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Cruise companies flock to Papua New Guinea

Coral Princess pioneered the return to PNG in 2006 with Oceanic Discoverer

source: www.traveldailymedia.com

Papua New Guinea will see an increase in cruise tourism next year, as cruise companies and passengers seek more exotic ports of call.

The country will feature in two dedicated P&O Cruises itineraries, both on the Pacific Dawn. The 10- and 14-night voyages from Brisbane will take in Papuan destinations including Kitava Island and Milne Bay.

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Arctic cruise ship code of conduct

(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Canadian Coast Guard)

 source: www.cbc.ca/news/

 

A non-governmental think tank is calling for a rigorous code of conduct for cruise ships and private boats which enter Canadian Arctic waters.The Clipper Adventurer cruise ship is shown in this Canadian Coast Guard handout from Aug. 29, 2010. Cruise ship passengers were stranded in the Arctic for almost two days when the ship hit a rock shelf. Passengers were later rescued by the Canadian Coast Guard.

The Centre for International Governance Innovation has released a policy report based on discussions held with various groups in Iqaluit in May.

John Higginbotham, a senior fellow with the centre, said more needs to be done to ensure cruise ships are carefully monitored.

"In terms of crew training, in terms of sensitivity to aboriginal cultures, in terms of providing benefits for the small communities in the Arctic that they may call upon when they are traveling among the islands," he said.

Higginbotham also said there needs to be better planning for cruise tourism in the north to make sure fragile areas are protected.

He also said facilities are needed to deal with emergencies such as oil spills or cruise ship accidents.

AdventureSmith Explorations Roster of Holiday 2013 Small Ship Cruises With All-Inclusive Multi-Activity Land Excursions

The active travel company securing matches between adventure-seeking clients and a treasure trove of small expedition ships, AdventureSmith Explorations http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/, flags the 2013 Holiday Season with active cruises from the Antarctic Peninsula to Panama. While festivities aboard vessel will differ, guests will enjoy special seasonal events and celebrations aboard intimate ships ranging in capacity from 36 to 189 people. 

“While our small-ship destinations in and of themselves are reason enough for celebration, guests will doubtless toast the season while sharing the day’s snorkeling thrills or on-ice escapades,” says Todd Smith, AdventureSmith Explorations founder / owner. He noted that trips just before and right after the holiday season come with “terrific discounts” and better availability (Smith recommends making your holiday season cruise bookings now). 

Unlike most larger mega ships that often charge extra for shore excursions, guests on small expedition ships enjoy multi-activity programs on land at no extra charge. 

Following is a list of Holiday departures: 

• Hawaiian Seascapes - Dec. 21-28, Dec. 28-Jan. 4    http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/hawaiian-seascapes   
• Cousteau’s Aquarium of the World (Baja Peninsula) – Dec. 21-28, Dec. 24-Jan. 4 http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/cousteaus-aquarium-of-the-world  
• Antarctic Explorer Aboard the Ocean Diamond – Dec. 19-29   http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/antarctic-explorer  
• Antarctic Peninsula including South Shetland Islands – Dec. 20-31 http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/antarctic-peninsula-including-south-shetland-islands  
• Costa Rica, Panama Canal and Colombia– Dec. 22-29 comes with 25 percent savings for bookings before September 30, 2013.        http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/costa-rica-panama-canal-colombia-cruise  
• Santa Cruz Galapagos– Dec. 21-25    http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/santa-cruz-galapagos-cruises    
• Quest for Pura Vida (Land Adventure) -- Dec. 21-29, Dec. 28-Jan. 5  http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/quest-for-pura-vida   
• Galapagos Legend– Dec. 23-26      http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/legend---central-east-galapagos-islands-4-day3-night     
• Great Barrier Reef– Dec. 23-29      http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/great-barrier-reef-cruises  

Founded in 2003, AdventureSmith Explorations is based in Tahoe City, CA, along the northern shore of Lake Tahoe. In 2012, owner Todd Smith joined the ranks of Conde Nast Traveler's prestigious 14th Annual Travel Specialists List as the world’s expert on small ship expeditions. For information, availability and 2013 reservations Phone: 800-728-2875 toll-free, visit http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/ or Email: travel@AdventureSmithExplorations.com. 

