Paul Gauguin's Papua New Guinea Bonus

Paul Gauguin Cruises remain one of the cruise world's individual stylists in the South Pacific, and any new itinerary with them is something to highlight. Couple the 'something new' factor with the opportunity to visit Papua New Guinea, and you have a very tempting option.

 

The 11-night Fiji to Australia voyage departing June 14 is a unique voyage that charts a course to popular and undiscovered ports alike from exotic Fiji to the Great Barrier Reef. Guests will embark Paul Gauguin in Lautoka, Fiji’s “Sugar City” and heart of its sugarcane industry, and cruise to Vanuatu, the island chain that inspired James A Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Tales of the South Pacific.

 

Next stop is Guadalcanal, whose very name is synonymous with a turning point of World War II, followed by the real highlight of Papua New Guinea, set on the second-largest island in the world. Here, guests will visit the island of Bougainville, with its World War II sites, traditional handicrafts and natural wonders; Samarai Island, a National Historical Heritage Island; and Port Moresby, the capital and most populous city in the country.

 

The cruise will finish in Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Prices are from £4,290 per person for 11 nights accommodation in an ocean view stateroom with all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages and gratuities. Also included is airfare from Los Angeles.

Then, the 12-night Australia to Fiji voyage departing August 18 is the same as the above but in reverse. It also includes an additional port of call in the serene island of Malolo where guests will experience the ultimate in relaxation. Special guests include oceanographer Jean-Michel Cousteau, Nobel Peace Prize winner John E Hay, onboard lecturer Helen Henry, concert rock violinist Aaron Meyer, musicians Seth Taylor and Monica Ripamonti and Polynesian anthropologist Mark Eddowes. Prices are from £4,579 per person for 12 nights accommodation in an ocean view stateroom with all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages and gratuities. Also included is airfare from Los Angeles.

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

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Crystal's New Wine & Food-Themed Cruises

Crystal Cruises has set four new Wine & Food-themed luxury cruises for 2014, to include new guest chef-prepared Vintage Room dinners on each of the four sailings - in Asia, the South Pacific, Trans-Atlantic and the US/Caribbean – as well as a new microbrew theme on the last of the voyages.

All of Crystal’s culinary Experiences of Discovery voyages include complimentary hands-on cooking classes, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, mixology lessons and a guest chef dinner for all guests in the Crystal Dining Room. 

In addition, in 2014, each culinary-themed cruise will feature an optional intimate, guest chef-created dinner for 12-14 in Crystal’s Vintage Room, with seven courses featuring local flavours of the region and extraordinary wine pairings selected by the guest wine expert. Building upon the success of Crystal’s recently-added Connoisseur Beer menu, the new microbrew-themed cruise will offer beer pairings, instead of wine, for the dinner, as well as craft beer enrichment and sampling throughout the voyage. 

Held on both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, the cruises will feature local tastes of:

• The South Pacific: Sailing 20th January from Papeete to Bora Bora, Rarotonga, Tonga, Fiji and Auckland (overnight).
• Asia/China: Sailing 9th April from Hong Kong (overnight) to Xiamen, Shanghai (two overnights) and Dalian, with three days ashore in Beijing included.
• Atlantic, including Iceland and New England: Sailing 5th September from Southampton to the Channel Islands, Waterford, Dublin, Belfast, Reykjavik (overnight), Halifax, Bar Harbor and Boston.
• The US East Coast & Caribbean: Sailing 5th November from New York (overnight) to Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Turks & Caicos, Curaçao, Aruba and Miami.

While exact programming details are still being finalised, food experts scheduled thus far include Thrainn Freyr Vigfusson, recent Icelandic Chef of the Year and Bocuse d’Or finalist; Stephen Beaumont, co-author of The World Atlas of Beer; Aldo Sohm, Wine Director at New York’s Le Bernadin restaurant and the first-ever representative from America to win “Best Sommelier in the World”; Shailesh Naidu, the only native five-star executive chef in Fiji; and Serge Dansereau, Australian celebrity chef, fresh food movement pioneer and owner of the iconic Bathers’ Pavilion restaurant in New South Wales. 

“Book now” fares for the Wine & Food cruise series start at £2,461 per person cruise only and are only guaranteed until October 31.

