Grand Circle Cruise Line Acquires the River Cloud II

#expeditioncruising 

River Ship Will Operate New Bordeaux Itinerary in 2015
 
Vince Cook, CEO of Grand Circle Cruise Line, the leader in small ship and river cruising worldwide, announced today that the fleet has acquired the River Cloud II,  a 90-passenger ship that will operate Grand Circle Cruise Line's new river cruise tour in Bordeaux beginning in March 2015.  Renamed the M/S Chanson, the river ship was acquired for an undisclosed price from Sea Cloud Cruises. "We are delighted to add the Chanson to our award-winning fleet," said Cook.  "With its capacity of just 90 passengers, our new ship can enter small ports that are inaccessible to larger ships, allowing our travelers to explore small villages and towns, engage with local people, and experience the daily life of a community.  These are the experiences our travelers want in small ship travel, and we are extremely happy to offer this in a brand new river cruise in one of the most beautiful parts of the world."

The Chanson will provide an intimate cruising experience for just two groups of no more than 45 travelers, each with its own expert resident Program Director.   The ship has 47 cabins—all with private baths, flat-screen color TV with DVD player, radio, telephone, in-room safe, and individual hearing and air conditioning controls; dining room with informal, single seating; lounge; bar; small library; teak-covered sun deck, and an English-speaking ship staff.

Grand Circle Cruise Line's new 13-day Bordeaux: Vineyards, Vintages & Chateaux begins at $2595 and explores Paris, Chartres, Amboise, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Cadillac, Pauillac, Blaye, Libourne, and Saint Emilion.   The cruise tour includes: Accommodations (1 night at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse or similar in Paris, France; 2 nights at the Novotel Amboise hotel or similar in Amboise, France; 2 nights at the Best Western Masqhotel in La Rochelle, France); and 7 nights aboard the Chanson; 29 meals: (12B, 8L, 9D, with complimentary beer, wine, and soft drinks  during lunch and dinner onboard); 8 tours;  Exclusive Discovery Series events; Personal headset on all included and optional tours during the cruise; services of a resident Program Director (assigned to no more than 45 travelers); Captain's Welcome Reception, Welcome Dinner, and Farewell Dinner; 5% Frequent Traveler Credit applicable towards one's next Grand Circle trip;  Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per person, including tips; and all port charges and gratuities for local guides and motorcoach drivers.  

Travelers may choose to purchase Grand Circle's airfare, with airport transfers and government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges included, or they can make their own air arrangements.  Tours include Chartres, Amboise, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Cadillac, Pauillac, Blaye, and Saint-Emilion, and Discovery Series events range from a French language lesson and French cooking demonstration to visits to an oyster farm and to the home of a local family.

Established in 1998 with a single river cruise ship, today Grand Circle Cruise Line has dozens of river ships and small ships, including 15 privately-owned river ships, three, 4-star plus 50 passenger ships that operate in the Mediterranean, and exclusive charters.  More than 79,000 travelers have sailed with Grand Circle Cruise Line in the past two years, including more than 19,000 solo travelers. Grand Circle Cruise Line anticipates 40,000 travelers in 2014, including more than 12,000 solo travelers attracted by Grand Circle's comprehensive solo friendly policies and programs.

For more information about the M/S Chanson and Grand Circle Cruise Lines's new Bordeaux: Vineyards, Vintages & Chateaux cruise tour, please call 1-800-221-2610.  

About Grand Circle Cruise Line

Established in 1998, Grand Circle Cruise Line offers 15 river cruises and cruise tours throughout Europe and Russia as well as eight small ship cruise tours to Burma, Antarctica, Panama, the Dalmatian Coast, Greece and the Greek Islands, the Aegean, Adriatic and beyond..  The cruise line is a division of Grand Circle Corporation, which also is comprised of Overseas Adventure Travel (est, 1978) and Grand Circle Travel (est. 1958).  Grand Circle has 42 offices worldwide and approximately 2,500 associates, guides, and crew serving more than 110,000 travelers per year.  Since 1992, the nonprofit Grand Circle Foundation has donated or pledged more than $97M to more than 300 humanitarian, cultural, and educational organizations in 50 countries, including 100 schools in 30 countries.  

Compagnie du Ponant releases special fares for solo travellers

Recognising the demand to accommodate solo travellers who, in many cases, are required to pay twin-share rates when booking a cruise, Compagnie du Ponant has dedicated accommodation specifically for travellers who require, or prefer, single accommodation.

