Coral Princess Cruises Goes Tropical to Celebrate 25 Years in 2008

Multi award-winning Coral Princess Cruises, pioneer of small-ship expedition cruising in Australia and the South Pacific, has kicked off its 25-year anniversary celebrations with a new brochure that brings together some of its most remote and exotic cruise destinations: Papua New Guinea and Melanesia.

The new brochure features five different culturally and environmentally sensitive cruises – ranging from 10 to 15 nights – to far-flung reaches of Papua New Guinea and Melanesia including the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

In March, Coral Princess founder Captain Tony Briggs and his wife, Vicki will host the 15-night "Noumea to Cairns" cruise aboard Coral Princess’s purpose-built luxury expedition vessel, 'Oceanic Discoverer' – a far cry from the World War II submarine chaser on which Tony started expedition-style cruising on the Great Barrier Reef in 1984.

The "Noumea to Cairns" cruise - the first of a series of special anniversary cruises for 2008 hosted personally by Tony and Vicki - explores the Melanesian archipelago. Accommodating a maximum of just 72 guests, 'Oceanic Discoverer' explores the spectacular cone volcano that forms Vanuatu’s Ureparapara Island and, at Santa Anna Island, guests are greeted by warriors bearing swords and blowing conch shell horns. And there’s plenty of opportunity to snorkel among pristine coral gardens and large pelagic fish.

'Oceanic Discoverer’s' purpose-built excursion vessel, 'Xplorer', glass bottom coral viewer and fleet of inflatable Zodiacs also allow passengers to intimately explore the reefs and remote islands.

Excursions are guided by naturalists and experts who interpret the natural, cultural and historical highlights of the region. In true expedition style, the itinerary may vary to take maximum advantage of opportunities to view wildlife, go snorkelling or diving, or visit local villages and attractions.

'Oceanic Discoverer' is designed to provide all the comfort and facilities of larger cruise ships, yet is small enough to access remote and pristine sites inaccessible to other ships.

Prices for the 15-night "Noumea to Cairns" cruise start at $10,150 per person, twin share, cruise only, in a Main Deck B stateroom. The voyage departs March 21, 2008. The 10 and 12-night cruises to Papua New Guinea start at $7,500 and depart October 2008 and 2009.

For further information and reservations contact 1800 079 545 or visit www.coralprincess.com.au.

Adventure Quest

Committed adventure cruiser, Roderick Eime, shares some insight on one of the fastest growing travel sectors.

Flick through the pages of any magazine or newspaper and you’re confronted with an overflowing smorgasbord of cruise travel possibilities. If this explosion of romantic ocean-going itineraries leads you to think cruise travel is on the up, then you are right. Cruising is on a rocket. But look closer and you’ll find, sometimes tacked on the end of a larger ad, adventure possibilities you may never have dreamed of.

Sure, everybody knows the irresistible, fairytale allure of the South Pacific, Caribbean and Mediterranean, but what about the frozen reaches of the Antarctic, the wilds of the Kimberley or the tiny atolls of Melanesia? Within this huge category of ‘cruising’ there exists a sometimes overlooked subset generally referred to as “adventure and expedition cruising”.

Once almost a secret society among wealthy adventurers and well-heeled thrillseekers, this type of travel has ignited the imagination of those looking beyond regular, packaged products. Travel marketers and advertising pundits are calling this emerging genre “experiential and transformational” travel where the journey is all about delivering uplifting and life-changing experiences.

Ships plying these waters can vary enormously too. They range from luxury pocket cruise-liners, replete with every creature comfort and a “quick response” crew ready to fulfill your every whim, through to refurbished ex-Soviet spy vessels. These Russian vessels are the ones largely responsible for opening up the frozen extremes of our planet and include mighty icebreakers and hardy oceanographic ships built to operate in the most challenging conditions.

At the softer end, vessels like the Australian-based Orion and Oceanic Discoverer, world-travelling Seadream I and II and Seabourne are examples of ships constructed to deliver a high, even opulent, level of luxury and still retain the flexibility and versatility of an expedition yacht. Orion, for example, not only cruises the rich tropical backwaters of PNG and the Kimberley, but ventures to the most remote reaches of Antarctica, well below the ‘circle’ and into the exclusive realm of Emperor Penguins and historic explorers.

What is ‘Expedition Cruising’?

The term ‘expedition’ has been more recently attached to cruise products in an attempt to give them a romantic, out-of-the-way appeal. The danger is that the original, authentic expedition cruise concept is being diluted and misconstrued.

