Total Solar Eclipse: Cruise Australia 16 April 2023 - 8 days from £1,699 GBP - New ...
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Total Solar Eclipse: Cruise Australia
16 April 2023 – 8 days from £1,699 GBP
Early bird prices valid until 30 April 2022
• Experience a majestic total solar eclipse at sea.
• Seminars and stargazing with New Scientist’s Abigail Beall.
• Five nights aboard the well-appointed cruise ship Pacific Explorer.
• Two nights in the cosmopolitan coastal city of Fremantle.
One of nature's most magnificent events – a total solar eclipse – will
take place on the western edge of Australia on Thursday 20 April
2023 and we have chosen the perfect way for you to enjoy this
event: on a dedicated cruise at sea.
Accompanied by New Scientist features editor Abigail Beall, you will
have the best possible view of the event as well as enjoying lectures
and stargazing on land and at sea. After your first night in Perth with
Abigail, you will then enjoy five nights at sea aboard the well-
appointed cruise ship Pacific Explorer on a full-board basis. With its
many restaurants, bars, on-board entertainment and comfortable
rooms, you’re sure to have a relaxing time.
The solar eclipse will be a rare hybrid eclipse, which changes as the
moon’s shadow moves across Earth. It will start out as an annular
eclipse, with a ”ring of fire” around the sun, then change to a total eclipse, followed by another annular. There have
been only five total solar eclipses in Australia over the past century and this is the first hybrid eclipse in more than
1000 years. The captain will locate the best position to enjoy the eclipse, off the coast of Exmouth.
To book contact our partner Intrepid Travel: newscientist@intrepidtravel.com
0203 3089 917 outside UK +44 203 3089 917 Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30 GMT
Abigail will be on hand throughout, giving private seminars on the history and science of eclipses, the black hole at
the centre of the galaxy and satellite galaxies – along with providing many opportunities for guided stargazing. Plus,
there will be additional talks from the Astronomical Society of Australia.
Alongside the cruise, you will also have the opportunity to explore some of
Australia’s best scientific and natural phenomena with a series of tailored add-on
tours covering astronomy on the east coast and palaeontology as well as visits to
Uluru (formerly known as Ayres Rock), Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef and much
more. Further details below. If you are travelling a long way to Australia, you may as
well make the most of your visit.
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE IN TO FREMANTLE, PERTH
After transferring from Perth airport, you will check into the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle.
Fremantle is a cosmopolitan port, harbour and coastal town on
the edge of Perth. It’s easy to walk around, which lets you really
enjoy its UNESCO listed historic streets, 19th century
architecture and al-fresco boardwalk restaurants.
In the evening, your tour leader will brief you on the cruise
ahead and New Scientist’s Abigail Beall will give the first of her
talks on what to expect from the eclipse, followed by a Q&A
session.
DAY 2: EMBARK ON YOUR CRUISE
After a leisurely morning, you will be taken the short distance to what will be your home for the next five nights, the
Pacific Explorer. Once checked-in, you are free to avail yourself of all the facilities, entertainment, bars and
restaurants on this wonderful ship.
While on board, Abigail will give private talks on astronomy, the eclipse experience and the cosmos. She will also
lead small group stargazing sessions in the evenings. In addition, there will be talks from the Astronomical Society of
Australia. So, you will have plenty of opportunity to fuel your celestial interests.
DAYS 3 AND 4: AT SEA
As the ship heads north towards the eclipse viewing point, you will sail
along the western Coral Coast and past the Ningaloo Marine Park, which
hosts whale sharks, manta rays and humpback whales in its waters.
To book contact our partner Intrepid Travel: newscientist@intrepidtravel.com
0203 3089 917 outside UK +44 203 3089 917 Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30 GMT
You can be as active and social as you like onboard. You can enjoy the spa, delicious cuisine, catch a talk or just take
in the sea air on the sun deck while the coast passes by.
DAY 5: ECLIPSE DAY
You will wake at the chosen viewing point for today’s eclipse. The plan is
to moor somewhere off the coast of Exmouth, the only part of Australia
where the eclipse makes landfall. However, due to weather conditions, the
captain may identify a more suitable location, which is a luxury not
available to those viewing it on land.
Throughout the day, Abigail will be on hand to provide guidance and commentary. Viewing glasses will be provided.
A partial eclipse will commence just after 10:00am, with the start of the total eclipse happening at around 11:30am.