• Ponant now offers a single supplement option for solo travellers on all 2014 and 2015 voyages.
• Some cruises currently incur NO single supplement charge at all, whilst others are offered from just +15% and up, the single supplement varying by availability and voyage.

The number of single cabins available on any voyage is limited so early enquiry will secure the best possible rate available and single supplement level. Check with Compagnie du Ponant directly, or your travel agent, for the latest fares and single supplements on offer.

Call the Sydney office of Compagnie du Ponant on 02 8459 5000 or 1300 737 178 for assistance or information. Contact can also be made on reservations.aus@ponant.com or through travel agents

Wild Siberia: The Sea of Okhotsk with Silversea

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Explore some of Russia’s most remote and remarkable destinations on this 18-day round trip expedition onboard Silversea’s Silver Discoverer.

Home to untouched forests, active volcanoes and an abundance of wildlife, this Silversea journey offers guests the opportunity to glimpse brown bears, arctic foxes, sea otters, seals, the Steller sea eagle and the rare western grey whale.

Departing Otaru (Japan) on 14 June, 2014, Silver Discoverer will sail north, visiting a number of Russian islands in the Sea of Okhotsk, including Tyuleniy Island, Iony Island and the Shantar Islands, before sailing to the historic town of Okhotsk, where guests will explore the local culture and cuisine by Zodiac. Traversing the 1000-mile Kamchatka Peninsula, guests will witness crystal clear streams and some of the world’s most diverse species of salmon. Silver Discoverer will then cruise around the Kuril Islands, a volcanic archipelago that stretches over 800 miles and is a breeding ground for the near-extinct Steller sea lions. Silver Discoverer will then voyage back to Otaru, where guests will disembark on 2 July, 2014.

Prices are per person starting from AU$15,890 in an Explorer Suite double occupancy. Silversea’s fares include all shore excursions hosted by an expert expedition team; all-suite accommodation with butler service; gourmet meals with menus designed by Relais & Châteaux; complimentary wines, Champagne and spirits served throughout the ships; and all gratuities.

This voyage is subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information, contact your travel professional or Silversea Cruises on +61 2 9255 0600 or 1300 306 872 or visit www.silversea.com

Scouting new expedition routes for the HANSEATIC and BREMEN

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HANSEATIC in Huahine (R Eime)

Explore new lands with a pioneering spirit: Scouting new expedition routes for the HANSEATIC and BREMEN

· Premiere route in 2014: the Northeast Passage with the HANSEATIC

· Exclusive and individual expedition cruises with max. 175 passengers

· Highest ice class for passenger cruise ships (E4): Exciting expedition cruises into polar regions

On board Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ expedition ships – the HANSEATIC and the BREMEN – guests will become true pioneers and explore exciting destinations in the polar regions as well as exotic waters. The design of each ship – with a low draught of just 4.8 metres, maximum lengths of 122.8 metres (HANSEATIC) and 111.5 metres (BREMEN) and the highest ice class for passenger ships – allows them to travel to destinations previously inaccessible to a cruise ship.

Including a new route in the schedule requires the most precise preparation, including nautical calculations. The best cruise timings have to be determined for each destination, as well as the duration of the proposed cruise and where landings can be planned with the on-board Zodiacs. For the product managers, the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises route planner and the captains of the BREMEN and the HANSEATIC, these premiere cruises - where they themselves will travel to a destination for the first time - prove very challenging to co-ordinate.

Says Thilo Natke, Captain of the HANSEATIC: “When we offer new destinations with our expedition ships, we have to consult alternative sources and collect all the information we can find about the planned route. This is how we can paint a more accurate picture, which allows us to optimise our itinerary and prepare the excursions on land, together with the expedition leaders. Then, for example, we research whether there have already been excursions ashore at the cruise destination, whether it was perhaps traversed by a sailing boat and whether there are any other cruises to the destination region on offer. The fact that the expedition cruises do not call at traditional cities is also a challenge. Special excursions on land – for example in the tundra or on a remote island – are organised instead. Here we use our on-board Zodiacs.”

A cruise premiere: In 2014, the HANSEATIC will be the first non-Russian passenger ship to traverse the Northeast Passage through the Russian Arctic.

