PACIFIC ISLANDS: NEW CALEDONIA, VANUATU, SOLOMON ISLANDS

The South Pacific is the stuff of many travel fantasies – the colourful and cultural islands of are some of the most idyllic on earth. Imagine sugary, white beaches; swaying palm trees; diving or snorkelling amongst multicoloured shoals; and encounters with the locals on wildly beautiful islands. Do it all and more on this luxury expedition voyage to New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands. You’ll enjoy sailing in comfort and style across the vast expanses of the majestic ocean, cruising to deserted atolls, pristine lagoons and bustling ports. Keen photographers, underwater enthusiasts and World War II history buffs (to name but a few) will all enjoy our programme of ITINERARY carefully curated excursions. DAY 1, AUCKLAND Start your discovery of the adventurous, seamless luxury that expedition cruising with us brings. Today you’ll begin your voyage in New Zealand’s largest and most populous city, Auckland. It’s an unhurried, natural beauty with greenery in spades – parks, rainforests, rolling vineyards, and more. Its culture appeals to visitors too – the Auckland War Memorial Museum has an excellent collection, and a visit to a marae is a must. These sacred Maori meeting places are focal points of Maori communities throughout The Land of the Long White Cloud. Stylish locals extol the virtues of the Britomart Complex, should you wish to shop before you board.

DAY 2, AT SEA When Ferdinand Magellan crossed the world’s largest body of water some 500 years ago, he dubbed it Mar Pacífico, meaning “peaceful sea.” Cruise the Pacific Ocean as you depart from the north coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Perhaps attend an

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com onboard talk or simply take in the magnificent seascapes. legend has it that warriors of Tongan descendant from Lifou ruled the island before the arrival of missionaries and traders in DAY 3, NORFOLK ISLAND the 1840s. The French took possession in 1853, and it quickly Located roughly halfway between New Zealand and Australia, became a place to which political exiles were sent. Nowadays, tiny Norfolk Island is an outlying self- governing Australian L’Ile des Pins welcomes tourists to its idyllic shores. In the territory, where cows still have the right of way. Claimed by centre of the island, N’ga Peak offers breath-taking views. Kuto Captain James Cook for the British in 1774, the island was first and Kanumera Bays are remarkable for their marine life – and settled as a convict colony. In 1855, Queen Victoria sent the sheer gorgeousness. Don’t miss out on taking a dip in the descendants of The Bounty mutineers here. Today the natural seawater swimming pool, close to Oro Bay. combination of penal history and the association with one of the most famous naval mutinies in modern history attracts DAY 6, LIFOU ISLAND tourists to the isle. Many convict ruins and buildings can be Cruise into the Loyalty Island archipelago to spend time on an explored, and there are four museums which recount the lives island idyll with boats-loads of personality. Thought to be New and hardships of the early inhabitants. Visitors also enjoy the Caledonia’s prettiest place, Lifou is the largest of these three island’s peace, quiet, rugged scenery, towering pines and coral islands and equivalent in size to Martinique. Think crowd-free, reef-protected beaches. sheltered bays; clifftop views; sugary, secluded beaches; and limestone caves. Enjoy hiking in the bush, colourful fish-spotting DAY 4, AT SEA amongst the coral or, for something a little more sedate, As you sail from Norfolk Island to New Caledonia, spend the shopping for souvenirs in the open-air market. The local day at sea savouring the ship’s facilities and learning about Melanesian people live here in harmony with nature – travellers your next destination from the knowledgeable onboard team of enjoy learning about the native culture that abounds on Lifou experts. Indulge in a relaxing treatment at the spa, work out in with a visit to a traditional hut. Other recommended activities the well-equipped gym, enjoy some down-time in your cabin, include touring vanilla plantations, seeing the Jokin Cliffs or get to know new friends: the options are numerous. Notre Dame de Lourdes church, and feeling the sand between your toes on Luengoni Beach. DAY 5, ILS DE PINS Today you’ll start to explore New Caledonia. Located 110 DAY 7, PORT VILA kilometres southeast of the capital Noumea, L’Ile des Pins (Isle Port Vila – or ‘Vila’ as it’s known to the locals – is Vanuatu’s of Pines) was named as such by Captain Cook on his second capital. It can be found set around a pretty bay on the island of voyage around the South Pacific in 1774. The southernmost of Efate. The site occupied by Vila has been occupied by the New Caledonia islands, it’s an unparalleled paradise of Melanesian people for thousands of years. In 2004, at a local white- sand coves, cerulean sea and tropical vegetation. Known archaeological dig, pieces of ceramics dating to the 13th as Kunié to the Melanesians (residents are called Kuniés), century BCE were unearthed. The Portuguese were the

