Princess Cruises’ Australia sailings in 2016 on sale

Bookings can now be made on Princess Cruises’ Australia-based voyages in 2016. A total of 69 cruises are on offer, sailing from February to October 2016. They depart from Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle.

The cruises call at destinations including New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Japan, Hawaii and Singapore.

They feature a 113-day world cruise, split into 20 different itineraries, which will visit destinations as varied as Easter Island, Dubai, Machu Picchu and St Petersburg. Guests booking on the world cruise before 31 August 31 2015 will receive up to £600 on-board credit per person and a stateroom upgrade wherever possible.

Prices start at £1,549 per person for a 15-night sailing from  Australia to New Zealand, £889 per person for 10 nights in the South Pacific and £6,579 per person for the 49-night London to Sydney leg of the world cruise, which travels via New York, the Panama Canal and South America.

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Adventure Cruising blog

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Noble Caledonia's New Guinea Expedition

Regular readers of World of Cruising will not be surprised to know we are always on the lookout for great adventure cruise ideas.  Hence this latest option from Noble Caledonia really caught our attention, and we think it is highly worthy of highlighting. 

A passage from New Zealand to Papua New Guinea aboard the MS Caledonian Sky on January 7 2015.  21 nights from £7985

Mysterious Papua New Guinea is, in the truest sense, the last untouched frontier on earth. With exotic wildlife, turquoise seas, tropical rainforest, volcanoes and more than 1,000 tribal groups. It has all the ingredients for a truly memorable expedition cruise - its secret forests nurture more than 3,000 kinds of orchids, and the world’s largest butterfly and moth species.

More info: call  020 7752 0000 or visit www.noble-caledonia.co.uk.

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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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Cruise News Round-Up - P&O, Crystal & Paul Gauguin

Yikes, but it's a busy week for cruise news! The stories and press releases have been pouring in thick and fast - so fast, in fact, we have had to turn to a round-up story today to include as many as possible.

So, with no further ado, here is the hot-off-the-press latest...

P&O Cruises has added departures from seven regional airports on selected Fly-Med cruises on Ventura for this summer. The direct regional charter flights will be available, at no extra cost, on 16 Fly-Med cruises across seven regional airports, namely Bournemouth, Belfast, Cardiff, East Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle and Stansted. Flights are also available from London, Manchester or Birmingham as standard.

A variety of seven and 14-night fly-cruise holidays are available from March to October as Ventura sails from either Venice or Genoa, round the Greek Islands, Dalmatian coast, French Riviera and iconic cities like Rome, Venice, Naples, Dubrovnik and Florence. Book by February 28 to receive additional free on board spending money to use for drinks, shore excursions, spa treatments or fine dining.

More info: visit www.pocruises.co.uk or call 0843 373 0111.

Crystal Cruises has announced the latest perk to its All Inclusive luxury cruise experience: free Wi-Fi for Crystal Society members, the line’s “club” of repeat guests, starting this autumn. Effective with Crystal Serenity’s September 19 New England/Canada sailing and Crystal Symphony’s October 15 Panama Canal cruise, each Crystal Society guest will receive 60 minutes of complimentary internet access for every day of the cruise.

Crystal Society members can use the new complimentary access time wirelessly via iPad, iPhone, laptop or other wireless device or on Crystal’s own Computer University@Sea 27” dual-compatible iMac computers. A multi-million dollar Wi-Fi upgrade rolled out in recent months will help guests enjoy maximum onboard connectivity.

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

Paul Gauguin Cruises is introducing two exciting new itineraries this summer that take in the amazing destination of Papua New Guinea. The 11-night Fiji to Australia voyage departing June 14 is a unique voyage that charts a course to popular and undiscovered ports from exotic Fiji to the Great Barrier Reef, while the 12-night Australia to Fiji voyage departing August 18 is the same as the above but in reverse.

Islands visited include Vanuatu, Guadalcanal, whose very name is synonymous with a turning point of World War II, and by Papua New Guinea itself, the second-largest island in the world. Prices start 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.

