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13 OR 15 NIGHT melanesia EXPEDITION:
noumea-rabaul & cairns-alotau-noumea

SAVE UP TO $6,495 PER COUPLE* Book your 13 night Melanesia Cruise aboard Oceanic Discoverer for 11 November 2012 and SAVE UP TO 25%*! Secure your place aboard this cruise of a lifetime today to avoid disappointment! OR SINGLE TRAVELERS CRUISE AT TWIN SHARE PRICE (no single supplement).

*Conditions: Offer is subject to availability and not combinable with any other discount. Valid for new bookings only made between 01 February and 31 July 2012. 15% saving (for first time travellers). 25% saving (for Coral Princess past guests). Prices are in Australian Dollars and quoted on Bridge Deck Stateroom. No single
supplement is valid for genuine single travellers only and is not combinable with 15/25% discount. Enquire for further details.

Seen a special advertised elsewhere but not on our website? Ask us if we can match it. We can usually do better!

Oceanic Discoverer’s Melanesia  expeditions will be the cruise experience of a lifetime. Join us on an adventure  combining New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea!

13 Nights noumea – rabaul itinerary

Departs: 5-18 March 2013

Day 1: New Caledonia – Noumea and Casey Island
Boarding commences at 9:00am for a 10:00am departure. Enjoy an afternoon of snorkelling or just relax on beautiful Casey Island. Tonight, join the Captain and crew for Welcome Aboard Cocktails.

Day 2: Lifou Island Tour
Lifou Island’s impressive beaches are amongst the best in the world, backed by sparkling lagoons and pine tree covered landscapes. Join the Expedition Leader on a walk to the churches and beautiful bays. Lifou is sensational for snorkelling with a panorama of sea-life unsullied by man.

Day 3: Vanuatu – Tanna Island Volcano
As we approach Tanna Island we see our first signs of volcanic activity; hot springs bubbling beneath the surface. Travel ashore and land on the black volcanic beach of Port Resolution. Join our Expedition Leader and naturalists on a drive, local style, through the forest and up the slopes of Mount Yasur to view this active volcano that still regularly spews rocks and ash.

Day 4: Pentecost Island and Ancient Rituals
Witness the famous land diving ceremony, the traditional forerunner to the modern day ‘bungee jump’ which local people believe will ensure a bountiful yam harvest the following year. You may have the opportunity to see sand drawing, a traditional form of art on the island.

Day 5: Champagne Beach and Rainforest
The jewel of Vanuatu. We enjoy the splendour of this magnificent beach and a relaxing day with fantastic swimming, opportunities to explore with our guides and Expedition Leader or an optional tour with the locals.

Day 6: Ureparapara Island and ‘Kastom’ Dancing
Imagine cruising into the cone of a volcano surrounded on three sides by 300m cliffs, Ureparapara is one of the most spectacular islands in Vanuatu. The only way to experience this island is by sea and visits from cruise ships are rare. Be entertained by the local people with dancing and join a guided walk to the top of the caldera.

Day 7: Solomon Islands – Nendo Island
Our welcome to the Solomon Islands, Nendo Island is an excellent location to view and purchase quality artefacts. We enjoy a cultural performance and an opportunity to snorkel.

Day 8: Santa Ana
The locals of Santa Ana, a small island southeast of San Cristobal, welcome us ashore with village warriors bearing swords and blowing on conch shell horns. Santa Ana is known for its bone fishhooks and imaginative fishing floats. Join the naturalist for a guided walk across the island, through shady forests where a myriad of colourful orchids grow.

Day 9: Mangalonga Island and Resort
This morning we anchor off picturesque Mangalonga and savour a full day of in-water activities. Join a snorkel, SCUBA dive or a glass bottom boat tour before travelling ashore to Maravagi Resort where there is time to explore on a nature walk.

Day 10: Arnavon Islands Marine Reserve
The Arnavon Islands are the only marine reserve in the Solomon Islands where, except for subsistence gathering, all marine life is protected and fishing is banned. The islands are home to endangered wildlife including the beautiful Hawksbill Turtle. Travel ashore to see how the conservation efforts are helping rejuvenate the island before enjoying snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours.

Day 11: Ghizo and Kennedy Island
Discover tiny Kennedy Island, named in honour of John F Kennedy who swam ashore with his crew after PT-109 was sunk by a Japanese destroyer in WWII. We explore the sandy beaches and snorkel or dive over the coral reef. In the afternoon, we visit the small provincial capital on Ghizo Island. Wander through the open air markets, showcasing crafts by the legendary wood carvers.

Day 12: Buka Island and Bougainville
Travelling in the wake of 18th century French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville we sail the coast of Bougainville Island and embark on an expedition at the island of Buka.

Day 13: Lamassa ‘Ogres’ and Lambon Island
This morning we board Xplorer and make our way ashore at Lamassa for an unforgettable experience. We are greeted by spear-wielding ogres, an enactment of the greeting of the first Europeans to set foot on this land. Later we explore Lambon Island and its jungle clad beach. Keep an eye out for the island’s bright green skinks and beautiful Barringtonia flowers. The island offers fantastic opportunities for swimming, snorkelling and SCUBA diving.

Day 14: Rabaul and Farewell
We enter magnificent Simpson Harbour early in the morning, passing the striking islands known as the Beehives. Our arrival in Rabaul at 8:00am marks the end of our voyage. If time permits, you may wish to take the opportunity to explore the ‘ghost town’ of Rabaul that lies under volcanic ash deposited when Mt Tavurvur erupted in 1994.

13 Nights Rabaul to Noumea Itinerary

Departs: 11-24 November 2012

SPECIAL OFFER: 15% off for first time travellers, 25% off for past guests and no single supplement! *Enquire on Freecall 1800 677 830 for terms & conditions, valid for new bookings only from 30th April 2012.

