CLOCKWISE, FROM FAR LEFT On a National Geographic
Expeditions and Ponant cruise you can sail to Greenland’s
Nansen Harbor; explore ancient gorges in the Kimberleys
with True North Adventure Cruises; seals at Hanusse Bay
in Antarctica; art enthusiasts can see Monet’s Garden
firsthand on a Botanica World Discoveries river cruise;
the Crystal Cruises River fleet provides six-star service
and fine dining; Crystal Symphony’s pool deck; on the
luxury Crystal Yacht you can customise your experience.Australian coast includes lunch at Maggie’s place and
Champagne and oysters at Coffin Bay — cage diving
with great white sharks is optional.
Those curious to explore more far-flung regions should
look to National Geographic Expeditions, which has
partnered with French cruise company Ponant to explore
Antarctica and the Amazon River. Closer to home, the
14-night wildlife-focused voyage meanders around
Fiordland and the Subantarctic Islands of Australia and
New Zealand, where guests can spot penguins patrolling
the black, sandy beaches.
Of course, for many, cruising the azure waters of the
Mediterranean, docking at the picturesque port towns
in Italy and France along the way, is the ultimate holiday.
“The Mediterranean is a perennial favourite,” says Karen.
The 10-night Masterpieces of the Mediterranean voyage
— wending from Barcelona to Venice by way of the French
Riviera — attracts lovers of architecture, history and
coastal enclaves. Proximity to the islands of the South
Pacific provides further incentive to set sail, with Tahiti
and the Cook Islands luring Australians with their
turquoise waters and exotic flora and fauna.
“There’s definitely a cruise for everyone,” says Maria.
“And these days it’s about so much more thanjust
downtime — just about any passion can b ed for,
and travellers can come home not only fe ejuvenated,
but with a sense of personal enrichment.”
For more information, visit crystalcruises.com and
smartflyer.com
MAKE SURE TO PACK THESE
CRUISING ESSENTIALS.
1 Aziz hat, $71.82, from Made in Mada. 2 Checkmate sunglasses in Crazy Tort,
$300.54, from Karen Walker. 3 Backgammon set, $99.95, from Planet Finska.
4 Square Maillot swimsuit in Clove, $300, from Matteau. 5 The Gathered skirt
in Wildflower, $390, from Matteau. 6 Albus Lumen cotton, pearl and bead
necklace, $293.57, from Net-a-Porter. 7 RMS Beauty Signature make-up set
in Pop Collection, $67, from Mecca. 8 Lite-Cube DLX 55cm suitcase, $845,
from Samsonite. 9 Capri Positano Sandals Roman sandals in Raw Light Tan,
$190, from The Store. For stockists details, see page 136.gone sailing
213457986SEPTEMBER 2019 COUNTRY STYLE 109