As part of plans to enhance its touring proposition, custom travel company Audley Travel has added ocean cruising to the mix, combining the best of its carefully curated program of land-based experiences with a range of ocean cruising itineraries for future bespoke trips. 

Joining the existing river and expedition cruise offering, clients of Audley will now benefit from being able to curate their own 'hybrid trip' to maximize their travel time and destination exploration, while traveling in comfort, luxury and style. With carefully selected cruise operators as partners, Audley Travel's specialists will be applying their personalized 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 French Polynesia's remote islands or traveling in luxury along the historic Spice Route.

In addition to existing river and expedition cruise operators, Audley will be initially working with cruise lines including Aranui, Celebrity Cruises, Paul Gauguin, Silversea Cruises and Star Clippers.

Sean Atton, Global Cruise Manager at Audley Travel said: “Traveling 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 personalized 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 Silversea)  

Land highlights – exploring the volcanic landscapes and hot springs of Hakone, staying in a traditional Ryokan. Audley can also arrange for clients to visit an exquisite landscape garden and experience a traditional tea ceremony in Kanazawa.

Cruise highlights – exploring seven ports in Japan and discovering Busan's beaches, mountains, temples, and markets. 

Audley Travel's 20-day custom Japan by land and sea itinerary includes 14 nights onboard a Silversea cruise sailing from Tokyo on an all-inclusive basis, plus three nights in Tokyo and two nights in Hakone as well as train travel.  The itinerary costs from $23,380 per person (based on two traveling) and includes transfers and pre-cruise excursions. 855 435 1768 / www.audleytravel.com/us/japan 

Italy's art cities and an Adriatic square-rigger sailing cruise (cruise with Star Clipper) 

Land highlights – a private walking tour around Rome, visiting famous sights including the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain and a tour of Rome's most iconic landmark, the almost 2,000-year-old Colosseum. In Florence, a walking tour of some of the city's most beautiful religious buildings, including the Duomo. On arrival in Venice, traveling to the hotel via water taxi and then exploring like a Venetian, visiting a selection of hidden bacaros (wine bars) on a private, connoisseur-led tour.

Cruise highlights – sailing on the largest five-masted, full-rigged sailing ship in the world with three outdoor swimming pools, and a captivating Captain Nemo Lounge with underwater portholes. Visiting five ports in Croatia and Montenegro.

Audley Travel's 14-day tailor-made Italy's art cities and an Adriatic square-rigger sailing cruise itinerary includes seven nights onboard a Star Clippers ship sailing from Venice on a full-board basis, plus three nights in Rome, two nights in Florence and one night in Venice. The itinerary costs from $7,250 per person (based on two traveling) and includes train tickets, transfers and pre-cruise excursions. 855 435 1768 / www.audleytravel.com/us/italy 

Historic Spice Route & India's Golden Triangle (cruise with Silversea)

Land highlights – exploring India's Golden Triangle and visiting the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Exploring the myriad of temples and forts across northern Rajasthan, including the Amber Fort (the original Maharaja's Palace) in Jaipur and wandering through the city's bazaars.

Cruise highlights – sailing from Singapore to Delhi, visiting eight ports and five countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and India) along the spice route. Optional excursions include seeing the ruins of the 12th-century city of Polonnaruwa in a helicopter or watching wild elephants on a safari in the Minneriya National Park.

Audley's 26-day tailor-made Historic Spice Route & India's Golden Triange itinerary includes 16 nights onboard a Silversea cruise sailing on an all-inclusive basis between Singapore and Mumbai, plus three nights in Delhi, one night in Agra and three nights in Jaipur. The itinerary costs from $15,770 per person (based on two traveling) and includes a flight from Mumbai to Delhi, transfers and pre-cruise excursions. 855 435 1768 / www.audleytravel.com/us/india  

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 18-day tailor-made Highlights of Southeast Asia by land and sea itinerary includes 12 nights onboard a Celebrity Cruises sailing between Hong Kong and Singapore on a full board basis (including select drinks), plus three nights in Siem Reap (Cambodia) and two nights in Hong Kong. The itinerary costs from $8,200 per person (based on two traveling) and includes transfers and pre-cruise excursions. 855 435 1768 / www.audleytravel.com/us/cambodia 

ENDS  

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