Orion Sub Antarctic voyages

A rare opportunity to visit one of our planet's most important biodiversity regions

Orion's expeditions to remote and rarely visited Sub-Antarctic islands

The Australian and New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands, regarded by UNESCO as one of the worlds' precious regions of unique biodiversity, will be visited by the luxury expedition cruise ship Orion in December 2009 and again in 2010.

Recognised for their volcanic and glacial geological formations and extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna this area has the highest diversity and abundance of seabirds found anywhere in the world. Over half of the world's seabirds, some of which exist nowhere else, call this region home.

Joining Orion's specialist Expedition Team to assist guests maximise their understanding of the important biodiversity of this region will be a number of guest lecturers including British zoologist and naturalist Dr John Sparks; threatened species ecologist with Birds Australia, Glenn Emke, and Neville Peat, who wrote the 1998 World Heritage Area nomination for the New Zealand Sub Antarctic islands. 

With convenient embarkation in Bluff (Invercargill, New Zealand) or Hobart, Orion will visit Australia's wildlife sanctuary at Macquarie Island, plus Campbell, Stewart, Snares and Auckland islands as well as spending time exploring New Zealand's beautiful Fjordlands, including Milford Sound with the world's tallest sea cliffs.  

These expeditions, with departures in December 2009 and 2010, particularly suit nature lovers and keen wildlife photographers as well as those with a spirit of adventure interested to visit places of outstanding importance yet rarely seen.

Judy Parker blogs on Orion in Indonesia

The Expedition Team lead by Justin Friend has prepared us for what promises to be a great adventure, but always with safety in mind. We have listened dutifully to their directions as we are slicked down with sunscreen and bug spray, and have bottled water, cameras and good walking shoes. They warn you ahead of time that it will be hot with little shade and the walk through the park will take about 2 ½ hours. We were on the 2nd Zodiac before 8:00 am but it was already very warm and well on its way to hot. We met our Park Ranger guide, Donnie, and were soon on our way down the path in search of these giant lizards.

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Murray Princess Cruise Sale - Save 25%

Save 25% on Summertime Murray River Cruises

The PS Murray Princess, the only accommodated paddle-wheeler on the Murray River, is offering 25% off 3, 4 and 7 night cruises throughout Summer.

Passengers will discover the hauntingly beautiful and dramatic South Australian outback, its unique flora and fauna, the rich legacy of old riverside ports and the rivers history and culture.

The historic cruise starts with the ship itself, PS Murray Princess, a modern replica of the paddle wheelers that cruised the Murray in the 1800's. The two spacious paddlewheel lounges feature polished wood and gold trimmings, an elegant spiral staircase and spectacular two-story glass windows of the working paddle wheel.

It's then full steam down the Murray between the Blanchetown area and Murray Bridge for 280kms of incredible terrain, wildlife and Australian history and culture.

The Murray Princess cruises past towering limestone cliffs, through picturesque gorges and along riverbanks lined with mallee scrub, red gum forests and century old stone causeways.

The lowlands attract an amazing array of Australian wildlife and over 350 species of birds. Led by on-shore guides, passengers can enjoy nature walks, eco-tours and learn about the ecology of the river.

Each day features exciting day trips to historic ports, sacred Aboriginal sites, a sheep station and woolshed and a native wildlife shelter.

Visit local vineyards and sample the produce of the food and wine trail that has made the region famous and enjoy all the festivities of an Aussie-style campfire barbecue on the river bank.

Prices for the three nights Discovery Cruise start from $581 per person twin share, from $775 per person twin share for the four nights Outback Heritage Cruise and from $1197 per person twin share for the seven nights Murraylands & Wildlife Cruise.

This offer is valid for sale until 28 February 2010 and for travel from 01 December 2009 until 28 February 2010 and includes all meals, accommodation, an exciting range of shore-side tours, scenic coach transfers from Adelaide or onsite car parking and all onboard facilities including use of two spas, two saunas, sun deck, two bars, two lounges, single sitting dining saloon and entertainment

For further information and bookings, please contact Captain Cook Cruises toll free from Australia on 1800 804 843; Int +61-2-9206 1100, Email: murray@captaincook.com.au or visit www.captaincook.com.au.

MYBENTOURS HURTIGRUTEN EARLY BIRD DEALS TO NORWAY AND GREENLAND/ARCTIC

SAVE up to 30 per cent – The Most Beautiful Voyage in the World

MyBentours has announced a massive saving of up to 30 per cent on selected voyages and dates for its popular Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Voyage product – a cruise renowned for its breathtaking scenery as it follows Norway's dramatic coastline from the ports of Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the far north.

