Watch the Transit of Venus With Paul Gauguin Cruises

Experience one of the rarest of predictable astronomical phenomena, the Transit of Venus, during Paul Gauguin Cruises seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands voyage, departing Papeete on June 2. The Transit of Venus will last six hours and will not occur again until 2117, so this is your last chance to see one!

Because you can actually see a planet move across the disk of the sun, transits provide a unique opportunity to watch the solar system in motion. For a Transit of Venus to take place, the planet must be located in line with both the Earth and the sun. This positioning doesn’t happen very often due to the track of Venus’ orbit. 

A telescope is necessary to even notice a transit, so the Transit of Venus was not observed until 1639. Since that time, there have been only five such Transits. The most recent was in 2004 and, before that, over a century ago, in 1882. There were no transits during the 20th century.

On June 5, the ship will be at anchor off the island of Bora Bora and safe solar-viewing tools will be available under the direction of an onboard solar expert. Guests will take a look through the solar telescope then wait a few minutes before looking again. Venus will have moved and they will have seen Venus pass Earth against the backdrop of the sun – a truly exhilarating experience. Venus will be visible against the surface of the sun all afternoon, barring clouds or other weather-related impediments.

Joining this sailing is Bill Kramer, an acknowledged expert in solar eclipse prediction mathematics, who will provide guests with in-depth information on this rare astronomical event. The seven-night voyage onboard the newly refurbished Paul Gauguin departs Papeete, Tahiti, on June 2 and visits Raiatea, Taha’a, Bora Bora (overnight) and Moorea before arriving back into Papeete. Prices from £4,140 per person include return economy flights from the UK, overseas transfers, a night in Los Angeles and use of a day room post cruise. 

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

Enjoy A White (Sand) Christmas In French Polynesia

Paul Gauguin Cruises gives “White Christmas” a whole new meaning during their two festive voyages on December 21 and 28 this year, bringing guests to the white-sand beaches of magical French Polynesia, where children may even see Santa Claus (or Pere Noel as local children know him) travelling from island to island in his outrigger canoe!

Couples, families and friends can also toast the New Year on the December 28 sailing, or learn Polynesian dances with the popular Les Gauguines – a local Tahitian dance group serving as cruise staff, entertainers and storytellers on each sailing.

Another unique feature is that passengers on the chic MS Paul Gauguin are invited to relax on the company's private white-sand beach on Bora Bora, an idyllic hideaway with jaw-dropping views – the perfect place for snorkelling or sunbathing.

For further information, visit www.pgcruises.com or luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd.

French Polynesia, The Distant Paradise

The most remote archipelago in the world, the French Polynesian Marquesas Islands have long been an inspiration for artists, writers and adventurers who come for the region’s wild beauty and cultural heritage. Aranui 3, the only ship to sail the 2,200-mile round-trip from Papeete on Tahiti to all six inhabited islands in the Marquesas archipelago, has just released its 2012 and 2013 dates and prices, including some special discounts.

Aranui 3 offers travel in comfort. Doubling as a cozy passenger ship as well as a cargo carrier, she features 86 fully air-conditioned cabins (including 10 large suites with balconies) and can carry more than 2,000 tons of freight. Two comfortable lounges, a swimming pool and gym and a full programme of lectures on Marquesan history, culture and art are all part of the experience.

English is widely spoken onboard and all presentations are given in English and French. The vessel, which has been in operation since 2003, delivers regular supplies, from bulldozers and beer to boats and brake pads to the islands’ remote valleys, some of which are totally secluded and have no road access to the main villages.

While the ship’s crew loads and unloads cargo at each island destination, passengers are taken ashore by wooden whaleboat or barge and welcomed by locals with flower garlands, dancing and music. Four-wheel drive jeeps, driven by locals, then take participants on spectacular safaris over the mountains to explore mysterious, unspoiled jungles and to experience the fascinating and individual culture of each of the islands.

