We invite your guests to unwind and enjoy the adventure of an expedition voyage during the holiday season. From cruising the Bulu River spotting rare wildlife or uncovering ancient histories in the South Pacific, snorkelling in Tufi – Papua New Guinea or being immersed into the culture and flavour of New Zealand’s East Coast, even watching a Yacht Race from Sydney Harbour. Your guests can embark on a memorable voyage to celebrate the Christmas season on one of our expeditions departing December 2022 and 2023.
FEATURED CHRISTMAS VOYAGES
Broome to Singapore | 17 Nights Departs 13 December 2022 This voyage combines cultural insights, wildlife encounters and untouched natural habitats in one of the world’s last rainforest frontiers. We’ll pay visit to remote communities, spot endemic wildlife at Tanjung Puting National Park and interact with locals and join hands with locals in the traditional Lego-Lego dance of the Abui tribe at Lataful Village. Experience an unforgettable Christmas exploring the tropical landscape and diverse wildlife of Kumai’s Bulu River and return to the ship for a celebratory dinner.
Cairns to Auckland | 21 Nights Departs 16 December 2022 Our inaugural expeditionary voyage to the remote islands of Wallis and Futuna will see us sail some 2,000 nautical miles into the South Pacific. Follow in the footsteps of explorers from centuries past. Sample a kava drink, visit a traditional thatched fale house and marvel at imposing Catholic Cathedrals. Celebrate Christmas and the New Year at sea before continuing onwards to Niue, one of the world’s largest coral atolls. After crossing the International Date Line, we will disembark in Auckland.
Sydney to Hobart | 6 Nights Departs 26 December 2022 This voyage celebrates nautical tradition that is the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. We’ll soak in the excitement and watch the fleet sail past with commentary from onboard Special Guest Lecturer Sue Crafer. Sailing the south coast and Bass Strait with the trailing fleet, we’ll continue on to explore the Tasmanian coast guided shore excursions to Tasmania’s National Parks. Scheduled to arrive in Hobart on New Year’s Eve, your guests will enjoy the buzz of the race and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Between Cairns & Madang | 12 Nights Departs 17 & 29 December 2023 This is an opportunity to immerse into the wild and rugged scenery of Papua New Guinea that is rarely seen and mostly inaccessible by land. Uncovering little-visited islands, volcanic mountains and pristine rainforest wilderness. On expedition, we’ll sail past the volcanic Kadovar Islands and venture up the mighty Sepik River to see riverfront village life little changed in hundreds of years. Guests will snorkel, swim or dive at the Fly Islands and visit the unique Bubbling Springs Reef at Dobu.
Auckland to Milford Sound | 12 Nights Departs 23 December 2023 Your guests will experience vibrant Māori culture and discover wildlife thriving in their natural habitats on this voyage. From the pastoral wine country of Hawke’s Bay which gives way to the wild coastlines of the South Island, our journey continues to the deep and quiet fiords of Murihiku. Your guests will enjoy access to remote and difficult-to-reach wilderness areas within the Marlborough Sounds and Fiordland and visit sheltered coves and islands to find fur seals, kakapos, and pods of friendly dolphins.
Sydney to Hobart | 7 Nights Departs 26 December 2023 This voyage celebrates nautical tradition that is the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. We’ll soak in the excitement and watch the fleet sail past with commentary from onboard Special Guest Lecturer Sue Crafer. Sailing the south coast and Bass Strait with the trailing fleet, we’ll continue on to explore the Tasmanian coast guided shore excursions to Tasmania’s National Parks. Scheduled to arrive in Hobart on New Year’s Eve, your guests will enjoy the buzz of the race and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
EXPEDITION LOG: A LOOK BACK AT CHRISTMAS WITH A KING
Spice Islands Expedition, 2019 ‘Now it was time for Christmas Brunch where the King of Saparua and his entourage joined us. The King of Saparua and several of his entourage wore beautiful feather headdresses. The combination of crew in Santa hats or reindeer ears, and entourage traditional headgear was fascinating. In the afternoon, after a day of activities we arrived back onboard to prepare ourselves for Christmas dinner. Pre-dinner drinks on the Vista Deck were followed by a waistband-stretching meal that included all the Christmas ingredients including Christmas pudding. For those still able to walk (or waddle) a screening of the BBC series Wild Indonesia was shown in the Bridge Deck Lounge.’
Nicola is the Managing Director of Micro-Cruising. Small ships great trips. Micro-Cruising sells trips on ships of 100 passengers or fewer. We are the specialists in small ships with over 700 vessels worldwide.
