BERTHS are fast running out for one-off solar eclipse cruises off the coast of Cairns in November, as the countdown continues to an event set to provide a multi-million dollar windfall for the region.

Cruise options include the unique Cairns-based Sea Swift’s MV Trinity Bay coastal trading ship, and Sea Swift chief executive officer Fred White said only two three-bed cabins were left.

He said the Far North was the only place in the world to experience the full glory of the total solar eclipse from 5.45am to 7.40am on Wednesday, November 14.

Mr White said their cruise would provide something extra special to one of the best kept cruising secrets in Australia.

"We cruise 48 weeks of the year from Cairns north to the Torres Strait Islands and provide the most unique cruising experience of your life," he said.

"Trinity Bay is expected to pass along the coast between Port Douglas and Cairns at the same time as the total solar eclipse.

"We sail very close to the coast, so just imagine the experience of being out on the water, watching the eclipse along with thousands of other people viewing on from the beaches."

Cairns-based Coral Princess Cruises trips are booked out on their Coral Princess I and II vessels with a waiting list if there are any cancellations.

Holland America Line's MS Oosterdam has a 14-day cruise from Sydney from November 7, passing Cairns on November 14 enroute to New Caledonia and Noumea.

Sailing on board will be Alan Wright, former principal astronomer at Australia's Parkes Radio Observatory, Daniel Ostler, presenter of Connecting the Dots lecture series and Donna Giesler (aka the Star lady), who has led stargazing workshops for years in Hawaii.

Orion Expedition Cruises, a leading expedition cruise operator in Asia Pacific, will have two ships off Port Douglas chartered by US organisations for the eclipse.

One of the vessels, Orion II carrying 100 passengers and 70 crew, will make her first visit to Australia as part of the charter.

An 11-night cruise on Princess Cruises' superliner Dawn Princess leaves Sydney on November 6 to stop over in Brisbane and Port Douglas before the total eclipse.

Pacific Jewel and Pacific Dawn also are sailing to the Pacific Islands and the Far North to ensure the ships offer the best vantage points for the eclipse.

NEW CAIRNS.COM.AU COMMENT POLICY
We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Comments submitted without a full name and suburb/location will not be considered for publication. Please read our full comment policy and publication guidelines.

Share this article