Prices for 2012 start from £3,100 per person sharing a standard twin-bedded outside cabin with private facilities, including all meals with wine, all land-based sightseeing excursions and taxes.

However, during 2012, three departures are being offered at a 10% discount: March 17, June 9 and, for seniors aged over 60 only, September 22, bringing the starting price down to £2,805 per person. For those planning ahead to 2013, there is a 10% early booking discount on sailings between January and March 2013 for bookings received by December 31.

Flights to/from Papeete, Tahiti, are not included in these prices. Air France and Air Tahiti Nui fly to Papeete (via Paris and Los Angeles), with prices from around £1,750 pp return.

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

More Special Guests For Paul Gauguin Cruises

Paul Gauguin Cruises has announced an expanded line-up of renowned artists, lecturers and entertainers for its 2011-2012 sailings. The impressive roster of onboard presenters, as well as exclusive excursions and exhibits on board MS Paul Gauguin, provides guests with educational experiences to enhance their appreciation for the natural and cultural history of French Polynesia.

As part of the authentic Polynesian experience, guests are invited to sample the local cuisine and watch electrifying performances, or choose to indulge in traditional Tahitian spa treatments and experience the beauty of French Polynesia through an array of optional shore excursions.

To further enrich the onboard experience, Paul Gauguin Cruises offers lectures by special guests in art, history, ecology and Polynesian culture. Lecture topics include the history of the South Pacific, the conservation of coral reefs and marine creatures, astronomy, island formation, black pearl farming and much more. In addition, respected Polynesian artists offer regular exhibits of paintings and photography. Celebrated guests include:

Bobbie Verdegaal: The ships's onboard naturalist, Verdegaal is a trained marine biologist and environmental educator with extensive experience in the waters of French Polynesia. With her wealth of knowledge and engaging manner, she is well equipped to teach and discuss a wide range of topics associated with the marine environment of the beautiful South Pacific.

Mark Eddowes: An acknowledged authority and researcher in the field of Polynesian anthropology, this renowned archaeologist, scholas and gifted raconteur is on almost every voyage with entertaining and enlightening lectures.

Cecile Gaspar: President of Te Mana O Te Moana, a non-profit organisation dedicated to conservation, education and research, Gaspar will enlighten guests on the organisation’s efforts to rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles and return them to the deep.

Gotz Donaghy Philippe: Appearing on the July 9 sailing, painter and artist Philippe uses his in-depth knowledge of Polynesian life to pen a humorous comic strip. Donaghy is also an expert on the Polynesian art of tattooing, having written several books on the subject. Guests will gain a unique perspective of French Polynesia through his artwork.

Jean-Pierre Vigato: Parisian Celebrity Chef Vigato - owner and Chef Propriétaire of the two-star Michelin-rated Restaurant Apicius in Paris - will join guests aboard the July 30 culinary sailing where he will personally prepare gourmet dishes and offer demonstrations of his culinary techniques.

Devlin, the Matador of Magic: A professional magician for more than 30 years, Devlin brings a Latin flair to his style of magic, which has earned him the sobriquet "Matador of Magic!" The recipient of the Society of American Magicians’ highest honour, Magician of the Year, he has appeared (and disappeared!) on stages around the world - including select sailings onboard Paul Gauguin.

For more info, visit www.pgcruises.com or contact the UK's leading luxury and adventure-cruise specialist, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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.

Oceania Cruises adds South Pacific and Hawaii

New for Oceania Cruises’ 2011/12 winter collection are 27 unique itineraries, of which 16 are totally new, along with new destinations that include Hawaii and South Pacific, including Tahiti, the Cook Islands, Fiji, Tonga and American Samoa, as well as a return to Australia and New Zealand. Cruise-only fares start from £499 per person (Marina, January 3, 2012, 10-night Caribbean Islands in the Sun voyage).

