Guest Astronomer for Coral Princess 2016 Solar Eclipse expedition cruise

Australia’s small ship cruise line Coral Princess Cruises has announced that David Reneke, one of Australia’s most well-known astronomy experts, will be joining their expedition team to witness the total solar eclipse occurring in Indonesia on the morning of 09 March 2016. Reneke, who has over 40 year’s experience in astronomy and links to some of the world’s leading astronomical institutions, is the editor of Astro-Space News Magazine and  a familiar voice to a radio audience of up to four million listeners who tune in to his weekly astronomy segments broadcast across Australia.

Throughout the expedition Reneke will be inviting guests to take part in a series of astronomy lectures and Q&As, as well as providing expert commentary throughout the morning of the total solar eclipse and regular star gazing sessions. Coral Princess’s flagship Oceanic Discoverer will be anchored close to the Indonesian island of Pulau Jiew, a prime viewing position along the centreline of the eclipse path, as part of a longer itinerary featuring Papua New Guinea and West Papua’s Raja Ampat and Spice Islands. Guests will be able to experience the entire three hour transition of the moon, including some three and  a half minutes of totality, where ‘day turns to night’ as the moon completely obscures the sun.

Two itineraries are on offer to experience the eclipse; a 24-night New Guinea Circle programme commences in Alotau (Papua New Guinea) on 23 February 2016 and incorporates the Eastern PNG coast, Raja Ampat and the Spice Islands before concluding in Darwin, whilst a shorter 14-night option from Wewak to Darwin departing on 04 April 2016 is also available.  The 24-night New Guinea Circle starts at $20,290 per person whilst the 14-night expedition is priced from $13,160 per person. Prices include all meals, lectures and services of the all-Australian expedition staff and excursions aboard a fleet of zodiacs, glass bottom boat, kayaks and the unique ‘Xplorer’ excursion tender.

Coral Princess Cruises pioneered small-ship expedition cruising in Australia and the South Pacific in 1984. In addition to the Kimberley expedition, the company operates year-round small ship cruises on the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, along with an enthralling 11-night Cape York & Arnhem Land adventure between Cairns and Darwin. Further afield, Papua New Guinea, the Islands of the South Pacific, New Zealand and the Raja Ampat and Spice Islands regions of Indonesia feature in the company’s exciting range of itineraries throughout the South Pacific and South East Asia.

For further information and reservations contact Coral Princess Cruises on 1800 079 545 or visit www.coralprincess.com.au.