Follow AdventureSmith Explorations:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AdventureSmithExplorations

Twitter: https://twitter.com/adventuresmith

Website: http://www.adventuresmithexplorations.com/

Exotic Encounters in the Avalon World Collection

Luxury river cruise specialist Avalon Waterways has released a new mini-brochure detailing its most exotic itineraries around the world, on sale with earlybird savings of $300* per couple.

The 2014 Avalon World Collection features 12 different itineraries on the great rivers of Asia, Africa and the Americas, each offering the same levels of service and luxury as Avalon's European cruises.

The selection includes journeys on the Yangtze, Mekong, Amazon, Nile and Mississippi rivers, as well as among the Galápagos Islands.

Joining Avalon's program in 2014 is the boutique Amazon explorer Aria, a contemporary 16-suite ship designed for cruising South America's greatest river in style. The Aria offers three-night cruises as part of an 11-day itinerary from Lima, From the Inca Empire to the Peruvian Amazon, priced from $6099* per person twin share (including earlybird offer).

Other choices include the purpose-built Avalon Angkor cruising the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia.  With just 16 cabins, it is the only luxury ship small enough to sail all the way to Siem Reap and is available as part of a 14-day itinerary Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the River Mekong, priced from $3648* per person twin share (inc earlybird offer).

In China, Avalon offers the newest luxury ships on the Yangtze, the Century Paragon and Century Legend, operating a choice of itineraries that include other highlights such as Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an. They are priced from $3119* per person twin share (inc earlybird offer) for the 11-day Magical China & the Yangtze River.

Avalon's earlybird discount of $300* per couple is available on all 2014 World Collection cruises booked by September 30, 2013, or until sold out. Further savings are available for early payments, additional tour bookings and Journey's Club repeat travellers.

For full details and bookings see licensed travel agents, visit www.avalonwaterways.com.au or phone 1300 230 234.

*Prices and special offers subject to availability and conditions.


Photograph: The Amazon explorer Aria, joining the Avalon Waterways World Collection in 2014.

 

Discover Spitsbergen: Land of dramatic fjords and realm of the Polar Bear

(c) Bentours

Bentours is offering discounted rates on its Realm of the Polar Bear cruise for 2014 bookings

Bentours, Australia’s specialist in travel to Scandinavia, is offering a specially discounted eight day Realm of the Polar Bear cruise along Norway’s remote iceberg-lined island of Spitsbergen.

Travellers who book Bentours’ unforgettable all-inclusive Realm of the Polar Bear cruise before 31 August, 2013 can save 15% on 2014 selected departures. Packages start from AUD $5,227 per person twin share for a category three cabin on board the MS Expedition and includes seven nights’ accommodation and meals.

Departing from Longyearbyen in Norway, this package takes guests on a fascinating arctic exploration on board the MS Expedition, to explore Spitsbergen’s remote Polar Regions and sail through a world where seals lounge, reindeer graze and teeming bird colonies take over the skies.

Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago in Norway, has a rugged coastline of breathtaking ice-covered fjords and glaciers with jagged peaks that loom overhead. Highlights of the trip include visiting historical mining towns, experiencing the Midnight Sun and a chance to see large ice floes. Guests will also receive their very own Arctic destination guide book to take home.

Book now to secure places by contacting your local travel agent or Bentours at www.bentours.com.au, 1800 221 712 or enquiry@bentours.com.au.

Seabourn Offers Ultra-Luxury White Christmas in Antarctica

Seabourn is offering guests the chance to enjoy the ultimate white Christmas with one of the cruise line's first Antarctica sailings scheduled to visit the "white continent" on Christmas Day.

The ultra-luxury cruise line will begin sailing to Antarctica later this year with Seabourn Quest offering four cruises to Patagonia and Antarctica between November 2013 and February 2014.