At this point, the line of totality will be 40 kilometres wide and the moons umbral shadow will be travelling in a
north-easterly direction at 2,700 kilometres per hour. So, it will be a very exciting morning.
DAY 6: AT SEA
The ship will now sail south-west towards Fremantle for a
last leisurely day at sea.
DAY 7: BACK TO FREMANTLE
After arriving early morning and having a hearty breakfast
on board, you will disembark and be taken back to the
Esplanade Hotel from where you can have a final night with
your fellow astronomers and plan your next adventures.
DAY 8: ONWARDS
After checking out of the hotel, you can be transferred back to the airport for your return journey home, onward
adventures or to join one of our add-on tours.
MEET THE EXPERT
Abigail Beall is a writer and features editor for New Scientist, where she also writes a
monthly astronomy column. In 2019, Abigail wrote and published The Art of Urban
Astronomy and has also co-written three popular science books for Dorling Kindersley.
In addition, Abigail is a physics, technology and environment journalist whose work has
appeared in Wired, BBC Science Focus and BBC Future.
To book contact our partner Intrepid Travel: newscientist@intrepidtravel.com
0203 3089 917 outside UK +44 203 3089 917 Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30 GMT
WHAT'S INCLUDED
• Five nights cruising on full board with soft drinks. Use of several dining experiences included.
• Use of pools, waterslides and tennis courts onboard.
• Two nights at the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle.
• Private talks and stargazing with Abigail Beall on land and at sea.
• Onboard talks from the Astronomical Society of Australia.
• Transfers between Perth airport, your hotel and the ship.
• Onboard gratuities and port taxes.
• Eclipse viewing glasses.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
• Travel insurance.
• International flights.
• Single supplement (please ask if you wish to take a cabin to yourself).
• Alcoholic and energy drinks onboard.
PACE AND PHYSICALITY
This will be a very relaxing experience. While there is plenty to do onboard, nothing is mandatory, so you can choose
your own pace and level of social activity with other guests.
A dedicated tour leader will be on hand throughout, should you need help or guidance.
There are some wheelchair accessible rooms aboard the ship subject to availability at the time of request.
ACCOMMODATION
Esplanade Hotel Fremantle
A four-star hotel dating back to 1850 in the heart of Fremantle and
overlooking the Esplanade Park. It is just a 6-minute walk to the beach
and the hotel has outdoor pools, a fitness centre, two restaurants and
two bars.
To book contact our partner Intrepid Travel: newscientist@intrepidtravel.com
0203 3089 917 outside UK +44 203 3089 917 Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30 GMT
Pacific Explorer
The Pacific Explorer is an ocean-going cruise ship built in
1997, then refurbished in 2017. Its 10 decks house several
restaurants, bars and lounges while providing a range of
entertainment including a spa and pools. It has about one
member staff for every 2.3 guests.
The food is all sourced through Australian suppliers and
farmers. Your passage includes full board, so all your meals
are included and can be taken at any one of four of the restaurants, allowing you to decide what, where and when
you dine. All soft drinks are also included. Plus, there are several other venues where you can pay a little extra to
expand your dining options.
During the day there is no dress code. After 17:30 ‘smart
casual’ is required in the public lounges and restaurants.
All rooms have private en-suite facilities, flat-screen TV,
telephone, wardrobe, desk, chair, safety deposit box and
air-conditioning with personal controls. Most can house
between one and four people with a range of bed
configurations. There are also some interconnecting rooms available.
Interior rooms have all the facilities and space you need, with soft furnishings and comfortable beds but without a
view. There is plenty of deck space onboard, so you will have lots of opportunity to enjoy watching the sea.
The Oceanview rooms all come with a window or large porthole plus a fridge. So, you can enjoy breakfast in bed
while gazing at the sea. For a truly invigorating experience, you can also choose a Balcony room, which has all the
facilities of the Oceanview room plus a private balcony with outdoor furniture.
The ship is operated by P&O Cruises. Please note this is a completely separate company with separate ownership
from P&O Ferries.
To book contact our partner Intrepid Travel: newscientist@intrepidtravel.com
0203 3089 917 outside UK +44 203 3089 917 Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30 GMT
ADD-ON TOURS
We will shortly be confirming full details of other tours you can join before and after your eclipse cruise. Here’s an
outline of them.
