Jetsettersblog

Traditional Solomon Islands Christmas and NYE on Champagne Beach 2010

With Christmas looming, it’s time to look for something totally different to do for Christmas, 2010. Coral Princess has announced a special Christmas cruise through Melanesia, including a traditional Christmas lunch in the remote Solomon Islands and New Year’s Eve 2010 on fabled Champagne Beach in Vanuatu.

Coral Princess’s newest brochure lassos some of the farthest-flung islands of one of the planet’s most remote and exotic cruise destinations: Melanesia.

The 13 or 15-night expedition-style voyages aboard the luxurious small ship Oceanic Discoverer thread their way along the necklace of islands and nations between Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia.

The voyages visit some of the remote tribal villages of New Guinea and historic WWII sites of the Solomons, including Kennedy Island (where John F Kennedy swam ashore from a sinking patrol boat in WWII). On the December 20 departure, the ship will anchor off Kennedy Island for a traditional Christmas feast, hosted by Coral Princess Cruises’ owners, Tony and Vicki Briggs, who founded the company 27 years ago, and pioneered small ship expedition cruising in Australia.

Continuing south-east, the Arnavon Islands are the Solomon Islands’ only marine reserve and home to the Hawksbill turtle. Santa Ana is one of the most beautiful islands in the Pacific, with a pellucid lagoon and pristine rainforest, where Oceanic Discoverer’s naturalist guides lead walks to spot exotic orchids, tropical plants and rare birds.

Vanuatu’s highlights include sailing into the volcanic caldera of Ureparapara, where cruise ships rarely venture, and witnessing the famous land diving ceremony on Pentecost Island – the forerunner of modern bungy jumping (March departure only).

While all the voyages stop at exquisite Champagne Beach on Espiritu Santo, the December 20 departure will be there for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Tanna Island offers the chance to stand on the crater rim of an active volcano, while the penultimate stop is Lifou Island, which lays claim to some of the world’s best beaches. The cruise ends in cosmopolitan Noumea.

Throughout the voyage, Oceanic Discoverer’s purpose-built excursion vessel, Xplorer, glass bottom coral viewer and fleet of inflatable Zodiacs allow passengers to intimately explore the reefs and remote islands. Excursions are guided by naturalists and experts who interpret the natural, cultural and historical highlights of the region.

Oceanic Discoverer is designed to provide all the comfort and facilities of larger cruise ships, yet is small enough to access remote and pristine sites inaccessible to other ships.

Thirteen-night cruises travel in both directions between Noumea and either Alotau or Rabaul in Papua New Guinea, departing on March 08 and December 22, 2010 and March 5 and November 29, 2011.

They cost from $10 500 per person, twin share, in a Main Deck B stateroom. The November and December departures can be extended by two days to include the voyage between Cairns and Alotau.

The 15-night voyages depart from Cairns on December 20, 2010 and November 27, 2011and cost $10 900 per person, twin share. Cruise costs include all excursions, port taxes and meals on board.

For further information and reservations contact 1800 079 545 or visit www.coralprincess.com.au