THREE INAUGURAL VOYAGES ABOARD THE NEW NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC ITINERARIES & SHIP DETAILS | 2014 TM Dear Traveler, On March 21, 2014 we begin a new chapter in our explorations. We have acquired a new expedition ship: the 102-guest Orion (soon to be christened National Geographic Orion.) I know you will like her very much as she is extremely comfortable and gracious. She is also outfitted to take full advantage of outdoor living—with fantastic exterior space. Breakfast or lunch on deck?—our pleasure! Orion will open up a vast new geography for us—the whole South Pacific—of great interest to many of you, as you’ve told us. We have been working diligently on her routing but I am excited to share news of the 3 special inaugural sailings described in these pages. This acquisition of Orion, a ship synonymous with Australia, by an American company is proving to be newsworthy. And because there is little question that these will sell out, we encourage you to act decisively to secure your choice of itinerary, and cabin. Our expedition specialists are ready to answer your questions about our extraordinary new ship, and the marvelous geographies explored in her 3 itineraries. And please note, if you want to steep in the pristine South Pacific, you can choose to take 2 or more voyages back-to-back and deduct 10%. The Orion will be equipped with a full roster of exploration tools, including kayaks and a state-of- the-art ROV, plus full snorkeling gear for all, and a SCUBA program that can accommodate up to 24 divers at a time. The staff makeup will resemble the National Geographic Explorer, including a National Geographic photographer on all departures. Orion is another excellent platform for our immersive expedition style, and you will feel at home. We’re extremely excited by all the possibilities, and look forward to sharing them with you aboard Orion, as she joins the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet. I hope you choose to share this exciting new beginning with us as we discover the many facets of the Pacific. All the best, Sven Lindblad P.S. One final note: I know these itineraries require quite long flights, seldom a pleasant prospect, but the rewards will surprise and delight you—remarkable expeditions into unusual cultures, beautiful islands and some of the world’s finest snorkeling and diving. Ship’s registry: Bahamas The soon-to-be christened National Geographic Orion in the South Pacific. EXPLORIng PAPUA NEW GUINEA & THE ISLANDS OF VANUATU & THE SOLOMOns 25 DAYS/22 NIGHTS—AboARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION DEPARTURE: March 19, 2014 PRICES FROM: $25,390 to $52,400 (See page 9 for complete prices.) Board National Geographic Orion in Auckland, New Zealand and Top: Diving, the Great Barrier Reef, embark on an epic voyage in the wake of Captain Cook. Delve into a Australia; Above: Dancer in the Trobriand fascinating history of intrepid explorers, convicts, headhunters, and Islands, Papua New Guinea. traders as we explore Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, and the Torres Strait. In Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, don your snorkel and fins to discover incredible coral reefs and lagoons, revisit World War II history, and get to know vibrant island cultures. Cap off the journey snorkeling or diving Australia’s crown jewel: the Great Barrier Reef. EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS ϐ Experience the rich cultures of Melanesia—Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands & Papua New Guinea—in one comprehensive voyage. ϐ World-class beaches, snorkeling and diving experiences, including three days exploring the Great Barrier Reef. ϐ Discover remote islands such as Norfolk Island, a UNESCO site, and Kennedy Island, site of JFK’s PT-109 rescue. ϐ Witness an impressive diversity of cultures, see traditional communities & some of the best places in the world to collect “tribal” or “primitive” art. 2 1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348) 2014 INAUGURAL | MARCH MAR. 19-21: U.S./AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND/EMBARK PAPUA NEW Depart for Auckland, cross the Interna- GUINEA Kitava, Trobriand Kennedy Is. SOLOMON ISLANDS Islands Honiara PACIFIC OCEAN tional Date Line, and relax in your hotel Torres Marovo Lagoon Santa Ana day room before embarking our ship. (D) Strait Isls. Samarai Is. Torres Isls. Lizard Is. Espiritu Great Barrier Reef Santo MAR. 22: BAY OF ISLANDS VANUATU Malakula Cairns Coral Sea Go ashore via Zodiac to Russell, rich Port Vila Tanna Island in Maori history. See the carved Maori AUSTRALIA meeting house and ceremonial war canoes. (B,L,D) THE TROPIC OF CAPRICORN MAR. 23-24: AT SEA/NORFOLK ISLAND, Norfolk Island AUSTRALIA A day at sea takes us to Norfolk Island, a UNESCO site and former British penal colony. Bay of Islands Auckland Tasman Sea Explore the ruins, swim, or hike. (B,L,D) NEW ZEALAND MAR. 25-30: AT SEA/VANUATU A day at sea brings us