Departing Valparaiso in Chile on December 11, 2013, guests will wake up to the splendours of Antarctica on Christmas morning, in the midst of five days of cruising and landings on the Antarctic Continent and islands over the festive period.

The 24-day cruise also includes days exploring the Chilean coast and fjords, Beagle Channel, Glacier Alley, the breathtaking Torres del Paine National Park, Cape Horn, Montevideo and a rare visit to the sub-Antarctic wildlife Eden of South Georgia Island, renowned for its teeming rookeries of king penguins as well as breeding elephant and fur seals. Fares start from $14,999* per person double occupancy.

Compagnie du Ponant Commisions New Yacht Destined for Australian Waters

 

As it celebrates its 25th year, Compagnie du Ponant, the French cruise line and five-star expedition specialist, has commissioned a new yacht from the Italian Fincantieri shipyard.

Due to launch in 2015, this latest vessel joins a fleet of four mega yachts all flying the French flag: Le Ponant (32 staterooms), Le Boréal, L'Austral and Le Soléal (132 staterooms and suites). She will be cruising the shores of Alaska from May to September and those of Australia and New Zealand during summer down under .

Like her sister ships, Le Boréal (2010), L'Austral (2011) and Le Soléal (inaugurated on 29 June this year in Venice), the vessel will qualify for the "Cleanship" label and embody the concept of Yacht Cruises as conceived by Compagnie du Ponant; namely, a carefully thought-out design, attentive service and gourmet cuisine enhanced by the comfort of state-of-the-art facilities.

This latest commission sends out a strong positive signal, further confirmation of the relevance of Compagnie du Ponant's investment and international development strategy, positioning the cruise line at the exclusive end of the market. Compagnie du Ponant is the leader in the French-speaking luxury cruise markets (France, Switzerland and Belgium) and worldwide number one in polar cruising.

"Specifically tailored to what our passengers seek, these mega yachts with their innovative design allow us to explore exceptional destinations in the most extreme regions, while enjoying a level of comfort that is second-to-none," says Véronique Saadé, Deputy Executive Vice President of Compagnie du Ponant.

After the excellent work achieved on the previous three yachts, the Fincantieri shipyard has been entrusted with building this fourth sister ship. French interior architect Jean-Philippe Nuel will be responsible for the sleek, modern and sophisticated design that has contributed so much to the success of Le Boréal, L'Austral and Le Soléal.

Says Michelle Taylor, General Manager Sales and Marketing of Travel the World, "Compagnie du Ponant is one of the most exciting offers in the cruise market and very in tune with the new Australian cruise customer. Travel the World is delighted with the news of a new yacht, especially one that is scheduled for Australian waters."

For cruise information for Compagnie du Ponant, please contact Travel the World on 1300 950 622.

Aurora Expeditions adds new Antarctic gateway in 2014/15

Aurora Expeditions are set to shake up the traditional Antarctic cruise itinerary with the launch of an exciting new 'Antarctic Gateway' in their 2014/15 Antarctic program. The Chilean port and nature haven of Puerto Williams will be used as an alternative to the usual Argentinian port of Ushuaia, with voyages either starting or ending on the eco-rich Navarino Island along the Chilean banks of the Beagle Channel.

The introduction of Puerto Williams to the company's itineraries also brings with it a great new landing site, with an opportunity to explore part of the UNESCO Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, which hosts the world's southernmost forested ecosystems and culture (the Yaghans) as well as protecting five per cent of the world's bryophyte diversity (mosses and liverworts).

As an added bonus, all itineraries that start or end in Puerto Williams will include in the voyage fare a tour of the port town and its surrounding natural attractions, along with a scenic flight over the spectacular granite spires of the Dientes de Navarino Mountains as passengers make their way to or from Punta Arenas, Chile.

A selection of itineraries will maintain the traditional Antarctic gateway of Ushuaia as a departure or arrival port, allowing passengers to experience both sides of the Beagle Channel.

