New 2009 Dates for Northern Fijian Dateline Cruise

Due to the popularity of the unique Northern Fijian Dateline Cruise, Captain Cook Cruises has added and extra departure date to the schedule for 2009, bringing total scheduled departures to eight.

The new 2009 departure dates are: 31March, 05 May, 02 June, 30 June, 04 August, 01September, 06 October and 03 November.

The seven night Northern Fijian Dateline Cruise is an amazing cruise that reveals the unique history, art and culture of the Northern Fiji Islands and allows passengers the ultimate experience of standing’ on the International Dateline.

Developed after months of extensive research and searching for secluded and exclusive locations, passengers are taken beyond the Yasawa Islands to very remote and exotic tropical Fijian islands.

Day trips include the historic island of Ovalau which still features 19th Century colonial architecture and waterfront promenades from colonial rule, the Bouma Waterfall lagoon on Taveuni Island, the extinct volcanic crater, hot springs and thriving markets on Savusavu, a special children’s choral church service at Waiyevo and of course the 180th Meridian – the arbitrary Dateline between today and tomorrow on Taveuni Island.

There is plenty of swimming, snorkelling and diving off picturesque islands including Tivua, Nanuyakoto, Savusavu Bay, Nananu-I-ra and Sali Sali Island.
One of the most endearing features of this cruise is the generous welcome from Fijian village locals living on islands rarely visited by tourists. Passengers will be given the extraordinary opportunity to experience village life and partake in a kava ceremony, enjoy a traditional ‘lovo” (earth oven) feast and dance to the drum of the meke (dance).

Early Booking Saver (EBS) fares start from just $1995.00 per person twin share and the cruise departs Denarau Marina at 2.00pm.

Price includes shipboard accommodation, all meals, guided village and island tours, glass bottom boat excursions, on board entertainment and use of the ship's facilities including a swimming pool, spa, sauna, sun deck, cocktail bar and much more.

New 2009 Dates for Northern Fijian Dateline Cruise

Due to the popularity of the unique Northern Fijian Dateline Cruise, Captain Cook Cruises has added an extra departure date to the schedule for 2009, bringing total scheduled departures to eight.

The new 2009 departure dates are: 31March, 05 May, 02 June, 30 June, 04 August, 01September, 06 October and 03 November.

The seven night Northern Fijian Dateline Cruise is an amazing cruise that reveals the unique history, art and culture of the Northern Fiji Islands and allows passengers the ultimate experience of standing’ on the International Dateline.

Developed after months of extensive research and searching for secluded and exclusive locations, passengers are taken beyond the Yasawa Islands to very remote and exotic tropical Fijian islands.

Day trips include the historic island of Ovalau which still features 19th Century colonial architecture and waterfront promenades from colonial rule, the Bouma Waterfall lagoon on Taveuni Island, the extinct volcanic crater, hot springs and thriving markets on Savusavu, a special children’s choral church service at Waiyevo and of course the 180th Meridian – the arbitrary Dateline between today and tomorrow on Taveuni Island.

There is plenty of swimming, snorkelling and diving off picturesque islands including Tivua, Nanuyakoto, Savusavu Bay, Nananu-I-ra and Sali Sali Island.
One of the most endearing features of this cruise is the generous welcome from Fijian village locals living on islands rarely visited by tourists. Passengers will be given the extraordinary opportunity to experience village life and partake in a kava ceremony, enjoy a traditional ‘lovo” (earth oven) feast and dance to the drum of the meke (dance).

Early Booking Saver (EBS) fares start from just $1995.00 per person twin share and the cruise departs Denarau Marina at 2.00pm.

Price includes shipboard accommodation, all meals, guided village and island tours, glass bottom boat excursions, on board entertainment and use of the ship's facilities including a swimming pool, spa, sauna, sun deck, cocktail bar and much more.

