AdventureSmith Explorations
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z-Christmas in Fjordland
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trip specifics

price
2011
Ctgy
Type
Price  ($US)
B
Stateroom
4,420
A
Stateroom
5,135
JS
Junior Suite
6,100
DS
Deluxe Suite
6,675
BS
Balcony Suite
7,975
OS
Owners Suite
9,255

duration
8 days
trip dates
Coming Soon!
trip level
Adventure Level 1 - OnAdventure Level 2 - OffAdventure Level 3 - Off
view explanation
highlights
Otago Harbor
Jackson Bay
Milford Sound
Doubtful Sound
Stewart Island
accomm types
Small Ship


carbon free cruising
World Heritage listed Fjordland is considered one of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of New Zealand. From the natural beauty of Milford Sound to the spectacular Dusky and Doubtful Sounds, you will experience the best that this sought after destination has to offer. This 7 night voyage aboard Orion offers spectacular cruising though pristine wilderness in the very heart of Fjordland National Park, the largest in New Zealand and one of the largest in the world.

Day 1 - Otago Harbor, Dunedin

Orion's shallow draft will allow her to cruise all the way into Dunedin city wharf (whereas other vessels berth at Port Chalmers) to provide guests a full day ashore to enjoy this charming city, regarded as one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. The Otago region was settled by Maori's over four centuries ago, with Scottish migrants establishing a small town in 1848. After gold was discovered Dunedin rapidly developed to (then) become New Zealand's biggest city and the country's industrial and commercial heart, with many ornate heritage buildings dating from this period still standing today. It was the first city outside the U.S. to have its own tram system. The Botanic Gardens, New Zealand's first, are located at the northern end of the city on the lower slopes of Signal Hill. So get ready to have the holiday cruise of a life time, while you embark on this small ship New Zealand cruise.
-Optional Expeditions Available for Additional Fares

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: dinner

Day 2 - At Sea

Relax and enjoy the on board hospitality as Orion's officers and crew help you feel at home. The expedition team will ensure your time is well invested with lectures and presentations on the culture and history of the destinations we will soon be visiting.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 3 - Jackson Bay

Jackson Bay is a small fishing village set deep in the southern West Coast. The bay is a natural ocean harbor sheltered from the prevailing winds and backed by the Southern Alps, providing an ideal landing for Orion's Zodiacs. This remote and geographically diverse region has been designated as a World Heritage area.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 - Milford Sound

Orion is the perfect viewing platform from which to see World Heritage listed Milford Sound; a memorable scenic cruise that includes glacial carved hanging valleys, the iconic 1600 meters high Mitre Peak and magnificent Stirling Falls. The Maori were the first to ascribe creation of the fjords to a "titanic mason", Tute Rakiwhanoa - a concept you will find totally believable as Orion slips beneath sheer granite cliffs, not yet worn smooth by time.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Milford Sound & Doubtful Sound

Orion is the perfect viewing platform from which to see World Heritage listed Milford Sound; a memorable scenic cruise that includes glacial carved hanging valleys, the iconic 1600 meters high Mitre Peak and magnificent Stirling Falls. The Maori were the first to ascribe creation of the fjords to a "titanic mason", Tute Rakiwhanoa - a concept you will find totally believable as Orion slips beneath sheer granite cliffs, not yet worn smooth by time. At 421 meters depth, Doubtful is the deepest of these fjords. Exuding a peaceful serenity it is sometimes called "the Sound of Silence". Abundant in both flora and fauna, these fjordlands are renowned for their excellent dolphin and seal viewing opportunities, either from Orion or on board one of Orion's Zodiacs. Fjordland Crested Penguins are often seen on many of the small islets at the entrance of the fjord and at Nee Islets there is a fur seal colony.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Dusky & Doubtful Sounds

Experience spectacular cruising through pristine wilderness in the very heart of Fjordland National Park, the largest in New Zealand and one of the largest in the world. The park is bordered to the east by glacial lakes and to the west by the 14 fjords that give Fjordland its name. Orion enters via Thompson Sound en route to Doubtful and Dusky Sounds. Doubtful and Dusky both include spectacular ship based cruising as Orion winds her way through the fjords. Due to strict national park controls Zodiac cruising is tightly monitored but does allow us to include a cruise and a landing at Astronomer's Point where a short walk is possible.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Stewart Island

