Expeditions

Future Expeditions

World Cruise (including the Antarctic Peninsula): M.Y. SARSEN will be cruising around the world for 9 months from August 2, 2008 to May 9, 2009.

The vessel is available for charter for all sections of the voyage except those shown as ‘chartered’

Please contact us for further information.

DEPARTURE	DATE	ARRIVAL	DATE
Subic Bay,Philippines	2-Aug-08	Darwin, Australia	11-Aug-08
Darwin, Australia	22-Sep-08	Horn Island	26-Sep-08
Horn Island	28-Sep-08	Cairns	6-Oct-08
Cairns	13-Oct-08	Cook Islands	27-Oct-08
Cook Islands	29-Oct-08	Pitican Island	6-Nov-08
Pitican Island	8-Nov-08	Easter Island	14-Nov-08
Easter Island	16-Nov-08	Puerto Montt	26-Nov-08
Puerto Montt - Chartered	8-Dec-08	Punta Arenas - Chartered	13-Dec-08
Punta Arenas - Chartered	14-Dec-08	Antarctic Peninsula - (a)	16-Dec-08
Antarctic Peninsula	26-Dec-08	Ushuaia	28-Dec-08
Ushuaia	29-Dec-08	Antarctic Peninsula - (b)	31-Dec-08
Antarctic Peninsula	9-Jan-09	Ushuaia	11-Jan-09
Ushuaia	12-Jan-09	Antarctic Peninsula - (c)	14-Jan-09
Antarctic Peninsula	23-Jan-09	Ushuaia	25-Jan-09
Ushuaia	26-Jan-09	Falkland Island	30-Jan-09
Falkland Island	4-Feb-09	South Georgia	7-Feb-09
South Georgia	10-Feb-09	Cape Town	21-Feb-09
Cape Town	2-Mar-09	Mauritius	13-Mar-09
Mauritius	16-Mar-09	Cocos Island	26-Apr-09
Cocos Island	30-Apr-09	Subic Bay, Philippines	9-May-09

Antarctic Peninsula: During her 9 month world cruise (mentioned above), the M.Y. SARSEN will visit Antarctica three separate times. Details of the three cruises around the Antarctic Peninsula are below.

Tour No. SRN14DEC2008 – Chartered/Not Available
- Date of Embarkation: 14 December, 2008 from Punta Arenas
- Date of Disembarkation: 28 December, 2008 at Ushuaia
- Private Tour-Guests: 6 persons
- Intended Itinerary:
Tour No. SRN29DEC2008
- Date of Embarkation: 29DEC2008 from Ushuaia
- Date of Disembarkation: 11 January, 2009 at Ushuaia
- No. of Passengers: 12 persons
- Intended Itinerary:
Tour No. SRN12JAN2008
- Date of Embarkation: 12 January, 2009 from Ushuaia
- Date of Disembarkation: 25 January, 3009 from Ushuaia
- No. of Passengers: 12 persons
- Intended Itinerary:
  - 14.01.09 Half Moon Island / Robert Island
  - 15.01.09 King George Island / Penguin Island
  - 16.01.09 Brown Bluff
  - 17.01.09 Devil Island / Paulet Island
  - 18.01.09 Deception Island
  - 19.01.09 Useful Island / Cuverville Island / Danco Island
  - 20.01.09 Neko Harbor / Almirante Brown
  - 21.01.09 Vernadsky Station
  - 22.01.09 Port Lockroy, Goudier Island
  - 23.01.09 Hannah Point

Past Expeditions

Vanuatu Islands: Breathtaking scenery, living culture, limitless adventure along with fantastic diving, snorkelling and swimming in crystal clear tropical water, are many of the many attractions Vanuatu Islands have to offer.

Itinerary for 10 days from April 1, 2007:

Day 1: Guests arrived in Port Vila, Efate Island. The capital of Vanuatu is a collection of Melanesian, English, French and Asian culture and Guests and Crew found the market a great place to meet the locals with their fresh produce and souvenir stalls.
Day 2: Cook's Reef, Ambae Island. This one of the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific and Cook's Reef is ideal for diving with its clear waters and beautiful reefs.
Day 3 & 4: Luganville, Espiritu Santo Island. This was an important operations base during World War 2 and the US Army left behind airfields, bomber wrecks and sank their military equipment after the war creating the renowned dive site, Million dollar Point. The experienced divers on board enjoyed diving on the 200 m long SS President Coolidge which lies in 20-70 metres of water.
Day 5, 6 & 7: Gaua Island also known as Santa Maria. The local people were eager to take guests on a village tour and gave a traditional dance performance. One of the special events on the island is Water Dancing which was quite spectacular and unique.
Day 8: Pentecost Island. This island is famous for the Naghol or land diving ritual which takes place in April and May each year. The 20 metre tower, built of logs, skilfully lashed together with vines, is built on a sloping hillside with soft brown earth below. Onlookers from MY Sarsen held their breath when the local men from the village dive from the tower with a vine tied to their ankles.
Day 9: Malekula Island. This is the second largest island in the archipelago and presented a wonderful opportunity for diving, snorkelling and fishing. Our vessel cruised along the south east coast and through the channels providing breathtaking scenery for all on board.
Day 10: Lamen Bay, Epi Island. Guests enjoyed a unique experience of diving with a resident dugong (sea cow), before returning to Port Vila in the late afternoon.