to Vanuatu, an islands. Villagers on Santa Ana perform APR. 7-8: AT SEA/THURSDAY ISLAND archipelago of more than 80 islands that a stunning dance with spears and mud- & TORRES STRAIT, AUSTRALIA was once home to fierce warriors, among covered face masks. This region was a Enter the Great Barrier Reef, one of the them cannibals. On Tanna Island we hike strategic WWII battleground and we visit natural wonders of the world. Snorkel to the rim of Mt. Yasur, an active volcano Honiara, a former U.S. supply depot, and and dive the reef, starting in the Torres with an eerie red glow at its cone. Wander Kennedy Island, named after President Strait, stopping at Thursday Island, the sleepy capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila. John F. Kennedy who swam ashore here formerly a hub of the pearl industry. Explore the massive Fels Cave, with its after the Japanese sank his PT-109 (B,L,D) thousand-year-old petroglyphs. Land at patrol boat. We meet the wood carvers ancient ceremonial grounds on Malakula and see an elaborate spirit dance. of Marovo, reported to be the best in APR. 9-10 LIZARD ISLAND, THE GREAT the Pacific, and explore isolated Marovo BARRIER REEF Swim, snorkel and kayak at Paradise Lagoon, a proposed UNESCO site and an Spend a day snorkeling or diving among Lagoon on Espiritu Santo. See the rem- exceptional spot for swimming, snorkel- forests of corals that encircle Lizard nants of WWII on the island of Luganville, ing, kayaking, and diving. (B,L,D) Island National Park. Wander on white- and snorkel Million Dollar Point, where sand beaches, learn about the islands’ hundreds of tons of U.S. military APR. 4-6: PAPUA NEW GUINEA significance to the Dingaal people, and equipment were dumped after the war; Papua New Guinea is a patchwork of hike up to “Cook’s Look,” where Captain divers may descend on the troop carrier mountains and jungle, home to some Cook plotted his route through the reefs. Calvin Coolidge—one of the world’s 700 Papuan and Melanesian tribes, Then sail to a remote section of the reef best wreck dives. Spend a day exploring each with its own language. On Kitava and discover a thrilling array of marine the northernmost group of islands in in the Trobriands hundreds of villagers life. (B,L,D) Vanuatu, remote and seldom visited. The gather to celebrate with great festivi- South Pacific is an ever-flowing feast for ties, dancing, singing and chanting. APR. 11-12: CAIRNS/DISEMBARK/ the senses! (B,L,D) Photographers will vie to capture the OVERNIGHT HOTEL/U.S. many beautiful faces. Samarai will be a Disembark in Cairns located in far MAR. 31-APR. 3: SOLOMON ISLANDS new call for Lindblad; it’s an island with northwestern Queensland. Explore its Settled as early as 25,000 BC by skull- a fascinating history of colonialism, mis- vibrant tropical setting and spend the worshipping tribes, today the friendly sionaries and headhunters. Throughout night at a lovely seaside hotel before Solomons remain some of the least- we’ll swim, snorkel, and beachcomb flights home. (B) visited, most dive-worthy South Pacific amid idyllic tropical scenery. (B,L,D) WWW.EXPEDITIONS.COM 3 THE GREAT BARRIER REEF, PAPUA NEW GUINEA & MICRONESIA 22 DAYS/19 NIGHTS—AboARD NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ORION DEPARTURE: April 9, 2014 PRICES FROM: $19,990 to $41,500 (See page 9 for complete prices.) Immerse yourself in some of the most pristine marine habitats on the planet on a voyage aboard the new National Geographic Orion. Experience the biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef and snorkel among hundreds of surreal, stingless jellyfish in Palau. Encounter the vestiges of World War II battles in Papua New Guinea and Micronesia, and get acquainted with the rich and diverse cultures of the South Pacific. Top: Children wearing traditional costumes to a school in the Trobriand EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS Islands, Papua New Guinea. ϐ Traveling aboard the new National Geographic Orion, snorkel or dive Above: Volcano above Rabaul. amid an astonishing world of corals and marine life off Lizard Island National Park on the Great Barrier Reef. ϐ Witness a swirl of flowers, feathers, and colorful woven grasses at a festive traditional dance performance on the island of Kitava, Papua New Guinea. ϐ Discover World War II cave systems, torpedoes, and shipwrecks in the tropical paradise of Chuuk, Micronesia. ϐ Experience age-old traditions untainted by time as we explore the intriguing islands of Micronesia’s Yap State. 4 1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348) 2014 INAUGURAL | APRIL APR. 9-11: U.S./CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA/ APR. 20-23: AT SEA/CHUUK STATE, Yap Is. FED. StatES OF EMBARK FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA Satawal MICRONESIA Sorol Ifalik Pulap Chuuk Depart for Cairns, cross the Interna- (FSM) PALAU Atoll tional Date Line, and board National We set our sights north, and sail to Geographic Orion on arrival.