Extraordinary culinary experiences are a hallmark of every Crystal holiday. Crystal’s extensive, innovative choices for dining include the ultra-luxury line’s coveted cheese and wine cellars overseen by onboard sommeliers (Court of Master Sommeliers-certified); fresh, cocktails served by certified mixologists; and gourmet dining options at every meal, whether in the Crystal Dining Room, at afternoon tea or in Nobu and Piero Selvaggio’s specialty restaurants.

More info: 020 7399 7601 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk.

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More Tahiti & South Pacific From Paul Gauguin Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the MS Paul Gauguin, and the newly launched MV Tere Moana, has released its new Voyages by Gauguin 2014 Collection brochure.

The brochure features 26 itineraries and 62 voyages by the cruise line’s two deluxe small ships, which both offer an elegant yet casual ambiance, luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, trademark Polynesian hospitality and all-inclusive value. Fleet distinctions, dining venues, entertainment, activities, destination guides, deck plans and sailing schedules are also highlighted.

For 2014, seven-14-night voyages are offered on both ships, with the Gauguin sailing in French Polynesia, the South Pacific and South-east Asia, and The Moana offering voyages in Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

New itineraries on Gauguin include an 11-night Fiji to Australia voyage, a 12-night Australia to Fiji voyage and two 14-night voyages between Australia and South-east Asia. Maiden ports include: Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; Kieta, Bougainville, Rabaul, and Samarai Island, Papua New Guinea; Thursday Island and Darwin, Australia; Komodo Island, Benoa, Bali and Semarang, Indonesia; Singapore; and Maupiti, Society Islands.

Returning favourites on The Gauguin include: 12 and 13-night Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands; 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands; 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus; 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands; and 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands.

In 2014, Tere Moana offers a variety of new seven-night itineraries: Round-trip Rome; Rome to Nice; Round-trip Nice; Nice to Barcelona; Panama to St. Martin; and Round-trip Costa Rica. New ports include: Mahón, Menorca and Palamós, Spain; Villefranche, Sanary-sur-Mer and Antibes, France; Ponza and San Remo, Italy; San Blas and Isla Gamez, Panama; and Golfito, Drake Bay, Quepos, and Isla Tortuga/Curú Wildlife Reserve, all in Costa Rica.

Tere Moana will again offer a seven-night Panama, to St. Maarten, voyage; a seven-night Round-trip St. Maarten itinerary; 14-night Transatlantic cruises; and seven-night European sailings in the Greek isles, Spanish isles, Dalmatian coast and coastal France, Italy and Spain.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is also extending included airfare from Los Angeles on Paul Gauguin itineraries. Past guests will enjoy additional savings of 5% off final cruise fares on any sailing of either ship or 10% on select sailings, when booked by September 30.Prices start from £4,001 per person fly/cruise on Gauguin and from £1,497 cruise only on Tere Moana.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Gauguin's 2014 Collection

Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, the MS Paul Gauguin, and the newly launched MV Tere Moana (above), has released its new "Voyages by Gauguin 2014 Collection" brochure.

The brochure features 26 itineraries and 62 voyages by the line’s two deluxe small ships, which both offer an elegant yet casual ambiance, luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, trademark Polynesian hospitality and extraordinary all-inclusive value. Fleet distinctions, dining venues, entertainment, activities, destination guides, deck plans and sailing schedules are also highlighted.

For 2014, seven to 14-night voyages are offered on both ships, with the Gauguin sailing in French Polynesia, the South Pacific and South-east Asia, and Moana offering voyages in Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

New itineraries on Gauguin include an 11-night Fiji to Australia voyage, a 12-night Australia to Fiji voyage and two 14-night voyages between Australia and South-east Asia. Maiden ports include: Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; Kieta, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea; Rabaul, Papua New Guinea; Samarai Island, Papua New Guinea; Thursday Island, Australia; Darwin, Australia; Komodo Island, Indonesia; Benoa, Bali, Indonesia; Semarang, Indonesia; Singapore; and Maupiti, Society Islands.

Returning favourites on Gauguin include: 12 and 13-night Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands; 7-night Tahiti & Society Islands; 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus; 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands; and 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands.

