Killer Whales Chase runabout

Post by Howard J Koepka.

Frisky orcas play in the wake of a fast runabout, much to the delight of the passengers

One Ocean Expands into Australia

Akademik Ioffe in the Arctic (R Eime)

by Louise Goldsbury, editor, Cruise Weekly

OOE expands Australian operation One Ocean Expeditions has appointed its first permanent Australia-based manager to serve its growing network of local wholesale and retail partners.

RichaRd Cunningham, a former manager at Active Travel, has taken on the newly created role of sales, marketing and PR manager Australia/NZ/SE Asia of One Ocean Expeditions, the polar cruise company founded by Andrew Prossin in Canada.

Prossin said Australia had rapidly grown to become “a very important market” for the company, which was previously represented on a smaller scale by the Active Travel team in Sydney.

“The move to appoint a permanent Australian manager is in response to increased demand for the One Ocean product from a broad range of cruise wholesalers and specialist polar, adventure and small ship
cruise sellers,” Prossin said. “We place a huge focus on customer service aboard our ships and we aim to replicate this service-based approach with our sales partners around the globe.”

Cunningham, who worked with Prossin at Peregrine Adventures more than 10 years ago, also held a marketing role at World Expeditions and was instrumental in bringing the OOE product to Australia in 2007.

“One Ocean Expeditions has certainly found its mark in Australia”, he said. “The Akademik Ioffe and Akademik Sergey Vavilov are very well known to Australian travellers, and the innovative team at OOE has changed the polar scene, introducing a raft of new initiatives over the past few years”.

Season 2014-15 will be OOE’s sixth in the Antarctic, with a record 21 departures as well as seven voyages in the High Arctic next year, including the Canadian Arctic, West Greenland, and Spitsbergen.

For info, visit www.oneoceanexpeditions.com or phone 0410 417 006.

Ocean and Sails Magazine - Limited time offer - free digital subscription

Ocean & Sails Digital Magazine Promotion

If you and your clients would like to keep up with our news and features within both Ocean/Sails magazine and our online newsletters, for a limited time only, you can subscribe to Ocean/Sails Digital Magazine for FREE for one year. Make sure you click the link below to sign up before this offer expires.
We are happy for you to pass this on to anyone that you think would like this great deal.

Link here: http://www.oceanmagazine.com.au - http://www.sailsmagazine.com.au

Zambezi Queen Offers Wine Cruises in Botswana

The Zambezi Queen, a ship that offers two- or three-night cruises on the Chobe River in Botswana, is hosting a weekend of wine tasting and with Graham Beck Wines, a South African winemaker. The event will take place Dec. 20-23. Participants will be led through the wine experience by Pieter Ferreira, the cellar master of Graham Beck Wines. It will include a variety of wine/food pairings featuring Graham Beck’s new Game Reserve wines, with tastings of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Pinotage paired with indigenous cuisine such as bobotie spring roll with banana chili sauce, Botswanan beef fillet and Namibian sole.

The Zambezi Queen is billed as “the first eco-friendly, floating boutique hotel in Southern Africa.” It’s 135 feet long and has 14 suites with private balconies.

True North 2-for-1 offer to PNG

Two for One Offer!



It's time to start packing

North Star Cruises Australia is pleased to announce a very special TWO FOR ONE* offer! Yep, that's right - make a booking and your companion travels for absolutely FREE

The offer applies to our 2013 Archipelago Adventure – a 5 night cruise to the remote and beautiful Louisiade Archipelago in PNG

Departing on December 12 - this is your chance to discover Japanese Zeros that crashed into the ocean off beautiful Deboyne Island during WWII. Visit Panepompom Island where ‘the locals’ will welcome you with impromptu singing and dancing. Explore exotic Panasia and be impressed with the Nimoa Island mission! The Renard Islands are also an opportunity to meet village folk and, to purchase hand-crafted artefacts. And for those keen on fishing, diving and snorkelling – these TRUE NORTH staples will feature every day of the cruise

Or if you would prefer a longer cruise, the TRUE NORTH will embark on the 9-night Adventures in Paradise on December 3. This is our most-refined South Pacific adventure and to make things even more attractive, standby rates are now applicable to this departure

The cruise begins in Kavieng and winds its way through New Hanova and New Britain, down to the uninhabited Lusancay Islands, across to picturesque Tufi and onto the remote Louisiade Archipelago before finishing in Alotau. Experience endless snorkelling and diving, exceptional fishing and fascinating village visits! Other highlights include flying over Rabaul’s active volcano and an opportunity to visit the moving Kokoda Track memorial at Isurava.

Archipelago Adventure and Adventures in Paradise also include return charter flights ex Cairns.