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Europeans to arrive in the early 1600s, but it was the British which you’ve seen in Vila, for example. The effects of climate and especially the French who held sway in these parts. It’s an change and rising sea levels can be seen on many islands in energetic place that is more down- to-earth than Noumea – Vanuatu. Though gorgeous and tropical, the impact that climate visitors love the totem poles, souvenir-packed Mama’s Market – change has had on the Tegua atoll is hard to ignore. It’s a colourful, covered, outdoor market – and waterfront cafes and sobering to be sure, but it’s also so important to learn about bars. Recommended experiences include the National Museum and to see for yourself. of Vanuatu, the Ekasup Cultural Village and the Summit Viewpoint. DAY 10, AT SEA As you cruise from Vanuatu to the Solomon Islands, enjoy a full DAY 8, AMBRYM ISLAND & day indulging in the amenities of your ship. You might find your Lush, mountainous Pentecost Island is one of the 83 islands inner calm practising some yoga. Listen to an informative talk. that make up Vanuatu. Nearly 120 miles north of Port Vila, Lounge on the deck and enjoy a cocktail from the bar. Tonight Pentecost is known for the ceremony of land diving. Famed as after a delicious dinner in the restaurant, settle in for some light the origin of bungee jumping, land diving first became known to entertainment and a nightcap before heading to your the broader world when and a BBC film comfortable cabin. crew recorded footage of the ritual during the 1950s. It then aired as part of The People of Paradise documentary series. The DAY 11, SANTA ANA ISLAND death-defying tradition occurs in the southern part of the island, The Solomon Islands are known as the South Pacific’s best-kept from April to June when boys and men leap off towers of up to secret. As part of the Coral Triangle of the western Pacific, the 100-feet high with only vines wrapped around their ankles. Solomon Islands boast some of the most thrilling diving and Land diving is associated with the yam harvest – one year’s snorkelling sites in the world. The water is warm, clear and full all-important yield depends on the courage of the previous of beautiful fish and marine mammals. The Solomons are also year’s divers. This leap of faith is seen as a rite of passage for renowned for their authenticity – both the people and the island’s young men. Visitors to Pentecost who witnessed the landscapes are genuinely lovely, as you’ll discover today when ceremony include Queen Elizabeth II in 1974 and Pope John you visit Santa Ana (or Owaraha or Owa Raha), which is located Paul II in 1986. in the Makira- Ulawa Province. It’s a place seemingly out of time where the islanders live in a (relatively) traditional way. See DAY 9, TEGUA ISLAND some customs today and meet community members. Today you’ll visit Tegua island, a half-moon-shaped speck of land less than four miles long and 10 miles wide. It’s one of five DAY 12, AT SEA coral atolls in the Torres Group – you’ve travelled 650 miles Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your north from Efate. Visitors to Tegua are few and far between; life ship. Marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing is lived here at a slower pace and in a different way to that facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and II – have forced Rabaul to rise from the ashes more than once. enjoy the opportunity to rest. Most recently in 1994, when nearby Mount Tavurvur erupted, demolishing much of the town. Rabaul’s spirit wasn’t destroyed DAY 13, PAVUVU ISLAND and thanks to its impressive harbour, buzzing markets and Step even further off the beaten track today on Pavuvu, the fascinating wartime past, it’s a genuinely exciting place to visit. largest of the Russell Islands in Central Province, Solomon There’s an observatory in the town’s centre, which monitors the Islands. Located northwest of Guadalcanal, this island was once country’s two volcanic arcs, and a small museum located in known for its coconuts, but, come 1941, coconut farming was what was a Japanese bunker. abandoned as the Imperial Japanese Navy swept over the Solomon Islands. A Japanese garrison was established on the Please Note: island. After the United States captured Guadalcanal, they were Itineraries are subject to change. able to use the airfield to bomb out the Japanese strongholds on nearby islands, Pavuvu included. The island then served as a temporary home to the U.S. 1st Marine Division. Learn about all this and more as you delve deep into the island’s fascinating history with your expert guide.

DAY 14, NJARI ISLAND They say good things come in small packages. Njari is a tiny island located between the Wilson Strait and Vella Gulf in the Solomon Islands’ north region. An idyllic speck in the ocean, it’s almost entirely covered in trees. There's hardly any infrastructure to speak of so the coves and bays remain unspoiled, day trippers enjoy the seclusion, beauty, and opportunity to swim and snorkel in these beautiful waters.

DAY 15 - DAY 16, RABAUL Today is the last day of your luxury expedition cruise around the islands of Oceania. Your final destination is the former capital of New Britain, Rabaul. Its location in Papua New Guinea’s northeastern tip is extraordinary, sited inside the flooded caldera of an enormous volcano. The town’s proximity to these volatile mountains – plus aerial bombardment during World War

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com YOUR SHIP: MINERVA

YOUR SHIP: Minerva >Your Wellbeing The safety & happiness of the guests is paramount to the VESSEL TYPE: 120-strong crew on board as well as the passionate expedition LENGTH: team who'll be serving up thrilling shore excursions and lasting PASSENGER CAPACITY: memories. Cabin Types BUILT/REFURBISHED: The 76 cabins including 6 suites have all the amenities you will need to feel comfortable including dressing gowns, hairdryers, personal safes and minibars. The stylish cabins all have desks, The 5 star elegant Scandi-design boutique ship offers you an a dressing area and comfy seating. En suite bathrooms all intimate setting from which you will be fully immersed in all the feature glass-enclosed rain showers. sights and scenery of your voyage. Introducing SH Minerva Minerva has been designed to journey to off the beaten path destinations and remote polar regions in style and comfort. The ship incorporates a PC5 ice-strengthened hull combined with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as smooth as possible. Sophisticated Elegance We know how important outdoor space is, so our spacious, relaxing public spaces provide wide open, unobstructed views throughout the ship. The destination will always be in view.

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Balcony. From Oceanview

Premium Suite Suite

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25-Mar-2022 to 09-Apr-2022 Balcony. From £7569 GBP pp Suite £9875 GBP pp Premium Suite £11315 GBP pp Oceanview £6869 GBP pp

01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com