A true expedition cruise consists of a voyage plan and itinerary that has inbuilt flexibility and redundancy. In the capricious Antarctic waters, all activities and sight-seeing is weather and ice dependent. Passengers are reminded of this time and time again and it is quite common for completely unscheduled landings to take place in fallback planning. The same exists in tropical waters.

As weather, currents and tides play out in the dense South Sea archipelagos, an expedition leader and his/her captain must ‘massage’ the itinerary constantly to capitalise on emerging opportunities and avoid those closing out.

If you are a devotee of the well-managed, big cruise ship experience, you may find adventure and expedition cruising unsettling. Others will crave that element of the unexpected.

A proper expedition vessel is more than just a smaller ship with zodiacs piled up on deck. A true expedition vessel is designed for the intended conditions and equipped to deliver the experience upon arrival, whether it be weaving through disintegrating pack ice or creeping past vivid coral atolls.

Passengers aboard expedition vessels have come to expect expert guides and lecturers to help them interpret the rich cultural and natural histories these exotic destinations deliver. Academics, researchers and authors are common both as lecturers and passengers, adding to healthy discussions and enrapturing dinner conversation.

Examine your intended product carefully and ask lots of questions, your consultant will be able to answer them.

Popular Adventure Cruising Destinations

Antarctica

This iconic destination is the epitome of the adventure destination. Sailing “off the map” and to areas only discovered within the last hundred years, makes Antarctica the must-do itinerary for all serious expedition cruisers.

Expeditions to the Great Southern Land take several forms. The simplest are short itineraries of perhaps a week to ten days to the Antarctic Peninsula from Ushuaia at the very bottom of South America. More ambitious journeys will be by icebreaker, way below the Antarctic Circle to places like McMurdo Sound and Commonwealth Bay.

Companies offering Antarctic itineraries include Adventure Associates, World Expeditions, Orion, Explorer and Heritage Expeditions.

The Arctic

A perfect complement to your southerly expedition, a trip to the Arctic can be as simple as a cruise to Iceland or Greenland or as heroic as a nuclear icebreaker to the North Pole itself.

Recent tales about retreating glaciers and thinning ice pack have created some urgency for visitors to this region as they attempt to see the great Polar Bear in its diminishing natural environment.

Apart from the North Pole, the great North-West Passage across the top of Canada is a true odyssey only a few will ever experience.

Companies offering Arctic expeditions include, Quark Expeditions, Oceanwide, ecruising.travel, Peregrine and World Expeditions

The Galapagos Islands

Charles Darwin’s evolutionary playground is a great drawcard for those with a penchant for warmer climes. A short flight from Ecuador, most visitors will spend about a week cruising amongst the many islands in this unique archipelago.

Following in the footsteps of David Attenborough, visitors will discover the crazy wildlife that makes this place so special. The sinister marine iguanas, the fierce land iguanas, the delightful giant tortoises and the many strange birds and plants make this place a naturalist’s wonder.

See Ecoventura or www.igtoa.org for a list of accredited oprators.

The Kimberley and Top End

The rugged and remote regions of Western Australia’s Kimberley and NT’s Top End were the ideal choice for expedition cruising in our region. Incredible rock formations, abundant birdlife, rich Aboriginal culture and weird natural phenomenon like the horizontal waterfalls attract thousands of visitors every year. Most cruise companies book out a year ahead, such is the popularity of this northern region.

True North, Orion and Coral Princess are the acknowledged experts in the Kimberley.

Papua New Guinea

Often the subject of bad publicity, the sublime islands of the Bismarck and Solomon Seas exhibit none of the rough lawlessness found elsewhere on the mainland. Expedition cruise companies are falling all over themselves to create itineraries in this region and the PNG Tourism authorities are extremely supportive of these initiatives.

New Ireland, New Britain, the legendary Trobriands and the mighty Sepik River are the key destinations on most itineraries. The wild frontiers of PNG, so close by, perfectly fit the description of “transformational” travel.

The growing list of operators include True North, Orion and Coral Princess.


Others:

Tasmania

Consider the supremely relaxing Gordon River cruises that explore the incredible and remote UNESCO World Heritage areas of Western Tasmania. Currently no overnight products are available, yet day trips leave regularly from Strahan.

See Orion for comprehensive live-aboard itineraries

Amazon

This huge river can accommodate cruise ships many hundreds of miles upstream. See the disappearing Amazon Basin jungles, visit remote indian tribes and mourn the vanishing landscapes.