Stewart Island is the southern-most island of New Zealand, the forest a haven for bird-life including Kaka, parakeets and bellbirds as there are fewer predators than on the mainland. New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, is found all round the Island, often seen feeding on sandhoppers at the beach. Most sand is golden however there is black iron sand on some beaches while others are white with quartz, or red with garnet. Orion will make her way along the sheltered eastern coast of Stewart Island (Rakiura), 96% of which is designated as Rakiura National Park. We will Anchor in Paterson in the afternoon to visit the quaint fishing village of Oban in Halfmoon Bay with its art and craft shops as well, as the wildlife sanctuary on Ulva Island.
-Optional Expeditions Available for Additional Fares

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 8 - Otago Harbor, Dunedin

After departing from your small ship cruise to the amazing Fjordland National Park, its back to the city for one last tour.

Accommodations: Orion
Included Meals: breakfast


Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be flexible makes our style of cruising unique.

Single, Triple and Quad Travelers: Single travelers may reserve sole occupancy of a twin occupancy stateroom for 25% less than the regular stateroom (twin occupancy) fare in categories JS, A and B. Subject to availability. Some staterooms accommodate a third or fourth person. Adults age 16 years and over pay 50% (children ages 2-15 years pay 25%) of the applicable stateroom category fare when sharing the room with two full-fare guests

Cost Includes: Included in your cruise fare are accommodations as booked, cruise transportation, all meals on board, 24-hour room service, entertainment and educational programs, use of ship's sporting equipment and facilities, port & handling charges, Zodiac excursions and tender transfers, access to the ship's library, Govt. Fees & Taxes. Fares also include the services of 75 experienced crew.

Not Included: Fares do not include items of a personal nature, including but not limited to: travel and medical insurance, laundry charges, shopping on board, bar expenses, hair dressing and massage treatments, optional shore experiences, medical treatment, telephone and internet charges.

Deposit and Final Payment: To secure your reservation a deposit of 25% of the fare is required. The deposit must be accompanied by a completed and signed Guest Booking Form and is due within 7 days of booking. Final payment must be received no later than 90 days before sailing. Separate conditions apply to the Cancellation Protection Plan.

Cancellation Policy: The following cancellation fees will apply to all reservations. The day on which written notice is received will determine the applicable penalties.
Day on Which Notice is received Penalty
121 days and over - 50% of deposit
120 - 91 days prior 100% of deposit
90 days or less 100% of fare
No show - no written notice 100% of fare

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with Travel Insurance. Please note that you must purchase your Travel Insurance policy within 14 days of booking your trip for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions.
TraveEx Insurance

Shoreside Expeditions: We include a number of complimentary shore experiences utilizing our Zodiacs. In addition we offer an exciting and diverse selection of optional shore experiences which can be either booked for in advance or reserved onboard and charged to your onboard account. Due to limited numbers on some experiences we recommend you pre-register to avoid disappointment. Details will be provided with your ticket.

Arrival/Departure Information: This trip begins and ends in Dunedin. Embarkation time is between 3:00 – 4:00pm on day of departure. Disembarkation is after breakfast on final day between 9:00 – 10:30am. Please schedule flights based on these time frames.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone who is in good health and leads an active life. Any medical condition, advanced pregnancy or disability must be advised to AdventureSmith Explorations when a request for accommodation is made. On every Orion voyage extensive use of the ship’s Zodiacs will be made transporting guests between ship and shore. It is anticipated this travel may be physically demanding from time to time. In order for the crew to determine if safe passage can be offered, guests may be asked to provide additional information, such as a medical assessment of their fitness for expeditionary travel. All guests must sign a disclaimer onboard to participate in offship activities. Guests should be sure to bring onboard sufficient supplies of any prescription medication they may require.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms & Conditions:. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

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