A Letter from an Environmentalist Who Works in the Galapagos

Ecoventura Executive President Santiago Dunn is a bright spot in today's global tourism arena. He's been working quietly in Ecuador on earth matters since 1990 from the Guayaquil headquarters of his family-owned company that ferries nature lovers into the fragile eco system of the Galapagos Islands on small, cutting-edge-green vessels.

While afloat and offshore the minutiae of human footprints, both foreign and indigenous, and their impacts are assessed by Dunn who believes it's possible to elevate consciousness levels around the world by allowing privileged travelers to see places like The Galapagos and in so doing learn how important it is to protect the environment.

In summer 2007 UNESCO put the Galapagos on its World Heritage sites risk list, citing alien species and pollution from tourists and immigrants as key issues.

Dunn views this as a positive step "because it will raise awareness so that corrective measures are taken."

Meanwhile he is modifying the engines on his fleet of four expedition yachts to create hybrid boats that will run by diesel and solar/wind energy. This ground-breaking technology will charge all electric/lights/appliances/bridge equipment and reduce fuel consumption by 10-20 percent. This conservation is in addition to the energy savings already realized though an operation policy that reduces engine RPMs.

"This very new technology has only been used to date on small private boats and not yet on commercial vessels," he says, noting that $100,000 was budgeted for a one year test/trial on one of his yachts before refitting his entire fleet. The target goal is to have full implementation by 2011.

This project and other work he has done offer a case study in best environmental practices. His mission for Ecoventura, that annually transports nearly 4,000 passengers, is to inspire others, including his passengers, to be part of the solution for the issues facing tourism in The Galapagos.

"We want to give our passengers the assurance that Ecoventura has taken every measure to ensure that they enjoy a safe, thrilling adventure without harming the unique wildlife or the fragile environment. We all live in this world and breath the same air; the least we can do is try to preserve it for our children and the generations to come," says Dunn.

Following is a brief chronology of Dunn's accomplishments:

- Since 1999, through a series of targeted projects, he has led Ecoventura to become the pacesetter in establishing the standard for responsible and sustainable environmental practices.

- In 2000 Ecoventura became one of the first recipients of SmartVoyager, a voluntary environmental certification developed by New York-based The Rainforest Alliance and Corporacion y Desarollo from Ecuador. The program gives a "green seal of approval" to tour boats that comply with requirements to tread lightly on the area's fragile eco-system.

- In 2005 he received the prestigious Individual Sustainable Standard-Setter award for making a significant contribution to environmental conservation and sustainability.

- In 2006 Ecoventura, in partnership with NativeEnergy, became the first Carbon Neutral operation in Galapagos (and Ecuador).

- In 2007 Ecoventura partnered with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to create the Galapagos Marine Biodiversity Fund which targets environmental education and marine conservation by strengthening the local communities' ability to manage natural resources.

Megan Epler Wood of Burlington, VT, head of EplerWood International, a consulting company that advises regions around the world on sustainability issues, notes that Santiago Dunn has made Ecoventura one of the most environmentally conscious travel companies in Ecuador, one which is admired by its passengers and travel companies globally.

"By partnering with NativeEnergy to offset carbon emissions, he is investing in the future of our planet by bringing corporate travel industry dollars directly to the development of new wind turbines on native lands and other renewable energy sources," she says. "What is really significant," she adds, "is that Dunn is not waiting for his passengers to "opt-in" to an offset program; he is paying the full amount for offsets upfront to ensure his company is carbon neutral. "

To receive a copy of Ecoventura's 2009 catalog as well as information on tours to the Galapagos Islands, call toll-free 1.800.633.7972, or e-mail info@galapagosnetwork.com. To access current rates, schedules and itineraries you can log onto www.ecoventura.com/.

Cruise Weekly Comment: Giving Back

Cruise Weekly – Comment by Roderick Eime

Expedition and adventure cruising is all about rewarding and enriching experiences and one of the best examples is giving back to the tiny remote communities you visit.