For a wide range of vessels and options, see Adventure Associates

Russian Far East

Several companies are experimenting with itineraries in the area immediately north of Japan through to the Bering Strait in Siberia. Characterised by isolated ecosystems and volcanic activity on the western perimeter of the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, these voyages will always be exclusive.

Heritage Expeditions and Quark offer exclusive itineraries in this seldom visited area.

Great Barrier Reef

Another threatened eco system, Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef has attracted millions of visitors over the years and continues to do so. Be quick, the reef will never be as good as it is now.

Coral Princess Cruises of Cairns deliver the widest range of Great Barrier Reef itineraries. Captain Cook Cruises are also prominent in the region. Further south, Fantasea Cruises operate from the Whitsundays.

New Zealand

The brilliant scenery and harbours all around New Zealand are attracting adventure cruise companies with ambitious itineraries, including Coral Princess’s semi-circumnavigation and Bay of Islands products.

Orion will join Coral Princess operating in New Zealand beginning 2008.


Expedition and Adventure Cruise Operators

Here is a selection of vessels and itineraries within easy reach of Australia or New Zealand, often by simple domestic airline link.

Company: Captain Cook Cruises
Website: www.captaincook.com.au

Company: Orion Expedition Cruises Pty Ltd
Website: www.orioncruises.com.au
Phone: 1300 361 012

Company: Coral Princess Cruises
Website: www.coralprincess.com.au
Phone: 1800 079 545

Company: North Star Cruises
Website: www.northstarcruises.com.au
Telephone: (+61 8) 91921 829

Company: Fantasea
Website: www.fantaseaammari.com
Phone: 1800 662 786

To the Four Corners …

Company: Lindblad Expeditions
www.expeditions.com

Company: Quark Expeditions
www.quarkexpeditions.com
Australian Rep: Adventure Associates

Company: Explorer Cruises
www.explorer2cruises.com
Australian Rep: ecruising.travel

Company: Ecoventura
www.ecoventura.com

Company: Heritage Expeditions
www.heritage-expeditions.com

Company: Oceanwide Expeditions
www.oceanwide-expeditions.com

Company: Polar Quest
www.polar-quest.com

Here is a list of some of Australia’s most experienced and respected companies:

ADVENTURE ASSOCIATES Pty Ltd
Level 7, 12-14 O'Connell Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
GPO Box 4414, Sydney NSW 2001 Australia
Ph: (+61 2) 8916 3000 - Fax: (+61 2) 8916 3090 - Toll Free (Australia) 1 800 222 141
Web: www.adventureassociates.com

Aurora Expeditions

TELEPHONE +61-2-9252-1033
FAX +61-2-9252-1373
FREECALL (within Australia) 1-800-637-688
EMAIL auroraex@auroraexpeditions.com.au
Website: www.auroraexpeditions.com.au
182 Cumberland Street
The Rocks, NSW 2000

ecruising.travel
Level 9
64 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Web: www.ecruising.travel
1300 369 848

Peregrine Adventures (with offices or reps in most states)

380 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel 1300 85 44 44 (within Australia) or +61 3 8601 4444 (outside Australia)
Fax (03) 8601 4344
Email websales@peregrineadventures.com
Website: www.peregrine.net.au

World Expeditions (with offices in most states)

Level 5, 71 York St,
Sydney NSW 2000
Toll Free. 1300 720 000
Email: enquiries@worldexpeditions.com.au
Website: www.worldexpeditions.com

TIGER CHOOSES MELBOURNE AIRPORT

Tiger Airways has selected Melbourne Airport as the base for its Australian operations.

Tiger Airways’ decision is a major coup for Melbourne and Victoria, with Melbourne selected after detailed discussions between Tiger Airways and the airports and governments of a number of Australian states and territories.

The airline will base its Australian domestic operations in Melbourne – providing a significant new addition to the 12,000 staff currently located within the Melbourne Airport precinct.

Acting Melbourne Airport CEO Kirby Clark said Tiger’s decision was a testament to the growth opportunities Melbourne had presented to the low-cost airline, along with a strong ‘Team Victoria’ approach the Victorian Government and Melbourne Airport had taken with their proposal.

“We are delighted that Tiger has selected Melbourne Airport as the base for its Australian operations. This is a major win for this airport, this city, and this state,” said Mr Clark. “Tiger being based in Melbourne will greatly support Victoria’s sporting and cultural events calendar, which is conversely a key reason it chose to base its domestic operations here,” he said.

