This last year saw many exciting developments in small ship and
expedition cruising; new ships, new destinations, challenges and
disasters. Here is an entirely subjective, semi-serious round-up of the
year’s high- and low-lights.
Sexy-as-all-get-out Award for new ship: Without a doubt, the brand
new French-flagged Ponant L’Austral waltzes (or high-kicks) in as
winner. Overlook for a moment the superb maritime design and
engineering and just focus on the 88 private balconies, swish cabins,
fine dining and saucy, after-dinner dance show. Oo-la-la!
Captain Ahab Trophy for best skipper: No argument here, it’s the
indomitable Captain Frank Allica of Orion II. Ex-RAN Capt Allica showed
exemplary courage under fire for delivering his ship, the adventureprone
Orion II, through a category 5 storm without so much as a spilled
champagne. Even when the ship turned on him if a fit of pique, Allica
delivered the recalcitrant vessel into port without a single casualty. At
ease captain.
There-be-Dragons Gilded Plate for new destination: It was a tie
between Russian Far East and Borneo, so I tossed a coin. The winner is
Borneo, mainly because it is close, raw, exciting and still has a bit of
infrastructure. What’s more, Borneo needs more fingers pointing at it
for its environmental importance. Thanks Orion Expeditions for
running with this slippery ball.
The Amnesia Award for most forgettable journey: Again it was
close, but for very different reasons. Was it Polar Star’s aborted
Antarctic foray with a punctured hull, Lyubov Orlova’s undignified
arrest in Nova Scotia some 15 months ago or North Korea’s
so-bad-it’s-funny attempt aboard the former gun-running steamer,
Mangyongbong. The winner is Kim Il-sung’s heroic, immortal and
genius-inspired travesty that looked more like a remake of Exodus than
a pleasure cruise. Oy vey!
Shackleton Memorial Medal for Expedition Heroics: Arise One
Ocean expedition leader and veteran of more than 100 polar voyages,
David McGonigal F.R.G.S, for stepping up to the plate in time of dire
need. “As expedition leader, the responsibility for any rescue mission
was mine” said McGonigal calmly after he personally oversaw the
evacuation of 85 panic-stricken passengers from icebreaker, Polar Star,
in danger of sinking after striking an uncharted rock. “Common ground
with Shackleton, Hurley and Hillary” indeed. We need more men like
you McGonigal.
Kick Butt OMG Trophy for craziest expedition: Would it be
Branson’s planned super deep submarine, his almost-there space probe
or Adventure Associates 3750m plunge into the Atlantic to view the
wreck of the Titanic? Given that Mike McDowell’s epic $60,000/pp dive
*is* happening, we award the KBOMG statuette of Kate Winslett to
McDowell and the crew for this landmark (is that the right word?)
adventure. “I’m the king of the world!”
Adventure cruising is certainly the most exciting, in-demand and
eco-sensitive form of travel currently on offer – and yes, I am being
serious this time. 2012 will be another year where environmental
imperatives play a part in many travel decisions. Do we carbon offset?
Do we boycott dodgy destinations and human rights abusers? Or do
we just go for it like there’s no tomorrow, because, if you ask the
Mayans, that’s the way it’s looking. Happy New Year all and book your
adventure cruise now before it’s too late.