The two expedition ships, the 175 passenger HANSEATIC (5-stars*) and the 155 passenger BREMEN (4-stars plus*), set off on a course of discovery to explore the best kept secrets of nature and culture. Both expedition ships have been awarded the highest ice class for passenger ships (E4) and are suited for close-up expeditions into polar regions. A number of selected expedition cruises are offered as international voyages for English-speaking guests.

For a visual impression of “Scouting New Expedition Routes” please see our film online: www.hl-cruises.com/press/passagentv/

* according to the Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships 2014

For more information on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ exciting destinations and itineraries, visit www.hl-cruises.com. All press releases and a picture gallery can be found at www.hl-cruises.com/press. For HANSEATIC and BREMEN images, visit http://www.hl-cruises.com/press/photoarchive/cruises-fleet/

Reservations: Please call +49 40 3001-4580 (English-speaking hotline), send an e-mail to salesteam@hlkf.de or visit www.hl-cruises.com/contact-services for local agents.

APT heads to Burma

#expeditioncruising

source: Cruise Weekly

APT’s first-ever river-cruising program in Myanmar (Burma) on the newly built AmaPura will include companion fly-free deals on selected departures, TD Cruise Update can exclusively reveal.

The company today confirmed it will enter the rapidly expanding cruise destination at the end of this year (CW 26 Nov), offering two SuperDeals for bookings made and deposited by 31 May.

Launch offers include ‘Companion Fly Free, including taxes’, available on the 20 Feb or 14 Apr 2015 departures, as well as return flights from ustralia – a saving of up to $1,670 per couple – when clients book the package through APT.

Alternatively, $500 per couple can be saved on any Burma package of 16 days (departing 24 Nov 2014 or 5 Feb 2015).

APT’s gm marketing Debra Fox said the company was “really excited” to announce the new holiday option for clients.

“Adding to the intimacy of our program is that fact they will travel aboard the AmaPura, our brand new river ship which, with just 28 suites, is quite unique to the rest of our fleet and offers guests the chance to enjoy boutique river cruising at its finest.”

The new brochure features 18 departures, with three itineraries ranging from 14 to 20 days. The 14-day Golden Treasures of Burma itinerary takes pax
between Pyay (Prome) and Mandalay; and the 16-day Hidden Wonders of Burma travels from Mandalay to Yangon, with an extension to Inle Lake on a 20-day
itinerary.

Available to Australians and New Zealanders only through APT, the 56-pax AmaPura features a French balcony, full balcony or twin balconies in every
suite, and an onboard staff to guest ratio of 2:1. The ship’s public areas include a pool, restaurant, main lounge and bar, gift shop, spa and sun deck. House wine, local beer and soft drinks are also included with every lunch and dinner on board.

APT’s “Signature Experiences” include visits to Bagan’s 2,200 Buddhist temples, stupas and pagodas; a horse-drawn cart tour to see monasteries and the
‘Leaning Tower of Inwa’ and more.

Hotel accom is at the Traders Hotel in Yangon and the Amata Garden Resort, Inle Lake.

Prices start at $7,275 ppts for the 14-day itinerary - see aptouring.com.au.

True North returns to Raja Ampat and PNG

#expeditioncruising

Discover the breathtaking Raja Ampat Islands and pristine PNG



The TRUE NORTH’s extended seasons in West Papua and Papua New Guinea are unique opportunity to discover world-class adventure right on Australia’s doorstep.

There are once in a lifetime opportunities to swim with The Whale Sharks of Cenderawasih Bay; to explore West Papua’s world-renowned Raja Ampat Marine Reserve; to see crocodile initiation ceremonies and floating villages on the intriguing Sepik Soiree.

To visit only pristine islands and unspoilt villages on our most-refined South Pacific itinerary – the New Adventures in Paradise! Or, the five night Archipelago Adventure is a time and budget conscious opportunity to experience the stunning Louisiade Archipelago.

All itineraries include return flights in our chartered jet aircraft and the TRUE NORTH ensures every comfort whilst you are on-expedition.

North Star Cruises has been exploring these areas for more than 10 years and we have developed special relationships with the people that we visit. We experience only overwhelming hospitality and enjoy privileged glimpses into idyllic lifestyles that remain un-ravaged by the modern world.

Click HERE to see how we look for every opportunity to return the kindness that is shown to our guests and crew.