 

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

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Noble Caledonia's Rare Papua New Guinea Adventure

Noble Caledonia is taking its luxury adventure-cruise style on a rare journey to Papua New Guinea - the final cruise frontier - in February, with the voyage aboard MS Caledonian Sky including the ultra-rare Trobriand, D’Entrecasteaux and Marshall Bennett Islands. The exotic land of Papua New Guinea is, in the truest sense, the last untouched frontier on earth. With rare wildlife, turquoise seas, tropical rainforest, volcanoes and more than 1,000 tribal groups, it has all the ingredients for a truly memorable expedition cruise. Its secluded forests nurture more than 3,000 kinds of orchids, and the world’s largest butterfly and moth inhabit its rainforests. It is a place of enormously rich cultural diversity.

There is also no such thing as a typical Papua New Guinean as more than 1,000 tribal groups, each with different traditions, are now recognised. On this journey of contrasts, guests will witness an astonishing array of cultural ceremonies, from fascinating villages to the exquisite Tami, Trobriand and D’Entrecasteaux Islands, offering exceptional underwater experiences. The only comfortable way to explore this vast and intriguing land is by sea and Noble Caledonia are fortunate in having one of the finest and best equipped expedition vessels in the world for their explorations in the 114-passenger Caledonian Sky. Prices are from £5,595 for the 14-night cruise, sailing February 26, with a £400 saving per person off a limited number of book-now suites. For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's adventure-cruise experts.

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Seadream Set Sail For Papua New Guinea

Few areas in the world are as exotic and stunning as Papua New Guinea. The land's vibrant culture is still thriving and its natural beauty makes the territory a truly untouched tropical paradise. Departing from Cairns, Queensland, on February 1, SeaDream II of the award-winning SeaDream Yacht Club, will set sail on an exclusive voyage led by a team of expedition experts. Visiting a virtually inaccessible part of the world, guests will travel on far-off traditional cruising routes and venture into areas rarely visited by outsiders.   

Sailing from Australia's north-west coastal city of Cairns, the 14-night voyage will arrive in Bali (Benoa) after visiting include Alotau, Milne Bay; Kitava, Trobriand Islands; Tami Island; Sepik River and Watam Village; Jayapura; Banda Neira; the Moluccas; Larantuka; and Komodo Island.  

Guests will be transported by a fleet of nimble, go-anywhere Zodiacs, landing directly on the beaches of these coastal villages to begin exploration. An added bonus will be professional wildlife photographer Sue Flood being on board, documenting the expedition and sharing tips for taking the perfect photo. 

Highlights and shore excursion options include: 

• Introduction to Papua New Guinea culture in Alotau in the Milne Bay Province, meeting charming locals and touring the coast. Travellers will have the option to venture into the jungle to revisit a key World War II site. For those interested in natural history, guides will lead guests on hikes and bird watching tours from the beach.
• Exploring the Trobriand Islands, one of the island's most culturally intact destinations. Guests will experience colourful and powerful performances of young warriors and local maidens dancing directly on the beach before touring the gardens and thatched roof homes of the villagers. The day will conclude with a beachside barbecue in this unspoiled paradise.
• Discovering the tiny islands of Tami, comprised of uplifted coral atolls less than a kilometre in length. Locals will greet guests with indigenous dances and tours of their villages, observing traditions dating back thousands of years.
• Visiting the mighty Sepik River, the longest in Papua New Guinea, which is home to the villages of Watam and Kopara. Villagers will display local customs and dances, allowing a direct look back in time to a culture that measures its existence in thousands of years. 

Fully-inclusive, voyage-only yachting fares lead in at £7,272 per person, based on double occupancy. SeaDream II will be sailing a series of 17 voyages in Asia from October to April. Itineraries include Myanmar, Thailand, India, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Northern Australia and Malaysia.  

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

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Zegrahm's South Pacific Return

Zegrahm Expeditions, the world leader in small-ship cruising and overland adventures, has announced its return to the South Pacific in 2014 with a two-part voyage circumnavigating the world’s second largest island, New Guinea. Whether taken separately, or in combination, this itinerary exposes travellers to a rarely-visited region of the world.

Zegrahm president Edwin Blythe says: “This signature expedition offers unique opportunities to interact with remote villagers and explore one of the most biodiverse underwater worlds. Our expert team, including Zegrahm co-founders Mike Messick and Jack Grove, and field director Jonathan Rossouw, will help interpret all of the incredible highlights travellers will experience on this expedition.”

