Orion releases 2012 Expedition Cruise brochure

Orion Expedition Cruises releases 2012 season brochure - an expansive brochure of year-round voyages for expedition cruise ships Orion and Orion II, featuring itineraries for 69 voyages to 17 countries and 174 destinations stretching from Antarctica to the Russian Far East.

Borneo, Vietnam, Thailand, the Inland Sea of Japan, Russian Far East, China and Micronesia are included in Orion II's itineraries; while Australia's Kimberley coast, Arnhem Land, Great Barrier Reef, the Spice Islands, Antarctica and Papua New Guinea feature in Orion's range of expeditions.

2012 voyage highlights:

New sailings feature the islands of Micronesia and themed 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 a visit to Java includes the long lost temples of Borobudur.

• 16 Kimberley Expeditions, all with inclusive Bungle Bungle flight-seeing
• Orion's inaugural New Zealand Bay of Islands Voyage of Discovery
• Orion II's Voyage of Discovery to the islands of Micronesia
• 7 voyages to Japan reveal fine art, cuisine and ancient cultures
• Russian Far East expeditions include rarely visited Cold War hot spots
• 15 Borneo voyages with various itineraries circumnavigate the island
• 3 Vietnam Explorer voyages each explore 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
• 6 Papua New Guinea expeditions reveal untouched cultures
• A visit to Java includes the 8th century Buddhist temples of Borobudur
• 2 inaugural voyages that include China and a trip up the Yangtze River
• 3 Antarctic voyages to Commonwealth Bay (Mawson's Hut) and the Ross Sea (Scott and Shackleton's huts)
• 2 voyages to Thailand and Cambodia, include the Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City and the  temples of Angkor Wat

www.orionexpeditions.com

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Want to do something now to help Save The Kimberley?

Hello Save The Kimberley supporters,
People often ask us what they can do to help in the campaign to stop inappropriate industrialisation of the Kimberley. The threat of an LNG processing precinct is at our doorstep, and quite a lot is happening in the campaign locally and nationally, so please keep updated by reading the 'latest news' page of our website and find us also on Facebook. To support Save The Kimberley financially visit our donations page.
We write to you today to tell you something simple and important that you can do from your own home if only you have a little time to spare.  A letter writing campaign has been launched in Broome to let our environment minister know that many of us have concerns about the gas and we need him to address these concerns. Environment Minister Tony Burke is expected to make his final decision on the cultural and environmental assessment for the project sometime later this year, so the more voices he hears, the better. Politicians tell us that letter writing is an extremely effective way to get politicians to listen, so please take the time to write a letter for the Kimberley.

Federal environment minister Tony Burke

Below is part of a letter writing guide from Environs Kimberley. You can see the whole thing at:
http://www.environskimberley.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/2011-04-29-Letter-writing-flier.pdf
We would like to thank E.K. for making this information available to pass on to you.
For greatest effectiveness, please pass this on to any friends, family, or co-workers who might be sympathetic.
Warm regards,
The Save the Kimberley committee

Do you want to help in the fight against a gas hub on the Kimberley coast?
WRITE A LETTER TODAY!
Individual letters to politicians CAN make a real impact – it's well worth your time to send a letter, and to encourage your friends, family and colleagues to do so too. Letter writing is one of the best ways we have to make ourselves heard directly by decision makers!
Letter writing is a tried and true part of the political process – let's make use of it.
Federal Environment Minister Burke needs to hear from the community that we don't want this gas plant to go ahead, and that we consider HIM responsible for making sure it doesn't!
Here are some tips to write a powerful letter:
MAKE IT SHORT AND SNAPPY. i.e. try to get it on to one page.  Your letter doesn't have to be wordy, or spout lots of science facts or figures to be taken seriously.  Write your letter in your own words, with a simple summary of your main concerns.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF. e.g. …I've lived in Broome for xx years/I've visited Broome xx times… I am a small business owner/work in the tourism industry/am a teacher/nurse/doctor…
SAY WHY BROOME AND THE KIMBERLEY MATTERS TO YOU.  e.g. Broome/Kimberley is a very special place to me because:
…it's one of the few places in the world that hasn't been industrialized.
…very strong sense of place/community
…it's culturally diverse and tolerant.
…the Kimberley is one of the last large, intact natural areas in the world…

BRIEFLY OUTLINE YOUR CONCERNS.
Let the Minister know why you don't want the Kimberley industrialised, and what most concerns you about the proposed gas hub:
e.g…that the WA government is forcing the project on the community.
…I'm concerned about air pollution.
…I'm worried about what this will mean for my local community.
…I don't want Broome to become just another WA  mining town/the Kimberley to become another Pilbara.
TELL THE MINISTER YOU CONSIDER HIM RESPONSIBLE.
Make it clear that you consider the Minister has a responsibility to show leadership and protect the Kimberley's environment (i.e. decisions shouldn't just be made at the state level)
e.g. … Minister Burke, I understand that you have the final say on whether the gas proposal for James Price Point will go ahead.  You must not let this happen.
AT THE END, ASK A QUESTION SO THAT THE MINISTER HAS TO RESPOND TO YOUR LETTER.
e.g … Minister Burke, please tell me what action you plan to take to ensure that the Kimberley, one of the world's great natural areas, is protected? I look forward to your response.
SEND YOUR LETTER VIA THE POST, NOT EMAIL.

