Small Ship Expedition Cruising

The Next Big Thing Down Under Says Bridge & Wickers

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. October 14, 2008

LONDON, UK, January 18, 2006. As the brand new luxury expedition vessel, Oceanic Princess sets sails for the first time along New Zealand's coastline from bottom to top, Bridge & Wickers (Tel 020 7483 6555 www.bridgeandwickers.co.uk ), the tailor made specialist for Down Under, gears up to introduce this and a whole host of other exciting expedition voyages to satisfy this new demand from discerning British cruise-goers. The new 2006 Bridge & Wickers brochure of carefully crafted itineraries and mini trips launches on 20th January.

Although a million Brits a year choose cruising, Australia and New Zealand have not been considered obvious sailing grounds. Think again - since it is now possible to visit the remote coastline, river valleys and islands of the Kimberley, the islands of the Great Barrier Reef and the entire coastline of New Zealand, from the Bay of Islands in the North to the deep fjord inlets and sounds of the South. Perfect for the discerning traveller, these are all destinations that have been rarely visited by cruise ships. Other options include luxury sailing yachts in French Polynesia and the fascinating mail boat journey to the Marquesas.

Sample holidays on offer in the forthcoming 2006 brochure include:

NEW ZEALAND TOP TO TOE

Why settle for anything less than the region's newest vessel, launched just a few weeks ago, the Oceanic Princess - and the new benchmark for luxury expedition cruising in the Australasia Pacific region? Travel from Auckland in the north, aptly named City of Sails, following the east coast of both the North and South Islands. Expect outrageous scenery: spouting geysers, bubbling thermal pools, fjords, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, rivers and sweeping stretches of glorious beaches - forever protected within 14 national parks. The ship, with 76 guests, is small enough to enable access to sites beyond the reach of many of the larger vessels, yet is complete with a fleet of zodiacs and a glass-bottom coral viewer.

Price: lb2,975 per person including 12 nights. 2006 departures: 13 January, 7 February, 4 March.

THE KIMBERLEY - SAILING TO THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK

Another new route aboard the Oceanic Princess, sailing to the Australian Outback along The Kimberley, known as the last wilderness. In the north west of Australia, The Kimberley takes its name from the 400,000 sq kms of mountain range visible from the rugged sea coast. The ship travels from Broome, the exotic capital of The Kimberley, to Darwin, with the first departure on 5 May 2006. Discover towering rock ridges, secluded gorges, savannah plains and waterfalls that seem to defy nature.

Fortnightly (approx) departures from 05 May - 18 September.

Price lb2,975 per person including 10 nights.

THE SOUTH SEAS

Take a great adventure in the South Pacific, travelling aboard the working cargo ship Aranui during its 15-day round trip voyages from Papeete to the remote and spectacular Marquesas, where Gauguin went in search of dusky maidens when he tired of Tahiti. The mail boat ship is a lifeline for the islanders who all come to meet each arrival of the boat.

Price: a nine-night package costs from lb2,054 per person, based on two sharing, including a one-week voyage with all meals, pre and post cruise nights at the Keikahanui Nuku Hiva Pearl Lodge, flights from Tahiti to the Marquesas and transfers on Nuku Hiva. Departs every third Saturday from 2nd February.

For further information on cruising Down Under contact

Bridge & Wickers

Tel 020 7483 6555

www.bridgeandwickers.co.uk