“An unforgettable adventure to visit this remote and beautiful part of the world made possible by the True North professional and caring crew. All superlatives fail us!” - Sandy & Charlie Shuetrim



“We are I believe better for the experience we had, it was nothing short of fantastic, we are so thankful for the way we were treated on-board the ship and thank all of you! Since our return to our hometown I haven't stopped telling people about our PNG adventure” - Peter Waite and Tammy Mears



“What an amazing & truly unique experience! We loved the volcano heli flight & “warra kalup”: float down the river. Crew are all outstanding, food was spectacular - thanks Andy & Zac! We had a trip of a life time, thanks all!” - Troy & Kerry Smith

Click here to read about more amazing experiences.

If you want to join our 2014 expeditions – it is important to act now. Departures are not scheduled until October-December but cabins are limited! Contact your adventure partners at North Star Cruises or your preferred travel agent today to ensure that you don’t miss any of the adventure.

Last minute bonus on May Croatia small ship departures

CROATIAN specialists Beyond Travel have just released a special offer of $1000 credit per couple on last minute May departures for eight-day round trip cruises from Dubrovnik aboard the newly built MS Princess Aloha (pic above) or MS Vita when you book before March 15.

The bonus $1000 can be used for pre or post cruise accommodation, sightseeing tours in Dubrovnik, airport transfers or any other Beyond Travel product in Croatia.

Departing on May 3, 10, 17 and 24, the ship will make port visits to Mljet, Pucisca, Omis, Split, Brac, Havar and Korcula. Both ships have only 18 cabins creating an intimate atmosphere on board with air conditioned  cabins all having private facilities. There is a large dining salon with a bar, outdoor lounge areas and sun decks.

The cruise is priced from $2,165 per person twin share and includes seven nights' accommodation in a sea view cabin with daily breakfast and lunch (dinner is at leisure ashore), some sightseeing, return transfers and port charges and tourist tax.

To receive this bonus and for more details contact Beyond Travel on email, info@beyondtravel.com.au or call 1300-363-5541300-363-554.

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Pandaw expands Mekong cruise

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Pandaw is expanding its horizons in Cambodia with a series of 10-night ‘Mekong Unexplored’ river cruises between Siem Reap and Saigon.

The five-cruise program in July, August and September offers more in-depth visits to cultural, historical and village attractions as an expansion on its usual seven-night cruises.

Sampans, small boats, buses and cyclos (rickshaws) are used to access some remote areas for sightseeing.

Highlights of the cruise include the Tonle Sap Lake’s floating villages, Battambang’s bamboo railway and circus school, the Kratie river dolphins, an overnight in Phnom Penh, fish farms at the border town of Chau Doc, and the Cai Be floating markets.

Prices start at US$2964.50 (A$ 3322.00) twin-share including transfers, main on-board meals, entrance fees, guides, crew gratuities, and locally made soft and alcoholic drinks.

Passengers can also spend two nights pre-cruise at Siem Reap’s classic Angkor Resort and Spa for visits to the Angkor temples for an extra US435.00 (A488) per person. A two night post-cruise stay at the Renaissance Riverside Hotel in Saigon costs US$315.00 (A$ 354).

Pandaw has 11vessels in Burma and Vietnam/Cambodia. All Pandaw craft are luxury replicas of pre-World War II colonial river steamers with teak and brass staterooms, fine dining and attentive Asian crew.

(Bookings through travel agents. Further information at www.pandaw.com or contact John Boyd jlbati@ozemail.com

SeaDream your way into Monte Carlo's jetset

IF Monte Carlo conjures up images of multi-million dollar yachts and the rich and famous who indulge such playthings – and dabble at the legendary local Casino on the side –put yourself amongst it all aboard the mega motor-cruiser SeaDream II that sails from here for 7-nights to Rome's port of Civitavecchia on September 27 this year.

After boarding SeaDream early afternoon to a complimentary Champagne Welcome and checking into your stateroom – one of just 56 guest rooms aboard SeaDream II that carries a maximum 112 guests served by 95 crew – take-in your movie-setting surrounds from SeaDream's Top of the Yacht Bar or one of the many other onboard vantage points, before sailing that evening to a string of the dreamiest Mediterranean destinations.

