Charter Chatter

Father's Day is on Sunday 6 September and gift vouchers are available from charter companies and sailing schools. Here are some gift suggestions from Boating OZ:

- Sailing lessons - it's never too late to learn to sail
- Powerboat lessons - for licence or advanced
- Twilight racing or day trip on a cruising or racing yacht
- Fishing Trip
- Skipper yourself charter

See Boating Oz for links to charter companies and training facilities.

Holidaymakers are not the only ones to flock to the warm Whitsunday waters during winter. Whales head north to the calm, sheltered waters off the coast of north Queensland to give birth to their calves and, in the process, become quite a draw-card for holidaymakers. More details.

An exploratory cruise along the wild and beautiful Kimberley coast is Coral Princess Cruises' most popular voyage. The company is offering an unprecedented 36 departures in 2010 and an early bird discount of 15 per cent on voyages departing between April 01 and May 17, with a choice of
vessels: the 48-passenger Coral Princess or the luxurious 72-passenger Oceanic Discoverer.

Voyages to the deep Antarctic this summer are still available. Usually they are booked out by this time of year. These cruises are for hardy adventurers only as they cross the wild Southern Ocean, but the rewards are great, even life changing. Shop around but expect the cost to start from $18,000 per person.

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. See Cruise Weekly for more details.

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 information.

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 details.

Photograph: Whales courtesy of Sunsail Whitsunday