Presss release from the other day shows RSSCs contract with PG owners through 2008.

TAHITI & BEYOND: PAUL GAUGUIN TO FEATURE NEW AUSTRALIA ITINERARY
IN 2006 PLUS EXPANDED SERIES OF NINE- TO 14-NIGHT MARQUESAS,
AUSTRALS, TUAMOTUS & COOK ISLANDS CRUISES
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Radisson Seven Seas Will Manage Vessel Through 2008;
$6 Million in Renovations Planned for January 2006 Dry Dock

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL, September 13, 2005 � Luxury cruising on the Paul Gauguin� in 2006 will chart appealing new waters as the ship expands her repertoire with some exciting new ports. In addition, she will reprise her popular Marquesas voyages, as well as her romantic series of seven-night cruises sailing roundtrip from Papeete in Tahiti & Her Islands, Radisson Seven Seas� announced today.
In a further development, the ship�s owner Paul Gauguin Shipping Limited has renewed its contract with Radisson Seven Seas to manage the vessel through the end of 2008. The Paul Gauguin will also undergo a $6 million renovation during its January 2006 dry dock.
In 2006, the acclaimed Paul Gauguin, synonymous with luxury cruising in Tahiti since entering service in the famed islands in 1998, will offer a selection of 24 seven-night Society Islands itineraries, plus an expanded lineup of nine-, 10-, 11-, and 14-night sailings reaching the Marquesas, Tuamotus, Australs, and Cook Islands. Additionally, following a 22-day January dry dock in Brisbane, Australia, she will set sail on a new 18-night course from the Queensland capital to the Tahitian capital of Papeete.
Extending Stay, Enhanced Luxury
�Haere mai� (come hither) to the South Pacific and sail the elegant 339-guest Paul Gauguin, the only luxury vessel to make Tahiti her year-round home. Named the �World�s Best Small Ship� in Cond� Nast Traveler's 2004 Cruise Poll, the Paul Gauguin will continue to sail the crystal waters of the South Seas through the end of 2008 under the management of Radisson Seven Seas Cruises.
Paul Gauguin Shipping Limited will spend $6 million to renovate and enhance the celebrated luxury vessel during her January 7-29, 2006, dry dock. She will be outfitted with a new lounge/piano bar and 14 additional staterooms, half of them with private balconies. The Internet caf� will be redesigned and carpets and soft goods will be updated.
South Pacific Sojourns
The acclaimed Paul Gauguin�s intimate size, tasteful elegance and all ocean view accommodations (50% with private balconies) embrace the dramatic panoramas of French Polynesia, much as the artist Paul Gauguin�s bold brushstrokes captured these enchanting island settings over a century ago.
The ship�s 24 seven-night roundtrip sailings depart Papeete on Saturdays and visit Raiatea (the cultural heart of Polynesia), Tahaa (for a call at the ship�s private islet of Motu Mahana), Bora Bora (for two full days on the island James Michener used as the model of his idyllic �Bali Hai�) and two days in Moorea (the inspiration for Herman Melville�s novel Omoo).
Also in 2006, she will sail two 14-night Marquesas cruises; one 14-night Cook and Society Islands, Australs and Tuamotus voyage; three 11-night Society Islands, Tuamotus and Marquesas voyages; three 10-night Society Islands and Tuamotus cruises; and two nine-night Society Islands Holiday voyages which include calls at Huahine. Plus, select departures of her seven-, 10-, and 14-night sailings will feature an optional six-night post-cruise land adventure including three nights in Auckland, New Zealand and three nights in Sydney, Australia.
Among the wide array of new, optional shore excursions are a �Capture Moorea Photo Adventure,� �Botanical & Agricultural Walk� (Moorea), �Sunset Sail Aboard the �Margouillat�� (Moorea), �Romantic Escapade at Bora Bora Pearl Beach� (overnight), and a �Clear Kayak Safari to Motu Ofetaro� (Raiatea). Other choices include island and lagoon explorations, parasailing, shark and stingray feedings, off-road mountain adventures, wave-runner tours and helicopter flight-seeing expeditions.
Launched last year to much applause, the Paul Gauguin�s �Ambassadors of the Environment� program will again be offered to youngsters on the June 10 to August 23 sailings. In partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau�s Ocean Futures Society, the program aims to give young cruise guest participants aged nine to 15 interactive experiences with and knowledge of marine and island ecosystems, emphasizing the critical importance of coral reefs, sustainable lifestyles and traditional Polynesian culture.
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises� is part of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, a global leader in hospitality services encompassing more than 1,770 hotel, resort, restaurant and cruise ship operations in 82 countries. Specific brands include: Regent International Hotels; Radisson Hotels & Resorts; Country Inns & Suites By Carlson; Park Plaza and Park Inn hotels in North America; T.G.I. Friday's and Pick Up Stix restaurants. Carlson Companies, Inc. was named one of Fortune magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For in America." Paul Gauguin Shipping Limited is a joint venture of Boston-based Grand Circle Corporation and Vantage Deluxe World Travel of Boston.
For further information, contact Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, 600 Corporate Drive, Suite 410, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33334; or toll-free 800-477-7500; for brochures and reservation information toll-free 800-285-1835; or visit the Web site: www.rssc.com. To make reservations contact your travel professional.

