This was published 6 years ago
Vivid Sydney 2017: Cruise into Sydney during its biggest-ever festival
The bright lights of Vivid Sydney are always a brilliant sight to behold.Credit: James Horan
Cruise Hot Spot: Papua New Guinea
Until quite recently, Papua New Guinea mostly featured as a travel destination for intrepid Kokoda Trail trekkers, World War II history buffs and dedicated divers. Now it's popping up with increasing regularity on cruise itineraries, including those of mainstream lines such as P&O and Princess as well as smaller adventure and luxury lines such as True North, Ponant and Regent Seven Seas.
PNG is only 160 kilometres north of Australia – it takes about two days to sail from Cairns to Alatou – yet it is another world. One where more than 800 languages are spoken, only 13 per cent of the population lives in towns and tribal traditions thrive. The nation is made up of half of the world's second-biggest island as well as some 600 small islands, including the Bismarck Archipelago, the Trobriands, the Louisiade Archipelago, the D'Entrecasteaux Islands, and some of the islands in the Solomons group, including Bougainville.
This year, PNG marks the 75th anniversary of the Kokoda Trail and Australian company Coral Expeditions is offering a special 25-night cruise from Cairns in October that will take in the country's most unspoilt places. Here are a few of Coral Expeditions' top 10 reasons for seeing PNG while it's still flying under the tourist radar…
World-class coral reefs
PNG has about twice the number of fish species than the Red Sea and about 10 times as many species of corals compared to the Caribbean. Underwater adventurers can expect to see everything from sea horses, nudibranch and gobies to majestic whale sharks, with a variety of vibrant coral reefs, walls and gardens providing a stunning backdrop.
Volcanic hikes
Set at the edge of New Britain Island, the active volcano Mount Tavurvur offers the opportunity for an adrenaline-fuelled hike. Rewards for hardy walkers are sweeping views over neighbouring volcanoes and the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island of Rabaul – and the thrill of peering into a smoking, sulphurous crater.
Wildlife
PNG is one of the most diverse places on earth for flora and fauna. Talking extremes, it is home to the largest pigeon, smallest parrot, longest lizard, largest butterfly and the tallest tropical trees. There are 700 species of bird, tree kangaroos, forest wallabies, the unique PNG long-nosed echidnas, dolphins, whales, parrots, and more than 3000 species of orchid.
Warm welcomes and cultural encounters
The country is populated by hundreds of different tribal groups that have their own traditions, artistic heritage, music and songs. Travellers are welcomed into village communities and among the incredible discoveries you'll make are wood carvings by Sepik River tribes, the Yam Festival in Milne Bay province, Baining fire dancers in East New Britain and the Shark Calling Festival in New Ireland province.
MEET THE CREW
NAME Piet Abbeloos, from Bruges, Belgium
POSITION Cruise Manager, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
MY JOB I like to call myself a destination expert, ensuring that all guests have the trip of a lifetime. But I am otherwise known as a cruise manager onboard Uniworld's ships on the Rhine, Maine, Danube and the French waterways.
A TYPICAL DAY I focus on the daily planning of each program, overseeing a smooth delivery of onshore activities that focus on local culture, food and sights. Guests love a localised experience so I try to ensure that all activities really encompass the essence of each place they visit.
FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT This is a very difficult question as all our European rivers have so many beautiful sights to see! But my true favourite would be cruising along the Rhine river with all of its medieval castles and lively cities.
FAVOURITE CRUISE PORTS I especially love the small towns in Germany, however Vienna and Paris are equally incredible. But I believe that Bordeaux and Trier are the real hidden gems that don't usually get the credit they deserve.
INSIDER TIPS Now many have heard this before, but packing light is the way to go! Many guests forget that we have a free laundry service.
TIP
Sea to Summit's handy transparent, zip-top bag holds six leak-proof containers for creams, liquids and gels, all sized to comply with airport security requirements. See travelgear.com.au.
NEWS
Vivid Sydney Festival
Next Friday night the annual Vivid Sydney Festival will open in a spectacular burst of colour, lights and action. Held over 23 nights, the biggest-ever festival will feature 90 brilliant installations and projections – created by more than 180 Australian and international artists – around seven city precincts. Sydney will host more than 400 Vivid music events across 40 venues and more than 260 Vivid Ideas sessions, featuring 370 speakers from 12 countries. Captain Cook Cruises is an official festival partner and its MV Sydney 2000 and MV John Cadman ships will be lit up with #ilovesydney as they cruise around the illuminated harbour. Vivid Lights cruises will run nightly from Darling Harbour King Street Wharf No.1; for times and bookings, see captaincook.com.au.
Viking conquerors
By the end of this year – already a big one as the company celebrates its 20th anniversary – Viking Ocean Cruises will have four 930-passenger ships sailing around the world. Two more are due to launch in 2010 and 2020, making Viking the biggest small-ship company in the world. And it keeps growing: last month Viking chairman Torstein Hagen ordered the seventh and eighth ships for 2021 and 2011, with an option for two more after that. Hagen said, "Our guests and the industry have spoken, and they love the ocean ships that we have built with Fincantieri. We set out to bring the destination back to cruising, and the cruising public has responded. These additional ships are needed to meet the demand we are experiencing." See https://www.vikingcruises.com.au/oceans [vikingcruises.com.au/oceans].
P&O update
When it sets sail next month from Sydney to the Pacific islands, P&O Cruises' newly refurbished Pacific Explorer will feature a new poolside grill – Luke's by Australian chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan – and a new partnership with popular Melbourne-based pizza maker Johnny Di Francesco. You'll find this and other news about the five-strong fleet in P&O's 2018-19 brochure, which is out now. For the first time, the line will have three ships based in Brisbane; Pacific Jewel will sail a spring season from September to November 2018, while Pacific Dawn and Pacific Aria will home-port there year-round. Between them, the three ships will offer 126 cruises from Brisbane in 2018, including 27 three- and four-night itineraries. Meanwhile, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Eden will sail out of Sydney with Pacific Explorer. See www.pocruises.com.au .
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Cruise Traveller's 18-night fly/stay/cruise 'Heart of Europe' package is excellent value, with fares starting from $6645 for the October 29, 2018 departure. It starts with three nights accommodation in a five-star hotel in Budapest, followed by a 14-night cruise to Cologne onboard Riviera Travel's new 169-passenger river ship MS Emily Bronte. Highlights of the itinerary include a day pass to Budapest's Szechenyi Spa, live Live classical quartet recital on board and a night in a four-star hotel in Cologne. Book by June 30, 2017. Phone 1800 507 777. See www.cruisetraveller.com.au.
MORE DEALS
MYCRUISES' exclusive 10-night fly/stay/cruise holiday with Blue Lagoon Cruises includes a seven-night cruise through Fiji's Mamanuca, Sacred and Yasawa islands and three nights pre-cruise at the new Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay. Accommodation upgrades and golf at Denarau Golf & Racquet Club are part of the package. From $3490 when booked by May 31. Phone 1300 692 784. See www.MyCruises.com.au.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN Explorer of the Seas' new six-night Sydney-Tasmania cruise is on sale from just $749, when booked by May 31. Departing on December 9, it spends a day each in Hobart and Melbourne; three sea days mean there's time to check out the recently revitalised megaship's vast array of activities, restaurants and bars. Phone 1800 754 500. See www.royalcaribbean.com.au.
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