Nature and history on the southern seas

Oceanic Discoverer, New Zealand’s premiere expedition-style luxury cruise series, has announced the 07/08 summer season list of guest lecturers, led by a distinguished Pacifica expert, a naturalist guide, and a leading conservation advocate.

With 5-night (Auckland/Paihia) and 12-night (Auckland/Milford Sound) cruises from December 2007 to March 2008, passengers are taken on a multi-sensory journey, exploring the historical and ecological significance of New Zealand’s rich coast that features glaciers, fiords, rugged mountains, subtropical forests and stunning native wildlife.

Massey University Professor Kerry Howe returns from Oceanic Discoverer’s highly successful 06/07 series. A 2007 Montana Book Award winner for Vaka Moana- Voyages of the Ancestors, Professor Howe will use his expertise in Pacific history, prehistory and cultures to guide guests in retracing Captain James Cook’s pre-European navigation of New Zealand. Points of interest include Pickersgill Harbour in Dusky Sound where Captain Cook set up an observatory, and the infamous Cannibal Cove in Queen Charlotte Sound.

Another returning lecturer is naturalist Damon Ramsey. An expert on New Zealand physical climate and landforms, seashore ecology, seabirds and marine mammals, Ramsey will guide guests to spot fur seals, sperm whales, Dusky Dolphins and Orcas at the marine mammal capital of New Zealand, Kaikoura. Damon amazed guests last year by identifying an average of 50 species of exotic and native birds on each cruise.

Joining this season’s cruise is Malcolm Anderson. A leader in sustainable tourism, Malcolm offers an interpretive experience, with stories behind New Zealand’s world-famous natural, cultural and historic heritage sites. Highlights include lectures on the North Island’s Tiri Tiri, one of only two Scientific Reserves in New Zealand, Fiordland, the country’s largest national park, and Milford Sound, the most scenic and dramatic of the fiords, featuring Stirling Falls and the highest sea cliff in the world, Mitre peak.

The two year old Oceanic Discoverer accommodates just 72 guests in 36 staterooms and has a cruising speed of 14 knots. The shallow draft of the 63m ship allows it to access isolated places beyond the reach of larger ships. This purpose-built, Eco-Certified expedition cruise ship offers the excursion vessel Xplorer, a fleet of inflatable Zodiacs, a large sundeck and spa pool, reference library, lecture lounge and a dive shop. Gourmet dining is complemented by selected premium Australian and New Zealand wines.

For more information, visit the website at Coralprincess.com.au.