Cruising is a booming segment of the travel industry. It offers wonderful value for money. There are cruises for everybody. You can cruise at home or abroad. The flexibility in length of cruise and itineraries suit all tastes. Its healthy, relaxing and invigorating being on the water.
Whether yours tastes are global or domestic, there will be a cruise for you. Many will love sailing the open oceans to exotic tropical ports or hugging the ancient Australian coastline to sample natures magnificence. Others prefer following a rivers course or sampling the delights of a picture perfect harbour or bay.
Taking to the sea’s is an Australian pastime and many active over 50s are regular cruisers. Some may love a social day cruise during the week or on the weekend.
Why not try a Brisbane Water Cruise on the MN Lady Kendal, leaving Gosford Public wharf at 10.15am or Woy Woy at 10.40am every Saturday to Wednesday. This relaxing day trip has been a favourite amongst our readers for a long time, having lunch on board whilst admiring the glorious scenery.
Another wonderful journey is the 4 island cruise taking in Broken Bay, the majestic Lion Island; the famous landmark of Barranjoey Head, through Pittwater to the lower Hawkesbury River, Brooklyn and Dangar Island over 6.5 hours with morning teas, buffet lunch aboard the fully licensed Lady Kendal. www.starshipcruises.com.au
Feel like a millionaire on fabulous Sydney Harbour aboard the Sydney Harbour Funboat on their spring special Seniors Big Day Out taking in all the unforgettable landmarks of the world’s most famous harbour with a hot roast lunch served. This is 3.5 hours of super fun entertainment.
Port Stephens is another magical place just 2.5 hours north of Sydney where whale watching from May to November is something to behold. A cruise in the largest marine park in NSW with whales and dolphins, Fur Seals and Fairy Penguins on Imagine Cruises is a must to tick off your to do list. Sailing and breathing the clean salt air in this pristine location happens daily departing 10.30am and 2pm as well as the “Sunday Sunrise with the Whales Cruise” 7.30am departure at D’Albora Marina, Nelson Bay.
Further up the coast at Nambucca Heads, a houseboat cruise up the Nambucca River with Nambucca River Houseboats is just the thing for our wandering grey nomads. See birds, pods of dolphins and native animals in their natural habitat every Wednesday from 9.30am.
Further north an adventure awaits where Coral Princess Cruises small ships cruise the ancient Kimberley Coast during the spectacular waterfall season. These luxurious small ships stop for onshore excursions on zodiacs and the one and only Xplorer specialist boat, built to tour this mighty region. Over 10 nights staying under the most breathtaking star studded sky anywhere on earth is an experience not to be missed, or try their 3, 4 or 7 night Great Barrier Reef Cruises with only 44 guests on-board exploring the reef, rainforest and marine parks with an expert biologist to guide you and answer questions about this “Wonder of the World” on one of the glass bottom boat tours; snorkelling in another marine world, scuba diving or just relaxing in the spa, it is a day by day reward system that never fails.
If it’s the Pacific that turns you on, Captain Cook Cruises based in Fiji have a 7 night Colonial Fiji Discovery Tour, encompassing the history, art and ancient culture of Northern Fiji. Beyond the renown Yasawa Islands to a land of 19th Century Colonial architecture, lagoons and waterfalls, extinct volcanoes, markets and thriving island life. Swimming, snorkelling and diving in locations Hollywood would die for. Traditional feasts and ceremonies, glass bottom boat excursions, luxury accommodation, all meals and tours are included. Be busy or relax in the spa, sauna or swimming pool with a cocktail in your hand.
Captain Cook are the Fiji specialists and their new 7 night Four Culture Discovery Cruise takes you on a circumnavigation of Vanu Levu, Fiji’s second largest island.
This cultural tour explores the Micronesian, Ellice Island (Polynesian,) Banaban (Micronesian), Fijian and Indian cultures, taking you to untouched areas.
Colourful song and dance festivals and homes of the villages are to be experienced along with a river safari, one on one, day to day culture, swimming, diving and glass bottom boating fill brightly lit days and starry nights. Small rarely visited islands are highlighted while cocktails are regularly served. This highly sought after cruise is available from November 5th for all details contact http://www.captaincook.com.au/
The cruising is fine for the over 50s, its abundant in choice and duration, time and location and for some it’s a full time vacation. Get on board and go.
