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

	2010: 13nts		2010: 15nts
	Twin share	Sole use	Twin share	Sole use
Main Deck B	$10,500 pp	On application	$10,900 pp	On application
Main Deck A	$10,950 pp	On application	$11,350 pp	On application
Promenade Deck B	$11,500 pp	On application	$11,900 pp
Promenade Deck A	$11,950 pp	On application	$12,350 pp
Bridge	$12,500 pp	NA	$12,900 pp	NA
INCLUSIONS: Accommodation on board; services of expedition staff including lectures, briefings, slide/film presentations, and other group activities; group transfers during the cruise; all meals; 24 hours tea/coffee station; landing fees.

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 

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 Alotau to Noumea
15 Nights Cairns to Alotau to Noumea

Day 1: Papua New Guinea - Alotau
Boarding commences at 2:00pm for a 3:00pm departure. Time to relax, settle in and explore Oceanic Discoverer before joining the Captain and his crew at the Captain's Welcome Cocktails.

Day 2: Egum Atoll and Yanaba Island
Prepare for an unforgettable experience as we discover spectacular Egum Atoll and Yanaba Island and enjoy our first opportunities for snorkelling over the reef, SCUBA diving and glass bottom boat tours.

Day 3: Laughlan Islands and Bodaluna
Laughlan Islanders specialise in canoe building, and in this very remote corner of Papua New Guinea we find seagoing canoes under construction. The friendly villagers of Bodaluna welcome us as our Guest Lecturer and naturalists explain the islander's participation in the Kula Ring of trading.

Day 4: Solomon Islands - Kennedy Island - Christmas Day
This morning we cross in to the exotic Solomon Islands before heading ashore to tiny Kennedy Island, named in honour of John F Kennedy who swam ashore with his crew after his boat PT-109 was sunk by a Japanese destroyer during WWII. Returning to Oceanic Discoverer we sit down to a traditional Christmas lunch and festivities. Later, we board the Xplorer for a relaxing cruise to explore the nearby islands.

Day 5: Arnavon Islands and Dart Sound
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. 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 remote village of Kia.

Day 6: Mangalonga Island and Resort
This morning we anchor off picturesque Mangalonga. 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 of Santa Ana, a small island southeast of San Cristobal, welcome us ashore. Santa Ana is known for its bone fishhooks and imaginative fishing floats. We enjoy a guided walk across the island, through shady rainforests where a myriad of colourful orchids grow.

Day 8: Nendo Island and Snorkelling
Nendo Island is our final port of call in the Solomon Islands. This afternoon we enjoy cultural performances and another opportunity to snorkel over the pristine coral reefs.

Day 9: Vanuatu - Ureparapara Island
Welcome to the tropical archipelago of Vanuatu. 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 in Vanuatu. The only way to experience this island is by sea, and visits from cruise ships are rare. You will be entertained by the locals with a 'kastom' dance and you may join a guided walk to the top of the caldera.

Day 10: Champagne Beach and Espiritu Santo
Champagne Beach is without doubt the jewel of Vanuatu and is a nature and water lover's playground. Enjoy optional tours to the fabled 'Blue Hole', in-water activities or relaxing on the white sands of this magnificent beach. This evening, enjoy our New Year's Eve festivities as we celebrate the dawn of 2011 in style.

Day 11: Malakula Island and South West Bay
We land at South West Bay on Malakula Island, famous for the complex ceremonies and rituals preserved by two of its remarkable tribes, the Big Nambas and the Small Nambas. At the Maskelyne Islands enjoy snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours.

Day 12: Tanna Island Volcano
Today is a very special experience as Tanna Island is one of the only places in the world where you can safely stand on the rim of an active volcano. Join our Expedition Leader on a scenic drive through the rainforest and up the slopes of Mount Yasur, admiring the fantastic views of this active volcano.

Day 13: New Caledonia - Lifou Island Tour
At Lifou Island 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: Arrive Noumea
This morning we arrive in Noumea, the French-inspired capital of New Caledonia at 8:00am.

Optional 2 Night Cairns to Alotau Extension

Join Oceanic Discoverer in Cairns two days earlier and cruise the Coral Sea, China Strait and Milne Bay before arriving in Alotau.

Day 1: Australia - Depart Cairns
Board at 12:00 noon for a 1:30pm departure. This evening enjoy a sunset drink before sitting down to the first of many delicious meals.

Day 2: At Sea
Having passed through the Great Barrier Reef, we cruise northeast towards the China Strait. This evening, join our Guest Lecturer for an informative presentation on Papua New Guinea, its rich culture and fascinating history.

Day 3: Papua New Guinea - Alotau
Our first Papua New Guinea landfall - Alotau. Our Guest Lecturers will interpret the traditional welcome dances prior to leading us on a tour of the town. This evening we join the Captain and his crew at the Captain's Welcome Cocktails.

***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.