My recent trip to PNG aboard Orion reminded me of the immense satisfaction one gets by making small and inexpensive donations to these villages. Stuff we take for granted like school books, Band-Aids and paracetamol are prized commodities in some of these isolated places. I made an impromptu visit to a village on Fergusson Island, north of Alotau, and asked to see the school library and hospital. I've seen more books in better condition in my local Vinnies store and the hospital was barely a sick bay. Even as I chatted with the nursing sister in charge, a young woman was carried in unconscious and burning with fever. There wasn't even a Panadol to give her and I watched on helplessly, wringing my hands.

Please, if you are about to embark on an expedition cruise, ask your tour company earnestly about what supplies you can take with you in your spare luggage space. They should be well versed about what items are needed at your destination. Forget cash, toys, sweets and knick-knacks, bring first-aid supplies, old primary school text books, stationery items, reading glasses and children's clothes.

From my experience, this form of constructive interaction strengthens our relationships without compromising the integrity or culture of the community and delivers an enormous sense of gratification among passengers. The look of profound disappointment on the faces of those travellers who came empty handed is something I hope never to see again.

Orion's Spice Islands Voyage of Discovery to lands lost in time

This Orion Voyage of Discovery visits one of the most extraordinarily bio-diverse regions on Earth. The Moluccas, once known as the Spice Islands and now Maluku, is a rarely visited collection of islands situated just north of Australia between New Guinea and Timor. Few outsiders ever set foot here.

Being part of Wallacea, the legendary deep water area that separates the Australian and Asian continental plates, it is home to many unique flora and fauna species, particularly birdlife. Towering volcanoes rising from the depths of the sea, stunning islands, vibrant reefs and ancient cultures mark this amazing expedition.

Magellan and Vasco da Gama opened the way for Europeans, building a profitable trade based on rare spices including cloves, nutmeg and mace. Archaeology has shown that more than 3000 years ago cloves from the Moluccas were traded in Persia and the Romans were able to buy spices from the remote east of Indonesia.

The island of Alor is a must-do destination for adventurous scuba divers, the coral reef complex being in pristine condition - while ashore, the predominantly Christian villagers are friendly and their culture strong. The existence of Moko drums, not found in large numbers anywhere else in Indonesia, can be traced back to the Dongson period in Vietnam around 350 BC.

The residents of Sumba, an uplifted coral limestone island once known as Sandalwood Island by early European traders, retain a strong cultural heritage resistant to the outside influences of Christianity, Hinduism or Islam. Orion's guests will be welcomed by Sumba villagers wearing traditional woven ikat fabrics to see imposing ancient stone carvings and megaliths that adorn the entrances to Sumba villages.

Orion's guests will see pre-historic creatures at world renowned Komodo National Park, established in 1980 to conserve the unique Komodo dragon. These imposing lizards are among the world's largest reptiles, growing to over 3 metres long and weighing over 70kg.

Remote Pink Beach, so named because of crushed red organ pipe coral sand, is perfect for swimming, snorkelling, sea kayaking or just relaxing on the beach - options available to make the most of time spent on this stunning beach.

Sitting just offshore from Sumbawa, opposite the towering volcano of Tambora, Satonda is an uninhabited natural paradise. The island itself is an emerging volcano featuring a lake that has formed in its crater. Hundreds of fruit bats call Satonda home and at dusk the sky turns black as they leave their roosts for the evening.

Kenanga, a small fishing village on the coast of Sumbawa, provides another chance to experience culture and lifestyle on this fascinating voyage. Mix with the local people and visit the school and a local fish hatchery. Tambora volcano, towering over the coast of Sumbawa, is known for the largest eruption recorded in history.

This Orion Spice Islands Voyage of Discovery has caught the imagination of Orion's Expedition Team. The heady blend of local culture, European discovery, geology, unique flora and fauna all wrapped and presented in a series of beautiful islands largely lost in time promises to be a voyage of a lifetime.