Day 1: Rabaul, Duke of York Island and Captain’s Welcome
Board Oceanic Discoverer at 2:00pm for a 3:00pm departure. We are surrounded by a backdrop of six towering volcanoes as we meet our fellow travellers. Later, join the Expedition Leader and local guide to visit the nesting ground of the megapodes, a native bird known for their amazing nests. This evening we join the Captain and his crew and enjoy Welcome Cocktails as the sun sets over the Duke of York Island.

Day 2: Lamassa ‘Ogres’ and Lambon Island
This morning we board Xplorer and make our way ashore at Lamassa for an unforgettable experience. We are greeted by spear-wielding ogres, an enactment of the greeting of the first Europeans to set foot on this land. Later, exploreLambonIsland and its perfect white, sandy jungle-clad beach. Keep an eye out for the island’s bright green skinks and beautiful Barringtonia flowers. The island offers fantastic opportunities for swimming, snorkelling and SCUBA diving.

Day 3: Buka Island and Bougainville
Travelling in the wake of 18th century French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville we sail the Coast of Bougainville Island and embark on an expedition at theisland ofBuka.

Day 4: Gizo Markets and Kennedy Island
This morning we visit Gizo, the small provincial capital ofGhizoIsland. Explore the open air markets, replete with artefacts and wood carvings or join a hike to the lookout for panoramic views across the lagoon and islands. Keen birdwatchers should keep an eye out for the white-bellied graybird, whiskered tree swift or colourful lorikeets native to the remoteSolomon Islands. Later, we board the Xplorer and head ashore to tinyKennedyIsland, named in honour of John F Kennedy, who swam ashore to the island with his crew after his boat PT-109 was sunk by a Japanese destroyer during WWII.

Day 5: Arnavon Islands and Dart Sound
TheArnavonIslands are the only marine reserve in theSolomon Islands where, except for subsistence gathering, all marine life is protected and fishing is banned. The islands are now home to endangered wildlife including the beautiful Hawksbill Turtle. Travel ashore to see how the conservation efforts are helping to rejuvenate the island. This afternoon board the Xplorer for a cruise up Dart Sound to the remotevillage ofKia.

Day 6: Mangalonga Island and Resort
This morning we anchor off picturesque Mangalonga and savour a full day of in-water activities. Join a snorkel tour, SCUBA dive or glass bottom boat tour before travelling ashore to Maravagi Resort where there is time to explore on a nature walk.

Day 7: Santa Ana Island and Ancient Rainforests
The locals ofSanta Ana, a small island southeast ofSan Cristobal, welcome us ashore, their village warriors bearing swords and blowing on conch shell horns.Santa Ana is known for its bone fishhooks and imaginative fishing floats. We enjoy a cultural performance before joining the naturalist for a guided walk across the island, through shady rainforests where a myriad of colourful orchids grow. Alternatively you may choose to join our Dive Instructor to dive or snorkel the surrounding reef.

Day 8: Nendo Island and Snorkelling
NendoIsland is our final port of call in theSolomon Islands and an excellent location to view and purchase quality handmade Melanesian artefacts. This afternoon we enjoy cultural performances and another opportunity to snorkel over the pristine coral reefs.

Day 9: Vanuatu and Ureparapara Island
Welcome to the tropical archipelago ofVanuatu, fondly known as the ‘HappyIslands’. This morning enjoy an unforgettable highlight of the expedition as we cruise into the cone of a volcano surrounded on three sides by 300 metre cliffs. This is Ureparapara, one of the most spectacular islands inVanuatu. The only way to experience this island is by sea, and visits from cruise ships are rare. You will be entertained by the local people with a ‘kastom’ dance and you may choose to join a guided walk to the top of the caldera.

Day 10: Champagne Beach and Espiritu Santo
ChampagneBeach is located on the largest island inVanuatu,Espiritu Santo. The beach is without doubt the jewel ofVanuatu and is a nature and water lover’s playground. Enjoy optional tours to the fabled ‘Blue Hole’, bush walking, in-water activities or simply relaxing on the white sands of this magnificent beach.

Day 11: Malakula Island and South West Bay
We land atSouthWestBay onMalakulaIsland, the second largest island inVanuatu. Malakula art and ritual objects are among the finest in the country and the island is famous for the complex ceremonies and rituals preserved by two of its remarkable tribes, the Big Nambas and the Small Nambas. We anchor at theMaskelyneIslands and enjoy the opportunity for snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours.

Day 12: Tanna Island Volcano
Today is a very special experience asTannaIsland is one of the only places in the world where you can safely stand on the rim of an active volcano. After anchoring in Port Resolution, named by Captain Cook in 1774 in honour of his ship HMS Resolution, we go ashore to a friendly welcome from the locals. Join our Expedition Leader and naturalists on a scenic drive through the rainforest and up the slopes ofMountYasur. Admire the fantastic views of this active volcano which still regularly spews sparks, rocks and ash.

Day 13: Lifou Island Tour – New Caledonia
Lifou Island’s impressive beaches are amongst the best in the world, backed by sparkling lagoons and pine tree covered landscapes. Join the Expedition Leader on a walk to the churches and beautiful bays. Lifou is sensational for snorkelling with a panorama of sea-life unsullied by man. This evening enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Cocktails.

Day 14: Noumea – New Caledonia
This morning we arrive inNoumea, the French-inspired capital ofNew Caledonia at 8.00am.

This itinerary is an indication of the destinations we visit and activities on offer. Whilst every effort will be made to follow this itinerary we do reserve the right to vary this itinerary to make allowances for weather, tidal conditions and any other reason whatsoever.