Orion Expedition Cruises Unveil 2012 Programme

Free Flights on Selected Kimberley, Borneo & Vietnam Itineraries plus 15% Early Booking Discounts on Selected Sailings
Orion Expedition Cruises has released an expanded range of path-less-travelled itineraries for 2012, which include free flights from the UK on selected Kimberley, Borneo and Vietnam voyages as well as early booking discounts of up to 15% on most sailings.

Incorporating the first full year of voyages for Orion II, as well as their original boutique cruiser Orion, these expeditions - well off the marine superhighway - include rarely visited destinations from polar ice cap to the tropics.

In addition to existing itineraries, Orion takes a fresh look at New Zealand with new Pure New Zealand and Bay of Islands voyages. Orion II’s new sailings feature the islands of Micronesia and additional voyages to Japan with Art of Japan and Culinary Voyage of Japan itineraries. China is included for the first time, with expeditions that includes the Yangtze Delta (Kobe to Shanghai) and Shanghai to Tawau (Yangtze, Taiwan, Philippines), while an inaugural visit to Java includes Borobudur.

Free flights are available on all Kimberley sailings between April 13 and September 10; on three Vietnam sailings departing March 12, 21, 30 and on one Borneo sailing departing February 17.

In all, 2012 will see the two purpose-built expedition cruise ships undertake 68 voyages to 17 countries and 174 destinations stretching from Antarctica to the Russian Far East, including Borneo, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, the Inland Sea of Japan, Korea, China and Micronesia (onboard Orion II). Australia’s Kimberley coast, Arnhem Land, Great Barrier Reef, the Spice Islands, New Zealand, the Sub Antarctic islands and Papua New Guinea feature in Orion’s range of expeditions.

The complete 2012 Calendar of Sailings is now on sale. Prices start from £1,630 per person, cruise-only, for a five-night Great Barrier Reef voyage on September 27 and from £4,400 per person for a nine-night Vietnam Explorer voyage, including free flights, with departures on March 12, 21 and 30.

For more info, visit http://www.orionexpeditions.com/ or the UK's expedition cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Jerry Hall Cruises The Kimberley Coast

Well known actress and model Jerry Hall was on board Australia’s own luxury adventure-cruise ship, The TRUE NORTH last week where she and her partner enjoyed a one-week Kimberley cruise.

And she said: “The Kimberley is one of the last true wildernesses: it has not been spoilt by tourism or pollution and the best way to explore this ancient region is by cruising along its coast. For someone like me, there is no better ship than the True North.

"It is a small luxury liner with just 18 cabins – serving delicious gourmet food and wine with a staff of 20 young, attractive and extremely efficient crew members. It is a top class operation, whether you enjoy hiking through wilderness with their biologists, admiring the plants and birds or fishing for giant barramundi. Cruising along the Kimberley coast is the trip of a lifetime.”

Offering activity-based itineraries all around the Australian coastline and adjacent to the remote jungles of West Papua and Papua New Guinea, the True North has always been a firm favourite with Australia’s travelling elite. The ship allows discerning guests to experience wilderness in surroundings more akin to one of the world’s most exclusive hotels.

However, the appeal of the unique vessel, which comes complete with helicopter and multiple expedition boats, was always bound to attract the attention of discerning overseas travelers and, according to North Star Cruises’ general manager Peter Trembath, the tide has begun to turn.

He explained: “In the past year, we have attracted strong attention from both North America and Europe. And this interest is all the more pleasing when you consider we are still up against uncertain world economics and adverse exchange rates. The reputation of the True North is so strong, we are managing to buck the negative trends.”

For more info, visit www.northstarcruises.com.au or contact the adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Free return filghts to OZ

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Orion Expedition Cruises, the leading operator of five-star expedition cruising in the Australasian region, is offering free helicopter flight-seeing trips on all 2011 Kimberley voyages booked before the end of the November 2010.

In 2011, Orion Expedition Cruises will operate 13 Kimberley expeditions between the tropical city of Darwin and the historic pearling town of Broome (and vice versa). During these voyages guests will experience the dramatic contrasts of Australia’s north-west, rich in Aboriginal culture and galleries of ancient artwork. Towards the west, in the historic pearling town of Broome, the colours of nature are vibrant and intense: rich red earth, azure blue seas and brilliant white sand beaches. North of Broome lies the ragged Kimberley coast, a place you can only comprehend from the sea. Rugged gorges, inlets, waterfalls plunging 100 metres ( above) all combine for an awe-inspiring experience you simply can't have by travelling overland.

Anyone booking a Kimberley voyage before 30th November 2010 will have the choice of a free helicopter flight-seeing trip to either King George Falls or Mitchell Falls. This is in addition to the free flight over the Bungle Bungle ranges which guests already receive along with free return flights from the UK.

Prices for Orion Expedition Cruises’ Kimberley voyages start from £5,325 per person based on twin share including onboard accommodation, 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. Also included is the free helicopter flight-seeing trip to either King George Falls or Mitchell Falls, a free flight over the Bungle Bungle ranges and free return flights from the UK.

For reservations and enquiries visit www.orionexpeditions.com

Whale Watching - With a Difference

It should be fairly clear by now that we are big fans of adventure cruising here at Time Spent At Sea, hence we're always pleased to see new initiatives and offbeat cruises that focus on this growing trend (like the Adventure Cruise Collection, which we've featured several times).

The latest news to arrive in our Inbox comes from Orion Expedition Cruises in Australia, and highlights a wonderful opportunity to go whale-watching. Here's what they say:

Late July through to September in the Kimberley is prime time to view pods of migrating whales. And, what better way to see the largest humpback whale population in the world heading north from the Antarctic to rest and calve than from onboard the luxury expedition cruise ship, Orion?

With 3,000km of undeveloped shoreline and over 1,000 rarely visited islands, this land, so ancient it pre-dates the existence of fossils, ranks as one of Australia’s, and the world’s, truly remarkable destinations.

Join Orion’s specialist Expedition Team to view pre-history Gwion Gwion and Wandjina rock art, land on remote islands and beaches, explore gorges, venture into a labyrinth of waterways in search of saltwater crocodiles or climb to the plateau next to the highest waterfall in the Kimberley, King George Falls.

With embarkation/debarkation in Darwin or Broome, Orion’s 10-night voyages combine the contrasts of exploring the ancient and magnificent Kimberley wilderness, incredible at-sea experiences and the historic pearling town of Broome with its cafes and art galleries. All this plus the chance to see migrating humpback whales, estimated to exceed 20,000 individuals, breaching, tail slapping and blowing.

Orion offers seven 10-night Kimberley voyages between 20th July and 16th September 2010 starting in either Darwin or Broome and visiting, typically, King George River and Falls, Vansittart Bay, Hunter River (for Mitchell Falls), Montgomery Reef and Raft Point, Talbot Bay/Horizontal Waterfalls, Cape Leveque and the Lacepedes.

Prices start from £5,325 per person, cruise only, based on twin share. Price includes 10 nights onboard accommodation, 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. Also included is one night’s accommodation in Broome pre- or post-cruise plus a complimentary Bungle Bungle sightseeing flight.