Voyage I, 'Remote Islands of Papua New Guinea', departs March 8 and reveals a multitude of traditional villages where spiritual beliefs, artistic craftsmanship, ritualistic ceremonies, and the tradition of hospitality endure. Highlights include witnessing the spectacular fire dances of the Baining tribe; visiting the legendary Trobriand Islands, dubbed the “Islands of Love;” and exploring the Sepik River Delta. This 16-day expedition is priced from $10,970 per person.

Voyage II, 'Raja Ampat and Asmat Villages', departs March 19 and offers exquisite snorkelling and diving, and celebrates the cultural diversity of Papua and its outer islands. Guests will snorkel and dive among the amazing corals of Raja Ampat and Ashmore Reef; search for more than 500 species of birds, including the beautiful birds of paradise; and spend two exhilarating days in the Asmat, meeting elaborately decorated “warriors” and learning about their unique culture and highly sought-after carvings. This 18-day expedition is priced from $12,470 per person.

These fascinating voyages are aboard the all-suite 100-passenger Caledonian Sky. This beautiful vessel was completely refurbished in 2012 and features ocean-view suites, single-seating dining room, large lounge, elegant bar, and enclosed panoramic viewing deck. Travellers who chose to combine these voyages will save 5% off the rate of each expedition.

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

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The Magic Of Papua New Guinea With Orion

Orion Expedition Cruises’ award-winning voyage to Papua New Guinea has two departures next year, providing the most rewarding and civilised way to see this fascinating part of the world. The itineraries commence and conclude in Cairns, Queensland, seamlessly incorporating a charter flight direct to or from the ship in Rabaul for boarding or disembarkation.

Bypassing the main towns, as Orion does, many villagers have only been exposed to the modern world through the workings of missionaries and occasional traders. Yet step ashore with members of the ship's specialist expedition team and you will be greeted with broad smiles and warm welcomes from gentle villagers – an eye-opening introduction to a way of life far removed from our Western world.

On these deluxe Orion voyages, guests encounter primitive tribal cultures (and perhaps purchase superb indigenous artwork and carvings), see unique flora and fauna and enjoy snorkelling and fishing in warm indigo and cobalt blue waters, home to some the world’s most prolific marine and coral life.

The 11-night Papua New Guinea Cultural Highlights voyage departs on March 16 and 17 and travels between Rabaul and Cairns, visiting the Sepik River, Watam Village, Madang, Tami Islands, Tufi, Kitava, Samarai and Kwato Island and Alotau. 

Book by November 30 and save £1,750 per person, with prices from £5,635, including 11 nights onboard Orion, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers, government fees and taxes and free charter flight between Rabaul and Cairns. 

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

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Going Cruising? Try A Kayak!

Kayaking in the far-flung corners of the world is an experience guaranteed to refresh any adventurer’s soul. From the icy waters of Antarctica and the European Arctic, to the remote, forgotten shores of Russia and the tropical fjords of Papua New Guinea, Aurora Expeditions’ kayaking journeys bring you up close to a maze of wildlife and nature.

Exploring the fascinating, wildlife-rich waters of our world’s most untouched continent – Antarctica - is an experience hard to beat, gliding silently past ice floes topped with sleeping seals and pondering penguins. Seabirds soar above, while curious leopard seals and agile Adele penguins play around kayaks that paddle the pristine bays and hidden channels, with cracking ice falling from glaciers to create small waves.

Paddling the sub-antarctic islands of South Georgia is also a rare privilege and a wildlife lover’s dream, kayaking among thousands of breeding king penguins and lively fur seals. Here, you can journey deep into glacial bays as black-browed and wandering albatross, prions, terns and petrels soar overhead, while elephant seals loll on beaches watched over by multitudes of macaroni and rock hopper penguins.

The icy waters of Greenland and Spitsbergen are a maze of massive sculpted icebergs, ice-choked fjords and sheltered bays. Paddling the pack ice, you can keep watch for polar bears, walrus, whales and narwhals. 