Oceania Cruises specialises in exceptional cruise experiences with a focus on cuisine, comfort and service, with a wide choice of fine dining restaurants – including speciality dining at no extra charge - on each of their four ships. The brand new (in January) 1,250-guest Marina also adds two speciality restaurants and two private dining venues.

New itineraries include an 11-night sailing around the spectacular and exotic islands of French Polynesia on the 684-passenger mid-sized luxury cruise ship, Regatta. The `Tahitian Breeze’ itinerary departs from Papeete on January 6, 2012, and costs from £1,061pp, including all meals, no supplement for specialtiy dining, complimentary bottled water and soft drinks (excluding flights).

Other highlights include a new Dubai to Cape Town cruise, showcasing Arabia and Africa; popular Amazon River cruise to depart from New York City; a new 16-day South America cruise round-trip from Valparaiso, offering the opportunity to discover rarely-visited Nazca Lines, plus Machu Picchu; and a grand 35-day Hong Kong to Athens adventure via the Suez Canal.

For more information, visit http://www.oceaniacruises.co.uk/ or contact the luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line.

Happy New Year!

By guest blogger Steve Newman

A happy New Year to you all!

Well I guess like me you are looking forward to a new year of cruising opportunities. I am lucky enough to be going to Antarctica with Hurtigruten this month, one of my dream destinations for quite a few years now.

Browsing through all the brochures that have popped though my letterbox, I was struck by Silversea’s Alaska and Pacific Coast offerings, even though any ship with more than 100 guests on board is not my cup of tea really! Eco/adventure cruising is more my style and the hot spots this year are likely be Australia, New Zealand, Polynesia and the Far East. In fact, if you get a chance, do have a look at the Adventure Cruise Collection brochure from The Cruise Line.

So where would I like to visit this year? Well, being a fanatical bird-watcher and naturalist, my number one all-time spot is the Galapagos Islands. Companies such as Haugan Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions and Ecoventura all offer excellent options. If, however, you would prefer to do your wildlife watching from the deck clutching a gin and tonic, then some of the larger cruise lines such as Celebrity offer this as a choice.

The problem is there is just SO much to see. But the incredible scenery you find around the Thailand coast when onboard wind powered vessels like Star Clippers (above), Paul Gauguin and Windjammer have a definite appeal.

Where ever you go, I hope you have a fantastic time and do keep coming back to these pages to find a bargain - or your dream cruise in 2011.

Free access for Children in the South Pacific

Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering children FREE access to its revolutionary Ambassadors of the Environment Youth Programme on two nine-night Society Islands & Tuamotus voyages departing December 18 and 27 this year. This programme is usually available for a fee of $269 per child.

Explorer and environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau created this unique, groundbreaking programme to introduce young travellers to the extraordinary natural wonders of French Polynesia. The programme provides young participants aged nine to 17 with hands-on, interactive experience in marine and island ecosystems.

Young ambassadors will explore coral reefs, hike rainforest trails and visit marae (ancient Polynesian temples). Participants will also learn how black pearls and vanilla are cultivated, how volcanic islands become coral atolls and how to paddle an outrigger canoe. Parents are encouraged to join children on eco-excursions and other activities onboard and ashore, making the programme a great activity for families.

Both voyages start and finish in Papeete and visit Fakarava, Huahine, Bora Bora, Taha'a and Moorea. Prices start from £3,564 per person, including return scheduled flights, transfers, accommodation in an ocean-view stateroom with all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages and gratuities.

For further information, visit www.pgcruises.com/ or see them at The Cruise Show at the NEC Birmingham this weekend.

Free flights on South Pacific Cruise

By guest blogger Steve Newman

There is just one week to wait until the opening of the most important Gauguin exhibition in Britain in 50 years and, to celebrate, Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering free return flights on its 14-night Polynesian cruise of the Marquesas, Tuamotus and Society Islands departing December 4, 2010.