"This is a spectacular journey that has well earned the reputation as 'the most beautiful voyage in the world' – the dramatic scenery and the endless small inlets with their towns and villages and rich cultural heritage make this one of the most unique travel experiences," MyBentours Business Development Manager Mark Dribbus said.

The 30 per cent early bird discount applies to all new bookings made by December 31, 2009, for the 12 day Norwegian Coastal Voyage 'Bergen to Bergen via Kirkenes' cruises departing between Jan 1- April 14 and Sept 15-Dec 31, 2010. Passengers are offered a further 10 per cent reduction if they have travelled with Hurtigruten in the last 3 years. For those travelling from April 15-Sept 14, 2010, a 15 per cent early bird discount applies.

"If this has always been on your client's wish list, we urge them to take advantage of this one-off offer and make the journey to this stunning region," Dribbus said.

Book Early & Save up to 20 per cent on Hurtigruten's voyages to remote Greenland and Arctic 

Hurtigruten has introduced up to 20 per cent early bird discounts on its 9 day 'Greenland – Glaciers and Icebergs' product – a voyage that encompasses the pristine beauty of the remote Arctic Circle.

"This is an experience of a lifetime; mountains covered in snow, stunning ice fjords, lush green valleys, traditional small towns and settlements and of course the wildlife – it is a journey into another world, the land of the midnight sun," MyBentours Mark Dribbus said.

The 20 per cent early bird discount is valid for all bookings made by December 31, 2009. For departures from July 29-August 12, a 10 per cent early bird discount applies.

The cruise includes cabin of choice aboard the specially built explorer ship MS FRAM, all meals onboard, return flight Copenhagen-Kangerlussuaq, 8 days of cruising, transfers and a range of Greenland excursions.

Other Arctic voyages include 13 night 'Southern Greenland' departing July 16 – save 20 per cent; 14 night 'Voyage to the Inuit North' departing August 19 – save 10 per cent; 11 night 'South and East Greenland'  departing Sept 2 – save 20 per cent; 10 night 'East Greenland & Scoresby Sund' departing Sept 13  – save 20 per cent.

"These voyages showcase this remote, untouched region of the world in comfort and style. Our ship, the MS Fram, can take you to its remote corners to offer you an absolutely unique perspective that really makes it a trip of a lifetime," Dribbus said.

www.mybentours.com.au

MyBentours the leading travel company for Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic's celebrates it's 30th Anniversary in 2009 have an extensive cruise and tour program for 2009-2010 seasons. The program is a smorgasbord of independent and escorted tours and cruises, activity tours and sightseeing for the region all year round. Tour programs also feature Finland, Iceland, Ukraine and as a new destination, Poland. MyBentours is the Preferred Sales Agent (PSA) for Hurtigruten Group, and General Sales Agent (GSA) for Icelandair and Gota Canal in Australia and New Zealand. MyBentours is part of TUI Travel PLC. 

Cruise Europe with Expert Lecturers and Guest Speakers Aboard Voyages of Discovery

  
Next season is all about Discovery
Award-winning Voyages of Discovery are delighted to launch their new dedicated brochure for the 'Mediterranean & Black Sea' and 'Scandinavia & Northern Waters'. The new brochure offers potential passengers a flavour of each cruise and a glimpse of what they can expect onboard; a true voyage of discovery and an opportunity to see the world in its true colours.

The experts who enlighten passengers on the destinations to be visited are not only on board the ship, but also contribute so much behind the scenes. Every itinerary, lecture and shore excursion is meticulously planned, so no two cruises are ever the same – just one of the reasons many of our passengers return year after year.

Explore the Mediterranean and Black Sea
As with every Discovery cruise programme, a range of intriguing destinations awaits – discover the great civilisations of Egypt, Greece and Rome; visit the churches and galleries of Rome and Florence, and navigate the canals of Venice. Explore the Near East, taking in the sites of Ephesus, the lost city of Petra, fabled Troy, the great city of Istanbul and the battlefields of the Crimea. There is perhaps no better way to discover the diverse heritage of these regions than in the company of distinguished guest speakers, many of whom have been specially selected by BBC History magazine.

