Tauck Sets Sail for New Guinea in October 2007

Are you always looking for a new cruise destination? If so, how about sailing to New Guinea in 2007 with Tauck World Discovery? This exotic island in the South Pacific has much to offer -- diverse native tribes, World War II historical sites, and great diving and snorkeling. Tauck worked two years to develop this cruise tour adventure. One of the most appealing parts of the New Guinea cruise tour is the opportunity to sail on the small luxury expedition yacht Orion.

Photo Courtesy of Tauck World Discovery

Tauck Sets Sail for New Guinea in October 2007
15-Day Journey Includes 11-Night Cruise Aboard Luxury Expedition Vessel, M.Y. Orion

NORWALK, CT (October 16, 2006) Tauck World Discovery, renowned for going deep into a destination to reveal its cultural and natural wonders to guests, is adding an extraordinary South Pacific gem to its portfolio for 2007. The Connecticut-based tour, cruise and safari operator will offer its first-ever packages to New Guinea in October of next year. The 15-day itinerary (from $8,490 per person, plus air) includes a two-night pre-stay at a five-star beachfront resort in Australia and a one-night post-stay in Cairns.

The centerpiece of the itinerary, however, is an 11-night exploration of New Guinea onboard the luxury expedition vessel M.Y. Orion, according to Tauck President/CEO Robin Tauck. "I sailed in New Guinea aboard the Orion as we were putting the finishing touches on our itinerary earlier this year, and it was an incredible, unforgettable experience," said Tauck. "I've been traveling all my life, but my trip to New Guinea was like no other travel experience I've had before. The cultural history of centuries-old native tribes, set against the frequent physical reminders of fierce World War II battles, and all within the context of a truly luxurious cruise ship and an idyllic tropical paradise, made for an exhilarating and intoxicating journey."

Set in the South Pacific Ocean northeast of Australia, New Guinea is composed of some 600 separate islands. It is home to nearly a thousand different tribal groups, many living much as they have for centuries, and many with their own distinct language. New Guinea is also a natural wonderland, with coral reefs, fjord-studded coasts, rainforests, and some of the world's most picturesque beaches. Although it represents less than 1% of the world's total landmass, New Guinea contains more than 5% of the world's biodiversity and includes many species found nowhere else on the planet.

Two years in the making, Tauck's New Guinea adventure will provide an in-depth exposure to the archipelago's natural, cultural and historical makeup. Guests will meet native tribes in a variety of small villages. They'll snorkel in a crystal clear tropical lagoon - the final resting place of four Japanese "Zero" fighter planes downed during the Battle of the Coral Sea. They'll travel with local villagers in traditional outrigger canoes, and learn how the canoes are made using techniques passed down through generations. They'll witness a variety of traditional cultural performances. And they'll sail into pristine fjords and explore verdant rainforests where they might glimpse diminutive tree kangaroos or the Queen Alexandra's Birdwing - the world's largest butterfly, with a wingspan of one foot.

CRUISING ABOARD THE M.Y. ORION
After each day's explorations are complete, guests will return to the state-of-the-art Orion, the most elegant expeditionary cruise ship in her class. Purpose-built for expeditions and launched in 2003, the ship features luxury appointments, five-star service and accommodations for just 106 guests.

Guests can choose from 31 suites ranging from 220 to 345 square feet, or 22 staterooms from 175 to 210 square feet. Each features ocean views, marble bathroom, flat screen TV, DVD/CD player, refrigerator, complimentary bottled water, ESCADA toiletries, robes, and internet connectivity. Public areas aboard the Orion include the Constellation Restaurant, Outdoor Café, Leda Lounge, Galaxy Observation Lounge, Cosmos Lecture Theater and Vega Health Spa. The ship also carries 10 Zodiac landing craft for shore excursions, 10 sea kayaks, and a full assortment of snorkeling gear.

Tauck will be offering just two departures of this limited-edition cruise in 2007, on October 9th and 20th. The itinerary begins with a two-night stay in Port Douglas, Australia, where guests will travel by high-tech catamaran to go snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, and enjoy the amenities of the five-star Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort.

After boarding the Orion in Port Douglas, guests will enjoy a day at sea before arriving in New Guinea at Milne Bay. Other stops in the 11-night cruise include Deboyne Lagoon in the Louisade Archipelago, the Trobriand Islands, Cape Nelson, Madang, the Sepik River and Rabaul. Guests will fly from Rabaul to Cairns where they'll be hosted at a farewell dinner and spend a relaxing final night at the Hilton Cairns, before flying home from Cairns International Airport the following morning.

Included in the tour cost are all cruise and hotel accommodations, 40 meals, wine with dinner each night aboard the Orion, all shore excursions (each accompanied by a Tauck Director and naturalist guides), Great Barrier Reef snorkeling excursion, airport transfers, all sightseeing and entrance fees to attractions, and all gratuities to Tauck Directors, ship's staff, and hotel staff.

Those interested in more information can contact their travel professional, call Tauck toll-free at 1 800 214 5158, or visit www.tauck.com.

Press Release Source: Tauck World Discovery
Dateline: October 2006