Orion has a constellation of cruises in the South Pacific

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has announced six new itineraries for 2015 aboard the 102-guest National Geographic Orion.  Guests will discover seldom-visited islands offering some of the most unspoiled undersea exploration. 

National Geographic Orion is perfectly equipped for the mission with a roster of exploration tools including full snorkeling gear for all, a SCUBA program that can accommodate up to 24 divers at a time with a dive master, a glass bottom boat, kayaks, a state-of-the-art remote operated vehicle (ROV) that reaches depths of up to 1,000 feet, and a fleet of Zodiacs.

The new cruises are:

Bali to Palau: Exotic Indonesia 

Palau to Solomon Islands: Along the Pacific Equator 

Solomon Islands to Fiji: Hidden South Pacific 

Fiji to The Cook Islands: Polynesian Discovery

Cook Islands to Tahiti: Pristine Reefs of the South Pacific 

Tahiti to Easter Island: Tales of the Pacific

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Cruising With Jean-Michel Cousteau

Cruise ship lectures are now a significant part of the cruise experience, and several lines are now making them a headline feature in their own right. It's not uncommon to find big-name speakers among the lecturers, hence it is something we keep a close eye on these days.

Luxury line Paul Gauguin Cruises has just revealed its guest speaker line-up for 2014, and we thought it was worth passing on as the line-up includes speakers who are experts in the culinary arts, wine, photography, fine art, history, music and the wonders of the deep.

Foremost among them is world-famous oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, who joins several sailings aboard the Paul Gauguin in 2014: to the Society Islands & Tuamotus Marquesas; Fiji & Australia; and Tonga, Cook & Society Islands. In addition to presenting lectures and videos of his work, he will accompany several dives from the ship.

They also include Chef Propriétaire of one of the finest restaurants in Paris, the two Michelin-starred Restaurant Apicius, Jean-Pierre Vigato, who has inspired signature menus for Paul Gauguin Cruises for several years. This celebrated chef will be onboard the Gauguin’s June 25 Australia & South-east Asia voyage and will provide culinary demonstrations featuring his gastronomic techniques. 

From the vineyards of California’s Sonoma County and Central Coast to the great estates of Bordeaux, Daniel Baron has learned the importance of the pursuit of excellence in winemaking. Today, he serves as winemaker for the Napa Valley’s prestigious Silver Oak Cellars. Baron will be aboard the Gauguin’s December 3 Tuamotus & Society Islands sailing for a lecture and wine-tasting.

The full list is long and equally impressive and you can see more on this link.

More info: 020 7399 7691 or visit www.pgcruises.com.

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Cousteau Sets Sail With Paul Gauguin

Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury ship in the South Pacific, the MS Paul Gauguin, has announced that world-renowned oceanographer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau will guest host four sailings in 2013.

Mr Cousteau is a diplomat for the environment, educator, author and film producer communicating his passion and concern for the Earth’s oceans. For more than 60 years, he, his father - the legendary Jacques Cousteau - and his family have been part of the greatest exploration of the oceans in all of history. 

During the four voyages on Paul Gauguin, Mr Cousteau will offer a series of lectures with videos of his work in the world’s oceans and accompany guests on several dives.

2013 Voyages Featuring Guest Host Jean-Michel Cousteau:

• 2^nd February: 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands Cruise – prices from £5,370 per person
• 26^th June: 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus Cruise – prices from £4,472 per person
• 21^st September: 11-night Australs & Society Islands Cruise – prices from £4,757 per person
• 2^nd November: 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands Cruise – prices from £4,757 per person

Prices include return scheduled flights, overseas transfers and accommodation in an ocean-view stateroom with all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages and gratuities.

Also available in 2013 is Mr Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Programme, which introduces young travellers (ages 9-17) to the natural wonders of French Polynesia through interactive, hands-on experiences with island ecosystems. 

