Luxury touring operator APT has introduced a new ‘Soft Expedition’ touring style as part of its new Small Ships 2017 brochure, released today. The company’s latest range introduces four newly developed itineraries, all designed around the new style. A total of 23 itineraries are on sale as part of the season, with land extensions also available.

Soft Expedition effectively builds on ‘Freedom of Choice’ options already available, meaning guests travelling on the style can opt to be as active or relaxed as they like. Off-ship adventures on zodiac watercraft will still be available, however the ship will spend more time docked in port to allow guests to disembark and explore at their leisure.

APT’s fleet of three small ships MS Caledonian Sky, MS Hebridean Sky and MS Island Sky operate the range of itineraries, with no more than 118 passenger onboard per sailing. Local guides are onboard as part of a crew comprising a cruise director and experts in a variety of fields to impart their knowledge to guests both onboard the ship and while on excursion.

New itineraries for the season include the 12-day ‘Timeless Japan’ which circumnavigates the nation; the 15-day ‘Mediterranean Odyssey’ from Istanbul to Barcelona; a 15-day ‘Southern Europe Sojourn’ exploring the Iberian Peninsula and France and the 15-day ‘Best of the Baltics’ which visits 15 cities in eight countries and due to demand, is now offering three departures for more opportunities to get onboard. Itineraries start from $14,295 per person twin share for the ‘Timeless Japan’ cruise. All are available as ‘Soft Expedition’ itineraries.

Guests keen to extend their holiday can select from a new range of land options in the UK, Ireland, France, Turkey, Norway and Scandinavia.