You'll have whole days to explore ports and not leave until late evening from legendary St Tropez on the French Riviera, Calvi on Corsica which boasts some of the Mediterranean's finest beaches (and where Britain's Admiral Nelson lost his eye in battle,) and Portovenere in the heart of the fabled Cinque Terre… the "Five Lands" of Italy where spectacular villages cling perilously to the rugged coast on this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are also days at Portoferraio on idyllic Elba, picturesque Bastia on Corsica and colourful little Porto Santo Stefano in Italy.

This dream-like holiday is priced from US$5026pp twin-share – including all SeaDream II's celebrated 5-star dining, wines with lunch and dinner, drinks from the open bars, sail and power water-sports in ports where permitted, gratuities and port charges and taxes… so you'll have virtually little-need for wallet or purse for the whole week.

For full details see travel agents or visit www.seadream.com

Un-Cruise through History

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If sailing through U.S. history sounds appealing, check out the latest offering from Un-Cruise Adventures — weeklong voyages along the Columbia and Snake rivers. Un-Cruise, which is best known for trips to Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, has inaugurated voyages based in Portland, Ore., that blend river sailings with stops for hiking, city exploring and museum-going. They are designed for travelers who want to explore and become engrossed in the lore and history of the U.S. Northwest.

Plying waters that mostly divide Oregon and Washington states, the 192-foot, 88-passenger SS Legacy — built in 1988 and heavily renovated in 2013 — is the vessel that makes these ventures into the past possible. A modernized rendition of a 19th-century riverboat steamer, Legacy offers excellent accommodations and food as well as continual immersion in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Invaluable to this mission are the crew members, who are often dressed in period costumes that bring to life some of the region’s most vibrant characters. These include those involved with the Lewis and Clark expedition, the Oregon Trail, and conflicts between Native Americans and early pioneers. Another theme is the struggle that pitted merchants who wanted to tame and circumvent treacherous river rapids against those who wanted to leave the trade-defying challenges as they were.

Most important, these re-creations are designed for adults with a strong sense of history. Not only do re-enactors stroll decks and lounges during the daytime, but they also do evening presentations augmented by period photography and maps.

Meanwhile, everything aboard the Legacy is comfortable. Cabins in which two people can easily maneuver feature a pair of single beds, a desk and a functional bathroom with a retractable laundry line. Each room has a video screen that plays DVDs from the ship’s extensive and free DVD rental library. It is not possible to access cable or broadcast TV onboard, however.

Dress is decidedly neat casual, with no formal nights on the docket. Clothes should reflect the informal mood aboard and the strolling and light hiking on shore. You’ll also want to bring along your iPad, tablet or cell phone since they will be your only easy access to news and communication from the outside world.

Food is served at a single open seating and is of a quality that is enhanced by chefs needing to serve dozens — rather than hundreds or thousands — of guests. Among the more impressive offerings on a recent cruise was a beautifully prepared rack of lamb.

Wine and other drinks throughout the day from the lounge bar as well as at meals are included in basic fares. This supports the prime shipboard diversion: conversation among old and new acquaintances. The top deck has comfortable chairs for sitting or lounging, two hot tubs and a spa, sauna and yoga classes.

New GSA for Voyages of Discovery, Swan Hellenic, Hebridean Island Cruises

#expeditioncruising 
 

Hebridean Island Cruises (supplied)

 To help broaden its visibility in key markets and increase sales, All Leisure Holidays Group has selected Discover the World to help with this mission in the countries of Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Colin Wilson, group sales director for All Leisure Holidays Group said, “Partnering with Discover in Australia and New Zealand was a logical step for us to expand our growth in this region and with Discover’s vast network, our expansion into Scandinavia was an easy decision. These additional Scandinavian markets will create new customers for our brands as well as support our ships when they are positioned in these areas of the world”.

“We’ve enjoyed a long partnership with the Cruise Office in Australia and New Zealand and we would like to thank them for their work in promoting our brands in these markets”, continued Wilson. “However we wanted one business to help us work seamlessly in these new territories and as Discover was well known to us because a colleague had enjoyed a great relationship with them, Discover fit that bill”.

“We will capitalise on the growing cruise market for All Leisure Holidays Group”, said Jenny Adams, CEO of Discover the World. “The unique nature of its cruise brands, that include leading escorted tours, will especially appeal to the affluent and educated consumer. Given the track record we have with our cruise and tour clients, we know we can produce new customers and revenue for them and we are excited about working with the quality senior leadership team at All Leisure Holidays Group”.