Discover the inspiration behind many of Gauguin's greatest works on a 14-night cruise on the 332-guest Paul Gauguin departing from Papeete. One of the highlights of the cruise is a visit to the Marquesas which lie shrouded in mystery with their mist-laden mountains and untouched wilderness.

Here, wild stallions run free on Ua Huka; Fatu Hiva boasts only one road; and, on Hiva Oa, Paul Gauguin himself is buried beneath a statue of a Polynesian goddess.

This 14-night cruise departs Papeete, Tahiti on December 4 and visits Fakarava; Hanavave, Fatu Hiva; Atuona, Hiva Oa; Vaipaee, Ua Huka; Tiaohae, Nuku Hiva; Huahine; Bora Bora; Taha'a, Motu Mahana; and Moorea before finishing back in Papeete.

Prices start from £4,187 per person, including free return scheduled flights between London and Papeete, transfers, 14 nights in an ocean-view stateroom with all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages and gratuities.

For reservations and further information, visit http://www.pgcruises.com/, or, in the UK, call specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

Be a Celebrity Down Under

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Marking their return to the region after an absence two years, Celebrity Cruises have announced their new Australia and New Zealand 2011 cruises aboard Celebrity Century, visiting 36 ports. Apart from viewing the lands of the wallaby and the kiwi, guests will also be able to call in at French Polynesia, Indonesia, the U.S. and Mexico.

Some of the fascinating places being visited include Honolulu, Auckland, Sydney and Ensenada in Mexico. The company have also included a string of places being visited for the first time, such as Bali, Darwin, Cairns, and Burnie, Tasmania.

New four and five-night pre- or post-cruise land tours are also available, which include two nights in Sydney and a full day at the Great Barrier Reef. In line with the ship circumnavigating Australia, a similar four or five-night pre- or post-cruise land tour is operating out of Perth. Both tours include a stay at Uluru (Ayer's rock) with a desert tour and full night-time dining experience.

All tours are accompanied by expert guides and lecturers and ample time has been provided for shopping! Savings are offered on back-to-back sailings and on cruises booked between 29th July and 31st September this year.

For more information, look up http://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/

Parlez Vous Paradise?

By guest blogger Steve Newman.

Some times the WOW! factor can be too great to bear. There are many types of cruise ships but there's only one Aranui 3. The lone passenger/sailing ship travelling from Tahiti to the Marquesas, she is the lifeline for this remote 15-island archipelago, the very epitome of French Polynesia situated in the middle of the South Pacific.

You even get two bites of the cherry here as the ship breaks the journey by calling in at the Tuamoto archipelago where you can watch the tropical fish dance in the crystal clear waters of the lagoon whilst you take your lunch on board.

The Aranui carries 2,000 tons of cargo and up to 180 passengers on a 14-day trip picking up copra, dried coconut and noni fruit. Don't think you're going to arrive at some mini Caribbean lookalike, though, as only six of the islands are inhabited, while two can only be reached by boat and don't even have a dock.

The swimming pool on deck allows you to cool down when you wish and the relaxed dining code lets you enjoy the mixture of French and Polynesian cuisine at your leisure whilst sipping something tropical against the background of mist-topped verdant mountains. All of this and the chance to learn about Marquesan culture, art and history from lecturers whilst the crew are on hand to teach you how to weave hats, learn the local dances and wear the local costume for when you arrive.

Because visitors are so rare in these islands where little has changed and there are few roads and even fewer cars, you receive one of the warmest welcomes on earth from the islanders. Islands where Paul Gauguin painted his last pictures; where horses outnumber people; and where mysterious ruins - the remnants of lost, mysterious civilisations - emerge from the jungle are the norm here.

Port times vary from a few hours to a day or more but on these islands you have the opportunity to explore by jeep, horseback, snorkel or fishing boat or simply take the hiking trail and stroll casually around to enjoy the local lifestyle. When you get back on board, the islands stay with you as the ship seems to be an actual part of the archipelago itself. Go on - you know it's what you want!

Further details are at http://www.aranui.com/