“Tiger’s decision reflects on the innovative, cooperative approach we take to working with our current and potential partners. We continue to provide stable low international and domestic airline charges – the lowest of any airport in Australia,” he said.

“We will now work closely with Tiger Airways to prepare for the commencement of the airline’s low-cost operations, which will be supported by our excellent car parking and hotels, and only 20kms from the CBD,” said Mr Clark.

In speaking of the reasons Tiger selected Melbourne, Tiger Airways CEO Mr Tony Davis said: “Tiger was particularly attracted to Victoria because of its skills base, the flexibility offered by Melbourne Airport, the State’s approach to marketing and major events, as well as the positive approach to the negotiations by the State Government and Melbourne Airport.”

“We are a proven low cost carrier with Tiger-like plans for Australia and I am sure the Victorian and Australian public will welcome the competition we will bring to the market,” said Mr Davis.

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Melbourne T2

BANDOLEROS THE ROBIN HOODS OF SPAIN

david ovens

ITS little wonder Spain’s once infamous bandoleros decided to call the southern town of Ronda home: perched on an unusual outcrop of rock in a basin surrounded by plains in turn ringed by rugged mountain ranges, it was ideal territory for bandits intent on ambushing unwary wealthy travellers, and relieving them of a little of their good fortune.

One of the country’s oldest towns with its origins associated with the Paleolithic era’s Cave of Pileta, Ronda is today a living relic of Andalusian stone-age art, but such is often lost on visitors more interested in tales of the bandits who roamed the region from as early as the Ninth Century.

And bullfighting.

Despite its early association with the Iberians and Bastulo Celts, followed by Romans, Byzantine Greeks, Moors and Muslims before being re-claimed by the Catholic Monarchs, most locals more happily oblige visitors and talk about those bandoleros who holed up in the surrounding Andalusian sierras, ravines, caves and hidden valleys than they do about ethnic and Paleolithic history.

During the Ninth Century these bandits were the centre of widespread opposition to Cordoban rule, and were still active as late as the early part of the 20th Century.

But it was in the 19th century that they really came to prominence, preying on the rich and becoming folk heroes. The most famous was El Tempranillo who at the age of 22 claimed “The king may reign Spain, but in the sierra I do,” and demanded an ounce of gold for each vehicle that crossed his domain.

As part of the Andalusian folklore the bandoleros were both hated as murderous gangs of cut-throats, and loved for the way they emerged from their lairs to rob the rich and powerful, or simply extract payment for safe passage, passing their “winnings” to the poor and powerless – kind of Spanish equivalents to Robin Hood.

But far from regarding themselves as romantic, the bandoleros were merely trying to survive in a society whose blatant social injustice nurtured banditry; most were driven by misfortune into a life of crime and living on the periphery of society, and their story is told in one of Ronda’s most popular tourist attractions, the Museo del Bandolero (Bandits Museum)

The town also boasts one of the oldest bullrings in Spain that dates from 1785. It was here that the legendary matador, Pedro Romero climbed down from his horse to fight a bull on foot, and so set the pattern for contemporary Spanish bullfighting. His costumes can be admired in another of Rondo’s variety of museums that are dedicated to such things as hunting, the arts and Ronda’s history, while the 16th century Mondragon Palace and the Moorish King’s House are also worth visiting.

And during the Feria de Pedro Romero in the second week of every September, bullfighters in replica century-old costumes draw enthusiasts from all over Spain.

Ronda is also famous for its dramatic escarpments and views, and for the deep El Tajo gorge that carries the River Guadalevín through its centre; the 18th century Puente Nuevo (New Bridge) that straddles the 100m chasm below, offers unparalleled views out to the Serranía de Ronda mountains.

The town’s historic quarter with a medieval layout reminiscent of the Arab age, is scattered to the south of the river, while the more modern town that emerged after the 16th century, lays is to the north.

Several other bridges unite the two halves of one of the most interesting towns on the route of the Whitewashed Villages, in the heart of the Ronda hills, only a few kilometres from the Costa del Sol.

A day touring through these quaint villages is highly rewarding but is made more enjoyable with a bit of research in some of Ronda’s interesting museums and palaces.