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Spice Islands Adventure – 10 September 2009 - 9 nights. Darwin, Maluku, Alor, Waingapu (Sumba Island), Komodo, Satonda Island, Sumbawa, Bali (Benoa).

Fares Guide:

Fares begin from $6,365 per person for an ocean view Category B Stateroom

Suites begin from $8,775 per person for a Junior Suite

Owners’ Suites with French Balcony are $13,325 per person

An additional fuel charge of $50 per person per night applies

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Orion information:

The cataclysmic volcanic eruption of Tambora in April 1815 was the most powerful eruption in recorded history; greater even than the legendary Krakatoa eruption of 1883.

Tambora's resulting volcanic cloud lowered global temperatures by as much as 3 degrees °C, and a year later most of the northern hemisphere experienced sharply cooler temperatures during the summer months. In parts of Europe and in North America, 1816 was known as "the year without a summer."

From: Kious and Tilling, 1996, This Dynamic Earth: The Story of Plate Tectonics: USGS

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Ranked #2 expedition cruise ship in the world in the 2009 Berlitz Cruise Guide, Orion is the world's latest and Australia’s only purpose-built luxury expedition cruise ship.

With 75 crew and a maximum of just 106 passengers Orion offers the highest staff to guest ratio and guest to public space ratio of any ship based in Australian waters.

Further information on Orion Expedition Cruises can be obtained by visiting the website www.orionexpeditions.com

For reservations or to obtain a brochure call Orion Expedition Cruises: 61-2 9033 8777 (Sydney callers) 1300 361 012 (regional and interstate) or your travel agent.
Email: info@orioncruises.com.au

Lindblad Explores New Research Opportunities

Source: Cruise Critic

Lindblad Expeditions, which offers expedition cruises in tandem with National Geographic, shows no signs of stopping when it comes to expansion of its fleet and commitment to global research opportunities and environmental stewardship.

At a press briefing today at New York's Brooklyn cruise port aboard National Geographic Explorer -- an ice-class polar expedition vessel, which just launched this August -- Lindblad Expeditions Founder and President Sven Lindblad announced that the company is working with National Geographic on the development of yet another ship, which will be used to explore underwater wrecks.

Though details are scant thus far, we do know that Dr. Robert Ballard, an oceanographer long associated with National Geographic and perhaps best known for his role in the discovery of the sunken Titanic, will be heading up research aboard the vessel.

Cruise Critic caught up with Ballard at the event, who told us that he's on his way to see the ship next week in Bodrum, Turkey -- a hotspot for underwater archeologists and divers, and home to the Bodrum Underwater Archeology Museum and Institute of Nautical Archeology. The ship will eventually accommodate passengers for a unique expedition experience. At this point the vessel's not ready for guests and there are no details on what kind of experience could be created for cruisers. We'll keep you posted.

Lindblad says it will also send a group of scientists to the South Pacific next year aboard a small sailing yacht to document the region's reef system.

Pandaw Plans New River Cruises in Borneo’s Sarawak

Pandaw River Cruises in July will initiate a new expedition cruise on the Rajang River in Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. The Rajang River is the longest river in Malaysia, traveling some 450 miles across Borneo from Sarawak into Indonesian Kalimantan. The Rajang presents a jungle experience that traverses the second largest island in the world after Greenland. The land is peopled by the Iban, who practiced headhunting into the 1950s.

On July 1, the new 60-passenger Orient Pandaw will start a series of eight-night cruises from Sibu to the Pelagus Rapids and beyond up the Baleh River. Shore excursions include a visit to Iban longhouses, boat trips up tributary rivers, a walk about the vestiges of the colonial Brooke Raja that ruled Sarawak for 100 years, tours of pepper farms and fruit plantations, and a trip to weaving workshops. Jungle treks, for all levels of walker, are among the highlights of this cruise. The Orient Pandaw, an up-market replica of a colonial river steamer, started its maiden voyage on Sept. 29 from Saigon on the Mekong River. It has 30 staterooms on two decks. There’s also a restaurant, bar, café, spa and a sun deck. It is the fifth vessel to join the Pandaw fleet of river boats. Main deck cabins are $2,248 per person; upper deck is $2,495 per person. Rates include shore excursions, all meals including snacks, an open bar (for locally manufactured spirits), evening entertainment, transfers in Sibu and port charges.

