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.

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.

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.