From gazing at sea-life through crystal-clear waters, to paddling among uninhabited tropical islands, sea kayaking around Papua New Guinea is another unparalleled experience, discovering hidden waterways and the quiet of this tropical paradise. Here you can come face-to-face and kayak with locals who live daily on the water with paddle in hand.

All Aurora Expeditions kayaking expeditions are led by experienced guides, paddling in small groups of no more than 12 to gain intimate access to beautiful coastlines in some of the world's most remote destinations. Kayaking prices are not included in the voyage price but start from only $850 in Antarctica, AU$995 in the European Arctic, $995 in Russia and AU$995 in Papua New Guinea.

Prices include use of kayaks and paddles, dry suites and guide. Intermediate experience is required. Advice on gaining kayaking experience can be provided for you to practice your techniques prior to your voyage.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's adventure cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Lindblad Expeditions Offer New Destinations

Lindblad Expeditions offer two new destinations in 2012

West African Odyssey: Exploring from South Africa to Morocco - Spanning 16 distinctive countries, the 37-day itinerary explores the entire west coast of Africa from Cape Town, South Africa, to Morocco, offering a dazzling array of cultures, scenery and wildlife. The epic adventure aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer will define the term “voyage of discovery.” Rates begin at $28,480 per person, based on double occupancy.

Exploring Papua New Guinea: Cultures & Wildlife - This 16-day itinerary explores the country’s natural splendour and intriguing cultures aboard the Oceanic Discoverer, a nimble 68-guest ship perfectly suited to exploring the coral reefs and great rivers. Rates begin at $14,790 per person, based on double occupancy.

For booking details, be sure to see http://www.cruiseline.co.uk/Lindblad-Expeditions for UK adventure-cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Papua New Guinea with Aurora

Aurora Expeditions has launched a special commemorative voyage to Papua New Guinea next April, to mark the upcoming 70th anniversary of Australia’s involvement in Papua New Guinea during WWII. The voyage will encompass visits to historical sites from Alotau to Rabaul, ending with a special dawn ANZAC day service in Rabaul.

Lost in Paradise – Our fallen heroes will depart Alotau on 14 April, 2012, landing at key historic sites such as Samarai Island, Linden Harbour, Jacquinot Bay, Tol and Rabaul. Our onboard historian will interpret the significance of these areas and shine a light on the courage and tragedy of Australia’s unsung heroes – The Lark Force – in the Battle of Rabaul, and the ensuing loss of lives, both troops and civilians, on the Montevideo Maru. The voyage will also include opportunities to snorkel the pristine reefs, witness traditional sing-sings and simply take in the beauty of this natural paradise.

For families wishing to explore PNG, Aurora has created Islands of Smiles. Exploring the islands and coastline of New Guinea, this voyage will visit Milne Bay and its surrounding islands, Lababia, Tami and Tuam islands, Madang and the mighty Sepik River. Parents and children alike can expect to be greeted with friendly smiles and a diverse array of vibrant customs through sing sings, complex rituals and spectacular costumes.

Islands of Smiles will depart Alotau on 2 April, 2012, and expeditioners will have the opportunity to explore PNG, either by snorkelling, swimming, kayaking, bird watching, village walks, or sharing a beach football match with playful locals.

Prices for both 13-day expeditions start from AU$5,690 per person quad-share, including all meals on board, shore excursions and lectures. Sea kayaking surcharge is AU$995 and scuba diving stops will be organised on board. Aurora can also organise all flight, accommodation, transfer and pre and post touring in Papua New Guinea.

Aurora Expeditions is renowned for travelling to wild and remote areas of the world, with the aim of creating life-long ambassadors to the environment. They attract small groups of like-minded, enthusiastic people, passionate about our destinations people, wildlife and history.

For more info, visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au or contact the UK's adventure-cruise specislists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Expeditions to Papua New Guinea and West Papua

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Travellers seeking a path less travelled to neighbouring Papua New Guinea and West Papua during 2011 will need to move quickly as Orion Expedition Cruises will visit this tropical paradise for only one season of cruises on their chic little Orion during March and April.

Two voyages will feature the popular Papua New Guinea Cultural Highlights itinerary while the third is an exciting all-new West Papua & Maluku expedition, taking in many rarely-visited places across the north of Papua New Guinea and West Papua, where even Google struggles to provide in-depth information!

