Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Cruises to the Western Pacific. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they take this tour. It should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
This cruise is subject to special cancellation and refund policies. Cancellations received more than 180 days before departure date will receive a full refund less 20% of the tour cost. For cancellations received from 179 days to 91 days before your embarkation date, you will receive a refund minus 50% of the total price. The full expedition fee is forfeit if your notice of cancellation is received within 90 days of your departure date.
ENTERING AND LEAVING NEW ZEALAND: New Zealand authorities require a passport that is valid for at least three months after the date you are intending to depart New Zealand. Visas are not required for US and Canadian citizens, but may be needed by citizens of other countries. Please contact your nearest New Zealand embassy or consulate if you have questions.
HEALTH: No inoculations are required for this cruise. The Spirit of Enderby carries a medical advisor and a well-equipped medical clinic on the middle deck. The medical advisor is available 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency on board. Our vessel has a small clinic, and a qualified western doctor trained in emergency medicine will be on board during the cruise. In order to insure that our on-board doctor has the information he or she needs, all cruise participants will be asked to fill out a health advisory, to be returned to the WINGS office no later than 60 days before sailing.
PACE OF TOUR: Our routine will vary somewhat from day to day. During days at sea you can sleep until breakfast or be out an hour or two before for some seabirding. The great thing about being on a ship is that you can rest when you want, and even the shore excursions and zodiac cruises are optional (but obviously recommended!). On some landings there may be options for shorter or longer walks, and we will choose the ones best suited to birding (none of them overly strenuous). If in the course of the trip you are concerned about your ability to participate in any particular hike or activity, please consult the ship guides before you start. Zodiac excursions may range from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on local conditions.
A reasonable degree of mobility is required for passage on expedition ships, and travelers with significant physical limitations or medical conditions are advised not to participate in these cruises. Please remember that more than rudimentary medical care will be impossible during the course of the cruise. If you have limitations but nonetheless feel you are able to participate in an expedition cruise, please advise us in detail and in writing of the nature of your limitation, and please attach a letter from your physician expressing his or her approval of your participation.
Any condition discovered at or before boarding may, at the sole discretion of the ship’s captain, be grounds for denying the participant boarding privileges or requiring the participant to leave the ship and terminate his or her continued participation in the cruise. People thus excluded are responsible for all expenses associated with getting themselves home. By forwarding a deposit for this cruise, the cruise participant certifies that he or she is in good physical health and capable of performing the normal activities on this expedition.
CLIMATE:
NORFOLK ISLAND
Norfolk Island has a subtropical climate tempered by the surrounding sea. Temperature ranges are small, with the average maximum temperature ranging from between 66°F and 68°F in winter to between 74°F and 76°F in summer. Rainfall is greatest during the four months from May to August; the wettest month is June.
NEW CALEDONIA
With slight seasonal changes, hotter, drier weather occurs between December and February, with temperatures between 74°F and 86°F. Tropical cyclones are an occasional occurrence, and rainfall in some parts is more consistent throughout the year than others, but generally rainfall is a bit heavier between February and May. Around the middle of the year, temperatures drop by about 10°F and the rain eases up.
SOLOMON ISLANDS
The tropical temperature range of 77 to 86°F creates the perfect ambiance at any time of the year for these exotic, volcanic islands. Humidity is always high, but the even temperature and fresh sea breezes mean that conditions are never too stuffy. Rainfall is mostly even throughout the year, but on some islands is heaviest between October and April.
CAROLINE ISLANDS
In the more northern islands, you can almost be guaranteed that the temperature will be between 68°F and 86°F at any time of day, any day of the year. Closer to the equator, things are a bit warmer, and days usually creep into the high 80s. Humidity is usually high, but the even temperature and fresh sea breezes mean that conditions are never too stuffy. Heavy rainfall occurs between June and December, but closer to the equator rainfall is distributed more evenly throughout the year.
NORTHERN MARIANAS
This far western region of the Pacific consistently delivers temperatures between 68°F and 86°F at any time of day, any day of the year. Humidity is always high, but the even temperature and fresh sea breezes mean that conditions are never too stuffy. Rainfall is moderately heavy for most of the year, but typhoons tend to pay the islands a visit between July and November, bringing heavy downpours.
OUR SHIP: The m/v Professor Khromo, aka Spirit of Enderby, is a modern and comfortable oceanographic research vessel. She was built in 1983 as an ice-strengthened vessel, and is now under long-term contract by Heritage Expeditions. She has been converted for passenger use and is ideally suited for expedition cruising. The vessel measures 236 feet in length and 142 feet in breadth, and has a draft of approximately 15 feet and a displacement of 2,140 tons. Powered by two 3,000 bhp diesel engines, she is capable of speeds of 14 knots.
The Professor Khromov has a large bridge, where you are always welcome (except during some docking operations) and good open deck viewing areas. She carries a full complement of Zodiac craft, excellent for landings and wildlife viewing opportunities in otherwise inaccessible areas.
FOOD: Excellent cuisine prepared by our chefs is served in the dining room. The dining room can accommodate all passengers at a single seating. There will be no seat assignments. Our Australian and New Zealand chefs will delight you with international cuisine, prepared with the freshest products available. Our chefs on board can prepare food according to your special dietary needs provided that this information is specified on the booking form in advance of departure date. We regret that kosher, halal, and vegan meals are not available on board.
COMMUNICATIONS: The Spirit of Enderby is equipped with the Iridium satellite phone for phone calls and for receiving and sending emails.
DRESS: Informal throughout.
SMOKING: Smoking is not allowed when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If any site where the group is gathered has a stricter policy than the WINGS policy, the stricter policy will prevail.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS OF WINGS TOURS: Please take a moment to read the General Information and Conditions on the WINGS website. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours, and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
FINAL INFORMATION: Final information with instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Updated: December 2009