Scandinavia and Northern Waters
The Scandinavia & Northern Waters programme of cruises departing from Harwich ventures from the Arctic to the Baltic; from the majestic palaces of St Petersburg through the spectacular Norwegian fjords to the wildernesses of Iceland and Greenland. There is also the opportunity to circumnavigate the British Isles, visit the picturesque Channel Islands and explore some of the great monuments of northern France. These voyages are not only about history and culture; they are a feast for lovers of nature and beauty too. Passengers may discover some of the world's greatest natural wonders, flora and fauna; the dramatic scenery and geysers of Iceland together with the breathtaking polar bears and Arctic tundra of Spitsbergen and Greenland.

These waters have also had an enormous impact on the world in which we live today. Accompanied by experts like Antony Hopkins, former Professor of History at the University of Cambridge, we will follow in the footsteps of the Vikings who ploughed these waters on their own voyages of discovery in search of wealth and adventure.

Guaranteed value for money – Fares now from only $1,355!
Whilst we are proud of our new look brochure, we are equally proud to be able to offer even better value whilst still travelling in 4-star comfort. We are very pleased to have been able to reduce all brochure fares by 20% in order to offer the best possible prices for these fascinating itineraries.


With prices now from just S1,355, it is little wonder Voyages of Discovery was awarded the coveted 'Best Value in Specialty Cruising' Award in the UK this year for the third year running, and cabins are likely to book quickly. Here is what is included in the price of every cruise:

• All meals from breakfast through to late-night snacks, complimentary tea and coffee at any time of day or night plus Captain's cocktail parties and gala dinners. The brochure includes sample menus and details of all our restaurants and dining facilities

• All onboard entertainment. This includes a renowned lecture programme, informative talks by port lecturers and guest speakers and there are artistic workshops on many cruises

• We guarantee that there will be no fuel or currency surcharges and no price increases after booking

• All gratuities are included and there are no service charges.

The brochure contains full information on the cruise itineraries together with details of all the restaurants, bars and facilities onboard. The brochures also capture a sense of the intimacy of the Discovery experience; a perfect home from home shared with around 650 like-minded guests enjoying excellent cuisine and exemplary service in a relaxed atmosphere.

Request a brochure today
Visit www.voyagesofdiscovery.net.au to download a copy or call 02 9959 1380 to receive a copy by post.

Hurtigruten Charters to Australian Gas Project

source: Cruise Critic

Hurtigruten is saying farewell to Finnmarken -- at least for a year and a half. The expedition line has signed off on an 18-month charter, with an option for an 18-month extension.

The 15,530-ton, 639-passenger ship is being chartered to Boskalis Australia Pty Limited, a global provider of dredging and maritime infrastructure services. Finnmarken will provide marine construction support (carry supplies) on the Gorgon project in Western Australia, which involves the development of a natural gas plant.

Because the contract will commence early in 2010, booked passengers on Finnmarken's scheduled Coastal Voyages will be impacted by the move. A spokesman for the line tells us most displaced passengers will be moved over to the 11,204-ton, 475-passenger Nordlys. Those with suite accommodations, however, will be offered similar accommodations onboard Midnatsol or Trollfjord because the slightly smaller Nordlys doesn't have enough suites to put up all affected guests (Midnatsol and Trollfjord are nearly identical in size to Finnmarken).

If you are booked on a Coastal Voyage aboard Finnmarken, you needn't do anything at this time. The company will be contacting affected passengers directly.

Pandaw's Maiden Ganges Cruise

by Paul Strachan, Founder Pandaw Cruises

Now both the upstream and downstream voyages are over, I am taking stock and trying to work out if they were a success or not. My own feelings are mixed, as are the evaluations and reports we receive from the intrepid who came with us. Some say it was brilliant and others are asking for their money back. Where do I begin?

First of all we made it. For the first time in living memory, certainly since the 1920s, a passenger vessel made it all the way from Calcutta to Varanasi. That is 1,280km in 14 days. Given the challenges of low hanging power lines, bridge restrictions, high flow rates, dealing with bureaucracy through three separate states, etc, this was an achievement. Many said it could not be done. They said the same when we started on the Irrawaddy in 1995 and on the Mekong in 2002. Once again we cracked it.

On the plus side I would say the excursions are fascinating – there is a lot to see and do along the banks of the Hugli and Ganges, more than on the Mekong and as good as the Irrawaddy. The riverscape really is amazing – varied and full of contrasts. There are lots of dolphins and bird life is rich. The village people are warm and welcoming and there is none of the hassle you would expect of India. There is no doubt this is one of the most beautiful river cruises in the world. Given the mess of India’s land infrastructure surely the only way to see this wonderful country.

Read the rest of Paul's blog here