Charter Chatter

- Cunard Line announces that Her Majesty The Queen will name the company’s new Queen Elizabeth, the third Cunard ship to bear the name, at a ceremony to take place in Southampton, England, on Monday 11 October 2010. Her Majesty also launched Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967 and named their current flagship, Queen Mary 2, in 2004. She was also present at the age of 12 at the launch of the first Queen Elizabeth in 1938.

- All yacht clubs run regular social, twilight and racing days and evenings. On Sunday 12 September some clubs in NSW will conduct a Try Crewing Day to let you know how to become a regular part of these events. You must pre-register and you must be aged 18 years or over. www.bia.org.au

- Orion Expedition Cruises has announced that they will waive the single supplement surcharge applied on all Orion sailings from 16 September to 21 December 2010 inclusive. Five cabins will be reserved for sole occupancy on each voyage in order that single travellers will be able to pay the per person fare with no added supplement. This offer applies to a range of destinations including the Kimberley, Papua New Guinea, Great Barrier Reef, Australian East Coast and Tasmania.

- Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships, written by Douglas Ward, is, according to The London Times, "the most feared critic in the business". The special 2010 25th anniversary edition reviews more than 270 cruise ships and includes a Then and Now section comparing today’s cruises and facilities with those of 25 years ago.

- Sydney Harbour Island Hopping cruises will run each Saturday and Sunday from 9 - 24 October giving people access to the harbour islands via a one looped tour, with tailored entertainment and experiences on each. This year the program will include food experiences on all of the islands and a visit to the newly reopened Goat Island. www.harbourislandhopping.com

- Hervey Bay whale watch operators and their guests are enjoying fantastic whale watching conditions, which this year have included a large pod of false killer whales. With the whale watching season finishing at the end of October, families are being urged to make their bookings soon so as not to miss out.

- Coral Princess Cruises, Orpheus Island Resort and Thala Beach Lodge have put together three tropical experiences in an Australia reef and rainforest package that includes exploring remote coral cays and snorkelling in the clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef on a Coral Princess cruise; a resort stay on Orpheus Island; and relaxing amid World Heritage rainforest at Thala Beach Lodge.

- The Caribbean islands are blessed with Atlantic breezes almost all year round, so it’s no surprise that sailors flock to enjoy the perfect blend of turquoise seas, swaying palms, white sand beaches, lilting rhythms, blue skies, exotic fish and glorious sunsets – not to mention the rum cocktails. Andrea and Ian Treleaven’s book Letters from the Caribbean is now available. They spent two seasons cruising the Greater and Lesser Antilles, sampling the cuisine, night life and scenic attractions and this journal of their voyages will entice you to cruise or charter in their wake.

- A new day cruise to the Low Isles, aboard the 62 foot luxury sailing catamaran Aquarius, departs daily from Port Douglas with a maximum of 23 guests. Tropical Journey’s Lagoon 620 is the first boat of its type in Australia. The Low Isles are famous for their spectacular marine life and the day tour also includes a guided walk of the area to learn more about the history and environment of the isles.

Photograph: Her Majesty the Queen to Name Queen Elizabeth