For bookings, follow this link to our sponsors, The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

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Paul Gauguin 2012 Itineraries

Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest rated and longest continually-sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the MS Paul Gauguin, has announced details of its 2012 itineraries, which will once again feature FREE flights between Los Angeles and Papeete. To ensure every sailing continues to be the cruise of a lifetime, Paul Gauguin Cruises will continue to focus on the exotic regions in which it specialises - Tahiti, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, the Society Islands, the Marquesas and Tuamotus – while adding the spectacular destinations of Fiji and New Caledonia into the mix.

Following a multi-million dollar refurbishment in January 2012, the ship will embark on a series of 40 stunning itineraries, with prices starting from just £3,933 per person for a seven-night Society Islands cruise, including return economy flights from the UK, overseas transfers, a night in Los Angeles and use of a day room post-cruise.

Other programme highlights include:

· A 20-night South Pacific Discovery cruise and land package, which allows guests to discover the scenic splendours of Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, the Cook Islands and the Society Islands.

· An 11-night whale-watching itinerary in September, taking in Rurutu, Bora Bora and Moorea.

· A seven-night Society Islands voyage on June 2 taking in the transit of Venus.

· Two new Fiji voyages in October and November visiting Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands.

· Unique Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Programme to operate onboard from June 2 to the end of August. This groundbreaking programme introduces travellers to the extraordinary natural wonders of French Polynesia and aims to give young participants direct, hands-on interactive experience with knowledge of marine and island ecosystems.

· Any guests new to Paul Gauguin Cruises who have previously sailed with another luxury cruise line will benefit from a 10% saving on selected 2012 voyages.

The full sailing schedule will include:

Raiatea: the island was once the cultural, religious, royal and political heart of Polynesia and was, according to legend, one of Tahiti's most significant archaeological sites.

Taha’a: adjacent to Paul Gauguin Cruises’ private Motu Mahana, featuring white sand beaches with swaying palms, crystal-clear waters and gentle breezes, where guests can enjoy a barbecue lunch serenaded by Polynesian singers.

Bora Bora: immediately recognisable by the basalt tombstone of Mount Otemanu rising from the ocean, this half-atoll, half-mountain is surrounded by a spectacular lagoon and a series of smaller islands.

Moorea/Tahiti: covered in an abundance of fresh fruits and flowers, spectacular mountain peaks, peaceful multi-hued lagoons and palm-fringed beaches. Here guests can shop for local crafts, trek on the “Trails of the Ancients,” snorkel one of the world's most beautiful lagoons, or embark on a dolphin-watching expedition with a marine biologist.

Cook Islands: guests will marvel at the contrast of arid Aitutaki, where the ocean is always in view, and Rarotonga, an island of lush valleys and jagged peaks.

For more info, see www.pgcruises.com or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists of the Cruise Line Ltd.

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Paul Gauguin's Big Spring Sale

Paul Gauguin Cruises has launched its Spring Sale offering fabulous savings of up to £4,850 per couple on sailings throughout July and August. This offer is valid for new bookings made between now and May 31.

In July and August, the MS Paul Gauguin will sail four seven-night Society Island cruises round trip from Papeete; a ten-night Tuamotus & Society Islands cruise round trip from Papeete; an 11-night Cook & Society Islands cruise round trip from Papeete; and a 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands cruise round trip from Papeete.

Prices start from £2,998 per person fly-cruise, based on a seven-night Society Islands voyage departing August 20, including return scheduled flights, transfers, seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom with all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages and gratuities.

For further information, visit http://www.pgcruises.com/ or contact the UK's luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Paul Gauguin's exceptional culinary programme.

Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the Paul Gauguin, has welcomed Chef Jean-Pierre Vigato onboard for an exceptional new culinary programme. Vigato is owner and Chef Propriétaire of one of the finest restaurants in Paris, the two Michelin-starred Restaurant Apicius (http://www.restaurant-apicius.com/).

Paul Gauguin Cruises has enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Chef Vigato over the years, working together to enhance the onboard experience. Available on all 2011 sailings, Vigato’s signature menu is now featured in the ship’s La Veranda restaurant while select dishes will also be featured at L’Etoile.

In addition, Vigato will join Paul Gauguin’s July 30 sailing as a special guest, personally preparing gourmet dishes for guests as well as offering cooking demonstrations of his renowned culinary techniques.