Pandaw recommends that guests add on a two-night stay in Kuching, which is easily reached from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Brunei. Pandaw, which specializes in small-ship cruising to exotic destinations, has been in operation since 1995. Its vessels ply the rivers of Southeast Asia including the Irrawaddy and Mekong rivers. The U.K.-based company is owned by Paul Strachen. Pandaw River Cruises raised more than $500,000 in Burmese aid following the recent cyclone disaster. For more information, call 800-798-4223 or visit www.pandaw.com.

Aurora Expeditions unlocks the secrets of the Russian far east

Few places remain such a closely guarded secret as the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East. Hidden from the world for most of last century due to its strategic military location, even Russians needed special permission to visit the region prior to 1990.

Behind this secret curtain, nature has flourished, resulting in a vast and pristine wilderness described by Lonely Planet as ‘one of the world’s most beautiful regions’.

Fire-spitting volcanoes cloaked in ice dominate the landscape; remote indigenous tribes live as they have done for centuries, while rivers filled with salmon attract the highest concentration of brown bears on the planet. Teeming with an astounding diversity of wildlife including whales, sea lions, otters and birds, against a backdrop of wildflower-filled meadows, verdant valleys and towering mountain ranges - the Russian Far East is an adventure lover’s dream.

Australian-owned expedition cruising company, Aurora Expeditions, invites you to uncover the majesty and mystery of this remarkable region on one of its three voyages departing in 2009.

Travelling aboard the ice-strengthened 100-passenger Marina Svetaeva, the three expeditions will explore secluded islands and sites that would be impossible by any means other than by ship.

The 14-day ‘Ring of Fire’ expedition to the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka departs on 11 July 2009 from Sakhalin Island in Russia and travels through the islands that lie like stepping-stones between Japan and Russia ending in the town of Petropavlosk.

The second 14-day ‘Bering Sea Explorer’ expedition to Kamchatka and Chukotka departs from Petropavlosk in Russia on 24 July and visits the Commander Islands, Karaginsky Island, the Chukotka Coast and Arakamchechen Archipelago, and some of the least visited wilderness areas on Earth.

The final 13-day ‘Arctic Ocean Discoverer’ voyage explores the Bering Straight and remote Wrangel Island, travelling high above the Arctic Circle where few have ventured. The voyage departs on 6 August 2009 and begins and ends in Nome, Alaska.

Prices for all three voyages start at US$5,490 per person and include accommodation and use of all public areas on board the ship, all meals, guided shore excursions, lectures with expert naturalists and historians, and all port taxes. Sea kayaking is an additional option.

Low bookings prompt Fantasea Ammari withdrawal

Source: Seatrade Insider

Low forward bookings and increasing operating costs are behind the decision to withdraw the Great Barrier Reef cruise ship Fantasea Ammari from service on the eve of Australia’s peak holiday season.

Reservations manager Matt Raymant said the 68-passenger ship also needs some ‘unplanned basic maintenance’ and will go into drydock after its final voyage for the year on October 31.

Fantasea Ammari is the former Rivage St Martin that was built by the Austal shipyard in Western Australia. It was bought by family-owned Brisbane-based Riverside Marine from Ustica Lines in 2006 and has been operating three- and four-night cruises from Hamilton Island.

Raymant said that Riverside Marine, which also owns the day cruise operation Fantasea Cruises and the Reefworld pontoon, plans to launch new itineraries for Fantasea Ammari in the New Year.

‘We are looking at new destinations on the east coast of Australia,’ he said.