Click HERE for more information

To make a booking – contact your preferred travel representative or North Star’s adventure partners today on (+61) 8 9192 1829.

* Please note that the Two for One offer is NOT combinable with any other trade or consumer offer including loyalty bonuses.

Shore excursions: Yellow Water Cruise, Cooinda in Kakadu National Park

Guests get seriously up-close-and-personal with one of the biggest 'salties' in Yellow Water. (R Eime)

The Yellow Water Cruise in Cooinda (Kakadu) was certainly one of our highlight shore (ground?) excursions on the Bill Peach Journeys Aircruise. In just an hour we were surrounded by wildlife including crocodiles, eagles, ducks, pelicans and many tiny waterbirds. Just sensational.

New voyages and fresh destinations from Wild Earth Travel

 

Spring is arriving here in the Southern Hemisphere and we have a number of fresh, new voyages and exciting destinations on offer.

As humans we are naturally inquisitive so the opportunity to see and experience new areas is always appealing, as is doing something different to the masses. Our hand-picked voyages carry less passengers, enhancing the experience and giving greater flexibility - crucial elements when exploring a new destination.

Browse through this eNewsletter and read about some of the interesting voyages on Small Ships and Expedition Ships. We hope the suggested voyages put a spring in your step and inspire you to plan a new adventure beyond your home shores.

We are more than happy for you to discuss any voyage or destination you are considering - please email us, contact us by phone , or drop in to our office in Christchurch. Remember - here at Wild Earth Travel we have a wealth of first-hand knowledge of the ships and destinations, meaning we can answer your queries with confidence.

READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER

Cruceros Australis Rebranding

Cruceros Australis Shortens Name in Rebranding of Expedition Cruise Line

Expedition cruise line Cruceros Australis will now operate under the brand name Australis. The company said the shorter title will “resonate with consumers” because the word “Australis” means “South,” and the company explores the southernmost regions of South America, from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost city in the world.

Australis operates the 136-passenger Via Australis and the 200-guest Stella Australis from September through April. The upcoming 2013-14 season will include three-, four- and seven-night itineraries. Rates start at $1,389 per person, including airport transfers, shore excursions and an open bar. The company said it is developing itineraries with new partners National Geographic photographer Tommy Heinrich and explora, a tour operator specializing in remote areas of South America.

The Newest Cruise Ship on the Ganges

Bookings open for the Newest Cruise Ship on the Ganges

In February 2014, the luxury, small group cruiser 'Rajmahal ' will commence voyages on the holy river Ganges.

Indian river cruising is taking off. It's possible to cruise for some 1750 miles on the mystical rivers and inland waterways of India, travelling through the country in total serenity and comfort. The Ganges is one of the most celebrated rivers in the world. The 'Mother Ganges' is life, purity and a goddess to the people of India.

Active Travel have just commenced taking bookings for the newest cruise ship on the Ganges. An exclusive, small group cruiser, the 50 metre Rajmahal has 22 spacious cabins, all with a French balcony, plus a spa, saloon, dining room and large sundeck. The vessel has been designed specifically for conditions on the Ganges, with extra-shallow draught and reduced air draught providing a unique advantage over more conventional designs in these waters.

The Rajmahal will commence seven and nine day cruises along the legendary Upper Ganges, between Farakka and Patna in February 2014, visiting important temples and historical sites, as well as exploring local villages by cycle, rickshaw and minibus. There will be five sailings for the season.

It will also cruise the Hooghly River (or Lower Ganges), between Kolkata and Farakka over eight days, again commencing February 2014, with three sailings planned. The Hooghly flows through one of the most picturesque and culturally rich regions of India. The Rajmahal visits exquisite terracotta temples, lofty palaces, splendid old ruined cities, picturesque gardens and charming local villages.

Enquiries and reservations can be made with Active Travel on 1800 783 188 or visit their web site at www.activetravel.com.au for details of their Upper and Lower Ganges tours and other river cruises in India, Burma and along the Mekong.

Tere Moana in Tahiti

Richard Bailey, chairman of Paul Gauguin Cruises, and Diane Moore, president of the cruise line, detail plans for the company’s Paul Gauguin cruise ship, which sails the islands of Tahiti and other Pacific destinations, as well as the new Tere Moana, which cruises the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
[read more]

Shore excursion: Fast blast up the Ord River (video)

Triple J Tours run shore excursions along Lake Kununurra (Ord River). Their fast sightseeing boat cruises easily at 30+kts with three 350hp Yamaha V8 outboards in the rear.

We stopped off on our around Australia flight with Bill Peach Journeys and enjoyed an exhilarating afternoon with Grant and the team. Thanks guys.

Orion free information evenings