoke trip aspirations to the max, to cover all corners of the earth.”

Sample itineraries include:

Japan and South Korea (cruise with Azamara)

Land highlights — exploring the volcanic landscapes and hot springs of Hakone. Audley can also arrange for clients to take a private class in calligraphy, experience a tea ceremony or learn about ikebana flower arranging in Kyoto.

Cruise highlights — exploring 10 ports in Japan and discovering Busan’s beaches, mountains, temples, and markets.

Audley Travel’s 24-day tailor-made Japan by land & sea itinerary includes 14 nights onboard an Azamara cruise sailing between Tokyo and Kobe on a full board basis (including some drinks), plus three nights in Tokyo and three nights in Kyoto, train travel to Hakone and a two-night stay. The itinerary costs from £12,100 per person (based on two travelling) and includes flights, transfers and pre-cruise excursions. 01993 461518 / www.audleytravel.com/japan.

Australia and New Zealand (cruise with Silversea Cruises)

Land highlights — a full-day tour of Western Australia’s Rottnest Island and an exclusive access backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House as well as a five-day premium train journey on the Indian Pacific between Perth and Sydney with stops in Kalgoorlie (Australia's largest Outback town), stargazing in an almost-ghost-town, guided history, art, and culture touring in Broken Hill (Australia's first heritage-listed city) and wine tasting in the Barossa Valley.

Cruise highlights — indulging in a suite with butler service (and the option to dine privately in the suite) while sailing. Stopping in Tasmania and five New Zealand ports to enjoy wildlife tours on the Otago Peninsula (looking for bird life including yellow-eyed penguins and albatrosses) and wildlife hubs such as the Australasian gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers from Napier.

Audley Travel’s 27-day tailor-made Australia & New Zealand by train & luxury cruise itinerary includes 12 nights onboard a Silversea cruise sailing between Melbourne and Auckland on an all-inclusive basis with a range of excursions included, plus three nights in Perth, premium train travel between Perth and Sydney, two nights wine tasting in the Hunter Valley and two nights in Sydney. The itinerary costs from £16,975 per person (based on two travelling) and includes flights, transfers and excursions. 01993 461518 / www.audleytravel.com/australia.

Kenya, South Africa and a Madagascar cruise (cruise with Regent Seven Seas)

Land highlights — enjoying superb wildlife viewing away from the busier areas of the Masai Mara in a private conservancy within the national reserve, taking a private guided hike up Table Mountain and spending two nights relaxing at the opulent Oberoi on the Mauritius coast.

Cruise highlights — strolling among the striking trees on the Avenue of the Baobabs, seeing brightly coloured marine life in the waters off the Comoros Islands (renowned for their coral reefs) and travelling from Nosy Be to Nosy Komba (an island known for its species of endemic lemurs) to visit a sanctuary and swim in the lagoon.

Audley’s 27-day tailor-made Masai Mara & South Africa with a Madagascar cruise itinerary includes 16 nights onboard a Regent Seven Seas cruise sailing on a full board basis (including some drinks) with a range of excursions included between Cape Town and Mauritius, plus four nights at Asilia Naboisho Camp (in a private conservancy within the Mara), one night in Nairobi, two nights in Cape Town and two nights in Mauritius. The itinerary costs from £17,090 per person (based on two travelling) and includes flights, transfers and excursions. 01993 461518 / www.audleytravel.com/south-africa.

Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore (cruise with Celebrity Cruises)

Land highlights — a sunrise tour of Angkor Wat, and an electric bike tour of the lesser visited temples navigating along the area's quiet roads and hidden jungle pathways.

Cruise highlights — cruising the limestone karsts of Halong Bay, soaking up the atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City and experiencing the rich cultural heritage of Bangkok.

Audley’s 19-day tailor-made Highlights of Southeast Asia by land & sea itinerary includes 12 nights onboard a Celebrity Cruise sailing between Hong Kong and Singapore on a full board basis (including some drinks), plus three nights in Siem Reap (Cambodia) and two nights in Hong Kong. The itinerary costs from £6,875 per person (based on two travelling) and includes flights, transfers and pre-cruise excursions. 01993 461518 / www.audleytravel.com/cambodia.