Sample menu items include Fine Tart of Mushrooms and Snails with Mascarpone and White Truffle Oil; Grilled Wahoo with Thai Vegetables and Herb Salad; and Local Pineapple Jelly Served with Rum-Infused Mascarpone and Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream.

This 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands cruise starts and ends in Papeete and visits Huahine, Aitutaki, Rarotonga, Bora Bora, Taha’a and Moorea. Prices are from £4,390 per person, including return scheduled flights, transfers, 14 nights in an ocean-view stateroom with all meals, soft drinks, select alcoholic beverages and gratuities.

Full 2011 prices start from just £2,677 per person, cruise-only, based on a seven-night Society Islands sailing with departures on February 19, 26 and December 3. For further information or reservations, call 020 7434 0089 or visit http://www.pgcruises.com/ or check with the UK's leading adventure and luxury cruise specfialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Winter Collection from Oceania

By guest blogger Steve Newman


Winter blues starting already? If so, upmarket Oceania Cruises has announced its 2011-12 winter line-up of 27 exotic itineraries in Asia, South America and the Caribbean, including new sailings to ports in Hawaii, the South Pacific and Australia/New Zealand.

The line’s Winter Collection also includes special introductory fares, which means 10-day cruise-only fares begin at just £499 per guest.

Winter Collection Highlights:

* 27 unique itineraries, 16 of which are all new
* 33 new ports of call
* New Hawaii and South Pacific voyages, including Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga and American Samoa
* A return to Australia and New Zealand
* Diverse and distinctive voyages in Asia
* A new Dubai-to-Cape Town cruise, showcasing Arabia and Africa
* New ship Marina (above) debuts on her first full season of voyages to the Caribbean
* Popular Amazon River cruise to depart from New York City
* New 16-day South America cruise round-trip from Valparaiso, which offers the opportunity to discover rarely visited Nazca Lines, plus Machu Picchu
* A grand 35-day Hong Kong-to-Athens adventure via the Suez Canal

For more information, contact Oceania Cruises on 0845 505 1920 or http://www.oceaniacruises.co.uk/

Oceania Cruises are exhibiting at The Cruise Show in Birmingham on October 16-17 and at London's Olympia March 26-27, 2011.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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Learning the Ropes in the South Pacific

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Ever thought about discovering the hidden Pacific on an adventure of a lifetime on a tall ship voyage through the tropical islands of Polynesia and Melanesia?

Well, you can now sign on for an island cruising or ocean sailing experience and see places beyond the reach of conventional travel aboard the magnificently restored square rigger Soren Larsen.

The ship works from her home base in Auckland, New Zealand, during the southern hemisphere summer and explores the tropical waters of the South Pacific from March to November.

Built in Denmark in 1948, she offers guests a chance to reach places far beyond the reach of conventional tourism, experiencing the real Pacific and seeing local village life in places such as The Cook Islands, far removed from the usual tourist resort environment.

Soren Larsen sails with a permanent crew of 12 and a paying Voyage Crew of up to 22. People of all ages from all over the world join the ship for voyages of three weeks or more to experience the authentic tropical South Seas – arriving by tall ship to destinations such as Tonga (above) and Samoa as Captain Cook and the early European explorers would have done.

The New Zealand-based brigantine specialises in coastal and ocean voyaging through the South Pacific offering authentic crewing opportunities for people of all ages. In choosing a holiday that is an adventure and signing on as voyage crew, people of all ages and backgrounds have a rare opportunity to participate in authentic square rig seamanship.

Guests acting as crew on board are accommodated in 2 and 4-berth cabins, all of which open out into the large, comfortable saloon and library.

You can take a turn on the helm, learn how to navigate and how to set the sails. For sailors and non-sailors alike, this is part of the experience on board the square rigger, and most want to really get involved, although it isn’t compulsory.

When at anchor at places such as Fiji, you are free to explore, go on shore excursions, walking the beaches and snorkelling or just swim and enjoy the cultural activities.

For more information, contact www.sorenlarsen.co.nz.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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