Saigon company to launch new ship

Source: Seatrade Insider

Saigon-based Trails of Indochina will launch the first ship for its new Heritage Cruise Line in August next year.

The 58-mtr Jayavarman, which is being built in Vietnam at a cost of around US$4m, will operate three-, four-, five- and eight-day cruises between Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, the port for Angkor Wat.

The family-owned Trails of Indochina, which was established in 1998, is also the major shareholder in Halong Cruises which operates one- and two-night cruises around Halong Bay with the luxury junks Jasmine and Ginger (pic above). A third junk, Violet, will enter service next May.

Brett Morgan, the Queensland-based representative for Trails of Indochina in Australia and New Zealand, has told Seatrade Insider that Jayavarman will be the most luxurious boutique cruise ship on the Mekong River.

Morgan said each of the 27 staterooms will have a private balcony and the ship’s facilities include a spa, shop, library and two spacious lounge areas. He said the dining room will serve Asian and Western cuisine.

Morgan said plans for a second Heritage Cruise Line ship are on the drawing board.

Cruise Weekly Comment: Helicopter Crash

The Bell 407 lands on True North on a cruise prior to its mishap

Cruise Weekly – Comment by Roderick Eime

I must admit that news of a second helicopter crash in the Kimberley inside two weeks has given me some goose bumps. I flew with Slingair, the first to lose their machine in a quadruple fatality over the Bungle Bungles, on a fixed wing charter after a week aboard True North where I made numerous flights in their now sunken Bell 407.

True North's machine was like brand new to me and flew faultlessly throughout the cruise. All passengers wore automatically-inflating life jackets and the great big doors were easy to get in and out of. Thankfully, no one lost their lives in what must have been a hair-raising event. There is some mystery however, as to why the flotation devices attached to the landing gear did not activate and an investigation is now under way.

So what does this mean for the many expedition vessels that employ helicopters either on board or as optional flight-seeing tours? Helicopters add an extra dimension to any cruise experience and are invaluable on many polar itineraries.

There is a degree of risk assessment in any form of travel and helicopters are nowhere near the top of any 'most dangerous transport' list. Statistics are traditionally dominated by the rattly minibus and motorcycle, even crossing the road rates way up there, especially in SE Asia, Africa and the sub-continent. I, for one, will continue to fly in helicopters and light aircraft knowing that the taxi ride to the airport will constitute the single highest risk factor on any given trip.

No matter where you are or what you're doing, assess the risk, enjoy yourself and travel safely.

Cruise Weekly Comment: Niche Cruising

Cruise Weekly – Comment by Roderick Eime

It's true, some people just shouldn't go expedition cruising.

Lamenting with a good friend who was just back from a stint as expedition leader, we discussed some of the people we had both encountered over years of adventure cruising. Expedition cruising is a niche product and it just doesn't suit everyone, no matter how much they might think they are the adventurer.

Just as money doesn't buy good manners, the often high price tag of expedition cruises is more a reflection of the mind-boggling logistics, impossibly remote locations and penalty for provisioning for small numbers. Itineraries, as I've discovered, can often be completely turned upside down; landings skipped due to weather, ice or tides or, just as easily, new experiences conjured out of thin air as opportunities arise.

As an agent, it's difficult when a client wants something exotic and is more than willing to pay, but has mismatched expectations. Not every wildlife encounter is an Attenborough event, seas get rough in the Antarctic (especially if you're on an icebreaker) and maybe there isn't the shipboard facilities they may be used to like hairdressers, room service or entertainment.

From my experience, most expedition cruisers don't come from the wider cruising community. It's rare to find another passenger raving about their latest big ship voyage, instead you're more likely to find financially independent baby-boomers who have racked up scores of countries and have a wealth of rich adventures under their belts already. They have little tolerance for the madding crowds, contrived tourist experiences or synthetic Las Vegas-style facades.

However, as I've mentioned previously, the converts are true die-hards constantly on the lookout for new destinations and experiences. Timid, poolside cocktail sippers need not apply.