In 2014, Moana offers a variety of new seven-night itineraries: Round-trip Rome; Rome to Nice; Round-trip Nice; Nice to Barcelona; Colón, Panama to St. Martin; and Round-trip Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. New ports include: Mahón, Menorca; Palamós; Villefranche; Sanary-sur-Mer; Antibes; Ponza; San Remo; San Blas and Isla Gamez, Panama; Golfito, Drake Bay, Quepos and Isla Tortuga/Curú Wildlife Reserve, Costa Rica.

Moana will again offer a seven-night Colón to St. Maarten, voyage; a seven-night Round-trip St. Maarten itinerary; 14-night Transatlantic cruises; and seven-night European sailings in the Greek isles, Spanish isles, Dalmatian coast, and coastal France, Italy, and Spain.

Paul Gauguin Cruises is also extending included airfare from Los Angeles on Paul Gauguin itineraries. Prices start from £4,001 per person fly/cruise and from £1,497 cruise-only on Moana.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Paul Gauguin Announce 2014 Voyages

Paul Gauguin Cruises has unveiled its full array of voyages for 2014, featuring new itineraries and ports in Fiji, Australia, south-east Asia and Europe, as well as Latin America and Costa Rica.

New for 2014 on Paul Gauguin:

• An 11-night Fiji to Australia voyage: Lautoka, Fiji; Port Vila, Vanuatu; Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu; Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; Kieta, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea; Samurai Island, Papua New Guinea; Rabaul, Papua New Guinea; and Cairns, Australia. Departing June 14, with fares from £4,290 per person, including airfare from Los Angeles.
• Two 14-night voyages between Australia & South-east Asia: Cairns; Thursday Island and Darwin, Australia; Komodo Island, Benoa, Bali and Semarang, Indonesia; and Singapore. Departing June 25, with cruise fares from £5,294 per person including airfare from Los Angeles. Reverse itinerary available August 4, with fares from £5,087pp.
• A 12-night Australia to Fiji voyage: Cairns; Samurai Island, Rabaul, Kieta and Bougainville, Papua New Guinea; Guadalcanal; Espiritu Santo and Port Vila, Vanuatu; Malolo Island and and Lautoka, Fiji. Departing August 18, with cruise fares from £4,579 per person, including airfare from Los Angeles. 

New ports for the Paul Gauguin include: Guadalcanal, Kieta, Bougainville, Rabaul, Samurai Island, Thursday Island, Darwin, Komodo Island, Benoa, Bali, Semarang, Singapore and Maupiti in the Society Islands. 

Paul Gauguin returns to Fiji in 2014 with 12 and 13-night Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands voyages and also offers four of its most popular itineraries: the seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands; 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus; 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands; and 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands.

The company's new ship, Tere Moana, will operate a second season of cruises to Europe and Latin America following her debut this spring. 

For bookings, follow this link to the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Oceania Expands Culinary Tours To South Pacific

Oceania Cruises is expanding its Culinary Discovery Tours to the South Pacific in 2013, on the award-winning mid-sized luxury cruise ship Marina. Uniquely designed for each port, Culinary Discovery Tours provide guests with the opportunity to explore local food markets, vineyards and farms in small groups, side-by-side with an expert chef from the ship’s Bon Appétit Culinary Center. Participants then join the chef in the fully equipped cookery school for a hands-on cooking lesson of the regional cuisine in one of 24 workstations.

The new South Pacific Culinary Discovery Tours are offered in the Bay of Islands and Tauranga, New Zealand on the 18-day South Pacific Paradise cruise. Departing Papeete, Tahiti, on February 7, the cruise calls on 11 ports throughout French Polynesia, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia before arriving in New Zealand.

“A Chef-Insider's Food & Wine Feast” Culinary Discovery Tour in the Bay of Islands visits Kerikeri, a horticultural centre and home to Ake Ake winery for a tasting with the head vintner and a meal created from locally grown foods depending on what's fresh that day. Guests might expect a regional dish prepared with seafood from the Bay of Islands, such as Pan-Roasted Snapper with Capsicum Coulis.

The Culinary Discovery Tour in Tauranga, “Maori ‘Kai’ Cooking Demo and Kiwi Fruit,” explores a flourishing kiwi orchard followed by a trip to the lakes of Rotorua for a traditional Maori luncheon featuring native herbs and ingredients used by the indigenous people of New Zealand.