Address your letter to the Honorable Tony Burke MP, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600.
The correct salutation to Minister Burke is Dear Minister (i.e. not Dear Mr. Burke or Dear Tony)

Ocean Magazine - Ocean Cruising - Issue 37

Open publication Mentioned: Kimberley Cruising, Hanse Explorer, Heritage Expeditions, Wrangell Island, Silhouette Cruises Seychelles, Orion, AdventureSmith, Alaska, Oceanwide, Japan, Borneo

Kimberley Quest Cruise Deal

Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises offers "summer sail" 15% discount for Kimberley coast adventures

Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises has launched what it is calling a Summer Sail for its Kimberley coast cruises on the boutique Kimberley Quest II, just weeks before the start of winter.

PSCC is offering a 15 per cent discount on remaining cabins for the seven-day Southern Quest package operating between Mitchell Plateau and Broome over the winter-spring June-September 2011 season.

The deal means the price of the seven-day cruise is from $7093 per person twin share (normally from $8345) which includes cabin with ensuite, all chef-prepared meals served on the shady stern deck or in the air-conditioned lounge, full use of the vessel and guided land and water excursions, scenic light aircraft Broome-Mitchell Plateau flight and helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls in the transfer to the 18-passenger Kimberley Quest II.

Excursions to waterfalls (like King Cascade), rock pools, rock art, whale spotting, fishing and scenic tender excursions to the likes of must-see Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef are on the itinerary.

Cruising between destinations, there is plenty of time to take in the view from the spa on the forward deck or find a shady spot to read.

Contact: Tel 08 9193 6131, or see www.kimberleyquest.com.au

Why the Summer Sail tag?

Comment from Director, Lynne Ralston: "We have applied the summer tag because of summer-like weather the northern part of the continent experiences during this season. We'll be experiencing temperatures in the low to mid thirties and hopefully it will persuade chilling southerners to see this spectacular 'wow' piece of Australia in the most accommodating weather."

Exclusive deals to the Kimberley Coast, European Arctic & the Russian Coast!

Please note: These offers are only available to Aurora newsletter subscribers, so please contact Mael on the address below to join Aurora

Dear Expeditioner,

This month's newsletter is jam packed with great deals on a variety of Aurora Expeditions' voyages for this year!

Save 10% with last minute deals to the Kimberley Coast. We can bundle up a great European Arctic package saving you up to AUD$1000! Or check out our special offers on our Russian Coast voyages.

And remember, with the Australian dollar at an all new high, you will never get to our destinations at a better price – so book and pay for your trip-of-a-lifetime today!

Happy reading!

Mael Ressos
Sales Consultant – Aurora Expeditions
+61 2 9252 1033 or info@auroraexpeditions.com.au

In this issue

Escape to the Kimberley Coast & SAVE 10%
Complete Arctic Package - SAVE up to $1000!
10% to 15% off the Russian Arctic & Far East
Book direct & receive 25% off travel insurance
Coming soon to Sydney - the Ice Bear Project

From polar ice cap to the tropics - Orion Expeditions releases 2012 voyage itineraries

Orion Expedition Cruises has released an expanded range of path less travelled itineraries for 2012. Incorporating the first full year of voyages for Orion II, as well as 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 the temples of Borobudur.

2012 will see the two purpose-built expedition cruise ships undertake 69 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 available through travel agents or by contacting Orion Expedition Cruises direct on 1300 361 012 (Australia) or 0800 444 462 (New Zealand).

The website www.orionexpeditions.com also features details of the new voyages ahead of the pending release of the 2012 brochure in a few weeks.

Jerry Hall Cruises The Kimberley Coast on The True North

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

"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 on the TRUE NORTH is the trip of a lifetime," said Jerry Hall.

Ms Hall is travelling with her partner, Perth millionaire Warwick Hensley, who is on assignment for the London Times. She will report on her travels when she returns home and the likely front-page exposure will hopefully be a major bonus for all tourism operators in the Kimberley.

The appeal of this gleaming adventure-platform 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.

"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 that 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," said Peter Trembath.

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 become a firm favourite with Australia's travelling elite. Even today, most of the guests onboard the TRUE NORTH are well-qualified Australian adventurers lapping-up the personal attention of the ship's enthusiastic and also very Australian crew.

Over 25 years the adventure-cruise ship TRUE NORTH has developed one of Australia's most revered holiday reputations.  The multi-award winning adventure-cruise ship, True North, allows discerning guests to experience wilderness in surroundings more akin to one of the world's most exclusive hotels.