Astronomy in the Outback
Departing from Sydney, you will journey into the outback to stargaze at
several observatories with New Scientist’s Abigail Beall. With clear skies
and limited light pollution, the view of the stars in this area can be
fantastic, and Abigail will help you examine the cosmos at the Bathurst
Observatory Research Facility and the Dubbo Observatory. You will get
up close with the Parkes Radio Telescope plus several more at the
Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex and the Australia
Telescope Compact Array. Plus explore the Siding Spring Observatory
and get hands on at Sydney Observatory.
Dinosaurs of Eastern Australia
Some of Australia's best dinosaur, marine and megafauna fossils are to be found in Queensland. On this tour, you
will view multiple excavations then learn how to be a palaeontologist on three different sites. This will include
surveying, digging, identifying your finds and preparing fossils for display. Departing from Brisbane and travelling by
luxury coach through the natural beauty of the Australian outback.
The Best of Australia
Let us take you to the most engaging sites of this fascinating country.
Starting in Perth with its vineyards and “happiest looking animal in the
world”, the quokka, that resides on Rottnest Island. Then onto Alice
Springs, where you will explore the Red Centre of Kings Canyon and
experience sunset and sunrise at the majestic sandstone monolith
that is Uluru. After visiting the capital Sydney and the nearby Blue
Mountains, you will finish off near Cairns, to immerse yourself in the
Daintree tropical rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
Red Centre and Uluru Explorer
Experience First Nations culture and the true outback wonder of
Australia. Spend six days exploring the best of Australia’s Red Centre
on a culturally rich and natural small group adventure. From Yulara,
admire Uluru at a number of times during the day, seeing the colour of
this sacred rock change as day turns to night. Explore the depths of
Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta National Park and the West MacDonnell
Ranges, stopping by gorges and pristine waterholes.
To book contact our partner Intrepid Travel: newscientist@intrepidtravel.com
0203 3089 917 outside UK +44 203 3089 917 Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30 GMT
Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef Wilderness, wildlife, waterfalls and wine? Enjoy them all as you explore Australia’s stunning east coast from the iconic cityscapes of Sydney to the tropical hub of Cairns on an epic trip that hits a wealth of highlights in just two weeks. Venture through the picturesque Hunter Valley, hike down to the cascading waters at Dangar Falls then enjoy the bustling beachside town of Byron Bay. Next, follow the sun- kissed coastline to Queensland and take an off-road adventure across Fraser Island, sail through the picture-perfect islands of the Whitsundays, relax on the palm-fringed sands of Mission Beach and explore the colourful underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef. West Coast & Ningaloo Reef Adventure Surround yourself with the history and sparkling waters of Western Australia. Explore otherworldly landscapes, turquoise ocean and rugged national parks on a tour that combines Western Australia’s red earth with the crystal- clear waters of Ningaloo Reef. With shimmering beaches, First Nations experiences, National Trust-listed historic towns, and some of the most beautiful scenery you’ll find anywhere. To book contact our partner Intrepid Travel: newscientist@intrepidtravel.com 0203 3089 917 outside UK +44 203 3089 917 Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30 GMT
HOW TO BOOK AND DEPOSITS To reserve your place or make a query (please be as detailed as you like), contact our tour operating partner Intrepid Travel at newscientist@intrepidtravel.com You can phone them on 0203 3089 917 during UK office hours (Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30 GMT). If phoning from outside the UK use +44 203 3089 917. To reserve your place, the non-refundable deposit is £600 per guest. The outstanding balance will be due by 1 September 2022. Please do not book international flights until we send out an email to notify that the trip is guaranteed. This trip has to reach guaranteed numbers before confirming any international flights. Once flights are released Intrepid will be able to give you flight suggestions. Cancellation by you If you cancel some or all portions of your booking the cancellation terms set out below will apply. A cancellation will only be effective when we receive written confirmation that you have sent to your relevant sales representative of the cancellation. If you cancel a trip: (a) Cancel before 30 August 2022, loss at deposit of 600.00 GBP per person or (b) Cancel from 1 September 2022, loss of full payment (100% cancellation fees). Cancellation by us If we have to cancel your trip, we will tell you as soon as possible and as we are part of ABTA in the UK we will offer you the choice of: (a) a 100% credit of monies paid for your trip; or (b) having a refund of monies paid. We will tell you the procedure for making your choice.Full terms and conditions will be provided upon booking. To book contact our partner Intrepid Travel: newscientist@intrepidtravel.com 0203 3089 917 outside UK +44 203 3089 917 Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:30 GMT
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