Under the watchful eye of the specialist expedition team, Orion’s guests on the signature Voyage of Discovery expedition, departing April 14, will redefine the word ‘remote’, visiting rarely seen areas across the top of West Papua, including Mapia Atoll (just north of the equator) and the marine wonderland of Rajah Ampat, the Bird’s Head Peninsula, Kei and Yamdena Islands in the Tanimbars, concluding in Darwin.

11-night Papua New Guinea Cultural Highlights (March 23 and April 3)

Starting with an overnight in Rabaul, this voyage visits Sepik River & Watam Village, Madang, Tami Islands, Tufi, Fergusson Island, Samarai and Kwato Islands and Alotau (Milne Bay) before finishing in Cairns (April 3 voyage in reverse). Prices from £5,265 per person including 11 nights onboard Orion, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes. Two-for-one air is also available on these voyages.

11-night West Papua & Malaku Voyage of Discovery (April 14)

Starting in Rabaul, this 11-night voyage visits Wewak, Jayapura, Urbanasi, Mapia Atoll, Raja Ampat, McClure Gulf, Kei Islands and Tanimbars before finishing in Darwin. Prices from £4,785 per person, including 11 nights onboard Orion, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes. Two-for-one air is also available on this voyage.

For reservations and enquiries, visit http://www.orionexpeditions.com/ or call the UK's adventure cruises specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Rare Papua New Guinea Opportunity

Travellers seeking a path less travelled should seek out Orion Expedition Cruises, who will be operating a short season of cruises to Papua New Guinea and West Papua during 2011.

Two voyages will feature the popular Papua New Guinea Cultural Highlights itinerary while the third is an exciting all-new West Papua & Maluku expedition visiting many rarely-visited places across the north of Papua New Guinea and West Papua, where even Google struggles to provide in-depth information!

The two Cultural Highlights voyages (March 23 and April 3, 2011) provide guests with a taste of primitive tribal cultures, unique flora and fauna, the opportunity to purchase superb indigenous artwork, visit isolated villages, enjoy world-class snorkelling and reflect on our recent past at historic World War II sites.

For keen photographers, the April 3 voyage is also a great opportunity to join the photographic workshop of a lifetime, capturing all the action in one of the world’s most photo-opportunistic locations, Papua New Guinea.

In association with Better Photography magazine and the Australian Geographic Society, and under the knowledgeable guidance of internationally recognised photographer Nick Rains and Grand Master of Photography Peter Eastwood, this voyage is designed to appeal to photographers of all levels. Hone photographic skills with the guidance of experts in one of the most photogenic places on earth.

Under the watchful eye of the specialist expedition team, Orion’s guests on the all-new West Papua & Maluku signature Voyage of Discovery expedition, departing April 14, will re-define the word ‘remote’, visiting rarely visited areas across the top of West Papua including Mapia Atoll (just north of the equator) and the marine wonderland of Rajah Ampat, the Bird’s Head Peninsula, Kei and Yamdena Islands in the Tanimbars, concluding in Darwin. Parts of this voyage are to places so remote most of the well-travelled crew onboard Orion have not yet been there!

11-night Papua New Guinea Cultural Highlights

Starting with an overnight in Rabaul, this 11-night voyage visits Sepik River & Watam Village, Madang, Tami Islands, Tufi, Fergusson Island, Samarai and Kwato Islands and Alotau (Milne Bay) before finishing in Cairns (April 3 voyage in reverse). Prices from £5,265 per person, including 11 nights onboard Orion, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes. Two-for-one air is also available on these voyages.

11-night West Papua & Malaku Voyage of Discovery

Starting in Rabaul, this 11-night voyage visits Wewak, Jayapura, Urbanasi, Mapia Atoll, Raja Ampat, McClure Gulf, Kei Islands and Tanimbars before finishing in Darwin. Prices from £4,785 per person including 11 nights onboard Orion, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes. Two-for-one air is also available on this voyage.