Itinerary for 8 Days from April 20, 2007:

Day 1: Departed Port Vila, with a short cruise along the coast of Efate Island to arrive at sunset at Havana Bay. The guests enjoyed swimming in the pool while watching the colours fill the sky as the sun sank over the horizon.
Day 2, 3 & 4: Dillion's Bay, Ipota Isalnd. On arrival the local people welcomed us in their traditional canoes. During the day, guests made a number of trips ashore to tour the village, the school and peruse the local lobster, coconut crab and sandalwood exports. Some of the more adventurous on board joined the locals on a traditional pig hunt, and at night the village men escorted our divers to a secluded site in the hunt for lobsters.
Day 5, 6: Lenakel, Tanna is a unique combination of culture, adventure and mystery. Mt Yasur, one of the most accessible active volcanoes in the world, is an exciting natural phenomenon and provided an outstanding fireworks display on a night visit by guests and crew. Tanna is a goldmine of experiences, featuring the wreck of the Fijian, a sailing ship which sank in 1916, wild horses which inhabit White Grass Plains, the contrasting white sandy beaches and the black sand of Imlao Beach, waterfalls, hot springs and the spectacular Yapilmai Cascades.
Day 7: Mystery Island. Surrounded by turquoise waters, waves breaking on the reef,Ā pristine sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and coral paths. The island is uninhabited, although its Aneityum caretakers are just across the water where village chiefs love to tell stories about the days of cannibalism. Guests found the island is perfect for snorkelling or simply lazing on the beach.
Day 8: All onboard enjoyed a leisurely cruise back to Port Vila.

Photo Gallery

Antarctica: December 11, 2006 - The Sarsen departed Adelaide with streamers flying to commence her maiden voyage to Antarctica. Final provisions were taken on board in Hobart and more guests joined the vessel. Guests include four children, Kip 4years old, Harry 6 years old, Chelsea 9 years old and Mardi 11 years old. Our very experienced expedition guide from Hobart was Eric Philips, who not only provided Antarctic guidance but also organized some great activities on board.

The Sarsen headed south for 3 days to Macquarie Island. Thousands of penguins and seals lined the beaches to welcome us. Under the guidance of local rangers we were able to go ashore and get "up close and personal" with these beautiful creatures.

Heading further south towards Ballemy Islands we encountered the first of may stunning and fascinating icebergs.

Xmas day started with the Captain blowing the ship's horn for "present opening" at 7.00 am and to every ones delight it was snowing on the decks. Ballemy Islands were surrounded with ice so xmas lunch was served while the vessel floated amongst the broken ice and icebergs. During the afternoon, guests swam in the heated pool and watched the icebergs float by.

Next stop, on Boxing Day, was Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay.

After waiting for the strong winds to abate, the guests and crew spent time ashore on the Antarctic continent. Etched into all our memories was the added privilege of being able to inspect the historic Mawson's Huts under the guidance of the Mawson Hut team.

The Sarsen then sailed along the Antarctic coast past the French Base then turned north toward home. Before departing the icy surrounds, the most adventurous on board, made a traditional jump into the icy waters then thawed out in the heated pool.

The experience of walking on the ice and snow of Antarctica and witnessing wildlife and ice bergs that take your breath away - this is what dreams are made of!

Photo Gallery

East Coast of Australia: In July 2006, the Sarsen sailed from Thailand to Cairns with a short stopover in Bali.

As the vessel had spent all of its previous history in the northern hemisphere, there was much celebration at the crossing of the equator and to arrive at Cairns.

During August and September, a number of trips were made out to the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding islands.

With a qualified dive instructor on board and dive facilities provided, many explored the fascinating underwater world. Guests also had the opportunity to participate in other activities including guided walks around some of the islands and atolls, Lizard Island was one of the favorites.

In October, 2006, the Sarsen sailed from Cairns, to Hamilton Island and on to Sydney.

It was a historic moment for the Sarsen as she cruised past the Opera House and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sarsen was docked for four days in Sydney giving guests and crew a chance to explore the beautiful city. The last leg of this journey was from Sydney, down the coast and around to Adelaide. The weather was again fantastic, with extremely high visibility allowing guests to view the picturesque coastline.

Photo Gallery