Charter Chatter

Captain Cook Cruises releases the 2010 dates for its seven nights Northern Fiji Dateline Discovery Cruise where passengers are taken beyond the Yasawa Islands to very remote and exotic tropical Fijian islands and have the experience of standing on the International Dateline. Early Booking Saver
(EBS) fares start from just $1999 per person.

Ipipiri, a 46 metre catamaran, is being built in Hobart and when complete will offer two day one night cruises through New Zealand's Bay of Islands, operated by Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands. The Name Ipipiri (E-pip-e-rey) is the original Maori name for the Bay of Islands, and means to raft up or to bring together. Spread over four levels, the catamaran includes 30 king state rooms, a spacious sundeck with 360 degree views and a 70-seat restaurant and bar.

Nobody was hurt on the Amazon River in Peru recently, when a luxury cruise ship carrying 24 people - including 13 Australians - was attacked by bandits. The group was on board the MV Aqua and despite the ordeal it's understood they're carrying on with their trip which includes visits to iconic South American sights such as Machu Picchu. The government of Peru has reacted swiftly, providing armed coast guard and police escorts for future cruises. Cruise Weekly.

Aurora Expeditions offers travellers the chance to experience the Kimberley Coast in 2010 with their team of experts, including Kimberley expeditioner Mike Cusack of Australian Geographic's first 'wilderness couple' fame; Rosanna Angus, a local Aboriginal guide; indigenous art historian Garry Darby and naturalist Chris Done.

Cunard Line's newest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, will make maiden visits to Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle in 2011 as part of her inaugural world voyage, which will feature a spectacular Royal Rendezvous in Sydney with her big sister Queen Mary 2 on February 22.

Mariner Boating Holidays has specialised in sailing holidays for the Australian market for over 20 years. With offices in Sydney and Melbourne and a staff of dedicated professionals, the one stop sailing holiday shop offers yacht rallies, bareboat yacht charters, traditional motor sailers, canal barge or passage on a luxurious fully crewed sailing or motor yacht. More details.

A recent Burgundy food and wine tour for two weeks on a barge was organized by the team at Mariner Boating Holidays. The group of ten started their trip in Paris and went by bus to the Burgundy region with a stopover for lunch before boarding their barges. Fabulous is how Joan Hardy describes the holiday. More information.

It's humpback heaven in Hervey Bay after the official opening of the local whale watch season on August 1, and the "Blessing of the Fleet" of whale watch boats at the Harbour on August 8 signals the start of the week long Hervey Bay Whale Festival.

The Whitsundays, Australia's aquatic playground, is gearing up for its annual Sailing Season where sails and spinnakers dominate the horizon by day, and champagne corks and good times dominate by night. More details.

The Great Barrier Reef and Uluru have been selected as two of the 28 finalists in the global New7Wonders of Nature campaign. The final seven most wondrous sites across the world through the eyes of the public will be announced mid-2011. Cast your vote at http://www.australia.com/.

Packing for a Boating Holiday - Although the winters in North Queensland are milder than the southern states, jeans and a sweat shirt/jumper or a track suit are needed for the cooler evenings during May to September. Pack your gear in a large soft bag and also take a small back pack for walking ashore.

Wear white-soled shoes with a good grip on board and ashore. Pack a pair of Crocs or old shoes, with topsides and a soft but thick sole for stepping out of dinghies into water and possibly onto coral or oysters. Thongs or flip flops are not suitable. See the check list.

If you want to cruise and not dress up for dinner you can travel on a cargo ship, calling into ports that others never see, mixing with the captain and officers every day and going onto the bridge to see your daily progress. A trip from Brisbane to Singapore takes 13 days non stop or sail for 31 days from Sydney to six ports in New Zealand before going on to Brisbane and Singapore. The round trip of 49 days includes stops in Jakarta, Fremantle and Melbourne. Find out more at Freighter Cruises.

Photograph: Bay of Islands New Zealand