For reservations and enquiries, call 020 7399 7620 or visit http://www.orionexpeditions.com/. Orion also feature in the Adventure Cruise Collection brochure of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Orion Expeditions - Responsible Award Winners

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Orion Expedition Cruises, the leading operator of five-star expedition cruising in the Australasian region, has been named “Best Responsible Cruise Operator” at the 2010 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards which took place at World Travel Market in London this week (World Responsible Tourism Day).

Thousands of tourism organisations and travel experiences were nominated by the public in just 13 categories, with the central tenet being that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people. The awards recognise individuals, companies and organisations in the travel industry that are making a significant commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and are providing a positive contribution to biodiversity conservation.

Orion Expedition Cruises operates the 106-passenger expedition vessel Orion (above) in the Kimberley region of Australia, the Australian Islands, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and the Sub Antarctic, Melanesia, the Spice and Forgotten Islands and Antarctica. In May 2011, Orion Expedition Cruises will increase the size of its fleet with the addition of a second specialist expedition vessel, Orion II.

Based on thorough research, and following the success of Orion’s recent voyages, Orion II will be based in south-east Asia, offering a wide range of expeditions that will include Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Borneo, the Inland Sea of Japan and the Russian Far East.

For further information, visit http://www.orionexpeditions.com/ or the UK's specialist adventure cruise experts, The Cruise Line

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The Photo-Splendour of Papua New Guinea

Orion Expedition Cruises, the leading operator of five-star expedition cruising in the Australasian region, is offering guests the opportunity to join the photographic workshop of a lifetime where they will be able to hone their photographic skills and capture all the action in one of the world’s most photo-opportunistic locations - Papua New Guinea.

This 11-night voyage, departing Cairns on April 3, 2011, provides an extraordinary array of opportunities to test and develop photographic skills – historic World War II sites, tropical islands, exotic bird and marine life, primitive artworks, active volcanoes, the colonial atmosphere of Madang and a rare visit to a remote village near the Sepik River where the friendly welcome and cultural displays will overwhelm.

In association with Better Photography magazine and the Australian Geographic Society, and under the knowledgeable guidance of internationally recognised photographer Nick Rains and Grand Master of Photography Peter Eastwood, this voyage is designed to appeal to photographers of all levels – while not forgetting their partners (whose interest in the finer points of photography is often less enthusiastic).

Nick and Peter will be holding pre-shoot workshops onboard before taking guests on location accompanied by members of Orion’s specialist expedition team. Workshops include professional advice and instruction on photographing seascapes, portrait skills, lighting, detailed macro flora and fauna and instruction on editing-software to optimise the final images.

Explore, experience and shoot from dawn to dusk, then relax and enjoy superb cuisine and company by night.

Orion’s 11-night “Papua New Guinea Cultural Highlights” cruise starts in Cairns and visits Alotau, Samarai & Kwato Islands, Fergusson Island, Tufi Harbour, Tami Islands, Madang and Sepik River before arriving in Rabaul.

Prices start from £5,615 per person, including 11 nights onboard, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

For UK bookings, be sure to check with adventure cruise expert The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Galapagos Hopper

By guest blogger Steve Newman

If you are thinking of going island hopping, I guess the Galapagos are are pretty good place to do it. Far too much has been written about these amazing islands to repeat it here but what is not so well known is that certain islands are barred from being visited by the larger cruise ships.

This is where vessels such as International Expeditions' Evolution (above right) come in to play. The 32-guest ship is one of the few vessels allowed to visit Genovesa Island on her ten-day Galapagos tour. Visiting this island is like popping into a private nature reserve as it has more bird species than any other in the the archipelago.

The point is that on this cruise you'll find yourself just inches away from giant tortoises, penguins, iguanas and many other wild animals. You can even kayak, snorkel and swim with sea lions or take a panga ride to search for endangered turtles and white-tipped reef sharks.

The company's policy of having small numbers on its cruises is rewarded with your onboard naturalists and experts being able to import so much more information to you.

Their Amazon river journey, for example, only has 28 guests and the Papua New Guinea cruise is restricted to 16, and even then you break into smaller groups for a deeper exploration of the rain forests.

International Expeditions also has a strong tradition of conservation, bringing help to both the environments and local eco-systems they visit, as well as the people who live there. There are also extensions to these cruises and, if you want to go even further afield, Antarctica and East Greenland are amongst the other destinations on offer.

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