Marina also sails three additional South Pacific voyages with highlights that include overnight calls on Easter Island and Bora Bora, cruising the Tuamotu Archipelago and crossing the international dateline. Additional sailings include:

Ancient Legends – a 20-day holiday sailing between Valparaiso, Chile, and Papeete, visiting Robinson Crusoe Island, Hanga Roa (Chile), Adamstown (Pitcairn Islands) and Fakarava, Moorea and Bora Bora (French Polynesia). Departure: December 27, 2012.

Tahitian Breeze – an 11-day voyage round-trip from Papeete, with visits to Bora Bora and ports in the Marquesas Islands. Departures: January 16 and January 27.

With free air, bonus savings of up to £3,184 per stateroom and free pre-paid gratuities, guests will find exploring the exotic South Pacific with Oceania an extraordinary value. Bonus savings and free pre-paid gratuities are offered on bookings made by December 31.

The Bon Appétit Culinary Center on Oceania's Riviera and Marina features 24 fully equipped workstations. Induction cook-tops and convection ovens afford participants the opportunity to gain a hands-on cooking experience. Classes cater to all levels of aptitude, from beginner to master-chef level.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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A Real South Pacific Discovery

Paul Gauguin Cruises has launched a fabulous new package, the South Pacific Discovery (Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands), which allows guests to discover all the scenic splendours and fascinating cultures of the South Pacific, exploring the shores of nine distinctive islands in five archipelagos on a single voyage. Departing January 23, 2012, prices start from just £6,188 per person.

This 20-night hotel and cruise package commences in cosmopolitan Sydney, with three days at leisure in Australia’s oldest and largest city and one of the most culturally diverse in the world. Guests will stay at the Four Seasons Sydney, located in the historic Rocks area of the city. After basking in Sydney’s enviable harbour setting, guests will fly to Brisbane to board the Paul Gauguin to begin their experience of the beautiful South Pacific. The sailing includes exceptional visits to New Caledonia, Fiji and the Kingdom of Tonga, ending in French Polynesia which boasts some of the most beautiful islands in the world.

• Noumea, New Caldonia: This capital city has been named the “Paris of the Pacific” due to its French ambience, heritage and culture.
• Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji: The largest of the island chain is comprised of high mountains, lush vegetation, shimmering water and pristine white-sand beaches. Fiji’s urban culture and easy-going ambience are present in this island nation.
• Vava’u, Tonga: Never colonised by Europeans, the Polynesian culture remains strong in this South Pacific Nation. Crystal clear waters and high mountain tops offer unparalleled views of the Tonga islands.
• Aitutaki, Cook Islands: Consisting of three volcanoes and 12 coral islets, the islands offer beautiful coral reefs and pristine lagoons. The islands are nearly flat, affording ocean views from virtually any point on the island.
• Taha’a: Visit Motu Mahana, Paul Gauguin Cruises’ private island featuring white-sand beaches with swaying palms, crystal-clear waters and gentle breezes. A delicious Polynesian barbeque lunch and local entertainment will prove a highlight of any sailing.
• Bora Bora: Described as the most beautiful island in the world, guests will have the opportunity to view the famous marine life or relax on a beautiful, private beach on a motu off the coast.
• Moorea: The lush scenery is out of a dream, with green vegetation, an abundance of fresh fruit and flowers, spectacular mountain peaks and palm-fringed beaches.

While onboard Paul Gauguin, guests will experience a relaxed and elegant setting in which to enjoy the amenities of the award-winning, newly-refurbished ship. The ship will host lectures by the onboard naturalist, Scuba-diving lessons, local entertainment and a mouth-watering variety of cuisine. Special guests, activities and entertainment introduced especially for this unique voyage add to the experience of sailing on the region's most highly acclaimed luxury vessel.

Prices are from £6,188 per person, including returned scheduled flights from the UK, three nights in Sydney, 17 nights on the Paul Gauguin in an ocean-view stateroom with all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages and gratuities.

For more info, visit www.pgcruises.com or contact the UK's leading adventure cruise specialist, 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.

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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.

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