The popular Fly/Sail itineraries remain with with two departures including a flight between King George Island, Antarctica and Punta Arenas. Two further voyages will offer passengers the option to fly between Stanley, Falkland Islands and Santiago OR Punta Arenas. All Fly/Sail departures will start and end in Chile, allowing passengers to benefit from just one return international airfare to Punta Arenas.

Aurora Expeditions group size of 54 remains one of the smallest in the region, and their team of experts collectively bring over 150 years of Antarctic expedition travel experience to provide passengers with a unique and personal adventure.

For the more adventurous there are a range of activities on offer, such as scuba diving, kayaking, photography, camping and ice climbing.

Prices for the 2014/15 Antarctic season start from US$7,100 per person based on a triple cabin for a 10 day cruise plus one night's accommodation in Punta Arenas.

Bookings made before 31 August 2013 will receive a 5% early bird offer. Valid on the first 15 bookings on each voyage only and not valid in conjunction with any other offer.

Visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au to view the 2014/15 program online or to download a brochure or call our Expedition Experts on +61 2 9252 1033 or freecall within Australia 1800 637 688.

*All voyages that start or conclude in Puerto Williams will include a town and surrounds tour and a flight between Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams (or vice versa) in the voyage fare.

Aurora's 2014/15 Antarctic program online

Aurora Expeditions is excited to announce our great new line-up of voyages for the 2014/15 Antarctic season. A brand new highlight is the addition of Chile’s 'Antarctic Gateway', Puerto Williams. Nestled under the Dientes de Navarino mountains on the Chilean side of the Beagle Channel, the town and surrounding ecosystem is renowned for its great biodiversity.

This year we have also added an additional South Georgia departure totalling five voyages to the wildlife oasis. Four shorter itineraries will take in the delights of the spectacular Antarctic Peninsula. Fly/Sail options are also available, cutting out one sea crossing and making the most of our in Antarctica!

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Author, Jennifer Niven, to join special voyage 100 years after Karluk expedition

Jennifer Niven on Wrangel Island in 2005 (R Eime)

Expeditioners on the Spirit of Enderby are set to benefit from Author Jennifer Niven's knowledge of the doomed Karluk expedition when she joins a special Heritage Expeditions commemorative voyage in August 2014.

Niven's book 'The Ice Master' traces the events of the Karluk and as Guest Speaker she will enhance the voyage to remote Wrangel Island - the location where Karluk survivors were rescued 100 years previously.

The 1913/14 Karluk expedition is a true story of hardship and loss. During an age in which there were still unexplored regions of the globe, the intention was to explore the "white patches on our map, lying between Alaska and the North Pole". Without wishing to simplify an incredible story, pack ice destroyed the ship leaving the remaining souls to live on the ice floes. After an arduous trek across sea ice, some made landfall on isolated Wrangel Island. Of 24 who began the expedition, 13 survived. It is difficult to fathom the courage needed to survive in a hostile environment with human nature at its most raw. The survivors were finally rescued in September 1914.

The events surrounding the Karluk were in danger of being lost to time until Niven stumbled upon the story. Following years of meticulous research gleaned from shipmate's diaries, archives and an interview with a survivor, she faithfully retells the epic story set in the Arctic.

Niven is undeniably the doyen of the Karluk expedition and will share her wisdom with expeditioners onboard the Spirit of Enderby. This is a unique opportunity to explore an Arctic island with an intriguing human history accompanied by experts.

Across the Top of the World (Karluk Commemorative Voyage) 8-22 August 2014 with cabin prices starting from US $9,800.

Valerie Taylor godmother of renamed Orion

Valerie Taylor AM

Renowned marine conservationist and underwater filmmaker Valerie Taylor will be the godmother of National Geographic Orion.

The christening ceremony will take place in Auckland on March 21 next year before the 100-passenger ship weighs anchor for an inaugural 21-night ‘Papua New Guinea and the islands of Vanuatu and the Solomons’ cruise to Cairns which Taylor will accompany.

 

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