Greg

I would like to suggest www.clippercruise.com. Their ship, the Odyssey, which sails the South Pacific is gorgeous. Total passengers about 120. I have done their Fiji-New Caledonia-Vanuatu-Australia cruise which was fantastic. Also, just came back from a cruise from Homer, Alaska to Siberia. Not the typical scenery which you see on southern Alaska cruises but beautiful in it's own way and lots of wildlife. Landings are by zodiac unless docking is available. You would have to like "expedition" cruising. This is a highly rated cruise company by many magazines. I don't believe they are offering the same trip as above next year in the South Pacific but there might be similar.

I apologize, I should have said the Odyssey sails the Pacific and not just the South Pacific. About Antarctica, anyone I have talked to on the smaller expedition ships rave about it especially the crew members. The Clipper Adventurer which sails the Mediterranean, Europe and South America does the Antarctica cruises. It is a nice ship also but not as impressive as the Odyssey.

Also, for anyone who might be interested, there is a beautiful freighter which sails the Marquesa Islands. It just went into service last year as a brand new ship and can carry two hundred passengers. Some of the cabins are suites up to 240 square feet with balconies. Other sleeping facilities include smaller cabins and also just bunks for people traveling between islands or wish to travel cheaper. Meals are all included and there is free wine at lunch and dinner. I believe it visits 10 different islands delivering and picking up goods and there are arranged shore excursions plus snorkeling. The cruise is 14 days.

If you consider Alaska, have a look at the paddlewheeler "Empress of the North" - yes, a paddleweeler, doing the Inside Passage (Juneau roundtrip) and Seattle - Juneau / Juneau - Seattle.

We just came back from a Juneau roundtrip, and it was an excellent cruise, though more expensive than the usual cruise ships going to Alaska.

The food is superb, and the boat is very small, only about 200 passengers. Seeing whales is different on such a boat. You don't see them from 60 feet above water level, they show up just some feet away from where you'e standing on the lower deck, which is only a few feet above water level. And the boat goes to fijords and narrow canals where the big cruise ships just can't go.

If you like, read our cruise review about the Empress of the North at http://www.rivers-rails.com.

I 2nd South America. In fact, the Celebrity Millennium is heading to South America December 24th and will be bumping around down there until returning April 2nd.

The ship is in drydock in November for a few improvements and has an excellent South America schedule ahead.

The Holland America Rotterdam arrives to South America earlier and offers an incredibly nice cruising experience.

Sam

Marco Polo for Antarctica... very loyal following. She has an ice-breaker hull so can do extremely deep into the continent, and takes only 500 pax.

www.orientlines.com

Mark

(not biased, but I do work for them! ;-) )