(Visiting Ronda and its neighbouring Whitewashed Villages is part of a 10-day Moorish Spain to Marrakech journey by train and ferry with Adventure World operator Explore Worldwide. The itinerary begins in Malaga in Andalusian Spain and travels to Ronda, Tangiers, Fes, Rabat and Marrakech.

The cost of $1265 includes all train, ferry and road transport, overnight hotel accommodation and breakfast and daily sightseeing tours through Moorish Spain, Tangiers and other Moroccan cities. For more details phone 1300-302-591 or visit www.adventureworld.com.au )

Silversea Cruises buys expedition ship World Discoverer

SINGAPORE - Silversea Cruises Group Ltd has purchased the expedition ship World Discoverer, which will undergo a multi-million dollar refurbishment before it begins service in spring 2008.

After the planned refurbishment, World Discoverer will accommodate around 140 guests (reduced from current 175) in ocean-view staterooms, including Owner's Suites, Grand Suites, and 12 yet-unnamed suites that will be similar to the line's popular Silver Suites.

Other guest amenities are an elegant single-seating main dining room, a specialty restaurant, library (with desktop computers and Internet access), boutique, beauty salon, fitness centre, sauna and whirlpools. The ship will also feature several lounges for enjoying drinks, music and entertainment, including a cigar lounge like the Humidor on the line's other ships.

Silversea's Chairman Manfredi Lefebvre believes exploration cruises can combine extremely well with the exclusive product offered by the company. "With the addition of World Discoverer, our current fleet increases to five ships and to six from 2009," he said.

All Aboard for Svalbard

Just 600 miles from the North Pole lies the island group of Svalbard, of which Spitsbergen is the largest. Variously occupied and exploited by the Dutch, Russians and Norwegians, in 1920 it was decided by treaty that the Norwegians should administer it and the capitol, Longyearbyen, flies the Norwegian tricolour.

The archipelago, named and first mapped by the famous Dutch explorer, Willem Barents, in 1596 became a whaling station, a coal mining centre, a launching point for famous arctic expeditions and more recently, a mecca for naturalists, polar researchers and eco-tourists. Despite Svalbard’s extreme northerly location, the warm North Atlantic current keeps the surrounding seas ice-free almost year round. Temperatures average -16oC in winter and 6oC in summer. 200mm of precipitation is a normal year.

During the so-called heroic age of polar exploration, men set forth into the extremities of the earth in search of all sorts of things, not the least of which was fame, glory and national pride. Spitsbergen, because of its high latitude, was an ideal point for ‘jumping off’ into the Arctic in search of the North Pole.

In 1897, the Swedish scientist and intrepid balloonist, Salomon August Andrée, launched himself and two co-pilots on a journey to the North Pole from Danes Island and were never seen again. Well, not alive anyway. Their bodies, remnants of their balloon and a camera were accidentally found thirty years later on White Island in the far east of Svalbard. Andrée’s balloon crashed and the survivors had made it back to White Island before dying from Vitamin A poisoning (trichinosis) thanks to eating polar bear liver.

Balloons were back on Spitsbergen in 1926 with the Italian, Umberto Nobile, along with Roald Amundsen and rich American Lincoln Ellsworth. Their voyage over the pole in the airship Norge (Norway), is the first creditable expedition to the North Pole even though many would argue that Cmdr Richard Byrd, who took off and landed in a nearby paddock a couple of days prior with his Fokker Tri-Motor, Josephine Ford, was the first. That is - if you discount both Peary and Cook!

Nobile, wounded by the fame wrested from him by Amundsen and Ellsworth, was back at Ny Ålesund again in 1928. This time his airship, suitably named Italia, would be an all-Italian triumph. Or so he thought. Instead he crashed in poor weather out on the ice pack and became the famous subject of the 1969 movie, “The Red Tent” and was played by Oscar winner, Peter Finch.

Today Svalbard is visited by tourists looking to experience one of the most remarkable and accessible Arctic locations thanks to the warming effects of the North Atlantic Current. Polar Bears, Reindeer, Arctic Foxes and countless species of birds inhabit the islands. Marine mammals are abundant and seals, walrus, narwhals, orcas, belugas, bowhead and minke whales all inhabit Spitsbergen’s coastal waters.

Cruise to Spitsbergen with Costa:

Spitzbergen Cruise $5,999.00

14 nights onboard Costa Atlantica. Departing 6 Jul 2008

Destination: Europe, Northern Europe
Cruise Line: Costa
Ship: Atlantica
Embarkation Port: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Duration: 15 Nights
Departure Dates: 6 Jul 2008