Cruising Magazine Issue 97 | Page 31

Remote Fiji Discovery Cruises Captain Cook Cruises Fiji has released the 2016 and early 2017 departure dates for its Fiji seven nights 4 Cultures Discovery Cruise, seven nights Colonial Fiji Discovery Cruise and the 11 nights Lau and Kadavu Discovery cruise. The 4 Cultures Discovery Cruise is the first ever cruise to circumnavigate Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island. Living up to its name, this cruise gives passengers the ultimate chance to discover and experience four distinctive Fijian cultures; Ellice Islanders (Polynesian), Banabans (Micronesia), Fijian (Melanesia) and Indians. Holland America Line’s ‘Dancing with the Stars: At Sea’ Holland America Line has added the talents of professional dancers and Mirrorball Trophy winners Tony Dovolani and Kym Johnson, along with celebrity personality Carson Kressley and America’s favourite ‘TV mom’ Florence Henderson to the “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” Champions Cruise departing Ft. Lauderdale, 10 January 2016, and to the 3 January 2016, theme cruise the week prior. These voyages mark the final chances to experience “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” program before the partnership concludes. When ms Nieuw Amsterdam sets sail for the Caribbean on two seven-day voyages, guests will be able to watch these four fan favorites take the stage to perform routines from the hit television show as well as exciting new choreographed dances. Additional events on these cruises include dance lessons with the ship’s professional dancers; a special fashion show featuring glamorous show costumes from the TV show; and a chance to meet the stars, ask questions and take photos with them. Passengers visit different cultures villages and schools, discover their homes and history and are taken on cultural journeys through amazing shows of song and dance. They also travel by local bus to Labasa, Vanua Levu’s largest town for some shopping at the local market. Scheduled 2016 departure dates for the 4 Cultures Discovery Cruise include 3 May, 5 July and 6 September, 2016. The seven nights Colonial Fiji Discovery Cruise reveals the unique history, art and culture of the Northern Fiji Islands and allows passengers the ultimate experience of standing on the natural International Dateline. Day trips include a visit to Fiji’s old capital – historic Levuka, a swim at Tavoro Falls on Taveuni Island and standing on the 180th Meridian – the arbitrary Dateline between today and tomorrow. Passengers also visit Savusavu’s extinct volcanic crater, hot springs and thriving markets and explore remote coral cays including Nananu-i-ra, and Manava Cay for extraordinary, snorkelling, diving, swimming and glass bottom boating. 2016 and early 2017 departure dates for the Colonial Fiji Discovery Cruise include 5 April, 7 June, 2 August, 4 October, 6 December, 2016 and 7 February, 2017. Remaining 2015 departure date is 1 December. The eleven nights Lau and Kadavu Discovery Cruise explores the lengths of the Lau Islands and Kadavu, a part of Fiji rarely seen by tourists. Passengers will stop at Makogai Island, formally a leper colony and now a centre for giant clam and turtle cultivation, hike to a freshwater swimming hole on Lavena, explore breathtaking caves and reefs at Qilaqila, visit a Fijian village and church on the island of Oneata and discover ruins of an old light house and snorkel untouched reefs on the island of Wailagilala. A visit to Fulaga will amaze passengers with its crystal lagoon and picturesque coral, while at Kabara island guests will experience a traditional Meke, Sevusevu and Lovo. On uninhabited Vuaqava passengers can swim in the central lake and view turtles, snakes and birdlife and on Totoya Island they will visit a local school before heading to Kadavu and taking part in a traditional turtle calling ceremony. New departure dates for the Lau and Kadavu Discovery Cruise includes 1 March and 1 November 2016 and 3 January and 7 March 2017. Who Wants To Be A Cruise Millionaire? P&O Cruises has announced it will give four of its guests the chance to win $1 million* each in an unprecedented celebration of its four million passenger milestone. In a bonanza for travellers, the cruise line will also give away $4 million* in onboard credits for new bookings over the coming weeks. The $4 million promotion is open to Australian and New Zealand travellers who book on any P&O cruise before 25 November, the day the cruise line will officially welcome its latest ships, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, into its fleet as part of a Five Ship Spectacular on Sydney Harbour. Travellers will receive an onboard credit of up to $800* per room with their booking and also go into the draw for a chance to win one of four places on a four-night P&O cruise to Moreton Island, sailing from Sydney on 9 December 2015. Onboard that cruise, the four finalists will play a thrilling numbers game in front of fellow guests, which will give each of them a shot at becoming an instant millionaire. *Terms and conditions apply New port for Radiance of the Seas Wollongong’s Port Kembla Harbour will welcome its first cruise ship in 2016 when Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas ties up dockside. The 293m long megaliner will bring more than 2400 people to the Illawarra on 30 October 2016 as part of a seven night East Coast and Tasmania cruise. The ship will spend a day in port, allowing tourists from Australia and around the world to explore the Illawarra’s beaches, city, towns and attractions through day trips, courtesy buses and planned activity options. Royal Caribbean Cruises Regional Vice President Gavin Smith says the visit is the first step in investigating an ongoing relationship between the cruise line and the Illawarra. “I’m thrilled to announce we will be bringing one of the largest and most feature-packed megaliners in Australian waters to the South Coast of NSW, whe