All Leisure Holidays Group is headquartered in Market Harborough, England, All Leisure Group is the holding company of All Leisure Holidays, an established cruise company which owns the tour operators Voyages of Discovery, Swan Hellenic, Hebridean Island Cruises and Discover Egypt. Voyages of Discovery, Swan Hellenic and Hebridean offer destination-led cruises to a number of countries and are focused on the market for mature passengers while Discover Egypt offers packages to Egypt, including cruises and excursions on the River Nile.

In May, 2012, All Leisure group PLC announced the acquisition of Page & Moy Travel Group, a leading tour operator offering a broad range of packages, including touring holidays, city breaks, river and ocean cruises, safaris and classic rail journeys to the over-55s for more than 50 years. It currently trades under 2 brands, Travelsphere and Just You.

Vale Trevor Haworth AM, Master Mariner and founder of Captain Cook Cruises

8th June 1931 to 1st March 2014

Trevor Haworth, Master Mariner and founder of Captain Cook Cruises passed away on 1st March 2014, aged 82. His life was one of pioneering vision, great courage, adventure and achievement in building the iconic business Captain Cook Cruises, and helping to shape the Tourism Industry in Australia. He was a man of high moral principles with true Christian ethics. Trevor was a committed supporter of many charitable works including Rotary and is survived by his wife Geraldine, three loving children Jackie, Anthony and Allison and 7 grandchildren.

Trevor Haworth was born in Blackburn Lancashire on June 8, 1931, the son of a Naval Deck Officer, Frank Haworth and mother Gladys. At the age of 6, Trevor was orphaned after his mother and father both passed away.

After briefly living with his maternal aunt Cissy, in Scotland, Trevor returned in 1939 to Blackburn to live with his Grandparents, Richard and Bertha at their house 'Isca' near Preston. From here, Trevor attended Hutton Grammar School as a boarder throughout World War 2 just as his father had, throughout World War 1.

During a return to 'Isca' during school holidays, his grandfather spoke to Trevor about his future. Richard was aging. He had a successful art dealership, but knew there was insufficient time to teach Trevor the business. Trevor elected to follow his father's footsteps and gained a place at HMS Conway in 1946, a boarding ship-school for educating and preparing cadets for command in the Royal and Merchant Navies.

He entered Conway in 1946. It was a disciplined, tough maritime school where boys joined at 14 and a half, and 2 years later graduated as Cadet Officers trained for command and ready to sail the world.

Trevor graduated in late 1947, and soon after accepted a position as a cadet with the South American Saint Line Ltd. Here he worked for 6 years, rising to third mate, delivering cargo and coal to all parts of the world from the Persian Gulf to South America. It was aboard these ships working with crew largely from the north of Scotland; hard working, hard drinking, physical, tough men, that Trevor learnt his seamanship craft. It was an ideal training ground that Trevor often recalled. He summarised its import through the words of Laurence Holt the Chairman of Blue Star Line, he too an old Conway boy; "One does not need to be an academic to command a ship; what one needs is strength of character and common sense". Trevor lived his life through these words.

Despite the offer of a promising career with the South American Saint Line, Trevor elected to move to Australia. In 1954, he stepped ashore in Townsville, from a small sugar lighter, with a one way air ticket to Sydney and a letter from Australian Customs to say he could stay as long as he liked. In 1955 Trevor joined the Swire and Yuill group a part of the Australian Oriental Line, operating between Australia, Japan and Hong Kong, where he stayed for the next 6 years, rising to master of the SS Taiping in 1960 at the age of 29. He was the youngest Master the company had ever appointed.

In 1959 on a blind date in Sydney, Trevor met Geraldine Coates. She was the love of his life and they were to make a great team in love and in business. They married in 1961.

Years earlier Trevor had decided to go ashore when he married. He became a partner in a Marine Surveying company with Captain Michael Downs. Two children soon followed; Jackie and Anthony. Trevor was not enjoying surveying and purchased a Marina at Northbridge where he repaired, moored and sold vessels. It was here that he also started a round the world ship delivery business 'Ocean and Coastal Deliveries' with an intrepid sailor, master navigator Peter Mounsey.

On a trip to the UK Trevor stopped off in New York. It was there, on a 'Circle Line' cruise of Manhattan, that Trevor formed the idea of starting a similar business in Sydney. About a year later his youngest daughter Allison was born.

As fate would have it, on his return to Sydney he was asked by the owner of an old ex-navy 'Fairmile' if he could start a sightseeing cruise business on Sydney Harbour. Trevor realised this was going to be a long process and offered to bare boat charter the vessel on a five yearly basis. A deal was struck and Captain Cook Cruises Sydney Harbour was born on Australia Day 1970.

Trevor knew location was everything and so approached the relevant authorities to operate from Circular Quay. Initially rejected, dogged persistence paid off and the business was granted a berth at the end of the quay at Jetty 6, away from Government operations, from which it still operates today.

Captain Cook Cruises found the going tough and did not make a profit in the first few years. It survived where others failed because Trevor and Geraldine understood the importance of marketing, were able to subsidise the cruise operation from the profitable marina business, and because they didn't do too much too soon. By starting with only two cruises a week, costs could be contained.

From the start the focus of the business was international tourists. To maximise this market, Trevor devoted enormous time and effort to the promotion of Australia. Trevor was a pioneer of Australian tourism. Over 40 years, he was involved in numerous committees and tourism Boards; Vice Chairman Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau; Chairman and Vice Chairman Inbound Tourism Organisation of Australia; Commissioner Australian Tourism Commission; Commissioner NSW Tourism Commission; Deputy Chairman Australian Tourism Industry Association; Life Member Pacific Asia Travel Association and board member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. For his contribution to Tourism he received many awards, including the Australian Tourism Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual in 1994 and was awarded Member of the Order of Australia on the 5th of June, 1985.

With the growth of Tourism to Australia, hard work and a commitment to re-investment, Trevor and Geraldine built the business on Sydney Harbour from only one boat with two cruises a week to 30 departures a day, building a fleet of 12 restaurant & sightseeing vessels culminating in the construction of the 68-metre, 700-passenger flagship MV Sydney 2000 in 1999.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing. In 1975 Trevor contracted endocarditis, necessitating a lifesaving heart valve replacement. And then just 2 years later in Hong Kong Trevor was almost killed in a car accident where his taxi driver died and Trevor was hospitalised for 4 weeks. Apart from the personal health challenges Trevor had to navigate stormy waters many times during the company's history. In the '90s, both Amalgamated Holdings and Accor bought into the Sydney cruise market. Despite the greater financial and marketing power of the multinationals, Captain Cook Cruises managed to continue to grow and prosper, seeing Accor sell out of the Industry in 2003 and buying the Amalgamated business 'Matilda Cruises' in 2005.

Success in Sydney allowed the business to look for other opportunities. Trevor expanded the business onto the Murray River, and then was approached to go into partnership with Qantas in an accommodated cruise on the Great Barrier Reef. With the purchase of a cruise business in Fiji 1997 the business was growing into what became positioned as the leading small ship cruise line of Australia and the Pacific. At its peak, the Captain Cook Cruises group included over 25 ships in four destinations and carried over one million passengers per year on sightseeing and dining cruises and over 40,000 passengers on overnight cruises.

Fiji became Trevor's passion. He loved the islands, the people and the culture. Trevor continued to invest in the Fijian business through 3 military coups, subsidizing significant losses with an unyielding belief in the magic of the product.

Trevor was also a tireless supporter of Rotary. He was a founding member of the Sydney Cove Rotary Group in 1978 and made available the use of the company's vessels every Friday morning at Jetty 6 Circular Quay for the club to meet. For his contribution, Trevor was recognised by Rotary with the Awarding of the Paul Harris Fellowship medal. He was also a Trustee of the Lizard Island Research Foundation.

In July 2008, Captain Cook Cruises provided the official fleet of vessels for the Papal Boatacade on Sydney Harbour, as part of World Youth Day. The Captain Cook flagship MV Sydney 2000 was selected as the lead ship to carry Pope Benedict XVI from Rose Bay to the Official Papal welcome at Barangaroo. Trevor considered this moment the pinnacle of his business career.

In 2011 Trevor sold the Sydney and Murray River operations of Captain Cook Cruises to the Sealink Travel Group. The Haworth family still owns and operates the successful Fijian operation of Captain Cook Cruises with 5 vessels and an island today.

Trevor is survived by his wife Geraldine, daughters Jackie Charlton and Allison Haworth West and son Anthony. He has seven grandchildren - Ben, Emily, Patrick, Scott, Anna, Lucy and Edward.